Lives
North Aurora, Illinois
Handicap
15-19
Age
65+
Gender
Male
Skill
Intermediate
Plays
Once a week

Review Statistics

Average Rating

3.6
3.6
Total 21 Reviews

Rating Breakdown

21 Reviews
5 Stars
6
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
3
Recommended Courses
17
Not Recommended Courses
4
Helpful Votes Count
2
Not Helpful Votes Count
0
First Review
02/03/2019
Last Review
07/16/2023

Reviews Map

Reviews

3.6
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Course Difficulty
First time playing this course
Recommended
Review has

Mill Creek Golf Club

Played On 07/14/2023
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Unique layout

This was my second time playing MC and I enjoyed it much more than the first time. Knowing this course is key since it has very interesting features to almost every hole. Fairways and greens are in excellent condition. I highly recommend giving this place a try. Will become one of my favorites!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average

Serenoa Golf Club

Played On 03/11/2023
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Room for improvement

While Serenoa has made some improvements to the course - specifically with great sand in the bunkers and flatter tee boxes, they should repair some of the greens with weeding, cutting, and rolling to increase speeds and eliminate bumpy surfaces. Finally, overseeding fairways with rye would improve playability

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Average

Bent Tree Country Club

Played On 02/23/2023
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Comeback course

While every Florida course in the Sarasota area is overpriced during the winter months, Bent Tree offers more reasonable pricing. The new management company has also done a nice job by overseeding the fairways and fringe areas around the greens, transforming this course from a cow pasture to a decent conditioned layout. I recommend this course, especially if you can play for less than $50 as I did.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Better course than average

I highly recommend playing Myakka if you can get a special price. I did so thru Golfnow for $50 which is a good value in southwest Florida in the winter. I would not pay their regular rate of $80 but I'm pretty frugal so suit yourself. Range balls are free, greens are in very good condition as are the fairways. Carts have GPS and are programmed to not allow access around greens. Overall, Myakka is a very nice place to play (especially with no houses anywhere!).

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/17/2023

Thank you Wes, we are glad you enjoyed your round. We encourage you to keep your eye out for deals!

I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Mediocre course

If u want to play a short course with average conditions, check this place out. I played with a GolfNow special rate of $33 but wouldn’t pay a dollar more. The layout is dangerous with many tees in perilous spots from the prior hole tees. Greens and fairways are typical of Florida courses - bad and thin grass. Not much to hit off. Ready to leave my clubs north with the prices at obscene levels.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/09/2023

Hi. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Your feedback helps us do better. Thank you for visiting The Palms at Forest Lakes Golf Club. We hope you'll give us another try in the future.

Bliss Creek Golf Course

Played On 05/23/2022
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Cute layout

If you're looking for a very challenging course, don't come here. While every course demands you hit the ball straight and with the right distance, this one is quite forgiving. Nice for duffers like most of us, but not for single handicappers especially with the short yardage (5600 at the tips). There are many holes that allow for errant shots and Bliss has limited numbers of bunkers. The course is in nice shape with minimal ball marks on the green so management is doing a nice job maintaining the course. The rough is longer but fair and creates some penalty for off line drives. A good value overall.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/26/2022

Hello, wesj53. Thank you for visiting us at Bliss Creek Golf Course. We appreciate your 4-star rating and review. We hope you join us for another round soon.

Pottawatomie Golf Club

Played On 05/17/2022
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked

Cute, challenging course

My wife and I enjoy playing this picturesque layout. Running alongside the Fox River provides some nice views as well as water hazards on 2 holes. While the length is not long, the course still demands some precise shot making. The grounds are in very nice shape although the greens could be cut a bit shorter and rolled to make them a bit faster. Overall, I recommend this course.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate

The Preserve Golf Club

Played On 01/10/2022
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

NOT WORTH THE MONEY

After reading the mixed reviews on this course, I decided to take a chance and hope for the best. The Preserve is yet another Florida course that has been neglected and is disappointing in terms of poor fairways, barren areas around the greens, and greens that are down to total sand in many spots. This is why I am disgusted by the complete ripoff of snowbirds by many Sarasota area golf courses who charge lots of money for crappy conditions. You almost are forced to pay $75 or more for a well maintained layout. I don't like golf that much so I think I'll leave my clubs home next season and just play pickleball for free!

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Willow Crest Golf Club

Played On 08/05/2021
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

TERRIBLE SANDTRAPS!

I would have given this course 5 stars if not for the dismal conditions of the traps. We also enjoy the challenging layout of Willow Crest but unfortunately Hilton has allowed the sand traps to deteriorate into a mix of mainly dirt with some sand content. Hitting good bunker shots is almost impossible and ruined the day for our group. For $75, we expected much better conditions than what we experienced. In fact, we probably will not play here again until new sand is brought in. Also, there is no GPS on the golf carts; another feature that should be part of a $75 rate course.

Our group also thought that Hilton should offer a free pass into their pool at the end of the round for that day only. They could restrict to M-TH since there were few people in the pool and would create extra revenue via drinks and food that would be ordered poolside! A missed marketing opportunity.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Serenoa Golf Club

Played On 02/24/2021
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Typical Florida run

Typical because this course doesn't seem to water and does not overseed with rye so grass on fairways and around greens is sparce. Nice layout with challenging placements of bunkers and water. Greens were in nice shape.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Serenoa Golf Club

Played On 02/24/2021
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Average Florida course

Serenoa is typical (unfortunately) of most Sarasota area courses in winter. Crappy dormant bermuda grass, lots of barren sections especially in chipping areas just off greens. This course like others doesn't seem to water or overseed with rye which would make playing much more enjoyable. High winter prices and poor conditions make me want to leave my clubs back up north next season. Other than that critique, Serenoa is a challenging layout with water on almost every hole. You better hit them straight or bring a lot of extra balls.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Misty Creek Country Club

Played On 02/17/2021
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

My favorite Florida course

This is my fav due to the layout, natural beauty, and condition of the course. It is not your typical Florida run thru a housing community but rather carved out thru a natural preserve. Conditions were very good including beautiful over seeded fairways and true and quick greens. I highly recommended playing this course. I wish I could weekly but their regular rates unfortunately exceed my budget limit.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging

Port Charlotte Golf Club

Played On 02/09/2021
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

GO ELSEWHERE

Despite rates being lower at this place (we paid $35), the savings aren't worth playing this dump. While the greens and the tees are fine, all the land in between is a complete wasteland as is the driving range. There is hardly any real grass on the fairways, the ground is very sandy, and without a sprinkler system, I am not sure how they will ever renovate this place. The best plan for the new owners in my opinion would be to sell of the parcel to a builder for a new development. Will never go there again.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Fairly Easy
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Commented on 02/12/2021

Hi Wes, thank you for reviewing the course. Let us first start by apologizing for the poor experience you had during your visit. The current condition is by no means the standard we strive to achieve, and we are working towards getting things up to par. For further resolution in this matter, please feel free to reach out to our team in the pro shop. Thank you for playing Port Charlotte Golf Club. We hope to see you again soon.

The Groves Golf Course

Played On 01/09/2021
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Poor course

Simple review. Don’t waste your time or money. This place is a dump. Bad course condition. Terrible directions as to how find tee 1 and no driving range or putting green. Cheap rate but not cheap enough. Not sure how this place survives. Very few players in course.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

My go to course

I really like this course since it is one of few in this part of Florida that is not surrounded by homes. The natural feel lends itself to being out in the country. The layout is fair with reasonable wide fairways and a decent amount of traps and water that come into play often. The condition of the course is also very good with nicely maintained greens.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/20/2021

Thank you for taking the time to review us, wesj53. Your feedback is valuable, and we look forward to delivering you excellent service again soon. Blue/Red at Myakka Pines Golf Club thanks you!

Tanna Farms Golf Club

Played On 10/22/2020
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

Wet and wild

This run is very challenging so you better bring your "A" game. The sand traps and water can eat you up if you are errant with your shot making. Unfortunately we played a day after a 3" rainfall the night before so all the sand traps were unplayable (many under water) and some fairways were soggy with standing water. The greens had also recently been aerated, making putting very difficult and actually unfair as balls were diverted by the "swiss cheese" hole patterns. I would not play this course again in the fall after aeration since its difficult enough without bad greens.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging

The Club at River Wilderness

Played On 01/31/2020
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A Diamond in the Rough!

Living in Venice, I had never played this course before but was pleasantly surprised. For January the course was in very good condition. Some thin spots here and there but better than I’ve seen elsewhere. Greens soft but quick. Driving range with free balls, large putting green, and even free iced tea! What more could you want! Highly recommended if you want a scenic course with a friendly staff.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent

Blackberry Oaks Golf Club

Played On 09/25/2020
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Sporty course

My 3 buddies and I enjoyed our first round at this interesting course. Although being a bit of a drive out to the country, the relaxed atmosphere was a welcome change to suburban courses. The course was in nice shape for this late in the season (especially the greens) but there were some bare areas in the fairways and around the greens. Overall we will play again ad recommend you do the same.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent

The Highlands Golf Course

Played On 03/09/2019
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A waste of time and money

This is one of the poorest maintained courses I’ve ever played. Not a surprise since this formerly private club let conditions get so bad, it’s doubtful it will ever be in playable condition. The fairways are so barren it’s like hitting balls off a billiard table. The greens are pitted and patchy and don’t even try and chip from the fringes because there is hardly any grass there either. Billy Casper Golf runs this place and based on my experience with them in the Chicago area, they don’t seem to have a clue how to resuscitate a dying course - which unfortunately this one is. Too bad because it has some beautiful holes. My advice is to spend a few bucks more and play a nicer course.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average

Jacaranda West Country Club

Played On 03/02/2019
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Entertaining course

This course has something for everyone. The back tees measure about 6600 yards so even the longest hitters will find this layout a challenge. The fairways are generous yet if you wander off too far, you will find yourself in a pond, fairway bunker or trees. Each green has traps as well but not in over abundance. Overall this course is fun to play and allows you to score well with good shot making.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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