FALCONS FIRE GOLF CLUB (407-239-5445)
Florida Golf Course Review
Extra! Extra!
(Oct, 2009): Following a 3-1/2 month closure for a one million+ dollar renovation, Falcon's Fire opened in October of 2009 with completely overhauled greens, extensive redesigns of almost all 128 bunkers and reshaped fairways that bring the bunkers closer to the perimeter of the fairways. These upgrades make Falcon's Fire more psychologically demanding than before and will continue to test even the most experienced golfer's game. More information on these renovations can be found at the end of this review.
All photos in this review are of the course prior to the renovations. We will provide you with new photos in 2010
Falcons Fire has been a regional qualifying site for the Senior PGA Tour and has received numerous recognition's 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 are brand new in 2009 and feature state-of-the-art 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 complex just 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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Falcon's Fire News
"One of Kissimmee's more recognizable and favored golf courses is back in business as of October 1st after a 3 1/2 month
renovation project costing in excess of $1 million", said Alex Forsyth, Head Golf Professional. "The renovation included a complete overhaul of all 18
greens where we dug them out to a depth of 8 inches, then built them back up to be larger, more irregularly shaped, and have more significant undulations
to help challenge our guests. To complement the new Tiff-Eagle Bermuda grass greens, we also completed extensive redesigns of nearly all of our 128 sand
traps. They have all been re-shaped so as to be more impeding, as well as much more visible as you play each of our holes. A number of additional run-off
areas around several of the greens have been introduced. We also re-shaped all of our fairways to help bring these bunkers much closer to the perimeter of
the fairways and help create more shape to the holes than we've had here at Falcon's Fire in years past. There is no doubt that after all of these changes
that Falcon's Fire will play much more psychologically demanding than ever before and will continue to be a true test of your golfing prowess."
Some other improvements that have been made was an upgrade to the irrigation system that will provide better coverage than before
with greater control which in turn will help be more efficient with the water used to irrigate our turf grass. A brand new fleet of golf carts has also
been rolled out with a state of the art GPS yardage system installed. Not only that, but there are plans to announce a major renovation of the clubhouse to
be completed in 2010 that totals another $350,000 in improvements.
The golf course is in great shape, and the world class customer service that we are renowned for is back, and in full swing.
"Golfers are loving the renovations, and the level of business is exceeding our expectations", said Kenny Winn, General Manager.
Treat yourself to a most memorable round of golf, contact your favorite Tee Times USA booking agent, or check out www.falconsfire.com for more information. You'll quickly understand why we are "The Golf Experience You Just Can't Stop Talking About!"
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