FALCONS FIRE GOLF CLUB (407-239-5445)
Florida Golf Course Review
Falcons Fire has been a regional qualifying site for the Senior PGA Tour and has received numerous recognitions including:
- Best Public Course in Florida - Florida Monthly, 2006
- 1996, 1998, 1999 , 2004 & 2005 - honored as one of 100 Best Golf Shops by World Golf Business
- 100 Best Golf Shops of all Time - World Golf Business - 2005
- 1997 - 2005 rated 4 stars by Golf Digest Places to Play.
- 1994-1998 Host Course to the Senior PGA Regional Finals
- 1993-1997-1999-2001 Host course to the Oldsmobile Scramble National Finals
Falcons Fire prides itself on being one of the finest conditioned courses in Central Florida. A wonderful clubhouse with fully stocked pro shop, fine dining area and 3,500 square foot banquet facility compliments an
expansive practice facility with grass range, putting green and short game area (with bunkers). The course
features 4 tee boxes ranging from 5417 to 6901 yards, with slope ratings of 125 - 138. The gold tees play to
6901 with a 138 slope rating, the blues 6473/132, whites 6080/ 125 and the reds 5417 with a 126 slope rating.
The course is well marked with 100/150 and 200 yard blocks in the middle of the fairways, and all carts now have GPS.
The putting surfaces at Falcon's Fire are of medium size with mild undulations, with considerable short fringe in
front of many, affording opportunities for the "bump and run" shot. Fairways and tee areas are finely sculpted,
and the bunkers are numerous and of high quality white sand. Though water hazards are plentiful, generous
landing areas allow most golfers to keep their ball in play. This course is not easy - but choose the correct tee for your game and you should be able to post some reasonable numbers.
Hole number one provides an ample fairway though bunkers and mounding on either side make accuracy off the
tee a necessity. The par four 2nd is quite open until about 100 yards out, as a pond right and bunkers short
hamper the approach. From the two back tees the tee shot on the par three 3rd is over water - from the whites
and reds the hazard is in play on the right. There is bail out room short left, and placement on the correct portion
of the ridged green is important. The break received from the two front tees is generally evident throughout the
layout - making this course quite playable - with the white tees recommended for the mid to high handicapper.
Number four has bunkers and mounding on both sides of the fairway, with sand traps also near the green. If you
can keep it on the fairway off the tee, this par five is reachable in two. Players from the back two tees will have to
carry a marsh on hole number five, while the whites and reds provide an open tee shot. Beware of the hidden
pond far right about 90 yards out on this # 1 handicap. There is also water far right, but ample fairway all the way
to the putting surface on 6. The par five 7th provides a generous fairway that narrows about 130 in with bunkers
left and a lake situated to the right. The beautiful par three eighth is the toughest of the three-pars on the course -
nearly all carry form the two back tees - with some bail out room short left. Mounds, trees and sand traps line the
fairway on nine - though as the #15 handicap, some momentum can be gained heading into the turn.
The back side opens with a score-able par five that bends to the right near the fairway traps, with more bunkers
guiding golfers to the green from 100 yards in. After a simple, slightly elevated par three on 11, the twelfth offers
a challenge off the tee with an oak grove to the right, fairway bunkers left and mounding serving as a funnel along
the fairway. The entire hole slopes left to right with a water hazard waiting past the slope about 20 yards past the
green. A tee shot towards the center of the bunker complex will leave the most advantageous approach on the
par four 13th, which banana's to the right around a lake. Cut off as much as you can handle here. The par five
14th also has a water hazard to the right that runs nearly the length of the hole. The rolling fairway is generous,
but the approach to a putting surface guarded by water short right and mounding and bunkers left is a tight one.
The 15th is another pretty par three over water, and is followed by a short par four with water on both sides, and
an intricate bunker complexjust left of the green. After what is probably the easiest stretch of holes on the course
(14-16), one is confronted by an extremely tough par four. The lake on the left runs the length of the fairway, but
the design invites a left to right shot shape. Balls hit towards the right side are safe, but will leave a long
approach to a well protected green complex. Golfers may choose to hit into the short rough along the hazard -
thereby creating a shorter 2nd shot - but one that is a considerable carry over water. The eighteenth leads towards the beautiful clubhouse - with length being its most challenging aspect.
Falcon's Fire has developed a great reputation as a fine Rees Jones layout - and one that features outstanding
conditioning and service. The property is conveniently located near the Disney complex and other top Orlando
attractions - making it a perfect fit for those wishing to get in a high quality round during a family vacation. Club
and shoe rentals are available. This is a highly recommended golfing experience - and very representative of
what Florida golf has to offer. Visit our Florida Golf section for an informational page on Falcon's Fire with a link to their website: click here.
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