[Stewart Abramson]

Can't beat Deltona for value. Mission Inn is also a good choice north of Orlando; Southern Dunes South of Orlando

Link to photos of several of the courses mentioned on this thread:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/collections/72157631972135446/

[Mike Sweeney]

Some notes from the latest Orlando trip:

1. Harmony Preserve - Liked but did not love my first Johnny Miller design. Doak 5 - 40 minutes south of Orlando airport: http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157631963253745/ Walking is allowed.

2. Celebration - Wanted to like it but was like a Matt Ward thread on everything wrong with Florida golf. Great facility and staff but just a target golf course with OB and Florida lakes. I shot 39 on the front so my opinion is fairly legit and I have been an RTJ defender in the past. http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157631960791754/. Cart ball style golf.

3. Highlands Reserve has always been a personal favorite introduced to me by FatBaldyDrummer. Built on rolling terrain on the RT 27 corridor/ridge, there is new management as of September and the course was in great condition. By far the best value that I know of in Orlando and walking is allowed.

4. Champions Gate - Did not play but they are building a NEW 18 hole golf course on the 27 corridor in a new housing community. Looks like it will be a members/owners club but there is not much info on the site or website: http://allnewchampionsgate.com Amazed at the new home building going on in Orlando.

5. Streamsong - Did not make it down, but local word is a third course will be announced soon, and Gil Hanse is expected to be the architect.

[Will Peterson]

How were the conditions at Harmony?  Played it two summers ago, and it was awful.  Greens were terrible and slow, bunkers were eroding and falling apart, the turf coverage wasn't all that great in the fairways, and rough areas were had been very neglected.  Seemed like the course had run out of money.

It would be great to hear that it has improved.  

[Frank Giordano]

Keith,

Send me your email address and I'll send you a copy of an article I wrote recently about Reunion Resort.   I'm at warcinc@nc.rr.com.  Three very different courses, all quite satisfying and, in their own ways, enjoyable.

All the best,
frank

[Anders Rytter]

Bumping to see if anyone's been to Deltona lately.   I need a warm-up on Jan. 13th for Streamsong later in the week.  Thanks.

Bogey

Michael,

When are you going to be at streamsong?

Regards
Anders

Jan. 16th and 17th.  Might need a 4th.

Unfortunately, if i make it out there, it won't be later than the 15th

[Mike Sweeney]

How were the conditions at Harmony?  Played it two summers ago, and it was awful.  Greens were terrible and slow, bunkers were eroding and falling apart, the turf coverage wasn't all that great in the fairways, and rough areas were had been very neglected.  Seemed like the course had run out of money.

It would be great to hear that it has improved.  

I had a similar opinion of Deltona and someone said it had improved. Harmony was fine for me, but was the weakest of the trip in terms of green speeds. Staff was very nice too. Business/economy/golf is getting better all over Orlando, it appears.

[Ron Csigo]

Has anyone played at The Reunion resort just outside of Orlando? If so, I would appreciate your thoughts.

Keith - I've played all three and stayed at the resort on a number of occasions.  Will touch base with you tomorrow to provide feedback.

[Tom Allen]

I have played the Reunion courses.  Quite enjoyable, and Watson and Palmer, as explained above, were quite playable, typical resort golf, with generous fairways.  The Nicklaus course was a beast, at least to me.  Enjoyable as well, but quite tough.

[Chris Mavros]

I'll be in Orlando and some of the surrounding areas in January.  I've played a lot of the resort courses and am now interested in playing some of the more off the beaten path courses.  Here is the list I came up with. 


If you could only play two of them, which ones would make the cut?  Why?


Deltona
Ocala GC
Highlands Reserve
Eagle Dunes
North Shore
Harmony Preserve
LPGA International
GC at Cypress Head

[Rees Milikin]

I'll be in Orlando and some of the surrounding areas in January.  I've played a lot of the resort courses and am now interested in playing some of the more off the beaten path courses.  Here is the list I came up with. 


If you could only play two of them, which ones would make the cut?  Why?


Deltona
Ocala GC
Highlands Reserve
Eagle Dunes
North Shore
Harmony Preserve
LPGA International
GC at Cypress Head

Deltona is the best of your list and Victoria Hills 5 miles away is also worth checking out.


I just played the newly renovated Shingle Creek and came away impressed with the work that was done, can't wait to go back.


Winter Park CC is a fun neighborhood 9 holer that was also recently renovated.


Mission Inn - El Campeon is another course worth checking out and one of my central FL favorites.

[Stewart Abramson]

Chris - The courses on your list are pretty far flung. Of the ones I’ve played, the only clear choice is Deltona. If you’ve never played there you should give it a go. Not only is it a good course, it will be one of the best value rounds you’ll play in Florida. Green fees range from $20-$39.  For me, choosing from among the others you’ve listed would depend on whether I was going to be visiting Ocala, Orlando or Daytona.
I played North Shore earlier this month. It is not worth a special trip, but is a decent choice on a getaway day as it is located about 10 minutes from the Orlando airport. Holes 11-16, which are tight and tree-lined, are a different character than the rest of the course which is wide open. The greens are in okay shape but are not especially interesting.
Harmony is much further south than the others on your list. It is okay for central Florida and I’d play it again if in the neighborhood, but I wouldn’t drive almost two hours from Ocala to play there with so many other choices in between. It is in the same “under $40” price range as Deltona. Harmony has some rumple to its fairways, some interest and movement in its greens and a bunch of dogleg holes. I’ve played it when it’s been soggy and I’ve played it when it’s been burned out. I don’t know what kind of shape it’s currently in.
I’ve never played Cypress Head or Eagle Dunes and don’t know anything about them except that they are both located relatively close to Deltona. Why don’t you be adventurous and play one of those and report back. I don’t recall seeing any commentary on those two courses here.
Photos of a few of the courses mentioned in this thread can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/collections/72157631972135446/

[Mike Sweeney]

Chris,


Here are my thoughts:



Deltona #1 for me, but it is on the "other side" of Orlando, so traffic is a consideration if centered at Disney

Ocala GC - #2 loved it, but it is a longer trip.

Highlands Reserve - always my "go to" course for logistics, price point, and fun

Eagle Dunes - my only 9 holes played with John Kavanaugh, nice but not above the above

North Shore - have not played

Harmony Preserve - ok, but nothing special

LPGA International - drove in there once on a trip to Daytona, pass for me

GC at Cypress Head - have not heard of this

[Chris Mavros]

Thanks, everyone.  I'm driving from Orlando to Ocala to Daytona, so will be all over the place.  Sounds like Deltona should be on the list.  The second option is going to be a bit tougher to decide on.  I appreciate all the great insight. 

[BCowan]

Chris,

   Consider Palatka GC an hr north of Daytona Beach.  Was a blast to play, little rougher shape but really good and loads of fun. 

[jeffwarne]

Thanks, everyone.  I'm driving from Orlando to Ocala to Daytona, so will be all over the place.  Sounds like Deltona should be on the list.  The second option is going to be a bit tougher to decide on.  I appreciate all the great insight.

with that driving schedule Ocala, Deltona and/or Palatka seem a perfect.
Definitely the best bones of the bunch if you can handle rough and ready conditioning
INMO the three best of the lot and avoids the south side of Orlando courses which can be a traffic and tourist nightmare and long way from Ocala and Daytona

[Mike Sweeney]

Palatka seem a perfect.

I actually got two "off-GCA" messages about Palatka today. It is now "on the list" !

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