Roll Call: Orlando, FL Golfers

Got out to the Winter Park 9 last week for the first time in a few years. Used to play it more often when we had family in Winter Park.

I forgot how fantastic that place is. That course more than any other I think made me fall in love with golf. I love everything about it. The accessibility. The affordability. The location. Certainly the course. The patio under the trees. It’s like a warm handshake beckoning anyone who passes by to stroll out and hit a few shots. Such a cool place. I wish there were more like it.

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bumping this to see if anyone can help. We just had sign ups and will be bringing 7 students with me.

Where are you staying in Orlando? Are you in Orlando or Kissimmee?

Nothing booked yet. Starting the process of trying to book tee times and a hotel.

How many rounds do you want to play?

What is the budget per round?

What is the purpose of the trip?

Dates are January 6-10. Hoping to play 1 round a day, but the 6th will be a travel day so I am going to try and do 9 holes at WP9 after we land. Ideally it would be $100ish per round, but we can flex a bit if we can get out somewhere cool that costs more then the other rounds we would just try and find a cheaper option to balance it out.

Here is our “Course Description” for the trip. We sold it as a play golf and learn about the golf industry.

Come with us to Florida where we will play on a variety of golf courses and learn about the golf industry. Golf is a sport you can enjoy for a lifetime and a wonderful chance to be outside walking with friends. Since COVID, golf has exploded in popularity and with it has come an increased opportunity for employment in the golf industry. The hope of this trip is that you can play some golf and learn more about the various aspects of the industry.

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Coming back to Orlando and trying to fit in an early morning (8 am or earlier) round on 8/24 - the Airbnb is pretty close to falcons fire and they have a pretty good summer rate on golf now(too good, maybe?). Anyone play there recently and can speak to conditions? Or celebration, hawks landing or something in those neck of the woods?

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Can’t speak to the recent conditions but the Falcon’s Fire conditions were hot garbage the last time I played, though it’s been a while.

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Yea it got punched last week, so the rate reflects that. It’s just so close to our Airbnb and I’m on a tight clock that morning, I think I have to take a flyer on it. I enjoyed it back in the day so we’ll see.

Understandable. Well let us know what the condities are like, I like the layout, and would like to play it again if they ever get it in decent shape!

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Hey all. Will be in Orlando in December and I’ve toyed with the idea of trying to get a lesson while I’m down there. Anyone have a recommendation for a coach or facility for a single lesson in the area? Anyone/where to avoid?

Thanks!

I’ve been working with Skip Kendall on my putting for the last year or so and he’s an excellent teacher. He played on tour for years and knows his stuff.

He’s at the Orlando Golf Academy which is at the Marriott Orlando World Center.

https://www.orlandogolfacademy.com/skipkendall

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Yea conditions at falcons fire were pretty rough. We got a lot of rain the night before so I can excuse some drainage issues but it was pretty “let go” in some spots. Overall worth the 40ish rate I paid but wouldn’t go much higher than that.

I’d recommend Mike Bender if you’re willing to pay the premium. There are also other pros at his academy who teach and are less expensive.

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I think Ian Mellor @ Orange County National is a hidden gem talent

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Does anyone want to tee it up at Dubsdread soon in celebration of their 100 year anniversary?

So I absolutely love Mike Bender’s philosophies from what I’ve seen on social media… any idea what those premiums are like though? Lol

Nevermind! Didn’t realize prices were listed, that’s a rarity these days. $1500 for an “intensive” 3 hour session (with 1-3 other students)

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That sounds right. The thing with Bender is whatever rate you first see him at is what you pay for life. His rate has gone up significantly over the years. I have a buddy who grew up getting lessons with him and only pays like $75/hour lol.

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To be fair, I just checked out some other suggestions in the area, and outside of not getting 1:1, the fee isn’t crazy

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