Orlando: Where To Play Golf

Orlando: Where To Play Golf Orlando, the city that Disney built, may be best known as the world's largest theme park, but it's also the epicenter of Florida golf. The combination of the two makes it the perfect family destination, with more great golf courses and children's activities in 100 square miles than any other place on earth. (Don't even think of staying less than four days.) The home of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour since 1979 is also Mr. Palmer's home course during the winter half of the year, so don't be surprised if you run into him in the grill room. The tough but fair championship course is open to the public if you stay at the lodge.bayhill.com Fans of Jack Nicklaus flock to this Orlando oasis, where the Golden Bear has designed two courses—or four, depending on how you look at it. The North, South and East Courses are nine-hole target-golf layouts that can be played alone or combined while the 18-hole New Course brings a touch of Scotland to central Florida with its links-style design complete with deep pot bunkers. grandcypress.com Designed by Greg Norman and originally built to appeal to a broad range of players attending corporate outings, this course has become known as one of the most family-friendly layouts in the South. Resplendent with natural marshes, live oaks and cypress heads, it serves up one of the prettiest and most unique golf experiences in Orlando.grandelakes.com If immaculate conditioning and classic design matter to you, the environmentally conscious yet perfectly manicured Waldorf Astoria GC, designed by Rees Jones, needs to be on your list. The property's award-winning Golf Academy, run by Golf Digest 50 Best Teacher Brian Mogg, can fix any swing flaws.waldorfastoriaorlando.com Set just 11 miles up the road from Walt Disney World Resort, this mini-golf village features 54 holes of signature golf designed by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. Reunion is also the home of Annika Sorenstam's renowned Annika Academy, and it offers guests and residents its own water park.reunionresort.com Championsgate is also within a short distance of Disney, but at times feels thousands of miles away. The resort's two 18-hole layouts are both designed by Hall of Famer Greg Norman; the National Course is a Florida resort-style course with smaller greens while the distinctly different International Course pays homage to Norman's homeland of Australia and its coastal links.championsgategolf.com Disney offers four courses, but make sure your first round is at Disney's Magnolia. With elevated tees, large greens, water hazards on 11 holes and bunkers at every turn (even a Mickey Mouse-shaped one), it lives up to every fun-seeker's expectations.golfwdw.com ORLANDO: DESTINATION GUIDEWhere To Eat In OrlandoWhat To Do (When You're Not Playing Golf)