Most folks think about planning a Disney World Vacation to get away from the stress and into the excitement of the magic that only Disney can do. Well, outside of the theme parks, restaurants, attractions and shopping…there are things that you can add to your ‘to-do’ list.
THE COURSES
There are four courses that are part of Disney Golf:
- Disney’s Palm
- Disney’s Magnolia
- Disney’s Lake Buena Vista
- Disney’s Oak Trail
THE DISNEY DIFFERENCE
With each property comes a number of unique features that can only be found on a Disney course, from amazing views, top notch service and the fact that you’re a hop, skip and jump away from your Disney Resort.
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COMPLIMENTARY TRANSPORTATION
Don’t worry about renting a car or grabbing an UBER to your reservation, as there is complimentary transportation to and from your Disney Resort. All you have to do is ask about it when you call to set up your tee time.
FOOTGOLF
FootGolf is a precision sport; a combination of the popular sports of soccer and golf, but more closely related to golf. Players kick a regulation #5 soccer ball at a golf course facility on shortened length holes with 21-inch diameter cups in as few shots as possible.
We’ve got an article all about FootGolf at Disney World here.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — From tee to green, guests can follow in the footsteps of Golf’s greatest legends or create a legend of their own. Walt Disney World Resort offers four award-winning golf courses and world-class facilities designed to create magical memories for groups from one to one thousand.
54 holes of challenging golf on three 18-hole championship courses — Disney’s Lake Buena Vista, Disney’s Magnolia and Disney’s Palm Golf Courses — and a 9-hole family-play course, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, await golfers of all ages and skill levels. Spectacular fairways and immaculate greens combine with Disney’s personal service and unmatched attention to detail to fulfill every golfer’s dream.
Operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management, guests will find the Walt Disney World Resort Golf Courses are equipped with everything they need to play a great game while on vacation. Two pro shops feature an impressive selection of golf merchandise such as souvenirs, logo shirts, caps and towels, as well as premium golf clubs rentals for men and women in both right-and left-handed models, and junior clubs are on hand, too. Rental golf shoes are also available, and neither rental shoes nor clubs need to be reserved in advance.
Golf carts are included in guests’ greens fee and players are required to use golf carts at the three championship courses. Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course is recommended for guests who prefer to walk the entire course. For guests wanting to freshen up after playing a course, Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Clubhouse features locker rooms and showers for no additional fee.
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HERE’S A CLOSER LOOK AT EACH OF THE WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT GOLF COURSES
Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course
Built in 1972, this Joe Lee course stretches to 6,745 yards from the championship tees. Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is a tough challenge to many, offering small, well-bunkered greens that demand accurate shotmaking. This classic country-club style course winds through pastel villas, pine forests, palmettos and sparkling lakes.
Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course has hosted the PGA TOUR, the LPGA Tour and USGA events. Guests can test their skills and fortitude at the demanding 7th hole with its challenging island green. The course is located near Downtown Disney and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and is a par-72 course. The course also offers a driving range and practice putting green for guests looking to hone their skills.
Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course
As one of the two original Walt Disney World Resort Golf Courses, Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course opened in 1971 and immediately became home for a PGA TOUR event. In true PGA TOUR style, this beautifully manicured, par-72 course has all the earmarks of a golfer’s paradise: elevated tees and greens, rolling terrain, and a very special sand hazard on the sixth hole that forms the silhouette of Mickey Mouse.
The Joe Lee-designed course is aptly named for its more than 1,500 magnolia trees and is the longest of the Walt Disney World Resort Golf Courses with a yardage of 5,232 yards to 7,516 yards and is located near Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Private lessons from PGA and LPGA professionals that include video analysis are available to guests at this course. Playing lessons, corporate and group lessons are also offered here.
Disney’s Palm Golf Course
The natural beauty of Florida woodlands makes Disney’s Palm Golf Course not only a pleasure to play but also one of Walt Disney World Resort’s toughest. Built in 1971, this Joe Lee-designed course measures 7,015 yards from the back tees, 6,461 from the middle and 5,414 from the front and is located near Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
The par-72 course is rated 4 stars by Golf Digest and was completely redesigned by Arnold Palmer Course Design in 2013. The extensive work included building entirely new green complexes, newly shaped tees, and a completely new bunker design that has modernized this historic golf course. This 18-hole championship course features shimmering lakes, tropical sands, palm trees and sloping greens, providing plenty of challenges for novices and seasoned pros alike.
Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
Tucked away on a 40-acre parcel of land at Walt Disney World Resort is the 9-hole, par-36 Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, providing beginners a place to learn the game and seasoned golfers a unique challenge. The family-play, par 36 layout measures 2,913 yards, 2,552 yards from the front tees, and features fairways lined with majestic oak trees.
Designed by Ron Garl, this walking course opened in 1980 and is located next to Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course near Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The rolling greens of this walking course boast exciting challenges for more experienced golfers, as well as junior tees for younger golfers.
Additional Courses at Walt Disney World Resort
In 2014, The Tranquilo Golf Club at the new Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort officially opened. The 18-hole championship course is par-71, with a yardage of 6,901 and four sets of tees to accommodate all skill levels. Originally built in 1992 and designed by Tom Fazio as Disney’s Osprey Ridge, Fazio re-designed the course for its launch as Tranquilo Golf Club. The stunning course pays homage to the resort’s Spanish Revival design and tranquil setting, featuring many Southern Live Oak trees with delicate Spanish moss. Family play is encouraged, and the course offers special golf carts that accommodate a family of four.
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AWARDS
- Gold Medal Golf Resort, presented by Golf Magazine
- Premier Golf Resorts 2014-2015: Silver Award by Golf Magazine
- Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course was included in Florida’s Top 75 Golf Courses by Golf Digest (2015)
- Disney’s Lake Buena Vista, Magnolia and Palm Golf Courses have each been rated 4 stars by Golf Digest (2015)
- Gold Tee Award winner each year since 2002 presented by Meetings and Conventions
RECOGNITION AND HOSTING
- Disney’s Lake Buena Vista, Disney’s Magnolia and Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Courses have each been certified by Audubon International as a Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary
- Host to a PGA Tour event since 1971
- Host to a LPGA Tour event since 1995
- The Lake Buena Vista course is one of a select few courses in the country to host PGA TOUR, LPGA TOUR an USGA events in the same year (1996)
FUN FACTS
- Chip Beck holds the record for the Walt Disney World Resort Disney Golf Courses with the lowest tournament score of 61.
- Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Vijay Singh, Payne Stewart, and Mark O’Meara have all won PGA TOUR events on Walt Disney World Resort Golf Courses
- The Palm’s 18th hole has rated among the 10 toughest holes on the entire PGA Tour four times since 1986
For more information about any of the Walt Disney World Resort golf courses or to reserve a Tee Time, guests may call (407)WDW-GOLF (939-4653) or visit GolfWDW.com.