Tee Off in Style for Orlando Golf: 8 Premier Golf Courses You Can’t Miss!
Endless Summer, lush greens, and tree-lined fairways. Unless you’re a resident in Orlando, it’s not every day that you are in close proximity to some of the best golf courses in America.
We’re spilling the tea on tee time at the best Orlando golf courses! Whether with family or on a business trip, take a swing at the exclusive Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge or the opulent Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grande Lakes. Fancy something more lowkey? Spend time honing your skills at the budget-friendly Winter Park Golf Course.
Grab your clubs, because we’ve got the details on Orlando golf courses ranked in no particular order. Read on to discover all about your ideal golf courses Orlando!
8 of the Top-Rated Orlando Golf Courses
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grande Lakes: When you aren’t ooohing and aahing over the panoramic Grande Lakes resort, the on-site Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at 4040 Central Florida Pkwy will keep you busy with its 18-hole championship-level golf course. Designed by legendary golf course architect Greg Norman, this upscale resort course boasts challenging greens, wide fairways, and hazards amid jaw-dropping natural scenery.
If you’re golfing with family, here’s a freebie you can’t resist. Children and young adults up to the age of 17 can play golf, free of charge, with each paid adult round of golf.
If you’re on a company trip and are entertaining your top business clients, rest assured that you will be treated to a level of personal service found only in the best golf clubs. No less than the best from one of the top Orlando golf courses.
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Shingle Creek Golf Club: An overview of the best golf courses in Orlando isn’t complete without mentioning the Shingle Creek Golf Club, located at 9939 Universal Blvd. Masterfully designed by the renowned Arnold Palmer Design Company, it’s no wonder why the newly renovated Shingle Creek course rises above the rest.
Elevated greens and strategically placed bunkers are surrounded by enchanting flora and wildlife. Meanwhile, the three new holes still have the classic Arnold Palmer touch, except this time around, the average golfer will breathe a sigh of relief given the added recovery options along extra-long par-4s and par-5s.
So for those who’ve already played the championship course at Shingle Creek Golf Club, your next visit will bring a totally new experience.
Celebration Golf Club: Stay and play at one of the best golf courses Orlando, located at 701 Golfpark Dr, Celebration. Since the Celebration Golf Club opened in 1996, pros and casual golfers alike have praised the rewarding experience of playing the game on such a well-designed field. Thanks to the brilliant minds of Robert Trent Jones Senior and Junior, players of all ranking will have fun because it can be enjoyed on many levels.
Using their unique design strategies and the natural lay of the land, the two golf course architects crafted an upscale daily-fee golf resort that takes full advantage of the natural pine forests and Florida wetlands.
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With five sets of tees and a total yardage of 7,028, the eighteen distinctive holes invite competition from all skill levels. As per Robert Trent Sr and Jr’s belief, “every hole should be a hard par and an easy bogey.”
Waldorf Astoria Golf Club: Well-maintained fairways and top-notch greens make Waldorf Astoria Golf Club at 14224 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln an outstanding course. The luxurious golf club’s visually stunning and immensely playable 18-hole championship golf course winds through a large wetland preserve that measures 7,108 yards.
Up for a challenge? Test your skill on the last course built in Orlando with a Par 72, Slope 139, and 74.6 rating from its Professional Tees. And if you need last-minute equipment or gear, enjoy the convenience of an on-site Pro Shop with TaylorMade, Adidas, and Ashworth merchandise and club rentals. Not exactly one of Orlando public golf courses, but you certainly can expect top-notch service.
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge: Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge at 9000 Bay Hill Blvd is not your average resort course design. Instead, this exclusive to members and registered guests golf club offers two courses: The Champion or Challenger.
The Challenger, which many golf fanatics will easily recognize as a PGA Tour venue, is an 18-hole course that hosted notable performances from the likes of Dean Wilson, Vaugh Taylor, and the legendary Arnold Palmer himself.
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Meanwhile, the Charger is a 9-hole course with an arduous, old-school layout that never ceases to impress. So how much is it to golf at Arnold Palmer’s Orlando Golf Course? It depends on the time of the year. The cheapest room rate to stay a night at the Lodge is around $200. The Club also offers a stay-and-play package, which usually costs around $308 daily.
Although costlier than nearby Orlando golf courses, the stunning, pristinely landscaped 270 acres and impressive facility will win you over.
Panther Lake at Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge: As the original course at Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge and one of two on-site regulation length 18-hole golf courses, Panther Lake is a one-of-a-kind golf course. Located at 16301 Phil Ritson Way, it’s a must-play on your golfing itinerary.
It offers some of the best visual delights of any Central Florida golf course. Swing your club through a scenic landscape of rolling meadows, native pines, and wetlands.
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If you have the time, ride on to the Orange County National’s second 18-hole golf course. The Crooked Cat features dramatic elevation changes and rolling fairways framed with mounding. Some players say it’s a more challenging course than Panther Lake, but we leave it to you to be the judge.
Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course: What is the best Disney golf course in Orlando, you ask? The reviews are varied, but many will agree with our recommendation to swing by Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course, located at 2200 Golf Dr.
This 18-hole country club-style course is ideal for golfers of all levels. Test your swing over 6,745 yards of palmetto groves and pine trees. Surrounded by the candy-colored villas of Disney’s Saratoga Springs and Old Key West Resorts.
Pro Tip: The course’s tricky 7th hole has elevated bunker greens for some good ol’ challenging fun!
Winter Park Golf Course: Although not within Orlando’s immediate boundary, Winter Park’s finest golf course is still worth mentioning, given how Orlando golfers like to include it on their itinerary.
Winter Park Golf Course at 761 Old England Ave is one of the oldest golf courses in Florida. It has been serving players of all skill levels since the 1900s. With its nine-hole golf course set over a wall-to-wall fairway and massive and undulating green complexes, be ready to sharpen your short-game skills.
The narrow, tree-lined fairways and postage-stamp greens challenge even the most experienced players. That being said, if you’re up for one of the most gripping short course experiences in this part of Central Florida, hold on to your clubs tight and head to Winter Park Golf Course!
Orlando Golf Courses FAQs
Why are There So Many Golf Courses in Florida?
Florida's incredible appeal to golf enthusiasts is primarily due to the weather. The steady rise in the establishment of private golf clubs across the state can be attributed to the consistent flow of individuals relocating from colder regions to bask in Florida's welcoming warmth. This trend shows no signs of abating.
How Do I Choose a Golf Course?
Choosing the right golf course typically involves finding one that presents a fair play challenge. Too much difficulty can diminish the fun, so aim for a course that balances skill requirement with gameplay enjoyment. This approach can offer an exciting opportunity to put new skills into practice.
Experience the Best Golf Courses in Orlando
Amidst the many things you can do in Orlando, golfing is simply one of the best outdoor activities. It doesn’t matter whether you tee at a private course or one of Orlando golf courses public. Challenge your mind and physical skills with 18-hole golf courses designed by the best golf architects. Or, if you feel like taking it easy and breezy, a 9-hole course is a great way to start your tee time.
Once you’ve played at any top golf courses in Orlando we’ve listed above, it’d be easy to see why experiences at golf courses in Orlando Florida are simply hard to beat.
Have You Golfed in Orlando?
Which are your favorite golf courses near Orlando? Maybe suggestions on the best public golf courses in Orlando?
Leave us a comment below!
