[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

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?

Augusta National. OOPS----right answer to the wrong question

[Babubhat]

Always an available Pelican tee time. It speaks for itself

[44Apple]

Amberwood, Oakleigh, Hawkes Bay, Yankee Clipper, and Turtle Mound.

[sheena0904]

This is a great thread. Love seeing everyone’s opinions!

[Tvflguy]

I love almost any of the Exec courses that have a par four too.

My tops are Volusia (the 3rd hole par 4) is great fun. This is the one where you can’t see the green from tee boxes, and the folks ahead are to ring a big gong bell when they are on the green for a go ahead ok to drive signal.

Bacall has two nice par 4s.

Sandhill is also quite good.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by Lottoguy

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.

Agree on the north courses. They are in the best shape and not hard getting a tee time in the season. Best greens(executive) in TV.

[psgolf@comcast.net]

Yankee clipper, Roosevelt, Bacall , Pelican , palmetto

[coconutmama]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Always an available Pelican tee time. It speaks for itself

I like Pelican when the bushes are trimmed back. Yes, I am a sissy!

If I could only play one more executive course here, I think it would be Sweetgum. Nice par 4. Pretty course.

[Bay Kid]

We are so blessed to have so many. My hardest part is picking which one to play.

[grayesun]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

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?

Amberwood, Mira Mesa, Pelican, Roosevelt and maybe Sweetgum.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

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.

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.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Vikingjunior

I like Pelican also because it's the closest thing to a Championship course without the green fees.

In what way is Pelican like a Championship course?

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

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!

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.

[charmed59]

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

[laboutj]

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.