Amazing Golf Experience in Orlando, Florida

Orlando is one of the best golf destinations in the world. The city is blessed with more than 50 golf courses, conceptualized by the best designers of golfing facilities. As if being the home of the greatest theme parks is not enough, golf has further added to the selling point of Orlando when it comes to tourism. The city is also home to more than 30 PGA golfers, which further cemented Orlando’s reputation as a golfing haven.

There are many options that you can avail if you plan to take a golf vacation in Orlando, even without the unlimited budget that a lot of golfers seem to have. Because of the high demand for golf vacations, there are lots of golf packages offered by travel agents in the area. Of course, it would help if you have lots of money to spend. Golf is an expensive sport and to play in the best golf courses in Orlando is not exactly easy on the pocket.

The sensible alternative would be to look for reasonable packages at public and semi-private golf clubs, which also offer great facilities that are almost comparable to the prestigious courses. The trick is to book for the packages ahead of time. Watch out for email and website listings that will inform you of openings in Orlando golf courses. You can also contact the golf courses through phone and ask if they are offering discount packages. You might want to schedule your vacation during the time that these packages will be available, especially if you are on a budget. If you known where to look and if the timing is right, you can get 18-hole packages for $30 to $60. Make sure to ask for additional charges, if they have one. The best deal is a vacation package where the accommodations are included along with the golf rounds. Try to score packages that include hotel rooms for $100 - $150 and 18 rounds of golf. Always try to negotiate with the travel agent; most of them are willing to make a few adjustments to be able to get you as a client.

Ideally, golf packages should include your nightly accommodations, 18-hole green fee, shared cart and guaranteed advance tee times. Taxes should be already included in the package.

To help you get acquainted with the golf facilities in Orlando, here is a short list of some of the most popular golf courses in the city:

Bay Hill Golf Club and Lodge is a private golf course is home to the Arnold Palmer Invitational. You have to be a club member of a guest staying at the lodge to be able to play here. The club, which is designed by Dick Wilson and Arnold Palmer, is always included on the list of the most popular golf courses in Orlando. It has 7,205 yards of golf from the longest tees and has 27 holes of tour championship golf. This makes the club an ideal place for both amateurs and professionals. The legendary Palmer himself still plays at the course. Bay Hill Golf Club and Lodge is a recipient of numerous awards from prestigious golf magazines. It was included in Golf Digest’s 1997 list of the greatest golf courses in America and placed second on the Golf Magazine’s list of Silver Medal Resorts. The club placed 15th on the magazine’s “Top 100 Golf Courses You Can Play in the U.S.” list.

Comparable to the great golf courses in Scotland and Ireland, the International Course at Champions Gate provides an unforgettable golf experience even for the most experienced golfers. Designed by Greg Norman, the club has 36 holes which offer both traditional and modern golf elements. The club is like the big brother of the National course at Champions Gate. The main difference between the two is that the international course is patterned after the courses in the British Isles while the national course has a traditional American style. Champions Gate Golf Club is considered as one of the best golf facilities in the world and is equipped with impressive banquet facilities for corporate events and elegant evening functions.

Located in Kissimmee, Remington Golf Club provides quality golf experience through its challenging playing conditions and friendly service. The club, which is designed by the Clifton, Ezell & Clifton Design Group, garnered a four-star rating from the prestigious Golf Digest. The magazine also voted Remington Club as Best New Course in 1996. The club has 7,111 yards from the championship tees, with lush greens that are meticulously mowed each morning.

The Ritz Carlton Golf Club is a Greg Norman Signature Golf Course located within the pristine surroundings of the Florida Everglades. Enjoy a truly refreshing golf experience by playing amidst live oaks, palmettos and magnificent pine trees. The Ritz Carlton Golf Club has demanding green complexes and a variety of water hazards, as well as strategically placed bunkers.

This splendid golf resort in Lake Buena Vista is known as one of the premier resort courses in the U.S. Disney’s Palm is a favorite among both novice and professional golfers because of its numerous challenges that can suit all game levels. The course, which was designed by Joe Lee, is surrounded by strategically placed palm trees, abundant water settings and 94 bunkers. Playing rounds at the Disney’s Palm is a relaxing experience because of the dramatic background provided by the majestic Florida woodlands. It is considered by Golf Magazine as the only Gold Medal Resort in Florida and was given a four-star rating by Golf Digest. The resort became host to The Disney Golf Classic, which was a PGA TOUR event.

Falcon’s Fire Golf Club is famous for honoring the traditional ways of playing golf. Designed by Rees Jones, this club in Kissimmee has 12-18 holes and large picturesque lakes, which serves as a challenge even to the most skilled golfer. Falcon’s Fire Club became a recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including the Best Public Course in Florida in 2006 by Florida Monthly.