Orlando Golf – Golf Courses in Florida

As well as the obvious draw of Disney World and the other parks and attractions, many visitors are drawn to the Orlando region of Florida for the opportunity to play at some of the best golf courses in Florida. Whether purely visiting the area to play golf in the Florida sunshine or hoping to take in a couple of golf courses between visits to Disney or lying by the pool, our villa is ideally situated with dozens of fantastic golf courses within easy driving distance.

As well as apparently being home to more professional golfers than any other city in the world (who worked that out!) the Orlando golf scene boasts numerous top quality courses, designed by some of the most famous names in the sport.

The following are just a small selection of the near 200 golf courses in the area and are in no particular order ;

Villas of Grand Cypress

Location – Lake Buena Vista Area
Distance from Disney World – 6 miles

Overview – 45 holes of golf, play on the Jack Nicklaus designed tribute to the original home of golf, the Old Course at St Andrews

Website - Villas of Grand Cypress

Hawks Landing

Location – Lake Buena Vista Area
Distance from Disney World – 9 miles

Overview – Based in central Florida, this course claims to be the top golfing venue in the region, even laying on Valet parking, free of charge, for golfing visitors

Website - Hawks Landing

Mystic Dunes Golf Club

Location – Kissimme area
Distance from Disney World – 10 miles

Overview – Designed by professional Gary Koch, the course is famous for offering a distinct difference between the front and back nines, with the latter featuring many of the characteristics of a classic British links course

Website - Mystic Dunes

Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill

Location – Sand Lake Road
Distance from Disney World – 14 miles

Overview – Claims to offer a world-class golfing experience, drawing on the name of its famous designer, but the course is only open to those who stay in one of their 70 odd lodges.

Website - Bay Hill Club

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Selected Golf Articles

Orlando Golf - Golf on the Space Coast

Although millions of visitors come to Florida for the Disney experience there are plenty of other attractions and activities which draw in the crowds, chief among them are the fantastic golfing opportunities spread throughout the state. This is the first in a series of articles looking at various aspects of the Florida golfing scene, with this feature concentrating on golf and other attractions that make the Space Coast an ideal venue for a golfing vacation.

The Space Coast runs over seventy miles along Florida’s Atlantic shoreline incorporating Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center as well as a plethora of beach focused towns including Cocoa beach and Palm Bay. As well as the world famous space attractions there are well over 20 golf courses with a huge range of types of course and related facilities. The area is only just over an hour from Orlando so ideally placed if the primary aim of your Florida trip is Walt Disney World, but you find yourself with enough spare time to fit in a round of golf or two.

Great Golf

There is a great range of different types of golf course running from immaculate resort based courses through well managed municipal courses, the latter of particular appeal to anyone on a budget. The course designers have made full use of the area’s natural features including wetlands, pine forests and the ubiquitous lakes. Those designers include Gary Player (Baytree National, which is the pick of the bunch), as well as Arnold Palmer (The Majors Golf Club). For those on a restricted budget, consider Cocoa Beach Country Club or The Habitat Golf Club.

Go on a Cruise

When you have finished playing golf one option is to go on a cruise. Port Canaveral is the starting point for cruises ranging from multiple day outings destined for exotic locations to five-hour long cruises which operate twice daily.

Lie on a Beach

There are a large number of beaches running along the Space Coast, ranging from the hectic Cocoa Beach to the largely undisturbed and under-developed stretch of beaches which make up the Canaveral National Seashore. Cocoa beach is a particular favourite spot for surf enthusiasts.

Go Fishing

Again there is a lot of variety to suit all fishing tastes, ranging from the spectacular deep-sea fishing which can be enjoyed off the Atlantic Coast to the renowned Mosquito Lagoon, which consists of 20 miles of flats running from New Smyrna Beach to Merritt Island.

Space Walk..

..and finally you would be mad to go to the Space Coast without actually experiencing the thrill and excitement of visiting the space region itself, a place that is synonymous with mankinds early exploration of space. The Kennedy Space Center is a must!

Orlando Golf - Daytona Beach

Anyone staying in Orlando, whether on business or much more likely, pleasure and who would like to take in a round or two of golf should consider heading over to the east coast around Daytona, also known as the Space Coast due to the famous Kennedy Space Center and nearby Cape Canaveral. Daytona is only just over one hours drive from the Orlando region and boasts a number of fantastic beaches, plenty of surfing and fishing opportunities, as well as a great range of golf courses. If you go at the right time of year, there is also the option of taking in a NASCAR race at the world famous Daytona International Speedway.

Focusing on the areas golf, there is plenty of variety and a choice of green fees to suit every budget.

Cocoa Beach Area

Famous for its beautiful beaches and fantastic surfing, Cocoa Beach also features some great golf courses starting with the Joe Lee designed Viera East Golf club. True to the Lee design approach, the course includes innovative bunkering and hazards with the aim of setting the golfer a challenge without taking the pleasure out of the game. Another option for the budget conscious is the Cocoa beach Country club, municipally owned and maintained and set in beautiful surroundings.

Daytona Beach Area

When you hear the name Daytona, the first thing people think of is car and motor cycle racing, held at Daytona International Speedway. There are also a number of good golf options in the area. Legends Course, part of LPGA International, designed by Arthur Hills, is very tough on the wayward golfer with narrow fairways lined with oak and pine trees. Definitely a course for the thinking golfer! Champions Course is a less compact course, more forgiving for the occasional stray drive and probably more suitable for anyone with a high handicap. If you like the way Jack Nicklaus sets up a course, head to Grand Haven Golf Club 30 miles north of Daytona.

Titusville Area

Close to the Kennedy Space Center, which is a must visit if you have time, take a look at the Walkabout Golf Club in Mims, which includes a bonus extra hole in the shape of Australia, the designers homeland. A budget alternative in the area is the Royal Oak Resort and Golf Club.

Orlando Golf - What to Bring

Anyone coming to Orlando for golf is also likely to be taking in some of the other attractions to be found in the area or a short drive away, whether visiting theme parks like Walt Disney World or Universal Studios or driving over to some of the beaches on the Space Coast. Regardless it can be difficult to know what weather conditions to expect and therefore what to bring.

The climate in the Orlando area of Florida is generally suitable for golf all year round, certainly compared to what you would find in the UK! However, it isn’t constant with strong variation through the seasons. It gets very hot and humid during the summer months but will be a lot cooler during the winter months. Some specifics;

Wet weather gear

Central Florida, including Orlando, with its tropical climate has a rainy season, which approximately covers the months of June, July, August and September. These months average seven or more inches of rain, several times more than the rest of the year, most of which materializes in sharp downpours rather than UK style drizzle. During the rainy season you would expect at least one sharp shower per day. You have been warned!

Correct clothing?

Florida is a relaxed destination and casual clothing, including shorts is acceptable just about everywhere. As mentioned Florida gets very hot during the summer and is still pretty hot during the day the rest of the year, so bring plenty of shorts and tee shirts. During November thru March the evenings can get a little chilly, so bring a jacket or a jumper. Although temperatures close or below freezing are almost unknown in the state, an occasional cold front does pass through requiring some slightly warmer clothing. If you are venturing out to one of the theme parks for the day, some decent footwear is advisable. You might also consider a change of clothes for the kids as they tend to find the many water features and attractions irresistible.

Bring your SatNav

Although Florida’s roads are sensibly laid out and easy to navigate, it makes sense to bring your portable SatNav if you have one as some of the golf courses you want to play may be some distance away. Hire cars will include SatNav as an option but this can be very expensive.

Suntan Lotion

It almost goes without saying that you need to protect yourself from what can be the scorching Florida sun. Suntan lotion is cheaper in the USA than in the UK, so buy it when you get there. You might also want some insect repellent if you are venturing into the swampier regions of the state. A decent sun hat is also advisable.

If you are looking for other suggestions for things to do in Florida try our article What is there to do in Florida?

Orlando Golf