[Jeb Bearer]

Heading down to Orlando area in January, and I'm looking for somewhere to play. Unfortunately, Streamsong has been taken off the table due to budget constraints. Any recommendations for affordable, engaging tracks near Orlando?

[Joe Bausch]

Heading down to Orlando area in January, and I'm looking for somewhere to play. Unfortunately, Streamsong has been taken off the table due to budget constraints. Any recommendations for affordable, engaging tracks near Orlando?

My standard response for this question is the public Southern Dunes.  Not expensive.

And, I also then say if you can travel ~1.5h west, consider World Woods.  In January I think they are still great value.

[Cory Lewis]

Royal St. Cloud is a good value.

[Jeb Bearer]

Thanks guys. Both of those courses look good, as far as I can tell from the websites. Is either one walkable?

[Martin Toal]

Orange County National (either course) is pretty good and not too far from Orlando.

[Adam_Messix]

 Jed--

One of the best values in the Orlando area is the Deltona Club which is northeast of town.  The fee includes a cart but the course is very walkable.  Southern Pines is a nice course too.  

[jeffwarne]

Second Deltona.
Far more affordable and a LOT closer to Orlando and MUCH cheaper lodging.
Black Bear also reasonably close, Victoria Hills.

Many threads about this over the years if you do a search

[Austin Wade]

Golf is pretty pricey in Orlando in January.  Southern Dunes is a great deal in the off season, but pretty pricey in season, if you can swing it its still a fun course.  Great deals can still be had if you get lucky at World Woods.  Providence and Highland Reserves are two enjoyable Dasher designs SW of Orlando.  Dubsdread downtown might be worth checking out if you are on a budget.  What side of town are you staying in? 

[Jeb Bearer]

Golf is pretty pricey in Orlando in January.  Southern Dunes is a great deal in the off season, but pretty pricey in season, if you can swing it its still a fun course.  Great deals can still be had if you get lucky at World Woods.  Providence and Highland Reserves are two enjoyable Dasher designs SW of Orlando.  Dubsdread downtown might be worth checking out if you are on a budget.  What side of town are you staying in? 

Southern dunes looks like a good one. I'll check out the others you mentioned. We're staying at Universal.

[Jason Connor]

Deltona is fun.

I also like North Shore (very close to the airport so a good in or out round) by Mike Dasher.  Not a lot of dirt moved.  Some houses are too bad.  But a fun track, great greens, underrated and affordable.

Let me know if you need a fourth.

[Ken Moum]

Royal St. Cloud is a good value.

I just played there a couple of weeks ago and while it LOOKS like a links course, it was sopping wet. Some off that was due to over seeding concerns, but it was disappointing to see it play so soft.

K

[Bill Gayne]

I played Deltona yesterday and the turf conditions have degraded over the last couple of years. The greens were also very slow. On the positive side, the routing is still solid and the fairways are firm. The price was right at $39 with cart.

[Mike Sweeney]

The New @ Grand Cypress which is Orlando's version of The Old Course and for value, Highlands Reserve introduced to me by our favorite Scot, FatBaldyDrummer.

[Jeb Bearer]

Nicklaus doing the Old Course? Does it work?

[Bill Gayne]

It works well as a golf course. I wouldn't expect a model or replica of the Old Course. It would be more fair to say he was "inspired" by the Old Course.

[jeffwarne]

Royal St. Cloud is a good value.

I just played there a couple of weeks ago and while it LOOKS like a links course, it was sopping wet. Some off that was due to over seeding concerns, but it was disappointing to see it play so soft.

K

Thanks Ken.
Did you get the impression the softness was a temporary grown in (of winter rye) condition, or a recent rain event, or something else?
Anyone else played there?
More importantly, were the cart girls firm and fast?

That time of year again.
Anyone have a preference of Pinecrest vs. Bartow? (paired with lake Wales CC)
Streamsong also in the mix.

Could be a trip of great variety

[Jeb Bearer]

Thanks for all the input guys! Looks like its Southern Dunes and Grand Cypress for me. I'm looking forward to it.

[cary lichtenstein]

Southern Dunes is a must, Grand Cypress is a pass unless they have renovated since I played there last.

Hidden Gem alert: Mission Hills, the El Camperon Course, try that puppy

[Austin Wade]

Royal St. Cloud is a good value.

I just played there a couple of weeks ago and while it LOOKS like a links course, it was sopping wet. Some off that was due to over seeding concerns, but it was disappointing to see it play so soft.

K

Thanks Ken.
Did you get the impression the softness was a temporary grown in (of winter rye) condition, or a recent rain event, or something else?
Anyone else played there?
More importantly, were the cart girls firm and fast?

That time of year again.
Anyone have a preference of Pinecrest vs. Bartow? (paired with lake Wales CC)
Streamsong also in the mix.

Could be a trip of great variety

I play Bartow frequently, and played Pinecrest a couple days ago.  I would go Pinecrest for sure, They are actively trying to restore it to Ross's original design, and have done quite a bit of bunker work recently.  The conditioning is not excellent but the greens, especially on the back, are miles ahead of Bartow's.  There are several really good holes that I like alot. 

I think Pinecrest is a bit of a hidden gem down in Avon Park. 

[jeffwarne]

Royal St. Cloud is a good value.

I just played there a couple of weeks ago and while it LOOKS like a links course, it was sopping wet. Some off that was due to over seeding concerns, but it was disappointing to see it play so soft.

K

Thanks Ken.
Did you get the impression the softness was a temporary grown in (of winter rye) condition, or a recent rain event, or something else?
Anyone else played there?
More importantly, were the cart girls firm and fast?

That time of year again.
Anyone have a preference of Pinecrest vs. Bartow? (paired with lake Wales CC)
Streamsong also in the mix.

Could be a trip of great variety

I play Bartow frequently, and played Pinecrest a couple days ago.  I would go Pinecrest for sure, They are actively trying to restore it to Ross's original design, and have done quite a bit of bunker work recently.  The conditioning is not excellent but the greens, especially on the back, are miles ahead of Bartow's.  There are several really good holes that I like alot. 

I think Pinecrest is a bit of a hidden gem down in Avon Park. 

Pinecrest it is. I was leaning there, but Bartow was closer to Lake Wales (probably stay Lake Wales or Bartow)

[Matthew Rose]

New Course at Grand Cypress is a lot of fun.

The original 27 holes are all pretty standard 80s Nicklaus though... hard, forced carries, excessive mounding, etc. -  may not be everyone's cup of tea. If you only have one round there play the New Course.

[Jeb Bearer]

Got a tee time at the New

[Jason Thurman]

Resurrecting this topic for the sake of a friend traveling to the area during the week of Thanksgiving. He's a strong, low single-digit player who doesn't mind spending a bit of money but wants good value. Figure a round limit of around $100, and he'd be looking for a public course that won't be too hard for a single or a twosome to get on during the holiday week. Staying in Lake Buena Vista and can drive a bit, but not too far. World Woods might be an option, but Streamsong is too far and too expensive. His favorite courses tend to be modern, though he enjoys a pretty wide variation, and he's not going to be overwhelmed by a course that's long and tough.

Is there anything he should consider outside of the options already mentioned?

[Howard Riefs]

Resurrecting this topic for the sake of a friend traveling to the area during the week of Thanksgiving. He's a strong, low single-digit player who doesn't mind spending a bit of money but wants good value. Figure a round limit of around $100, and he'd be looking for a public course that won't be too hard for a single or a twosome to get on during the holiday week. Staying in Lake Buena Vista and can drive a bit, but not too far. World Woods might be an option, but Streamsong is too far and too expensive. His favorite courses tend to be modern, though he enjoys a pretty wide variation, and he's not going to be overwhelmed by a course that's long and tough.

Is there anything he should consider outside of the options already mentioned?

World Woods would actually be a longer drive for him than Streamsong.  

His best is likely Southern Dunes.  He can also give a look at Orange County National (Panther Lake).

[Andrew Buck]

May not suit everyone, but I've always enjoyed the Nicklaus at Reunion.  Heard great things about Southern Dunes, but Reunion was closer and easiest to get on early and back with family for me.  Might require a call from a club pro. 

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