Golf outside the bubble
 

Have guests visiting end of March. Looking for nicest golf courses outside of the bubble.

Depends on how far you want to go

Juliette Falls in Dunnellon
CC of Ocala
Black Bear in Eustis
El Campion at Mission Inn

and many others

Cabot Citrus Farms (the former World Woods) might open some day. So far, they're about a year behind the original schedule, but I think they'll make June - July, for at least part of the facility.

Deer Island Country Club, Tavaras, very nice scenery
Home - Deer Island Country Club

Country Club of Mt Dora, off 441
Country Club of Mt. Dora

As Golfing eagles mentioned, El Campeon is the championship course at Mission Inn
and there is a second one, which is not as tough.
https://missioninnresort.com/

Want to go competitive, then go to Orange National, which has hosted many PGA qualifiers. . .
Home - Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge

have fun! its better golfing outsie the bubble, and the prices might just be better during the week.

Cabot Citrus Farms is NOT behind schedule. It’s been open for a month. The former Pine Barrens, now named Karoo is fabulous…$210 includes tax and cart. The second course is expected to open June-ish. You won’t recognize, in a good way, the quality. Half the distance from the Bubble compared to Streamsong, less costly, and best challenge.

Tee times a bit hard to come by.

They were originally supposed to open last year. That said, I didn't know the former Pine Barrens was actually open. I'm on their mailing list, but the last thing I got from them, was last December. They said there were "limited tee times" available, at a non-specific date in the future. Apparently the future is now?

I had a World Woods "membership" thingie for about 5 years, when I lived in Trinity. Typically, it was between $27-$50 to play. Although at one point, it got ridiculously cheap. I paid $17 to play it once and that came with a hot dog & coke. Things have changed a lot in 10 years, huh?

How does Cabot Citrus compare with Streamsong, other than being 1/2 the price?

Thanks for the info.

It’s half the DISTANCE, not half the price.

Each driving range station has personal golf tracker, unlimited balls, no extra fee.
Practice putting green the “size of Rhode Island” including 18 hole putting course complete with “tees and pin flags”.

Greens completely re-modeled, 10,000 square feet each, running 10.5 stemp, buried elephants create extraordinary putting opportunities.

Really? Care to rethink that? Hint: It is about 1/2 the distance.

Current pricing at Streamsong:

Green fee---$419 not including cart fee of $35pp and group caddy fee of $45pp and caddy tip= $499 + tip and maybe tax

Resort guests are $319

So, in retrospect you were correct: It's NOT 1/2 the price, it's LESS THAN 1/2 the price:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Juliette Falls is by far the best course in this list. Played Black Bear recently, and it wasn't in very good shape.

Lake Jovita is the best course I've played within an hour of The Villages. It's a bit pricey in the morning, but after 1pm the price drops to a reasonable amount.

Streamsong's Green Fees have gone through the roof and they're no longer "walking courses".

I played both the original courses (Red & Blue), the day before they opened to the public, which I think was December 26, 2012. It was a nearly $1000 day. $250/each course. $150/round/caddy. $52 hamburger & a couple of odds & ends. Back in 2012, money was like ... real money.

Their 2nd or 3rd year, when business got slow, Greens Fees in the summer for Florida residents, was $75-$100. That was a sweet deal and I played it few times. Coolest round I ever had there, was playing the Black on Easter Sunday, back in 2019. 4 cars in the parking lot when I got there. It was pretty cool to have the entire facility to ourselves. 37 Putts wasn't good.

I just looked up my scores from Streamsong. Freekin' putting is tough. I played Red & Black one day in March of 2013. 40 Putts on the Red, 34 on the Blue.

heh heh -> your still an amateur!

:evil6:

Why go outside the bubble? Today's Villages Magazine has a headline on cover that says "Golfer's Paradise Continues to Grow". I assume Paradise refers to TV....and what can be better than Paradise?

Agree, Glenview especially. Would be a $150 a round course if in the Orlando area. Others mentioned Lake Jovita. Played it in November 2023 and Glenview was in better shape.

$150 for Glenview in Orlando? If that was Fee, the course would be empty.

Glenview may have been close to Lake Jovita condition last November, but it surely isn't now.

The problem with LJ, is it used to be private (or mostly private) and the members don't like the unwashed masses, playing their golf course. Some of the worst DB's I've ever run across at a golf course. Although I admit, it's fairly prevalent with courses that had to change direction, when the golf boom ended 15 years ago.

They are good courses. They used to host PGA 2nd Stage Qualifying.

I guess the editors haven't been reading about many of the course conditions around here.

:blahblahblah:
I guess my sarcasm wasn't clear enough.

For a fun day on a short course that’s not expensive for very well maintained Base Line in Ocala

Baseline is a fun little course. The only drawback is that they don’t take T-times, you pay and then you get in line to tee off. That wait can be quite long. You can’t see how long the wait is until after you pay because the #1 tee box is around the bend and out of view from the club house. They have a sign by the cash register stating No Refunds. I suspect folks have paid for a round and once they see how long the wait is, have gone back to request a refund.

Without a doubt Baseline is the most beautiful in our area. It’s a relatively short 18 hole golf course, very nice landscaping throughout.

Hour Wait
 

Yes, the two time I played I waited an hour to tee off. Both time were 11a or so. It is a very nice short course.

gutted pic on their site
 

Baseline is gorgeous! Just played it

There's nothing wrong with golf inside TV if you are selective on any given month. For example, it's a known fact every winter...literally every winter...Havana takes a dump, so just avoid it in the mid to late winter months. Right now Southern Oaks is pristine as is Tierra del Sol, but that may change a bit in a month...users need to keep on top of conditions and play the best courses. Keep in mind it's still winter and grass does not grow well in winter...all courses will have some troubles during the winter months...fact of life.

Been here since 2007, have HAD to play outside The Villages. In all I have not found anywhere better than The Villages Championship Courses. Unless it’s the cost, but save your gas money!