In the city best known for having incredible theme parks and attractions, many people overlook the fact that Orlando has some of the best golf courses in the nation. Visitors come from around the world to enjoy the sunny weather and warm temperatures Florida offers almost year-round. Forget worrying about losing your putting skills being snowed in up north, here in Orlando the most you’ll have to worry about is some rain or a small cold snap—the greens always stay green here. If you’re looking for resort-style golfing with added benefits, the Walt Disney World Resort offers a variety of golf courses all under the House of Mouse. Disney defines Orlando and if you’re coming to Central Florida to check out the Disney theme parks anyway, you might as well see the beautiful golf courses Disney has to offer so you keep up your game while enjoying the classic Disney attractions. There are four main golf courses within the Walt Disney World Resort where avid golfers can enjoy world-class greens and driving ranges. Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is surrounded by plenty of greenery, Florida wildlife, and glimpses of Disney’s villas and resorts. It has hosted events by the PGA Tour, LPGA, and USGA organizations and is one of the most popular golfing destinations in the area. Built in 1972 by Joe Lee, the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course has a 4 star rating from Golf Digest. Next is the Magnolia Golf Course, the longest within the Walt Disney World Resort. It’s famous for having a par 3 #6 Mickey Mouse bunker and surroundings of over 1,500 Magnolia trees. This course, also constructed by Joe Lee, was built in 1971 and is the only Gold Medal Golf Resort in Florida as voted by Golf Magazine. The Magnolia’s sister course, the Palm, has 94 bunkers and plenty of beautiful lakes and rivers. It plays host to The Disney Golf Classic and has a 4 star rating from Golf Digest. Disney’s Osprey Ridge was voted one of the best golf courses in the nation by Golf Digest and it is famous for its forestry. You are completed surrounded by Mother Nature, giving you a peaceful golf experience unlike any other. One of the newer courses, it was designed by Tom Fazio and built in 1992, and will give you plenty of views of the course’s namesake, the osprey. Of course, not all courses involve the House of Mouse. Orlando has some high class golf courses attached to the most prestigious names in hotel history. Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge was built in 1961 by architect Dick Wilson. The Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge is considered the #4 Golf Course in Florida and #41 Best Resort Course by Golfweek in 2009. The Ritz-Carlton was built in 2003 and designed by “The Shark” Greg Norman. As part of the luxurious Ritz-Carlton hotel, this course features challenging landscaping to make your golf experience fun and intense. The newest course belongs to Orlando’s most luxurious resort yet, the Waldorf-Astoria. The Waldorf Astoria Golf Course is located at the Bonnet Creek Resort and features beautiful Bermuda Rye grass along with the best amenities a golf course can offer. If you think Orlando is only about theme parks and attractions, then you’re missing out on some of the best golfing around! |