Shingle Creek Golf Club — Attraction in Oak Ridge

If you haven’t played Shingle Creek Golf Club in Orlando in a few years, you’re in for a rude awakening; but it’s all good. If this is your first time playing the course, you’ll absolutely love it!

In 2016, the golf course underwent a complete renovation. Some holes were remodeled, other holes were rerouted and new holes were added. The result is a golf course that is a lot more player friendly and every bit – if not more – beautiful than it was in its original state.

Before your round, be sure to take advantage of the well laid out practice facility which is included with your greens fee. The practice area has a spacious driving range where you can hit every club in your bag to your heart’s content, a short game area with a practice bunker and a good-sized practice putting green.

Although the fairways at Shingle Creek are, for the most part, wide and provide generous landing areas, they have a lot of roll to them which can create challenging lies. The greens put fast and true, some with dramatic sloping from back to front. Even a short putt can have plenty of break.

Some of the most memorable holes on the golf course are the par 5s. It all starts on the 2nd, known as Ismael’s Gift, which plays 506 yards from the Blue Tees. Depending on how far you can hit the ball off the tee, you may want to consider trying to carry the coquina shelled bunker that protects the left side of the fairway. Not only is it the shortest distance to the green, it also sets up the best angle into it. Beware of the pot bunker that occupies the middle of the fairway about 60 yards short the green. Your pitch shot will require a deft touch; the green has a large false front on and the rest slopes towards the back.

The 8th hole, Handshake, was one of the reconfigured holes. It was lengthened tremendously and now plays over 600 yards from the back tees, easily the longest hole on the course. Playing down the right side is definitely shorter and the closer you pay to the lake, the easier your next shot becomes. A word of advice: Play down the left side for a front left pin placement.

The first par 5 on the back nine is Number 13, nicknamed Skillit. This 570-yard par 5 is one of the new holes and brings a canal into play down the left side. The big decision on Skillit is on the 2nd shot: play short, play left or carry the fairway bunkers. Successful navigation of your second shot will leave a delicate pitch shot into a deep narrow green with the canal to the left. Miss the green right and you’ll leave yourself a challenging up and down. Miss it left and simply finding your ball can be an arduous chore.

Number 16, Emma, is a reachable par 5 that plays 447 yards from the Blue Tees and offers a lot of room off the tee. Success on Emma is determined with your approach shot. There’s a small mound that juts into the front center of the green and separates it in two. You’ll want to find the side of the green the pin is on with your approach shot in order to avoid a challenging recovery.

Another hole worth mentioning is Number 14, is a short risk/reward par 4, aptly named Roulette, that plays 276 yards from the Blue Tees. A well struck tee shot can easily reach the green, but with water making up the entire left side, you have to ask yourself: “Do I feel lucky?” Plus, there’s a nasty little pot bunker guarding the front of the green.

Last Word: What you’ll now find at Shingle Creek is a course that is a lot more forgiving and player friendly for the average player, yet a lot more challenging for the skilled golfer. This is because of the thought process now involved in playing the course at a high level. The average golfer can come out and take advantage of the wider fairways off the tees, and the long par 4 and 5 holes provide ample opportunity to recover from an errant shot. The skilled player will now be required to bring their “A” game, one that is a lot more exacting if he/she wants to post...

I had the pleasure of attending the Greens for Hoops event this past April at Shingle Creek Golf Club, and I’m truly grateful for such an unforgettable day. From the moment we arrived, the setting was stunning lush fairways, winding creeks, and immaculate landscaping made it a beautiful backdrop for a girls’ basketball fundraising event.

Navigating there was easy; I used Google Maps to find the course at 9939 Universal Boulevard in Orlando, and it’s very centrally located just minutes from Orlando’s major attractions like the convention center, International Drive, and the theme parks.

Parking was smooth and convenient (no long walks or hidden lots), and once I stepped into the clubhouse and pro shop area, it already felt like a top-tier venue. The staff greeted us warmly, and the whole event ran seamlessly. The service throughout the course was excellent from beverage carts to marshals, everyone was friendly, attentive, and professional.

As for the course itself wow. Shingle Creek is an 18-hole, par-72 championship layout, designed under the Arnold Palmer Design Company banner, featuring rolling terrain, strategic bunkering, and water hazards on more than half the holes. The greens are often fast, undulating, and challenging so they’re fun for golfers who like to test their putting skills. Many holes force you to make smart, risk/reward decisions, which keeps the round engaging.

I should note: on busy days, rounds may take longer than expected (especially in the back nine), but given how busy and well attended the event was, that’s understandable.

Shingle Creek operates as a public / resort-style course, so you don’t have to be a private member to enjoy it. But they offer a Loyalty / Driver’s Club program (for local residents) that provides perks like a free round upon joining, discounted greens and guest fees, USGA/GHIN handicap service, and discounts on food, merchandise, and lessons.

If you stay overnight, Rosen Shingle Creek offers a “Stay & Play” package (you stay in their resort and play rounds at the course) great for combining golf with Orlando’s other attractions.

Surrounding amenities and food options are also quite strong, thanks to the resort infrastructure. The clubhouse and course-side food & beverage services are solid, and the proximity to dining, entertainment, and lodging in the International Drive area means you’re never far from something to eat or do after your round.

In short: Greens for Hoops at Shingle Creek delivered in every way from the venue to the course to the people. I will absolutely return next year (and even solo) just to enjoy the experience all over again. Highly recommended for event organizers, charity tournaments, or anyone wanting to enjoy a top-flight round in...

All the staff working at the club were very attentive and made me feel like they appreciated that I was golfing there. While the practice facility was fairly well used, it was definitely adequate for warming up to play a round of golf. The practice tees we're fairly worn. The practice greens putted consistent with the course greens.

I can't say that the course was in great condition. Some holes were spot on and on some holes the fairways were burned. For the most part, the greens were in good condition. I paid $99 for my round of golf.

My biggest concern was that the pace of play was brutal. I walked off the course after 13 holes and after three hours and 15 minutes of painfully slow play. According to the GPS system, had I continued to play, my round would have taken over six hours. Six hours!

When I returned to the clubhouse, I spoke with the manager. He was surprised to learn that I had been on the course that long. He asked me if I had seen a player assistant. I told him that I had not seen anybody on the course policing the pace of play. He apologized and said that he would review the issues with the staff. He gave me a discount on my round of golf of 50%. He said that if I came back to play another round he would do something about the price. This is why I give this course one star. In my opinion, he should have completely removed the cost of the round from my account and should have comped me for another round of golf for such a painful experience. If I had played a 4 1/2 to 5 hour round of golf I could understand a 50% discount. However a six hour plus round of golf is inexcusable.

I'm not sure if any other course would've done anything differently. However, in a competitive environment, you stand out by showing your customers you can do better than the competition. That's how you keep people coming back- hopefully for a faster round...