gammie2005

Lack of signage has you searching for the next hole.
We enjoyed the bar snacks.
Overall, a featureless course poorly maintained. Needs some TLC.

We were lucky enough, as a visiting party from Dunblane New GC, Central Scotland, to be able to play Winter Haven through a contact. The course was in A1 condition - tees, greens, fairways, bunkers - and we particularly enjoyed the par 3s and the challenge of the many dogleg holes. Above all, it's simply beautiful, serene.

We were greeted in very friendly fashion and still able to enjoy a snack lunch despite the upper level of the clubhouse being taken over by a wedding party.

Played Pau Artiguelouve (don't confuse it with Pau 1856) during our French National Senior champs, where we were moderately successful - so that has little to do with my review.

Jean Garaialde's design is interesting enough, with a good variety of holes - memorable par 3s, dog-legs both ways, 5s - but he believes in small upturned saucer-shape greens, and here the staff had LOST the greens: riddled with bald patches and blight, to such an extent that on a couple they even had to lay down sand to slow them down. And the tees were DISGRACEFUL. I felt sorry for the players who had travelled a long way to play the course in this awful condition.

Not a particularly difficult course as such ( you'll be hard pushed to lose a ball, unless you find the occasional water hazard ), the fun begins when the wind blows - and when doesn't it!

The Allees 9 has more features, with the pick of the 4s, and is hillier than the Alizes, but both have attractive par 3s. The 5s are less characterful. The course is kept in A1 condition with hardly a divot to be seen; sensibly, Ronald Fream's vast and complex greens are kept to medium-fast in this sunny, windy place. Bunkering is kept to a minimum - and the
course is all the better for it.

What Maryse did not appreciate were the holes - at least three - where ladies lose all of their advantage in length because they are obliged to play for a fairway which runs out at about 150. At one hole an oak which can easily be carried from the yellows or whites stands 50 yards in front of the red tee!

We have rarely met with such a warm welcome in golf reception; all in all, if you can find a quiet time (play can get slow) and avoid the squalliest weather, this makes for ideal resort golf.

This is a real challenge: you're constantly being asked questions re course management and technique by the designer. The first 9 is spectacular with some great views and great holes; the back 9 is hillier. In superb condition, both fairways and greens: a classy set-up and a snip at winter prices.

If all you want is to hit an old ball around in a beautiful setting, this is the place for you. But the serious golfer will prefer to go on to Escorpion or El Bosque ( I have yet to sample Oliva Nova) where he/she will not be frustrated by the unpredictable bounces which playing a mountain track always entails. And while the club lays great claim to being a "natural" layout, it's not so natural as all that, with water hazards your ball will career into and cart-paths directly on your fairway line.

El Bosque has some particularly attractive 5's and 3's and is generally a lovely place to play golf. You really appreciate the intelligent design of each hole and the variety of the challenge. And, of course, being a Trent Jones (sen.) course, the challenge begins all over again when you reach the (vast) greens! I was just sorry that they have allowed houses to encroach so much on the 17th that one of these unsightly nets has had to be placed to the left of the tee.

Some interesting par 4 doglegs here, some tree-lined and some more open, and some tricky approaches over water. The 3's are perhaps less thrilling. The greens and - particularly - the fairways were in very good shape; This is a very well established members' club which is a pleasure to play.

Although hilly, Espiche is eminently playable and doesn't often kick your ball off into the rough. There's a good variety of holes in an attractive setting: the place has a heathland/linksy feel to it. We were fortunate to benefit from a winter rate of €65 for 2 including buggy; we were unfortunate in that at these prices Old Uncle Tom Cobbley and all were out that day!

We found this course to be short and scruffy! Too many of the holes are of similar length - short 4s of around 300 yards - and some are downright quirky. Not to mention (OK - I will) the unplayable downhill par 3 10th. Curiously - and at the price they charge - the course is usually busy.

The O'Connor is a steady, solid layout next to the Faldo. It features lots of shots where you have to take on water crossing the fairway. After getting used to wide - open holes you're aware of a tightening and a narrowing over the closing holes. In great condition and a winter bargain.

We played Graves etc. in our bid (Albi Lasbordes G.C.) for promotion to the National Divisions of Senior 2 (65+). As such we experienced both stroke- and match-play and found the course particularly suited to the latter. The opening 9 features several doglegs favouring the longer driver who can reach the apex; the shorter second 9 demands accurate short irons. The greens were hard and bouncy, requiring great care both in the approach and the putting. And yes - we did go up!

In spite of a brisk breeze and a couple of showers, we thoroughly enjoyed our day's golf at Southerndown. The par 3s are crackers, especially the two on the first nine, and several of the longer holes have the happy knack of being simple yet memorable. As far as I'm concerned, this is first-class links golf. The package is completed by friendly service in the well-stocked pro shop and in the comfortable clubhouse.

I cannot think that any serious golfer will be happy with the poor condition of the course, the cows - and mess - roaming around, the fenced-in greens, the tiresome accumulation of blind shots. All very well throwing around terms like "unique" and "natural" - there are limits. The greens were good, once you found them.

We travelled a bit from Kissimmee to play the well-established Rio Pinar and had a great time. The course was quiet, we had an attractive rate, and everyone was nice to us, especially Vinnie at the bar. While the greens were in good shape, some of the tees were scrubby.

What a treat at St Cloud! We had all we could handle playing from the Silver tees (c. 6K) in a brisk wind. The holes are varied, the tees, fairways and greens all good. We couldn't get a drink after - closed - but never mind. As (mainly) Scots we were amused by the exhortations of MacDivot and by the names of some of the holes! Not a links, but a good approximation. At this price we'll be back to play the White.

For us - a group of 11 from Scotland/France, this club sets the standard in course preparation, enjoyment, and service in the Orlando area. The greens were impeccable, the challenges varied - sometimes amusing! - and everything just right. The entire staff are eager to please. From here we go on to play the South 9 and the New.

I couldn't recommend this course to any serious golfer. The tees are atrocious, the fairways bare and bouncy, the bunkers lacking sand. Houses encroach on your game, with the result that your drive will easily bound OB. Some of the holes are ridiculously narrow.

The greens are very good and the staff friendly.

Cheap as it is, I won't waste my money again.

We enjoyed the layout at the Ritz-Carlton, although we found the par 3s rather ordinary. The greens were slick and in good shape. Overall, we thought that G. Norman had (as usual) overdone the bunker thing, although there's no denying that they do add definition and beauty.

We couldn't recommend PL wholeheartedly. Although the par 3s are rather special, we didn't find the rest of the holes particularly memorable. The greens had recently been sanded and putting through and over the lines was like putting on corduroy. We also found the disintegrating fairway Bermuda grass difficult to play from. We received a neutral-going on-frosty reception at the pro's shop, and the bar and restaurant staff were going through the motions - no more. In contrast, the young bag drop team were terrific.