[tofRobbroolve]

Can't comment on the pros but I can tell you Magnolia Plantation is one of my least favorite courses here. It has a terrible drainage problem. I've played there three times and each time there was standing water everywhere even though it may not have rained in days.

[esenesesinas]

Fred Gibson has an indoor outdoor school near the airport, he's a really good guy, and he's a great instructor. On the course thing, I don't know about Magnolia, but there are some incredible short game areas at some fine courses up there, look around before you commit, you may be passing up a gem.

I think it's golf with fred dot com.

[Hervams]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Nice to know about the soggy Magnolia Plantation issue - I'll probably spend the first week investigating any courses I can find with a reasonable month-month membership rates.

[Hervams]

Since I resumed golfing in 2006 after an 8 year hiatus, my handicap has waffled between 5-8 or so. I had my best ever round (even par 70) that summer of 2006 and since then haven't been able to come closer than 2-over (74). Feeling I was getting kinda jaded/burned out, I kind of took a pseudo year off last year, not picking up the clubs until June and just golfing socially once week for most of the season. I think this was good for my attitude and I'm eager to actually improve again.

As a first step, I'm planning to go to Florida for 3 months (from approx Jan 15 to April 15) for an intensive golf boot camp to kick the season off right. I'm currently in the planning phases and putting this thread out there hoping for any advice from all you THP'ers, both on local issues (ie courses in area, should I be looking at different region, instructor recommendations) and on a program to improve in general (practice routines, gear etc).

After some initial research, I'm leaning towards Lake Mary just north of Orlando. I can get a monthly membership to Magnolia Plantation or Timacuan golf club for really reasonable rates, and I'd be close enough to Orlando proper that I could take lessons, buy gear from anyone in the general area etc. Any thoughts? Other areas I should look at?

Does anyone have any instructors in the Orlando area they recommend? I'm hoping to spend a large chunk of my time on the short game and putting, as that is by far the weakest part of my game. But I'd also like someone who uses a camera outdoors for full-swing work, as I find that really helped me when I took lessons back in 2006. I really miss the setup I had in California (instructor wise) and have not been able to find anyone I click with as well in SW Ontario (where I live now).

Mike Bender is at Magnolia Plantation, but I think he's overkill for me and I don't see the value proposition in paying $250/hr. I'm hoping to find someone at a much cheaper rate. Even Bender's assistants are more than I'd like to spend at $150/hr. Am I being too cheap? What's the going rate for golf lessons in the FL region? I was hoping for something more like $60/hr if I buy a package, but I'll pay what I need to in order to get quality instruction.

[ARKLqAZ6]

The best of luck to you. Sounds like a lot of fun to go to Florida for 3 months to play golf. Let us know how your improvement goes once you get down there!

[luffyplayaz]

It seems like every manufacturer has a performance center here, and golf schools pop up like weeds. Some have big names and others are lesser known. Given that fact, I have only used my own club pro so I can't comment too much. I will also be following the answers to see if I can also learn a thing or two. :P

Here is a list of PGA pros in Orlando to research once you start to get suggestions ... http://www.pga.com/golf-instruction/...ors/fl/orlando