Okeechobee KOA Fairways Golf Course Review
April 17, 2023
We are still RVing in central Florida and enjoying the warm winter weather that is found in this area. We are currently parked in Okeechobee, Florida.
Okeechobee is most known for Lake Okeechobee, which is the largest fresh water lake in Florida – and 2nd largest fresh water lake in the continental U.S. (Lake Michigan takes top honors). We have been enjoying our bike rides around the lake on the L.O.S.T – the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail.
We have also been able to get in some golf while here.
And the beauty of it all? We are only 5 minutes from the number 1 tee box!
Yes, that’s right. The golf course we have been playing this week is Okeechobee 9-Hole KOA Fairways Golf Course, which is actually located in the Okeechobee KOA Resort.
The 9-hole KOA Fairways Golf Course is a semi-private golf course that opened in 1977. It measures 2592 yards from the longest tees, and features 4 sets of tees for different skill levels.
Obviously the top attraction for me is how close it is to my RV’s front door.
But another feature is the track offers challenging play for golfers at every skill level.
Immediately my playing partner decided this was a walking course. As I started my round, I saw well-groomed fairways and greens. Further along, I recognized it wasn’t too difficult (read not too many hazards).
The first couple of tee boxes stretch along a row of RV sites, while the rest of the course winds through cow pastures. Water hazards come into play on a minimum of 5 of the 9 holes.
It’s funny, in the past I had adopted the false notion that a course with less than 18 holes is somehow lacking in size and in quality. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.
Okeechobee’s KOA Fairways Golf course has a mix of par 3’s and par 4’s, and one par 5, with an open layout and fairly straight fairways and a few hazards. Many of the fairways were palm fringed – giving it a “very” Florida feel.
As a conservative player, I found the course to be enjoyable and fun. My playing partner on the other hand, is a much bigger risk taker in golf. He was able to take advantage of the slightly shorter course to play his long game with big rewards.
We were happy with our pace of play. Even though we were a two-some, there was no real backups or long waiting to tee off.
If you are in the Okeechobee area and want to play a fun 9-hole course, I recommend you play Okeechobee KOA Fairways Golf Course. It’s a walk worth taking.
Based on our score card rating – I would rate this a Par Course.
Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting
Written By Kathy Festa
COURSE REVIEW SCORE CARD
Course: Okeechobee KOA 9-Hole Golf Course
Type: Semi-Private Golf Course
Date Played: 16 April 2023
| HOLE | PAR | SCORE | COMMENTS |
| 1 – Tee Time Availability | 4 | 4 | Easy to obtain. Can only make a tee time 24 hours in advance. |
| 2 – Cost of Green Fees | 4 | 3 | Very reasonable, especially for central Florida in the winter season. |
| 3 – Condition of Tee Boxes | 4 | 4 | Good. |
| 4 – Condition of Fairways | 5 | 5 | Well maintained. |
| 5 – Condition of Greens | 4 | 4 | Greens were in good condition, could use a mow. |
| 6 – Length of Course | 5 | 5 | Average. |
| 7 – Hazards | 4 | 4 | Water was in play on several holes and bunkers do protect some greens. |
| 8 – Starter/Marshal | 3 | 4 | No starter or Marshal. |
| 9 – High Handicap Friendly | 3 | 3 | Four separate tee boxes. |
| OUT | 36 | 36 | |
| 10 – Practice Area | 5 | 5 | Nice driving range and practice green. |
| 11 – Locker Rooms | 3 | 3 | Restrooms available. |
| 12 – Pro Shop | 4 | 4 | Located in KOA Store. Had everything you would need. |
| 13 – Location | 4 | 3 | Easy to find, right on the KOA grounds. |
| 14 – Rental Equipment | 4 | 4 | Available. |
| 15 – Restaurant/Food Cart | 4 | 4 | The Shanty lounge is nice and has a great view of the course. |
| 16 – Club House | 4 | 5 | No club house. |
| 17 – Parking | 3 | 3 | Plenty of parking available. |
| 18 – Customer Service | 5 | 5 | Ladies in the Store/Pro Shop were very helpful. |
| IN | 36 | 36 | |
| TOTAL | 72 | 72 | PLAYER: Kathy F. ATTESTED BY: Mark F. |
Hey guys, Great article it is a fun read! love, Dad
Dad – thanks!! We are glad you are enjoying them. Love you, XoXo….Kath and Marc
Looks like a good one! will we see you this summer in Wisconsin?
Maureen – it was a fun course to play for sure. And yes, it is a possibility that we may be in your neck of the woods this summer. We will keep you posted. Hope all is well with you and your gang!….XoXo…Kath