GOLF

Central Florida is has probably the best selection of golf courses to be found anywhere in the world. Below is a comprehensive list of courses in the locality.

Highlands Reserve
500 Highlands Reserve Blvd. Davenport, FL 33837
Telephone: 877.508.4653

Course Knowledge: Highlands Reserve is one of Central Florida's brightest new stars on the golf course circuit. The course boasts over 120 feet worth of elevation changes, making it one of the few, hilly courses around. The course is built on an old orange grove and borders some Florida wetlands. Open fairways and large greens are the signature of Highlands Reserve. Putting is the real challenge here as the double, and sometimes triple-tiered greens can create their share of three-put opportunities.

Set atop one of the highest areas of the state, Highlands Reserve is not your typical Florida golf course. This championship design by Mike Dasher gives you tree-lined fairways reminiscent of the Carolinas, open spacious fairways likened to the great Scottish courses, and a bit of old Florida with citrus trees dotting the countryside.

Large, fast, undulating greens make this course challenging and fun for all levels of golfers. Conveniently located just minutes from Walt Disney World and all major attractions, Highlands Reserve Golf Club is a Central Florida favorite!

Orange Lake Country Club
90 holes of Championship golf, including 2 floodlit courses.
8505 W Irlo Bronson Highway Kissimmee, FL 34747
Telephone: 407.239.1050

The Legends at Orange Lake - 18 Holes From the mind of Arnold Palmer's design company comes one of Central Florida's most challenging golf courses. As part of the enormous, Orange Lake Resort community in Kissimmee, Palmer's Legends course is relatively unknown to locals. Five different sets of tees allows players of all skill levels to enjoy championship caliber golf experience. The course is kept in immaculate condition, with rolling fairways and undulating greens.

The Legends Walk at Orange Lake - 9 Holes Arnold Palmer's design company decided to have a little fun when they created the par 3 course, Legends Walk. Not your everyday pitch n' putt, this lighted track has some bite, and it will thoroughly test all facets of your iron game. From the back tees, the length of the holes range from 150 to 225 yards, giving you a chance to use your long, middle and short irons. One thing is for sure; playing this course will sharpen your short game skills for the next time you tackle a regulation course.

Lake/Orange at Orange Lake - 18 Holes The combination of the Lake nine and the Orange nine at Orange Lake Resort presents the most difficult challenge of the three different course combinations at the resort. Opened in 1982, and designed by Joe Lee, the Lake, Orange and Cypress are a trio of courses are equal parts fun and challenging. The fairways are tight and lined with either trees or condominiums. The greens vary in size from small to large and are fairly flat. The signature hole on the Lake Course is the par 3, 8th, which requires a tee shot over water to an island green.

Cypress/Lake at Orange Lake - 18 Holes The Cypress/Lake combination at Orange Lake Resort will demand accuracy from your game. The fairways are tight and are borded by either resort v illas or tall cypress trees. Water comes into play on several holes, particularly on the Lake Course's, par 3, 8th hole, which requires a 140 yard shot over water to an island green. Designed by renowned golf course architect, Joe Lee, the trio of 9-hole courses known as The Resort Course are both fun and challenging for golfers of all skill levels and playing abilities.

Orange/Cypress at Orange Lake Out of the three different 18-hole combinations at Orange Lake Resort, the Orange/Cypress combination is probably the most challenging. Acclaimed golf course architect, Joe Lee, designed these courses in 1982 with the notion to make a course challenging, but still playable for the recreational golfer. Well manicured, tight fairways lined with trees meander throughout the resort and lead to large, inviting greens. Hitting the ball straight and keeping it in play is imperative here, as the thick bermuda rough can be very unforgiving.

Hunters Creek - 18 Holes
14401 Sports Club Way Orlando, FL 32837
Telephone: 407.240.4653

Hunter's Creek is a great test for players of all abilities. It has plush fairways, large greens and the natural surroundings provide great scenery. If the strength of your game is length, then step back to the Gold tees and take on the longest golf course in the state of Florida.

Southern Dunes Country Club
2888 Southern Dunes Blvd. Haines City, FL 33844
Telephone: 863.421.4653

Southern Dunes, unarguably, presents one of Central Florida's toughest and most complete challenges; length, accuracy, power, finesse, putting and course management will all be put to the ultimate test. The fairways are full of rolling hills and sand traps; a tee shot hit to the wrong part of the fairway will often yield an uneven stance for your next shot. The greens are absolutely enormous, very undulating and quite fast. Southern Dunes presents conditions that accurately resemble the kind of course difficulty and conditioning that PGA Tour players play weekly. Southern Dunes was named one of the Top 10 Courses Built in America in the Last 10 Years and is listed among GolfWeek's Top 100 Courses in America. This is a 'must play' golf course for any player who really wants to give their game a good test.

Grenelefe Resort
3200 State Road 546 E Haines City, FL 33844
Telephone: 863.422.7511

Grenelefe Golf Resort is one of the premier golf resorts in the world. Renowned for its excellent course conditioning.

The East Course at Grenelefe is a co-design by Arnold Palmer and his long-time Chief Architect, Ed Seay. The East Course is the shortest of the three resort courses but don't let your guard down for one minute on this tight course. Trouble lurks on every shot of every hole. Precision and accuracy are rewarded on this course, while power and distance will most likely yield trouble. The terrain is gently rolling, and the fairways are as t ight as they come. You will definitely get your share of uneven lies. The medium-sized, well-manicured greens roll true and have a moderate amount of undulation. The East Course is a formidable test for any player's golf game. Shot-makers, will especially enjoy this golf experience.

The South Course, designed by Ron Garl and PGA TOUR Player Andy Bean, is the most aesthetically pleasing of the three Grenelefe courses. This challenging and beautiful 18-hole layout winds throughout the Grenelefe property amongst the woods, natural wastelands and wild animals. The South course was designed to accommodate golfers of all skill levels and varying abilities. The fairways are generally wide open, with generous landing areas, and the large greens are receptive to slightly off-line approach shots. This course uses the natural rolling terrain to create a true links-style feel, where hidden or well-camouflaged bunkers await the unsuspecting player.

The West Course is a Robert Trent Jones Sr. masterpiece. After playing this course, you may consider Trent Jones Sr. an absolutely diabolical golf course architect. Aside from the 7,000-yard-plus layout, there are rolling fairways that produce uneven lies, small, lightning-quick greens and unforgiving, deep-faced bunkers strewn throughout the course. This course has been recognized worldwide as one of the best, and has held the top-ranked spot in Florida for six consecutive years. The traditional golfer, who loves a challenge as difficult as possible will enjoy this course the most.

Orange County National
16301 Phil Ritson Way Winter Garden, FL 34787
Telephone: 407.656.2626 or 888-727-3672

The Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge is home to the Phil Ritson Golf Institute and is widely regarded as one the premier golf facilities in the world. They have two 18-hole courses that will challenge players of all playing levels and abilities. Both the Panther Lake and Crooked Cat courses have received accolades from several national golf publications. The facility includes a restaurant, large clubhouse and pro shop, a 36-green putting course and one of the best driving ranges in the United States.
12 miles

Champions Gate
1400 Masters Blvd. Davenport, FL 33837
Telephone: 407.787.4653

The International course at Champions Gate offers golfers an authentic links style golf experience at home in Central Florida. Greg Norman designed the International course at Champions Gate with the home of golf in mind. This unique course will be familiar to anyone who has played the traditional, old courses of Scotland and Ireland. The International course offers hard, fast fairways and wind shaped bunkers. This is truly among the most distinctive of golf challenges anywhere.