Golf Courses in Orlando - 8 of the Best

Think of Orlando and you'll most probably think one thing: Disney World!

For all of you golfers out there, Hole19 is here to show you that this need not necessarily be the case – you can also find some truly exceptional golf resorts to play golf in Orlando.

With this in mind, we have gathered together a list of some of the best golf courses in Orlando, to help you plan your next trip for some golf in Florida.

Here's what we’ve come up with.

Bay Hill Golf Course (Challenger/Champion Course)

Very possibly the best of the golf courses in Orlando, the 27 holes provided at the late Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club is split into three separate nines – Challenger, Champion and Charger.

Arguably, the best-golfing test is provided by playing the 18 hole between Bay Hill's Challenger and Champion golf course which plays long with tight fairways and lengthy par 3s.

The actual length of Challenger and Champion at Bay Hill is 7,204 yards, and as you walk each and every one of those yards on the golf course you will realise, very quickly, just why it has won ‘Best Golf Course in Florida’ on more than one occasion.

A pricey round, but most definitely worth it for the best golf course in Orlando.

Waldorf Astoria Golf Club

The Waldorf Astoria golf course is just around the corner from Disney World in Orlando and is, in fact, surrounded on three sides by the resort itself. It is probably the most forgiving golf course on our list due to its five tee-system and, given this, would be suitable for golfers of varying abilities.

The course is often voted one of the top ten Orlando courses and serves the guests of two on-site hotels: the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.

Looking for a golf course in Orlando in close proximity to Disney World? You can't go wrong with the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club.

Dubsdread Golf Club

As far as many of the locals are concerned, the course at Dubsdread Golf Club is THE golf course in Orlando. While it is short at 6,153 yards, this par 71 test is challenging primarily due to its small greens and narrow fairways.

Some of the world’s best golfers over the years, including Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Claude Harmon, have graced the fairways at Dubsdread Golf Club. While not quite as popular with the professionals nowadays, it serves as one of the highest quality, and most affordable, urban golf courses in Orlando.

ChampionsGate Golf Club (International Course)

Less than 15 minutes from Walt Disney World you will find one of the toughest golf courses in Florida. Championsgate Golf Club brings the best of links golf to surrounding natural wetlands and succeeds in its attempt to create a real golfing masterpiece.

Designed by Greg Norman, its championship length of 7,363 yards can feel substantially longer when the wind gets up. Which it frequently does!

This is the Orlando golf course of choice for those seeking a challenge just a short hop from Mickey.

Tranquilo Golf Club

This par 71, 6,901 yard golf course is set within the Four Seasons Orlando resort and is the newest addition to the golfing landscape in Orlando. A Tom Fazio re-design in 2014 has launched this golf course to the forefront of best possible golfing destinations in the state of Florida.

As the name suggests, Tranquilo Golf Club is a peaceful golf course and has already built a reputation for top class customer service. Native wildlife can regularly be seen on the course and its stunning par 3 18th provides a memorable climax to your round.

Orange County National Golf Centre & Lodge (Panther Lake course)

Orange County National has regularly topped ‘Best Golf Courses in Orlando’ polls and the Panther Lake golf course, in particular, offers some of the best examples of natural beauty that a golf course in Orlando has to offer.

Rolling meadows, native pines, wetlands, elevation changes; Panther Lake Golf Course has it all. Every shot will need to be at your best as each hole requires something a little different from the last. You can be sure that you will have a memorable round on either course at Orange County National - we suggest the Panther though, a golfing gem near Orlando.

Grand Cypress Golf Club (New Course)

The New Course at Grand Cypress in Orlando harnesses the spirit of the Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland with more than 150 bunkers, elevated tees and greens, stone walls, a winding burn (including a stone bridge crossing), and seven huge, double greens.

One of Jack Nicklaus’ best golf course designs provides a great tribute to the traditional home of golf in a warmer, Floridian setting.

'Traditional' golf courses in Orlando are hard to come by, Grand Cyrpess is a fantastic example and a rare find.

Shingle Creek Golf Club

One of Orlando’s most popular daily-fee and resort golf courses, Shingle Creek is located just a few minutes from International Drive. Ideal really.

A re-design by Arnold Palmer Course Design has resulted in an exquisite golf course layout, undulating fairways, award-winning greens, and an overall spectacular golfing experience.

Voted ‘Best Golf Course’ in Orlando in 2015, should you only have time for one round, you could do a lot worse than head to Shingle Creek.

Have you played a golf course in Orlando that should've made our list? Perhaps you have a different thought on the best golf course the area has to offer? Let us know!