Florida Mid February

[RBiel]

Advice/tips please????

My buddy and I (and our wives) are planning a mid Feb trip to 'somewhere' in florida. The girls don't golf - they like to shop, read, eat, swim etc..........my friend and I are golf-aholics. Here's a bit of a dilemma.....we are on a very tight budget - long story but trust me! So - I can find a two bedroom villa near Kissimmee for 90/night which seems pretty good (I think?) but how bout golf? We want to play twice a day when we're there - a.m. and p.m.
Is it best to try and book a 'package' through one of the many florida golf websites? or try and do it on my own? I'm frustrated by not seeing any avail tee times this far in advance and worried that if we get there and look for last minute deals without reservations - we won't be able to get on. We don't care WHERE in Florida we go - anywhere is better than Illinois right now.........Ideally we would be less than an hour from the ocean for the girls - but a pool is alright by them......and my friend and I don't really care if it's a "name" course - as long as it's playable (ie. greens aren't aerated). Golf on a tight budget I guess is what I'm asking for - is it possible given that we want to play a lot to make the most of our time there? Thanks in advance for any hints/tips etc. Ron

[sabram]

[quote name='RBiel' timestamp='1294256056' post='2876698']
We want to play twice a day when we're there - a.m. and p.m.
Is it best to try and book a 'package' through one of the many florida golf websites? or try and do it on my own? I'm frustrated by not seeing any avail tee times this far in advance and worried that if we get there and look for last minute deals without reservations - we won't be able to get on. [/quote]

Don't worry about not being able to get on. I'd suggest that you go somewhere near Orlando. There are more than 100 public access courses within an hour and most of them have last minute rates that are significnatly below the published rack rates that you'll pay if you book in advance. This is the best wat to do it as long as you don't have your heart set on playing specific courses. Go on Golf Now, Golf Hub or other last minute tee time websites a day or two before each day of play and you'll have plenty of choices. Afternoon rates in particular are very low. I just got back from Orlando and doing it that way I played Championsgate for $45, Disney for $59, Grand Cypress for $59 and Waldorf Astoria for $90. There are even better rates if you play further away from the theme parks. You can play excellent courses such as Sugarloaf, Deltona, Timacuan, Victoria Hills, Black Bear and Debary for less than $40. Harmony is around $50. etc etc. You mentioned Kissimmee. My favorite near Kissimmee is Southern Dunes. Royal St Cloyd is near there too and can be played for les than $30.

[RBiel]

thanks very much - i also put in for some quotes from some of the golf package places appreciate the advice and best wishes to you

[Funderpants]

Just use golfnow.com, we have a gazillion courses in FL and a lot are hurting for business. Disney area courses can get expensive so look at some places such as Lakeland, Deland or Mt. Dora, you can probably play the morning for about $30 at a decent course.

If you can't find a tee time than we were officially absorbed into the Atlantic.

[GEORGE32654]

hope i'm not too late providence golf course about 10 miles west of kissimmee on us92 is a good course at a great price should be less than 50 bucks then you could play champions gate in the afternoon about a 4-5 mile trip. golf now is probably the best way to find deals especally for the p.m.times.

[pizdiz10]

I would also suggest using golfnow.com or teetimesusa.com. You have a lot of choices no matter where you go in FLA, but down here in here in the Fort Myers/Naples area, you have a lot less choices. Hope that helps