jdavison1

During this time of year in Florida, greens fees go through the roof. This course, at under $30, is a bargain. The course is short, a par 69 and under 5000 from the back tees, but it's fairly tight and was a fun course. It was a bit dried out with some bare patches on the fairways and on the small greens, but I have played worse and paid much more.

Shop personnel rude and condescending; quoted $27 on phone, charged $32; greens were VERY slow and grass very thin/spotty in many places; fairways were ok; tees were thin/spotty; the bunkers I landed in (3) were filled with dirt rather than sand.
I play this course about once a year, always hoping it will be better, because it is close to where I live. But they just don't seem to be making any improvements to the course: poorly draining areas; thin/spotty turf; bad bunkers; and now the greens. There are too many other courses in the area to choose from. Maybe next year...

This is a fun but challenging course. Driver is not always the best choice off the tee. Greens were in very good shape, for the most part, but there was evidence of recent problems on several. The fairways were in remarkable shape, especially considering the amount of rain the course received during the previous week... a testament to the grounds crew. I was quite fortunate to be able to play this course as a single, able to take my time and enjoy the course as well as the surroundings, and was not held up nor pushed by other golfers... a rare treat indeed. Even so, I played 18 holes in just over 3 and a half hours. All in all, a great experience. And one I will try to repeat in the future.

I liked the course layout... not many parallel fairways. Course - tees, fairways, greens - were all in decent shape overall, but some were a little rough. There were also a few areas that should have been designated as GUR, but were not. Will likely play this course again.

Weather (humidity) was an issue, but this is summer in Florida!
Course is in great shape... Tees were in good shape. Greens were in excellent shape. Fairways were in great shape. (Most) bunkers were in great shape.
The front / back nine are very different and it made the round quite interesting. Lots of tight and/or restricted tee shots. Although I didn't score very well, I thoroughly enjoyed this round. I will be back to play again

Greens were the best I have experienced in the area. While several courses have struggled with various problems that have decimated their greens, the greens on the Lakes course were excellent! Fairways were in similar shape. Tees were were also in great shape. I cannot recall one thing about the round that I didn't care for... other than my score!

I have played this course several times,and I like the course. But I won't play it again until I know the greens have come back. Some of the worst I have played. In Cove Cays' defense, from what I was told, the problem was misdiagnosed by an expert brought in to help. Still, will be some time before they are playable again.

If you want to play a round, work on your swing, or dial in your distances (like I did), this is a great place to do it. This technology has become quite advanced. The simulated ball flight (hook, slice) is very lifelike, the ball spin (or lack thereof) is very accurate... I was hitting my shots just like I was out on the course last week, and I couldn't stop the ball on the green with anything more than a 9 iron to save my life!
All kidding aside, the simulator technology is something that has to be seen and experienced to believe: very realistic. And the Golfer's Grail is a great facility. I will be spending my fair share of time there.

I had heard quite a bit about this course and it's history... and I can see why this course was a PGA/LPGA tour stop. I was a bit surprised that there were no forced carries off the tee, there were plenty of tee shots that required distance control... hit too far and you are through the fairway and into trouble. And there is plenty of water and sand. Nice sand. White, Florida "sugar" sand. The greens were in good shape... deceptively quick. Overall, a very good, very tough course.

Greens are in great shape. Tees are in good shape, for the most part. Fairways are in good shape (from what I saw of them). Would be beneficial to play with a member... local knowledge would have been a big help.

Don't get me wrong... I like this course, have played it several times before, and I will play it again. But it has been in better shape the times I played here before. Tees and fairways were in good shape, by and large. Most of the greens were is decent shape, but the first and second, your "first impression", so to speak, were very bad. I also noticed that many of the greens seemed to be considerably smaller than I remember them being. The carts no longer have the sand boxes for filling divots. The sand boxes on the par 3's were empty. The beverage / snack cart sat idle by the clubhouse on a busy Sunday. No one was at the 15th hole for the close to the pin contest. I am not sure exactly what the issue is, but it just seems like things are slipping at this course. I am hoping this is a temporary situation.

Literally... on every hole. But it wasn't as intimidating as it may sound. Don't get me wrong, the greens were well protected. But it was a combination of water, sand and doglegs. I thought this was a very good course.
There were some areas around greens and tees that were spongy and wet, apparently from heavy watering, but it wasn't every hole or even most holes. No holes ran side by side, so you never had to worry about wayward shots.
I will play this course again (and very possibly the executive course as well)

Several tees were a bit rough, several fairways are in need of some attention (they were apparently marked for that purpose), but there were probably only 2 or 3 that were severe.Bunkers were in great shape and the greens were receptive and rolling very true.

My first impression was good: well stocked and very inviting pro shop. The gentleman manning the counter was very friendly and helpful. There is no driving range at this facility (any longer, as I would learn from one of my playing partners), but they do have an area set up with hitting cages and free balls. One thing that immediately got my attention was the awesome GPS unit on the cart. Large, full color graphics - best I have ever seen.
On a down side, I was playing as a single, I was early, and there was not a starter, so I was left to find a group on my own.
Not a huge problem, but this something worth mentioning.
As for the course itself, it was in good shape overall. Most tees were in decent shape but seemed a bit dry (a couple were in bad shape). The fairways were in great shape, which I thought was remarkable because of all the rain we have had lately. The greens were iffy, but to be fair we were following a "bad" group or two - dragging and twisting their feet, not repairing ball marks, slamming putter heads on the green (or causing damage somehow) - so the area around the cup was terrible on EVERY green. That being said, the greens received shots well and rolled true except for this damage.
The course is a good and fair challenge. Water in play on 17 (yes 17!) holes. The sand looked perfect (although I was fortunate enough to not have to test this myself).
I would go back again...