Need your help, Ft. Myers golf trip October 2015

[donny dogtails]

Hi Folks,

 

New to this forum. Use to be on the Myrtle Beach golf forum many years ago.

 

I'm planning a buddy trip (6 guys) to the Cape Coral / Ft. Myers area in October and I'm in charge of setting up the golf portion. I'm planning on using a combination of GolfPac and GolfNow. We've rented a house in Cape Coral so going to Naples and Marco are too far for us to travel.

 

So far I've picked Verandah Old Orange and Verandah Whispering Oak. The others in the mix are; Colonial CC, Magnolia Landing, Herons Glen, River Hall and Pelican Preserve.

 

Of the 5 in the mix I need to pick 3. After looking at reviews they all seem to look the same with Colonial a bit above the rest. Your input would be greatly appreciated. We're in our early 60's and are mid to high handicappers usually playing from the whites, playing in the 6,000- 6,200 yd range and looking for slopes no higher than 125.

 

Thanking you in advance,

 

donny dogtail

[51phantom]

Old Orange is a great course, better than Whispering Oak, Colonial is very nice IMO, I would add Plantation to your list if you can get on, before October 31st you should be able to.
if I only had three those are what I would choose. River Hall being the 4th.

[donny dogtails]

[quote name='51phantom' timestamp='1427144322' post='11199867']
Old Orange is a great course, better than Whispering Oak, Colonial is very nice IMO, I would add Plantation to your list if you can get on, before October 31st you should be able to.
if I only had three those are what I would choose. River Hall being the 4th.
[/quote]

Thanks for the reply, greatly appreciated!

[donny dogtails]

[quote name='51phantom' timestamp='1427144322' post='11199867']
Old Orange is a great course, better than Whispering Oak, Colonial is very nice IMO, I would add Plantation to your list if you can get on, before October 31st you should be able to.
if I only had three those are what I would choose. River Hall being the 4th.
[/quote]

It looks like we'll play Heron's Glen, Colonial, Old Orange and I'm not sure about Whispering Oak and what you suggested Plantation. Is Plantation that much nicer than WO? Which of the two are easier for a mid-handicapper? I'm also wavering with Magnolia Landing & River Hall. too many courses not enough time!

[51phantom]

I'd put plantation over whispering oak. Whispering oak is nice though, don't get me wrong. Magnolia Landing is nice, has a couple quirky holes.

[donny dogtails]

[quote name='51phantom' timestamp='1427385304' post='11220505']
I'd put plantation over whispering oak. Whispering oak is nice though, don't get me wrong. Magnolia Landing is nice, has a couple quirky holes.
[/quote]

Thanks again

[Hybrid]

Imho, I'd stick to Old Orange, Magnolia Landings, River Hall and if you can get on, Plantation.

[donny dogtails]

[quote name='Hybrid' timestamp='1427893299' post='11260067']
Imho, I'd stick to Old Orange, Magnolia Landings, River Hall and if you can get on, Plantation.
[/quote]


It looks like we're going to play Plantation (Ft. Myers), Colonial, Verandah Old Orange & Whispering Oak and an additional one from the people who answer this post that has the most positive responses.

Thanks for the reply!

[naedward812]

Those on your list are my default courses all summer. Plantation would be number 1. Great course. The Paspalm(sp?) greens are great to putt on. Fairways always have perfect lies.

River Hall is for some reason the course I play at all the time. Good rates. Great course. Has some challenge, but pretty wide open if your off your game. Cheaper that the other ones all year. Also the only one with GPS so you know where you are headed in to.

Plantation, Verandah and River are all run by Hampton Golf. http://book.hamptongolfclubs.com/

Depending on how the pissy the Supers are in the summer at Verandah, Old Orange can be a pain in the a**. They use to grow the rough out 6" during the summer making it a fwy's and greens course. Whispering Oak is a Nicklaus design. Not a signature, but you can see the similarities with the signature courses. Whispering is closed a lot in the summer, so I only have played there a couple times.

Colonial is fun, but it's a typical FL course. Houses all around. Weaving in and out of the different communities. Has a couple quirky holes.

Maybe if you can get a good deal, you can get on Old Corkscrew in Estero. Nicklaus signature design. Tough course with a lot of character.


Odds are, you will see me out there on one of those courses while you are here.

[donny dogtails]

[quote name='naedward812' timestamp='1428440735' post='11305921']
Those on your list are my default courses all summer. Plantation would be number 1. Great course. The Paspalm(sp?) greens are great to putt on. Fairways always have perfect lies.

River Hall is for some reason the course I play at all the time. Good rates. Great course. Has some challenge, but pretty wide open if your off your game. Cheaper that the other ones all year. Also the only one with GPS so you know where you are headed in to.

Plantation, Verandah and River are all run by Hampton Golf. http://book.hamptongolfclubs.com/

Depending on how the pissy the Supers are in the summer at Verandah, Old Orange can be a pain in the a**. They use to grow the rough out 6" during the summer making it a fwy's and greens course. Whispering Oak is a Nicklaus design. Not a signature, but you can see the similarities with the signature courses. Whispering is closed a lot in the summer, so I only have played there a couple times.

Colonial is fun, but it's a typical FL course. Houses all around. Weaving in and out of the different communities. Has a couple quirky holes.

Maybe if you can get a good deal, you can get on Old Corkscrew in Estero. Nicklaus signature design. Tough course with a lot of character.


Odds are, you will see me out there on one of those courses while you are here.
[/quote]Thanks for the great feedback!

[donny dogtails]

[quote name='naedward812' timestamp='1428440735' post='11305921']
Those on your list are my default courses all summer. Plantation would be number 1. Great course. The Paspalm(sp?) greens are great to putt on. Fairways always have perfect lies.

River Hall is for some reason the course I play at all the time. Good rates. Great course. Has some challenge, but pretty wide open if your off your game. Cheaper that the other ones all year. Also the only one with GPS so you know where you are headed in to.

Plantation, Verandah and River are all run by Hampton Golf. http://book.hamptongolfclubs.com/

Depending on how the pissy the Supers are in the summer at Verandah, Old Orange can be a pain in the a**. They use to grow the rough out 6" during the summer making it a fwy's and greens course. Whispering Oak is a Nicklaus design. Not a signature, but you can see the similarities with the signature courses. Whispering is closed a lot in the summer, so I only have played there a couple times.

Colonial is fun, but it's a typical FL course. Houses all around. Weaving in and out of the different communities. Has a couple quirky holes.

Maybe if you can get a good deal, you can get on Old Corkscrew in Estero. Nicklaus signature design. Tough course with a lot of character.


Odds are, you will see me out there on one of those courses while you are here.
[/quote]Do you know how far in advance Hampton will take tee-times? It looks like 5 days is that correct?

[naedward812]

You could always call. They may be able to work stuff out since it'll be somewhat off season.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I love the Cape Coral/Fort Myers area, and I will be moving there in a few years. Unfortunately, the golf is lacking somewhat.

 

I played the recently renovated Fort Myers CC and it was a fun round of golf.

 

 

Here area few pics I took:

 

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I love the Cape Coral/Fort Myers area, and I will be moving there in a few years. Unfortunately, the golf is lacking somewhat.

 

I played the recently renovated Fort Myers CC and it was a fun round of golf.

 

 

Here area few pics I took:

 

[donny dogtails]

I love the Cape Coral/Fort Myers area, and I will be moving there in a few years. Unfortunately, the golf is lacking somewhat.

 

I played the recently renovated Fort Myers CC and it was a fun round of golf.

 

 

Here area few pics I took:

 

Thanks for the pics. I watched their time lapsed video on the renovation. I guess it was a swamp every time it rained but with the new irrigation they solved that problem and put new life in the Donald Ross course.

[donny dogtails]

I love the Cape Coral/Fort Myers area, and I will be moving there in a few years. Unfortunately, the golf is lacking somewhat.

 

I played the recently renovated Fort Myers CC and it was a fun round of golf.

 

 

Here area few pics I took:

 

Thanks for the pics. I watched their time lapsed video on the renovation. I guess it was a swamp every time it rained but with the new irrigation they solved that problem and put new life in the Donald Ross course.

PS. I heard the bar and restaurant is a great spot for drinks and a bite to eat after a round

[toms1090]

I always recommend ft myers cc. Love that place and it's killing me I have played there since the renovation. The place has a great vibe.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

We did not eat in the grille, but it looked alive and will try it next time. The place does have a nice vibe, I agree!

[naws-golfer]

I'll always recommend old corkscrew for better players, not much rough, need to keep it fairly straight

[Mr60Degree]

[quote name='donny dogtails' timestamp='1427332052' post='11216885']
[quote name='51phantom' timestamp='1427144322' post='11199867']
Old Orange is a great course, better than Whispering Oak, Colonial is very nice IMO, I would add Plantation to your list if you can get on, before October 31st you should be able to.
if I only had three those are what I would choose. River Hall being the 4th.
[/quote]

It looks like we'll play Heron's Glen, Colonial, Old Orange and I'm not sure about Whispering Oak and what you suggested Plantation. Is Plantation that much nicer than WO? Which of the two are easier for a mid-handicapper? I'm also wavering with Magnolia Landing & River Hall. too many courses not enough time!
[/quote]

Of the courses you mentioned I have only played Whispering Oak and River Hall during past winters as they are relatively cheaper than alternatives. Although I see most of your course selections appear to be close to your proximity in Cape Coral, the majority of top golf is located in southern lee and collier county. Typically the best deal during the summer, through october, is the use of the sfpga golf pass. http://www.sfpgagolf.com/golfpass/. It gets you onto more private clubs at a discount. There are some courses that are simply can not miss options IMO. Bonita Bay Naples for example, has two courses, and both offer some of the best golf experience possible for the area. They usually shut down 1 of the courses during the summer by but October they might both be open. Other courses that you should play are Twin Eagles: Talon course, Raptor bay, and if you are up for a challenge TPC Treviso Bay and as others mentioned Old Corkscrew. Sadly a few top courses like Naples Grande and Miromar Lakes no longer appear to be on the golf pass as of this year.

[freddiec]

Been to Naples-Ft. Myers close to 25 different times since the early 90s.. The ones I really like are:

Raptor Bay -
Lely Resort- Both Flamingo Island and Mustang. Flamingo is a great Trent Jones Jr. course
I used to play Gateway a lot, now its all private I think
Tiburon in Naples, but pricey..