There are more than 1,250 golf courses in Florida, more than any other state in the United States. If you can’t enjoy golf in Florida, then you can’t enjoy it anywhere. Orlando is no exception and is home to some of the best courses in the state and the country. Planning an epic golf trip to Orlando leaves the door wide open in terms of courses, resorts, and style of play. Choose from nationally known courses or stay at resorts with more than enough courses to fill your golf vacation.
Course Hop
Central Florida is packed with courses to choose from, which means it’s tough to make a bad decision when making tee times. Many resorts open their courses to the public for a fee. For top courses like Shingle Creek Golf Club, this can be worth the price of admission. Sticking to public courses, such as Orange County National, will help you avoid the daily resort fees. Orange County National is home to PGA Qualifying School Finals, making it a top public course in the Orlando area.
Must-Play Courses
Nothing says must-play like the name Arnold Palmer, and that is exactly what Bay Hill Club & Lodge offers. This course has hosted the PGA since 1979 and is home to one of golf’s greats, such as Palmer. It’s one of the best public courses in Florida and a must-play. Grand Cypress Resort, a Jack Nicklaus design, pays tribute to the Old Course at St. Andrews. This course will make you feel like you are playing the Old Scottish links in the middle of Florida and is a can’t-miss. Finally, Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club offers the most affordable round of golf on this list at under $100 per round. While it lacks water holes, it makes up for it in elevation changes you wouldn’t expect to see in Central Florida.
Stay at Resorts
Course hopping is great, but it requires a rental car to drive all over the Orlando area, and often resort fees to access some of the great public courses. Staying at a resort, while not always recommended, can be a great option for golfers looking to take the stress out of booking a golf trip. Walt Disney World is not just for kids and has fantastic golf courses for even the best golfers. For instance, Tom Fazio’s Osprey Ridge is challenging and beautiful. Disney also offer rounds of golf for under $50, which can be hard to find at many of the other local Orlando courses. If you are looking for great golf courses, a resort like Disney might offer the best option for you.
Planning Your Orlando Golf Trip
No matter what type of golfer you are, Orlando has a course designed for your style of play and budget. Experience a round at one of the country’s top courses and work on your game at some of the moderately priced tracks at Disney or surrounding areas. So, don’t miss out on the amazing public courses in the Orlando area and book your perfect golf vacation.
