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An excellent mid Florida course with rolling hills and
well manicured greens with a picturesque layout. Every hole has character and is bountiful with degrees of difficulty.
Water comes into play at opportune moments increasing difficulty in approach .
The course seems to favor the power fade but any nonchalance will bite you. The course is tree lined and muscular and favors the long hitter’.
The greens were fast and true.
A gem of a course. Welcome back!

I have played here before on a wonderful well nuanced coarse. The club staff were available and friendly. Not so this time.
In addition we found out after commuting to the course that the last 4 holes were not available and we would play a total of 14 holes.
When did this slip shod behavior become acceptable.
I won’t return. For a Disney resort course this was inexcusable.

You have to remember that this is not a standard golf course.
There are many par 3s. The course is better than it was with new greens on the front nine.
The back 9 is still in poor shape and many of the trees lining the course have grown into the fairway making for some difficulty unless a draw or fade is manufacture

Sadly when I played the back 9 was not open for play so I opted for only 9 holes.
I found a course that was challenging not only due to elevation changes but also challenging angles to the greens that made them extra difficult to hit.
A true advanced golfers course with narrow greens demanding control of approach shots with high cuts , low or knockdown shots and the occasional draw into the canted greens.
The sand shots were also no gimme even with the bending pin placements.
It left me wanting to return to see how the back nine was configured.

There are many golf courses that will befuddle you or defeat you while you are playing at your best. You know there names in the same way they know your game and unfortunately your weakness..
But can these courses like Augusta and Cypress point also boast impressive views and incredible elevation changes with each hole having its own character and exposure of the shortcomings of your game?
To play well at El Campeon not unlike it’s sister course Las Colinas you must have impeccable control of your draw high and low and your fade high and low.
Every aspect of your game must be humming or it will humiliate you. To add to the woes the greens were fast and the slopes suttle. Getting on the greens was not a sure par or birdie.
It was wonderful !!

It is time for a makeover of the clubhouse and parking facilities. That said this is one of those occasions when the course and practice facilities speaks volumes.
This is no quirky , fabricated golf course . It is a mature , brawny stronghold that exposes the weak and pretentious. It strips away the facade of those with weak plans of attack and a quiver filled with suspect command of their golf game.
Don’t come here if you don’t have full command of a power fade or draw off all the clubs in your bag . Length, control of distance, sand shots and accuracy on approach shots are premium.
Spend at least 30 minutes on the practice range honing these shots before you step on the course. The green undulations are subtle and the are fast.
Every short approach is punished.
It is a wonderful test of skills.
Highly recommended especially 4,8,911,12,14, 15 and 18. Frankly the course is a masterpiece.

There are a few great golf courses in central Florida that are outstanding from the perspective of layout, difficulty, beautiful scenery, outstanding and truly helpful and friendly staff. Candler Hills is one of the top 3.
A year ago I would not have voiced that opinion but now I do because it is true.
Even the group of golfers I joined were helpful and friendly offering advice on certain holes.
The fairways immaculate; the greens fast and true, the sand traps raked and manicured. Even the flags were new.
I felt as if I was playing in a PGA tournament and it was grand.
There are some great holes like the 600+ par 5 5th hole that was truly a beast. Said to be the longest par 5 in Florida.
Most of all the course was fair and fun and you could find your ball most times after hitting it in the tree line.
The restaurants were many and accessible.
We all had fun and that is what golf is about.

A good golf course should require outstanding shot making and this course does.
The routing on the front nine is spectacular and challenging but unfortunately overgrown and on occasion water sodden although not as bad as the last time I played there.
Holes number three, four and five are spectacular but the overgrowth of the trees and vines obscure landing zones and detract from the true beauty of the layout.
Mowing the fairways and general upkeep is a little behind and will not get better with a fee of $10 which makes the trip worth it.
The front 9 is more links style and wide open with length and changes in height being the imposing factors here.
The back 9 is not as challenging or shaded but still maintains its punch.
For the price a bargain. Remember to take mosquito repellant.
I would love to see a big outfit take over this course as holes 3,4,5,7,8 would be money with a few changes and maintenance.

This course has such great bones. Well designed and visibly appealing. That said there is little else to congratulate.
Several greens were just compressed dirt. The practice area was a dust bowl and the clubhouse area was in need of an overhaul.
Such the pity.
In contrast the fairways and the tee boxes were in fair shape and the routing of the course was great. You could see the trouble and the group ahead with ease.
The course was backed up on the day we played and initially we had been scheduled to join a twosome.
We were informed that you don’t do that there.
The death of golf etiquette.
Would recommend playing only when course conditions improve .

I have played Arthur Hills’s courses before. Staggering beauty, exquisitely challenging and pristine greens are his earmarks
On this course however the overgrowth of vegetation was excessive leading to lost balls.
All golfers will hit the aberrant shot. Scrambling is now a key part of a good golf round. Thiis skill was not possible here..
Because the rough extended into certain areas of all greens it artificially increase difficulty and slowed the round tremendously leading to a traffic jam on several holes.
This became worse in the back nine especially the last few holes.
To lose balls after they have landed on the green and roll off is incomprehensible.
Apart from these issues. Beautiful course, challenging, with immaculate true roll greens.

Some courses by heritage have great bones and strong teeth. Course.management and basic golfing skill are tested appropriately. Pure ball striking , moving the ball both ways and “ escape skills “ are tested on all holes and this demands the use of all clubs in your bag.
Mystic Dunes still has this vibe but...
Course conditions were so poor that it corrupted the pleasure of playing there.
The greens were intact and well maintained but the fairways were mutilated with bare patches , ball spots and weed overgrowth.
After leaving the clubhouse which was modern and pristine this. Was a huge disappointment.
Until they manage the fairways and maintain the tee boxes this course is unplayable and definitely not worth the money.

We all have experienced the 18th hole regret which we drown on the 19th hole . You will experience no such emotion here. This Nick Faldo course delivers from the green tees to the tips.
Courses deliver delights by there beauty, their intimidation from the tees.(where is my target?) and do I have that shot in my bag?). The Club house ambiance and the course anxiety.
Course anxiety should be triggered only by the target and your ability and negligiby from the other players , the club house.
We were on this occasion focused only on the course anxiety.
It was wonderful and started with distance control of the first tee to hitting draws off the next 3 tees.
Accuracy was also a premium forcing you to focus and play your best game.
This course was not a bragging course as many of the holes gave you a look at sand traps which appeared smaller than they actually were luring you into going for the risky shot for which you paid the penallty.
The course conditions were immaculate and the greens were fast .
Being on the green was no assurance you would get a birdie or par.
.Kudos to the greens keepers and course managers.
I think the price was a wee bit much but there are of course benefits to be gained there.
All in all a great course and wonderful challenge to the serious golfer.

I played this course several years ago and virtually placed it on the back- burner.
It was a pleasant and inspiring occasion to witness an almost complete resurgence , a renaissance if you would of the course.
No longer was there the old standard Floridian club house but a new resurgent modern and energized clubhouse and staff. The check in was painless and the starter was upbeat and succinct in their briefing of the course and it’s condition.
We found the course in supreme shape. The fairways and the rough cut to exacting standards and the greens a little slow but perfect in the roll, give and mysterious in the read.
The woods and shade exemplary as was the ability to find the wayward ball. A distinction the few clubs seem to grasp. Shot shape and precise irons are paramount on this course.
A beautiful challenge to any level of game.
Hurrah Royal Oak

Central Florida has many great courses. Sometimes in the shuffle hidden gems are lost or forgotten. An example oof such a course lies within a gated community south of the bustling center of. Lakeland .
This golf course posses many of the prime features of a course that tests all the strengths and weaknesses of your game such as length off the tee, carry, ability to shape shots and short game skills. In addition it is picturesque with many photo opps which often include stunning wildlife closeups and water edge views.
The finishing holes are daunting a true trial of shot shaping. The magnificent 17th is a true testament to accuracy and length.
Anything short or wide off the tee is a bogey. The second shot demands the precision of a marksman to remain out of the water. Shot shaping is imperative.
The best course by my estimation in Lakeland

Sanctuary Ridge is without doubt one of the most challenging and enjoyable courses in the hills of Florida. If it were in better condition it would rival Mission Inns El Champion.
Sadly it in deplorable conditions with runnels running through the fairways and multiple bare areas. The grass is overgrown and the greens on the front nine especially are just bad.
Cannot understand how Clermont and the county does not see holding as a part of their treasure and step in to assist these great golf courses in that area.

We went to play 18 holes. They charged an extra 20 dollars for the cart.
There was no championship course. 6 hole loop was what they called it but we were clueless until we could not locate the 7 th hole. There was only 6 holes!!!
18 holes meant going around on 6 x3 times.
We felt swindled.
We packed up and left.

From the onset we should have known the experience was not going to be acceptable. There were no signs leading to the club and the GPS cut out on the Harmon as well as Google.
There was a dilapidated sign out front when we finally found the place.
The cart paths were rutted and in bad need of repair.
The rough was so high that finding balls were impossible.
The golf cart seats were mended with tape and ancient.
The greens were surprisingly well tended.
We quit after the 9 th hole. We even lost balls in the middle of the fairway.

I was pleasantly surprised by this course. It was unique without being gimmicky with lots of water in play . Rolling hills and difficult and demanding shots. It was a shotmakers paradise and totally picturesque to boot.
I thought the front nine was excellent but was equally impressed by the back nine. I used every club in my bag and had to hit draws as well as fades; high shots as well as knockdowns to hold the green. The course was hilly. Unusual in Florida.
The amenities were very average and in need of upgrades. Loved this course and will play it again

Excellent course with awesome vistas and danger lurking at every corner. Strategic water hazards and bunkers with elevated tees and soft greens. Stimpmeter between 11-13. Direction of blades key in reading puts.
Excellent clubhouse facilities.
Beware Valet Parking is mandatory and tips are expected at every encounter.
Practice facilities are good. Did not see ambassador

A challenging hilly course with several island greens and a diabolical 17 th hole across water that will dismantle your game. Rollicking fun with beautiful vistas and few gimme holes