GolfnDebra

We enjoyed Water Oak so much our first trip there that we returned for a second round and brought our friends along to make a foursome. It's a fun course staffed with very nice people. The course is in good shape for this time of year and the price is definitely right. We enjoyed our round and will return.

The only down side of Southern Dunes GC is its geographic location. It's located roughly 9 miles east of I-4 on Route 27 south of Orlando. Unfortunately, the traffic on I-4 is horrendous & nearly as bad on that portion of Rte 27. That said, Southern Dunes is a wonderful course. I've played most courses in Central Florida over the past 9 years & I've found none better. The layout is challenging and the course is immaculate including the 150+ bunkers. Be prepared to use every club in your bag. After golf you must visit the club's restaurant for a nice meal. Pre-golf warmup facilities are excellent too. The course is pricey but definitely worth it. Beginners maybe skip this one.

We played Water Oak for the first time yesterday. Everyone we encountered (staff, members, other outside players, woman at the gate, & the couple we were paired with) were extremely friendly & welcoming. The course is an interesting/fun layout with tees to suit everyone. The greens are in great shape - challenging with lots of undulations. The grass in the fairways isn't great (no doubt in large part because it's winter in Florida), and our range finders didn't work since the yardages we were getting apparently date back to the days prior to Water Oak's major overhaul. I must be honest in that we didn't agree with the course's top 25 in Florida public courses rating. However, Water Oak is definitely one you'll enjoy and put on your list to go back to.

My husband & I haven't played Dubsdread in almost 3 years, having permanently moved to a Florida golf course community 2 1/2 years ago. We were very happy to see that the overall course has improved significantly since we last played it (when we felt it needed some work). The yardage is short but mostly because it's a par 70, with just two par fives. It's definitely a "target" course as it's generally narrow with trouble lurking. The greens are in great shape - challenging puts it mildly with the quick speed and tons of undulations on all greens. Staff couldn't have been more friendly, and we definitely plan on playing Dubsdread again for a little change from our home course.

Harmony is a nice course and it's in good condition for this time of year. It's a bit long for women, with the forward tees just under 5400 yards. It was extremely windy the day we played, which made the course length an issue. I had to use driver on one par 3, which I never do, and I reached none of the par 4's or 5's in reg so my confidence took a bit of a hit. Pace of play was great - we literally saw no one. Staff was friendly, as usual when we play Harmony. It's a fun but challenging course.

Huntington Hills Golf & CC is a fun course - challenging/interesting layout with tee boxes for all player levels. Staff is always friendly and welcoming. Although HH isn't a 5 star course, it's definitely in great shape compared to most courses at its price point. My husband and I always enjoy playing at HH and look forward to returning soon despite the hour drive from our home.

Glenlakes CC is a nice course that's in very good condition given the current "winter" Florida fairway grasses. It's an interesting layout that will challenge your game. Unfortunately, we had nothing that showed the visual layout of individual holes, so we basically played the course blind (which has an abundance of doglegs and elevation changes) - our fault for not getting a course book. We definitely plan to play Glenlakes again. Though not in the upper echelon I rate as 5-star, the course is a high 4 star and absolutely worth the hour+ drive from my home. Staff makes you feel very welcome even though it's a private CC. Try it. You'll like it I'm sure.

Arlington Ridge is in better shape than it was the last time we played it a little over a year ago. It's a fun layout with tees to suit all levels of play. Staff is very friendly and accommodating. Obviously it's not a top-tier course (5 star rating) but it's definitely a good choice if you're not interested in paying the high prices you'll pay at Orange County National (which I rate as 5 star). Definitely give it a try.

CC of Mt Dora is a nice course that offers a somewhat challenging layout. It's in nice shape considering the warm, dry weather we've had in central Florida. Unlike so many courses these days, it's still reasonably priced. We've played CC of Mt Dora many times, and we've never run into a pace of play issue. The only downside is the inconveniently located driving range.

Our course was closed for an event so we opted to play a course we'd never played. Royal Oaks GC was a nice surprise. It was fairly priced, staffed with very nice people & in great condition all around- tees, fairways, rough, bunkers, greens. It's not a difficult layout at all, but you're challenged by narrow fairways lined with large trees & several elevated greens bordered by strategically placed bunkers. #18 presents an added challenge thanks to a pond, a large tree in the fairway that can block your 2nd shot, & a bunker across the front of the green. Nice clean restrooms on the course are a huge plus. We played on a Saturday morning and only waited on a couple of holes & then only briefly. Nice course.

Got to King's Ridge today & was surprised with the news that the front 9 was being overseeded so we'd have to play the back 9 twice if we wanted to play 18, which we'd pre-paid to play. We booked thru Golf Now, so not sure who didn't communicate but seems like someone would have told us about the overseeding when we booked the round last week.

King's Ridge is a fun course for scoring/boosting your confidence if your game is in a rocky spell. The course layout is fun & the course is in as good of shape as I've ever seen it. The greens are a bit slow but you can adjust to that. Staff isn't the most accommodating since they don't offer the restroom code, it's not written on your receipt, & you get the surprise that you're locked out when you get to the relief station. Come on, guys!!

I expect others to be objective in their reviews & I must be too. Several of the greens on the back 9 at Sherman Hills are essentially unplayable. Sad to see since the course is otherwise very good. Staff couldn't be more friendly, clubhouse is nice, course layout is fun & the course is in very good shape tee to green. The front 9 greens are just fine. Hopefully they'll redo the bad greens on the back 9 because it's a fun place to play. They're certainly doing a fine job maintaining every other aspect of the property.

Huntington Hills is in the best shape of any course we've played since we got to Florida in early June. Tee boxes, fairways, bunkers, and greens are all in very good shape although the greens are still recovering from aeration.The course layout is interesting and definitely tests your game well beyond that suggested by it's slope/rating. There are a couple of forced carries, some narrow fairways, and rolling terrain that adds to the yardage. Always enjoy HH & happy to find it in such good overall shape. Will be going back.

Deer Island is my favorite of all the courses we play throughout our winter stay in Central Florida. The setting is beautiful with abundant wildlife & gorgeous views. The course is challenging​ yet scoreable, and this year it's in the best shape overall of any course around. No burned/dried out fairways at Deer Island & the rough is actually grass as opposed to the bare hardpan you find at so many Florida courses this time of year. Staff is friendly and the price (which includes a complementary bottle of water) is well worth it. Can't say enough positive about Deer Island.

I love the layout of Timacuan but was disappointed in the course conditions yesterday as compared to two months ago. My January 77 went to a March 88, and the hardpan literally throughout the greens no doubt contributed to that. Tee boxes show a ton of weather & tear. A few of the approaches are in OK condition but most are had, bare ground. I realize it's been a very dry period & I'm hopeful some rain will turn things around as the course is obviously not being watered. Also tough playing with so many singles racing around the course. Will try Timacuan again when I hear course conditions have improved.

Big Cypress South is a very well maintained course set within a nice community of manufactured homes. Staff is extremely welcoming and the course layout is fun with tee boxes available for short & longer hitters. My only complaint with yesterday's round was our pairing, which is no reflection on the course. Guys:. If you don't care to spend more than a couple of hours for a round of golf, stay home! Speed golf is NOT enjoyable to all. A 4-hour round (18 holes) is just fine & you may find that actually completing holes & following golf etiquette not only improves your score but makes your game much more fun!

Played King's Ridge for the first time this winter & found it to be in better shape than in past years. It's a nice track - relatively easy and a bit shorter than most courses in terms of the Ladies' tees so gives you a chance to hit more greens and play more longer irons. My only complaint with yesterday's round was the ridiculous pin placements on several holes on the back side which offered absolutely no chance for a make & more likely left you with several 3-putts, thus killing a good scoring day. Not necessary, pin setter. Pros aren't playing King's Ridge!

We enjoy the layout of White Heron. Unfortunately, the beautiful vegetation that was added prior to last year's grand opening isn't being maintained & a few of the greens have some rough spots. Looks like the greens are being addressed, and some watering may bring back some of the plantings. Course is getting quite a bit of play & it would be a shame if it reverted back to the poor condition of Ridgewood Lakes after all the work that was put into bringing the course back.