Laurel Oak

Par 29

Level 4 playing from 1295-1957 yds

 

Happy New Year! Happy New Course!
2025 marks our fifth year here, and Laurel Oak is the first new executive course I’ve ever experienced. It also happened to be the first course I played to ring in the new year. With so many “firsts,” stepping up to the opening tee box felt monumental -colossal, even. And I hadn’t even made it to hole #5 yet.

Let me set the scene: Laurel Oak is now the southernmost executive course in town (sorry, Longleaf). When you tee off on #7, you’re closer to Disney World than any other short course in The Villages - for now. Seven more executive courses are planned further south. Laurel Oak also holds the distinction of being the closest course to the roaring 18-wheelers of the Florida Turnpike. Wave, pump your arms, and maybe you’ll score a honk! Oh, and if you thought El Diablo tempted your senses, wait until you play Laurel Oak. From the 2nd green, you can spot the Okahumpka Rest Stop with its Kentucky Fried Chicken, and, yes, you can smell what the Colonel is cooking. Just don’t get distracted—there’s no finger-lickin’ good waiting for you on this round!

But back to the golf. Standing on the first tee, you’ll see a straightforward opener. Aim away from the tree and the sand trap, and you’re off to a solid start. As you leave the 1st green, take a moment to enjoy the picturesque view of the Live Oak pitch-and-putt next door. It’s a good thing too because the next stretch—holes 2, 3, and 4—is, let’s say, less inspiring. Which is worse: this uninspiring stretch of holes, or the Truckers all driving in the fast lane? I say just pump your brakes, and your breaks – swing, chip, putt and drive on, and get to the 5th hole!

Laurel Oak 5 is the reason you are here.  It should have its own nickname: Big Bertha, Zeus, or Andre the Giant. At 430 yards from the black tees (a mere 410 from the gold), it’s officially the longest par 4 in The Villages, dethroning Redfish 5. Honestly, it should be a par 5 just for the novelty of an executive course featuring one. But this hole is more than just length; it’s also a challenge. The right side is guarded by water, making it a true test of precision and power. And once you finally make it to the green, you’ll discover it’s the most difficult putting surface on the course. From tee to cup, Laurel Oak #5 is a beast - obviously one the hardest 18 holes on all of the executive courses!

Hole #6 provides a reprieve from the Turnpike, reminding players of Mangrove #6 or Bacall #7. Water and sand await, so aim left and be prepared to hit into the sun. Hole #7, another par 4, offers a more manageable 337 yards from the gold tees, though the black tees present one of the top 10 longest drives in town—over water, of course. But the sneakiest part of this hole is not the drive to the cup, it’s what’s behind the green if you go long.  Hint: it’s wet, got a gator and completely invisible until you’re up on the green. 

Hole #8 stands out for its enormous shared green—one of only three shared greens in The Villages. (Can you name the others? Quiz Question #28!) The 9th is as good a closing hole as you’ll find - one my top five.  It's pictured above.  You shoot over a fairway trap to a huge flat green with a grove of oaks flanked by a beautiful rock-rimmed pond.  This hole alone makes up for the mundane stretch near the turnpike. 

Despite my reservations about holes 2, 3, and 4, Laurel Oak has a lot to offer. From the epic 5th to the memorable closing stretch, this course is worth your time. Come for the 5th hole, stay for the rest - and maybe even “the rest stop”!

Toughest to Easiest:

5, 6, 1, 7, 8, 2, 9, 3, 4 - hardest green #5 

Finger Licking Close: I've been told Villagers can get to the Kentucky Fried Chicken on the Turnpike via 301 without paying a toll.  It's located in the Okahumpka Rest Stop you can see from the 2nd green (when not blurred by trucks).  And in honor of surviving the monster at Laurel Oak 5, you deserve a full bucket! 

Being this close to large fast-moving objects reminds me of my earliest experiences learning to play golf.  Growing up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, my dad taught me to play at the Elmwood public course. They had a nine-hole track for beginners that was close to the airport runway.  The planes were so low that the decibels and vibrations packed enough intensity to rattle the clubs in my bag.  That's similar to the vibe you get when Turnpike Trucks are blazing just feet away from Laurel! 

From the blacks!   

Yes, it can be done.  It's a box checker for sure.  You'll be amped up to give it a go on #5, but you'll need your A game all the way around to play from the black tees at Laurel Oak.  The opening hole, and the fabulous backstretch from 6-9, will challenge the best golfers from black. When you're done, you may not believe it, but Laurel Oak is not the longest executive course from the black tees.  Do you know which one is? (Quiz Question #3)

Go Green!

You'll still get your money's worth playing Laurel Oak from green.  The monster 5th can play from as far back as 382 yards from the green tees.  To put that in perspective, 382 yards would make it the 6th longest hole from the black tees in all the executive courses.  That would be a badge of honor for sure!  The rest of the holes will give you a breather with 6 of them shorter than 120.  And you won't have to hit over water on 6 or 7.   

What’s Nearby?

Sawgrass Grove is the newest entertainment destination in The Villages.  There's one large restaurant, McGrady's, and three smaller ones inside the Marketplace, two stand-alone bars (although I’ve never seen anyone actually standing alone) a coffee shop and some other retail.  Even a pro shop for the Southern Oaks Championship Course with some great clothing choices.  Plus, there's live music outdoors on a one-of-kind stage and setting! And bring your putter along to play the huge 18-hole Clifton Cove Putt and Play course.  See more here.  

My impressions are based on playing from the Gold tee boxes.  The Black and the Green tee boxes pose different challenges or benefits described as well.  The rankings of the toughest to easiest holes are just my opinions - yours will be far different, as will your favorite courses and most difficult and attractive holes.  I welcome your opinions or thoughts on any of this - click to leave a comment.