SD, Palm Springs, or Orando

[PelhamRood]

26 minutes ago, hartrick11 said:

I haven't played Barona since Feb so can't speak to current conditions, but it would have to be really really bad for me to consider Mt. Woodson over it. 

The Barona website says that it's only a 9 holer because of drought. I'll call the pro shop tomorrow to see if that's right. What would you play within a half hour of Poway instead? Mt. Woodson looked decent, had good reviews on GN, and the price was nice. I'm staying with a non golfing friend so I want to stay close, considering that one day I'm going out to Rams Hill. But I want to maximize my golf experience, without taking out a second mortgage of course.

[San]

On 12/4/2021 at 10:00 PM, pulledabill said:

Got a week off mid Feb. Researching a golf trip to either Orlando, SD, or Palm Springs. Looks like the warmer weather is Orlando but does anybody have an idea  which area is more affordable considering its high season?  Digging around at all the courses is ming boggling, especially Orlando. Thoughts?

The Orlando area is way cheaper than the other options you mentioned. Years ago I stayed an played at the Mission Hills Resort and it was amazing. They just signed a multi-year agreement with the LPGA, so I imagine the course is in pretty good shape; you can play both courses for less than $70. There are plenty of other courses in the area that are very good as well. Consider Tampa Bay as well, I lived there for a couple of years and there are awesome and affordable courses over there as well.

[PelhamRood]

21 minutes ago, San said:

The Orlando area is way cheaper than the other options you mentioned. Years ago I stayed an played at the Mission Hills Resort and it was amazing. They just signed a multi-year agreement with the LPGA, so I imagine the course is in pretty good shape; you can play both courses for less than $70. There are plenty of other courses in the area that are very good as well. Consider Tampa Bay as well, I lived there for a couple of years and there are awesome and affordable courses over there as well.

I second that. Mission Hills is awesome. I enjoyed Orange County National as well. Two great courses and you can walk out of a no frills but clean hotel room directly onto the putting green across the cart path from the first tee. Immersive golf facility with a short course and extensive practice area.

[pulledabill]

6 hours ago, Joel_M. said:

If you just looking for a warm get away then disregard the below. 
 

The end of Jan and feb at Bandon is the best deal in resort golf, imho. You can get really lucky with weather I have been there twice on my birthday in late jan and had two of my three days sunny and in the 50’s. Obviously you could run into some awful weather too but that can be part of the fun/experience. This is a not so well kept secret of PNW locals. The geography of the coastline and winds at that time of the year can lead to some surprisingly good weather for 1/3 the normal costs. 

I live just 3.5 hours from Bandon but still an option if I want to gamble on weather and tee times. 

[labillyboy]

Desert Dewsweeper is the kind of guy you want to connect with to plan a Palm Springs trip in season...  otherwise you'll be paying top dollar for golf.  

[MDGolfHacker]

If you want to relax in shorts and warm weather, I would think Palm Springs would be a better choice, or somewhere south of Orlando.  I've been to Orlando between the Jan-March time frame and the weather is still usually somewhat chiller and not the warm weather you envision Florida to be.  We've been down there in March where the temps were still in the low 50s.  Not saying I didn't golf  , but if warm weather is what you're also looking for golfing wise, further south in Fl or PS might be a better bet.

 

MDGolfHacker

[hartrick11]

14 hours ago, PelhamRood said:

The Barona website says that it's only a 9 holer because of drought. I'll call the pro shop tomorrow to see if that's right. What would you play within a half hour of Poway instead? Mt. Woodson looked decent, had good reviews on GN, and the price was nice. I'm staying with a non golfing friend so I want to stay close, considering that one day I'm going out to Rams Hill. But I want to maximize my golf experience, without taking out a second mortgage of course.

Hmm if true that would certainly be enough to not venture out to Barona...within 30 mins of Poway, Rancho Bernardo Inn is a decent track and close by. Not as much elevation change as Woodson but in my experience has been in better shape (I play both of those pretty sparingly however). Temecula Creek is another solid track a bit further north. Another option, since you are playing a desert track in Rams Hill and Maderas (not really desert but hilly, boulders, etc.) already, you could switch it up and go to Crossings or Encinitas Ranch for some coastal golf; both have ocean views and are a step below La Costa price-wise (think like $100-120), but more like 40 mins from Poway.

[Kenny B]

15 hours ago, PelhamRood said:

Would you say Barona over Mt. Woodson? I have 3 days in Poway and I'm doing Maderas and Rams Hill for sure. On the fence about Barona because of some negative comments on GN I've seen about conditions. Torrey is out because the PGA stop is that week.

Rams Hill is a great course, but last year I heard that the course suffered from lack of water.  You might want to check current conditions.

If you are driving that far, I would recommend the drive up to Temecula.  Check out Journey at Pechanga and the Arthur Hills designed Cross Creek.  Loved that course.

[chisag]

... Going to the PGA Show so many years and playing for 10 days or so after,  I have several favorites in Orlando. I have had good luck with weather in late January. That said I have had some cold individual days and remember one day where the day time temps were below freezing, but right back in the 60's the next day. 

Orange Lake. For my money this is the hidden gem. I absolutely love the Arnold Palmer Legends course and probably played it more than any other. Bargains can be found on GolfNow. Not a fan of the Reserve course. 

Champions Gate International. One of my favorites when I could find a good price on GolfNow. Not so much a fan of the National course but it is OK. 

Champions Gate CC. As others have said a really nice lay out and a fun course to play.

Orange County National. Greatly prefer Panther Lake but will play Crooked Cat for the right price.

Celebration. If you can find a decent price another favorite of mine. Rates can vary quite a bit, especially for a non resident. 

Grand Cyrpess. It can be pretty pricy if you can't find a time on GolfNow. I enjoyed all the courses but consider the Links course a must play. 

[hartrick11]

1 hour ago, Kenny B said:

Rams Hill is a great course, but last year I heard that the course suffered from lack of water.  You might want to check current conditions.

If you are driving that far, I would recommend the drive up to Temecula.  Check out Journey at Pechanga and the Arthur Hills designed Cross Creek.  Loved that course.

Haven't played Cross Creek yet, but 100% agree re: Pechanga if it's in the budget 

[Kenny B]

11 minutes ago, hartrick11 said:

Haven't played Cross Creek yet, but 100% agree re: Pechanga if it's in the budget 

I was on a trip to San Diego, and saw the name.  I've played Cross Creek GC in Oregon (OK, but not great).  Driving to it off the main road, it looked like I was driving up into the hills to nowhere.  Came over a hill and there it was... no houses!!  I like courses without developments around them.  I'm sure Cross Creek has changed since I played it in 2009.  Inexpensive and a fun to play.  I've played other Arthur Hills courses, and I enjoyed them all.

[Donn lost in San Diego]

San Diego has plenty of good courses.  But California has a crime and road rage problem.  Half of the state is going insane.

[HAC]

On 12/8/2021 at 8:03 PM, JohnFP said:

Agree on the Orlando comments.  Add Hawks Landing, Crow Creek to affordable options.  

Played Hawk's Landing in 2/2020.  Very nice course.  Have played the Celebration course in the past during work trips and was not excited about it.

We were in Palm Springs area a couple of weeks ago.  Stayed at the Marriott Desert Springs Villas I.  Very nice place for a reasonable cost.  Did not play the course there as it seemed overpriced.

  Played a private course called the Lakes with a friend who lives in the Lakes during the winter (he is a member).  Also played Eagle Falls on an Indian Reservation at the Fantasy Springs Casino and Desert Willow (a public course).  At Desert Willow, we played the Firecliff Course, the only one open at the time.  All the courses were absolutely stunning, but the Eagle Falls Course was really exceptional.  It is all the way east, so, depending on where you are staying, it can be somewhat of a drive.  Took me about 1/2 hour to get there.  Might be longer from Palm Springs, not sure.

 

 

Edited December 24, 2021 by HAC

[DoubleBogeyPapi]

On 12/9/2021 at 10:57 AM, Kenny B said:

I was on a trip to San Diego, and saw the name.  I've played Cross Creek GC in Oregon (OK, but not great).  Driving to it off the main road, it looked like I was driving up into the hills to nowhere.  Came over a hill and there it was... no houses!!  I like courses without developments around them.  I'm sure Cross Creek has changed since I played it in 2009.  Inexpensive and a fun to play.  I've played other Arthur Hills courses, and I enjoyed them all.

Nice course in Temecula. The views are spectacular and it's a great layout. Attended a wedding one time and wanted to play it in the future. Unfortunately for me they overbook and I did not even get 2/3 of the way done when I finally made it up there. Have not been back sense. 

Pechanga is an amazing course. Will be playing my 2nd time there this week