Part of being a golfer is having the uncontrollable urge to recite lines from the Caddyshack movie whenever remotely relevant, but did you know you can play the real-life “Bushwood Country Club” on a Florida golf vacation, even though it’s a private course?
It’s true, and the proof is in these photos, taken by the editors of Golf Odyssey during one of the anonymous, “secret shopper” inspections they regularly make at golf courses and resorts worldwide.
When the 1980 Caddyshack movie was being made, the golf course that played Bushwood was actually public layout called Rolling Hills. It’s now a private course called Grande Oaks Golf Club (owned by Nova Southeastern University), but the editors were able to gain access to it — easily — while researching Florida golf vacations in the Ft. Lauderdale area.
Despite the format and ownership changes (not to mention the passage of time), they say that the golf course and clubhouse will be, “instantly recognizable to Caddyshack movie fans.” (See for yourself below. The last photo is the famous over-water approach to the 18th green).
And here’s the best part: even if you don’t know any members of Grande Oaks, there are a few ways you can get onto the course during a Florida golf vacation, the easiest of which is by staying at any one of five area hotels.
Which hotels? I can’t give away all the secrets contained in the April 2009 issue, but you can get instant access to it simply by taking a limited-time, free trial to Golf Odyssey here.
The article also reveals how much it costs to play the course, what to expect from the design and hazards, the most memorable holes, dining recommendations nearby, the only time outside play is restricted, and details about the warm hospitality and personalized service you’ll receive as a guest at Grande Oaks (such as an engraved nameplate on your locker).
Indeed, the editors admit: “While you can play better courses on a Florida golf vacation, you may not be treated better.”
Personally, I’d take a Florida golf vacation to play this course even if they said it was a self-service goat track. In terms of being a golf shrine, I think it ranks up there with Augusta National, but it’s a course we mere mortals might actually be able to play.
So, it’s got that going for it, which is nice.
Did you know? Golf Vacation Insider and Golf Odyssey are the world’s only golf publications that do not accept any advertising from golf courses, resorts, or restaurants and regularly travel anonymously in order to provide you with expert, unbiased, and trusted advice.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Guys, WOW .. how do you come up with theses ideas! Outstanding! The pics are nice BUT not the ones where all the action happened in the movie… Anyway you can get pics of Bill Murray’s house/shed, the Baby Ruth pool, actual Caddy Shack, private bar room, dining room, entrance to clubhouse where Spalding threw up into the Doc’s Porsche and of course the Green where the Archbishop was hit by lightning. Great find ! thx
No problem. Visiting Grand Oaks is like walking through a Hollywood set – particularly in the clubhouse and proshop. For outings, they even turn the place into “Bushwood” with lots of fun cutouts, signs and posters.
Thanks, John. I read that some of the scenes you mentioned (pool, dining room, etc.) were filmed at different locations (Plantation CC; Boca Raton Hotel & Club). The golf course scenes, however, were shot at Rolling Hills, now Grande Oaks.