The best golf courses to play in Orlando

With courses dating back to the 1920s there is a rich golfing history and culture in Orlando, that even precedes the theme parks that are now associated with a Florida holiday. Home to the PGA Merchandise Show, numerous golf academies and with more than 150 golf courses in and around the city, not to mention the prestigious company of a number of PGA Tour players who both live and play in Orlando, golfers of any ability are sure to be in their element!

Year-round play (with all the associated variations in weather) and a wide range of courses to suit all budgets and levels of play await you on your next trip to Orlando, ranging from celebrated PGA Tour and championship courses for those who are serious about their golf, to fun-filled mini golf adventures that all the family can enjoy.

Legends of the golfing world have made their mark on Orlando’s courses, creating testing greens that you’ll love trying out. If you want to get close to the genius of Arnold Palmer’s golfing designs then a visit to Shingle Creek Golf Club might be on your (score) cards. Named after the creek running through the resort, and with a beautiful natural background of trees and waterways you will feel like you are away from the hustle and bustle of the city and in your own golfing paradise, even though you are still within minutes of SeaWorld and Aquatica!

Arnold Palmer Golf Management also takes the reins at Disney’s 18-hole golf courses, Disney’s Palm, Magnolia and Lake Buena Vista. A further nine-hole Disney course - Oak Trail – is a walking course that is suitable for all members of the family, including budding junior golfers. What’s more you can even play a game of FootGolf here! Palm was completely redesigned in summer 2013, so if you haven’t visited since then it is time for another trip.

A golf course that is well worth a visit, and is only three miles from the community of ChampionsGate – the Retreat is the award-winning ChampionsGate Golf Course, which boasts two stunning courses designed by Aussie golf legend Greg Norman. The National Course channels the style of traditional Florida golfing, with cypress groves, mature trees and lakes. The links-style International Course takes plenty of inspiration from Norman’s Australian origins and is designed around natural wetlands, grassy dunes and deep bunkers. Whatever your style of play you are sure to be challenged by the golfing at ChampionsGate before heading back to your villa after a tiring day on the course!

Another course in the vicinity of your villa at the community of Southern Dunes is the aptly-named Southern Dunes Golf Course. Originally called Lost Grove, after bad weather destroyed a citrus grove in 1989, from this empty space grew the award-winning course that exists today. Ranking among the USA’s best courses, discover the undulating hillside layout climbing 100ft, and extending over 7200 yards with high bunkers and mounds covered with ornamental grasses.

Golf fans might want to book a villa near to the famous 18-hole Highlands Reserve Golf Course, which backs onto many of the houses in the Highlands Reserve community. Sitting on the edge of the sandy shelf of the Greed Swamp Ridge the course spans elevations of 120ft and was designed by the renowned golf course architect Mike Dasher with fun, affordability and easy walkability in mind. For novices there are open fairways to learn the basics, while the more experienced golfer will be challenged by the rolling greens placed throughout the course.

Considered amongst the best value-for-money are the courses at Remington Golf Club and Ridgewood Lakes. With over 7000 yards of golfing, Remington in Kissimmee plays hosts to a number of prestigious tournaments throughout the year and the beautiful course is surrounded by a mixture of native Floridian trees and gorgeous palms in a spectacular park-like setting. If you are in Davenport, Ridgewood Lakes, which opened in 1994, offers a course designed by the well-known architect Ted McAnlis. The lush green surroundings framed by sandy bunkers make this a course that players of any level or age will enjoy!

For a less serious game of golf that anyone can try, then there are plenty of miniature golf courses around Orlando. Why not pay a visit to the award-winning Congo River Golf? There are seven locations in Florida including sites in Clearwater and Kissimmee where you will face a challenging game of mini golf with 36 tricky holes surrounded by tumbling waterfalls, tropical rainforests, rocky peaks and caves… Make sure you don’t lose your ball in their depths!

Whichever course you plan to visit as you head to America’s golfing Mecca, check online for details of their green fees and to clarify whether buggy hire is included in the price. Golf clubs can generally be hired at the courses, however if you plan to play golf on more than one occasion it might work out cheaper to take your own clubs with you to Florida. Contact your airline for details of any restrictions they place on carrying clubs, or any fees that they will charge.

Check out the links on our website for our suggestions of other courses that you might want to try out. If you have been to an amazing course that you think we should mention please get in touch!