louisville1994

This is a good, interesting layout that has a set of tees for players of all skill levels. The course's greens were not the fastest but were perfectly maintained. On several holes, the fairways had become burnt out and patchy, but if you didn't mind rolling the ball it wasn't much of a problem. The mature trees lining each hole provided a pretty frame for each hole and directed the way you were supposed to move the ball off each tee. The $65 weekend rate seemed about right, and if I lived in the area it would be my rotation of courses to play. Would play again if in the area.

Making my second trip back to the Loop made me remember just how much I love this golf course. The unique style of the course is fascinating; it gives players the opportunity to play shots that they would likely never have to play anywhere else. The condition of the course was excellent, the greens barely had a ball mark on them and they rolled fast and true. Golfers who cannot embrace the firm and fast conditions of the course and the ground game required for many shots will likely not enjoy their round. But for those that due, the course is an awesome and fun experience. The wide open fairways also facilitate a very good pace of play. On a packed Saturday, our foursome got around the course in just over four hours and waited on only a handful of holes. Our foursome consisted of handicaps between 0 and 14, and all of us ranked this course as our first or second favorite on a trip that included 6 courses, 3 of which are in the Golf Digest Top 100 Public. The wide open nature of the course also makes it a great buddies trip stop as the course is very accommodating to higher handicappers who will probably enjoy never losing a ball. Embrace the idea of how you're supposed to play this course and its unique challenge and you'll have an amazing experience!

To start, Arcadia Bluffs is easily the most beautiful and scenic golf course I've ever seen. The views of the lake and playing through the dunes are incredible and probably can't be had almost anywhere else in the country. This is a place where a five hour round would never bother you. This course is all about the views, so make sure you enjoy them while you're there. Make sure to take the time to enjoy the views from the tee boxes, many of which provide panoramic views of the property and offer great photo opportunities. Our group's caddie, Ethan, was also excellent and was among the best I've had at any resort or private club.
That being said, our group was a bit disappointed by the course conditions for our round. Two fairways had been recently aerated with the sod plugs not having been cleaned from the fairways. In many places, rough was either dead or extremely patchy and many of the course's trademark bunkers had crumbling sod walls. The biggest disappointment of the round was the 12th hole, which the course is moving due to erosion along the coast. This meant that the right side of the hole was fenced off and much of the hole had been stripped of sod. The course's greens were also much bumpier and pockmarked than the greens at the South Course just down the road. I certainly understand that this course is a money maker and many of these issues stem from the amount of play it receives, but we were hoping for a bit more from a course considered one of the 100 best in America.
Overall, at the $140 rate we paid to tee off just after 4:00 this course was an incredible value. The opportunity to play under the sunset coming off of the lake while the bagpiper played was an experience none of our foursome will ever forget. However, having been to the Bluffs once I'm not sure I would pay the standard $215 to play the course earlier in the day.

This course is a great attempt at making a golden age course that the public can play. Course conditions were firm and fast, and the greens were some of the fastest I've ever played. The conditions at the South Course were exceptional and were some of the best I've seen anywhere (I would consider them comparable to Valhalla or Victoria National). I would highly recommend a forecaddie for your first trip around the course, as there are multiple blind tee shots and it can be difficult to know where to place the ball on the greens due to their massive size and slopes.
As amazing as the conditions of the course were, the real stars of the course are the incredible green complexes. The greens feature severe slopes and most feature 3-4 large tiers or mounds. The imagination and skill demanded to play around these greens made for an entertaining day.

Pilgrim's Run is a real bargain gem. Course is conditioned as well as any I've played, and for the rates they charge it's a bargain. Course offers wide areas of play off the tee and features large severely sloped greens. On a week golf trip that featured 3 top 100 public courses, this was half of the group's favorite stop.

I usually try and make it out to Houston Oaks at least a couple times a year, and this course once again did not disappoint. Only criticism of the course would be a couple burnt up fairway spots and a handful of bunkers that could use some fresh sand.
As usual, the greens here were fantastic and rolling very fast for a public track, would estimate around an 11. Pace of play was excellent; our threesome got around in just under 4 hours on a Sunday afternoon. Would recommend this place to anyone, great value for what you pay.

First off, if you're someone who will only play a course in top condition, this is a good track for you. The course is extremely well conditioned as of 8/6/17. Despite a wet and rainy day, greens rolled true and bunkers played very well.
I got a good deal on a Hot Deal tee time at this course, but probably won't be back unless I catch another one of those deals. The course layout is good, but an abundance of blind shots and a couple (in my opinion) goofy holes on the back 9 aren't my cup of tea. In my opinion the standard prices here are probably a bit higher than they ought to be compared to the top courses in the area, but the course was packed the day I played despite bad weather, so who am I to say.
All in all this is a good public track and I would recommend it if the price is right.

A coworker and myself were in Orlando for several days for a work conference and decided to come down early to play Pine Barrens on a Sunday and Monday. Greens fees were $50 on Sunday (plus a $20 replay for a $70 total - absolute steal) and $40 on Monday morning.
Given that this is Florida's off season and the course had experienced heavy rain the day before, the course was in outstanding shape. Greens have recovered well from punching 2 or so weeks ago and were rolling well. Other than 17 fairway, the fairways were in excellent condition and the waste areas featured prominently around the course were well maintained.
In terms of design, this is definitely the most unique course I have ever had the pleasure to play. #4 and #15 here are truly exceptional holes that stand out against any course I've been on. On Pine Barrens you will not see the same hole twice, and at least 6 holes on the course give you that "this might be the best hole on the course" thought when looking off the tee box.
Fair warning for first timers, choose the tees commensurate to your skill level. I would rate this course as extremely challenging from the tips. It's extremely long and has very undulating greens, but if you like a challenge this course will give you everything you want.
Would highly recommend this course to all skill levels as 5 sets of tees cater to all players. The course is forgiving enough from the forward tees to accommodate a 25+ handicap while also challenging skilled players from the back tees. All in all, this in my opinion a must play course if you're in the area and I will be returning if I'm ever in the area again.

Cherry Blossom has been in great shape every time I've played it, but this time the greens left a bit to be desired (likely due to poor winter weather). Everything else was extremely well maintained. The course wasn't very busy, so we pretty much went at our own pace Holes 16, 17, and 18 are as good a set of finishing holes as you'll find anywhere around here. All in all, not a hard course for a better player, but a good course all the same.

Difficult course from the tips, but very fair. Excellent layout.

Houston Oaks was in great shape the day I played. I try to come play the course several times a year, and I love it every time. Best greens I've ever putted on a public course, and easily top 5 greens of any course I've played.