The conversation was about Executive Courses in the Villages. My point is, if you are a ‘better/more experienced golfer” and want to play an executive FOR FUN, Pelican is a nice choice.
I played Pelican in March with a guy from Ohio, with an single digit index. I also played another time with a golf pro from Canada (he plays executives every morning with his wife). Both times, we had a great time.

Feel free to start a thread about the top 5 toughest/nicest courses in the country.

In what way is Pelican like a Championship course?

I've shot under par on several executive courses and I usually play the back tees. But I'm 70 years old and I've had a lot of serious injuries and a couple of serious illnesses not too long ago. My ability to hit the ball a long way and my overall skills have diminished. I hardly play anymore because I'm still recuperating.

I don't know why people are bringing up places like Bethpage Black and other great courses. That has nothing to do with the subject. I've played many of the world's great courses and I've played some in competition. But this thread is asking about the best executive courses in The Villages.

Many people have answered by naming what they think are the toughest courses. To me, that means nothing. To me, the best courses are the most enjoyable. Sometimes the easiest courses can be the most enjoyable. And in competition, the easiest courses can be the hardest.

I'd rather play a course that is in great condition and has nice views than a course that is in terrible shape but is difficult.

As far as Pelican goes, there are too many blind shots for me and it was in terrible condition the times that I've played it. It's simply not enjoyable. Is it the most difficult? I'm not sure. I think I shot a couple over from the back tees. I found Grey Fox to be the most difficult simply because of it's length. I played about three holes from the back tees and then moved up. It's not enjoyable for me to be hitting woods into par threes.

My favorites are Grey Fox, Volusia, Low lands, Sweetgum and when I want a confidence boost, El Santiago.

Sweetgum, Bacall, Amberwood, Heron, Tarpon Boil - in no particular order. Not a pro but decent golfer, these are the courses that I find enjoyable to play because of their layouts and views. I also like Pelican, except for the second par 4 over the marsh. It's a par 4 with no defined fairway from the teebox, that irks me.

I just finished all executive courses in the villages and now attempting the rest of the championships courses I haven't played.
Championship courses are too expensive for me. But as I was going there are some really nice exec courses.
To me I agree with some people.
Yankee Clipper, Sweet Gum, Oakleigh, Amberwood, Maybe Truman and Roosevelt at the top
Pelican, Red Fox, Turtle Mound, Loblolly, Chula Vista, Sand Hill are at the bottom for me.

I play championship during the week so on the weekend I like to relax- I've had enough punishment , so El Santiago is my first choice. Just played it a few days ago and the greens were in fantastic shape, they just aerated them. The greens are large too with little slope. I always play from the black tees.
I love the way the course gradually gets harder. The first hole is a sandwedge, the next four holes are a pitching wedge, then an eight iron, seven iron, seven iron, and finally a six iron. No water to speak of, or woods, so you'll never lose a ball.
After El Santiago, there's Truman, Amberwood, Saddlebrook, Briarwood.
The worst course is De la Vista. The greens suck, not only are they small and twisted they're in terrible shape. I still like playing the course, for some reason.

It’s not the PGA, play to have fun. Play pace so your not behind. Who cares about hitting two tee shots if you’re not holding up play.

El Santiago is fun but not serious golf. Not long back I shot 2 under par on it (not hard with those dinner-plate - sized holes) and then got rudely awakened the next day on El Diablo.

Anyway, for better or worse...

MOST CHALLENGING: El Diablo. Lives up (or down) to its name. Fun to play because I never expect to do well on it, so am pleasantly surprised from time to time.

PRETTIEST: Chula Vista. Lots of trees and water. Love the fourth hole where you have to drive over that pond. Not exceptionally challenging except the par-4 eighth hole.

MOST FRUSTRATING: Saddlebrook. Played a round there last month and out of 9 drives I hit EIGHT sand traps. Did get a hole in one there once though, so that sort of makes up for it.

UGLIEST: Silver Lake. First time I played it I commented on it's rather odd layout and proximity to houses. On one the holes (can't remember which one) my wife swatted a drive off a tree in a guy's yard. He was on a ladder doing something or other at the time. I asked him if he minded if we collected my wife's ball. He had no problem with it. While in his yard I observed that his windows were at risk. He grinned, rapped on one and said "Plexiglas!".

MOST BORING: Hawke's Bay. Looks like a pasture.

Thank you. I live south of 44 but I am attempting to play some of the north of 466 courses. This will help out!

Darn we are lucky to have so many choices! Some good, some bad.

Well... no... There would only be 5 in the bottom 5. Hence the name "Bottom 5". :)

I carry 6 clubs 60 54 pw 8i 6i putter, I can assure you pelican from the black tees is a challenge with these clubs.

Give it a try.

jim

Since posting this in July, I have played about 10 executive courses for the first time. Most were north of 466. Lots of courses north of 466!! Hopefully will have played all of the execs by Easter. 44 courses is a lot!!! You can play a different course every week for almost a year!

And I did play pelican based on the recommendations.

I can assure you pelican from the front tees is a challenge!

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

You have to love Pelican! My 1st course played years ago. Not for the faint of heart.

And you didn't quit??? If that was my first experience, I probably would have stopped playing golf!

Great course. You just need to be able to get the ball in the air! Playing from back tees will improve your game.

So you must be a single digit....
 

handicap player...or you just like name dropping. So state champ? North/south champ? quarterfinalist in US am? Or just a wishful thinker?

No! Playing from the back tees will NOT improve your game...
 

it's actually detrimental to game improvement if you have a poor game to begin with. No one really needs the back tees unless they par or birdie most of them. The practice area is the place for game improvement and then it's a test to see if you can bring the range game to the course.

I see waaaay to many men and women play from the tips. They rarely reach the green in regulation and only embarrass themselves in the process. The course is where you put all the practice hard work to the test.

Only someone who "plays" at golf and not a "golfer" would even suggest making it harder makes you better.

Definitely agree with you ! Can't be done without making it clear if they are asking about the design, or which are in top condition. As to design (interesting play) I'd say Yankee and S. Star, Truman, Pelican, for less challenge but we think interesting designs we enjoy; Tarpon & Sarasota. But, it is hard to choose.

"Golf Snob"...
 

is a term rarely used here in the villages, but I guess there will always be some folks who think their opinion(based on their experiences)is the last WORD. It's unfortunate that the game is supposed to teach us to be humble lest we upset the golf gods and be damned with an unpredictable case of the shanks or yips.

I don't think a person who keeps name dropping famous courses is anything but the opposite of what they portray.

There are many fine golfers here in the villages. I've played with few. none are braggarts or put down the value of exec. courses.

Wow! Nice post, IF you had the slightest idea what you were talking about, and obviously you don't. Is it being suggested that I must apologize for the courses I've played across the country, or that I mentioned them in the context posed which was "difficult courses", or both??????
Or should I apologize for my granddaughter, who is on track to be better than I ever was----Oh, yeah---I told that story because YOU stated you never saw ANYONE play from the black tees.
And I never "bragged" about myself, but we all "brag" about our grandchildren.
But as far as opinion goes, I agree that I have a low opinion of exec courses---rarely need more than a wedge and a putter and their condition is usually terrible---but, as you said that's my opinion