2023 Golf Trip - Innisbrook OR Bay Hill

[jibbs1082]

Preliminary planning stages of the annual 2023 weekend trip...

 

Option 1:

Innisbrook, stay on site, 18 Friday, 36 Saturday.

Dinner likely on site, OR at a nearby higher end restaurant... some bar time for the night cap. Easy because everything is in one place.

 

Option 2:

Bay Hill Friday, something private in Orlando through connections, maybe Isleworth tbd Saturday, WP9 Saturday afternoon.

Dinner and a bar or two somewhere in Orlando area. First night probably has to be at Bay Hill.

 

Thoughts on the better plan?

 

 

[cwb12]

20 hours ago, jibbs1082 said:

Preliminary planning stages of the annual 2023 weekend trip...

 

Option 1:

Innisbrook, stay on site, 18 Friday, 36 Saturday.

Dinner likely on site, OR at a nearby higher end restaurant... some bar time for the night cap. Easy because everything is in one place.

 

Option 2:

Bay Hill Friday, something private in Orlando through connections, maybe Isleworth tbd Saturday, WP9 Saturday afternoon.

Dinner and a bar or two somewhere in Orlando area. First night probably has to be at Bay Hill.

 

Thoughts on the better plan?

 

 

Do not go to Innisbrook. You will be disappointed if you are coming for a buddies golf trip. Anywhere Orlando/Streamsong or Sarasota/Bradenton you will find better golf, lodging, and food. Or even Hammock Beach on the East Coast. Continue to watch Cabot Citrus Farms, wont open till 2024 but keep that in mind for the following year.

Edited September 14, 2022 by cwb12

[jibbs1082]

4 hours ago, cwb12 said:

Do not go to Innisbrook. You will be disappointed if you are coming for a buddies golf trip. Anywhere Orlando/Streamsong or Sarasota/Bradenton you will find better golf, lodging, and food. Or even Hammock Beach on the East Coast. Continue to watch Cabot Citrus Farms, wont open till 2024 but keep that in mind for the following year.

 

I've heard that but do you think it will be in that poor of shape a month or two before the Valspar?

 

We don't want to do streamsong only because its so isolated with no town to go out in. Also their tee times don't work for us that particular weekend....We have done Orlando before but not Bay Hill yet.

 

 

 

[cwb12]

2 hours ago, jibbs1082 said:

 

I've heard that but do you think it will be in that poor of shape a month or two before the Valspar?

 

We don't want to do streamsong only because its so isolated with no town to go out in. Also their tee times don't work for us that particular weekend....We have done Orlando before but not Bay Hill yet.

 

 

 

Before it will be fine. Are you planning all 54 at Copperhead? You could do 2 at CH and 1 on Island. The other 2 courses are not worth $1 to play. Lodging is outdated so if you dont care about that, then it isn't the worst option I guess. There isn't really a "town" to go into in Palm harbor though either. Dunedin is fun and somewhat close with lots of bars/breweries.

[jibbs1082]

14 hours ago, cwb12 said:

Before it will be fine. Are you planning all 54 at Copperhead? You could do 2 at CH and 1 on Island. The other 2 courses are not worth $1 to play. Lodging is outdated so if you dont care about that, then it isn't the worst option I guess. There isn't really a "town" to go into in Palm harbor though either. Dunedin is fun and somewhat close with lots of bars/breweries.

 

Good intel, thank you!

 

Probably would play 2x CH or Island if that's the case on the other courses. Usually the 3rd round is just kinda chill with drinks and tunes anyways.

 

 

[Robber6656]

16 hours ago, cwb12 said:

Before it will be fine. Are you planning all 54 at Copperhead? You could do 2 at CH and 1 on Island. The other 2 courses are not worth $1 to play. Lodging is outdated so if you dont care about that, then it isn't the worst option I guess. There isn't really a "town" to go into in Palm harbor though either. Dunedin is fun and somewhat close with lots of bars/breweries.

Disagree. The South course can be fun especially in the wind. The North isn’t great for sure.  The Island has 3 of the worst holes in the state of Florida. 3,4,and 6. Par 3 with a tree in the middle of the green? Copperhead is great.

 

Plenty of places to eat and drink. Rusty Bellies, Frenchies, …….

[Robber6656]

5 hours ago, jibbs1082 said:

 

Good intel, thank you!

 

Probably would play 2x CH or Island if that's the case on the other courses. Usually the 3rd round is just kinda chill with drinks and tunes anyways.

 

 

I would do two on Copperhead and the chill round on the South. The Island is not chill. I was wrong. 4 not 3 of the worst holes in Florida. Add the 9th to the list.

 

Copperhead is a course you could play every day.

[wy3134]

On 9/15/2022 at 12:00 PM, Robber6656 said:

Disagree. The South course can be fun especially in the wind. The North isn’t great for sure.  The Island has 3 of the worst holes in the state of Florida. 3,4,and 6. Par 3 with a tree in the middle of the green? Copperhead is great.

 

Plenty of places to eat and drink. Rusty Bellies, Frenchies, …….

 

i love that par 3. hit it better next time 😉  i love the tree making you choose how to play that hole, either take the aggressive approach if the pin is on the right, or play safe to the left. i also love 9, although i can see how folks hate that you hit it 230 to still have a mid iron into the green if you lay back too far to avoid going long or left into the pond. 

Edited September 20, 2022 by wy3134

[wy3134]

OP- only go to innisbrook for copperhead if its say a month or so before the valspar when they will have it in prime condition. ive been the past two years, 2021 a few days before valspar started, and then this year a month after the valspar (end of april)...copperhead was a completely different course post valspar when they didnt have it in tip top shape, and island wasnt much better either condition wise. the island is still the funnest course of the 4 to me, with shot making requirements, but its slope rating isnt lying on difficulty factor if you arent on your game. 

 

ALSO- dont eat on property, the steakhouse has limited options and way overpriced. There are a lot of seafood options about 15-20mins to the north of the property along the sponge docks and then you can also head 20mins south of the property to hit some other seafood options along the beaches. id be more than happy to look it up where ive eaten the past two years ive been there, i just cant remember off the top of my head right now. 

Edited September 20, 2022 by wy3134

[Robber6656]

4 hours ago, wy3134 said:

 

i love that par 3. hit it better next time 😉  i love the tree making you choose how to play that hole, either take the aggressive approach if the pin is on the right, or play safe to the left. i also love 9, although i can see how folks hate that you hit it 230 to still have a mid iron into the green if you lay back too far to avoid going long or left into the pond. 

If you play to the left you may not even have a putt to the pin. I wouldn’t call that playing safe.

 

The problem with 9 has nothing to do with the length of your second shot. 
 

I will be at Innisbrook the middle of October again this year.  Copperhead has never been in bad shape when I have been there in October. Last year the Island was the course not in good shape. I think they starting a renovation on the Island.

 

Packards Steakhouse is excellent but as stated it ain’t cheap. There are a lot of nice offsite dinner options. Drinks at the Osprey fire pit after.

 

Rusty Belly’s is at the spong docks. Frenchies Rockaway on Clearwater beach. Also the Beachcomber on Clearwater beach.

[sabram]

I'd substitute Southern Dunes for WP9 and play Bay Hill, Isleworth and Southern Dunes. That beats any 54 hole combo you could do at Innisbrook. 

[jjthomp2]

another vote for Orlando. The lodge at Bay hill is great too, nothing too ritzy just right.

[GolfNuts4]

Just got back from Innisbrook yesterday. They should be embarrased. I have never played on such terrible conditioned courses. There was absolutely no grass on tee boxes or fairways. The North course was horrendous and Copperhead and The Island course were not much better. I would never go back there.....even the facilities are so outdated. They have not put any money into that place in 40 years.

Edited September 22, 2022 by GolfNuts4

[Robber6656]

1 hour ago, GolfNuts4 said:

Just got back from Innisbrook yesterday. They should be embarrased. I have never played on such terrible conditioned courses. There was absolutely no grass on tee boxes or fairways. The North course was horrendous and Copperhead and The Island course were not much better. I would never go back there.....even the facilities are so outdated. They have not put any money into that place in 40 years.

North course doesn't surprise me. They are closing it and building houses and a par three course.

 

No grass on the Copperhead tees? How were the greens? I fly down in less than a month. My buddies place was just renovated so I guess you didn't stay there. He's on the 18th green of Coppehead.

[GolfNuts4]

I guess Copperhead wold be considerd the best shape of all 3, but it was still pretty poor. I was really unimpressed with the entire place. Hope your trip goes better.

[Robber6656]

8 hours ago, GolfNuts4 said:

I guess Copperhead wold be considerd the best shape of all 3, but it was still pretty poor. I was really unimpressed with the entire place. Hope your trip goes better.

I go every year. My buddy owns a place there. His unit has been renovated. There isn’t much they can do with the exterior. We are playing one round on the south and the rest on Copperhead. We’re going offsite one day to a private club our old manager runs. How were the greens on Copperhead?

Edited September 23, 2022 by Robber6656

[wy3134]

8 hours ago, GolfNuts4 said:

I guess Copperhead wold be considerd the best shape of all 3, but it was still pretty poor. I was really unimpressed with the entire place. Hope your trip goes better.

 

when you are a legacy stop on the pga tour you dont have to do much other than get the course in shape for the tourney. what shocked me the most when ive been in the spring, are the practice facilities. or lack thereof outside the copperhead course. the main driving range reminds me of a shack here at home. but even the copperhead facilities are something to be desired IMO. 

[GolfNuts4]

Copperhead had the best greens, but still very sub par in my opinion. All 3 courses practice ranges had no grass, just dirt and very beat up. All 3 courses fairways had little to no grass as well, just dirt. I was up there with 20 guys and all were very astonished that a resort could put out such a poor product.

Edited September 23, 2022 by GolfNuts4

[Robber6656]

2 hours ago, GolfNuts4 said:

Copperhead had the best greens, but still very sub par in my opinion. All 3 courses practice ranges had no grass, just dirt and very beat up. All 3 courses fairways had little to no grass as well, just dirt. I was up there with 20 guys and all were very astonished that a resort could put out such a poor product.

Disappointing to hear. I've never seen the Copperhead in bad shape. Hopefully it's better in 3 weeks. Did they comment on the condition in the proshop? Any explaination?

[sabram]

Played Bay Hill for the 4th time three days ago. I appreciate the course more with each play. It is in excellent condition.

[nugentd8]

On 9/14/2022 at 6:41 PM, cwb12 said:

Before it will be fine. Are you planning all 54 at Copperhead? You could do 2 at CH and 1 on Island. The other 2 courses are not worth $1 to play. Lodging is outdated so if you dont care about that, then it isn't the worst option I guess. There isn't really a "town" to go into in Palm harbor though either. Dunedin is fun and somewhat close with lots of bars/breweries.

Agreed!  Copperhead is a great play if you can get on it close to Valspar.  Definitely don't stay on the property though.  Very retro/outdated.

[Robber6656]

Heard yesterday that Copperhead s in great shape

[sratacik]

Bay Hill 100% over Innisbrook. I've played both and would pick Bay Hill and Orlando courses 10/10 over Innisbrook and Copperhead. The lodge at Bay Hill is awesome compared to the nursing home vibe at Innisbrook.

[jibbs1082]

Any good off-site bars around Innisbrook? Something like Square Grouper in Jupiter (short uber from PGA National etc).... Higher end Restaurant recommendations? (like 1000 North, Jupiter again...)

[kwcsports]

Bay Hill by a mile. Innisbrook has slipped big time IMHO. I won't go back there.

[jibbs1082]

We are going with Innisbrook based on the schedule - Bay Hill is closed for the tour stop... and this will be about 2 weeks before the Valspar, so we expect above average conditions. Probably will play Copperhead twice over the weekend, and 1 round at one of the others with a bunch of drinks.

 

It's an eclectic mix of architect gurus, low caps, high caps, drinkers and guys who just want to hang together.

 

Think we are in for a good weekend. Between the NLU, Barstool, Good Good videos that are filmed there, and the fact the tournament stands will be up etc, I just cant see us being miserable. We're not looking for a Bandon/Pebble/Pinehurst type weekend for this particular trip anyways - and we try to base it around knocking off a tour course.

 

$1350 pp for 4 rounds, breakfast, lunch and accommodations seems like a steal to be honest.

 

Heard that Dunedin has some fun restaurants and breweries an is only 18 min away by uber so..

 

Fingers crossed.

 

 

[Robber6656]

Jibbs,

 

https://www.rustybellies.com/

 

https://www.tarponturtle.com/

 

https://frenchysonline.com/frenchys-rockaway/

 

I like Frenchies on Rockaway the best (will also have the best scenery)  but it's a 25-30 minute drive from innisbrook. All three on on the water from huge lake (turtle) intercoastal (rusty bellies) beach frenchies.

 

Don't play the North course (it's going to be shutdown for housing and a short course. South is better than people will tell you but it goes Copperhead, Island, South as far as best to worst. On site bar with firepits is the Osprey.

[dock4]

I live in Innisbrook and I would recommend Dunedin one night. There are lots of great bars and restaurants there. I would highly recommend Crown and Bull and also the Mexican place whose name is escaping me but also The Living Room is good. Also if you want Italian go to Casa Ludovico it is 5 mins from Innisbrook.

[Robber6656]

Didn't like the Crown and Bull. Nice atmosphere but a weird menu.

[klebs01]

Any updates on innisbrook? I have to be there twice in the next two months for work conferences. Trying to decide if it’s worth bringing the clubs.