Golf Course Advice
 

My wife and I will be spending January and February in the Villages and we plan to play the executive and championship courses. However, when friends visit we may not be able to get a t-time on a Villages championship course on short notice. Could someone recommend a couple of nice courses outside of TV for these instances.

When I'm there, I've enjoyed Stonecrest, just north of Orange Blossom Village. It has some interesting elevation changes on the back nine that you don't get to see on the relatively flat courses in The Villages.

Go to golflink.com and search for courses near the TV zip code, 32162. You will find 20-some courses within a half-hour drive. There are a few poor ones and a few fancy ones, but most are average to above. Continental and the Spruce Creek Preserve are favorites because often they have a shotgun start day. If you have a foursome you can register a few days ahead and pay only $20-25 each. Baseline is a beautiful, mostly par-3 course which takes no reservations, so you can get on with little or no wait. If you make a list ahead of time, you will probably be able to get a desirable January-March tee time with a single phone call.

Baseline Golf Course just maybe 12 miles north on Baseline Road near Belleview is a tremendously beautiful golf course... one of the nicest courses in the area. It is not considered a championship course because many of the holes are too short but it is much longer and more difficult than an executive course with 19 holes. IMHO, I think it would be well worth a visit.

deano, if u haven't seen elevation changes in TV you haven't played Truman, Roosevelt or Havana. mobruce, if u want to play off the reservation for an economical price try Miona Lake, Lakes of Lady Lake or Spruce Creek South, if u need more info send me a PM, i can recommend many more....GN

Deer Island in Mt Dora is a great off reservation course. Then have lunch in Mt Dora after playing. Goblin Market, Cecile's, or Pisces Rising.

Clerbrook in Clermont is an interesting course, par 67, just over 5100 yards. The big challenge is water on 17 of the 18 holes.

Even if you don't go to play golf there, Mt Dora is worth the visit, Goblin Market is one of our favorite places.

Baseline is great but MIND your speed on Baseline Road as it is a major speed trap. Also try El Diablo near Ocala and then do dinner at Stumpknockers. make a reservation at Stumpknockers'

Ooper, I guess you haven't played Pelican, its a Executive course but I know you won't par it, its one of the toughest in the Villages.

Best golf outside villages
 

Del Webbs Spruce Creek about 10 miles north on 27/441 across from famous Flee Market.:thumbup::thumbup:

Depends what tees she uses, Mr. D.:thumbup:

Corrected your post.

(Markets of Marion are a few miles further North of Spruce Creek)


.

When I want to play a championship course on short notice I check the unreserved tee times. You can usually find unreserved times within three days of when you want to play. Just need to be flexible about course and time.