jorruss

I expected more for $49. The course is generally in decent shape, but the grass in many fairways and several greens is a bit thin. I know we're on winter greens at the moment, but that doesn't excuse charging $50 on a Saturday morning to putt on bumpy, dormant bermuda greens that had not been mowed. Despite being one of only 3 groups that were playing the course, the lead foursome was painfully slow and never offered to let anyone play through. After both my group and the group in front complained to the pro shop at the turn, they told us they would do nothing because they had played "within 10 minutes of the pace of play" which is ludicrous. When you have to wait on every shot, even if you are within the POP guidelines, you should be letting faster groups play through. Playing 18 holes in 4:15 may be ok when the course is full, but not when there are only a dozen players on the course. There are courses nearby charging less than $40 that are in much better shape than Spruce Creek currently is in. I wouldn't recommend playing here until the rates drop and the temperatures allow them to grow the grass back on their greens.

The central Florida area has received a ton of rain the last few months, so it's testament to the maintenance staff at ChampionsGate that the course is in such great shape despite the heavy rains. #8 has several large pools of water roped off, and the water level in the pond is very high, but with the exception of the fairway bunker on #10 and a few others the course is draining very well. All playing surfaces are in great shape, but the rough is very thick and lush, and hitting it into the deeper primary cut will most likely cost you a golf ball. The course is challenging in perfect conditions, but the tall, heavy and often wet rough is extremely penal, making it imperative to keep your ball in the fairway.

ChampionsGate Country Club is open to the public now, but eventually will become a private course once enough real estate has been sold in the development. It is a wide open resort style layout and offers large greens, wide fairways and big bunkers that in many cases are not in the line of play.

Course conditions are superb and the greens roll true at a medium-fast speed. The practice area includes a large putting/chipping green and a water range with targets along the shores of the lake. The clubhouse is still in a trailer, but a full time clubhouse is under construction.

I found the first 8 holes to be quite boring, with wide open fairways and not much in the way of memorable holes. Things start to change a bit on #9, a par 5 that doglegs around a huge oak and fairway bunker. The back nine has more character than the front, introducing some elevation changes and interesting water hazards to the mix as you travel through the growing real estate development.

I enjoyed the course overall, and the playing conditions were superb. While it isn't the most memorable design or the most challenging course in the area, it's fun to play, especially for the bombers. Get out and play this course before it goes private in a few years.

I hadn't played Shingle Creek since before the recent redesign, and the changes are dramatic. Many holes have been changed, some holes are gone and they added a few new holes. The routing changed completely as well as a result of the changes. It seems the Rosen hotel needed more land to build an addition, so a couple holes on the south end of the course were eliminated and two brand new holes were built on the extreme north side of the property. What used to be #10 is now #8 so the "turn" is now after the 7th hole.

The course previous to the changes was fairly easy, with large flat greens and wide fairways. Now the greens are smaller and more undulating, and the layout is more challenging.

The two brand new holes stick out like a sore thumb and obviously don't fit with the rest of the course, but that's unavoidable as they aren't grown it completely.

I think the nines should be switched to make holes #7, 8 and 9 the last three. From the tips, #7 is a 245 yard par 3. #8 is over 600 yards par 5 and #9 is a 505 yard par 4. That would be one heck of a finish!

The staff are always great, and while I would prefer a self-park option, the "complimentary" valet is expected at a full service resort such as this.

Overall the course is in great shape, and worth a visit. While I'm not a fan of the new design, I'll come back and maybe it will grow on me.

RedTail was in good shape for the most part. They have a bit of a problem with weeds around the tee boxes and common areas but this isn't a big issue. Although the greens roll fast and smooth, they start getting crusty and bumpy in the afternoon so play early for the best putting surfaces. Long hitters beware - If you can hit it 250+ you may want to move back one set of tees to give yourself more room off the tee as many of the fairways end and drop into waste areas at inconvenient distances. Even from the back tees I have to lay up with 3 wood or 2 hybrid of the tee on several holes (even par 5s) to prevent running out of fairway. Invest in a yardage book or GPS, they'll help greatly on this course.

I've played Pelican Bay - South probably 20-25 times and I've always enjoyed the layout. It's short but very tight, requiring players to shape shots around doglegs or lay up off the tee for position. If you can drive it long and straight you'll have lots of short iron approach shots.

The staff is friendly and met me at my car with a cart ready to go. The facilities are simple and spartan. It's not about anything but golf here. There's no driving range, so bring a weighted club to warm up with.

However, the course conditions have deteriorated over the years to the point that this course is almost unplayable now. I played early on a Saturday morning. It appeared that the rough (3-4 inches deep in some spots) had not been cut in several days and the bunkers also looked like they hadn't been raked in several days. Maintenance crews normally "mow and go" on weekends, but it doesn't appear that there is much maintenance going on at all.

The "greens" were mowed, but at least 12 of the 18 greens have as much bare dirt as they have grass on them. Clearly the heat and lack of rain we've had this summer have hurt the putting surfaces. They must not have the budget to keep the greens in good shape, as they are in dire need of a complete rebuild.

I'm saddened to see Pelican Bay South become what some would call a cow pasture. It's a fun layout with some challenging holes, but the condition of the playing surfaces is simply too poor to even enjoy playing here.

Until the conditions improve, I would avoid Pelican Bay South.