I’ve received multiple questions from the readership asking if I could give them a list of Orlando golf courses that allowed walkers to play the course. So, I did the leg work and called almost every golf course in Orlando and the list below are those that allow walkers to play.
I was a bit shocked at how few courses are “walker friendly” and I was pleasantly surprised at a few that were.
| Casselberry Golf Club |
407-699-9310 |
| Disney’s Oak Trail (9hole) | 407-938-4653 |
| Dubsdread Golf Course |
407-246-2551 |
| EagleCreek | 407-273-4653 |
| Eastwood Golf Club |
407-281-4653 |
| Fairways Country Club |
407-282-7535 |
| Faldo Golf Institute |
407-238-7677 |
| Grand Cypress Golf Club N/E/S |
407-239-1975 |
| Grand Cypress Golf Club New Course |
407-239-1975 |
| Grand Pines Golf Club |
407-239-6909 |
| Harmony Golf Preserve |
407-891-8525 |
| Hawks Landing Golf Club |
407-238-8910 |
| Highlands Reserve Golf Club |
877-508-4653 |
| North Shore Golf Club |
407-277-9277 |
| Ritz Carlton Golf Club | 407-393-4900 |
| Sugarloaf Mountain | 407-544-1104 |
| Victoria Hills Golf Club |
386-738-6000 |
| Wedgefield Country Club | 800-573-3118 |
| Winter Park Country Club |
407-599-3339 |
| Casselberry Golf Club | 407-699-9310 | Yes | ||
| Disney’s Oak Trail (9hole) | 407-938-4653 | Yes | ||
| Dubsdread Golf Course | 407-246-2551 | Yes | $10 Cheaper | |
| EagleCreek | 407-273-4653 | Yes | No Discount | |
| Eastwood | 407-281-4653 | Yes | No Discount | |
| Fairways Country Club | 407-282-7535 | Yes | ||
| Faldo Golf Institute Course | 407-238-7677 | Yes | No Discount | |
| Grand Cypress (N,E,S) | 407-239-1975 | Yes/No | Depends on how busy they are | |
| Grand Cypress New Course | 407-239-1975 | Yes | ||
| Grand Pines | 407-239-6909 | Yes | ||
| Harmony Golf Preserve | 407-891-8525 | Yes | No Pull Carts Allowed | No Discount |
| Hawks Landing | 407-238-8910 | Yes | No Discount | |
| Highland Reserve Golf Club | 877-508-4653 | Yes | ||
| North Shore Golf Club | 407-277-9277 | Yes | Discounted Rate | |
| Ritz Carlton Golf Club | 407-393-4900 | Yes | Caddy Program additional $25 | |
| Sugarloaf Mountain | 407-544-1104 | Yes | Members & possibly others | |
| Victoria Hills | 386-738-6000 | Yes | After 12:00 | $30 |
| Wedgefield Country Club | 800-573-3118 | Yes | ||
| Winter Park Country Club | 407-599-3339 | Yes |
Amateur golf seems to have adapted itself to the laziness that taken over our country. Yes, I know, golf courses are a business and they need to push through as many people as possible in order to stay in business, but out of all the courses I called, only 18 were walker friendly… That seems wrong to me.
One of the primary benefits of golf is the fact that if you forego the golf cart and walk from hole to hole, you’re actually walking between three to five miles. Considering that many courses have an ever changing topography, you could be climbing uphill and downhill, working several muscles in the process.
Walking is a low-impact cardiovascular activity that gets the heart pumping. Many doctors advise walking over jogging because it isn’t jarring on the knees and feet. Walking is often an important part of a workout routine and can promote weight loss and a healthier heart. For golfers who do not have a caddy, carrying a bag full of clubs adds some resistance while walking.
Research has indicated that playing a round of golf has the same health benefits of a full 45-minute fitness class. It will burn fat and also improve your good cholesterol levels. Some estimates suggest that playing a round of golf and carrying your clubs can burn over 400 calories, while walking with a pull cart can burn over 300 calories.
Swinging clubs and putting are also physical workouts. Repetition can help tone muscles in the arms, back and shoulders. It may also improve flexibility and range of motion. Golf also helps to strengthen hand-eye coordination and balance. It can be a great way for older players to remain spry and active in a low-impact way.
Apart from the apparent physical benefits, playing golf also has some mental health benefits as well. Simply being outdoors on a beautiful day can boost a person’s spirits. Provided you’re not caught up with the competition aspect and gunning to win, golf can also be a relaxing endeavor that helps stress melt away. There’s also the camaraderie of golf: spending time with friends and other players and engaging in conversation.
Golf has many benefits, and despite not being as high-energy as baseball or football, for example, it still remains a sport that can prove beneficial to your health.
exerpt taken from FortWayne.com
I’m just as lazy as the rest of us, but I’ve decided to make a concerted effort to walk atleast 1/2 of the rounds I play. What brought all this about was a couple weeks ago when I played out at Winter Park Country Club. It’s a nine hole course that I played twice and when I got back to the clubhouse I felt like crap, I was completely drained, and I’m still a “relatively” young man! 
Also, something I saw a couple do one time, if you’re playing a course that’s cart-only, you and your playing partner can alternate walking and riding, one drives the cart whilst the other walks to their ball.
Do you prefer walking or riding?
If you liked this one, feel free to check out my other Orlando golf course reviews and if you’re looking to play, here’s a selection of discounted Orlando tee times.
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Dave, this article is a godsend. I want to do more walking this winter to try and drop a few unwanted pounds – ok, 40, but who’s counting. Thanks for the list, I’ll be printing it out. My only question is, how many of these clubs turn into riding only clubs once the snowbirds arrive in a blatant cash grab?
That’s a good question, I’d hope that most wouldn’t change their policy. I know that Grand Cypress N,E,S combo was contingent on how busy they were, but the New Course is always walker friendly.
Here on the east coast the municipal and county courses are going to require carts before 11am during the winter months. This is an economic move mosty. A GPS track of the Habitat (Brevard county course) is just under a 7 mile walk. I walk about 95% of the time. Some courses like Savannahs (another Brevard County course) allows walking but because it is through a housing development there are some 3 block spaces between holes and has (from what I’ve heard) 95% cart usage.
I do have to report that in England there are usually one or two carts per course and everyone walks. I also have to report that one course I played this summer (semi-private) has a fee of 60 pounds to walk. When I got my credit card bill that converted to $97.
This is some great information. This is really helpful!
I play at Sugarloaf Mountain almost every week and I’m really surprised that they would allow walking. I’ve NEVER seen anyone walking that course … and, that course is nothing but up and down, up and down on some very, very steep hills. I just can’t imagine anyone wanting to walk that course … ever!
As for the others mentioned, I’ve seen walkers at most of them whenever I’ve played there. Good information, as always, Dave.
As a big man myself i would like to see a post about the best courses for the disabled or those like myself who struggle to get around the green. I am looking to book a trip with florida villa options to perhaps Southern Dunes or Highlands Reserve but i am not 100% sure which villa development to stay in based on accessibilty around the course. Some up in Scotland are extremely rugged (and windy), so best avoided. I am hoping that by heading out to Florida, i can experience better comforts as i know how good the American people are towards the disadvantaged.
I’ve never stayed there, but Grand Cypress has some beautiful Villas right on the property, most overlooking the golf courses. They also have a Marriott there, full accommodations, etc.. I’ve not been to Southern Dunes, I heard they have a great track, but I can’t vouch for it.