Orlando, Florida is world-known for Walt Disney World and the Universal Studios theme park. However, it is also highly regarded among golfers. It has some of the best golf courses and resorts in the world and is home to several high profile tournaments on the golfing calendar. So read on to discover the nine best golf resorts in Orlando.
1. Rosen Shingle Creek
Book: check availability on the resort website
Price: Room only from $264/night. Stay & Play package from $441. *weekday rate
The Rosen Shingle Creek golf course is the perfect starting point for learning more about Orlando’s incredible collection of golf resorts. It is a part of the stunning Rosen Shingle Creek hotel complex, so you can be sure to have comfortable nights between golfing days. The resort is only 10 minutes from Orlando airport, so whether you’re staying for a few weeks or just dropping in for a quick weekend of golf, you won’t waste any time on the road.
Shingle Creek Golf Club was designed by the renowned Arnold Palmer Design Company, so you can be sure that your games will be both challenging and entertaining. Players of all levels are invited to step onto the 72 par course to boost their skills. And don’t just visit the perfectly manicured fairways – check out the driving range, putting greens, and chipping areas to warm up before a game.
2. Omni Orlando at ChampionsGate
Book: check availability on the resort website
Price: from $349/night (weekday)
Omni Orlando at ChampionsGate is where golfing blends traditional and modern elements of the game in Florida. It has two 18-hole championship courses, plus a 9-hole course for more laidback games. On top of that, kids can try out the 18 holes of mini-golf while their parents enjoy the classic version.
The quality of the courses is guaranteed by The Omni Group’s dedication to world-class golf, which has allowed it to become an official partner of the PGA Tour. Your stay can be complete with rental clubs so you can avoid airline fees, luxurious rooms, spa treatments, and so much more. There’s so much for the whole family that the kids might not even realize that Walt Disney World is just a few miles down the road.
3. Evermore Orlando Resort
Book: check the resort website. Due to high demand, you might need to call directly to 855.341.9527
Price: –
If you’re familiar with great golf resorts in Orlando, you might have heard of Villas of Grand Cypress. After going through some redesigning and refurbishment, it has been transformed into Evermore. So, while the quality of the fairways lives on, the amenities of the full resort will draw you in even further on your vacation.
You can choose from two courses: the Cypress and the Links. The Cypress course is a stunning feat of golfing architecture and landscaping, with luscious greens, beautiful lakes, and even an island par-3 green. Then you have the Links course, Jack Nicklaus’ homage to the classic St. Andrews in Scotland. It’s more challenging as it has steeper slopes and bunkers throughout the 18 holes. Even non-golfers staying at the resort will marvel at the beauty of the courses here.
4. Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Book: check availability on the resort website
Price: from $604/night (weekday)
The Waldorf Astoria hotels are well-known across the globe, but what some people overlook is the caliber of their golf courses. The resort in Orlando is one of the best, mostly due to its design by famed architect Rees Jones. Its natural flow will guide you from hole one to 18 and keep your head in the game.
Players of all skill-levels are welcome, with a 5-tee system in place so that you can tee off with confidence. The stay-and-play package is particularly intriguing because you can use the practice facilities and get discounts on other resort amenities like spa treatments. If you’re unfamiliar with stay-and-play offers in Orlando, check out our list of the best stay and play golf packages in the city. Of course, the Waldorf Astoria is included, and with good reason.
5. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Book: check availability on the resort website
Price: from $836/night (weekday)
If you’re looking for a resort that brings you back to the golden age of hotel service in Florida, look no further than the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. The mixture of classic American and Spanish Colonial styles will lure you in, while the stunning lakes, swaying palm trees, and expansive fairways will make you never want to leave.
You might run into golfing legends while they attend the PNC Championship or are just staying in the resort for a few quiet days of relaxed golfing. If you’re new to the game, book a lesson and learn from the best. However, if you’re ready for the green but would still like some guidance, why not book a caddie concierge? The level of service of the hotel can be brought to the course with an experienced caddie who will give you stats and tips to improve your game at Grande Lakes.
6. Reunion Resort & Golf Club
Book: check availability on the resort website
Price: villa from $409/night (weekday)
The Reunion Resort & Golf Club is truly a unique destination for golf lovers. If you know anything about the history of the sport, you will have heard of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson. This resort has courses designed by these three giants of golfing. You can get inspired by all of them and work your way through 54 holes over several days or extend your stay and space them out.
The Reunion Golf Club has won several awards for its quality, and that level of attention extends to the hotel services too. There is a water park, seven pools, a fitness center, and tennis courts. And if you’re bringing the whole family, children will be excited to get shuttled directly from the resort to Walt Disney World. By combining Mickey with Arnold, Jack, and Tom, you’ll have an incredible stay in Orlando.
7. Orlando World Center Marriott
Book: check availability on the resort website
Price: from $345/night (weekday)
Another great choice if you want to have a vacation that blends golfing and family fun is Orlando World Center Marriott. The resort fee includes transportation to Walt Disney World and Disney Springs, plus there is a waterpark, spa, Italian and Japanese cuisine, and so much more.
The golf club here is named Hawk’s Landing. Nature is a big theme at the course, where tropical vegetation mixes effortlessly with the native Floridian wildlife. It’s the perfect place to wind down after a few days of theme parks and water slides. You can sign up for the golf academy, rent all the necessary gear, and even bring younger players along – kids under 15 play for free after 3 PM.
8. Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge
Book: check availability on the resort website
Price: from $265/night
Fans of the great Arnold Palmer have plenty of courses to choose from in Orlando in order to follow in the legend’s footsteps. However, Bay Hill Club & Lodge is the true home of Palmer’s legacy. After playing the course in 1965, he decided he wanted to own it. After many years of growing the club, he decided to renovate it in 2009. That vision is what golfers can visit today.
Now it’s a 72 par, 7,196 yard (1,642 meters) course that is beautifully designed and excitingly challenging. For a lighter golfing session, you can try out the 9-hole course. You can also enroll in the academy, hire caddie services, check out the pro shop, and much more. And that’s just in the club. The resort also has fine dining experiences, spa treatments, and a marina that you can stroll around or take a fishing trip from.
9. Mission Inn
Book: check availability on the resort website
Price: from $179/night (weekday)
Just outside of Orlando is one of the best resorts to really feel the Florida vibe. Mission Inn’s hotel and villas are built with Spanish Colonial-style architecture and sit among orange groves, lakes, and 36 holes of premium greens. The rolling Florida hills play a part in the game – the slopes of the fairways will add an extra challenge to your game.
Choose between the El Campeón and Las Colinas courses. The former was built in 1917, making it one of the oldest golf courses in the state. Despite being the shorter course, it is more challenging. Las Colinas is newer, with a links design and more views of the colonial-style villas than the natural wetlands around El Campeón. Whichever you go for, you’ll have a great time. Choosing both over your stay can make it even better.
FAQ
Is Orlando a good destination for golf?
Yes, Orlando is a perfect destination for golfers because of its large number of courses, especially ones designed by golfing legends. Also, the weather is good all year round for golfing, and the natural surroundings of rolling hills and waterways make the courses more picturesque but also more challenging.
Can you play at the courses without being a member?
Some golf clubs only allow members or players that are staying in the resort. For example, to play Bay Hill, you must stay at the lodge or become a member. However, not all the courses in Orlando are as restrictive. Of course, it’s good to remember that getting a stay-and-play package gives you access to each course and you also get benefits for other parts of the resort.
Which courses are closest to Walt Disney World?
Walt Disney World has its own golf courses – four in fact. From the courses you’ve seen in this list, Shingle Creek Golf Club at Rosen Shingle Creek is the closest to Disney World. Several others are less than 15 minutes drive and offer shuttle services to take you there and back.
