Is 3pm cutting it close to squeeze in 18 holes?

[ThePlatypus]

Going down to the Ft. Lauderdale area next week and I am bargain shopping on Golfnow.

 

Is a 3pm tee time cutting it too close on a weekday to squeeze in 18 holes?

 

I'm thinking if I book it and show up a little early, the starter will work me in as a single somewhere...maybe...hopefully?

 

The sunset tables show 7:30 as sunset - so that would be a 4 1/2 hour round which should be enough but this public golf!

[Greenie]

I wouldn't count on booking a tee time and thinking the course might let you out early. Especially if it's Golfnow's hot deal.
Now days I wouldn't count on getting done in 4 1/2 hrs. either. It might help if you posted what course you are planning on playing and quite possibly someone that plays that course can give you a better idea of what to expect.

[ThePlatypus]

Here's what's on my short list:[list]
[*]Crandon
[*]TPC @ Eagle Trace
[*]The Club at Emerald HIlls
[*]Miccosukee Golf & CC
[*]The Diplomat
[*]Plantation Preserve
[/list]

[Wedgefromhere]

3:00 isn't too late, you should be fine. If you don't mind playing as a single, I would make a 5:00 tee time. I would think you can fly around Eagle Trace (Emarld Hills too) at that time of day. Also see if you can get some recent reviews of Miccosukee.....heard it went downhill, but new management is trying to bring it back to a well conditioned course.

[ThePlatypus]

[quote name='Wedgefromhere' timestamp='1363562481' post='6631851']
3:00 isn't too late, you should be fine. If you don't mind playing as a single, I would make a 5:00 tee time. I would think you can fly around Eagle Trace (Emarld Hills too) at that time of day. Also see if you can get some recent reviews of Miccosukee.....heard it went downhill, but new management is trying to bring it back to a well conditioned course.
[/quote]

Really? That's a bummer...I found out about Miccosukee at the end of my trip last year and put it on the list for this year especially since there is a casino on sight. Didn't they use to hold mini-tour events there or qualifiers?

[Wedgefromhere]

[quote name='ThePlatypus' timestamp='1363563811' post='6631989']
[quote name='Wedgefromhere' timestamp='1363562481' post='6631851']
3:00 isn't too late, you should be fine. If you don't mind playing as a single, I would make a 5:00 tee time. I would think you can fly around Eagle Trace (Emarld Hills too) at that time of day. Also see if you can get some recent reviews of Miccosukee.....heard it went downhill, but new management is trying to bring it back to a well conditioned course.
[/quote]

Really? That's a bummer...I found out about Miccosukee at the end of my trip last year and put it on the list for this year especially since there is a casino on sight. Didn't they use to hold mini-tour events there or qualifiers?
[/quote]

The Web.com tour used to play there as recently as last year. Things got bad and they pulled out this year. I've never played there, so can't speak from personal experience. Things could be better now.....I would just check it out first.

[ThePlatypus]

So far I have booked two rounds;
Woodmont - Cypress
The Diplomat

Every time I click on a tee time for Eagle Trace it tells me that it is no longer available!!!

[ThePlatypus]

I was not impressed by Woodmont or Diplomat.

Woodmont was a slow death march, pace of play was terrible, pro shop is non-existent, conditions not that great either.

The Diplomat same as above.

Luckily I booked both thru Golfnow so it didn't hurt the wallet as much as it could have.

Third course was Osprey Point - true links style course: open, no rough, ball runs thru fairways/greens very easily, the day I played the winds were up at 30mph and there is no protection. No restaurant, food is meh, no beverage cart, pro shop selection in minimal. Pace of play was terrible. Won't go back to this one either.

Heron Bay is quickly becoming a mandatory play whenever I go down there. I paid $21 at the course, started at 4:30 and squeezed in 22 holes. Range is decent, conditions are always good, greens are quick, lots of bunkers in play, when it's windy...IT'S WINDY! From now I will start my trip here.

Next year I might go at the end of April. Most of the snow birds will have cleared out, courses should be emptier and more daylight.

I couldn't believe how packed the courses, casinos and restaurants were. I think the snowbirds stayed longer this year because of the horrible winter we had.