peteblke

Nice course, good people. Will definitely come back and play again. One downside -- they closed the restaurant at 5:00 without warning -- we were still on the deck enjoying a beverage. The doors were all locked to go inside... couldn't even use the bathroom!

Weird for a Saturday night!!!

I had high expectations after visiting here last year and loving it. The course was no where near as green as it was last year, nor in as good a condition. The greens were very challenging and run fast & true. The tee boxes were ok, and the fairways were just ok.

The pro shop staff were friendly, and the morning bartender was very friendly. After the round, however, the wait staff wouldn't even acknowledge we were there. Got no service. They were pretty rude.

They are charging like a top notch course, but aren't quite there. When you can play Southern Dunes for the same price, there is no comparison.

I have now played this course three times over the past few years -- and it is in the best shape yet. Green, lush, pretty -- and challenging. Loved it and will go back next year.

I may have played it before off season so it wasn't as green and pristine, so was very pleasantly surprised.

We play here a couple times a year and it is always in great shape. The practice facility is very nice and it allows you to work on all parts of your game before going out on the course. I highly recommend it. The 19th hole is great, people are nice. They have been known to run some good specials in the past. The rates went up a little this year which was disappointing -- but not unexpected.

Pouring in Tampa, so drove to where it was dry, Lakeland. What a great surprise!! Had played a couple years ago, but didn't remember it being this great.

Great course. Conditions better than expected... layout is fun and unique. Will definitely come back. Not a high end resort course or anything, but a fun place to play. Staff is welcoming and fun. Lacks a full restaurant and other amenities.

This was a great day, good course, and a lot of fun. We had played the course twice previously and really liked it. They went through some renovations due to the loss of space for the Trade Center expansion -- and I don't think the changes worked well. I feel it lost something, and a tough exciting finishing hole has been turned into a par 3 Sawgrass imitation. Not a fan of the changes. Personally, I hate ending a round on a Par 3. Might be better if they renumber the holes so you have a better Finishing Hole.

Great golf facility. We played both Panther Lake and Crooked Cat on successive days -- and enjoyed the entire experience. Course was in great shape. Greens rolled true, fairways were impeccable, and the rough was consistent.

The practice facility is superior to other courses in the area, but for a top tier course, I would expect range balls to be included as they are in most the other courses in the same caliber. Seems petty to charge for warming up.

19th Hole is great. Reasonably priced, great value. I do find it strange that the drinks were very affordable in the clubhouse -- but significantly higher on the beverage cart!

We will be back again -- and will most likely play both sides again. Crooked Cat seemed a little harder then Panther Lake.

Great golf facility. We played both Panther Lake and Crooked Cat on successive days -- and enjoyed the entire experience. Course was in great shape. Greens rolled true, fairways were impeccable, and the rough was consistent.

The practice facility is superior to other courses in the area, but for a top tier course, I would expect range balls to be included as they are in most the other courses in the same caliber. Seems petty to charge for warming up.

19th Hole is great. Reasonably priced, great value. I do find it strange that the drinks were very affordable in the clubhouse -- but significantly higher on the beverage cart!

We will be back again -- and will most likely play both sides again. Crooked Cat seemed a little harder then Panther Lake.

We have played this course once a year for the past 6 years and it is consistently good. This, however, was the best it has ever looked. I don't think you could find a single fault if you tried.

Greens, quick, consistent -- and fair. If you saw a break, it was there. Fairways in terrific shape: Green & plush. A few years a go they had a problem with water rights, and it didn't look anything like this. Ponds were low and dry -- now they are all back to top caliber golf.

Pace of play on a holiday Monday was 4 hours 12 minutes. They stagger tee times almost a hole apart which is great for play.

Staff friendly and accomodating. Drinks and food fairly priced. I would highly recommend it!

This is a great course design, and very unique for the area. With dramatic elevation changes to well -placed bunkers and hazards, the layout can be both forgiving and rewarding for those that want to take risks.

Greens are in great shape, and roll very nice. The rest fo the conditions leave a lot to be desired. Fairways are hard and not much grass. Sand traps haven't been raked or groomed.

For the money, I think I would recommend it -- but would warn about the conditions. I think they put all their resources into maintaining the greens and have let some of the other areas deteriorate. I would play it again only because of the design and layout of the course.

I hope they can get some capitol and really fix the course, could be a hidden gem.

Loved the course, and the facility. One of the best practice facilities in the area. Putting green that is reflective of the actual course. A great chipping area with bunkers. Large driving range... but I do object to having to pay extra for range balls at a higher end course charging higher fees.

Have played Panther Lake in previous visits thought we would try Crooked Cat and liked it but thought Panther Lake was a little more challenging and a little more aesthetically pleasing.

19th Hole was the best value in the area. Bartenders were fantastic and prices were very reasonable. Will definitely go back when in the area.

Loved the layout and the facility. Beautiful course that is well-maintained. Greens were true, fast... and very undulating. There wasn't a straight forward putt in the round. Almost too tricky -- we thought the groundskeeper must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed. Pin placements were crazy-hard for the average golfer.

I would recommend this course. It is fun, very challenging, and is in great shape.

We would definitely come back again. It was a great layout, and the conditions were in perfect shape. The greens were quick, true and rolled well. There were some subtle breaks, but nothing crazy.

For the money it is a great take and highly recommended. We had 6 players and we all thought is was right up there with Celebration, Disney Courses, and Shingle Creek which we played during the week. It is definitely off the beaten path a ways, but worth the trip.

Small critique, these courses that are fighting for play should stop trying to nickle and dimeing customers -- a free cup of coffee and range balls would go a long way in getting people to come back and play again. I think it is a little off putting when you have a coffee maker in the proshop -- self serve -- and charge $2 for a small styrofoam cup. You want people to be excited about the course as you begin the round.

This is a good resort course. I haven't played many in the area, so I am not sure how it compares to others.

It is a very playable layout, nothing too difficult or unfair. The course is in good shape, but they were working on some of the greens so they were less than optimal. The pace of the greens were ok, but a little inconsistent. Looked like they had been aerated not too long before, but there was never any mention of it until we got there.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the course to anyone, and I would come back and play it again if in the area. Staff was very friendly -- and welcoming.

The course layout was good, the staff was nice, the course wasn't in as good a shape as I anticipated. There was nothing wrong with the course, but with so many options in the area, I just expected more. For the price, some of the other courses in the area just seem better.

I expected a little more being a Disney Property. Charging extra for range balls was disappointing. Some of the rough was stressed. Nothing really wrong with the course, I was just expecting more.