Searching for the best golf courses the greater Orlando area has to offer? Whether you're a scratch golfer or just looking to blow off some steam on the fairway Caddyshack style, this list will have you teeing off on the finest 18 holes near Orlando in no time at all. With close to 150 to choose from, golf courses far outnumber theme parks in the Orlando area … and thanks to gorgeous greens designed by professional players and acclaimed architects, they're just as legendary. Whether you or your traveling companions are pros in the making or casual golfers who hit the links for some vacation fun, don't miss the chance to play some of Orlando's best golf courses — including these standouts while staying with us at Summer Bay Orlando By Exploria Resorts. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amy Schlinger (@aschlingg) 1 | The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Grande Lakes Orlando | Central Florida's landscape provided inspiration to legendary golf course designer and British Open Champion Greg Norman, who worked with nature to create challenging greens, wide fairways and hazards. Set within the headwaters of the Everglades, this scenic layout — a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary — plays among pines, palmettos and oaks, testing abilities at every skill level. Considered the best luxury golf experience in Orlando, this distinguished golf resort offers a day out unmatched in Central Florida. Where: 4040 Central Florida Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32837 | Who: 407-393-4900 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS Check Out These Related Articles Savor 10 of the Most Romantic Restaurants in Orlando Top 13 Spots Near Orlando to Get Your Shop On! The 13 Best Places to Jet Ski Near Orlando View this post on Instagram A post shared by Georgi Clarke (@golfergeorgi) 2 | Shingle Creek Golf Club | Shingle Creek can be considered one of the most scenic courses in Orlando. Originally designed by David Harman and inspired by Arnold Palmer, the course received a complete overhaul in 2016 that transformed the layout into a lush, green oasis. Strategically placed bunkers are surrounded by enchanting flora, and wildlife weaves its way through and around holes creating a surprisingly natural feel for a resort course. Sitting next to the Shingle Creek tributary, the course uses knobs, swales and slopes combined with closely mown runoff areas around elevated greens to provide an engaging round of golf. Where: 9939 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819 | Who: 407-996-1559 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lauren Claflin (@lauren.claflin) 3 | Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate: International Course | Just steps from the resort, the International Course is a coastal links-style course with generous fairways, littered with hundreds of pot bunkers and water features on every hole. This recently renovated PGA Tour Tournament course plays firm and fast, boasting the raw design of a rustic “down under” style from Greg Norman's homeland. New turf surfaces provide firm and fast conditions for longer drives, plus more challenging putting on larger undulating greens. Recently ranked No. 9 in the top overall ranked courses by GOLF Advisor, the International Course features 18 of the most dramatic and challenging holes in the state. Where: 1500 Masters Blvd, ChampionsGate, FL 33896 | Who: 407-390-6664 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by Not up to Scratch (@notuptoscratch) 4 | Walt Disney World® Resort Disney's Palm Golf Course | Originally designed by Joe Lee in 1971, Disney's Palm course was redesigned by Arnold Palmer Design Company in 2013 to make it more challenging. The extensive work included building entirely new green complexes, newly shaped tees, and a completely new bunker design that has modernized this historic golf course. There's water in play on nine of the 18 holes, and the course includes 9 holes with water hazards and 59 bunkers — providing plenty of challenges for novices and seasoned pros alike. Where: 1950 W Magnolia Palm Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 | Who: 407-939-4653 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by Justin Kalanquin (@raid_eight_zero) 5 | Waldorf-Astoria Golf Club | Visually stunning and immensely playable, the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club offers a peaceful interlude in a serene realm abutting the Bonnet Creek Nature Preserve. Using the land's natural contours as a canvas, acclaimed golf course architect Rees Jones pulled in elements from several of the world's classic courses. Although 14 holes feature water hazards of some sort, the primary threat to par comes from the tightness of the fairways, the strategic bunkering and the elevated greens. Where: 14224 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln, Orlando, FL 32821 | Who: 407-597-3782 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝕵𝖆𝖈𝖔𝖇 𝕽𝖞𝖆𝖓🐍 (@saintlaurentsnake) 6 | Reunion Resort & Golf Club: Tom Watson Course | One of three stellar Reunion Resort courses, the Watson Course uses strategic bunkering and hilly terrain as its defense. Reflecting the personality of five-time Open winner Tom Watson, the course is fast and firm with wide rolling fairways, big bunkers and large greens. With hardly any water in play, it's a thinker's layout that requires great decision-making throughout the round, calling for well-calculated golf that puts a premium on a solid short game and putting. Where: 7599 Gathering Dr, Kissimmee, FL 34747 | Who: 833-258-0472 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stephen (@lilwheezyf) 7 | Orange County National Golf Club: Panther Lake | Featuring 36 holes of championship golf, Orange County National is annually regarded as one of the best golf courses in Orlando. Panther Lake provides great variety and several shot-making options. The 7,350-yard masterpiece incorporates rolling hills and dramatic elevation changes as it winds through natural oak hammocks and freshwater lakes. The variety in design is evident in the way no two holes play alike — each requires something different from your shot-making repertoire. Where: 16301 Phil Ritson Way, Winter Garden, FL 34787 | Who: 407-656-2626 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by Game Under Repair (@gur_podcast) 8 | Celebration Golf Club | The course at Celebration Golf Club is the last golf course Robert Trent Jones Sr. and his son designed together. From the onset, their belief was that every hole should be a hard par and an easy bogey. It's a challenging course that combines some of the best elements of their most notable designs, including tight, narrow fairways and greens that are both small and large. Water hazards appear on every hole except for one, the 11th, and there are sand bunkers strategically situated throughout. Celebration Golf Club is widely recognized as one of the top Orlando courses annually. Where: 701 Golfpark Dr, Celebration, FL 34747 | Who: 407-566-4653 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brad Jones (@bejones80) 9 | Walt Disney World® Resort Disney's Magnolia Golf Club | Named for its majestic magnolia trees, this course features elevated tees, spacious greens and challenging water hazards. Wide fairways invite you to hit the ball and hit it long, but beware — 11 of the 18 holes boast water hazards and dozens of sand bunkers dot the landscape. This course was recently extensively reimagined in 2022 with a newly elevated design and innovative layout. Certified as a Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary, it represents a paradise for players at all levels. Where: 1950 W Magnolia Palm Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 | Who: 407-939-4653 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS View this post on Instagram A post shared by Winter Park Golf Course (@winterparkgolf) 10 | Winter Park Golf Course | The Winter Park Golf Course is a highly rated 9-hole gem in the heart of Winter Park that's well worth checking out. Originally built in 1914 and the second oldest in Central Florida, it underwent major renovations in 2016 — making it one of the best short course experiences in the country. The course, a 2,480-yard par 35, is surrounded by tree-lined city streets and neighborhood homes. The club's history includes play by the likes of Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen and Walter Hagen, so don't miss the opportunity. Where: 710 Old England Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789 | Who: 407-599-3419 VIEW ON GOOGLE MAPS Take a break from theme park thrills and spend a day — or more — perfecting your golf game at some of the outstanding courses Central Florida has to offer. Use this map to plan your Orlando golf outings and one of the best vacations ever! Book Your Exploria Resorts Stay Today For more information about Summer Bay Orlando by Exploria Resorts, or any of our luxurious vacation resorts, visit our website at exporiaresorts.com. And check out our vacation planning page for ideas about how you can take your next vacation with Exploria Resorts! * Exploria Resorts is in no way affiliated with the attractions featured in this article. Items or places listed are current as of the publishing date of this article. Please call or visit the respective website for the most up-to-date offerings and details.
