Top 20 Orlando Area Courses

[jorruss]

Here's my list of the best 20 Greater Orlando (Public) Courses. These are in no particular order. Are there any I left off or need to take off? Let the fun begin!

Top Ten:

Rosen Shingle Creek Resort
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Resort & Spa
Mystic Dunes Golf Club
Grand Cypress Resort
Disney Resort (Palm & Magnolia)
Champions Gate Resort
Ginn Reunion Resort
Southern Dunes Golf Club
Orange County National Golf Club
Sugarloaf Mountain Golf Club

Second Ten:

Falcon’s Fire
Grand Pines
Hunter’s Creek
Metro West
Ridgewood Lakes
Grand Lakes
Celebration
Stoneybrook West
Diamondback
Orange Lake Resort (Legends Course)

[Leftygolfer]

Never played down there but man you have some great places to play in that area.

[jorruss]

Never played down there but man you have some great places to play in that area.

To quote Tom Cruise: "This is what I call a target rich environment."

[flguy]

Yeah, a lot of great places, but so damn expensive!

[Hitman]

Missing the Royal St.Cloud Golf links, just as good as many listed but I know that the rates are much more affordable than many listed, ex:Champions Gate, and Falcon's fire just to name 2

[AmenCorner]

To quote Tom Cruise: "This is what I call a target rich environment."

Funny!

Hey I'm from Ft. Lauderdale and taking a guys golf trip to Orange County National in September. We got a killer deal. Anyways, any thoughts about that course in particular?

[David in FL]

Pretty good list.

I'd probably put Eagle Dunes in there for playability across a wide spectrum of skill level and quality of the greens.

The only one I'd argue is Falcon's Fire. Course is ok, but the staff is routinely arrogant and completely uninterested in providing anything even approaching the level of friendly service that you'd expect given the price.

Other possible adds would be Timacuan and Victoria Hills, but I'm not sure what I'd pull to fit them in. Maybe Hunters Creek.....

[David in FL]

Funny!

There are two courses there (and a little par 3 course) and one of the best practice facilities you'll find anywhere in the country. As you probably already know, they play the finals of the tour Q school there every other year......rotating with the West Coast, so bring your game, the courses are always maintained in great shape and are very playable but they'll bite you in the ass if you get complacent. Great little bar and grill, super pro shop, and as an added plus, they'll treat you like kings. You're gonna have a great time!

[rstyle]

Both courses at Orange County National are great.
You made a good choice.

I agree with the top 20 list. Unfortunately, some of the courses get a lot of group outings androunds of play (Hunter's Creek, Stoneybrook West) and are all beat up.

[sabram]

I agree with most of your choices. However, because many of the venues you listed have multiple courses, you've listed a lot more than 20 courses.
Reunion has 3 courses
Championsgatre has 2
Disney has 4 (you left off Lake Buena Vista and their best course, Osprey Ridge, which will close soon)
OC National, 2
Grand Cypress 2.5

You didn't list Victoria Hills which could be on the top half of the list or Mission Inn which has two courses. Their El Campeon course could be on the toip half of the list.

If anyone is interested here are links to my photos of Orlando courses:

http://sports.webshots.com/album/571413921rhiYig Sugarloaf

http://sports.webshots.com/album/571957361SHtpyS Grand Cypress

http://sports.webshots.com/album/571415820VzNsUn Celebration

http://sports.webshots.com/album/571957362SUhpLp Victoria Hills

http://sports.webshots.com/album/561881172RMtVHF Disney and Orange Couinty National

I've played almost all of the others on your list, but that was before I started taking photos.

[jorruss]

I agree with most of your choices. However, because many of the venues you listed have multiple courses, you've listed a lot more than 20 courses.

Yeah, it was hard to pick venues, let alone specific courses, so I just listed the resort regardless if it had multiple courses. I love the new course at Grand Cypress. It's a great departure from standard Florida golf. I agree with you about Victoria Hills, especially since they switched the nines now to the original layout as Ron Garl intended. (They've played the original back nine as the front for years since they opened) I didn't include it since it's not in the Orlando area, but in Volusia county. Worth the drive for sure if you live in Northeast Orlando though. I also could add Royal St Cloud and Mission Inn. I've never played either but have always heard good things. Bottom line: Lots of great golf in the Orlando area!

[David in FL]

You didn't list Victoria Hills which could be on the top half of the list or Mission Inn which has two courses. Their El Campeon course could be on the toip half of the list.

When was the last time you were out at Mission Inn? I played El Campeon a couple of months back and it was an absolute dog track. Nothing like it used to be. A real shame too.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Missing the Royal St.Cloud Golf links, just as good as many listed but I know that the rates are much more affordable than many listed, ex:Champions Gate, and Falcon's fire just to name 2

I like St Clould alot. Its an easy course, though. Even from the back. I shot 75 when i played there and dint even hit the ball that well, but its a very fun course to play. You can hit alot of low runners into the greens.

[sabram]

It's been at least two years since I palyed El Campeon. SAad to hear its not in good shape. I really liked the course and the people at Mission Inn were terrific.

[lobsterzilla]

gonna favorites this thread !! moving to Orlando in the winter when my Fiance starts her job.