Orlando area golf course recommendations (or within 1-1.5 hour drive from Orlando)

[cvvorst]

I'm visiting Orlando with my family next week, and I will have a few open times to get out and play by myself or with my son. I have checked recent threads and saw some great recommendations, but wanted to see if there were more options. 

 

I am willing to drive a bit to get to a great course. Last time I was in Orlando I drove to Streamsong to play 36 holes. But I would prefer a shorter drive haha

 

I love courses that aren't built into neighborhoods. But if it's a great course I don't really notice anyway. 

 

Any ideas? 

[mstuewe]

I really enjoyed championsgate back in January.

[FirstFlight]

The Habitat below Melbourne on space coast...no homes, just Florida jungle and a small airport next door. Quiet. My guess, the airport and golf course are same owner. Great rental sets.

We watched a rocket launch from nearby canaveral while playing. Eat at Hemminway's Tavern just up the road in Melbourne.

[Raz1374]

They just re-did the irrigation at Habitat and it’s still got some bare patches from what I’ve been told. New Course at Grand Cypress is a fun track……no houses.  Ritz Carlton has a nice course, never played it but they have the PNC father son there every year.  

[sabram]

If you are looking for the best golf courses to play, I'd suggest Southern Dunes and Grand Cypress Links (f/k/a the New Course). Southern Dunes does have housing, but it's so good, it would still be my first choice. 

 

The National and International at Championsgate don't have housing and are good choices. The International is my preference. It's more open and "limksy". The National is a more typical Florida course. Don't play Championsgate Country Club if you don't like housing. It's a really good course, but the thousands of homes are what you view and drive through on many holes.

 

The three Disney courses are solid and don't have much housing.

 

Click on a photo below to view photo tours of the courses mentioned.

 

Southern Dunes

 

 

Grand Cypress Links

 

Championsgate International

 

Championsgate National

 

 

Disney - Palm

 

 

Disney Magnolia

 

Disney Lake Buena Vista

[cvvorst]

Thank you all for the advice! 

 

I'll be near the Disney courses, so I might try and sneak out to play there some night. Or even try and find a range/practice facility near our rental.

 

I'm torn between Southern Dunes and Grand Cypress Links! I just got back from a trip to Prairie Club, playing the Dunes and Pines courses. But Florida links style seems pretty different from Western Nebraska links style golf. 

[Philfil]

FYI Southern Dunes just did their greens on Tuesday 5/30, and it seems most other courses had theirs done or are doing them now. 

[fsutanker]

Depending on your skill level, Southern Dunes is a very fun course. New Course at Grand Cypress is a good course for the second 18 of a 36 hole day or if you have golfers of various skill levels. 
Southern Dunes is a treat with some nice elevation changes for central Florida. 

[getitdaily]

On 6/2/2023 at 11:43 AM, cvvorst said:

Thank you all for the advice! 

 

I'll be near the Disney courses, so I might try and sneak out to play there some night. Or even try and find a range/practice facility near our rental.

 

I'm torn between Southern Dunes and Grand Cypress Links! I just got back from a trip to Prairie Club, playing the Dunes and Pines courses. But Florida links style seems pretty different from Western Nebraska links style golf. 

Better call ahead. Everyone is aerating right now.

 

Champions gate

Disney (magnolia may still only be 14 holes)

Grand cypress

Hawk's landing

Orange county national (crooked cat greens should be fully recovered from aeration).

 

If you want a gem that is in great shape then try royal st cloud. But again, call and find out if they aerated...