Review Statistics
Reviews Map
Reviews
Reunion Resort - Watson Course
Played On 01/21/2014Reunion's 2nd Best course
Watson barely beat out Mr. Palmer for the 2nd best course on the Reunion property. I felt like Tom's time in Scotland made him like bunkers because when you play this course... you're bound to find one.
Lots of character to the par 5's. I think the 11th hole is one of the prettiest looking holes from the tee - a great par 4 with some teeth with not too much length. Another atrribute of Tom's game can be seen by his focus on accurate driving - if you don't drive it straight, you're in trouble.
I really enjoyed the greens as they were rolling nicely but needed to remind my fellow players (not in my group) to fix your ball marks! There were a few to be found.
It's worth the drive.
Reunion Resort - Palmer Course
Played On 01/20/2014Reunion's 3rd Best course
I'd rather play Watson or Nicklaus' course than Arnie's. While I like many of the holes on the course and enjoy playing a course not completely surrounded by houses... this course left me wanting more.
I don't want to completely slam the course - great greens and well maintained fairways, bunkers and teeing grounds.
The 18th hole closing hole is a disservice to golf architecture. The fairway runs out after 250 yards.... leaving me a downhill approach to an uphill green. The 11th and 12th holes are a little bland. I enjoyed my time on the course but like the rest of Reunion a lot better.
Hawk's Landing Golf Club
Played On 01/11/2014Resort course that plays like a resort course
Aside from the many water hazards that either sneak up on you or are blatantly in front of you this course plays like a resort course.
When we played it was a decently paced round with good conditioned greens. The course plays pretty easy if you drive it well - a few errant drives will have you fishing in water or your bag for more golf balls. The guy that was paired up with us lost nearly 10 golf balls, 4 on one hole (I think it was 16 or 17).
The greens were good, pace of play decent. I would play this course again but there are many others I'd go to first since the property has limited how this course was laid out. There is a feeling that a few golf holes were squeezed in.
Windermere Country Club
Played On 01/04/2014Tucked away but worth the drive
Windermere Country Club is open for business to the public. This was a once fully private club but has opened their doors in recent years to garner more business. The recession hit this area hard if a course like this becomes open to the public.
This course was designed for all players, from beginners to the low single-digit handicappers. Played from the back tees, this course can have some teeth if you're not driving the ball well. From the front tees, you can take the kids out to have a laugh and a fun afternoon romp around the course without worrying too much about donating a small army of golf balls.
The greens were redone 3 years ago and have softened up. They could stand to be firmed up but who doesn't like sticking a 5 iron from 200 yards out? The par 3's on this course are where WCC fight back. They're either really long or fend you off with an undulating green with tucked away pin positions. This course has a great value, a wonderful staff and is worth the drive.
Not a great place to practice but honestly, if you're driving out to the burbs, are you really going to be hitting that many golf balls?
Bella Collina Golf Club
Played On 01/01/2014Nick Faldo's hidden gem
This is a wonderfully laid out golf course with big elevation changes, unique green complexes and can play 5-15 shots easier or harder depending on the tees you decide to play.
Nick, for some crazy reason, decided to put tees that measure over 7600 yards. My ego got the better of me as I began my round on these tees. After eating my hat for the first few holes I moved up a set of tees and thoroughly enjoyed myself much more. Play this course about 500-1000 yards less than you normally would and that course will keep you plenty busy & challenged. We were paired up with a member who knew the local knowledge of playing the correct tees and talked me into my move after hole 3.
This golf course gives you views and shots that you rarely see in central Florida. The course is worth the drive. The only issue I had on Nick's design were on 9 and 18. There is no where to drive your ball - you hit and hope. Other than that, this course is worth the drive, worth the greens fees and worth the experience.
Dubsdread Golf Course
Played On 12/17/2013A great "city" course for locals
This is easily the best valued course in all of Orlando. You can play 18 holes for just fractions of what a resort or any other higher profile course would charge. Consider this your best bargain but know that with that bargain you are likely to be paired up or find the course quite busy.
This is a solidly laid out course that gets awfully tight in many areas. I love the charm Dubsdread has as it snakes its way through College Park. I played in Dec. 13 and the course greens were rolling smoothly and true. Despite a few rough patches, you will be hard pressed to find a better course for the price you pay.
Practice facility is decent - floating golf balls may not be for everyone but you're really trying to warm up your body not your golf balls.
This is a rare course that encourages and allows walking.
Highland/Grove at Errol Country Club
Played On 12/02/2013Forgettable holes but recall having fun
I played this course recently and can't really remember many of the holes and it's somewhat frustrating because I don't normally have this problem and remember having fun while playing.
I played a scramble charity event and our team played decently but for the life of me can't remember much of the course. It was a decent layout with some elevation changes (for Florida). A lot of "samey" golf - same holes, or similar holes. Worth the drive only based on the price.
Forest Lake Golf Club of Ocoee
Played On 11/10/2013A little rough around the edges but still good
I like this layout although its rarely in the condition it should be. This is a locals course for a solid price. You can have a good game, score well but there will be times you're fighting the conditions of the greens or fairways. This is out in Ocoee about 25 minutes from downtown Orlando and worth the drive solely based on the value.
If you want/need a course with great conditions, this isn't for you. You can play a quick 18 holes if you start out early... a late afternoon game can find you waiting on a couple with one spouse teaching the other how to play or a couple juniors practicing for their high school team.
I've played in just under 3 hours and been stuck for a close to 5 hour round here.... all depends.
Crooked Cat at Orange County National
Played On 10/12/2013Tame Kitty
Crooked Cat is about 4-6 shots easier than its sister course Panther Lake. This is a course that is always in good to excellent condition - amazing feat considering how much golf is played here throughout the year. It's worth the drive out to this facility.
Loads of bunkers on the course really make you want to practice your bunker play. Lots of tees on the course give you tons of options for playing any length course you want. Don't limit yourself by playing 1 color tee... play the course that suits you.
Many people love this driving range and it's impressive how big the hitting areas are. I'm just not a huge fan of hitting balls downhill. That said, this practice facility is unrivaled in all of Orlando and it's surrounding counties.
Black at Bethpage State Park Golf Course
Played On 09/29/2013Do yourself a favor... Bet on Black
This is a golf course that you get a true experience if you sleep in your car and walk up to a gentleman tapping your window at 5am to tell you which time you've received.
Drive it straight... especially off the 1st tee. This course plays long but has so many tees from which to use that there's a golf course for every player on the tee sheet.
Don't over read the greens - the putts don't break nearly has much as you think. Keep a sharp eye on putts over 30 feet - your putt may be right edge! The Black has tons of character and equally matched by the Red's layout just next door. A true public course with tons of character.
Lake Nona Golf & Country Club
Played On 09/14/2013No Contest - Best course in Orlando
If you find yourself fortunate enough to get onto Lake Nona you will be walking into a golfer's paradise. The staff is extremely helpful and accommodating. The practice facility on the front and back ranges are world class for their elite membership and the professionals who call Nona home.
The day we played was with two members hosting us and you quickly get over the fact that you're surrounded by golfing royalty. Playing behind were a few tour professionals at least one of them a major champion.
The greens roll as if they were half grass / half glass and this was 2 months after they lost their greens to an infection. The pace of play is GO, as in, go hit your ball right now. A 3 hour 18 hole foursome isn't rare here, it's common.
This is a course that is worth the drive out past the airport. Admire the scenery as you pass through some of the most beautiful homes in Orlando.
MetroWest Golf Club
Played On 09/01/2013A solid locals course - new greens for 2014
I haven't had a chance to play this course since they've redone the greens. The greens certainly needed an overhaul. This course and the facility has always had an inflated ego about itself strictly speaking about what they charge vs. how the course is maintained. I can't recall finishing a round and remarking about great or prestine conditions. I once fixed 62 ball marks in 1 nine hole stretch. I remember counting because I couldn't believe there were so many.
The course is a fun and easy lay out. You can hit driver anywhere but the green approaches and their surrounding areas are where Metro can bite you. There are some really solid elevation changes on Hole 2 and especially on the par 5, 4th hole. Overall, I've always enjoyed playing the course but most times I cringe at their asking price.
I haven't seen if they replaced the turf on the practice tee - let's hope so because hitting on that range was brutal. I respect the course for never rolling out mats, you always hit off turf.
Crooked Cat at Orange County National
Played On 08/24/2013PGA Tour qualifying tournament site
This is the host course (along with Crooked Cat) every other year or every few years for the PGA Tour qualifying school. This course is definitely more difficult and plays about 4-6 shots harder. This course has more water, plays longer and the green complexes are harder. This course usually plays with great conditions and did so for us.
I always measure a course by the green conditions and we weren't disappointed this day. The range is enormous and you can hit in a 360 direction with the course's permission. One of the better courses in all of Orlando to play.
H. Smith Richardson Golf Course
Played On 08/20/2013"Smith" is a solid course but needs help with pace of play
I've played this course close to 100 times. I grew up playing on this course and recently played it on a trip back north. It's a wonderful old course layout with great contours and tons of elevation change. I definitely recommend this course for any skill level player. Playing early allows for a close-to-adequate pace of play. As the day goes on a 5-hour round is common. Fairfield residents get the best deal.
The driving range is situated on the other side of the facility - if you want to warm up, come early.
After round food is always top shelf.
Bay Hill Club & Lodge - Championship Course
Played On 08/17/2013Arnie's home
Mr. Palmer is a solid course designer and I think the changes that were made the greens a few years back have paid homage to Dick Wilson's original design. For those lucky enough to find their way onto this Orlando gem, do yourself a favor and breath in the history on one of the PGA Tour's best closing stretches. 16, 17 and 18 are quite possibly some of the most exciting, thrilling holes a golfer gets to play.
If you're fortunate enough to get this far with a good round in tact, good luck and well done because the front nine and middle stretch of your round will be well tested with a variety of holes that force you to move the ball both ways off the tee, be precise with your irons and I certainly hope you hire a caddie to navigate the perfectly manicured greens.
The practice facility is one of Orlando's best with a huge putting green, solid short game facility and a driving range that always has a spot roped off on the right side for Mr. Palmer. Do yourself a favor and find a way to play this course - one of Orlando's best.
Chicago Golf Club
Played On 08/07/2013Walker Cup gem
I had the privilege to play this course in May before the Walker Cup years ago. While it was snowing at the start of our round... this course still played true to form and better than advertised.
This course plays fast around the greens while slight elevation to the raised green complexes.
This is an historic course, traditional layout that blends beautiful greens that change color from tee, to fairway, to rough and to the greens.
Take a caddie and I suggest playing in the summer.
Grande Pines Golf Club
Played On 08/03/2013resort course with teeth
This is a solidly laid out course that gets harder as you get deeper into the round. The par 5's are varied and the green complexes fair but challenging.
This course can play long but has loads of tees to choose from. I've seen this course in several stages of condition ranging from very good to very poor.
The course lulls you into thinking there is lots of room but definitely not the case as it snakes through both residential, condos and a resort. The value is decent but not in season when its best conditioned. GolfNow has the best prices.
The practice facility is a little bland but if you need to practice, go across the street to the Marriott Golf Institute.
This course will always have a special place in my heart, this was the last course I played before I got married.
Country Club of Fairfield
Played On 07/02/2013Seth Raynor's gem
This is easily the best course in the state of Connecticut. An old style course that was returned to its roots several years back when over 100 trees were removed. A short course that can play long depending on the wind. Unfortunately not everyone can enjoy this wonderful piece of real estate - members old.
I grew up caddying at this course and have the fortunate invitation once a year to return to play.
A MUST PLAY!
Winter Pines Golf Club
Played On 06/02/2013Locals course great for beginners/juniors
This isn't a course that will test your golf game. This is a great little local course great for kids or new golfers. Enjoy this course with a relaxed group of friends or the family. Don't expect a super fast round - I played 9 holes in just over 2 hours on a short course on a packed course.
The conditions were ok - but this isn't a place I'm expecting greens rolling 13 on the stimpmeter.
Waldorf Astoria Golf Club
Played On 04/27/2013Waldorf does Courses pretty well at a cost
The one thing I will say about this course is that Rees Jones and I needed to have words after. I got tired of raised greens - I wanted to tell him to use his creativity to come up with another way to present his course. But honestly that was my only critique with the course.
It was in great condition, the round was completed in decent time but I always play early. This course can have some teeth if you play a back tee box and are not hitting your irons solidly.
Enjoy this course but it comes at an inflated price.