Lives
Tampa, FL
Handicap
10-14
Age
55-64
Gender
Male
Skill
Intermediate
Plays
A few times a week

Review Statistics

Average Rating

4.1
4.1
Total 9 Reviews

Rating Breakdown

9 Reviews
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Recommended Courses
6
Not Recommended Courses
3
Helpful Votes Count
3
Not Helpful Votes Count
0
First Review
04/12/2016
Last Review
11/02/2017

Reviews Map

Reviews

4.1
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First time playing this course
Recommended
Review has
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Expensive But Worth It

Our group of 8 guys play the Copperhead Course each fall as part of a week of golf. Copperhead remains on our list of "must play" courses.

The day before we played Copperhead, we played the Island Course at Innisbrook. People say the two courses are comparable.

They are alike in difficulty. Neither course is easy. The Island Course is the more difficult of the two.

Conditions between the two courses varies greatly. Copperhead is in exceptional condition. From tees to the greens, we were not disappointed. The bunkers were raked, the greens were fast, and the fairways were wonderful. The ball sat up nicely in the fairways.

Conditions at the Island Course were much different. The greens were just as nice as Copperhead's. After that, the changes were quite appearant. The grass on the tees was more sparse. The fairways were brown and had barren areas. The bunkers were not raked.

If you're going to spend big dollars to play Innisbrook, play Copperhead.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
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Commented on 12/22/2017

What's the best way to get a tee time at any of the Innisbrook courses?

3.0
First Time Playing

Over Rated

I'm part of a group of 8 guys who come to Tampa to play a week of golf each fall. We've always included the Copperhead course in our list. This year, at the urging of others, we added the Island Course.

We had been told by many people that the Island Course is every bit as nice and challenging as the Copperhead course. The starter talked the course up big time. Challenging it is!

The course itself is not easy. It's playable and fair. One or two holes are a bit tricked up, but overall, the course had good flow. The routing was nice. That's where the comparison to Copperhead ends.

Innisbrook charges a premium to play the Island Course. Quite a bit more than area courses. To a man, we were disappointed in the condition of the Island Course. The tees were average, the bunkers were not raked at all and the sand was rock hard, the fairways were brown. The greens had good grass coverage and good speed. Needless to say, we were disappointed that such an expensive course was in his condition.

We played Copperhead the next day. Copperhead was great in every way. The conditions were perfect.

If you're going to play one premium course, make it Copperhead. It may not be as difficult as the Island Course but the conditions are much better.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good

Cheval Golf and Athletic Club

Played On 10/20/2017
4.0
First Time Playing

Nice Conditions, but very tough

If you like water holes, this is your course. Water comes into play on almost every hole. It is not an easy play.

Tees and fairways were in fantastic shape. Of the 18 greens, 3-4 were in fairly rough shape. The other greens were premo.

I would say to make sure you play the correct tees for your abilities. Play the wrong tees and you will pay the price. This is not a beginner course.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
3.0
First Time Playing

Nice Course-Horrible Customer Service

We had two foursomes scheduled to play on 10/22 at 7:45am. We arrived one hour prior to our tee times. Upon arrival, there was no bag staff to meet us. Not what you'd expect from a big dollar course.

We went into the clubhouse and were greeted by a wonderful older woman. She told us that the restaurant wouldn't be open before we teed off. She did make us a cup of coffee though. Which we greatly appreciated.

When we went to the pro shop to check in, a less than enthusiastic young lady met us. I gave her our voucher. She handed me 4 cart keys. I had to ask which course we would be playing. I was told the South Course.

We went outside and no cart staff was around. Members were all around, but not one offered a friendly smile or a welcoming word. I went back in and asked which carts should we take. The young lady told me to take any cart. So we loaded up our bags....but where do you go?

Once again, I asked the girl in the pro shop. I was told to go up the hill. So we drove our 4 carts up to the top of the hill. There were at least 10 member carts there. When we told the starter we had a 7:45 and 7:54 tee time, the members started making nasty comments. One member yelled out, "Jesus Christ, public players are going out before us!" Far from a welcoming atmosphere.

The course itself is as described by other reviewers...a nice track that needs some tlc. The holes are fair, but a test. The fairways, especially the first 3 or 4 holes, were sparse and overly wet. The greens were very nice. The traps were by far the worst part of the course. Many looked like they have been underwater for months. Very few appeared to have been raked within the previous week. Very disappointing for what is supposed to be a great course.

My advice to people looking at this course, if you don't mind being treated very poorly...play here. I played 9 straight days in Florida, at 9 different courses, and not one had such poor guest services as Lake Jovita did. Customer service costs nothing, but defines the backbone of the facility. Spend your money elsewhere.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Friendliness Poor
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

One of the Best!

Seven friends and I take a yearly trip to Tampa to play golf. Two years ago, we played Pine Barrens for the first time. Are we glad we did!

We were aware that the course had been overseeded in the weeks prior to our visit. We were also well aware that carts would have to stay on the cart paths. We didn't care. Pine Barrens is worth walking!

From the moment you pull up to t bag drop, the staff is welcoming and friendly. Our bags were removed from our vehicles and grouped together on carts. The staff in the pro shop was very accommodating and friendly.

The range at World Woods is fantastic. There is plenty of teeing ground and plenty of targets to hit balls to. The putting greens were in great shape and offered multiple holes to practice various types of putts.

The starter was a very nice gentleman. He welcomed us and reminded us to stay on the cart paths.

The course was in fantastic shape. The tees were a bit hairy because of the overseeding. But it's always nicer to have too much grass versus having bare tees. The fairways were fabulous. The ball sat up nicely and was easy to hit. The waste bunkers were what you'd expect from a waste bunker. One plus is that most of the bunkers were firm and fair. The greens rolled true, although a bit slow from the overseeding.

The pace of play was wonderful. We didn't wait once and no one pushed us. We finished our round in 4:05. A good pace considering we had to walk to our balls.

World Woods is well worth the drive from Tampa. I'd highly recommend it to any golfer who wants to play a truly special course!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent

Fox Hollow Golf Club

Played On 10/20/2016
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

A Decent Test

Fox Holow is a good test of your abilities. There is a mix of short holes and longer holes. Accuracy off the tee is very helpful. If you hit it straight, you can score.

The conditions of the course was average. The greens were very good. The fairways were okay. The bunkers could use some work. It looked like the sand had been watered down and settled. The bunkers could use a good raking. The tees had been overseeded and had plenty of grass on them.

I would recommend buying a yardage book when playing here. Not all hazards are easy to see. The book could save you a few strokes.

While not a top tier course in the Tampa area, this course could be close to a top tier if the maintainence level came up a bit. It's a fun course!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average

Southern Hills Plantation

Played On 10/19/2016
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

A Must Play!

I am responsible for booking a golf trip for myself and seven friends each year. I spoke with some people and Southern Hills was highly recommended. Last year, I passed on this course. I'm glad I didn't pass on Southern Hills this year. Southern Hills is now on our yearly "must play" list.

From the moment you pull in, you know you're at somewhere special. When you pull in, the guard gives you a printed sheet that tells you that shirts must be tucked in and caps must face forward. When in the dining room, gentlemen are expected to take their hats off. When you pull up to the bag drop, the staff is welcoming and cordial.

The staff in the golf shop was very nice as well. We were told where the range was and that range balls are included in our greens fee. The range was very nice and had plenty of target to hit to.

The putting green was good sized (there are two) and was quick. Chipping is allowed and highly recommended.

We teed off on time. The first tee was as nice as some greens that I have played at other courses. The course was in phenomenal shape. The tees were perfect. The fairways were tight and full. The traps were freshly raked and had a layer of sand over a solid base. Perfect for spinning the ball out of bunkers. The greens were some of the best I've ever played on. Fast and true! The greens surfaces had been replaced earlier this year. You'd never know it by looking at the greens.

The course offers a variety of lengths of holes. There are some shorter holes and some longer holes. The par threes are playable. There are uphill and downhill holes. The greens have some nice undulations in them. Hit the ball above the hole, good luck stopping your putt.

The holes are interesting. I'd recommend getting a yardage book. I didn't have one and had to rely on a course map I found on my phone. The yardage book would have been a welcome aid.

I've never been a Dye fan. This course is not a normal Dye design. This course is special! I can absolutely say that Southern Hills is a must play and will be a course we play yearly.

Just know that the course is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Public players can only tee it up after 11:00. Southern Hills is worth the wait!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent

Dunedin Golf Club

Played On 04/14/2016
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Donald Ross Classic

I love playing Donald Ross designed courses. I find them so very well designed with no hidden hazards or bunkers. Dunedin Golf Club does not disappoint.

The traditional raised greens are standard here. Most approach shots call for an extra club because of the raised greens. In classic Ross style, there aren't a ton of forced carries. Everything is straight forward. The doglegs present themselves directly before you. No guess work on which way the holes play.

The greens were in fabulous shape. There were no bare spots at all. The volume of grass on the greens was impressive. The greens rolled very true and they rolled fast! Whenever possible, stay below the pin. The grain on these greens is strong. Putting uphill is much better than putting downhill with the grain. Downhill puts are very speedy!

The fairways on the front 9 were in very good shape. I only noticed one spot on a front nine fairway that needed attention. The same can't be said on the back nine. The fairways need some serious work. The 10th fairway was horrible. Other fairways on the back were better, but a couple need help.

The course overall was fun to play. Ross designs his courses to make the players hit shots. Hit a decent tee ball and you can expect to be rewarded with a good view of the green. Hit a tee ball offline, and you can expect to probably be hitting a recovery shot.

There was no bag staff when I arrived. The golf pro told me I could load my bag on any cart. He also directed me to the starter. The starter, Joe or John, barely looked up from his post. I was playing as a single. He told me I could catch a couple ahead of me and play along if I wanted. He never made any effort to go out to the couple and notify them. He checked my ticket and then he headed into the restaurant. Off I went. I didn't bother the couple ahead of me. I just played my 18 by myself. The couple moved along, but being a single, I had plenty of time to check out the conditions of the tees, fairways, and greens.

The restaurant staff was excellent. The bartender kept my soda filled and took my food order quickly. My chicken wrap was very good. I highly recommend the restaurant for a post round bite to eat and a drink!

I bring 7 friends down to the Tampa area for a weeklong golf outing every fall. While I'd like to bring them to Dunedin Golf Club, the condition of the back nine fairways would disappoint my friends; I hope they get those fairways back in prime shape. Then Dunedin Golf Club would be on our "Must Play List."

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Wentworth Golf Club

Played On 04/12/2016
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

An Unknown Gem....Possibly

I played Wentworth as a last minute decision. The course isn't too far from me and was easy to get to.

I'll start with the good. The layout of this course is fantastic. The holes are separate from each other. There is a mix of difficult holes, easier holes, and very pretty holes. The greens are small and undulating. There are sets of tees for every ability. The staff was excellent. From the bag staff, to the golfshop staff, to the starter, and the restaurant staff, all were attentive, helpful, and friendly.

You must hit the ball straight here. If you're spraying the ball all over the place, bring a lot of extra balls. The course is tight and requires good ball control. There are a couple forced carriers, but nothing that is ridiculous. The par 3s are a good mix of shorter and longer holes. Again, a straight ball helps a lot! The greens rolled true and were fast.

Now the bad...of 18 greens, 2 or 3 need some work. The pins were located away from damaged areas, thankfully. Most of the greens were fine. But the 2 or 3 could use so care. That was the biggest downfall for my rating.

If this course was in prime condition, it could be a classic track. It has a beautiful layout with some great holes. I really thing the design is excellent. If this course was meticulously maintain, it would be a top 10 and must play course in the Tampa area!

All that said, for the price on Golfnow, and the conditions, I'd play it again and recommend others do as well. And if they ever bring it back to primo conditions, it was would a must play in the area.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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