So I went down to Florida for a Birthday vacation to meet a friend and play some golf. While there I decided to review all the courses I played. I will not make this long like a normal review, but a short description with some pictures and links to the video I took.
Courses played by date:
10/20/2020 - Eagle Creek Golf Club - Orlando, FL
Having played this course many times while living in the area this was a great course to get the week started. It was a slight overcast and breezy day and Orlando had just received plenty of rain the week before. This did not affect the round one bit. The course even though playing a bit soft and wet it was still a 90-degree rule for carts. The greens were soft, but they were still rolling very quick and true. This is a highly recommended course if you are ever in the Orlando area.
Staff - 5/5
Fairways - 3/5
Greens - 4/5
Beverage cart - 5/5
Overall - 4/5
10/21/2020 - Debary Golf & Country Club - Debary, FL (Northeast Orlando)
This was the first time on this golf course. More of a catch up with good friends round than to get a review in, but this course was great. Not a long course by today's standards but a good challenge no the less. Greens were in great shape rolling fast even though they were soft. Old school style design with a good amount of elevation changes. Debary had more issues with standing water from all the recent rains, but the areas actually looked like natural water hazards and it did not affect play. If you get a chance to play here do it, you will enjoy it.
Staff - 4/5
Fairways - 4/5
Greens - 4/5
Overall - 4/5
10/22/2020 - Red Tail Golf Club - Sorrento, FL (Northeast of Orlando)
This is a beautiful golf course built in a residential community. Since our last visit to Red Tail which was sometime in 2011, there are many many more homes built on the course now. By no means does it change how pretty the course is, it just makes it different when you are not used to seeing a home off in the distance etc.. The day started with a light shower and continued off and on the entire round. At some times it was heavy, but not to a point of having to quit as it didn't last long. The rain made the fairways not run out, but the greens kept their speed and roll perfectly. The course can be challenging if you pick the wrong tee's for your game, but the course is not overly difficult. There is a good mix of holes and some forced carries of some tee's that can be intimidating, however, the course is still very enjoyable and beautiful.
Staff - 5/5
Fairways - 4/5
Greens - 5/5
Overall - 4/5
10/23/2020 - Southern Hills Plantation Club - Brooksville, FL (North of Tampa)
This was by far the best course of the week. First time here and I want to go back. I had originally heard about this course back in 2007 when people were raving about it then. They are still raving about it and for good reason. The beauty and elegance of the clubhouse with a southern charm design were the first to grab your attention. It gives you an old country club-style feel without being outdated and having the stereotyped country club mentality. The golf course was in immaculate condition from tee to green. Elevation changes and a good mix of holes designed to play with the contour of the land, truly made this extremely enjoyable. The greens were very quick and held approach shots well, however, if you miss the green on the wrong side you have quite the challenge to get the ball up and down. The course is a great blend with nature and even though there are homes that back up to the golf course they are barely noticeable as they are set back a good distance.
Staff - 5/5
Fairways - 5/5
Greens - 5/5
Beverage Cart - 5/5
10/24/2020 - Harmony Golf Preserve - Harmony, FL (Southeast of Orlando)
A long time favorite of mine this is the course I wanted to play for my Birthday Round. I was slightly disappointed as there was a lot of crabgrass on the tee's and fairways, but the playability was not affected. The greens rolled at a good pace and were very consistent. Harmony has a true Florida feel to it with its blend of nature and use of sand dunes. It was a beautiful warm day for golf so we played an extra 9-holes. This is a great layout and can be challenging when the wind is blowing. Even with the slight disappointment of whatever issues they may be having with the grass we still had a great time and I really can't say anything bad about the course. Everyone was super friendly as always and I will make it back.
Check out the videos of Eagle Creek, Southern Hills Plantation Club, and Harmony Golf Preserve on our YouTube Channel.