Tag Archives: golf trips

Disney’s Palm Golf Club

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There is nothing short of fabulous or amazing or beautiful when it comes to Disney. Everything about it falls under one or all of those adjectives; sometimes even more. Especially if it comes with the word Disney and Orlando, nothing could go wrong or ugly. Kids know that…and adults too! More so if they are golf loving adults who have had their shot at playing any of the five golf courses in the Disney World Resort, they will surely know how Disney spells fun and goodness. The Palm Golf Club is one perfect example. This is that one place that golfers would craft one golf vacation plan after another. It is seriously that awesome once is never enough.

Disney’s Palm Golf Club is one of the three Joe-Lee designs in the facility. It does not register as the longest one, but it sure has something to say in yardage – measuring a good 6,957 yards from the longest tees, par 72. What is most notable in this course is the harmonious blending of beauty and challenge perfectly woven into the natural Florida surroundings. There was little and controlled interference into the indigenous flora and fauna thus they grow abundantly in the property. In fact, alligators, deer, and native species of birds are a rather welcome sight to guests. That and its game-savvy features of tree-lined fairways, elevated tees, 9 water holes and over 90 sand bunkers all come together to create a wonderful potpourri of fun, challenge, and beauty all in one golf vacation destination.

Not surprisingly, Disney’s Palm Golf Club is on the list of the Top 75 in the United States; topping Florida’s list is a feat, let alone the country’s. But then again, this is Disney. It cannot NOT be fabulous or good. Everything Disney cannot be bad, even golf trips.

Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course

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There is nothing too unlovable about anything that bears the name Disney. Especially not if it is in Orlando and part of the magical fantasy-come-true paradise of the Disneyworld. But this is not all about the glittery world of Disney fairy tales that only children and children-at-heart love. Golfers actually find their own paradise here at any of the five championship golf courses. Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course, lovingly called “The Mag”, is listed as the longest in yardage and is also known as among the most beautiful. This golf vacation destination at its finest, fairest.

Its name is a giveaway. Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course is dotted with over 1,500 magnolia trees that add as much beauty and challenge to the course. Apart from the elevated tees, greens, and rolling terrain, one of the highlights of the course is a Mickey Mouse-shaped sand bunker on the 6th hole. Seeing the iconic Mickey Mouse shape on the course is enough a reason to believe there is something so magical about this course. No amount of magic, though, could give anyone a great scorecard. It takes shot accuracy and working techniques to conquer the Mag’s 11 water holes and 97 bunkers – including the Mickey Mouse one. The Joe Lee-designed golf favorite measures a lengthy 7,488 yards, par 72. But golf vacations are not the only things magical here.

Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course is a PGA Tour staple, being the host of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. All that features have merited this course a four star rating from the prestigious Golf Digest’s Places to Play. And because this is Disney, not only are golf trips here award-winning and naturally beautiful; they are magical.

Grand Cypress Golf Course – East, South North Nines

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The Grand Cypress Golf Course’s excellent set of nines East, South and North, are probably the best value for money anyone can get out of their Orlando golf trips. There is just so much to do on so little a course, and its three 18-hole options feels as if there is more to it. From the scenery to the features, there is so much to take in and so much to enjoy at these nines, each of them bringing a flavor and attitude distinct from the others.

Just like the Grand Cypress New Course, these nines are also Jack Nicklaus creations. The South and North, the older of the three, all share the same characteristics of having large mounds, terraced fairways, shaped bunkers, and generous landing areas. The newer East course is more forgiving and more generous, which, when played with either the South of the North nines, would perfectly contrast the tightness of the latter. These courses which, apparently, vary in length according to nine-on-nine combo, does not mind the length or strength of a golfer’s shot. What matters most in playing the East. South and North nines are the shot making skills and its foremost requisite is ACCURACY. But generally speaking, the foremost of foremost in the list of admission requirements at this golf vacation destination is a golfer’s desire of a great time with a sense of adventure.

What makes golf vacations hereabouts are the ability of the East, South and North nines to bring out the adventure that golfers come to seek. And it does not hurt, too, that the course provides it in a visually appealing manner. With variety and beauty as great as this, it is every cent that is without a doubt well-spent.

Championsgate Golf Resort – National Course

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Going to the Championsgate Golf Resort in Orlando is like being in three different places all at the same time. Its 36-hole golf vacation destination feels tad larger than it is, thanks to Greg Norman and his creations that are an ode to variety and uniqueness. The International Course, true to its name, brings to Florida the best features of the celebrated courses of Scotland and Northern Ireland, whilst adding a taste of Florida. The National Course, on the other hand, is a celebration of the best features of American golfing. Well, it is the national after all.

 The National Course measures shorter in yardage than the International at a little more than 7,100 yards to the latter’s 7,300++. Unlike the links style of the International, this course has highlighted many of the area’s natural features. It sits on acres and acres and acres of woodlands, natural wetlands and lush fairways and greenways. And just as Floridan as it can get, the course has several stunning albeit challenging array of water hazards complimented by the presence of 80 sculpted bunkers. The most noticeable characteristic of this course is that it starts good and finishes at its best – with what is known to have some of America’s best stretch of finishing holes. It just gets better, longer. Who would want to end a golf vacation like this?

With courses as great as the International and the National Course, the Championsgate Golf Resort is unsurprisingly listed among Orlando’s, Florida’s and America’s best. Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, Golfweek and Zagat Golf Guide will agree and prove. There would be nowhere else one would want to be for their most epic golf trips.

Orange County National Golf Club – Panther Lake Course

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“The best of everything” might sound a little too uppish to most people, but when the Panther Lake Course of Orange County National Golf Club makes the claim, there is much truth to it. It’s pretty accurate. Why, everything it has is at its best conditions. From the views to the layout to the conditioning, this golf vacation destination knows how to spell ‘perfection’ and ‘best’.

Scenery wise, guests at the Panther Lake Course are never shortchanged on their golf trips. Quite on the contrary in fact. This course was made without the impaling views of housing projects. There is nothing here to see but the best of what nature endowed Florida with. And if that’s not enough beauty naturelle yet, the course is for the most part, preserved natural terrain. Layout wise, golfers are taken to a golf course that spells the best in variety. The 7,350-yard layout feels tad longer for the massive distinction of one hole to another. There is just no telling what or how the next hole will be like as they go through natural oak hammocks, wetlands, other water features, and pine forests. And as for the conditioning, the newly installed Championship turf greens would very well answer any query as well as ease frowned foreheads.

The Panther Lake Course did well in making the best out of its offerings. Whilst others may be able to offer something different, or something it cannot match up to, this course promises and delivers the best of what it has. And what it has is basically what every golfer needs in a golf course. Should one expect any different for their golf vacations here?

Orange County National Golf Club – Crooked Cat Course

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The Crooked Cat Course may sound wild and needs to be tamed. While wild may not mean crazy, cannibalistic wild, it is true that golfers can dance their own tune on this course. Golfers may choose to be as wild on their golf vacations here. This Orange County National course gives the golfers a stronger sense of freedom and yes, fun.

This golf vacation destination makes up in part the 45-hole Orange County National Golf Club. The other 18-hole facility, the Panther, is known for its tough unforgiving layout. The Crooked Cat Course, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. It is more forgiving and more playable with wider fairways, fewer trees, and easier shots – NOT! The course’s easy links style course is defined by quite a lot of grassy areas that won’t make a wayward shot recovery any easier. Not to mention, there’s an incessant blowing of the Floridan wind that makes its presence felt big time. The course is actually perfect for golfers who are either having too good of a time or too serious and is inching up on their games. Either way, it will always be a crazy fun ride…every single time.

 That’s the reason why golf trips here are worth taking. It’s all 7,000++ yards of excellent golfing according to what suits one’s taste, and can be played from any of its five sets of tees. That’s the Crooked Cat Course. For something called ‘crooked’, it has gotten the path to fun the right way. But then again, it might as well be appropriate. It’s wild, it’s fun, it’s unforgettable.

Treetops Resort – Traditions Course

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The Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan, aside from its reputation of ranking amongst the best golf vacation destinations in America, has a reputation for being aptly named. Its courses speak for themselves – the Masterpiece, the Premier, the Signature. They are as much a masterpiece, a premier, and yes, more literally, a signature course respectively. The Traditions Course is no different.

Designer Rick Smith indeed has brought the game a little further back to history with his work on the Traditions Course. The course features a links-style layout complete with wooded pins and pennant flags. It has a slightly rolling hill terrain but is very suitable for walking and the greens are smaller and are actually less undulating that its sibling courses in the resort. The uphill shots add a little more flavor to the game. From the longest tees, this golf vacation favorite measures 6, 467 yards and plays for a par of 70.

At the Traditions Course, the golfers will be allowed to choose whether to play on full 18 or just play a 9-hole game. The front nine goes back to the starter house, giving golfers the freedom to end their round right there, or move on to a more challenging game towards the 18th. The features here are virtually the same with those in its sibling courses, only more forgiving. Rolling terrain, wooded areas, undulating greens – almost the same but not quite; but equally challenging, fun and memorable no less. The course not only brings a traditional flair in its features; it brings back the good ol’ happy days of golf trips of yesteryears.

Treetops Resort – Signature Course

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Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan is a highly notable display of golf course design greats. It has Robert Trent Jones Sr’s last Michigan project (Masterpiece Course) for one. It also has Tom Fazio’s first and only Course in the Great Lakes state (Premier Course). And if that is not enough, it also has Rick Smith’s first full length 18-hole golf course – the Signature Course. And for a first golf vacation destination project, it was not too shabby. Not shabby at all; in fact, it was even excellent.

The Signature Course measures a good 6,653 yards from the longest tees and plays for a par of 70. What is most notable here are Smith’s usage of the natural terrain and other features of the property where the course is located. The high upland location gives the course a rolling terrain – of undulation and elevation changes bonanza, all these exist here in great abundance. Smith coupled this with wide and highly forgiving fairways so the course remains as playable as it is challenging. Heavily wooded natural areas were kept as they were, thereby playing a role in making the course beautiful and yes, still, challenging. Rest assured, golfers will have a very engaging golf vacation here every time – be it first time or nth time.

On top of that, the course comes with five sets of tees that are friendlier to more golfers. The Signature Course is so friendly that it is actually quite popular among the ladies, being ranked among the Top 50 Courses for Women. With that and its promise of dramatic views of the surrounding paradise, golf trips here never end with just the first.

Pelican Hill – Ocean South Course

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This course is a perfect example of the cliché “more than meets the eye”. Why, at a little over 6,500 yards, the Ocean South Course on the Pelican Hill Golf Club feels and plays longer than it is. And larger at that too! It is quite a mystery how Tom Fazio has created something that has so much for something average in size. Golfers must expect, too, for their golf trips hereabouts to be more than what they would or could ever expect.

The Ocean South Course has recently undergone a massive revamping, and it is now twice as perfect as when Tom Fazio first created it to be. Fazio’s remodeling of his own work created a spectacle that has features that will most likely take golfers on a rollercoaster ride of textures and difficulties. The course moves from greens to trees to magnificent floral gardens of various hues to the beach. And all the way and through it, there is an unending and unmatched view of the ocean nearby – a breathtaking backdrop to a rather challenging feat of surviving the 18-holes of this course in a neat scorecard. All that standing side by side in this medium sized golf course. For a golf course to end up as exquisite as this golf vacation destination is a massive feat that would take a genius to achieve. Tom Fazio is, hands down.

Fazio’s genius and the course’s naturally beautiful setting could only be complemented by amenities in no lesser way. Just as perfect, the services and facilities including pro shop and excellent 19th hole in the form of the Pelican Grill complete the golf vacation package. Ocean South Course is no cliché; it’s just plain perfect.

Queenstown Harbor Golf Course – River Course

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The unparalleled, picture-perfect beauty of the Chesapeake Bay is one thing. That of Chester River is another. But either way, there is some irresistible force in the Queenstown Harbor Golf Course that attracts as many golfers for golf vacations. But the River Course, its layout quality and the kind of game it offers is simply a different story altogether. Nonetheless, it is enough to bring even more golfers to Maryland.

Queenstown Harbor’s River Course makes up 18 of the 36-holes in the golfing resort. The other one is a smaller, less famous but equally outstanding golf course, the Lakes Course. The River Course measures 7,110 yards from the longest tees, par 72. After its most recent renovation, this golf vacation destination has morphed into a perfectly natural course. It simply wanted to seem and be as close to nature as possible, and obviously, this has been achieved. But what is most outstanding here – a standout among standouts – is its set of water features. 14 of its 18 holes has water playing in it. Combined with the many other features including naturally wind-swept dunes, plus the views, everyone is in for a sure treat.

But other than golfers having a jolly good time on the greens, this close-to-nature quality has merited the River Course an even greater recognition. This is among the 688 golf facilities IN THE WORLD that bears an Audubon International Sanctuary certification. It is an elusive, exclusive award that takes a whole world of measures to keep a golf course as eco-friendly as possible. Now that’s a story to tell. As for golf trips here, they are surely one for the books – story books!