10 Best Golf Courses in Orlando

Part of Orlando’s Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Shingle Creek Golf Club is an 18-hole, par 72 championship course. It recalls the game’s Golden Age but is elevated for the modern era with cutting-edge technology. The brainchild of the Arnold Palmer Design Company, this Florida beauty is known for its parklike surrounds, strategically placed bunkers, and elevated greens that pose their own unique challenges. 

If you’re traveling with a group, book a tailored golf tournament complete with on-course contests, custom cart plates, and calligraphic scoreboards. Warm up at the practice facility which boasts Orlando’s largest putting green. You can also book 1- and 5-hour golf lessons at the Shingle Creek Academy. 

Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge is an upscale, 70-room golf hotel that boasts enviable amenities. They include access to a marina on the Butler Chain of Lakes, a swimming pool, and admission to 2 golf courses: the PGA Tour Champion/Challenger and the 9-hole Charger. The venue is also home to the prestigious Arnold Palmer Invitational, a professional tournament on the PGA Tour. 

Featuring multi-tiered greens, precarious sand bunkers, and dramatic lakes, Champion/Challenger has seen some of golf’s biggest names play their best here: think Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler, Vaughn Taylor, and Kenny Perry. Dine in the Bay Window Room, which delivers unbeatable views over the putting green and Rolex clock, for brick oven pizzas and loaded club sandwiches.

Reunion Resort is a sprawling Florida lifestyle complex that features a trio of signature golf courses, a 5-acre water park, and accommodation that spans tastefully decorated villas and manor houses. The resort’s 3 courses are designed by PGA legends Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, and Jack “The Golden Bear” Nicklaus, making this a resort unlike anywhere else.

The Palmer course is a risk versus reward design that ripples across terrain that elevates dramatically to 50 ft, while the Watson and Niklaus layouts showcase wide-open greens and sneaky bunkers. When you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a table in the Clubhouse where you can feast on Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, multigrain banana pancakes, key lime pie, and churro-crusted French toast.

Situated southwest of Orlando in Winter Garden, Orange County National Golf Center features 2 18-hole championship courses, Crooked Cat and Panther Lake, and a 9-hole layout that’s handy for novices. The resort also boasts the largest driving range in America, a professional OCN Golf Academy, and comfortable lodge accommodation just footsteps from the fairways.

Take to the links-style Crooked Cat to really test your talents. It’s known for its significant elevation changes and sudden gusts that can steer your ball. Or hit picturesque Panther Lake for a game among the wetlands. The Orange 83 Pub serves classic tavern fare on its sun-kissed patio. Order the beer-battered fish and chips or the classic Reuben sandwich.

Hidden behind rows of palm trees at the Omni Orlando Resort, ChampionsGate Golf Club is home to 36 holes of elite golf designed by Australian pro, Greg Norman. David Leadbetter runs his famed Golf Academy here, and he’s instructed greats like Nick Price and Michelle Wie. There’s also an Eagles Edge practice facility enhanced with Toptracer technology.

The hotel’s International Course is the highest-rated in Florida and boasts a links-style layout that’s reminiscent of the British Isles, while the National Course is a photogenic parkland design that cuts through 200 acres of wetlands and woods. Players are treated to a complimentary valet, beverage cart, and cold towel service. There’s also a clubhouse with a sunken bar and Piper's Grille restaurant. 

An hour’s drive from Orlando in Haines City you’ll find Southern Dunes Golf and Country Club. Designed by architect Steve Smyers, this impeccably contoured 18-hole layout pays homage to Alister Mackenzie’s iconic course at Australia’s Royal Melbourne. Here, gaping sand bunkers and lakes prove a real challenge, while the dramatic Florida wind can easily disrupt your ball as it bounces off the surrounding ridges. Lessons with PGA pros like Nate Myszkowski and Kevin Woodard are available.

The club’s 12,000-sq-ft Tavern on the Dunes is the perfect place to retire after a day out on the fairways with its full-service bar, range of light snacks, and impressive breakfast and lunch menus. Dig into roast beef sandwiches and chicken quesadillas.

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Grande Lakes Orlando is an 18-hole championship course and Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary designed by Australian golfer Greg “The Shark” Norman. Those lucky enough to play here will enjoy the comradery of a caddie concierge throughout their game, as well as instruction from American PGA legend Larry Rinker.

The course’s wide fairways and finely contoured greens are enveloped by live oaks, palmettos, and pine trees, while its strategic bunkers deliver enough of a challenge to keep even the most seasoned golfers engaged. It is, after all, home to the PNC Championship. Later, swing by the Fairways Pub for craft beers, cocktails, and a tasty handheld. Try the marinated Chicken Birdie or the 19th-Hole Hamburger.

The Grand Cyprus Golf Club can be found inside the 5-star Evermore Resort. It was designed by American golfing icon Jack “The Golden Bear” Niklaus, long considered the greatest player of all time. As expected, this duo of courses delivers a truly unforgettable experience across 36 holes. There’s also a world-class Pro Shop that offers equipment rentals and lessons from the esteemed Fred Griffin.

Play the Links Course for its sloping terrain and steeply laid bunkers. It’s Niklaus’ homage to the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. Or hit the parkland-style Cypress Course for its aesthetically pleasing emerald fairways. For a fabulous meal, head to the Twin View Restaurant for crab cakes, steak frites, and a bananas foster dessert.

Orlando’s Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club is renowned for its ingenious Tranquilo Course, a 16-acre state-of-the-art practice facility, and exclusive Club Membership which allows privileged access to unlimited play. Designed by architect Tom Fazio, the resort’s 18-hole showstopper boasts impeccably groomed fairways, unique elevations, and densely forested wetlands that have been deemed a Certified Audubon Sanctuary.

Four Seasons is also home to a Pro Shop that sells all the latest gear, on-course lessons with the club’s Director of Golf Instruction, and short-stay retreats that utilize TrackMan swing analysis technology to vastly improve your game. In the hotel, you’ll find Capa, a Michelin-starred Spanish grill located on the 17th floor serving prime cuts of steak.

Orlando’s Waldorf Astoria Golf Club woos visitors with its visually arresting Rees Jones course that’s set in the heart of the lush green landscapes of the Bonnet Creek Nature Preserve. Lined with towering cypress trees, this 18-hole championship jewel features a traditional layout, natural undulations, and a 5-tee system that will appeal to all skill levels.

You’ll also find a Pro Shop stocked with Taylor Made and Peter Millar merchandise and a putting green and practice range where you can develop a serious edge. In terms of dining, the Clubhouse Grille serves meaty classics from Bull & Bear Smokehouse including BBQ brisket, Angus burgers, and Waldorf hot dogs with neon green relish.