Ready to grab your golf clubs (or rent a set) and head out on the green for a fun round of golf with family and friends? With over 50 public golf courses to choose from, it can be challenging to decide the best Orlando golf course to play while you’re on vacation! We’ve listed 12 of our favorite courses to play with a few highlights to help you decide which is the perfect for you. They’re segregated into three categories:
Golf Courses in the Greater Orlando area near Disney
Other Notable Courses to Play While Visiting
And, when you’re ready to visit, you can also head down to learn more about accommodations nearby the golf courses, the theme parks, and other popular attractions.
Golf Courses at Walt Disney World
Did you know there are four public courses located at Disney World? For our WDW fans who also enjoy a fun and magical round of golf, you will find a golf course that’s perfect for you and your family to play! They are often named some of Orlando golf courses for their design, amenities, and overall playability. To speak to this — The Palm Golf Course, Magnolia Golf Course, and Lake Buena Vista Golf Course have all hosted a Disney PGA TOUR tournament.
Walt Disney World Golf also offers instructional golf clinics for juniors aged 7 to 17! Your kiddos and teens who want to improve their game will find an exciting and educational experience with PGA instruction at Disney. Typically from 9am to 2pm, these clinics offer performance-based practice to focus on short game and full swing development.
Check out the video below and continue reading to learn more about each of these praised golf courses:
Disney’s Palm Golf Course
18 Holes | Par 72
The Palm Golf Course is an 18-hole championship course featuring beautiful lakes, sand, palm trees, and sloping greens. The course offers 9 holes that feature water hazards and 59 bunkers throughout. It is rated 4 stars by Golf Digest and presents challenges for novice players and seasoned pros alike. It was completely redesigned in the summer of 2013 by the Arnold Palmer Design Company, which included building all new green complexes, newly shaped tees, and a new bunker design that modernized the historic golf course.
Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course
18 Holes | Par 72
The name speaks for itself — visitors will be wowed by its beautiful magnolia trees, elevated tees, and spacious greens! Golfing with a view can be found here. Players will be challenged with water hazards on 11 of the 18 holes and 97 strategically placed bunkers. Magnolia Golf Course was certified by Audubon International as a Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary and rated 4 stars by Golf Digest. The course is perfect for seasoned golfers but is a welcome challenge for players of all levels. Plus, those who have not played since 2015 will be delighted to find renovations have been completed to the bunkers, golf cart paths, and tree enhancements.
Lake Buena Vista Golf Course
18 Holes | Par 72
The classic country club-style golf course winds through magnificent pine forests, tropical palmetto trees, and shimmering lakes. Perfect for those looking to take in the surrounding nature while testing their golfing skills on a world-class course! This 18-hole course is the brainchild of famed architect Joe Lee and has hosted the greats of the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour, and USGA events. You’ll find elevated bunkered greens that highlight the importance of an accurate approach. The course has also been certified by Audubon International as a Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary and rated 4 stars by Golf Digest. If you’re looking for a challenging round of golf with family and friends, this is the place to do so!
Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course:
9 Hole | Par 36 | Walking Course
Also known as the Woodland Walking Course, this 9-hole, par-36 course is family-friendly and great for small children or novices who are still learning to play. It offers exciting challenges with varying yardage from white tees, red tees, and junior tees — from 132 – 517 yards from the white tees, to be exact. Here, you’ll be able to test your skills around a deep canal and beautiful picturesque pond! Like two of the other courses listed above, it has been Certified by Audubon International as a Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary! The Arnold Palmer Golf Management operated course will be sure to please everyone in the family! As you’ve seen, this is a walking course only, which means no golf carts are allowed on the course. However, pull carts can be rented on a first-come, first-served basis. Or, you can upgrade to the Club Car Tempo Walk Robo-Caddie experience.
Golf Courses Near Disney World
For those staying in the resort communities in Orlando, you’ll find these top-rated golf courses are some of the best in Orlando! They’re moments away from our vacation rental homes, Disney, and all of the other attractions!
ChampionsGate Golf Courses
Two x 18 Holes | Par 72 + 9 Hole | Par 3 + Miniature Golf
ChampionsGate Golf Club offers it all — two 18-hole championship golf courses, a lighted 9-hole, par 3 golf course, and miniature golf for everyone in the family! No matter your golfing desires, you’ll be at home here and playing here can truly be a family experience. The two premier courses, The International Course and National Course, were designed by famed golfer Greg Norman. They both offer unique playing conditions, one with coastal link-style vibes that was inspired by Norman’s upbringing in Australia and the other with a more traditional Orlando golf resort feel. It is also home to the world renowned David Leadbetter Golf Academy and on-site dining.
Celebration Golf Club
18 Holes | Par 72
Located less than 10 minutes from Disney World and widely recognized as one of Orlando’s top courses, the course opened in 1996 and is beautifully framed by pristine lakes, natural wetlands, and bordered by occasional clusters of native trees. Celebration boasts not only one-of-a-kind playing conditions but also high-level guest service, which equals a fantastic experience for visitors of any skill level. The course features rolling terrain and a challenging design by the famous father-son team of Robert Trent Jones Senior and Junior. Here you will also find lessons at their Golf Academy for all ages, a gorgeous clubhouse, and on-site dining.
Falcon’s Fire Golf Course
18 Holes | Par 72
Situated about 3 miles from the main gate of Disney World, Falcon’s Fire Golf Course features a total of 36 holes surrounded by nature and is a “must play” for golfers visiting or living around Orlando! The Rees Jones designed course has been recognized both regionally and nationally for its challenging yet playable course. Perfect for a relaxing round with friends or a competitive tournament, this conveniently located course is also near Orlando International Airport and the Orange County Convention Center — making it easily accessible for visitors in the area. Plus, there is an incredible clubhouse to take advantage of for a variety of occasions, a practice facility with lessons for everyone in the family, and on-site dining.
Orange County National Golf Course
Two x 18 Holes | Par 72 + 9 Hole | Par 3 Short Course
Another golf center with everything from 2 championship golf courses and a 9-hole short course to first-class instruction and America’s largest drive range! Here you’ll find another top-rated golfers paradise and the perfect place to play with everyone in your group. With no development on or around the courses, you’ll be able to take in the natural beauty of Orlando with plenty of chances for wildlife viewing while you play. The Panther Lake Course is known for strategically placed fairway bunkers, trees, and water hazards that frame the holes and provide a clear line of play. The second course, Crooked Cat, provides golfers with an open feel and more of a links-style course that has significant elevation changes and rolling fairways. Third but not least, the Tooth Course is their 9-hole walking course that offers challenging bunkers, gentle elevation, and a place for younger players to test their skills.
Other notable Orlando golf courses
Waldorf Astoria Golf Club: 18-hole Rees Jones and Steve Weisser-designed championship course known for its visually stunning scenery and mindful elements planned around the native landscape. Accolades include being listed in Golf Magazine’s Top 100.
Grand Cypress Golf Club: 45 holes designed by world-renowned Jack Nicklaus — traditional links design featuring more than 150 bunkers, stone walls, and elevated tees.
Hawk’s Landing Golf Club: 18-hole championship course design by Robert Cupp Junior blends challenge with the native Florida wildlife.
Accomodations Near the Best Orlando Golf Courses
Looking for accommodations near the best golf courses in Orlando? We have you covered. Our vacation homes are within a short drive (or even walking distance) to every course listed above. We have over 80 vacation rental homes to choose from — including properties with Disney themed rooms, a beautiful vacation home with a Harry Potter bedroom, and more!
Whether you’re a beginner or professional golfer, the breathtaking views and warm sunny weather during a large part of the year make Orlando golf courses some of the best to visit during any vacation. And, if you have questions about visiting or are ready to start planning your next trip to Orlando, our team is here to help! We’re available 24/7. Simply give us a call or send us an email.
You can also browse through all of our Orlando vacation rental homes online or by selecting one of our Villakey curated categories below:
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