My choices along the Gulf Coast

[TwillDog]

I live in the New Orleans area and have played quite a few courses from here to Florida. This is just a small list of some of my favorite courses around here.

Southeastern Louisiana - Carter Plantation, Springfield, LA
The Bluffs on Thompson Creek, St. Francisville
Copper Mill, Zachary
Audubon Golf Club, New Orleans

Southern Mississippi - Grand Bear, Saucier
Shell Landing, Gautier
The Oaks, Pass Christian
(not in southern Mississippi, but an add on to my Mississippi list is the finest courses I have personally ever played, Dancing Rabbit, Choctaw, MS - east central Misssissippi)

South Alabama- Kiva Dunes, Gulf Shores
Peninsula, Gulf Shores
Magnolia Grove, Mobile (RTJ Golf Trail)
Rock Creek, Daphne

Northwest Florida (coastal area) -
Sandestin Resort, Destin (4 courses)

I have not played any other courses in this area of Florida, but from reports, the other tops in the area include Camp Creek, Windswept Dunes, Kelly Plantation, Regatta Bay and the Moors.

I'm happy to give you my feelings on any of these courses or try to answer about any others that I may have played in the areas.

[atm_73]

Hey Twill, glad to hear about the Dancing Rabbit course! I have a really good friend who's parents live in Philadelphia, and I'm thinking of heading out there to see them sometime this summer and play it! Which course did you play, and if both, which would you recommend over the other?

[TwillDog]

Originally Posted by atm_73

Hey Twill, glad to hear about the Dancing Rabbit course! I have a really good friend who's parents live in Philadelphia, and I'm thinking of heading out there to see them sometime this summer and play it! Which course did you play, and if both, which would you recommend over the other?

I played both the Oaks and the Azaleas courses there. The Azaleas I believe is the #1 ranked course in the state (maybe Old Waverly ranks above it, but I think it's #1) and the Oaks is also a top 5 course, so toss a coin. I understand why it's ranked so high - it's seriously plush and worth every penny you pay to get on it (sorry, don't remember the rates exactly but right at about $90-100). You won't be disappointed with either course. Likely, the Azaleas will be more crowded since it is the higher rated course. I would play the Azaleas if you only get one choice - it's not every day you get to play an American Top 50 course...

[atm_73]

Originally Posted by TwillDog

I played both the Oaks and the Azaleas courses there. The Azaleas I believe is the #1 ranked course in the state (maybe Old Waverly ranks above it, but I think it's #1) and the Oaks is also a top 5 course, so toss a coin. I understand why it's ranked so high - it's seriously plush and worth every penny you pay to get on it (sorry, don't remember the rates exactly but right at about $90-100). You won't be disappointed with either course. Likely, the Azaleas will be more crowded since it is the higher rated course. I would play the Azaleas if you only get one choice - it's not every day you get to play an American Top 50 course...

Thanks! That is my plan, I was planning on hitting the Azalea's maybe around May/June

[TwillDog]

Originally Posted by atm_73

Thanks! That is my plan, I was planning on hitting the Azalea's maybe around May/June

You won't be disappointed, my friend! It's plenty of course for you; beautiful, tough but fair.

[atm_73]

Originally Posted by TwillDog

You won't be disappointed, my friend! It's plenty of course for you; beautiful, tough but fair.

Good deal, you know if you ever plan on golfing Miss again, give me a holla

[RobinHunter]

I've played Dancing Rabbit many, many times and I never get tired of it. The Mrs. has family in Philadelphia and I always look forward to our annual trips there - good food and good golf. Your best deal is to play both courses on the same day. They only charge you a minimal amount to play the other course. Not sure if Mike is still the GM there, but if he is he's a super nice guy.

When we go to Biloxi I always play at The Oaks in Pass Christian. Russ and Evan are great guys. They are about as opposite as night and day, except when it comes to that course. One time, the drink cart wasn't out that day. It was one of those dreary misty, windy days when no one was on the course except some idiot from Iowa. Lo and behold, there's Evan waiting on #5 for me with some complimentary beverages. You gotta love that!

[Mid70s]

i'm also glad to hear that about dancing rabbit, i've wanted to play it for a few months now and haven't had the chance to get over there.........hopefully w/in the next few weeks i'll be able to get over and play

Twill, you liked Carter Plantation in Springfield a lot???? i was a little disappointed in it, but i was playing a scramble and drinking a few beers, maybe i didn't exactly see it through clear eyes .............i've played Copper Mill, and loved it........haven't had a chance to play The Bluffs yet, heard mixed reviews there though.........i'm from Clinton, La originally, so i'm always over there visiting family.....haven't had a whole lot of opportunities to play golf when i go, but i'm looking to change that......if you've got any more suggestions for the Baton Rouge area, i'd love to hear them, i'm always wanting to try out good, new courses (new to me).

I'll also second your opinion on Kiva Dunes in Gulf Shores, when i went it was in immaculate condition......they had faiways there that looked better than most of the greens i get to putt on.....loved it, probably the best course i've ever played (not many to choose from though)

by the way, if you guys ever head to southwest La, you definitely need to play at Gray Plantation in Lake Charles......it's on the Audubon Tail and it's a beautiful course, and for $60 on the weekends, you can't beat the rates...........also, the casino course in Kinder is really nice, it's called Koasati Pines

[TwillDog]

Originally Posted by Mid70s

i'm also glad to hear that about dancing rabbit, i've wanted to play it for a few months now and haven't had the chance to get over there.........hopefully w/in the next few weeks i'll be able to get over and play

Twill, you liked Carter Plantation in Springfield a lot???? i was a little disappointed in it, but i was playing a scramble and drinking a few beers, maybe i didn't exactly see it through clear eyes .............i've played Copper Mill, and loved it........haven't had a chance to play The Bluffs yet, heard mixed reviews there though

Here's my take on Carter - better than average, not overwhelmingly outstanding, but better than just about anything in Southeast Louisiana. I wouldn't rank Carter over any of the better courses along the Mississippi Coast (Grand Bear, Shell Landing, the Oaks) that I've played, but it's better than anything in the Greater New Orleans area. And I personally don't think it's a bad track. I think I will not like it as much when the housing is completed... and the price isn't great. Too expensive for that course, especially from what I hear about Gray Plantation probably being one of the top 2-3 courses in the state and charging about $30-40 less than Carter.
Copper Mill is interesting with it's different layout. There are a few holes there I don't like, but overall it's fun. I can't say much about The Bluffs - it's been over 10 years since I played it, but I will say that even after 10 years I remember it as a fine course. At the time it was by far the nicest course I've played.

That distinction now goes to Dancing Rabbit's 2 courses. I wish it wasn't 4 hours away; I'd play it 6 times a year if I could...