Deer Island CC: #7
A view of the 7th hole at Deer Island Country Club.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.6
2979 Reviews (2979)
5 Stars
1902
4 Stars
858
3 Stars
143
2 Stars
53
1 Stars
23
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.6
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.2
95.5%
Recommend this course
2838 out of 2979 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
150 Reviews (150)
5 Stars
100
4 Stars
41
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.6
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.8
97.3%
Recommend this course
146 out of 150 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
220 Reviews (220)
5 Stars
155
4 Stars
55
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.6
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.8
97.7%
Recommend this course
215 out of 220 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
This scenic central Florida course impresses with a challenging water-laden layout, abundant wildlife, and consistently well-maintained fairways and greens. Friendly staff, smooth pace of play, and excellent value make it a standout worth the drive.

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Par 72
Length 6885 yards
Slope 144
Rating 74.0

Formerly known as Deer Island Golf and Lake Club.

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Course Details

Year Built 1994
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Joe Lee (1994)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Proper attire is required.

Food & Beverage

Snacks, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Locker Rooms

Available Activities

Swimming

Accolades

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Reviews

4.6
2979 Reviews (2979)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 30
Brunch 17
Watching the Game 9
Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 96
Bunkers 68
Forced Carries 61
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 76
Advanced Golfers 63
Locals 36
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 74
In the 'Burbs 21

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Dad and matt

Very cool course. Extremely challenging with the hole layout but lots of fun. Definitely will take the one hour drive in the future to experience the course again

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Poor conditions, no longer a hidden gem

I have played here multiple times over the past few years and I was quite disappointed in the conditions of the course. The greens were patchy and were littered with weeds.

This course has long been one of my favorites in the area and it is disheartening to see it in such poor condition. It will be a while before I make the drive back out to Deer Island.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

As good as advertised

Had seen the reviews for this course since I moved to the area 2 years ago, but had not made the 1 hr drive to play it. Finally got a chance and was very impressed. Layout is very challenging with water into play in most holes. Conditions were excellent except for 1-2 holes due to the drought. Definitely have to manage your way through the course if you do not want to lose more than a few balls. Scenery around (lake, wildlife, houses) is beautiful. Will come back soon!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 99
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 500 Contributor
Previously Played

GREAT CHALLENGING LAYOUT BUT COURSE NEEDS MAJOR HELP

Not much good to say about this once fantastic course. At checking in was informed that back nine was closed so had to play front nine twice. Played here many times in the past and it was only a shell of its once past greatness. Greens hard and fast with many weeds. Just move the ball all over and try to enjoy the layout as best as possible. Not a ball washer to be found so get your towel soaked before playing. The best part was checking out the great houses on the lake side. Get a great deal on Golf Now or forget it.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Response from on 04/22/2025:
Thank you for sharing feedback. We’re very sorry your experience fell below expectations and are addressing the concerns you mentioned. We appreciate the opportunity to improve and hope you’ll consider visiting again.
Played On
Reviews 89
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Worthh the drive !

Course was in excellent shape, people there are very friendly, well the drive, highly recommend playing this course. /

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Response from on 04/22/2025:
Appreciate the top marks! It means a lot to us that you had such a positive experience. We’ll continue doing our best to make every visit exceptional.
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Been awhile but still good!

While there hasn’t been much rain, they still keep in good shape. Greens were medium fast. Met the new owner, nice guy.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 04/22/2025:
Thanks for the five-star rating. We’re thrilled you enjoyed your visit and appreciate your support. Our team looks forward to delivering the same level of excellence next time.
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Poor communication

Wasn’t told that only the front 8 was open until after we checked in. Still paid full price. I know I essentially pay for “18 holes” but I felt it wasn’t right. I drove almost an hour to a course I love and left disappointed. Playing the same holes twice in a day got boring and I lost interest.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

What Happened to The Gem?

I’m so disappointed in what has become of one of the best golf courses in mid-central Florida.

Deer Island was a gem

Today it’s lost its luster.

I know we have been in a recent drought. However, there are many other golf courses around that are in better condition.

The greens and tee boxes were lacking grass.

I’m also disappointed that the ProShop staff were not upfront to the fact that the Front Nine was closed for the day due to “spraying” until after we paid and were checked in.

Also, one of the holes on the Back Nine was closed due to Hurricane Milton damage.

No apologies, no discounts.

The Gem is not what it used to be. 🙁

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

It’s been better

Overall the course isn’t as kept up like it has been in the past. Greens are really firm with weeds growing on them. Fairways are dry and crunchy. It’s a difficult course when the conditions are great and more difficult when conditions aren’t good. It had been 7 months since I last played the course and I’ll wait a while before going back.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Friendly staff. Greens and bunkers need work.

Greens were super weedy. Not in great shape. Greens that didn't have bald spots or a ton of weeds were firm but not fast.

Fairways were decent. Not true second or third cut. Outside the fairway is sandy/weeds.

Staff was super friendly.

Bit of a hike from Orlando to go back based on the conditions. $45 isn't bad for a round though.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 34
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Nice playground

Great coarse. Beautiful and challenging. The fairways and tee boxes in great shape. The greens are pretty fast and with the exceptions of one or two greens that were a bit out of shape.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Response from on 04/15/2025:
Thanks for the five-star rating. We’re thrilled you enjoyed your visit and appreciate your support. Our team looks forward to delivering the same level of excellence next time.
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Good Round

Course marshals are pretty rude as we played in 4 hours but they were on us saying go quicker. Not cool! No food in restaurant so bring something with you. This could be a top notch course if they get their business in order. Awesome layout and fun to play.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Pete & Kat

Really nice layout. We totally enjoyed our time playing. Lost a lot of golf balls in the water, but that’s to be expected..

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 149
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

Disappointed

We have played Deer Island many times over the years and had considered this one of our favorites…but unfortunately many greens are in bad shape right now and the awesome par three on the back nine continues to be under construction and you have to play a very short temporary alternate hole.

I’m sure this course will return to the beautiful course that it has been in the past but right now I cannot recommend it.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Response from on 04/11/2025:
Appreciate your honesty in sharing this review. We’re taking note of the issues to enhance our services and provide a more satisfying visit next time. Thank you for giving us the chance to improve.
Played On
Reviews 155
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

DICC 4/4/25

Staff, especially the GM is not friendly. Greens are in poor shape. Lots of weeds around greens and in rough. Course conditions have deteriorated in last 6-9 months. Would not recommend especially for price. Recommend Country Club of Mount Dora if you want to play a course nearby.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Response from on 04/07/2025:
Thank you for sharing feedback. We’re very sorry your experience fell below expectations and are addressing the concerns you mentioned. We appreciate the opportunity to improve and hope you’ll consider visiting again.
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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