Disney/Orlando Golfing

[golfballz]

suggestions...

BTW - I am new here, my name is Jason and I live in OH.

So here it is... I have only been golfing for about 2 years now, but I am definitely addicted. Play1-2 times/week (till winter, then I still play if the courses are open)... club membership, etc...

Next winter we are going to take a trip to Disney World with the wifes sister and husband who happens to be my golf partner! So, this will be my first 'semi' golf vacation... the wifes are cool with us golfing as long as we do the early morning tee-times and meet up at the parks around noon.

That brings me to my question... I am a nerd and am already checking out courses for the trip! I feel like we have to play at least one Disney course, but that is all I know.
We both shoot in the 90-95 range... not great, but not afraid of a challenging course.

What Disney course(s) are a must play?
What other courses in the area should we check out?
Something as close to WDW as possible as we hope to not drive all over the place!

Hoping to play about 4x in the week.


Anyone know anything about these 2:
ridgewood lakes golf course fl
http://www.golfsbw.com/golf/proto/golfstoneybrookwest/

[dmagalhaes]

The three courses at Disney that are must plays in my opinion are The Palm, Magnolia and Osprey Ridge. I've always enjoyed playing those 3.

[NoPro]

Of the Disney courses, I prefer Ospry course..... but most all of them are fun........ a bit further to your southwest just off of Inetrstate 4 is Champions Gate ....bit expensive ..but they have the National and Inter national course ....I like the International ...takes on more of the characteristics of a links course. Stoneybrook West is a fun track.
But if your staying in the Disney area ...there are SO many courses available there. One of the best is Grand Cypress ...try to get there if you can.

Have Fun man ...weathers fine here !!!

[bvmagic]

Disney has great courses and make it very easy to play early to meet at parks with your family. I think it was some kind of program where you play 9 early then they guarantee you will be shuttled to any park by noon. 18 holes can probably be done as long as you are one of the first groups out. Out of the two courses you mentioned I'd rather play Stoneybrook west. Overall its just in better shape and greens were always good for me.

Only Disney course I played was Magnolia, which is cool to play the same course the tour plays every year. Orange county national has two great courses near Disney One of the courses was still waiting for the new greens to mature so they may not be ready, when you call ask them first. Celebration has a course which was nice, I heard they got new greens a couple years ago but I haven't been there in a while. Hawks landing is a Marriott course also near by, fantastic shape and service from the staff every time I go there. Falcons fire golf club usually has great conditions, I felt the layout was kind of boring though.

All the courses I just mentioned are pretty good and close to Disney. Check on golfnow if they have any deals. I would suggest playing Disney courses on days where you are going to parks with shorter hours. Usually Animal Kingdom closes the earliest. Disney ticket prices are ridiculous so try to make sure you'll be able to experience most of each park. Epcot would be the most difficult to do in one day. Make good use of the fast pass system on the popular attractions. Also just a warning, you'll be hit with a lot of toll roads in that area especially if your driving to the parks from some of the courses I mentioned, so bring lots of change.

Welcome to golfwrx! If you need some more info on golf courses or Disney parks feel free to pm me.

[golfballz]

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

bvmagic - I may hit you up later with some questions.


ALSO - Before I get blasted... As I sated before, new to the forum, did a little more looking around and found the '[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/forum/135-golf-course-reviews-resorts-and-travel/"][size="3"][color="#353535"]Golf Course Reviews, Resorts and Travel[/color][/size][/url]' which obviously has some good tips on Orlando/Disney golf.

Thanks again.

[mr_dare]

As mentioned, Orange County National and ChampionsGate are two good ones if you have the time.

It is Florida so water hazards are the norm most any course you play.

Should be a great time....

[MJP22]

Try out this site. I used them for my trip to Orlando a couple years ago and they did a great job getting us rescheduled when we got rained out. Also, just use it as a source to get an idea of prices/reviews, etc.

[url="http://www.golforlando.com/golforlando/index.cfm"]http://www.golforlando.com/golforlando/index.cfm[/url]

[TexasAg]

Falcon's Fire is about 5 minutes from Disney and one of the best courses in the area.

[Miss Shanksalot]

As others have mentioned, Osprey Ridge is really nice and it's more "forest-y" than the other courses. OTOH, Magnolia has the infamous Mickey Mouse Bunker at hole #6. Lake Buena Vista is actually more like two courses meshed together, with the first half composed of Key West-type greenery and the second half composed of more wide open fairways with fewer trees. I don't think you can go wrong at any of them.

If you're going to stay at a Disney property, Disney Golf will provide free transportation for you to get to and from your resort. Also, if you're going to play more than one course, they'll keep and transfer your clubs for you, which is kinda handy.

Have fun.

Kim

[FLGOLFJUNKIE]

All I have to say is, GolfNow.com


Grand Cypress
Celebration
OC National
Disney Osprey Ridge and Palm

Have played all of them and haven't paid more than 40 each time..

[mav52]

Orange County National
Shingle Creek Golf Club
Grand Cypress
Champions Gate

Having recently lived in Orlando area for 24 years the ones noted above were my favorite courses, but my over favorite course is Bay Hills where I used to live.

[tpariff]

One that I haven't seen mentioned but is one of my favorites is the Legends Course at Orange Lake Resort. It's just a few minutes from Disney and a great course. Normal rates there are less than some of the others because it doesn't get the publicity. But it's worth every penny!

Kevin

[fsutanker]

You should use teetimesusa.com to book a stay and play package. They get preferred rates and it comes out to nearly free lodging at condos or hotels that you choose in your package. They are an awesome group of people. You will get a great trip at a great price. And they can book at almost every course in Orlando.

[nutter]

just played the palm and osprey ridge last week, both are really nice but prefer the palm a little more and has better club rentals if you need to rent (titty 909s). couldn't get on magnolia

[AndersonGT]

I leave for Orlando on Friday and will be playing twice maybe three times while I am there. I got a great deal at Grande Lakes Ritz Carlton for only $65! Thats through ezlinks.com. You even get a forecaddie for that price. I have read very good things about it.

I also got an early round at Osprey Ridge for $84 on golfnow. I also am hoping to get down to Royal St. Cloud for a less expensive round.

[sabram]

If you are felxible about tee times and can play in the afternoon there are many good deals on line. I just booked three rounds for next week at Grand Cypress, Shingle Creek and Falcons Fire for an average of less than $50 per round

[AndersonGT]

Just played Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes this morning. The course was in immaculate shape! My caddie Jack was awsome! I will be going back. If this is what Orlando golf is all about, I will be back all too often. Disney courses later this week!

[swomack]

[quote name='AndersonGT' timestamp='1323307209' post='3907963']
I leave for Orlando on Friday and will be playing twice maybe three times while I am there. I got a great deal at Grande Lakes Ritz Carlton for only $65! Thats through ezlinks.com. You even get a forecaddie for that price. I have read very good things about it.

I also got an early round at Osprey Ridge for $84 on golfnow. I also am hoping to get down to Royal St. Cloud for a less expensive round.
[/quote]

How did you like the round at Royal St. Cloud? I went there on Saturday. I thought it was ok for the money. There are three issues I have with it.

1 - There is no course layout, gps in cart, or diagrams to go by. If you haven't played there before you may have no idea where the hole goes. This is especially an issue on the red 9.
2 - While it is way out in the boonies it still gets lots of noise from surrounding neighborhoods and farms. I'm more of a muni type player and it was even a lot for me.
3 - No course marshal. Just a starter. We got behind some yahoo giving his girlfriend lessons as they played and replaying several shots. We asked them to move it along but they ignored us. I had to call the pro shop to get them to send someone out to resolve it. By this time there were two foursomes of us waiting for them to tee off on a hole.

Some other picky issues. Very few yardage markers and pins w/o the reflectors so my rangefinder had issues beyond 180yds.

[pjmac]

I might as well get my two cents' worth in here. My son JMac02 spent six years in college in Orlando so I had the chance to visit and get out with him at least a couple times a year. As far as Disney courses Osprey Ridge has been mentioned several times and I agree it is the best, but Magnolia is a close second. Other area favorites are either of the two courses at Orange County National, the International at ChampionsGate, and Falcon's Fire. Another really nice one if you like links golf is the New Course at Grand Cypress. It's fun and shouldn't be hard, but you can't tell that by looking at my score the couple times I have played it.

[FLGOLFJUNKIE]

Can't agree more about the New Course. LAst few times I've gone it's been a bit too crowded for my taste, but still a wonderful course!