Orlando/Tampa Golf Trip -- need some recommendations

wannabettz · February 6, 2022

So me and a few guys are headed back down to Florida for a 5 day golf trip. We will be staying in Winter Haven which puts us kind of right between the Orlando area and Tampa. I am looking for a few suggestions on where to play. I know that most of prefer courses that are not lined with houses.

I will say that we have been down to this area before and some of the courses we have already played are listed below.

Disney Palm

Disney Magnolia

Falcon Fire

Celebrations

OCN Panther Lake

Championsgate CC

Providence GC

Eaglebrooke GC

We may opt to play one of these courses again but generally would like to try some new ones. What courses do you recommend in the Orlando/Tampa area that are not listed that are absolutely worth checking out. Our Budget is about $150 or less which seems like the sweet spot for most courses down there. Is TPC Tampa worth the splurge?

Any advice is appreciated!

Thank you

jerebear21 · February 7, 2022

southern dunes is an easy pick

I do however enjoy lake wales country club though it's been awhile so I don't know the recent conditions.

Cleveland heights is a relatively short course but awesome club house and place to drink and talk. Very old school florida feel. I always enjoy the environment more than the course though there are some interesting tilted greens.

Tim_Gavrich · February 9, 2022

I second the nomination of Southern Dunes. There are houses around it but it's my favorite course in the Orlando area (and I've played most of the better-known and more expensive places).

Have you inquired about the Country Club of Winter Haven? I know it's private but they might be open to accommodating your group, especially if one or two of you are members of a private club and can have your home pro arrange it. CCWH is really nice, very peaceful setting as well.

The little course in Bartow looks very quaint, but probably a little rudimentary. I stopped by once on the way to Streamsong and took a look around but didn't play. They claim to be a Donald Ross course but, like Lake Wales, I don't think that's true.

wannabettz · February 10, 2022

Thanks for the replies! I agree Southern Dunes is an easy choice for one of the rounds, it was in perfect shape. I really liked Champsionsgate CC and even Eaglebrooke as well. We will probably play 2 of those 3 courses again.

Since we are also trying to play a few new courses we were considering the following but if there is something else not listed please let me know . Which of these are worth a shot, we need another 4 courses.

OCN Crooked Cat

Royal St. Cloud

Eagle Creek

Highland Reserve

Grand Cypress

Is there anything worth playing in Tampa?

sabram · February 10, 2022

As has been said, Southern Dunes is the one must play. 5 minutes from Southern Dunes is White Heron. It's okay but not great. Better players tend to like it. It's tight with lots of water. There are a lot of "locals" courses in the Winter Haven and Lakeland area. None are great, but some are decent and all are inexpensive. Check these out:

Big Cypress

Links at Sandpiper

Willowbrook

Cypress Wood

Cleveland Heights.

wannabettz · February 13, 2022

We wont be stuck in the Winter Haven area, I am aware the courses in Winter Haven are not that great and we are willing to drive back up towards Orlando or in any other direction within 45 minutes if needed.

Does that change any suggestions?

Edited February 13, 2022 by wannabettz

chisag · February 13, 2022

... I have always enjoyed Champions Gate International and Celebration but my favorite that most don't mention is

the Legends at Orange Lake. Mostly without homes, the only hole you see is the one you are playing and just a fun, challenging course. Not a fan of the Reserve so make sure it is the Legends course.

wannabettz · February 20, 2022

Starting to book some tee times and its already slim pickin at some of the courses. We will have to get creative but it looks like well be able to manage.

My one question: Once we get an extra hour of daylight next month, what would you say is the latest time I would comfortably be able to tee off in order to finish with daylight?

sabram · February 21, 2022

Extra hour starts on March 13. You can still play at 7:30 PM and even a bit later than that until you can't see your ball. To be certain to get in 18 holes, I'd try to get a tee time no later than 2:30 pm on the touristy courses or 3:00 pm on the courses away from the tourist areas.

wannabettz · February 24, 2022

Ok that is good to know. Booking our rounds now.

Has anyone played the Harmony Golf Preserve? Is it worth checking out?

sabram · February 24, 2022

4 hours ago, wannabettz said:

Has anyone played the Harmony Golf Preserve? Is it worth checking out?

I haven't played there since last year. It's a pretty good course. The course has tended to be wet and the greens soft when I've played there. It's pretty far away from most of the other courses mentioned in this thread. Click on the photo below for a photo tour of Harmony.

Harmony Golf Preserve

FLGOLFJUNKIE · February 25, 2022

What about Streamsong? It's worth every penny.

sabram · February 25, 2022

10 hours ago, FLGOLFJUNKIE said:

What about Streamsong? It's worth every penny.

Love Streamsong, but he said his max green fee is $150

wannabettz · February 25, 2022

We thought about Streamsong but they aren' t booking tee times currently unless you are a resort guest. Apparently a little later in the season it opens up to the public. It's definitely on our list for another trip but not on this one.

It seems that our final itinerary will be below.

Wed - OCN Crooked Cat

Thurs - Falcons Fire (Not my choice😕, pretty sure I hated playing here last time)

Friday -A.M. - Royal St. Cloud (white/blue)

P.M. - Harmony Preserve Golf

Sat - Eaglebrooke

Sun - Providence Golf Club

I think it should be a decent mix of courses. I was hoping to get onto Southern Dunes again this trip but times were limited. We could swap out our Sunday round for SD but it would require us to tee off later than we wanted. Its a great course I loved playing there but I think Providence will be more fun for some of the guys who will be with our group.

sabram · February 26, 2022

14 hours ago, wannabettz said:

We could swap out our Sunday round for SD but it would require us to tee off later than we wanted. Its a great course I loved playing there but I think Providence will be more fun for some of the guys who will be with our group.

You'll have fun and you've crafted a good itinerary. Just wondering, why you think they'd have more fun at Providence than SD? I play them both frequently. Providence is okay, but SD is really excellent with much more variety and really fun greens. For me, they are not in the same league as far as design or fun are concerned.

Providence (Click on photo to open album)

Southern Dunes

wannabettz · February 27, 2022

I agree with you, SD is a much nicer course with more interesting holes. However theres a few guys with us who are higher handicaps . I think they might lose their minds with all the bunkering and the faster greens at SD.

The main reason we chose Providence is simply because of the times available. We didn't want to tee off after 2pm on that Sunday.