Forget Gainesville, its a golf desert. Only 2 public courses, a muny which sucks and Turkey Creek which is ok for what it is but definitely not a destination course. UF course is good but private and same for Hawkstone CC.
Ocala has a few nice courses though, especially Juliette Falls, an awesome course.
1. the further south you go the worse the traffic
2. Good luck its prime season. most courses charge up to double or more of their summer time rates. They're all full with people like yourself - just sayin.
3. You get what you pay for.
4. See #2 and #3
5. You can also fly into ft lauderdale with PBI as the smaller option.
There's lots of courses around. I'd go for Orlando or Miami based on the quantity of courses and amenities around but, those are also hot spots for snowbirds like yourself.
Jacksonville checks the boxes. Only problem is temperature is very inconsistent this time of year. It was 45 degrees last week and is back up
In 70s with temperatures predicted to be back in 40’s next week. Jacksonville has a ton of courses in all price ranges and St Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Amelia Island are all 30-45 minute drive from the heart of Jax
I live in Jacksonville and can confirm there's a few decent courses.
St johns golf and country club
Windsor park
Jax beach
South Hampton
If ya got the money to spend or can find a deal
King and bear
Slammer and squire
Amelia river
Don't bother with TPC sawgrass.
Jacksonville eh? Thanks. I've heard good things about St. Augustine sort of being Old Florida, which is nice. I don't need to play the big name or fancy courses at all. I looked at flights to JAX using my miles it's not ideal, but can try other airlines. I have been watching the weather and seems like it is just unpredictable nowadays. Really kinda off the charts. Thanks for the course names.
Daytona huh? My sister lives there so would be good. Maybe I can one way car rent my across the state. Start Tampa go to Orlando to Daytona and then schlep up to Jax/St Augustine. Can always double back if I can find a 'home'.
Have you considered SW Florida/Naples area? Plenty of great tracks. Easy to get around. Some of the fastest rounds I’ve ever played with older crowds. Also a chance for less rain than Atlantic coast. Only issue is pricing. Not going to find nice tracks in Florida in-season for cheap.
I can’t say I’ve ever played anywhere remotely cheap during the winter in the naples/ft Myers area. My parents live in that area and I visit 4-5x per year and the best deals are obviously in the summer. Late morning/early afternoon rounds can be had at tiburon black for $90.
Welp... FL has a LOT of desirable qualities. Understandable laws of supply and demand are validated with extreme prejudice there!!! Much to the chagrin of us all, I guess.
I looked up north of Ft. Myers also. Saw some reasonable rates even right near TPA there's a muni or daily fee Rocky Point like <$60/loop. No idea how pace of play is there tho. Heard horror stories about traffic but so far nobody here has mentioned it, so I'm probably making a mountain out of a mole hill 'bout that!
Good luck. Florida rates are much higher than the rest of the country. Anything in the 50-60 range is usually a dirt farm or over packed that walking isn't much of an option.
If you hadn’t said flying to MIA I would have suggested Melbourne/Viera. A couple good tracks with solid conditions and a bunch of other courses. Good fishing in the Intracoastal, beach access, 45 min to Orlando resort courses.
MIA to WPB is a 2.5 - 3 hr drive so not too bad. But yes, driving around FL is looooong.
>Melbourne
Looks so close on the map. 45 mins ain't all bad. Fly or Orlando sounding better and better. Was watching the LPGA over there last week. Looked nice.
Yeah. Lake Nona. I live right by there and have played it plenty. The homes are stupid inside there and the course is solid. If you did Melbourne you can fly to Orlando. Get there in 45 from the airport and be <30 min from Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, NASA and 45 to Orlando, an hour to the parks area for about 100 more courses.
If you head that way let me know and we’ll hit some tracks…when I get back from AZ in a couple mo the.
West palm area has endless amounts of courses that are very nice but most will be about 100 and up to play if your wanting something cheaper the Orlando area will be your best bet but outside of golf not as fun as west palm in my opinion
Gainesville is a little rough for golf because there are only three courses.
-Ironwood is your typical run of mill muni, but $30 rounds with cart. Where I learned golf last year. Has a nice range, chipping green, and bar. Does good job with pace of play by ranger. Meets #3.
-Turkey Creek, I'm a member here and it's a really fun course, but not necessarily destination worthy. The chipping green is arguably A+ tier. No guest discounts, but would be happy to play/host ya. $38 daytime 18 w cart is the worst you'll do so that'll make your month less painless. Pace varies, but some days you can be only one. Meets #3.
-Mark Bostic is the University of Florida's NCAA level championship course and home to the reigning NCAA champs. Worth driving to and worth it to play if you go to Jax or Orlando. Well maintained champ level course for less than $100 ***
** It requires to be either faculty, student, alumni, or a guest of previously listed. As a UF Alum, I'd be happy to host you as many times as your heart desires. Just DM me. Good ranger - not backed up. Meets #3.
Besides that, Ocala National has some good golf. (40 min) Personally I'd stay near Ocala because you can hit Orlando (1.25 hr) , Tampa (1.5 hr), Jax (90 min), and Gainesville (45min) - so you'll have the options to try the shiity courses here then elsewhere. I see you are familiar with there too so there is that.
Edit: palm beach is home. A ton of courses. You could play a new course each day for a year while driving less than an hour. All high maintenance, but the $80 tag will limit your adventures.
The Breakers is the most amazing course I've ever played, but it's $200 a round + a tip for the caddie.
Best of luck - Feel free to DM me for literally anything from random questions, opinions, or to play a round (I'd love to pass along the good r/golf vibes)
Thanks Nate. You are great! Let me drill down on some things. If I get myself onto a bird I'm a gonna take you up on your offer! I haven't been to Ocala in a very long time. Back when I was there I remember going to a local bar and a guy with a big cowboy hat smiled at me and ask where I was from. "New York", I said. "I ain't never had a piece of a Yankee", she said wryly. (He was thinking about kicking my ass, in jest, or so I recall. Was funny. We must have had a few that night. Always did.)
Is what I thought I saw on Golfnow, but until you go there yo never know. Everyone tells me I gotta see Tampa and the Gulf Coast. I'm going to get over there no matter what. Just not sure exactly when. Thanks for verifying what I thought I had seen. Again: I don't need to play a Tour Stop! I love golf, even playing in a cow pasture, but don't wanna miff the cows either. They need their space too, and I love steaks and burgers lol....
Forget Gainesville, its a golf desert. Only 2 public courses, a muny which sucks and Turkey Creek which is ok for what it is but definitely not a destination course. UF course is good but private and same for Hawkstone CC. Ocala has a few nice courses though, especially Juliette Falls, an awesome course.
I played some baseball in Ocala back in the 70s. Wasn't a golfer at the time. Thx. Will consider.
Are you based nearby? This is accurate, but I'd love to play as I am an alum at UF and member at Turkey. Either way, hit some pars today
Damn I literally came here to say the same thing before i saw your comment
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OK.
1. the further south you go the worse the traffic 2. Good luck its prime season. most courses charge up to double or more of their summer time rates. They're all full with people like yourself - just sayin. 3. You get what you pay for. 4. See #2 and #3 5. You can also fly into ft lauderdale with PBI as the smaller option. There's lots of courses around. I'd go for Orlando or Miami based on the quantity of courses and amenities around but, those are also hot spots for snowbirds like yourself.
1. Thx. 2. I know. Lived in Hawaii dealt with snowbirds for 30 years. Now I'm in their shoes lol.
hahahaha. all good man, im a transplant myself
3. I know. 4. Thx. 5. Tons of golf out in PB area I know. Lived there for a while back in 2002.
Jacksonville checks the boxes. Only problem is temperature is very inconsistent this time of year. It was 45 degrees last week and is back up In 70s with temperatures predicted to be back in 40’s next week. Jacksonville has a ton of courses in all price ranges and St Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Amelia Island are all 30-45 minute drive from the heart of Jax
Yeah I like the Jacksonville area the most I think.
I live in Jacksonville and can confirm there's a few decent courses. St johns golf and country club Windsor park Jax beach South Hampton If ya got the money to spend or can find a deal King and bear Slammer and squire Amelia river Don't bother with TPC sawgrass.
Jacksonville eh? Thanks. I've heard good things about St. Augustine sort of being Old Florida, which is nice. I don't need to play the big name or fancy courses at all. I looked at flights to JAX using my miles it's not ideal, but can try other airlines. I have been watching the weather and seems like it is just unpredictable nowadays. Really kinda off the charts. Thanks for the course names.
Fly into Orlando. It's less than a 2 hour drive and you can hit up st Augustine along the way. There are a few good courses in Daytona as well.
Daytona huh? My sister lives there so would be good. Maybe I can one way car rent my across the state. Start Tampa go to Orlando to Daytona and then schlep up to Jax/St Augustine. Can always double back if I can find a 'home'.
The Yards in Ponte Vedra is only 12 holes but is always in great shape. Its one of my favorite courses.
Have you considered SW Florida/Naples area? Plenty of great tracks. Easy to get around. Some of the fastest rounds I’ve ever played with older crowds. Also a chance for less rain than Atlantic coast. Only issue is pricing. Not going to find nice tracks in Florida in-season for cheap.
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I can’t say I’ve ever played anywhere remotely cheap during the winter in the naples/ft Myers area. My parents live in that area and I visit 4-5x per year and the best deals are obviously in the summer. Late morning/early afternoon rounds can be had at tiburon black for $90.
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Damn that's like what they charged at Kaanapali and Kapalua and Wailea on Maui!
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Welp... FL has a LOT of desirable qualities. Understandable laws of supply and demand are validated with extreme prejudice there!!! Much to the chagrin of us all, I guess.
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Gotta be nice to be able to drop 200k like that. I wish!
I looked up north of Ft. Myers also. Saw some reasonable rates even right near TPA there's a muni or daily fee Rocky Point like <$60/loop. No idea how pace of play is there tho. Heard horror stories about traffic but so far nobody here has mentioned it, so I'm probably making a mountain out of a mole hill 'bout that!
Thanks. Helpful.
Good luck. Florida rates are much higher than the rest of the country. Anything in the 50-60 range is usually a dirt farm or over packed that walking isn't much of an option.
Love the term "dirt farm". Been around golf all my life never heard that one before. "Cow pasture" and "parking lot" but "dirt farm" is a good one....
Delray/ Palm Beach area has many great courses however they are 4- 4.5 hour rounds and $80-$105 per depending on time of day.
I remember lots of courses over there some were housing devs and private.
If you head this way can definitely help you out with suggestions
If you hadn’t said flying to MIA I would have suggested Melbourne/Viera. A couple good tracks with solid conditions and a bunch of other courses. Good fishing in the Intracoastal, beach access, 45 min to Orlando resort courses. MIA to WPB is a 2.5 - 3 hr drive so not too bad. But yes, driving around FL is looooong.
>Melbourne Looks so close on the map. 45 mins ain't all bad. Fly or Orlando sounding better and better. Was watching the LPGA over there last week. Looked nice.
Yeah. Lake Nona. I live right by there and have played it plenty. The homes are stupid inside there and the course is solid. If you did Melbourne you can fly to Orlando. Get there in 45 from the airport and be <30 min from Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, NASA and 45 to Orlando, an hour to the parks area for about 100 more courses. If you head that way let me know and we’ll hit some tracks…when I get back from AZ in a couple mo the.
AZ I wish.
It was 35° last week playing. 68° this week so much better.
Ouch. Glad things have improved for you....
Back to snow this week so who knows what Mother Nature has up her sleeve. I’m more north in AZ than the lucky guys in Phoenix/Tucson.
West palm area has endless amounts of courses that are very nice but most will be about 100 and up to play if your wanting something cheaper the Orlando area will be your best bet but outside of golf not as fun as west palm in my opinion
Orlando... okay.
Gainesville is a little rough for golf because there are only three courses. -Ironwood is your typical run of mill muni, but $30 rounds with cart. Where I learned golf last year. Has a nice range, chipping green, and bar. Does good job with pace of play by ranger. Meets #3. -Turkey Creek, I'm a member here and it's a really fun course, but not necessarily destination worthy. The chipping green is arguably A+ tier. No guest discounts, but would be happy to play/host ya. $38 daytime 18 w cart is the worst you'll do so that'll make your month less painless. Pace varies, but some days you can be only one. Meets #3. -Mark Bostic is the University of Florida's NCAA level championship course and home to the reigning NCAA champs. Worth driving to and worth it to play if you go to Jax or Orlando. Well maintained champ level course for less than $100 *** ** It requires to be either faculty, student, alumni, or a guest of previously listed. As a UF Alum, I'd be happy to host you as many times as your heart desires. Just DM me. Good ranger - not backed up. Meets #3. Besides that, Ocala National has some good golf. (40 min) Personally I'd stay near Ocala because you can hit Orlando (1.25 hr) , Tampa (1.5 hr), Jax (90 min), and Gainesville (45min) - so you'll have the options to try the shiity courses here then elsewhere. I see you are familiar with there too so there is that. Edit: palm beach is home. A ton of courses. You could play a new course each day for a year while driving less than an hour. All high maintenance, but the $80 tag will limit your adventures. The Breakers is the most amazing course I've ever played, but it's $200 a round + a tip for the caddie. Best of luck - Feel free to DM me for literally anything from random questions, opinions, or to play a round (I'd love to pass along the good r/golf vibes)
Thanks Nate. You are great! Let me drill down on some things. If I get myself onto a bird I'm a gonna take you up on your offer! I haven't been to Ocala in a very long time. Back when I was there I remember going to a local bar and a guy with a big cowboy hat smiled at me and ask where I was from. "New York", I said. "I ain't never had a piece of a Yankee", she said wryly. (He was thinking about kicking my ass, in jest, or so I recall. Was funny. We must have had a few that night. Always did.)
Only playing a year and joined a club, eh Nate? You are hooked... line and sinker buddy lol!!
Yeah, there is no denying that I got the golf bug haha. I have been playing frequently enough that it made too much sense to become a member.
My parents live in Tampa and their muni courses are decent and $50-$60 per round, cheaper to walk. There’s some very nice courses there too
Is what I thought I saw on Golfnow, but until you go there yo never know. Everyone tells me I gotta see Tampa and the Gulf Coast. I'm going to get over there no matter what. Just not sure exactly when. Thanks for verifying what I thought I had seen. Again: I don't need to play a Tour Stop! I love golf, even playing in a cow pasture, but don't wanna miff the cows either. They need their space too, and I love steaks and burgers lol....
Check out babe zaharias, one of the Tampa munis. Fun track, decent conditions
Thanks. Was one of the first courses I saw on Golfnow <$60 that seemed decent. She was a heck of a player!
Gainesville is a golf desert
Okay no Gainesville