If you are a golfer and you are planning a family vacation to Orlando to visit the attractions, you need to schedule a little time to play one (or all)  of Disney‘s five golf courses. Every course on the property offers a different experience for golfers of all skill level.

Osprey Ridge, rated 4 1/2 out of 5 stars by Golf Digest and rated one of the “best courses you can play” by Golf Magazine,  takes you through a wilderness-like setting where you’ll encounter all types of local wildlife. This Tom Fazio-designed course will take you through forests of scrub oak, pine, palmetto, cypress and bay trees. From the tips, Osprey Ridge is 7,101 yards and boasts a whopping 74.4 course rating.

Lake Buena Vista, rated 4 out of 5 stars by Golf Digest, is, as expressed by course architect Joe Lee, “exciting, challenging, yet fun to play.” The course has more of a “country club” feel to it, everything is expertly manicured and there are some absolutely beautiful holes to experience.  Holes #4 and #16 are my two favorite on the course, both play over water and are quite appealing to the eye. On hole #16, you can sometimes catch the ferry boats taking the park goers to and from the attractions and if you aim your tee shot just right…… 🙂 Hole #7 is a Par 3 to an island green, very similar to a certain TPC Sawgrass hole. While not as back breaking as Osprey Ridge, you’re still faced with a 73.0 course rating and 6802 yards of pastel villas, pine forests, palmettos, sparkling lakes and a lighthouse.

The Palm Golf Course, also rated 4 out of 5 stars by Golf Digest, strangely enough features many strategically placed palm trees. Quite the opposite of Osprey Ridge, this Joe Lee design comes equipped with tropical sand and shimmer lakes to give you the feeling of playing golf in an oasis. There are 94 bunkers on the course and hole #18 is considered one of the most challenging holes on the PGA Tour. The Palm is a part of the annual Children’s Miracle Network Classic, offering plenty of challenges for players of all skill level. From the tips, the course plays 7010 yards with a 73.9 course rating.

Disney’s Magnolia is by far, my favorite Disney course to play. It features the famous Mickey bunker on the Par 3, 6th, which, I was 2 inches away from my first Ace… Magnolia is a tough course, from the tips it plays a fearsome 76.4 course rating and 7516 yards. Designed by Joe Lee, the course was named for it’s many fragrant Magnolia trees. This course is also home to the final round of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic. Last time I played this course, I saw no fewer than 20 deer, a dozen turkeys and one alligator. In this bloggers humble opinion, if you had to choose one Disney course to play, I’d strongly recommend Magnolia.

Last and least (regarding the number of holes…tee hee) is Oak Trail Golf Course. It’s a pleasant family course that is a walking nine hole. It’s a fun course with something for everyone and it’s a great relaxing round.

Back in February, GolfNow.com started offering discounted tee times for all the Disney golf courses, sometimes you can find rounds discounted as much as 75% off. So if you’re looking for a good way to save some cash, I recommend checking them out.

Among some of the best places to stay in the area are the Omni Orlando at Championsgate, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress and the Ginn Reunion resorts, which all feature golf courses designed by Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus among others.

Enjoy!

– Dave

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Here’s some Orlando golf course reviews for your perusal and if you’re looking to play, here’s a selection of discounted Orlando tee times.