Orlando’s Finest Courses

What was once a quiet town and a featureless scrubland has now turned into an all-time favorite vacation destination for guests from all parts of the world. Orlando, among the many other places in Florida has been attracting visitors of all ages whatever season it may be. Kids and young at hearts can explore the well visited theme parks like Disneyland, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld, or try the water parks, shopping malls, and many other exciting places to visit. Although Orlando has been popularly known as a year-round getaway paradise with the major theme parks, the city is also home to some of the world’s finest greens that were designed by professional golf icons. Amidst the city’s vast urban sprawl are the best holes scattered around the undulating greens that offer unmatched beauty and difficulty levels. Some of Orlando’s finest courses include the Crooked Cat of the Orange County National, the International Course of the Championsgate Golf Resort, the Grande Lakes of Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Disney’s Lake Buena Vista, the Harmony Golf Preserve, and the Legends Golf and Country Club.

Orange County National – Crooked Cat

Cited by Golf Digest as “Places to Play” in 2000 and rated with 4 ½ stars, the Crooked Cat of the Orange County National is a 7,277-yard layout that features the native redtop heather grass with the Scottish feel. The steep grass, sand bunkers, large sloping greens, and the 50-foot elevation changes has made this unique layout stand out among the rest. The Crooked Cat course also serves as the true test to every golfer’s skill level.

Championsgate Golf Resort – International Course

World class golf with unmatched facilities is what the International Course of the Championsgate Golf Resort is all about. Just minutes away from the famous Walt Disney World, this ultimate escape also serves as the perfect retreat for golf professionals who want rekindle the good old days. The resort also offers the digital GPS Caddy System where golfers will experience the PGA-type scoring while improving further with their swings.

Ritz-Carlton Golf Club – Grande Lakes

The Grande Lakes of Ritz-Carlton Golf club is the masterpiece of Greg Norman, a 2-time British Open Champion and top golf course designer. The layout offers the strategically placed bunkers, the intermingling balance of water hazards, and the meticulously groomed green complexes. These features serve as Orlando’s fair test of golf to guests coming from all parts of the globe.

Disney’s Lake Buena Vista

Disney’s Lake Buena Vista is a meandering course that runs through Orlando’s pine forests, sparkling lakes, palmettos, and the pastel villas. The golf course that was designed by Joe Lee was given a rating of four out of five stars by Golf Digest. While honing their swinging skills, golfers can also take the best views of the boats and canals as well as the enchanting lighthouse.

Harmony Golf Preserve

Designed by Johnny Miller, a former U.S. Open Champion, the Harmony Golf Preserve offers the complete golf practice facility that features the driving range, chipping area, and the putting green. The resort is also home to the magnificent clubhouse that holds the best banquet facility as well as a professional shop, locker rooms for men and women, and the taproom. The resort’s great outdoors has the diverse animal and plant life that lovers of nature can further explore.

Legends Golf and Country Club

Selected as the first among the “Top Ten Golf Courses in Central Florida” for the year 2002 by the Florida Golf Central Magazine, the Legends Golf and Country Club has the majestic layout that has a 72.9 course rating. The course features the vertiginous elevations, breathtaking views, and the cinemascopic horizons that amaze every golfer who takes the challenges of its well designed holes.

Homestead Resort Golf

Year-round fun and adventure in a tranquil setting suits the best description for Homestead Resort. This premier luxury resort was founded ten years prior to the American Revolution and is considered as national historic landmark that has been attracting both the local and foreign visitors from all parts of the globe. The area is said to be home for the state’s largest hot springs, the oldest alpine ski resort, and three championship golf layouts designed by famous golf icons like Donald Ross, William S. Flynn, Rees Jones, and Robert Trent Jones Sr. Along with its rich history that extends nearly 2 ½ centuries as well as the majestic sceneries, Homestead is by all means, Virginia’s pride for relaxation and luxury in abundance. The Cascades Course, the Old Course, and the Lower Cascades Course are three of the world’s finest greens that The Homestead offers to its guests.

The Homestead – Cascades Course

The Cascades Course of Homestead has been cited as “The Best Public Course in Virginia for 2010” by GolfWeek Magazine, and among Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses”. Designed by the legendary golf course architect William S. Flynn, the Cascades is set through the varied terrains of the breathtaking Allegheny Mountains that offers the par 72, 6,679 yards of play from the layout’s longest tees. This fabled mountain golf course is also where Sam Snead had his humble beginnings. For those who have just started to develop their golfing skills, the layout may penalize them for unfair hazard placements or forced carries. The course was given a slope rating of 137 and a course rating of 73.0.

The Homestead – Old Course

Home to the nation’s oldest first tee that is continuously operating, the Old Course of The Homestead is an 18-hole facility that boasts of its evolving as well as challenging golf rounds. The layout features the par 72, 6,211 yards of play from the longest tees as well as the challenging rough that would require positioning on the greens. It has the slope rating of 120 and a course rating of 69.7. With the constant updates of Rees Jones and William S. Flynn, golfers will have the challenging tee times on the layout’s abundant fairways that give the mot shots a downhill lie, side hill, or uphill to smallish greens.

The Homestead – Lower Cascades Course

The Lower Cascades Course of The Homestead is all about competitive golfing. Designed by the older Robert Trent Jones, the layout features the wide-open fairways, runway tee boxes, exaggerated breaks on severe green contouring, and the strategically placed bunkers, all placed on the 6,579 yards of golf. This 18-hole par 72 course was given a slope rating of 127 and a course rating of 72.2. Majority of the holes at Lower Cascades are set in a beautiful valley with a few that winds up onto the ridges. When playing from the back tees, golfers would be required to take the long and straight approach shots all the way through the course’s undulating greens.

Golf Etiquette: The Do’s and Don’ts in Golf

Golf is a sport that would require concentration. Not once, but in the entire round. That is why golf etiquette plays a vital role in every game. How golfers behave in the greens distinguishes the game of golf from any other forms of sports.

Here are some of the essential points that every golfer must bear in mind while playing on the greens:

• Always consider safety above anything else. Golf clubs and golf balls are quite hard and mishandling any of these can make the entire layout a danger prone area. Make sure that you are doing your swinging warm ups at the practice range and not towards another person.
• In using the golf carts, make sure that you are driving in a moderate speed. Eyes must be on the cart path. Adhere to the set of rules that the resort imposes regarding the directions of cart parking. These motorized carts are prone to damaging the greens and the teeing grounds so you should use your common sense.
• Maintain a good pace while at play. Do not let other golfers keep waiting for you. As much as possible, decide in advance which golf club to use for your next shot as well as determine your target point.
• Always wear the appropriate golf outfit when playing. Oftentimes, golf shoes are the ones that are strictly required.
• Refuse an invitation in a polite manner. Once in a while you may want to spend time learning the techniques and then suddenly somebody walks in to challenge you for a round of golf. Just say no nicely and mean it.
• Always arrive on time. Punctuality is part of the game’s discipline.
• Make cellular phone conversations as brief as possible as this can be a nuisance to other golfers.
• When other golfers do you a simple favor, thank them right away.

Resort and golf course regulations may vary from one place to another. When you play, hold on to that set of rules. Remember, reputation is built on character and not just on your golfing skills.

The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club

Golf at its finest is what the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club is all about. Set away from the encroaching real estate, golfers will find themselves captured by the resort’s convenient location as well as the scenic fairways designed by the famed father and son tandem, Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Rees Jones. You can choose either from the Green Course or the Gold Course in which both considered as a certified Audubon sanctuaries. These popular golf vacation destinations are also consistent recipients of high ratings from reputable golf publications.

The “Green Course” which was designed by the younger Jones features the 18-hole layout that offers a 7,120-yard par 72 play. This championship-caliber golf course was opened in 1991 and since then continued a legacy of excellent golfing. What makes this layout attractive is that it brings out the challenges of golf which perfectly blends with the impressive mix of natural terrain with a slope rating of 130 and course rating of 75.1. That is why the course was named as one of the “Top 10 Golf Courses in Virginia” and was given a 4 ½ star rating by Golf Digest Magazine.

The “Gold Course” on the other hand is a Robert Trent Jones Sr. masterpiece that was opened for play in 1963. This stunning championship golf layout features a 144 slope rating on Bermuda grass and a course rating of 73.8. Although it’s a bit short from the Green course with the 6,817 yards of play, this golf gem can surprise you with the various challenges as you move on along the course.

Colonial Heritage Golf Club

The Colonial Heritage Club is an artful craft of Arthur Hills that emulates Southern Virginia’s classic beauty perfectly set amid Williamsburg’s historical backdrop. This stunning golf vacation destination meanders through the acres of densely wooded grounds and offers the challenging 6,889-yard par 72 play for golfers of all handicap levels. The championship layout also features the five sets of tees with the strategically placed bunkers, carefully planned water features, and the undulating fairways that create the guest’s enjoyable golfing experience.

There is no need to worry if golfing is not your cup of tea. The resort has the vast natural terrain landscape where you can enjoy relaxing with nature at its finest. While some of the resort’s guests take the challenges of the inviting 18-hole Colonial Heritage Golf Club course, some would head to the magnificent Clubhouse where they can dine, chat, and enjoy live entertainment with the classic British-colonial ambiance. Hospitality is also unsurpassed. The resort staff also provides guests the superb assistance that is beyond expectations.

What makes this golf spot much more attractive is that guests can play and relax with the feeling of being at home. And although the championship golf course can be very inviting, you can still opt for solitude with nature away from the crowd and still have a great time. The next time you plan for an exciting golf escape with family and friends, think about the Colonial Heritage Golf Club. There are already plenty of golf vacation packages that will suit your budget and preferences as well as golf vacation specialists that will help you plan out that dream golf vacation of a lifetime.

Free Lunch in Williamsburg!

Looking for the best deal going in Williamsburg? Well here it is...... On top of an already great deal we are throwing in a 4th nights lodging for free, a 4th round of golf for free, lunch at each course for free and if that was not enough you get two free beers with each round!

Lodging- Springhill Suites by Marriott

-Bedroom has 2 queen bed along with living room that has- couch, tv, refrigerator and microwave.

-Free extended continental breakfast (includes hot items)

-Restaurants within walking distance

Golf-

• The Tradition Golf Club at Kiskiack - Awarded with 4 stars by Golf Digest's "Places to Play"
• The Tradition Golf Club at Stonehouse - Included in the Golf and Travel list of the "100 Modern Courses"
• The Tradition Golf Club at Royal New Kent- Named as one of "America's Top 100 Greatest Golf Courses" by Golf Digest.
• The Tradition Golf Club at Brickshire - Golf Digest 4 1/2 star rating

This package is valid from April 4th through May 29th 2011 for $525 per person with all taxes and fees included. If you would like to discuss this package or get information on other options give Craig Gordon a call at 888.333.6079.

Guide to Orlando golf

If you have kids, or are a kid at heart, Orlando means one thing: Walt Disney World. If you're a golfer at heart, Orlando means not only Disney World, but also a slew of outstanding public, semi-private and resort golf courses. It seems like half of the PGA Tour makes Orlando a home, likely due to its fine airport, wonderful climate, superior golf facilities — and hey, we've got to throw in Florida's lack of a personal income tax, too. Pros such as Tiger Woods, Mark O'Meara and Nick Faldo hang out mostly at such private enclaves as Isleworth and Lake Nona, but you never know when you'll run into one of these celebrities at a restaurant or grocery store. Best of all, Orlando has so many public-access Tour courses; you can feel like a star merely by putting your peg in the ground.

What's New in Town

Give and take is the theme these days in O-Town. The real estate slump has shuttered the Ginn Open, won by Lorena Ochoa, but you can still play its distinctive venue, the Independence Course at Ginn Reunion Resort. This course is an entertaining Tom Watson design in 2002 that features the massive moguls, wildly undulating greens, and the vast sandy waste areas.

After the closure of the Pete Dye-designed Eagle Pines in 2007, Disney will have the new addition to its golf courses this fall with the debut of a new Rees Jones creation. Technically, the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club is not a Disney property, but it's surrounded on three sides by the Disney Resort. The course will serve guests of two new hotels, the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.

GOLF Magazine's 3rd Best New Private Course of 2008, Sugarloaf Mountain Golf & Town Club, has attempted to weather the economic downturn by keeping its doors open to public play.
Perfectly set on a remarkably rolling terrain located just 40 minutes west of Orlando, Sugarloaf’s Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw eighteen dishes out 250 feet of elevation change. The layout’s occasionally blind tee shots as well as the heaving fairways hearken back to the classic lay-of-the-land designs that date back 90 years and more and views of Lake Apopka add further nuance to the experience.

The Trophy Collection

The closest thing Orlando has to royalty is Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge, a civilized island in the city's sea of glitz and glamour that serves as winter home for the King. The Challenger/Champion nines make up the layout that has played host to the PGA Tour since 1979 and it's full of long, flat, no-nonsense, boldly bunkered holes that play over and around seven massive lakes. Drop-dead sceneries are not visible in the area. It would be just about the players and one challenging breeze-fueled holes. The relentless shot-making demands would make it easier for you to understand why Tiger Woods, a defending champion, has won several times in this course including the 2000-2003 four-peat.

An even older PGA Tour stop is at Walt Disney World which is home to the Palm Course and Magnolia Course that made their big-league debut in 1971. It was when Jack Nicklaus won the first of three straight. Of these two Joe-Lee designed spreads, two-time Ryder Cupper Chris DiMarco says, "The Mag used to be a great course — and it still is if you stay away from the back tees they put in back in 2005. The Palms is a lot of fun, with reachable par-5s." The Magnolia Golf Course tips out at 7,516 yards, but there's big fun to be had from any tee at the par-3 6th, which features a green protected at the right-front by a bunker shaped like Mickey Mouse's head. The Palm is the slightly tighter of the two, with many holes edged by jungle-like forest, with wildlife to match. Still, the premier Disney course is Tom Fazio's Osprey Ridge, which is distinguished by its mounds, its wetlands and its huge, very three-puttable greens.

Continuing the "magic" theme, I would put Grand Cypress Resort's New Course on your Orlando must-play list. Jack Nicklaus' homage to the Old Course at St. Andrews features no trees, minimal water (in the form of winding burns), semi-blind shots, double greens and more than 140 bunkers, some as much as 12 feet deep, where a ladder provides access. It's not everybody's cup of tea, but when the wind is up and the course is playing firm, it's like Scotland in sunshine.

Best of the Rest

Tiger Woods once uncovered that Ritz-Carlton, Orlando, Grande Lakes contained some of the best courses he had ever putted. The low-profile Greg Norman design eases past oaks, lakes and wetlands, but it's the service, facilities and conditioning that make it worth the hefty fee.

Ginn Reunion Resort's Independence course might be the best of the property's three choices, but the flower-laden Legacy course, crafted by Arnold Palmer, is close behind. The resort’s newest layout, a Jack Nicklaus product, typifies the essence of what Florida golf is all about even more when its new clubhouse opens next year.

ChampionsGate’s two tracks – The National Course and The International Course, both a flattish creation of the famed Greg Norman are also attracting plenty of guests year. The International Course that plays host to early December's Del Webb Father/Son Challenge, is probably one of the most coveted invitations the PGA and Champions Tour players get all year. The on-site Omni hotel is a plus, as is one of golf's greatest institutions of higher learning, the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, which has its headquarters here.

Orange County National's Crooked Cat and Panther Lake both serve as PGA Tour Q-School tests and comprise perhaps the best values in the Orlando area, though they're often overlooked, so superb are the practice facilities and Phil Ritson Golf School.

To keep up with the Joneses, you'll need to tackle Celebration Golf Club, one of the final collaborations between Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr. The course’s strategically deployed water hazards as well as the slopey greens will instantly give you an idea who designed the holes.


These are just a few of the great courses in the Orlando area. As you can see, there are nusmerous options for great golf with all sorts of pricing. Peak season green fees in Orlando can range from $70 to $150 plus. Looking for a Golf Vacation Specialist to help you plan your next golf getaway, you can call Glen at 888.333.6103 or email me at glen@golfzoo.com.

Bent Grass is no longer King in my book.

My entire golfing career (if you call it that) I have always said how much I love putting on Bent Grass greens and how much I despise Bermuda. The "older" Bermuda greens have always had thicker blades of grass and you could never count on the ball having a true roll. You always stood and watched your ball zig zag towards the hole hoping it zagged at the right time into the bottom of the cup. Here in Myrtle Beach more and more courses are changing over to the new and improved strands such as Mini Verde and Champion Ultra Dwarf and wow are they good! The blades are as thin as Bent giving a great roll but require far less maintenance. This past summer with 90 degree plus temperatures virtually everyday was the tipping point for golf course owners as the Bent could just not survive while the new bermuda greens were thriving.

If you would like to see for yourself just how good they are here are a couple of courses in the Myrtle Beach area to try: TPC Myrtle Beach, Arrowhead, Legends- Heathland or Rivers Edge. Call myself or one of other Myrtle Beach golf vacation specialists a call at 888.929.7300.

Reynolds Plantation- High end golf at it's best!

This past weekend I stayed at the beautiful Ritz Carlton hotel at Reynolds Plantation in Georgia. When talking about the top east coast golf resorts I can not believe this property is not brought up in the same breath with Pinehurst and Kiawah Island as it is of equal caliber. The Resort is an hour and a half east of Atlanta which makes for easy access and boarders lake Oconee.

The hotel lives up to it's name with the highest level of service, gorgeous views, and superior dining. If your looking for night life there is Gabby's on the Lake which has a sports bar feel but the majority of the guests have a few cocktails in the lobby bar that features live music daily. There are very few places to go outside the resort as it's a fairly secluded area.

Now for the golf.....although Oconee and Great Waters are the top two I still loved Plantation, National, and Landing. If I had to pick just one it would be Jack Nicholas's Great Waters and the back nine in particular which nearly every hole runs alone Lake Oconee. The views are spectacular and although there are homes that can be seen from many of the fairways they are set back far enough you hardly notice they are there. I am also partial to Plantation as I shot my personal best and found myself in the 60's for the first time!

All things considered this is one of my absolute favorite golf destinations and anyone who loves the game of golf needs to experience at least once.

Scottsdale on a budget? Here's your deal!!!

Scottsdale, Arizona - arguably the best destination on the planet for winter golf, is also one of the most expensive in the winter months. Looking for a winter Scottsdale golf package without having to take out a second mortgage? Here's the answer:

The Arizona Grand Peak Season Stay and Play.

It's an all suite, Four Star full service resort with all the goodies you need, along with 4 great tracks for $199 per person per day all inclusive. Here are a few reasons the Arizona Grand is one of my all time favorite resorts:

• Every room is a "real" suite - Many hotels will call their rooms suites simply because they throw a couch and table in the corner. The Resort Suite at the AZ Grand is a true 2 room suite and over 500 square feet with a private patio as well. It's the real deal.
• It's all right there - with the Arizona Grand Golf Club on site, 3 restaurants, cool lobby bar with billiards, killer fitness club, spa, and less than 10 minutes from the airport, it's no fuss no muss.
• Services - don't underestimate the convenience of a full service resort. Room service, concierge service, valet parking, even mini-bars will all come in handy at some point...
• The Arizona Grand Golf Club - one of my favorites in Scottsdale, it's relatively tame (less than 6400 yards from the tips), but the layout is FUN. It's absolutely perfect for day of arrival or day of departure golf. Also - #18 is one of the best par 3's in Arizona.
• Back Patio with fire pits - the new clubhouse sports a very cool back patio overlooking the island tee off #1 hole - one my favorite spots in Arizona for a cocktail with the boys after our round. (Show em your scorecard, and you get happy hour prices in the bar all day...)

We picked 4 courses that are not only some of the valley's best, but also close to the resort - all are within a 20 minute drive:

• Arizona Grand Golf Club - Onsite at the resort - day of arrival after 1:00.
• Club West Golf Club - dramatic elevation changes - esp. on back nine - double green on par three 17th hole.
• Ocotillo Golf Resort - Bring a few sleeves.... water comes into play on 23 of 27 holes. Have lunch at Bernard's on the back patio after your round. (Before 8:30)
• Whirlwind Golf Club - Your choice - Devil's Claw or Cattail - Gary Panks will get you one way or the other...

There are also many other courses available, so just ask, and we can customize an itinerary for your group. This stay and play is valid now through the end of peak season, and will be even less after April 10th, 2011! $199 per person per day covers everything - double occupancy suite at the Arizona Grand Resort, the $30 daily resort fee, golf each day, and all the taxes. It's simply the best deal in Arizona for peak season this year.

Call Chris Parcell at 888.867.6911 or Lori Greene at 888.867.6921 in our Phoenix / Scottsdale offices today!