Fort Lauderdale - Mid January

[Kuz013]

Hey guys, I'm heading down to Ft Lauderdale with a couple buddies in a week and a half, Ive done some searching on here about the courses we're playing but was hoping to get some insight from people who've played them recently and just some locals. I just curious about conditions this time of year, pace of play, things like that. Any information is helpful. Thanks

 

Courses we're planning on playing:

 

Emerald Hills

Jacaranda

Doral - White

Diplomat

[Featherbed Bent]

Jacaranda is nice - try the east course - a little more of a challenge.

A few blocks east is Plantation Preserve - another nice course that is very enjoyable and a stern test. They keep it in great shape too.

The ones you listed are all good too.

Heron Bay is nice - they used to host the Honda Classic years ago. Has come under new management and the course is very nice now.

You can also get on to TPC Eagle Trace - it is usually private but they are in need of revenue so they are offering "Member for a Day" packages to play 18 holes for around $100.

Avoid: Hillcrest, Orangebrook, Woodlands, Palm Aire, and Bonaventure.

[scs1070]

As far as conditions, this should be the best time to be down there, outside of maybe early spring. Weather should be in the 70-80 range. Usually windy this time of year.

[ButterCutter2]

If you're avoiding Palm Aire, it's because the conditions stink. The Cypress course there and the championship course at Colony West are as top notch design wise as you get b/t Palm Beach and Miami.

There's also inverrary. The real "issue" in this neck of the woods are the conditions and unfortunately it's hard to gauge that before being there.

[jharpergolf]

Emerald hills is a good one to try

[cardia10]

Use golf now.com. It will save you a fortune in tee times. I have got Heron Bay for $30.

[Hookshot33]

I've played plantation preserve and for the price, it's one of the better courses in the area.. Also, if you can get a good discount you can head over to Doral, but if you're paying full price there, it's certainly not worth the money. Doral is nice but it's really nothing special. I didn't get a chance to play heron bay but I've heard it's also very nice.

I agree about staying away from bonaventure. Boring course and when I was there the staff was fairly rude

[pingfool]

best thing about bonaventure is location to lauderdale airport -

you can be on the 1st tee in a few minutes after claiming your bags
have also played it on getaway day.

always considered it to be a "factory course" - get'em in get'em out
conditions variable

if you're coming down from up north - and havent played in a couple of months - 1st round is great no matter where you go (for me)

[James_Par]

The White at Doral is amazing! No rough, just hard gravel-like ground. I really enjoyed it and would put it in my top 5 courses I've played!

[Kuz013]

[quote name='tmfool ' timestamp='1358095105' post='6219853']
best thing about bonaventure is location to lauderdale airport -

you can be on the 1st tee in a few minutes after claiming your bags
have also played it on getaway day.

always considered it to be a "factory course" - get'em in get'em out
conditions variable

if you're coming down from up north - and havent played in a couple of months - 1st round is great no matter where you go (for me)
[/quote]


We are coming from up north (NY) went to the golf dome a couple times just to get my swing back in the groove before thursday (also happens to be my bday, which is great because ive never played on it before). We're staying at a buddies condo in Hallandale Beach, once we get off the plane we're heading straight to the Diplomat for the first round. Just excited to be able to play golf in January.

[Kuz013]

[quote name='James_Par' timestamp='1358095625' post='6219891']
The White at Doral is amazing! No rough, just hard gravel-like ground. I really enjoyed it and would put it in my top 5 courses I've played!
[/quote]

Really looking forward to it, playing it saturday so we'll already have a few rounds in before we play it, which i figured was a good idea

[pingfool]

[quote name='Kuz013' timestamp='1358112322' post='6221093']
[quote name='tmfool ' timestamp='1358095105' post='6219853']
best thing about bonaventure is location to lauderdale airport -

you can be on the 1st tee in a few minutes after claiming your bags
have also played it on getaway day.

always considered it to be a "factory course" - get'em in get'em out
conditions variable

if you're coming down from up north - and havent played in a couple of months - 1st round is great no matter where you go (for me)
[/quote]


We are coming from up north (NY) went to the golf dome a couple times just to get my swing back in the groove before thursday (also happens to be my bday, which is great because ive never played on it before). We're staying at a buddies condo in Hallandale Beach, once we get off the plane we're heading straight to the Diplomat for the first round. Just excited to be able to play golf in January.
[/quote]

Diplomat in the morning ponies @ Gulfstream in the afternoon not a bad vacation - did it for a solid week in March back a few years.
Toss in some South Beach @ night - tought 2 beat