Bryan9633017

Played The Links at Sandestin a couple days ago and for a few bucks more Regatta Bay absolutely blew it away. Course layout & aesthetics are absolutely beautiful. Tee boxes & fairways are lush and bunkers are in great shape. Only thing keeping it from a 5-star experience were the greens which were probably rolling an 8 or 9 and a bit bumpy. Way to slow for a course this nice. Range & practice area are beautiful but had to hit off mats (which I HATE). Staff was great...bringing the cart as soon as we pulled in and greeting us upon our return. Will be back.

Wanted to really like this course. Driving in to Champions Gate the Road Signage on the right (almost like Bathroom Tile on some signs) & Cursive Branding is a bit dated. It feels late 90's/early 00's. Omni needs to address this as it felt middle of the road before I even stepped on the course.

Range was pretty beat up from a shotgun scramble on the other course. Range balls were in mini Titleist bags half of which were empty or tipped over. Just an average practice area at best. Big but blah.

Played the National & it was cool (mid 50's) and very windy. Seemed like it was in our face most of the front 9. At least a 2-club wind which made hitting the very tiny greens extremely tough. I've heard they are redoing these this year so that's good. The greens themselves are good and roll true, just absurdly small for probably 80% of the people who play there. Fairways were very thin in spots. Not sure if the grass is still dormat or what but not a lot of turf to take. Almost preferred the rough at times. Just wasn't what I expected given the price. I'm staying at Reunion resort and all 3 of those courses are lush by comparison.

There's no returning to the clubhouse on the turn. Lunch was $22 plus tip from the cart girl for 2 ham sandwiches and 2 bags of chips. Bread was pretty dry. Cart girl was very nice as were the bag guy at check in and the starter. All were very nice to my 12 yr old son as well.

All in all a fun day with my little buddy but probably won't go back at that price point until some improvements in course and feel bring it forward a couple decades (vs plentiful other offerings in the area).

Played for the first time at 2pm in the afternoon at an unbelievable Golfnow rate of $39. Playing this beauty for that price is almost criminal. I've played many courses in Scottsdale, SC, and FL and this Jack Nicklaus signature course (no houses...just a jaw dropping 18-hole wonder in the wilderness) may be the nicest course I've ever played. I had read great reviews from Travelin Joe in Golf Mag. and it didn't disappoint. My 9 yr old son played too and the staff was AWESOME. A++