Orlando Golf

[sheppy335]

I am coming to Orlando next summer and would like to know some nice places to play 2 round of golf.

[sabram]

Sheppy - Orlando is a lot like Myrtle Beach in that there are dozens of choices at many price points spread out in several directions. Where will you be staying? How far are you willing to drive and what is your budget? In the interim, here are a couple of links to check out:

Photo tours of Orlando Courses: [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/collections/72157631972135446/"]http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/collections/72157631972135446/[/url]


Best Orlando courses: [url="http://golfcourses.weebly.com/orlando-fl.html"]http://golfcourses.weebly.com/orlando-fl.html[/url]

[sheppy335]

I haven't picked area but close to Disney. I am looking something 120 or below and i don't to travel 30 or more minutes. thanks for the suggestions already.

[italianstallion]

Definitely get an idea of what courses you want to play ahead of time. When you get down there, take a look at golfnow.com, especially in the summer. You can get out very cheap at some of the most expensive golf courses in the area (I got out on Waldorf Astoria on a weekend morning for $36 including cart).

The best in the area?

Waldorf Astoria - pretty much right on the Disney property but not owned by Disney
Mystic Dunes - funky greens but I enjoy the layout
Reunion
Disney Magnolia is a fun track, Disney will provide free cab service
Grande Pines
Grand Cypress New Course is a different experience but worth seeing


Avoid:
Orange County National - a shame really, but both courses are in the absolute worst shape I've ever seen
Championsgate Internaitonal/National - Early this spring I paid $50 through golfnow, rack rate is close to $120. While enjoying a beverage on the patio I can't tell you how many people were discussing how badly they got ripped off....heck even I felt like I got ripped off. I only played the national, can't imagine the International was any better.

[sabram]

Close to Disney are (i) the Disney courses, (ii) Waldorf Astoria and (iii) Grand Cypress (45 holes). They aren't cheap, but you should be able to find times on Golfnow and other sites for under $120.

[hoganboy]

[quote name='italianstallion' timestamp='1378491446' post='7807783']
Definitely get an idea of what courses you want to play ahead of time. When you get down there, take a look at golfnow.com, especially in the summer. You can get out very cheap at some of the most expensive golf courses in the area (I got out on Waldorf Astoria on a weekend morning for $36 including cart).

The best in the area?

Waldorf Astoria - pretty much right on the Disney property but not owned by Disney
Mystic Dunes - funky greens but I enjoy the layout
Reunion
Disney Magnolia is a fun track, Disney will provide free cab service
Grande Pines
Grand Cypress New Course is a different experience but worth seeing


Avoid:
Orange County National - a shame really, but both courses are in the absolute worst shape I've ever seen
Championsgate Internaitonal/National - Early this spring I paid $50 through golfnow, rack rate is close to $120. While enjoying a beverage on the patio I can't tell you how many people were discussing how badly they got ripped off....heck even I felt like I got ripped off. I only played the national, can't imagine the International was any better.
[/quote]

Are you able to play Reunion without staying at the Resort? I was always under the impression it was same as Bay Hill, that you had to stay on site.

[FLGOLFJUNKIE]

I really don't know about Reunion. I tell you I played Falcon's Fire last week and it was in fantastic shape, great, fun course. I heard Red Tail is awesome as well!

[Philfil]

[quote name='hoganboy' timestamp='1379327529' post='7858437']
[quote name='italianstallion' timestamp='1378491446' post='7807783']
Definitely get an idea of what courses you want to play ahead of time. When you get down there, take a look at golfnow.com, especially in the summer. You can get out very cheap at some of the most expensive golf courses in the area (I got out on Waldorf Astoria on a weekend morning for $36 including cart).

The best in the area?

Waldorf Astoria - pretty much right on the Disney property but not owned by Disney
Mystic Dunes - funky greens but I enjoy the layout
Reunion
Disney Magnolia is a fun track, Disney will provide free cab service
Grande Pines
Grand Cypress New Course is a different experience but worth seeing


Avoid:
Orange County National - a shame really, but both courses are in the absolute worst shape I've ever seen
Championsgate Internaitonal/National - Early this spring I paid $50 through golfnow, rack rate is close to $120. While enjoying a beverage on the patio I can't tell you how many people were discussing how badly they got ripped off....heck even I felt like I got ripped off. I only played the national, can't imagine the International was any better.
[/quote]

Are you able to play Reunion without staying at the Resort? I was always under the impression it was same as Bay Hill, that you had to stay on site.
[/quote]


Call the proshop at Reunion. "Usually" they will allow outside play if you do not sound like a jerk on the phone. I love all 3 of those courses, can't go wrong with either.

[moose557]

[quote name='italianstallion' timestamp='1378491446' post='7807783']
Definitely get an idea of what courses you want to play ahead of time. When you get down there, take a look at golfnow.com, especially in the summer. You can get out very cheap at some of the most expensive golf courses in the area (I got out on Waldorf Astoria on a weekend morning for $36 including cart).

The best in the area?

Waldorf Astoria - pretty much right on the Disney property but not owned by Disney
Mystic Dunes - funky greens but I enjoy the layout
Reunion
Disney Magnolia is a fun track, Disney will provide free cab service
Grande Pines
Grand Cypress New Course is a different experience but worth seeing


Avoid:
Orange County National - a shame really, but both courses are in the absolute worst shape I've ever seen
Championsgate Internaitonal/National - Early this spring I paid $50 through golfnow, rack rate is close to $120. While enjoying a beverage on the patio I can't tell you how many people were discussing how badly they got ripped off....heck even I felt like I got ripped off. I only played the national, can't imagine the International was any better.
[/quote]

Completely agreed with everything you said about Championsgate. While I will say the courses are usually in great condition, I am not impressed at all with the layout of either course. Nothing exciting or worthwhile about either one. And like you said the rack rates are insane. 120 in the summer and around 250 during the prime months. Their two of the most expensive courses in Orlando. I cant justify paying anywhere near those rates for those courses. I booked a hot deal on golf now on a summer weekday afternoon so the rate was low, but although the rates will be lower on golfnow their still some of the most expensive and for that price or less their are better courses to be played.

I guess since championsgate is part of the Omni resort and home to the Leadbetter World Headquarters they can charge unsuspecting tourists those rates, but with a little research you can find better options.

[Steve_FLA]

I agree that Orange County National is not as good as it use to be. Since the PGA stopped having Q-School there the conditions of the course have gone downhill.

[1ofTheseKnights]

+1 to GolfNow, but also vet to the too good to be true type of deals with the reviews. Golfnow is a little weird they won't let you slam golf courses too much so I think their reviews are a little upwardly biased, but I haven't been too burned by them.

[AUTIGER07]

As others have said Reunion or Grand Cypress can be had for under $120. Celebration and Mystic Dunes are also good tracks nearby.

[Shiram]

For cheaper tracks that are nice with amenities I'd recommend Hawk's Landing and Falcon's Fire. Close to Disney and reasonably priced. Course conditions have been fantastic when I have played them and pace of play was good. $50-100 depending on date/time etc. Falcon's Fire is the least expensive of the two.

For more expensive courses - I've played the Waldorf several times and conditions are top notch. Bonus it is usually pretty quiet.

Reunion is great but you have to stay to play.