Jeff2399654

Every once in a while PGA National will open up a course for public play, and this past weekend it was the Estates course, which is off the main resort property in a different, gated community. I was lucky to get a twosome and my buddy and I had a great day. The range has unlimited balls waiting for you, the best short game area I’ve ever experienced (it’s better than at the main resort property), and the putting greens are in amazing shape, just like those on the course. I have played four of the five PGA National courses and the greens are never fast, but they are always in excellent shape, and roll so good. The Estates is an easy golf course, with any drive in the fairway giving a plum look at the green, and those fairways are plenty wide for Florida golf. Those kinda slow greens mean they are easy to hold, and they are relatively flat, with only a couple false fronts throughout the whole 18. Putting is hard enough, I don’t need a lot of break in my greens. As a 12 hdcp, I played better than my index with the exception of a 9 (two balls in the water, the green is protected by 20 feet of canal/pond and I had a tough lie after hitting a poor shot out of the right fairway bunker) on the par 5 ninth hole. The mixed blue/white tees at 6400 yds was perfect for me, with only one long par 3 (about 195yds) and one reachable par 5. As someone who has to hit a driver dead center of the face to get it to go 250, I appreciate an occasional par 5 that’s less than 500 yds. There is plenty of water hazards but little in the way of tree, bush, and other vegetation obstacles, so being able to play your wayward shot toward the green is very likely, punching out not often needed.

The estates is the least demanding of the five at PGA national but that makes it a great complement. The other four are plenty tough, with the Squire being the next most playable for most players.

If you enjoy and appreciate a GREAT place to practice, and like a golf course that is super fun to play and is in great shape, Estates at PGA National is awesome, and was a GREAT deal at $70 during high season. Just an awesome round of golf.

Great value for 30 bucks midday weekday. Greens are in pretty good shape. Course was dry and I had no soft lies either time I played here, but that helps improve ball striking. No water at all on this course; I have not lost a single ball in 36 holes and I am a 22 handicap. I would consider these par 3s pretty tough even from white. The par 5s are forgiving, to balance things a bit. Good variety in hole layout. One of my favorite places to play.!

Course is not crowded on weekdays and the folks are very nice. Greens not in great shape and are challenging. Fairways are tight, running in the middle of a very residential area. Short track, don't need driver on many holes and I only hit it about 230 when I really get it flush. I like Forest Oaks for the price, for sure. Thanks for the service!