| 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.
| Golf
Club |
Details |
Telephone
No. |
Kissimmee
Oaks Golf Club
Located on Bermuda Ave off H192 |
18
Hole Par 72
|
407-933-4055 |
Cypress
Creek Country Club
Championship course, floodlit driving range |
18
Hole Par 72 |
407-351-2187 |
Tuscawilla
Country Club
Joe Lee designed 6633 yard course |
18
Hole Par 72 |
407-365-3259 |
Kissimmee
Bay Country Club
Award winning championship course |
18
Hole Par 71 |
407-348-4653 |
Orange
County National Golf Club
Two course rated highly by Golf Magazine |
18
Hole Par 72 |
407-656-2626 |
Poinciana
Golf & Raquet Club
Soft spikes encouraged, championship course |
18
Hole Par 72 |
407-933-5300 |
Grenelefe
Golf & Tennis Resort
Choice of 3 championship courses |
18
Hole Par 72
|
941-421-4653 |
Kissimmee
Golf Club
Quality golf at affordable prices |
18
Hole Par 72 |
407-847-2816 |
Forest
Lake Golf Club
7113 Yard Golf Course |
18
Hole Par 72 |
407-654-4653 |
The
Greens Golf Club
Supposedly offers lowest green fees in Orlando |
18
Hole Par 58 |
407-351-5121 |
Highlands
Reserve Golf Club
One of the areas newest courses |
18
Hole Par 72
|
877-508-4653 |
Rock
Springs Ridge Golf Club
7135 Yard Golf Course |
18
Hole Par 72 |
407-814-7474 |
International
Golf Club
Lighted driving range, 6760 Yards |
18
Hole Par 72 |
407-239-6909 |
Faldo
Golf Institute
Try the latest swing video analysis technology |
9
Hole Par 36 |
407-238-7677 |
Wekiva
Golf Club
The best greens in town? |
18
Hole Par 72 |
407-862-5113 |
Legacy
Club at Alaqua Lakes
Tom Fazio's newest masterpiece, 7160 Yards |
18
Hole Par 72 |
407-444-9995 |
Black
Bear Golf Club
Has 19th "shoot out" hole, 7002 Yards |
18
Hole Par 72 |
352-357-4732 |
Southern
Dunes Golf & Country Club
Features undulating greens with 180 bunkers |
18
Hole Par 72 |
941-421-4653 |
Ekana
Golf Club
Towering oak trees and shady glens, 6683 Yards |
18
Hole Par 72 |
407-366-1211 |
Eastwood
Golf Club
Lloyd Clifton design, 7176 Yard Course |
18
Hole Par 72 |
407-281-4653 |
Winter
Springs Golf Club
6589 Yard Golf Course |
18
Hole Par 71 |
407-699-1833 |
Deer
Island Golf & Lake Club
Joe Lee 6661 Yard course surrounded by lakes |
18
Hole Par 72 |
1-800-269-0006 |
Monarch
Golf Club
Extremely playable for all skill levels |
18
Hole Par 72 |
407-660-0055 |
Timacuan
Golf & Country Club
6915 Yard championship course |
18
Hole Par 71 |
407-321-0010 |
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