Monday, January 20, 2014
Playable for All - University of Florida Golf Course
The Mark Bostic Golf Course is a good stop-off on your way to Orlando. Just off I-75 at the University of Florida,
the ccourse offers reasonable week-day rates and first-come tee tiimes. We played right behind the UF golf team, and
it was a pleasure to see some of college golf at its best. There's plenty of sand, but water comes into play on only a couple
of holes---a great relief to the usual Florida golf ball robbery. The course offers multiple tees, but most men seemed
to be playing the 5,921 layout. This is plenty for the Donald Ross layout with small, elevated greens that seem to break
the opposite way you think. The ladies tees are 4929 and landing area are generous for the women, so there's not much
to fuss about.
Two drawbacks hampered our play. The traps are not well maintained, and it is annoying to skull
the ball off the clay bottom of a thin lie. The price and open access seem to attract golfers of all skill levels, and
play can be slower than some might like. The score card's rule "allow faster players to play through" seemed
to invite the players behind us to buss theiir drives over our heads, even though the course was full in front of us. A
course ranger might help, but there was none to be found. Bring a hard hat.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
VEGAS GETAWAY
VEGAS! The desert is a good escape from a rainy winter, and there's no place like Las Vegas to put a smile on your face.
We enjoyed some fun golf, some so-so golf, and great entertainment. Just north of town is the Angel Park layout.
It boasts 36 holes plus an executive 9 that is lit at night. We played the valley course: Much wider landing areas
than most desert layouts and very lady friendly. The firm fairways helped us short knockers get an extra 30 yards out
of our drives. How nice it was to hit short irons into those par 4's! Beautiful mountain scenery and a hospitible
staff made the outing complete. Highly recommended.
Later in the week, we went south of
the city to the Troon-operated Revere Golf Club. What we were told would be a short cab ride took 45 minutes and $$$.
The course featured great elevation changes and some quirky holes where access to the green was hidden---fortunately we brought
enough golf balls to survive the test. All would have been forgiven if it were not for the slow play. Revere is
a Sun City property and the retirees ahead of us were making a day of it, a long day. The clubhouse did have a very
comfortable lounge that was welcome after the long time on the course. Not recommended.
Even when the golf is not first class, Vegas has plenty to offer. We stayed at the Paris and the resturants there are
excellent, so we did not have to go far to enjoy a good meal. And, we took in the Faith Hill-Tim McGraw show which was
well worth the trip. My wager on Dannica Patrick to win the Daytona 500 didn't pan out, but when it comes to golf
and entertainment, Vegas is a good bet.
6:06 pm est
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Eglin AFB Golf Course, Niceville, FL
Just a twenty minute drive across the bay from Destin, Eglin AFB Golf Course offers a dramatic shift in terrain from the flatland
layouts next to the beach. Rolling hills and significant elevation shift are key features of the two 18-hole courses.
The signature hole is a monster par 5 (should be a par 8) on the Falcon course. There is always a tee time avaiilable
on the Falcon. The slightly more hospiitable Eagle course is frequently filled up. Both courses feature undulating greens,
tough to get to from the side-hill lies that are the norm in the faiirways (not much earth moviing was done to create this
course). Long hiitters and those with handicaps 15 and under will enjoy the challenge, but there is not much forgiveness
from the ladies tees. The price is right. Very reasonable green fees, and visitors are permitted. If you have
been out of the military for a while, you may get some remiinders of why you left. Reserved parking spots for officers
are closer to the pro shop than handicapped spaces, and there is a severe warning on the driving range against hitting non-regulation
yellow-and-black range balls. Active military personnel get a discount in the pro shop, so briing your I.D. There
are lots of retired military folks using the course, so you can almost always get paired with an affable and interesting playing
partner. But, keep your wallet in your pocket---the locals know the greens way better than you do.
10:33 am est
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Indian Bayou Golf Club Destin, Florida
Destin, Florida is a quick wiinter getaway spot for us in Middle Tennessee. Beaches are good, resturants are nice, and
there is plenty of golf. For the past two winters, we have included Indian Bayou in our golf itinerary. Green
fees are reasonable, the staff is cordial, and the course is in excellent condition, especially the greens. The layout
is hospitable to all levels of golfers, depending on which tees are chosen. There are 27 holes, and the Seminole 9 and
the Choctow 9 offer the most fun for a holiday golf venture. Avoid the Creek 9 if your game is not spot on. If
you want to take a break from the beach and get some golf in Destin, Indian Bayou is definitely worth a look.
6:25 pm est
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Orlando: Legends Golf Course
What's a trip to the Magic Kingdom without golf? Well, we golfers know that you can have your fun with whipped cream
on top. It's easy to add a golf outing to your Disney World experience, and we did just that. The Disney courses
are very nice (we played the Magnolia course on an earlier visit), but this trip found us on a budget. Just a few minutes
away in the north Orlando suburbs is the Legends, a middle of the road daily fee layout that was fun for all. The forward
tees were especially lady and junior friendly. Rolling hills, wide landing areas, and only a few water hazards distinguish
the Legends from the typical Florida layout. The greens were in great shape, very receptive, and rolled true.
The winter-time fairways were sparse and gave us some very tight, side-hill lies with unpredictable results. They say
golf is a game of recovery, and third-shot skills were on demand on a few holes. Orlando was not experiencing global
warming during our visit. It was 25-degrees below normal. The warm reception that we received from the staff at
the Legends made up for the cold day. If you are thinking of combining your roller coaster ride with some golf, check
it out.
10:26 am est
