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There are more than 120,000 hotel beds in Orlando, Fla. and 200 or so golf courses within Mickey Mouse earshot of Disney World. It's a dizzying array, but a robust one if you know where to go.
I'm often asked where you should plan an Orlando stay-and-play vacation. It's a tricky question because some care most about the golf course itself, but often times there are logistical factors like location in relation to the convention center or theme parks, or a preference for multiple courses on property.
I tend to veer towards Bay Hill, because it's a rare boutique-sized property in a destination full of mega-resorts. But other resorts such as Championsgate or Grand Cypress Resort are more versatile.
To find out what you had to say, we looked at Golf Advisor ratings to find the best resort courses in Orlando.
Top 10 Resort Courses in Orlando
1. Tranquilo Golf Club at Four Seasons: Once owned by Disney, Four Seasons has made a big splash in the Orlando resort golf scene since renovating and rebranding this Tom Fazio design. New operational touches like Pro-V1s on the driving range and complimentary valet parking have both local golfers and resort guests singing praises.
2. Waldorf Astoria Golf Club: Another course around the corner from Disney World in Bonnet Creek, Waldorf Astoria, one of Orlando's newest courses, excels particularly in the conditions and customer service departments.
3. El Campeon at Mission Inn Resort & Club: It's about 30 minutes northwest of Orlando, but the 180-degree shift in ambiance is well worth the drive. Shady fairways and a historic design dating back nearly 100 years await at this low-key getaway that's high on value.
4. Ritz Carlton Golf Club, Grande Lakes: It's a lavish experience at Ritz-Carlton, which promises a private club-worthy service and amenities at every turn. which features a Greg Norman design and even caddies if you'd like to go old school.
"I skipped out of a conference to play a little golf," wrote Victoria1960774. "The course was beautiful and in great shape the staff were fabulous and called me by name."
5. New Course at Grand Cypress Resort: The Scottish-inspired New Course edges out the original 27-hole course at Grand Cypress Resort, which features spacious and recently updated villa accommodations for golfers.
6. Crooked Cat at Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge: For a golf-centric stay-and-play vacation, it doesn't get much better than Orange County National, thanks to its all-encompassing golf offerings and 48-room, on-site lodge. Crooked Cat earns top honors here, but the family-friendly Tooth Course also makes for a lot of happy golfers.
7. Hawk's Landing Golf Club: A little older compared to the modern class of luxury golf courses, Hawk's Landing, part of the enormous Marriott World Center, still holds its own in Orlando thanks to a fun design and great service ratings.
8. North-South-East at Grand Cypress Resort: Just a couple spots below the New, this 27-hole Jack Nicklaus design dates back to 1984 and is a more traditional Florida layout.
9. Shingle Creek Golf Club: A favorite spot for Orange County Convention Center-goers who need a quick round, Shingle Creek has a design that satisfies both low- and high-handicappers with five sets of tees, generous fairways and receptive greens.
10. Legends Course at Orange Lake Resort: The top-rated of four courses at the Orange Lake Resort, the Legends Course earns highest marks for conditions and service.
Play
Top 10 Orlando resort courses as rated by value
1. El Campeon at Mission Inn Resort & Club
2. New Course at Grand Cypress Resort
3. Crooked Cat at Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge
4. Grand Cypress North/South/East
5. Waldorf Astoria Golf Club
6. Hawk's Landing Golf Club
7. Tranquilo Golf Club at Four Seasons
8. Legends Course at Orange Lake Resort
9. Panther Lake at Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge
10. Ritz Carlton Golf Club, Grande Lakes
Top 10 Orlando resort courses as rated by overall facility
1. Tranquilo Golf Club at Four Seasons
2. Ritz Carlton Golf Club, Grande Lakes
3. Waldorf Astoria Golf Club
4. Grand Cypress North/South/East
5. Crooked Cat at Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge
6. Hawk's Landing Golf Club
7. El Campeon at Mission Inn Resort & Club
8. Shingle Creek Golf Club
9. Bay Hill Club & Lodge
10. Panther Lake at Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge
(Minimum 20 reviews between Jan. 1, 2014 and June 8, 2015)
What do you think? Have Championsgate, Disney or others been unfairly snubbed? Let us know in the comments below or rate one of the courses yourself on Golf Advisor and let us know why.
Like the other reviewers, I find this article invalid without Reunion. I've played Orange lakes and it's not even in the same ballpark as the reunion courses and practice facility. Very disappointing.
I agree the article missed his objective. It was about rating golf courses in Central Florida, not how you can get on them. Reunion should absolutely be on the list.
Surprised to not see any Reunion courses listed. Only played one on your list, Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes. IMO Reunion courses equal it, especially the Jack designed one.
Likely because you can only access Reunion if you stay on property just like Bay Hill.
Surprised Reunion Resort didn't make the cut.