burntturkey

I'm going to sum up this review in 2 words: Jim Feipel.

This guy from start to finish made our day great. We called ahead of time to check to see if they had punched yet, he was honest with us and told us no the conditions were great. Once we checked in, he was able to get us out early, and even had the soft spikes I needed. He knew which fitting fit my MyJoys without even asking me. People like Jim make a good experience into a great one, so much in fact that I actually have inquired about a non-resident membership here!

As for the course, this was the last weekend before summer punching begins, so it was perfect. Firm fairways, greens ran about a 9.5 and very true as well. Shot 3 over from the tips. Fairly easy layout, trouble outside of the cart paths but otherwise this is a course anyone can get around.

Very glad this course got on GolfNow, have played it almost a dozen times now. If you get the chance I would make sure to play this course before summer ends! Pace can get a little slow earlier in the day, but afternoon times are usually wide open.

Always fun to play here and as always was in great shape. The only negative was it was pretty stacked up all the way around.

Love playing here but you sometimes get slow days where it takes 5 hours to play and there isn't really much you can do about it.

It's a high quality course, and people take advantage of any deals out there.

If you haven't played here I highly recommend it, good layout and fun course. You'll want to come back and play it again.

So the first thing I am told when I arrive by the starter is how they strongly dislike golf now tee times. So this review will be short:

Very rude staff, golf course design is pretty nice... typical Rees Jones. Needs some attention. A lot of the greens are in pretty rough shape.

A lot of the holes run out of fairway, so if you have never played here you will find a lot of well struck drives end up in the rough between the fairways. Not at all a long course.

I can't really say much more other that I wouldn't play here again, just because of the staff.

Ok so first of all the entire place is under construciton. I did know this before I booked the tee time. So right now, if you pay full price... you aren't getting good value at all.

The staff is all willing to help and show you around the grounds. Very well mannered and friendly attitudes. All of them were quick to provide information and talk about golf.

The driving range is old Red number 10, and is very small. You are htiting from an angled fairway out into a field of brown sod. But you don't come here for the range... right?

It was nice to look out on to TPC Blue Monster, even though it's still under construction. But most of the buildings are having work done, so most of the itme you are navigating through construction areas...

As for the white course, it was a bit of a let down. 7100 from the back tees, not very challenging. Fairways were pretty wide. Greens, while they looked to have spots of other grass growing in them, rolled pretty well. Not as great of a place as I imagined it would be. Also, the course layout snakes through it's self a lot. So if you are next to novice players, they just zip by in the carts and pay no mind to you hitting a tee shot from the tips, or trying to make a 7 footer for birdie. Your first time out, you will probably get a nice surpise if you go a little too close to the greens... your cart stops, demands you put it in reverse and will not move until you do so.

All in all, it was in pretty good shape, and a good experience. Would come back, but only to play the Blue Monster after it is finished. Once the construction is all complete, I think it will be a very nice resort again.

Other negatives:

You must either pay $8 to self park or $20 for valet. For advanced players, I ran into a few groups (I played as a sinlge) who refused to let me through. This made the pace pretty slow on a course that you could get around in 3 hours.

So this is my 2nd time playing here in about a week. I came back simply because I got rained out on 17 the last time I was here.

This course from the tips provides a lot of challenges off the tee, a few blind shots and tight landing areas.

The greens were receptive and rolled pretty true, only a few have minor patches of ground that need some attention. Since it does run through some wetland, after rain the course gets very damp and doesn't drain too well.

Overall this is a nice place to experience Naples golf, and can be a fun test for any skill level. Staff is friendly, practice facility is very nice and well maintained as well. The only negative is there is no stopping at the turn... so if the cart girl isn't out you are stuck on your own with the water provided at the comfort stations.

This course is what I expect out of a resort course. Great views, coupled with a really good test of golf inside. It cuts through a wildlife preserve, and there are nice sights around every corner.

The recent rain made the marshland surround the course even higher, which really tightened a lot of the holes. Not a bad thing, but worth mentioning that after some rain this place does turn into a big marsh.

The only negatives here are the greens... bumpy, and fairly slow. I'm not sure if this is how they are normally kept... but I would really like to have seen them rolled and faster. That could have made this course a real challenge. They also are very inconsistent hole to hole... maybe 3 of them were similar in speed. This made it a little frustrating trying to guess at the speeds every hole.

Overall, I think if it were maintained more, this would be one of the few courses worth the prime rate price. As is, I'm glad I got a bit of a deal.

If you are coming for a vacation, this is a great place to get away on the golf course. It makes for a relaxing (but somewhat tough) round of golf if you aren't accurate. From the tips, it plays a little short, but not easy. Good shots are required to get around... and even though the pace is a little slow, you can just sit back and enjoy the nature as you wait.

First of let me say, this course has a really good layout and is a nice test from the tips.That said, here's the rest of the review:

I'm really not sure why it wasn't cart path only the day I played. Very little of the fairway was firm. Very soggy and cart tracks all over reflected that. We were told to drive in the rough, which was a good start, but it wasn't enforced. The group ahead of us was all over the fairways and made a huge wreck most of the landing areas.

Playing lift clean and place made it managable, however the greens were rather bumpy. For a resort course I expected a little more (seeing as the prime rates are extremely high.)

Lastly, for a wildlife preserve area, there was little to no wildlife around. The views on the course were nice, but I think it's a little over priced for how it is maintained.

On the plus side, the staff was very friendly and not pushy about pairing people together. The practice facility and clubhouse areas are immaculate. Great place to visit, even if you only go once.

So, the only negative about this place is it is really out of the way. However, after playing it, I am really glad I made the trip!
The practice facility was big, plenty of room for everyone, and the staff was quick to assist anyone that looked out of place.

The course itself was pretty long (7530 from the back tees) and was in great condition. I had a blast taking on the challenge of the tips... and actually played pretty well.

The greens were quick, fairways were nice... rough isn't much of a penalty but there is a distinct difference.

I would play this course every day if I could, it's that kind of place. If you don't mind a bit of a drive, I would highly reccommend you play this course. However if you are looking for scenery this isn't your place... it winds through a developing community and there is some construction scattered around the layout. That's the only reason I can't give it 5 stars.

Great course, if you haven't played it, keep a look out for a deal on an afternoon tee time and try it out!!!

This was about my 5th trip to Colonial, and my 2nd time playing it from the tips.

As with every visit, the staff is easy to deal with, typically knows what is going on... and immediately got me out early. The difference this time was that the grounds crew was out doing work on the course. Unfortunately a few of them were pretty oblivious to my play... and continued to drive or blow leaves and such while I played through. A few of them were quite brave, waiving me through while standing a few feet from the green... so novice players beware.

Course was in pretty good shape as always, the fringes are a little rough, and there is a clear outline of each green carved into the ground. However, this doesn't really come in to play unless your ball happens to stop in the crack.

Overall I had the same, generally good experience I always have here... which I was I came back. Fun course, a little bit of a challenge if you get out of position, and never seems to be too backed up in the afternoons.

Well, I have played this course twice now. Neither time was I impressed with the layout. The course is somewhat maintained, and can become a bit swampy after any rain.

What it lacks in gusto on the course, it does make up for in staff attention. Both times I was out I was told I could play 9 more for no additional charge. The staff is very friendly, ready to answer questions, and bar keep even brings just about everything to you.

Not a bad place to bring your buddies for a skins game and then lunch afterwards. Just wouldn't recommend it for high skill level players as the back tees don't quite get to 7000. However you can usually get on for $25 or less... so if you need somewhere to play, this is a pretty good choice.

First off, let me just say I was impressed with the course layout MINUS the distance between holes. I thought it would be a little tighter since there is a Champions Tour event here. The course was a little soggy, but in pretty good shape.

The back tees are a little long for a course that has little to no roll. but the number II tees at 7000 are pretty manageable. Every green is elevated at least a little so it is tough to get distances correct and control spin. The GPS on the car seldom has the right number due to the change in elevation on every approach.

Overall it was a really nice experience. The ground are well kept, minus a few obviously re-grassed spots on some of the greens. They rolled fast and true and were a real blast to putt on. Fairways were a little soft, which made the course play pretty long though.

This course is a good challenge, but could be a nightmare for novice players. You can easily get out of position, especially around the greens... and that leads to big numbers and no fun.

As for me, first time here... 79 (from the II tees) and I will be back to try it again.

Overall I was really unhappy with how this course turned out. I'm not even sure why they call it a golf resort.

The start and end of my day were unpleasant experiences with bag drop attendants who looked as if they could care less who played. The pro shop person and cart girl were both friendly and helpful though.

As for the course, it really needs some work. Mud ball off every tee, on a day where it didn't rain at all. Greens are pretty rough around the edges but roll surprisingly well. Also, the championship tee markers were not placed on every hole... As if to say that no one plays them? Well I was back there.

Pace of play is horribly slow. Due in part to the speed of the carts, and lack of rangers. If you play here plan for 5 hours plus.

Course layout was ok, not as great as advertised. At the end of the day if you play here cheaply and don't mind a course that needs some attention, you may enjoy it. I personally will not be back, simply because of the lack of maintenance.

This was a great course with very friendly staff. Great conditions, nice layout, a great value at any price! Greens are immaculate, fairways are well kept, all in all this place is a masterpiece.

The only negative is that it is very spread out. If you get lost finding the driving range or practice facility, don't worry, because I did too.

If you haven't played her, DEFINITELY do it. You won't be disappointed.

Let me just say first off, the greens here were QUICK, TRUE and a pleasure to putt on. The rest of the course... not so much.

The woodlands around the course are unkempt, so it's basically like you are just knocking it around between some trees. Some of the holes (if you never played here before) had no distinct direction... so standing on the back tee box you really have no idea where to hit it.

There really is no difference in fairway and rough here... the fairways were all slashed (for pest control I was told) so nearly half the time the ball came to rest in a patch of sand or dirt.

...I guess that explains why the front desk person was also the starter and I was told "you can go out whenever you want."

I got a steal of a rate, so I'm just going to say you get what you pay for. :/

The staff was friendly, plus the 20 dollar rate includes a free beer and hot dog. So it's tough to find 18 holes and lunch for a cheaper price.

The fairways are a little out of shape. Crab grass spurts up all across the course. The greens are sandy but rolled surprisingly true.

Overall, it's a course I'd play again...but I'd like to see it in better condition.