LPGA International - Hills Course

Was disappointed with the course. Thought it would be special. Just average. Nothing stood out. Conditions okay but if you have mobility issues don’t play here. Lots of walking and hilly. Every green seemed elevated. They said the Jones course is easier. Another disappointment was the ugly housing taking away the forested area around the course. Really expected more for the price.

We had a 9:45 tee time on Sunday for Hills. Pulled up just before 9 to check in with the starter and find out how long we had to go. He said there were five groups ahead of us. Seemed right, and I was about to head for the putting green, until a bunch of golf carts came around the corner. Suddenly, there were five groups from Margaritaville for what the rest of us thought were two tee times. They took over the first tee box and fully intended to play together, totally indifferent to any kind of etiquette.

Commence fireworks. One of the guys in the group immediately after the "two" bookings went OFF on the starter. He was rightly upset that two groups became five. He also thought the starter should have let them go first, knowing the situation. I thought I was going to get famous with a viral video to share with the world. Alas, no... but things did get heated. This guy went off on the starter, had words with a couple of the Margaritaville group, and called the pro shop to complain. Might as well have smashed his head on a tree.

I should have smashed my head on the same tree. I also called the pro shop. Matt offered me a bucket of balls or a rain check for my troubles. Didn't really seem to care, but he did tell me the general manager approved the five groups going out together. The math wasn't mathing, so I went back over to the starter, and he showed me the tee sheet. Sure enough, there were times for 9:00, 9:03, and 9:07. Three and four minutes apart. I wish I'd taken a picture. Could not believe what I was seeing.

(Insert sarcasm here) Well done, good sir...

The starter knew this was wrong but told me his hands were tied. I felt bad for him because he fell on a grenade for some hideous work by course management, who were never going to deal with the flak they created.

We wound up going off around 10:15 and had a nearly 5-hour round because the pace of play was glacial.

To the GM: Not only did you make 3- and 4-minute tee times for this... just to make some extra money, you threw your starter under the bus while managing the chaos. Poorly handled... really bad work.

I play LPGA a lot. Slowest 18 holes I've ever had here. Five hours and 35 minutes for 18 holes. Three groups behind a guy throwing his driver into a tree. Yes, it got stuck. Wish I'd seen them trying to get it down. No, that didn't help the pace of play. The course is in good shape, and most of the staff are nice. It is what it is.

Picked up this round on a hot deal, ,

Excellent value, greens were fast despite heavy rains earlier in the week, a few of the sand traps were hard packed due to that rain

I haven’t played this course in several years and was surprised by the housing development around some holes

Fun morning... nothing like seeing the sunrise over perfect conditions. Hills has bounced back from the impact of all the housing development. Enjoyable morning. I'll be back.

Greens are great. Everything else is just okay. I was expecting much better conditions considering how much they charge.

I have a group of guys I play with once a week and sometimes we are willing to pay more for a good course. We play LPGA 2-3 times a year and usually play cheaper courses. When we do play LPGA we always expect a much better experience for the money. Several of the bunkers were packed down and hard making it difficult to get out of. The front greens on the Hills course were as expected, fast and true, the back nine however were fast and untrue, bumpy and the ball was moving everywhere. Still one of the best courses to play in the area but I just expected more. Maybe I am just a little spoiled.

Good track, good condition, amenities were below par especially for the higher price. No water/ice station to be found prior to tee off, fountains at the 2 rest stations, one was not working, no beverage cart, broken toilet in the ladies.

The LPGA International Hills Course is a beautiful but challenging course that really tests your accuracy and course management. The layout winds through natural Florida landscape with tight fairways, water hazards, and fast greens that keep you focused every shot.

Mediocre shape

Very marginal bin placements

3 hours for nine holes

3 groups on 10th tee box

Bye bye.

Drove home.