Innisbrook-Copperhead

[Tom_Doak]

they play hundreds of courses a year all over the world.....they played hundreds growing up...all mainly with a scorecard in hand which means they have to use strategy to play the golf course in the lowest number of shots possible. Pros also generally hit the ball consistently and fairly straight so they see the course as it is 'supposed' to be played ie. if the hazards/bunkers are correctly placed.

Dean:

I haven't played Copperhead since I was there on a trip with my dad in 1978, so my review is very dated, but I generally liked the course and thought it was a pleasant contrast to most of what you find in Florida, because it's not so flat.  The greens aren't boring but you would not mistake them for the work of A.W. Tillinghast, either.

I did want to question your premise above, though.  Pros do not play nearly as many courses as you believe.  Most of them play 25-30 tournaments a year [the stars even less], and other than the majors, they tend to go back to the same courses over and over ... and they tend to stick to the ones they believe fit their games better, because they are trying to maximize their income.  In between tournaments, a lot of them stick around home, except for the occasional corporate outing.

Once they are established on Tour, I'd guess that most of the pros play around 60 different courses in a year, and only 10-12 they haven't played before.  There are certainly exceptions to that, but I think they are exceptions.

[Dean Stokes]

Tom, perhaps my number is slightly exaggerated however these guys play a lot of golf on a lot of golf courses. When the Honda came in town the other week the lads were all over town from the Sunday before the tournament playing different private clubs. When I worked on Long Island years ago and a tournament came anywhere near NY the east end courses had players out there having a look and playing a few rounds. How did Geoff Ogilvy end up at Bandon on his way to some tournament? The week before the Open in the Uk several players stop in Ireland for a week and play various courses.
I know how many courses I played as a junior and young amateur golfer....I am sure you get my point. When you play golf for a living and you are doing corporate events etc, playing in different towns most weeks and the rest of the year you have off it is my belief you get to see a lot of courses and mostly good courses.
I asked why the pros like Copperhead so much and it is not given much love in the 'treehouse' and contend that if Luke Donald, Jim Furyk, Martin Kaymer and Geoff Ogilvy give it high praise over some of the reviews I have read here, that I would suspect it is a good golf course and not a typical Florida course, tree lined with water and mounds everywhere!

[astavrides]

I always assumed that it was all about ball striking rather than a putting contest.  Seems like the pros like that.

The greens look to be much more undulating and fast than anything they've played this year thus far.

[Gary Slatter]

    Just another golf course with tree lined fairways.   Who says the pros like it?  They like every course the week they're there.  It's called gratitude.

why does this site dislike so many great golf experiences?   It's a good course, one of three and the others are easier so the poor golfers don't have to challenge Copperhead every round.   I find it sad that we keep trying to knock every course with trees, every course that isn't a links, every course designed by a Jones, or a Fazio.  What's the average HDCP on golfclubatlas.com, 24?   
Adios Amigos! 

[Matthew Sander]

   Just another golf course with tree lined fairways.   Who says the pros like it?  They like every course the week they're there.  It's called gratitude.

why does this site dislike so many great golf experiences?   It's a good course, one of three and the others are easier so the poor golfers don't have to challenge Copperhead every round.   I find it sad that we keep trying to knock every course with trees, every course that isn't a links, every course designed by a Jones, or a Fazio.  What's the average HDCP on golfclubatlas.com, 24?  
Adios Amigos!  

Gary,

Are we reading the same thread? There is a considerable amount of praise for Copperhead on these two pages. Some really like it, others not so much. I agree that the quote you included is somewhat dismissive, but it is one opinion from one contributor. The overall discussion of the course so far seems to indicate that many think the course is good (maybe very good compared to regional options), but not great. Is that not a reasonable conclusion?

[Jim Sherma]

I understand that the other courses at Innisbrook are easier than the Copperhead, but are the decent in and of themselves? I thought the Copperhead looked like a good course this week, although 18 really looked narrow from the elevated camera behind the tee. I've been interested in playing it for a while, but am also wondering if the other courses worth a play. Not Seminole worthy, but rather winter vacation worthy. Is the resort a decent place for wife/family as a nongolfing destination?

[Jeff_Brauer]

Jim,

They used to advertise the Lake Course as the tougher but not as pretty course.  Copperhead was the prettiest and the Island(names may be wrong) was the short, ladies oriented course.

That said, I love Copperhead.  The prototype 70's course, with those free form tees. I have done a few recently, and people love them, think they are unique.  I think its time for those to recycle back to style.  I did notice on TV that the bunkers seem to have been topped off a bit, losing some of their former 3D charm.

As I was just quoted in GolfWeek, I think the course has an easy, understated charm.  It really doesn't try to do too much, or have any gimmicks, just solid golf.  Pretty much "what you see is what you get" golf which the pros love.

But, the winning and only score in double digits below par (barely at -10) shows that you can have resort golf that stands up to the pros without a lot of gimmickry, no?  Look at all the hard stuff Pete Dye puts in courses to stop pros, and this one does it without the tricks.  To me, that is a great testament to the design style, even if the wind does have something to do with it.

[Sean Leary]

   Just another golf course with tree lined fairways.   Who says the pros like it?  They like every course the week they're there.  It's called gratitude.

why does this site dislike so many great golf experiences?   It's a good course, one of three and the others are easier so the poor golfers don't have to challenge Copperhead every round.   I find it sad that we keep trying to knock every course with trees, every course that isn't a links, every course designed by a Jones, or a Fazio.  What's the average HDCP on golfclubatlas.com, 24?  
Adios Amigos!  

Nope. It is impossible to even have a handicap when you don't keep score...

[Ben Kodadek]

The Island course was renovated about 12 years ago.  They stretched it to 7,310 yards, so it's hardly a pushover.   It's very tight in places and water is more abundant than on Copperhead.  The greens have as much if not more slope.   I'd play Copperhead 9-1 given 10 plays. 

The North and South are a bit more pedestrian in yardage.  Both have a "Florida golf" feel.   In my mind, that's not a good thing.  But, if you haven't swung a club in 4 months and are over a 15 handicap, they would be a fine way to start a long weekend. 

Salamander Resorts have put a ton of money into the facilities.  The dining is very good.  There is a fantastic water park for kids (and adults) and varied accommodations to suit every group size.   The only knock on the resort is the exterior of the buildings.  Virtually every structure screams 1970's.   While all of the interiors are updated, there is a Brady Bunch feel at first glance.   

[Martin Toal]

I stayed at Innosbrook a few years back and was very pleasantly surprised by both the Copperhead and Island courses. I agree that Copperhead is the better choice, but as resort golf in Florida goes, The Island is not at all bad, and I would happily play either one again, unlike most of the other courses in the area (including Orlando) I have played. I would put Copperhead on a par with something like Orange County National.

[RJ_Daley]

Jim,

...

That said, I love Copperhead.  The prototype 70's course, with those free form tees. I have done a few recently, and people love them, think they are unique.  I think its time for those to recycle back to style.  I did notice on TV that the bunkers seem to have been topped off a bit, losing some of their former 3D charm.

As I was just quoted in GolfWeek, I think the course has an easy, understated charm.  It really doesn't try to do too much, or have any gimmicks, just solid golf.  Pretty much "what you see is what you get" golf which the pros love.

But, the winning and only score in double digits below par (barely at -10) shows that you can have resort golf that stands up to the pros without a lot of gimmickry, no?  Look at all the hard stuff Pete Dye puts in courses to stop pros, and this one does it without the tricks.  To me, that is a great testament to the design style, even if the wind does have something to do with it.

Jeff, nice consise answer.  What do you mean, "topped off the bunkers a bit losing some of their former 3D charm"?  Are you saying they cut down some bunker lip height, or topped them off by adding something on the top edges?  Or, do you mean something else? I ask, because as I had mentioned, the local Packard course I call home here in Green Bay, might benefit greatly with a little more definition and added height on the top greenward side lips of those bunkers, both in FW and greenside, IMHO.  Although as I stated above, it already held up nicely in scoring resistence when we hosted a State Am, without any hazard defininition and enhancement. 

What do people say about Packard's work at remodelling aspects of Medinah?