Orlando Trip Where to Play????

[Zack Kelly]

I'm heading down to the PGA show and I'm trying to figure out where to play on that Sunday and Monday.  Any Thoughts, I'll take all the help I can get.  I'm heading down with my Pro, so he might be able to make some calls.
Thanks and keep it in the short stuff

[John Kavanaugh]

You just gotta play Mountain Lake...It's a Seth Raynor course and the only thing near Orlando worth seeing...Off course you might consider driving an hour and a half to Vero Beach and playing Red Stick...That's what I would do..

[Tyler Kearns]

Zack,

Not really familiar with the area, but a detour to Brooksville and a visit to World Woods would be a good idea. Should be about a 1.5-hour trip.

TK

[Steve_ Shaffer]

I'm looking into a possible trip there. Southern Dunes , Victoria Hills, Timacuan and El Campeon at Mission Inn look interesting as do Shingle Creek and Legacy at Alaqua Lake.

[Jfaspen]

I played Southern Dunes late last summer.. Other than the housing, it was a very enjoyable round.  I posted a review of it on this site if you use the search feature.

[Andy Doyle]

Southern Dunes and Victoria Hills would both be good choices in my book, although they are opposite ends of Orlando (SD way to the southwest and VH way to the northeast in Deland).

I thought Timacuan was a good course - I've only played it once, though.  I played El Campeon a number of years ago and remember it being a fine, classic course - it would be a good choice as well, but it's north of Orlando.  They have another 18 at Mission Inn, but I've not played it.

I thought Legacy at Alaqua Lake was very average.  

I go with a group every spring, and Shingle Creek has become our departure day course because it's pretty close to the condos where we stay and it's very convenient to the airport.  It's OK - it has that CCFAD/target golf thing going on.

If you're into tournament courses, there's always Bay Hill and Orange County National (Panther Lakes & Crooked Cat), the site of the recent PGA Tour Qualifying School Finals.

Other lesser know courses I've liked include Diamond Player's Club (I know, sounds like a strip joint), Legends, and Highlands Reserve.  These are all in the Clermont area - an area that has pretty unique topography for central Florida.  There is a lot more elevation change to these courses - very different from the typical, carved out of a swamp Florida course.

Andy

[Doug Sobieski]

Zack:

Input on which courses are the best is certainly valuable, but the reality during the week of the Show is that your best option is any course where you can get a starting time that will allow you to finish before dark. If I were you, make sure you play before 1:00 (1:30 if you don't mind worrying a bit about whether or not you will finish when the pace of play grinds to a halt).

The week of the Merchandise Show is the busiest of the year for Orlando golf courses, and the worst week to visit Orlando in general if you are looking to play golf. Don't count on too much help from your pro. The phone at every decent golf course in the area rings off the hook with calls from PGA Professionals starting in about mid-December, so unless your pro knows somebody that will do them a favor, it's best to take whatever you can find.  

HOWEVER, the farther you get from the OCCC, the better your chances are. Victoria Hills in Deland will take you about an hour (maybe less on Sunday), and it is well worth the drive.

IM me if you want any advice on specific golf courses. I worked in the industry in Orlando for many years, so I might have an opinion or two to share privately.  

Regards,

Doug

[Pete Buczkowski]

Zack,

The advice on this thread is about where to play is sound.  If you have the whole day on Sunday I might be able to get free for a day at Sawgrass, or assist getting a time at Disney if you can't find anything else.  Southern Dunes is my home course here in Orlando.  Its better in the fall than this time of year but still a nice option.  Other options not mentioned in this thread are Mystic Dunes and Harmony south of Orlando.  Send me an IM if you'd like more info.

Pete

[Jeff_Mingay]

I've always been curious about Country Club of Orlando... a Donald Ross design?

[Zack Kelly]

Guys thanks for the suggestions, I always wondered abou Orlando CC as well, and Mountain Lake.  Any more suggestions I'd love to take them.
Thanks
Zack

[Andy Doyle]

"Golf Has Never Failed Me" has the Country Club of Orlando listed as a Donald Ross, 1918.  I heard somewhere they've had work done on the course relatively recently, but's that the extent of my knowledge.

I grew up in Orlando, but have never played it.

Andy

[Mike McGuire]

Orange County National is playing F&F . They didn't overseed as early as the rest due to the Q school finals.

They have a 9 hole  course called The Tooth thats also lot of fun. It has 7 holes < 200 and 2 around 280. We played it a couple times, pick up scramble, after our round.

The entire Tooth course (save greens) is mowed at the same height. It's a great look. I wonder if the  concept will ever make it mainstream.