Alright, let me tell you about my recent trip out to Tomoka Oaks Golf Course. Been meaning to check it out for a while, heard mixed things, you know how it goes. So, decided last Tuesday was the day.
Got there mid-morning. Pulling in, the entrance is pretty standard, nothing too fancy. Found a parking spot easily enough, which is always a good start. Headed over to the pro shop to get checked in. The fella behind the counter was friendly, got me sorted out pretty quick. Paid the greens fee, grabbed a cart – my walking days for 18 holes are mostly behind me, gotta save the knees.
First Impressions
Rolling up to the first tee, the course looked… alright. It’s got that classic Florida vibe, lots of mature oak trees, which I guess is where the name comes from. You can tell it’s an older course. It wasn’t immaculate, mind you, but looked playable. The fairways seemed decent from the tee box.
Hitting the Links
Started off okay. My drives were mostly finding the fairway, which is always a bonus. The layout itself is pretty straightforward on the front nine, not too many surprises. Lots of trees lining the fairways, so if you spray it, you’re gonna be punching out. Learned that the hard way on number 4.
Made the turn, grabbed a quick drink. The back nine felt a bit tighter, more water hazards seemed to pop up. Those old oaks definitely come into play more, casting shadows and blocking shots if you’re not careful with your positioning.
- The greens were probably the biggest challenge. They looked slower than they actually were. Took me a good few holes to get the pace right. Had more than a few three-putts, which is always frustrating.
- Bunkers were… okay. Some had decent sand, others were a bit thin or compacted. Kind of a mixed bag there.
- Pace of play wasn’t bad. Didn’t feel rushed, didn’t have to wait too long on any tee box. That’s a huge plus for me these days.
The Overall Feel
It’s definitely not a top-tier, resort-style course. It feels more like a local’s course, comfortable, maybe a little rough around the edges but playable. Saw a mix of players out there, mostly older guys like myself, just enjoying a day out. The staff I ran into were all pleasant enough.
Finished up the round, dropped the cart off. Didn’t shoot my best score, didn’t shoot my worst. It was just… a round of golf. Honestly, sometimes that’s all you need. It beats sitting at home, right?
So, yeah, that was my experience at Tomoka Oaks. It’s a decent track for the price, especially if you just want to get out and swing the clubs without too much fuss. Would I rush back? Maybe not immediately, but I wouldn’t rule out playing there again sometime down the road, maybe see if I can figure out those greens next time.
