The Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes

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Tom Fazio did not become a household name overnight. He worked for it and earned it. What he is today is the result of years and years of building his name and building some of the best golf vacation destinations this generation has ever seen and played. He has long carved his legacy in his many creations. And for the one that he named to be where he gave the “most effort”, it is more than deserving to be called his Legacy – The Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes.

The Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes is undoubtedly one of the best anyone will ever see in the Sunshine State, and perhaps in the entire US. The course measures 7,160 yards from the longest tees, par 72. The course is said to be one that has wonderfully carried the best of man and nature – a cornucopia of lush forests, wildlife and native vegetation all worked well together under the careful, artful work of Fazio. He has so well worked on the natural environment that it earned the golf vacation favorite the only Audubon International Signature Certified Sanctuary in all of Central Florida.

 The developers and managers of the course have also not put in vain whatever hardwork Fazio has put in here. They have paired it with the best amenities and quality of services any golfer could ever ask for in a golf trip. That’s the Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes – a legacy not only to further immortalize Tom Fazio’s name in the history of golf but a model that up and coming course designers could look up to for inspiration: beauty need not come in the way of nature, and vice versa.

Red Tail Golf Club

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When somebody says, ‘Florida is beautiful’, one would not expect anything more than a silent nod in agreement. That much is given. Even more so when people say ‘golf vacations in Florida, especially in Orlando, are even more beautiful’. Statements such as this one would very easily conjure up images of beachside golf, a lot of sand, few trees, flat layout. True, that is pretty much what Orlando golfing looks like. But much is not all; there are courses the likes of Red Tail Golf Club where a breath of fresh air is literally a breath of fresh air.

That, it owes much to the countless centenary oaks dotting the whole course. At Red Tail Golf Club, the whole length of its 7,152-yard maximum yardage, par-72 is accentuated by these beautiful trees that they have so very well preserved. As are the rest of the property. It is so well-preserved that in fact, this golf vacation destination is hailed as among Florida’s best natural setting for golf. Thanks to the genius of designer Dave Harman, the natural paradise was transformed into a golfer’s haven without so much as altering what masterpiece Mother Nature has created here. The excellent golfing is defined by the naturally rolling hills of Lake County, complimented by Harman’s links-style layout.

And to complete the golf vacation package, the Red Tail Golf Club comes with an excellent 10-acre practice facility to help perfect that swing and shot. That makes it a perfect place to warm up for a round from any of the six sets of tees at the course. When somebody says this course is ‘gorgeous’, there won’t be silent agreement. There would be a ruckus of happy and excited stories of unforgettable golfing experience here.

Timacuan Golf and Country Club

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The closest thing the Timacuan Golf and Country Club can be likened to is Grandma’s quilt. It is a patchwork of sorts – different elements, different sources, all working finely together to create one of the most talked about and respected golf vacation destinations in Florida.

At a close look, the Timacuan Golf and Country Club looks like a corkboard filled with things that are neither in the element of one and the other. That is the result of the accidental joint creation of such big names in golf course design as Ron Garl and Bobby Weed. Although, they didn’t work at the same time. The original layout was a Garl, but drainage problems arose after some time that they had to seek help from Bobby Weed to fix them. Weed did not do more than fix what needs it, thus it was a “patchwork” of his and Garl’s design. Nature was not to be left out too! The golf vacation favorite is located in Lake Mary, Fl., and enjoys a sumptuous helping of the stunning lake.

And as distinct as it already is, the nines of the Timacuan Golf and Country Club are so varied as well it feels like being in two places at one time. But from a bird’s eyeview of the course – and from the perspective of the golfer playing it – this is one beautiful mess. The golf trip favorite located north of Orlando measures 6,915 yards from the longest tees, par 72.

DeBary Golf and Country Club

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The DeBary Golf and Country Club is located between two of Florida’s most beautiful cities, Orlando and Daytona. It shares all the best natural features of the two cities. SO basically, this golf vacation destination is caught between being beautiful and gorgeous.

This Lloyd Clifton creation features many things un-Florida. In truth, there is a more of Carolina golf course feel to the DeBary Golf and Country Club, owing it to the many trees dotted all over the property and the lack of water. There is only a single water hazard all throughout the course and it plays on the shared greens between the 9th and the 18th hole. The course measures 6,776 yards from the longest tees, par-72. Golf vacations here are characterized by plays on excellent greens carpeting some well-placed holes, several other hazards, and lots and lots of trees.

Speak of trees, the trees and forests on course serve more purpose than just the aesthetics. They do more than play the role of natural hazards as well. These forests of native growth trees are what separates the DeBary Golf and Country Club course from the housing development on the other side of the club. That is one dream golf trip: away from the sights and sounds of residential communities without exactly being away from civilization. Now, that said, there really isn’t anything surprising about the course’s four-star rating for Golf Digest’s Places to Play List, as well as its being a regular host of US Open Qualifiers. Neither is it surprising that golfers who come here will end up caught between being in love and in awe.

Black Bear Golf Club

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When a golf vacation destination carries the name of some legendary golf course designer, people almost instantly judge it as astounding and beautiful and remarkable. That, even without putting it on an actual test. And not a few times has this kind of ‘history advertising’ failed. But not on the Black Bear Golf Club is Eustis, Florida, just outside Orlando. The PB Dye creation may carry the Dye family name but it proves to be just as deserving to be in the list of Dye family portfolio but to be in the list of America’s best.

 The Black Bear Golf Club is all 7,000++ yards of the best there is when man shares and uses his genius in perfect collaboration with nature. This 18-hole, par-72 spectacle is a links-style layout that was tailored according to the natural contours of the land. The course is sprinkled with numerous shaped bunkers and large sand traps set on undulating terrain.  And the best part is, the golf vacation can be as beautiful and as serene as can be – this part of Florida happens to be very quiet and secluded. And with minimum development, there is real peace and quiet.

 Perhaps the only time this course isn’t quiet is when it hosts the USGA Public Links Qualifiers. Why, the Black Bear Golf Club has actually hosted the said tournament seven years in a row. As for most of the year, this is the best place for that golf trip straight out of paradise. Without so much as an exaggeration, this is indeed, one of America’s best. That should go down in history.  

 

Waldorf Astoria Golf Club

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Not only is this golf course a bearer of a legendary name known for the best vacations around the world. It also bears the signature of an equally legendary name in golf design. And as if that weren’t yet enough, the course is located in one of America’s most favorite, not to mention, most beautiful places – Orlando, Florida. The Rees Jones-designed Waldorf Astoria Golf Club, though young and in tough competition with the well-known classics in the area, is making waves as one of the fast-rising golf vacation favorites.

The Waldorf Astoria Golf Club measures more than 7,100 yards from the longest tees, par-72. There are five sets of tees to choose from making the course one for everybody. And, yes, one for everybody includes a great golf instruction program that would make even the least skilled of golfers enjoy what this course has to offer. One of the highlighted features of the course are the numerous bunkers that carry a classic design – a true and tested obstacle that will bring the the attitude that will make the golf trip extra unforgettable.

These bunkers look nice but they aren’t exactly as nice when the game begins. Thus is the case, too, of the many pines and ancient cypresses lining the wide fairways of the course. They have as much help in the aesthetics as in the course obstacles. In totality, the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club is one course that requires precision in technique and shotmaking, as much as it attracts appreciation for being naturally exceptional. Well, there is nothing too surprising about it. The resume of this golf vacation destination justifies it all and erases any doubt.

 

Shingle Creek Golf Club

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Most, if not all golf courses carry with them a “time” theme to their designs. Others are plain “new-age”, some are “classic”. But very rarely does the golfing world see a golf course that carries the grandeur of both the time yonder and today’s innovations. It is like seeing a time warp all at the same time and place. One such course is Orlando’s Shingle Creek Golf Club. The golf vacation destination carries with it a long and rich history embedded in its natural features, accentuated by the genius of a new-age designer.

Mark Harman designed this 18-hole, 7,213-yard, par-72 golf vacation favorite. The Shingle Creek Golf Club is named after the creek of the same name, which is a part of the headwaters of the scenic Everglades of Florida. Golfers are to expect quite a lot of waterholes on this course. Along with the waters, the sandy banks of this course also play a part in defining the challenge set by this course. And all that beauty is set against a backdrop and earth of pristine natural goodness. Unmoved, untouched, and maintained to always be at its prime all year round. These features of the course combine to create a stunning, mystical and unforgettably beautiful spectacle that is bound to make one forget Disney is but a short drive away.

To make matters even better than it already is, the course has five sets of tees to choose from. That is a gift to golfers with no discrimination whatsoever for the players handicap. It is an enjoyable, fairly challenging course from any tee. The Shingle Creek Golf Club is that rare golf course that brings the good ol’ days of golfing into any golf trips, without it feeling outdated at all.

Falcon’s Fire Golf Club

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Who says the best things in Orlando golfing come with mouse ears for logos? One need not go far, nor look elsewhere to find a most perfect alternate to the Disney courses in Orlando! For a different flavor for golf vacations in Disney city, there is one place to go too – and it’s only a stone’s throw away from the main Disney gates: The Falcon’s Fire Golf Club. It is gool ol’ golfing goodness at its purest, most beautiful form.

 The Falcon’s Fire Golf Club holds an elusive four star-rating from the Golf Digest’s Places to Play list and is listed as amongst Florida’s best. And the reasons are not at all hard to tell. The Rees Jones design features classic architecture of more than 7000 yards from the longest tees, par 72. That is all 7000 yards of pristine maintenance of prime Tif Eagle greens, and year-round optimum conditioning to suit all types of golfers, having five sets of tees to choose from. The course is challenging only to those who are willing to be challenged; the shorter tees make it a fair and fun course to play – even more so, relaxing thanks to the natural scenic features. In total, the golf vacation destination is always a delight to play.

 And a greater delight off the greens too. With world-class services and amenities that include a highly-recognized Falcon’s Nest Restaurant known for being exquisite and an award-winning golf shop, there is not a reason to doubt whether the Falcon’s Fire Golf Club is at par with the world class, highly famous Disney courses. It sure does, sans the sky-high green fees at that! Now that wasn’t hard. That is golf trips worth taking out of the usual and the ordinary.

Southern Dunes Golf and Country Club

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A golf vacation to Orlando would surely never stop within Orlando, right? Surely, the outskirts of the theme-park city has a lot to offer for their golf loving guests. This is Florida! Golf is basically everywhere! All there is to do is drive a little further out of the city and voila! The rarest of gems are ripe and ready for the picking! What’s more surprising, these courses turn out to be even greater than the overrated ones in the city. One perfect example is the Southern Dunes Golf and Country Club in Haines City, just off of Highway 27.

The golf vacation destination boasts of a risk-reward game that is defined by five par-4 holes and several par-3s, extensive mounding with elevation changes of up to 100 feet, and more than a hundred strategically placed bunkers. From the longest tees, the Southern Dunes Golf and Country Club measure a good 7,200 yards and play for a par of 72. It plays with five sets of tees for yardage lengths that will suit any type of golfer. On top of it all, the greens are large and fast. Every feature of this course was made to provoke and challenge golfers.

Now, that said, it should not be surprising why quite a lot of golfers choose to take golf trips at the Southern Dunes Golf and Country Club. Neither should it be surprising that this course holds a 4.5 star-rating from Golf Digest, and ranks among Florida’s and the US’ top golf courses. Going out of the box – or in this case, the city – reaps some good things too. (Plus Disneyland is only 15 minutes away!)

Celebration Golf Club

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It’s a celebration! At the Celebration Golf Club, players and lovers of the sport rejoice and celebrate the many wonderful things that makes this sport one of the best man has ever created, as well as the beauty of surroundings that only nature can give. The famed golf vacation destination, located in the town of the same name just outside of Orlando, in itself is a wonderful reason to be happy and delight in the sport.

The Celebration Golf Club is one of the collaboration projects of father-and-son golf design duo, Robert Trent Jones Senior and Junior. They have created one spectacle in golf that brings together the great features well-loved by most every golfer, set in a backdrop painted by Mother Nature herself. The course winds through a natural wetland environment – of old live oaks, pines and magnolias and shimmering lakes. The designers kept the natural topography untouched, thus golfers enjoy a layout of rolling terrain – generally challenging, utterly provoking, but fair. Fair enough, the course has five sets of tees to play from to keep things interesting for golfers despite their skill levels. The maximum yardage length is set at more than 7,200 yards, par 72. The course is so spectacular it not only is celebrated for golf vacations but for some of the best, most popular golf tournaments as well.

Topping the list are the US Senior Open Qualifier, the Robert Gamez Celebrity Invitational, the Florida State Public Links Championship and the Buick Scramble National Championships. And to complete the truly celebratory Orlando golf trip, the Celebration Golf Club is minutes away from the best themed-resorts in the country. In here, life is truly a celebration!