I say it a lot, but it’s true: Walt Disney World really does have something for everyone. Whether you’re a movie buff, a foodie, or anything else, you’ll find something fun to do in the Vacation Kingdom. But, if you happen to be a golfer, Walt Disney World is basically paradise.
When it first opened, Walt Disney World was designed to have all kinds of recreation opportunities – things like fishing, sailing, horseback riding, and, of course, golf. Over time, as the theme parks and resorts grew, so too did Disney’s investment in the golf market. And, now, Disney’s passion for golf has turned the resort into a true destination for folks who like their long walks spoiled.
Sure, many of them first opened as a way of capturing folks in town for conferences or looking for a one-day getaway from the theme parks, but if you’re a serious golfer, you should consider doing a full-on golf trip to Walt Disney World. Here are a few reasons why:
1. There are a bunch of places to play
Image: Disney
Just inside Walt Disney World, there are three different 18-hole courses to play, as well as a nine-hole walking course. Half the fun of taking a golf trip is the opportunity to play new courses you’ve never played before, and with so many different courses to play, you’ll get a ton of new holes to try out. Some cut through the wilderness of Central Florida, others run alongside the path to Downtown Disney/Disney Springs, and others provide views of the Polynesian and the monorail resorts – but they all provide a gorgeous location and setting for you to shank your tee shot into the woods.
Wait, that’s just me? Oh, well, I’m sure they all look just as lovely from the fairways too.
2. The courses are very, very challenging
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All three 18-hole courses are challenging, but the Magnolia course is likely the hardest. It is the longest, and boasts its own set of championship Black tees. It has large, aggressive greens and an awful lot of water – something that can be troubling for the more timid golfers.
The Palm course, located next door, is also quite a challenge after being renovated in 2009, but it tends to be known more for its wonderful scenery and challenging greens. Both courses played host to a PGA Tour event from 1971 until the 2012-2013 season, and so if you’re a fan of walking the same fairways as Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, you’ll be right at home.
The third course, the Lake Buena Vista course, is the easiest of the three full-length courses, but is still challenging in its own right. It has more of a country-club style feel that would be familiar to most East Coast golfers, but its water hazards and relaxing vibe make it a gem of its own.
The nine-hole walking course, Oak Trail, is certainly simpler than the others and is designed for more casual golfer, but it is just as well-designed and fun to play as the others. It’s not one of those thrown-together executive par-3 courses you’re familiar with back home. This is a nine-hole course, but it still gives golfers the full experience of hitting the links.
Essentially, the variety of courses gives you a number of different opportunities to challenge yourself and keep you guessing throughout your trip.
3. Yes, there’s a Mickey-shaped bunker
It’s true! The most famous feature of any golf course in Walt Disney World is the Mickey Mouse-shaped bunker on the Magnolia course’s par-3 sixth hole. The bunker is perfectly situated to catch any and all inaccurate tee shots, so don’t worry too much about slowing up play while you snap a photo – you’ll likely become well-acquainted with the bunker in time.
As someone who’s wound up beached on Mickey’s head, allow me to offer a bit of advice: open your stance a bit more than you normally would – it’s most definitely a tough out.
4. There’s awesome merchandise
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No golf trip is complete without something small to mark the occasion. Thankfully, Disney’s line of golf merchandise is really wonderful, and features enough items that would catch the eye of any golfer.
There are hats, polos, visors, balls, tees, club covers, bags, pull-overs, repair tools – you name it, and Disney sells it for you.
On top of that, these items are often for sale at tons of different shops around Disney property, so even if you forget to pick up a souvenir after your round, you’ll still be able to pick up that umbrella you had your eye on.
And, these items make really great gifts – something to keep in mind if you’re still angling for that promotion and your boss is looking for a new golf towel.
5. Convenience
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The best part of a golf trip to Walt Disney World is the sheer convenience of it. Disney provides complementary transportation from your resort to their courses, provided you’re staying on-property. This means, essentially, you can fly into Orlando International Airport, take the Disney’s Magical Express to your resort, and use Disney’s complementary taxi transportation to get to your course each day – all without ever needing a car. That’s 63 holes of golf, accessible without breaking a sweat.
If you combine that with a stay in one of the deluxe areas of Walt Disney World – say, the monorail loop or the Boardwalk area – and you’ll have golf, food, bars and nightlife right nearby. Which, if you enjoy a few cold beverages during or after your 18-holes, keeps the fun safe and convenient.
And, on top of that, Disney will rent you any equipment you need or may have left at home. It’s really that simple.
Of course, Central Florida features tons of great golf, and while the Disney courses are grand, you may also want to explore the other incredible spots nearby. In that case, you’d need a car – but if you’re looking for convenience, the Disney courses can’t be beat.
6. If you need some putting practice, there’s lots of great mini-golf
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Sure, each course has its own driving range and practice green, but sometimes, practicing your putting can just be a bit too dull. Thankfully, Disney understood this and has opened four mini-golf courses on property. The courses are located at two themed areas – Winter-Summerland and Fantasia Gardens. Winter-Summerland is located next to Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park, and has two courses, each themed to either Winter or Summer (duh). They’re both tons of fun to play, and provide a decent challenge for even the most accurate putter.
Fantasia Gardens, housed next to Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, is the oldest course, but it is a charming adaptation of one of Disney’s stranger films – the ode to music, Fantasia.
But, for golfers, the most awesome mini-golf course on earth is located next to the Fantasia Gardens course – it’s called the Challenge course, and it is wholly unique in the world of mini-golf.
The Challenge course is, essentially, a scaled-down version of an actual golf hole, featuring sand traps, water hazards, and difficult greens. While most mini-golf courses are silly games involving a decent amount of luck, this course is all skill, and will definitely put your short game to the test. For serious golfers, this course is a must try.
But, while Disney’s a great spot for a golf trip, don’t feel like that’s the only time you can explore these awesome offerings. The best part of a lengthy stay at Walt Disney World is that it gives you the opportunity to try lots of stuff, and golf can certainly be a part of that. And, if you’re looking to get a reluctant family member into the game, there are definitely worse places to do it than Walt Disney World.
