9 May

Diamond Hill Golf Club Needs Polishing

Posted by ericrodgers in Tampa Golf Course Reviews. Tagged: , , , , , .

Diamond Hill: 17th hole The 17th hole is uphill par-5 with an open fairway. Favor the left side of fairway. A good drive can get you to the green in two. Don’t overshoot green as a severe drop-off will take your ball.

This past weekend I made the trip with some friends to play Diamond Hill Golf Club.  I’ve wanted to play this course for a while, so I was disappointed that the condition of the course was a little rough. It was difficult to tell where the fairway ended and the rough started. The sand traps on the front 9 had not been raked when we went through, although the traps on the back 9 seemed to be a little better. The tees for the most part were in good shape but not cut, and the same was true with the greens which were also really slow. 

The course has an 18-hole layout with some slight and severe dog legs to both the left and right.  Elevation changes both off the tee and to the greens added some interest. There are 4 sets of tees that ranging from 6800 yards from the tips to just over 5300 yards from the red tees. Water comes into play on only a few holes and, other than a couple fairway bunkers, sand only comes into play on your approach shots to several greens. There are several holes with blind tee shots where we couldn’t see the direction the hole was going. We relied on the group in front of us to see where to hit our tee shots.  We also had a hard time finding yardage markers.

The staff at check in was friendly and the pro shop was small but adequate. There is a driving range, which wasn’t in the best condition, with a putting green and chipping area right beside it. The cart had no GPS but was clean. There are water coolers on both nine’s to keep you hydrated, but there was no beverage cart.

We teed off a little before noon on a Saturday and after passing a slower group in front of us, we got around the course in just under four hours. The price was only $30 plus tax, but due to the conditions, I don’t think it was worth it.

Diamond Hill Golf Course is located 20 minutes from downtown Tampa in Dover, Florida. For more information go to www.diamondhillgolf.net .

24 Apr

Condition Update: Silver Dollar Golf Club

Posted by ericrodgers in Course Condition Updates. Tagged: , , , , .

Silver Dollar: 11th hole

The 11th is a short, straight-forward par 3.

I played Silver Dollar back in February of this year for the first time and found the course enjoyable and in good condition. I went back this weekend with some friends who wanted to check it out after reading my post and hearing me talk about the course.

We played the Gator and Panther nines on our Sunday afternoon round. Silver Dollar has three nines (see my previous post for details: Don’t Mind the Noise at Silver Dollar Golf Club) It had rained the day before and we had early morning intermittent showers on Sunday, so I wasn’t sure how the conditions would be.

Silver Dollar

On the front 9 of the Gator course, standing water in the sand traps was the only condition issue after the previous day's rain.

I was pleased to find the course was still in relatively good shape. It was cart path only on four holes on the Gator nine, but the tees (except for maybe the 11th hole) and the fairways were good. The sand traps however, did have standing water in the majority of them on the Gator nine. The condition of the Panther nine was fine with no issues although the sand was still a little wet. The green’s on both sides were slow, but I’m sure this was due to the rain.

Both my friends said they enjoyed the course and would play it again, as would I. Located about half an  hour from downtown Tampa, it’s a nice public course with a friendly atmosphere and not too much pressure. If you get a chance make a tee time, they have good rates anytime of day or weekend, especially in the late afternoon. For more information go to www.silverdollargolfclub.com

Silver Dollar

Spotted this family of four as we tee'd off on the 5th hole.

15 Apr

Wentworth Golf Club Is Short In Length, But Long On Frustration

Posted by ericrodgers in Tampa Golf Course Reviews. Tagged: , , , , , .

Wentworth: 7th hole

The 7th hole is a straight-away par 3 with sand fronting green. Take tee shot in high to small green.

My friends and I played Wentworth Golf  Club last weekend. For as long as I’ve known it, this has been a private course, locked away behind the gates of the Wentworth community.  Recently the course was bought by Ace Golf, and as of January 1 of last year became semi-private. Wentworth is now open for public play and its members have reciprocal privileges with Crescent Oaks and Pebble Creek Golf Clubs, all owned by the same company.

The course layout takes you through the community of  Wentworth. I had been told that this was a tight course with narrow fairways. Yes and no. The front side, more than the back, had rolling fairways lined with  tall pine and old oak trees, and several well-placed traps to keep you honest. The back nine, which seems to open up a little, still has water and sand, making you think your way around the course.  It’s not a long course, with yardage measuring just under 6500 yards from the tips, to 5000 yards from the front tees, and plays to a par 71.

Overall, the golf course was in great condition. The tee boxes were good except for some minor condition issues on one or two of the back tees.  The fairways and greens were all in good shape. The greens however, are extremely fast if you’re not used to them. Another thing you will notice are the sand traps. Not only are there a lot of them, the sand around the edges was soft with harder sand closer to the middle, which can be tricky around the fast greens. It seems like on every shot you have to contend with the sand coming into play.  My friend said he counted 17 traps on one hole (he may be exaggerating), but course literature says they have 83 bunkers in total, and I believe them.

I really enjoyed playing this course and will play it again. It is a shot-makers course. As it is not a long course, club selection is key for almost  every shot. If you can avoid the sand and adjust to the greens, you’ll find it’s a nice course to play. If not, it could be a frustrating round.

The practice facilities are good.  They have a nice putting green by the clubhouse and 10th tee (I suggest you use it to get used to the speed of the greens) and a chipping and bunker area by the first tee. They also have a small driving range. There is one problem with the range. As I was playing hole 9, I almost got beaned by an errant practice shot and I noticed five or six range balls in the fairway. Be careful and play your tee shot to left center of the fairway.

The staff was friendly, taking our bags upon arrival, and courteous at check-in. The carts are nice, but no GPS or yardage books. There is plenty of water to drink and a beverage cart that comes by. We got around the 18-hole course in under four hours, which is good for a weekend 10:30 tee time and we paid $55.  A little pricey, but each of the courses owned by Ace Golf cross-market the sister properties, so visit the other courses and look at their literature racks for coupons.

Wentworth is located in Tarpon Springs, about a 30 minute drive from downtown Tampa.  For more information on tee times, rates and directions go to www.wentworthgolfclub.org.  Also check out my posts on the sister courses – Pebble Creek and Crescent Oaks.

3 Apr

Condition Update: Hernando Oaks Golf and Country Club

Posted by ericrodgers in Course Condition Updates. Tagged: , , , , , .

Hernando Oaks: Par 3, 7th hole

The 7th is a nice par 3. Tee shot over water to an elevated green with sand short left. Rather long than short here.

I like the course at Hernando Oaks Golf & Country Club, but have not played there since last May. When I had a chance to go this weekend with a few friends, I went expecting a good round. The last time  I played there the course was in good shape. The only down-side was the wet sand traps holding water from heavy rains. Unfortunately, this time I was disappointed.

Teeing it up on Sunday, I saw different conditions than before. Some tees were not in good shape at all, and on several holes you had trouble finding where the fairway stopped and the rough started. Some fairways looked dug up, scattered with holes from hogs or other varmits. The greens also were not in the good condition they had been before. The sand traps were wet and hard but no standing water. Some of the condition problems may be attributed to the rain the day before, but that was the first rain in over a week so it didn’t account for all the problems.

The staff was still friendly and they have a driving range with a putting green (which was a little ragged in spots) next to the first hole. The starter was informative giving us the pin positions and rules for the day. There is water and ice available before your round. The price was $38 dollars for a Sunday morning 8:10  tee time and we got through the course in just under 4 hours.

Overall I was disappointed with the conditions because I really like the course and it’s layout. On my previous visits it has always been in good shape. I know I’ll go back, I just hope next time it’s in a little  better condition. If you’re making a tee time, check to see if the course is wet and the condition of the greens.

Hernando Oaks Golf & Country Club is located in Brooksville on Hwy. 41 about 45 minutes from downtown Tampa.  You can check my previous post for more information or go to their new website address at http://hernandooaksgc.com.

14 Mar

Feather Sound Country Club is Private but Playable

Posted by ericrodgers in Tampa Golf Course Reviews. Tagged: , , , , , .

Feather Sound: 16th hole

The par-4, 16th is a long hole with a slight dog-leg left. Second shot to elevated green.

In addition to a large selection of public and semi-private courses in the Tampa metropolitan area, there are also quite a few luxury private clubs.  If you want to get on these courses, you need to know a member, join a tournament, and sometimes they are accessible using the Paradise Golf Card or through other special promotions.  If you get an opportunity, it’s always fun to play the private courses to see if you’re missing anything.

Last week I played Feather Sound Country Club in Clearwater for the first time. The course is private, but we went with a friend who was going playing the course. It has a nice layout with a variety of open and generous fairways combined with some that are a little tight, with tree-lined fairways requiring the right club choice.  It is not a long course with six tee selections that go from just over 6900 yards to just over 5100, making the course playable for almost all skill levels. But with water coming into play on most holes and well placed fairway bunkers, choosing the right tees will make a big difference on how well you will enjoy your day. 

Feather Sound was in great shape, but being a private club you would expect that. The tees were cut and in good condition as were the fairways. The sand traps were raked and full with sand. The greens were also in good shape but tricky, with some two or three-tiered greens that were large and extremely fast. Getting my ball close to the hole on approach shots was a challenge. My friends enjoyed the course a lot, finding it very beautiful.  I enjoyed the wonderful condition of the course, but did find the found the layout and landscaping pretty typical for a Florida golf course and available on many good public courses in the area. 

The staff was friendly and helpful at sign-in. The practice facilities were good featuring a putting green with several hole locations giving a good idea of what you will face on the course. It also has a nice driving range with range balls and a chipping area. The carts have no GPS,  nor did they have any yardage books which is a little frustrating. You are able to get water with ice before you head out to keep you refreshed.

Our foursome played in just under 4 hours and the price for that day was $45 - not bad for a weekend round at any course, and definitely worth it for a peak at one of the Tampa area’s nicest private courses. Conveniently located 15 minutes from downtown Tampa, if you have an opportunity to play Feather Sound Golf Club, I would grab it. For more information go to www.feathersoundcc.com.

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22 Feb

Don’t Mind the Noise at Silver Dollar Golf Club

Posted by ericrodgers in Tampa Golf Course Reviews. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Silver Dollar - Bobcat: 8th hole

The 8th hole on the Bobcat 9 is a medium-length par 3 with a tee shot over water.

The past two Mondays I played Silver Dollar Golf Club. Located in the rural county of Odessa, you would expect peace and quiet. Unless you golf on a weekend.  It’s not unusual to hear the sounds of gun shots  from the next door Silver Dollar Trap Club at any time, but especially on weekends. If you can block that out, you’re good to go.

Silver Dollar has three really pretty nines to play, the Bobcat, the Gator and the Panther that can be played individually or consecutively. We played the Gator and Panther last week and the Gator and Bobcat this week. The Gator takes you away from the clubhouse and the other courses (and noise distractions) offering a good variety of dog-legs, straight holes both short and long, and even a tricky dog-leg right and then left on the 8th.

The Panther also has a couple of dog-legs, but is more notable for its long par threes and fours, depending on your tee selection. The noise from the Gun Club is most noticeable on the back-side of this nine, holes 14, 17, and 18.

The Gator and Panther nines play to just under 6500 yards from the tips, to 4500 yards from the short tees, but with a few tight fairways and water that can come into play, tee selection is key to how well you will enjoy this course. These two nines are the most used for an 18-hole round.

The Bobcat nine plays from just over 2900 yards to just under 2300 yards. It’s not real long, the starting 1st par is a tough hole which dog-legs right just past the driving range (another distraction), leaving you a long second with trees getting in the way. Other than that, it is a fairly straightforward nine with some holes that are driveable, but trouble lurking keeps you deciding on the smart play.

The conditions of all three nines was good. The tees and fairways were in good shape. The greens, also nice, but a little slow. Maybe because it was later in the afternoon. They don’t have as many sand traps as your average course, but the few they had were raked and in nice condition.

Silver Dollar has a complete practice area with a driving range, two putting greens and a chipping area. The staff  was friendly and the Pro Shop is small but adequate.  The clubhouse bar was busy both days we visited and the atmosphere was very welcoming. 

We played both games at 2:30 in the afternoon and got the twi-light rate of $25 including tax but their rates are pretty good anytime. We finished the Gator and Panther in three hours which is a good pace. When we played the Gator and Bobcat we finished in just under four hours. 

If you can put up with some noise and are looking for some variety and value for your money, Silver Dollar Golf Club is a good choice. For more information www.silverdollargolf.com

16 Feb

Crescent Oaks CC Restored by New Owners

Posted by ericrodgers in Tampa Golf Course Reviews. Tagged: , , , , , .

Crescent Oaks: 3rd hole

The 3rd hole is a medium to long par 3, all carry over water. Favor right side, better long than short.

I’d say that it has been at least 10 years since I played Crescent Oaks Country Club. It was private at the time, but I got on with a member and the course was in good shape then. Since the course was private, I never had an opportunity to play it again until now. Crescent Oaks closed down back in November of 2010 and was sold. After a major over-haul it re-opened in October of 2011 as a semi-private course, allowing public play.

The course winds through a gated community and features several holes with dog-legs, and many more with water hazards. On 14 of  18 holes, water can come into to play with drives, lay ups and forced carries, making these hazards a challenge from anywhere on the course. Straight and accurate drives are required to avoid the hazards and negotiate tight fairways.  Many of your second and third shots will also prove tricky. About average in length, the course boasts 7 sets of tees ranging from 5150 yards to just over 6900. 

Considering Crescent Oaks recently re-opened, and the time of year, the course was in good condition. The tee boxes were in good shape, as were the fairways and greens. The sand traps, clustered sporadically along the course, were in decent shape and raked. I think with a little more time, and the arrival of spring, they should be able to further improve the course condition. 

Our Saturday noon tee time was as early as we could get with members getting preferred tee times between 8 and noon. The pace-of-play was decent and in spite of being paired with two golfers who ‘just wanted to have fun,’ we managed to get through in just over 4 hours. Although it was a cold and windy day, I enjoyed the round and look forward to playing it again in better weather.

The price was $40, but we had a coupon for $5 off so it was $35 plus tax which is a good price for a semi-private course. There is a driving range for pre-round warm-ups, a chipping and bunker area to practice your short game, and a putting green by the first tee behind the range. Friendly staff at the fully stocked Pro Shop offered water with cups of ice to hydrate before the round, and water is also available on the course.

Now that the course is open to the public, I think it’s a new must-play for the Tampa area. Located in Tarpon Springs, it takes around 30 minutes to get there from downtown.  For more information go to www.crescentoaksgolf.com

2 Feb

New and Notable at the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show

Posted by ericrodgers in Equipment News & Info. Tagged: , , , , .

PGA Merchandise Show 2012 - opening ceremony

PGA Merchandise Show 2012 - opening ceremony

Hotel reservations; check. Pen and paper; check. Comfortable shoes; Check.

I attended the 59th PGA Merchandise  Show last week in Orlando, and after thinking I had everything on my checklist, I realized I was lacking the most important thing - time. To see as much as possible, I mapped out a plan of attack , because with 1000 companies taking up 22 acres of floor space, time was at a premium. You can’t see it all. Everything related to golf was represented; clubs, tees, balls, simulators, GPS gadgets, hats, shirts, shoes – you name it. 

PGA Merchandise Show 2012 - Cobra Puma party

PGA Merchandise Show 2012 - Cobra Puma party

The youth movement was led by (orange) Cobra Puma, busy with its new (orange) line of golf equipment and clothing. We attended a party at the Cobra Puma booth Thursday evening and were treated to free (orange) beer and drinks.  Very refreshing. We left thinking that these kids probably golf in the summer and snowboard in the winter.

We visited other club manufacturers and were overwhelmed by the many different clubs, shafts and grips available.  There were forty booths alone for indoor equipment testing. This is where I was told that my Mizuno clubs of 3 years are now considered old. Luke Donald has moved on. That was a downer.

PGA Merchandise Show 2012 - i'm Caddie

PGA Merchandise Show 2012 - i'm Caddie

After making our way through the equipment booths, there was still so much more to see. There are tees that promise to add yardage to your game, or stop your slice or hook. There are training aids both virtual and not, to help better your game. There are over fifteen different yardage devices, from the laser rangefinder to the hand-held GPS, and now there are ones that you can clip to your hat and tell you the yardage. One of the more stylish versions is called i’m Caddie (www.iamcaddie.com) launching in March and retailing for between $120 and $170. I didn’t know I needed that.

 

In the Inventor’s  Spotlight, we found Golf-Link Travel Clubs (www.golflinktravelclubs.com). Perfect for travel, the set consists of one shaft with a quick release mechanism that accepts the heads for 14 clubs. It comes in a light

PGA Merchandise Show 2012 - Golf-Link Travel Clubs

PGA Merchandise Show 2012 - Golf-Link Travel Clubs

weight carrying case with its own stand. The set isn’t in production yet, but the company is thinking of a price tag between $900 and $1,200.  Interesting product, but I hope they come down on the price.

Some products were just practical.  My favorite in this category also won Best New Product, and is the Golf Rules Quick Reference.  This small, durable, easy to use rules book, is tabbed, color coded, and illustrated. Very handy when you need a quick ruling and don’t want to wade through the 180 page rules book. These books are available for $12.95 at some retail outlets, and you can order them off their website at www.golfrulesmadeeasy.com.  They also have an iPhone app that retails for $10.00.

An honorable mention should go to Club Mate (www.clubmatepro.com). This small family company has produced a sturdy, ergonomic, non-invasive club stand.  Powder coated to prevent damage to bags, this stand handily holds your clubs off the ground, dry and in your sight. In addition to being useful, $1.00 of each $19.99 purchase price goes to a charity that you choose by the color of your stand.  A pink stand sends your donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, green to the ASPCA, yellow contributes to St. Jude and white dollars go to the Sunshine Foundation. Practical and philanthropic. Perfect.

There is so much to talk about, I’ll be posting more information about the show and its products over the next few weeks.

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1 Feb

Condition Update: Quail Hollow Golf Course

Posted by ericrodgers in Course Condition Updates. Tagged: , , , , , .

Quail Hollow: 10th hole

The 10th hole is a straight-away par 4. With water down left, stay right where the fairway is more open.

I played Quail Hollow Golf Course again this past weekend. I last played this course in early December and enjoyed the course and conditions. For more details, see my post: Quail Hollow Golf Course Reopened.

This time was no different. The tees, fairways and greens were still in good condition as were the sand traps throughout the course. As an added benefit, in spite of it being a busy Saturday mid-morning, we got around the course in just over 4 hours. This was due to the Rangers posted on both nines to keep the pace of play moving. It was nice to avoid another five-hour round. 

On the minus side, the price was a little higher at $38, but this is to be expected in Florida winters, especially on weekends.

If you get a chance I still recommend you give it a try. With a more open front side and little narrower back side you should find this a challenge for all skill levels. For more information on tee times, rates and directions go to www.quailhollownow.com.

24 Jan

The Unique Dunes Golf Club Lives Up to Its Name

Posted by ericrodgers in Tampa Golf Course Reviews. Tagged: , , , , , .

The Dunes: 9th hole

The 9th hole is a short par 4 with a waste area down left. Aiming at center trap leaves a short iron to green.

I haven’t played The Dunes Golf Club in years – since before the course was revamped in 2008 – so I thought I’d give it another try. Located in the unique sand hills of West Central Florida, the course features sand, sand, and more sand.  As the Starter said, the course is called The Dunes for a reason. There are natural sand traps and waste areas on every hole. When I say waste areas and sand traps, I mean sand can become a factor on every shot you take. There is only one hole with a water hazard.  

The course has a magnificent layout that takes you through the natural terrain of dunes and grasses. Tall pines shape the rolling, open fairways, and elevation changes separate this course from many others in the Bay area. The greens are large and undulating with several that have two or three tiers, making any putt tricky. Another thing that makes this course unique is the lack of houses, except for two or three holes where houses can be seen, but I doubt if they would ever come into play. 

The Dunes has 5 sets of tees that range from 5000 to 7200 yards. There are tee recommendations for your skill level, and to enjoy the course more, you should choose wisely. The course was in great shape. The tee boxes and fairways were all  nicely cut and in good condition as were all the greens. The sand traps were raked and even the waste areas were smoothed out  thanks to courteous golfers.

The staff was very friendly and helpful from the Starter to the Ranger that patrolled the course to keep play moving. There is a large driving range with several target greens to practice your yardage. It also has a nice chipping and sand practice area as well as a good-sized putting green, which is also muli-tiered so you can practice the putts you might see on the course. 

The carts are new, but there is no GPS, although they have yardage books and each scorecard has a hole description with tips on how to best play the hole. Pace of play was decent; we had a twosome and played in just under 4 hours, which was good for a Saturday morning. We had a two for one coupon and paid $35, which is a great deal for this course.  Check ahead as they also have many other discounts.

The Dunes Golf  Club is located in Weeki Wachee, a little over an hour from Tampa International Airport. I highly recommend that you take a day and make the drive as you will have an excellent experience on the course. For more information, directions, and tee times check out www.dunesgolfclub.com.

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