Tag Archives: golf vacation destination

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.

Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Course

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Disneyworld may be every child’s (and child-at-heart’s) fairy tale dream come true kind of place but the completely grown-up golf loving human beings may find their own fantasy-to-reality golf vacation paradise hereabouts. And that is at Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Course. It is not as pixie-dust glittery as the place for kids, but sure does have its own way of appealing to the golfers, albeit less glittery and flashy.

Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Course is a Joe Lee design that could easily be described as fun and exciting and challenging. And it is – all 6,819 yards of it. It plays for a par of 72, with four sets of tees to choose from, perfect to delight more golfers regardless of their handicap levels. As much as they are visual treats, the signature Florida features of palmettos and pines and sparkling lakes and straight-out-of-a-Disney-movie pastel-colored villas are playing the role of hazards. Bunkered greens here are well elevated and small – as is the whole golf course which is small and tight – but with surprisingly wide and huge fairways. This undeniable beauty and excellence in layout quality is the reason why golfers are not the only ones drawn to this course; even the stars have come down on this golf vacation destination.

Well, course star ratings that is. Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Course has 4 out of 5 stars from Golf Digest Magazine. And the services and amenities are those fitting even for the royals in all those well-loved Disney classics. That’s a promise of a happy-ending to every golf trip right there.

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.

Grand Cypress Golf Club – New Course

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This is the closest anyone can get to the Old Course at St Andrew’s. Well, for the most part. What Jack Nicklaus has channeled successfully from the historic course was the feel of it, the 1st and the last holes, and the necessity of playing excellently a la British Open. But whether or not the New Course at the Grand Cypress Golf Club is more Scotland or more Florida, there is no question as to its being excellent and exceptional. The golf vacation experience offered here is just like nowhere in Europe and in the US. Or anywhere for that matter.

The New Course plays 6,773 yards from the longest tees, par 72. It is among the true links-style courses in America. The 150 deep pot bunkers have made it so. And whilst it does not claim to be a St Andrew’s replica, it brings the feel of the Old Course through the stone walls, winding creeks and a stone bridge to complete the look. And all these features on very wide fairways, with truly fast greens add to the attitude of this golf course. And a golf course as excellent as this requires for each golfer to be as excellent and ready to take on its hazards and obstacles – many of which are hidden. Thus the golf vacation destination comes complete with practice facilities of similar caliber.

From the chipping greens to golf academy, learning and practicing is very much true to the idea of getting ready for a round at the New Course. And the stay options are as excellent. This is not exactly St Andrews, and this is very much a Florida golf trip in every sense. The experience here is as unique as playing the British Open right in the heart of Disney City.

Ritz-Carlton Golf Club – Grande Lakes

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Nothing could ever be more grand than the Grande Lakes Course at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club in Orlando. Well, this is the Sunshine State after all. Golf comes rather easily, hands down. Not to mention, it’s the Ritz-Carlton. That is the name that easily gets associated with fun, memorable, exclusive, wonderful vacations. And, this is a Greg Norman signature course. Greg Norman is Greg Norman, and excellence is almost synonymous. It almost comes naturally. It does not come as surprising that golf vacations here are so effortlessly excellent and memorable.

The Grande Lakes Course is a lengthy 7, 122 yards from the longest tees, par 72. The thing that makes it stand out is that Greg Norman has made optimum use of these natural characteristics and terrain to create a very challenging spectacle. It is located at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades and the banks of the Shingles Pond, and these are the assortment of things that every golfer needs to brave in trying to conquer this golf vacation destination and bears the typical features of a Florida course – water, palms, palmettos, pine trees, old live oaks, the works.

But despite the generic Floridan features, there is no room to believing that this is ‘just like any other Florida course’. Greg Norman’s value for excellence simply could not allow that, thus he made this course to bear an attitude. And that is unabashedly revealed in the signature bunkers strewn on pretty much the entire course. All that paired with all the natural wonders of Orlando scenery and the service brand of a Ritz-Carlton, there is not a reason to believe every golf trip at the Grande Lakes Course will be exactly that – grand.

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.

Championsgate Golf Resort – International Course

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Championsgate Golf Resort has created a name for itself soon after its two Greg Norman courses opened. The two courses vary from each other in so many things, but one thing is certain and common: it upholds a certain brand of excellence in layout, scenery, and services. The International Course is one that would best be described as the offspring of a love affair between Orlando and the British Isles. What to expect from this golf vacation destination is beyond anyone has ever encountered in America, nor in the British Isles.

The International Course is a lengthy course, measuring 7,363 yards from the longest tees, par 72, with five other tee box options to suit golfers of all handicaps. This course brings to Florida the glorious links-style layout of the British Isles’ courses, as well as the fast, hard pacing of the game. Florida comes in the form of water hazards. And the beautiful views innate in Orlando, of course. This combination makes for games that are unique, interesting, and very challenging. No wonder this has the highest rating in all of Orlando golf courses, at 76.3, with a slope rating of 143. And what completes the golf vacation package better than conditioning and services as excellent as its layout?

Here, the greens are meticulously maintained to be at its best all year round. And the Championsgate Resort’s brand of service is known in Florida for, well, being exceptional. A single golf trip hereabouts will simply answer all queries and remove all traces of doubt as to how and why this is among the most highly regarded resorts in the country. And a single round at the International Course will prove why this is one of Golf Magazine’s 10 Most Distinctive Places To Play.

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 – Threetops Course

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A claim as magnanimous and as ambitious as “The Best Par-Three Course in the World” would normally faze many people, especially the critical ones. But not if the one making the claim is the Threetops Course at the famed Michigan resort, Treetops. It is legitimately and truly the best par-three course in the country and the biggest golf publications will back its claim, as it already has. That, and the many, many happy golf vacations spent here over the years.

The Threetops Course is designer Rick Smith’s first design, and he has some sort of beginner’s luck. Either that, or the man just knew what good golfing is. Since it opened, it has garnered such prestigious awards from the likes of Golf Week, Golf Digest , Golf &Travel, and Golf Range Magazine. On top of that, this is the most recognizable Par-Three as the site of the famous ESPN Par-3 Shootout. So what makes this golf vacation destination a truly remarkable one? The answer is simple: FUN.

At the Threetops Course, players define their game. The tee boxes aren’t marked and so they can play according to their own preference. That is 1,400 yards of absolute freedom in golfing! 1,400 yards of undulation levels and dramatic elevation changes. All 1,400 yards of some of the best views in the Michigan golfing scene, and an absolute test of wits and wills, golf-wise. And ultimately, a most unforgettably golf trip experience. For it to say they are the No. 1 Par-3 in the world isn’t a flamboyant claim. It’s merely stating facts.