Rio Pinar Golf

Slow pace of play but great layout and conditions for the price.

The course was in good condition despite the greens being punched two weeks ago, but all in all a good round

Upon reaching the course, the starter/cart attendant/ club historian Mike made us feel welcome. The club and practice facilities have undergone extensive renovation, and the improvements are great. The course layout, which was the long-time host of the PGA sponsored Citrus Open, is timeless and allows a chance to walk in the same place where the greats of the game have played.

Love the layout of the course and the staff is always friendly. However… the greens were punched and the driving range was closed without any real notification. They also don’t have water available on any holes (95 degrees) and stopped giving waters out to start the round. Overall will play again as I enjoy the course, they just need more access to water and better communication.

The new owner of Rio is gradually restoring Rio back to its former player friendly heyday. Unfortunately in order to maintain that momentum management will have to do a much better job on pace of play. The welcome display on the new GPS enabled golf carts states "play fast" . (The new GPS system also indicates the position of every cart on the course so it should be easy to monitor even without the ranger roaming the course.) In order to ensure normal pace of play (not even "Fast") the course must monitor the golfers on the course. This did not happen today. The front nine was played in a normal two hours. However starting with a backup on the 10th tee, the pace gradually got worse and worse until by hole 14 we were waiting upwards of 15 minutes on each tee box including three groups on the tee at the same time. Our group made several attempts to call the pro shop and send messages via the cart requesting player assistance, We had no response. The back up was caused by one extremely slow group who by hole 14 had three open holes ahead of them. All it would have taken is one visit by the ranger and observation of that group for a couple of holes. Instead all of the players behind that group were unhappy and several of the groups were ready to pack it in. The round wound up being 5 hours long. Completely unacceptable!

We will need to get some feedback from the course or my friends and I will not be back.

Front nine went well, played in 2 hours. After the turn pace of play dropped significantly. Multiple calls to the club house and on the GPS system on the golf cart drew no response. One slow foursome 3 groups ahead of us were holding up play. We had multiple foursomes on each tee box waiting. Back nine took 3 full hours to finish. It factors into the next time I decide where to play. 5 hour rounds of golf are not acceptable.

First time at the course and loved it. Only discouraging part is being the first time, would have loved the on pars system to work right and display the yardage as we played each hole.

I wish they would let someone who books a tee time the entire course has been punched. We wouldn’t have played if we knew. The greens were just not fun to putt and the tee boxes were poor. Course is having work done. Probably won’t play again till it’s all done.

At one time Rio Pinar attracted many of the legendary professional golfers who wintered in the Orlando area. Unfortunately the course has been let go for many years and it shows. Many of the tee boxes are just dirt and the fairways are sparse. The rough is not well maintained so allow players to roll the ball over.

Staff were very accommodating and friendly. Highly recommend this facility. Appears to be making upgrades for an even better experience .

Course was in fair shape and getting better. Still have multiple tee boxes that have sparse grass and are sloped. Several fairways need some work to get the grass back. Greens mostly in good shape. Nice layout and friendly staff. Pace of play was slow and would have liked to have seen the marshals do a little more to move some of the slower groups along.

Played in a foursome today at 7:24. Members piled up at 7:30. We played an exact 4 hour round, but the members behind us (threesome) called it in that we were playing slow. Ranger followed us for 3 holes because we declined his offer to “skip the next hole”. Every shot he was right behind us until there was another frustrating exchange 3 holes later. Round was ruined by both the ranger and the members. This course can never put all the pieces together for an enjoyable experience, and it’s a shame because the course conditions are great and the starter Mike was awesome. Won’t be back.