starting to formulate our Orlando trip

[donny dogtails]

Hi Folks,

 

I'm starting to put together our trip to Orlando for October and we're pretty much set with the exception of our fifth round.

 

We are playing Harmony, Eaglebrooke, Pine Barrens (worth the 90 minute drive) and my favorite Southern Dunes. What I would like is your opinion/recommendation of the 4 courses I need to choose from for the 5th course.

 

A. Providence GC, (really inexpensive and close to our rental house)

 

B. Mystic Dunes, (heard the course was in rough shape but also heard it was a great track in the past)

 

C. Eagle Creek, (it seems to be the one course that is always kicked out, convince me otherwise)

 

D. El Campeon, (read great things about it but is it true)

 

Should any of these 4 replace the ones I have as picks to play.

 

Thanking you in advance for your comments and insight!

 

Regards,

donny dogtail

[dcl5dcl5]

Have you played the Orange County National courses?

 

Crooked Cat and Panther Lake are nice courses.

[donny dogtails]

Have you played the Orange County National courses?

 

Crooked Cat and Panther Lake are nice courses.

Yes, played them in 2014 and found both of them to be great courses. We're back in 2017 and looking for different courses to play with the exception of Southern Dunes which I am looking forward to playing again.

 

Thanks for the post!

[jerebear21]

mission inn. EL CAMPEON.

[donny dogtails]

mission inn. EL CAMPEON.

Thanks for the post

[jjthomp2]

mission inn. EL CAMPEON.

Thanks for the post

 

I'll second that, worth the drive out of town for that track!

[sabram]

If you are staying close to Providence and don't want to do a lot of driving that day, Providence is an okay choice and as you indicated, you can get some great green fees there. I played it last week and paired it with Southern Dunes for a nice 36 hole day. We had the first tee time at Providence on a chilly, dreary, overcast and drizzly morning. Southern Dunes is a better course though. If proximity is not an issue, El Campeon would be my choice from among the four courses you listed. However, It's a longer drive from where you are staying. Mystic Dunes is decent, but as of last month was not in good condition, so I'd pass on it fro the time being.Eagle Creek is okay, but not significantly better than Providence. Other good choices near where you are staying are Championsgate and Reunion, but you may not be able to play at Reunion unless you stay there.

 

Here are links to photo tours of the courses you mentioned:

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/albums/72157662235229621 El Campeon

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157676615844000/ Providence

 

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157641718136725/ Eagle Creek

 

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/orlandogolfpics/photos/albums/1793176502 Mystic Dunes

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157643124366835/ Pine Barrens

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157631966721322/ Southern Dunes

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157642928297824/ Eaglebrooke

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157631963253745/ Harmony

 

Mission Inn El Campeon # 2

 

Providence #5 from tee

 

Eagle Creek #18 r approach from 120 yards out left side

 

 

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/orlandogolfpics/photos/albums/1793176502/lightbox/2119013056?orderBy=ordinal&sortOrder=asc&photoFilter=ALL#zax/2119013056

 

World Woods Pine Barrens #4 par 5 e intimidating uphill approach

 

Southern Dunes #3 par 3

 

Eaglebrooke #18 approach

 

Harmony #2 from tee - dogleg right around pond - cutoff as much as you dare

[donny dogtails]

If you are staying close to Providence and don't want to do a lot of driving that day, Providence is an okay choice and as you indicated, you can get some great green fees there. I played it last week and paired it with Southern Dunes for a nice 36 hole day. We had the first tee time at Providence on a chilly, dreary, overcast and drizzly morning. Southern Dunes is a better course though. If proximity is not an issue, El Campeon would be my choice from among the four courses you listed. However, It's a longer drive from where you are staying. Mystic Dunes is decent, but as of last month was not in good condition, so I'd pass on it fro the time being.Eagle Creek is okay, but not significantly better than Providence. Other good choices near where you are staying are Championsgate and Reunion, but you may not be able to play at Reunion unless you stay there.

 

Here are links to photo tours of the courses you mentioned:

 

https://www.flickr.c...157662235229621 El Campeon

 

https://www.flickr.c...57676615844000/ Providence

 

 

https://www.flickr.c...57641718136725/ Eagle Creek

 

https://groups.yahoo...bums/1793176502 Mystic Dunes

 

https://www.flickr.c...57643124366835/ Pine Barrens

 

https://www.flickr.c...57631966721322/ Southern Dunes

 

https://www.flickr.c...57642928297824/ Eaglebrooke

 

https://www.flickr.c...57631963253745/ Harmony

 

Mission Inn El Campeon # 2

 

Providence #5 from tee

 

Eagle Creek #18 r approach from 120 yards out left side

 

 

https://groups.yahoo...#zax/2119013056

 

World Woods Pine Barrens #4 par 5 e intimidating uphill approach

 

Southern Dunes #3 par 3

 

Eaglebrooke #18 approach

 

Harmony #2 from tee - dogleg right around pond - cutoff as much as you dare

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. WOW!!! The pics are great!!!! I'll be sending them to my group!

 

Thanks again, greatly appreciated!!!!

[Argonne69]

Those are some seriously good pics. Do you carry a DSLR with you? No way those are smartphone camera pics, right?

[sabram]

Those are some seriously good pics. Do you carry a DSLR with you? No way those are smartphone camera pics, right?

 

Thanks Argonne. A lot of people can take good photos with a phone, but I cannot. I need an eyepiece in order to properly frame a photo and I need the ability to adjust for light. I don't use a DSLR as they are too complicated for me and cumbersome. I basically point and shoot when I'm on the course. I play extremely fast and don't want photography affect pace of play. I use a Lumix FZ200. It is pretty robust and was cheap enough that if I mess it up I won't feel too bad. It has fallen out of a riding cart at high speed on to a cart path and fallen off my push cart into the mud etc and still does a pretty good job.

 

PS - The World Woods photo can also be seen in Tom Doak's Confidential Guided Volume 2.

[Boricua Golf]

This may be offline from where you might be staying, but, have you thought the Magnolia Course at Disney?

[Argonne69]

Those are some seriously good pics. Do you carry a DSLR with you? No way those are smartphone camera pics, right?

 

Thanks Argonne. A lot of people can take good photos with a phone, but I cannot. I need an eyepiece in order to properly frame a photo and I need the ability to adjust for light. I don't use a DSLR as they are too complicated for me and cumbersome. I basically point and shoot when I'm on the course. I play extremely fast and don't want photography affect pace of play. I use a Lumix FZ200. It is pretty robust and was cheap enough that if I mess it up I won't feel too bad. It has fallen out of a riding cart at high speed on to a cart path and fallen off my push cart into the mud etc and still does a pretty good job.

 

PS - The World Woods photo can also be seen in Tom Doak's Confidential Guided Volume 2.

 

I may have to consider that. I have an old Canon P&S that could be used. I agree that taking good pics with a smartphone is tough. It's especially bad when one is wearing sunglasses on a sunny day, as the framing is basically a crapshoot, given that the screen is pretty much washed out.

 

OTOH, having to worry about keeping yet another gadget's battery charged...

[donny dogtails]

This may be offline from where you might be staying, but, have you thought the Magnolia Course at Disney?

We try to keep our cost down for golf and still play good courses. We've found October to be the best for weather and price and haven't hit a hurricane yet!!!

The Disney courses seem to me, overpriced. Also, we don't mind driving a distance to play a good course.

 

As it stands now we're playing Eaglebrooke with a projected cost of $56.00

Pine Barrens with a projected cost of $42.00

Southern Dunes projected cost of $64.00

LPGA Hills projected cost of $70.00

 

 

pretty damn good courses for $232.00

 

Pine Barrens will be a 90 minute drive

LPGA Hills will be a 75 minute drive

Eaglebrooke will be a 50 minute drive

Southern Dunes will be a 25 minute drive

 

We rent an 8 or 11 passenger van depending on cost. Sometimes we find a larger van to be cheaper (go figure) and it gives us (6-7 guys) plenty of room. We bring a cooler for the trip home filled with beer and booze, rag on each other while we go over the cards to see who owes who coin, the long drives don't bother us. Here's a plug for Florida Van Rentals, If you watch their prices you can get a great deal. We've been renting from them for over 10 years and they are good to deal with and are always less expensive than anyone else.

 

The days of playing expensive courses are over for us. We're in our late 60's and it's more the fun, story telling and getting together than the golf, don't get me wrong golf is important but it isn't the driving force it once was.

 

Sunday is our off day and we usually find a Patriot's Bar (sorry if I offended anyone but we're from New Hampshire) to watch the game. On a few occasions we've played prior to the game that's why we're looking at Providence and Mystic Dunes because they're close to our rental house in Kissimmee.

 

pretty damn good courses for $232.00

 

Pine Barrens will be a 90 minute drive

LPGA Hills will be a 75 minute drive

Eaglebrooke will be a 50 minute drive

Souther Dunes will be a 25 minute drive

[smb4ua]

May be more than you want to spend, but Streamsong would be worth the drive and $.

[Argonne69]

May be more than you want to spend, but Streamsong would be worth the drive and $.

 

Keep in mind that Streamsong is walking only in October from first tee time until 11 am, and then from 2 pm until last tee time.

 

'Definitely worth a visit, but it's not cheap.

[donny dogtails]

May be more than you want to spend, but Streamsong would be worth the drive and $.

 

Keep in mind that Streamsong is walking only in October from first tee time until 11 am, and then from 2 pm until last tee time.

 

'Definitely worth a visit, but it's not cheap.

Streamsong pics look great but too pricey for us. Last time I paid upwards of $200 for a round was Ocean Hammock and that was before everything was built up. There was only a trailer for the pro shop.

[jerebear21]

pine barren is not worth the 90 minute drive from where you're at. (STREAMSONG IS)

 

I'd keep el campeon, eaglebrooke, southernDunes, and just play the panther course at orange county and replay southernDunes. SouthernDunes is in the best shape it's ever been after the renovations.

[donny dogtails]

El Campeon without question is worth it for an elevation course in FL. I played harmony two days ago and have been playing it for years. They just replaced all the greens. While they have come back in nice, they are harder then a concrete parking lot. There is not a single ball mark on any of the greens, could not get a wedge to drop and stop all day. I dont know whats going to be in good shape or not by next october. I can understand why eagle creek is kicked out, I find it to be boring

Thanks for the post! Harmony was in then I replaced it with LPGA Hills. We're probably going to stay in Daytona next year, so the trip to LPGA Hills will give us a chance to scope out some rental properties after our round. Nothing like planning two years out!

[donny dogtails]

pine barren is not worth the 90 minute drive from where you're at. (STREAMSONG IS)

 

I'd keep el campeon, eaglebrooke, southernDunes, and just play the panther course at orange county and replay southernDunes. SouthernDunes is in the best shape it's ever been after the renovations.

I'd love to play Streamsong but I would get serious push back from the group. Glad to hear that the renovations made Southern Dunes even better. Love that course! Thanks for the post.

[Argonne69]

Have you played or considered Deltona Club or Victoria Hills? Both are fun courses, and a bit closer that LPGA International.

[donny dogtails]

Have you played or considered Deltona Club or Victoria Hills? Both are fun courses, and a bit closer that LPGA International.

Haven't considered Deltona and don't know anything about it. As for Victoria Hills, it seems the reviews are all over the map. Some say it's a must play (Golf Digest ranked it in 2015 #22 in Florida) and others rate it an average to above average course. I don't know what to make of the disparity.

[tjblue]

Donny...that might be due to conditions.

[Argonne69]

Have you played or considered Deltona Club or Victoria Hills? Both are fun courses, and a bit closer that LPGA International.

Haven't considered Deltona and don't know anything about it. As for Victoria Hills, it seems the reviews are all over the map. Some say it's a must play (Golf Digest ranked it in 2015 #22 in Florida) and others rate it an average to above average course. I don't know what to make of the disparity.

 

I'd play Deltona Club or Victoria Hills over either of the two LPGA courses. Here's my report from February 2015: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1112317-orlando-to-jacksonville-in-february/

 

Deltona Club was a real bargain.

[donny dogtails]

Have you played or considered Deltona Club or Victoria Hills? Both are fun courses, and a bit closer that LPGA International.

Haven't considered Deltona and don't know anything about it. As for Victoria Hills, it seems the reviews are all over the map. Some say it's a must play (Golf Digest ranked it in 2015 #22 in Florida) and others rate it an average to above average course. I don't know what to make of the disparity.

 

I'd play Deltona Club or Victoria Hills over either of the two LPGA courses. Here's my report from February 2015: http://www.golfwrx.c...le-in-february/

 

Deltona Club was a real bargain.

Thanks for the insight and your trip report plus the great pics. Played Ocean Hammock before everything was built up and thought the ocean holes were nice but wasn't overly impressed, especially after paying $180 at the time. In that same trip played Grand Haven and thought it was a delight.

[donny dogtails]

It looks like we're set for our courses.

 

We'll be playing:

 

Eaglebrooke

Pine Barrens

Southern Dunes

The Deltona Club (thanks for the tip Argonne69)

 

Still haven't decided on our Sunday round but it needs to be close to our rental house in Kissimmee so we can play in the morning and then head to a bar to watch the NFL games (Patriots)

[sabram]

Deltona is a great choice. Fantastic value at around $35. The only issue I've ever had is that you sometimes can't reserve tee times until 2 or 3 weeks in advance.

[donny dogtails]

Changed courses - mid October 2017

 

Looks like we'll be playing the following;

 

Pine Barrens - $42.00 rated 5th by Golfweek

Southern Dunes - $64.00 rated 26th by Golfweek

Victoria Hills - $45.00 rated 21st by Golfweek

Grand Cypress - New Course $87.00 rated 23rd by Golfweek

 

Total $238.00

 

For $238 it appears on paper we've got 4 pretty good courses to play. We've played two (Pine Barrens and Southern Dunes) and we're looking forward to playing Victoria Hills and Grand Cypress New. Wanted to throw in Grand Cypress to get the feel of a links style golf course.

 

If you can offer and changes without moving the cost much please do. I know there are better courses out there but playing Streamsong for instance would cost as much as playing these four courses.

 

Again, we're in our mid sixties and play courses in the 118-122 slope area with yardage of 5800-6100 yds. No sense beating ourselves up at our age!

 

Thanks,

Donny Dogtail

[jerebear21]

new course is boring, especially when there's essentially no wind. plenty of courses in orlando that you can do better especially at that price.

 

FYI, you will not get a links feel at the new course. It may look linksy but there's nothing good about it. nothing memorable. pretty mundane if you ask me. i've had my shares of links course. New course looks like it. Does not play like it.

[donny dogtails]

new course is boring, especially when there's essentially no wind. plenty of courses in orlando that you can do better especially at that price.

 

FYI, you will not get a links feel at the new course. It may look linksy but there's nothing good about it. nothing memorable. pretty mundane if you ask me. i've had my shares of links course. New course looks like it. Does not play like it.

Thanks for the comment and insight! I'll be interested in hearing additional comments. Again, thanks!!

[jerebear21]

Conditions are top notch. Don't get me wrong. It's just advertised for something it's not. Plenty of better courses for 90 bucks