seems to be the 5 closest to home are the best

Pelican is probably the hardest executive. If you’re new to golf, it’s not fun.

2 par 4s (one with a lake on the left the other over swamp)
1 or 2 long par 3
First and second hole are blind shots

It’s great for a challenge for better golfers

Results to date
 

So far, Pelican and Truman have 5 votes; Roosevelt has 4; and Lowland, Volusia, and Southern Star have 3 votes.

I'll have to take your word for it since i doubt I'll bother to play an exec. I guess it depends on one's perspective. Bethpage Black, Muirfield Village, Pinehurst #2 and Pine Valley are hard especially from the tips. More locally, Copperhead, TPC Sawgrass, and PGA National Champions course are hard. Pelican Executive course in the Villages----not so much. But I suppose one could build and executive course with nothing but replicas of the 9 hardest par 3's over 250 yds. from all around the country and it would be quite hard.

Pelican
 

I like Pelican because I think it's the most difficult executive course in the Villages.

The courses up north are always in top condition because of the distance. Amberwood and Oakleigh are great courses to play. I agree on Pelican being a tough course to play.

It’s all relative, Pelican is hard by Villages Executive golf standards. It certainly doesn’t come close to anything listed above. I like it because it has relatively few homes and nice scenery playing along the backside of Lake Miona (very much like Hibiscus at Cane Garden). I am concerned the course will loose some of its character because the much publicized million dollar mile hiking trail appears to run along part of the course. Trust me, if you get annoyed by pace of play and etiquette at the Villages Championship courses, you won’t be happy at any of the Executives. Playing the Executives requires a different set of expectations and a fair amount of patience. Golf on : )

I have only played one of them and Bethpage is hard from the front tees! If you can't hit it at least 250 off the tee, it is a long day (and I have had some long days on the course). However, I don't think you can compare any course in The Villages to some of the best and hardest courses in the world.

Hard is relative so for your typical Villages' golfer (many of them have taken up the game once they got here), I think that a lot of the courses are hard. From my limited experience, most golfers have trouble breaking 35 on the executive courses. I don't think I have ever played with anyone who has shot under par on an executive course. And I don't think I have ever seen anyone tee off from the back tees!

Really??? That's interesting.

But here's a story then. In 8 years I've played about 4 times on an exec usually with visitors. Last spring my son and 10 year old granddaughter were here so we played Palmetto. I had a letter from my pro certifying that she was OK to play even though she was under 14. The very nice lady at the starter shack was fine with it, but added "this is a level 3 course (whatever that means), so the girl might have trouble even from the front tees". My response was simple---"That shouldn't be a problem since she will be playing the black tees with the rest of us" She shot 34 never using more than a 6 iron.

5 Best Executive courses? "Best" parameters? Longest, hardest, most scenic, narrowest, lots of trees and shade, open field - links style, water, bunkers? What's your golf ability level? If you're an Executive Level 1 (high handicap) golfer, you won't enjoy any Level 4 and many Level 3 courses. A Level 3 or 4 (lower handicap) golfer can still enjoy working on their short game on a Level 1 course. Know your skill level and abilities, pick the course and tees that are best for you and those playing behind you. Know good golf etiquette, play ready golf. Cheers!

Executive courses
 

Best 5 Pelican, Oakleigh, Amberwood, Grey Fox and Turtle Mound

Exec Courses
 

Southern bias

I am asking for the reader's opinion of what is best. My parameter for best - if you knew that this would be the last executive course that you would ever play - what would it be?? Your last round of golf on an executive course - what do you choose?

No bias on my part. I live south of 466A and almost never play north of 466 because of the distance and the fact I am within a fifteen minute cart ride of eighteen courses. When I am in Missouri ( about six months) I play par 72 courses once or twice a week to a fifteen handicap. When in TV I enjoy the quicker, less expensive and fun Executive courses. To each his/her own.

Skill level matters
 

I like Bogart, Volusia, Sarasota, Turtle Mound and De La Vista. I stay away from Pelican, Redfish Run and Belmont. Skill level matters and I enjoy a smooth game that is not too serious. In the final analysis they are all enjoyable but some are better if you walk. Fore!!