Florida winter golf getaway - course recommendations?

[bbbrisco]

Winters here in Canada suck, so I'm thinking of dipping into the piggy-bank for a trip down to Florida (or somewhere warm), perhaps from Jan 15 until April 15 or so. This will be a 3 month sabbatical to work on my game and perhaps work on conditioning. Does anyone have any recommendations for courses or areas to look at?

My normal routine will likely be playing 3-4 times a week, with long range/short game sessions on off days.

Ideally, I'd love an area with the following:
- an affordable course within 30 mins drive
- bonus points if course is walkable and actually allow walking (afternoons only is fine)
- even better if they have monthly membership rates or something for snowbirds
- a decent range and short game practice facilities within a short drive
- bonus points if the range has an affordable membership so I don't have to pay for every bucket
- affordable furnished rental accomdations (worst case I'll suffer with an extended stay hotel or something)
- decent gym within a short drive

I'm not real picky about a home course, as long as it's not an affront to the golfing senses. I figure there are enough quality courses in FL that I can always find something to splurge on within an hours drive.

I did this a few years ago and chose Lake Mary, which worked out ok. My biggest issue was that pretty much every course I found was carts only, and I really prefer to walk. So now I'd like to search a little more and perhaps find something better.

Since this is long enough already, if I find candidates I'll reply to my own post in case anyone has input on a specific course.

Thanks!

[Richie3Jack]

I would probably recommend Duran Golf Club in the Melbourne/Viera area. It's on the coast, about 15 minutes south of Cape Canaveral.

The area is very nice. There's a spring training baseball stadium there and there are a lot of shops and restaurants in the area.

They offer a 3 month membership. They also have a range membership. I'm pretty sure you can walk the course if you choose to and it's a pretty easy walk. The tips play to about 7,200 yards and the course is usually in good condition.

In fact, come November I plan on becoming a range member there. Their range is open until 9pm as it is a lighted range.


Other than that, tough to pick them because many don't allow for walking or they are expensive.

I would probably recommend Rio Pinar CC in Orlando. The area isn't that nice anymore, but the course was recently re-done and it was where they used to hold the PGA Tour's Citrus Open at. Very old school and walking is allowed. And you can go about 15 minutes away to find nice apartments for rent.


LPGA International may be worth the look. I think Rio and LPGA may offer 6-month memberships opposed to Duran's 3-month membership deal.

I would also check out Tuscawilla CC in Winter Park. Although I'm not sure if they offer a seasonal membership.

Lastly, I know La Cita in Titusville offers a seasonal membership. I am pretty sure there are furnished condos in the area. Although the area outside the immediate country club is not very nice. I also don't know of any gyms and the range is not very good.


The web sites are:

www.durangolf.com

www.riopinar.com

www.lpgainternational.com

www.tuscawillacc.com

www.lacitacc.com


As far as furnished apartments, they may be tough to come by. You are probably going to have to look for houses or condos.







3JACK

[Richie3Jack]

And I'm sure you probably know this...but if you can't find a course that is to your liking you can always use GolfNow which is excellent.

The real issue is that it's not easy to find range memberships only and that can hammer your wallet. That's why the Duran deal is quite good.






3JACK