Been doing research for a trip to the area later this month. Have found so many courses that sound great, but having never been there, I really have no idea which ones I'll like. Their websites tend to make them all sound wonderful. So far Merlin recommended Remington, but it is a bit too far away from where I'd like to play. These are the places I've now got on my list. Will only get to play 4 of them this trip. Has anyone played any of them, and if so, what's your opinion. I like quieter places and don't want to spend an arm and a leg, however am willing to pay up to $80 or so. These all fall into that category:

Celebration
Hawk's Landing
Falcon's Fire
ChampionsGate National
ChampionsGate International
Shingle Creek (Most interesting to me from the research I've done so far.)
Mystic Dunes
Southern Dunes
MetroWest

Any feedback on any of the above would be greatly appreciated. I see there are over 400 OOBERS from the area. Somebody out there must have an opinion on some of these. Or maybe some others in the area that I didn't mention. Thanks.

Definately play Southern Dunes, well worth it. I played Falcon's Fire a lot when I lived there, and played it when I visited this summer, it is okay. I played MetroWest also, but not as big of a fan. The others I am not familiar with.

Check out golfnow.com before you go. You'll be glad you did.

I played at the Orange Lake Country Club (the Reserve course) while I was there about a year and a half ago. I got two 18 hole rounds for my nephew and me for $50. I believe it's normally $125 each.

And I loved the course. It was the first time I had ever played on Bermuda grass. If you do play it, be sure to read my round notes that I posted after I played there. Another oober said they saved him a few strokes.

Bryan K wrote:

Check out golfnow.com before you go. You'll be glad you did. I played at the Orange Lake Country Club (the Reserve course) while I was there about a year and a half ago. I got two 18 hole rounds for my nephew and me for $50. I believe it's normally $125 each. And I loved the course. It was the first time I had ever played on Bermuda grass. If you do play it, be sure to read my round notes that I posted after I played there. Another oober said they saved him a few strokes.

Thanks BK. I ALWAYS check out GolfNow before I make my tee time. I have had some pretty good luck with it.

Both Orange Lake courses--the Reserve and Legends--were on my original list, but I guess I eliminated them for some reason. If I can find a greens fee there for $50, like you did, I may just put them both back on the list. You can be sure I'll be checking both GolfNow and FL TeeTimes.

I have played a lot of Bermuda grass. I like it on fairways, but hate it in rough. It can be nearly impossible to make a good, long shot from Bermuda rough, particularly if the ball is sitting down. Its' extreme thickness kills you in rough, but really helps the ball sit up nicely in the fairway. And Bermuda greens are tougher too. Rarely do they roll true.(I wonder if any of that is figured into slope ratings. Maybe it should be.)

In any case, I think I'll check back into the Orange Lake courses and maybe put them back on my possibilities list.

srogers13 wrote:

Definately play Southern Dunes, well worth it. I played Falcon's Fire a lot when I lived there, and played it when I visited this summer, it is okay. I played MetroWest also, but not as big of a fan. The others I am not familiar with.

How does Falcon's Fire compare to Southern Dunes in your opinion? Thanks for your input.

Southern Dunes is in much better condition than Falcon's Fire (at least in June), and a little more of a challenge. It also does not get as much traffic as Falcon's Fire. But I do like Falcon's Fire also, and it is a little more convenient to Orlando itself and has a friendly 19th hole.

Funny story about my last round at Southern Dunes, it has been 15 years or so since I lived in Orlando, and I had only played one round about 8 years ago since I moved, but the starter remembered me from when I played regularly when I lived there.

Doug.... Southern Dunes is a great track. Another can't miss is OCN (Orange County National) . Sight of numerous PGA School Qualifiers. Phenomenal shape always, with 2 courses, and a practice area 2 die for. Great website....VERY friendly people....

All of the Disney courses are impeccable, and Championsgate is another gem...either course

H Head wrote:

Doug.... Southern Dunes is a great track. Another can't miss is OCN (Orange County National) . Sight of numerous PGA School Qualifiers. Phenomenal shape always, with 2 courses, and a practice area 2 die for. Great website....VERY friendly people.... All of the Disney courses are impeccable, and Championsgate is another gem...either course

Funny you should mention all those. Based on the previous recommendation by srogers13, I booked a tee time yesterday for Southern Dunes next week. Then after further researching courses there, I finally settled on ChampionsGate, Orange County National Crooked Cat and possibly the Panther Lake course as well. I wanted to play ChampionsGate National, but that course is closed for overseeding on the date I was going to play it. I still may play the ChampionsGate International course, but I am a little afraid of the slope and length.

In any case, with so many good courses around the Orlando area, it's quite satisfying to hear you mention all the same choices I had pretty much narrowed everything down to. My final choice was going to be either Hawk's Landing, Falcon's Fire or Celebration, but all three are Cart Path Only next week due to recent overseeding. I hate the hassle of CPO, having to determine your lie and distance from the cart path, 50 yards away sometimes. I'd much rather walk in that case, but don't think it's an option there.

Thanks for your help. Ever play in Sarasota area? If so any recommendations there? In between Orlando rounds, I'm visiting family in Sarasota for Thanksgiving and thought I might get in a round or two there as well. Thinking Legacy, University Park and The Preserve at Tara. If any are familiar to you---or anyone else here--would love to hear your comments.

I have never played "The Reserve" at Orange Lake but GroupGolfer is running a deal for unlimited golf any time, any day for $34. You may want to check this out.

http://www.groupgolfer.com/deals.php?id=1001531

I have used this service twice in Michigan this past year and it worked exactly as advertised for me.

bkuehn1952 wrote:

I have never played "The Reserve" at Orange Lake but GroupGolfer is running a deal for unlimited golf any time, any day for $34. You may want to check this out. http://www.groupgolfer.com/deals.php?id=1001531 I have used this service twice in Michigan this past year and it worked exactly as advertised for me.

Thanks. I'm here in Orlando now. Played Falcon's Fire yesterday. Tee time today at Southern Dunes. Still two more to play after that, but haven't booked anything, anywhere, yet. I'll check GroupGolfer out.

DougE wrote:

bkuehn1952 wrote: I have never played "The Reserve" at Orange Lake but GroupGolfer is running a deal for unlimited golf any time, any day for $34. You may want to check this out. http://www.groupgolfer.com/deals.php?id=1001531 I have used this service twice in Michigan this past year and it worked exactly as advertised for me. Thanks. I'm here in Orlando now. Played Falcon's Fire yesterday. Tee time today at Southern Dunes. Still two more to play after that, but haven't booked anything, anywhere, yet. I'll check GroupGolfer out.

Well, maybe next time. You won't be able to finalize the transaction with GroupGolfer for several days so it won't work for this weekend.

Have a great time.

bkuehn1952 wrote:

I have never played "The Reserve" at Orange Lake but GroupGolfer is running a deal for unlimited golf any time, any day for $34. You may want to check this out. http://www.groupgolfer.com/deals.php?id=1001531 I have used this service twice in Michigan this past year and it worked exactly as advertised for me.

That would have been awesome.

I played the reserve, and there were several holes that I wanted another crack at.

If you see anyone around there who looks to be about 26 years old, ask him if he's Player.

Tomorrow I`m actually going up to california

Yes, just came back from Orlando and highly recommend the courses at Reunion. Best courses I've played in that area and I've played quite a few down there. I also highly recommend Harmony Preserve. Shingle Creek is also a great course. Falcons Fire is also a nice track. If you travel a little Sanctuary in Clermont was good too.