Golfing at WDW

[jpmom]

We are considering a golf trip to WDW. Can anyone offer advice on the courses there, which ones are best?

 

[Chili327]

No ideas, but I'm following.

 

[sponica]

I think my husband preferred the Palm to the Magnolia. But he liked all 3. He played all 3 on our trip in 2022.

 

[Mr. Drauer]

We are considering a golf trip to WDW. Can anyone offer advice on the courses there, which ones are best?

well, none are really all that special. The Palm and Magnolia courses are together, though the Mag is currently under a redesign due to the roadway project. These are the two courses that used to host the PGA Tour event. LBV is OK, but a little short. Oak Trail is a 9 hole walking course. There is also Tranquilo at the 4 Seasons, which is the better of the courses and recently hosted the LPGA event and Diamond Internation Pro-Am. There are a number of great courses in the Orlando area though -

 

[mort1331]

Only to add what others have said. LBV clubhouse is at SSR. So depending if staying there or OKW you can walk to clubhouse. Nice feature. But if DVC there are some perks as well, small discount, plus they will pick up and drop you off by cab on their dime from your resort. Check the Magnolia course might be finished with the redo, not sure. If not then I think you would have 15 holes. Watch out for the racoons on Palm between hole 4 and 5.
Also there are fun facts on the Palm and Mag about when the PGA was there.
They have a sunset and sometimes sunrise 9 holes that comes with small meal and beer.

 

[maltdizzy]

Currently, Palm and Lake Buena Vista are the only 18-hole courses. Magnolia has been going through a complete redesign and only has 14 holes open. Oak Trail is a 9-hole walking course and is very busy with novices since a free round is one of the WDW resort package coupons. I think the Palm is their flagship course. The Plam, magnolia, and Oak Trail are all in one complex beside Shades of Green (which originated as the Golf Resort, a WDW deluxe).

They are solid courses, and it's fun to golf the WDW courses. I am not a competitive golfer, play mostly municiple courses, and the Disney courses are more than enough for me. But my friends that are much better golfers than me and prefer to avoid the crowds at the Disney courses for others around Orlando (Bay Hill, Southern Dunes, OC National, etc.).

Definitively shop the WDW Pro Shop, they carry a lot of great merch you will not find anywhere else on property.

Remember, do not approach the water's edge to retrieve your ball in Florida.

plus they will pick up and drop you off by cab on their dime from your resort

IIRC, they'll do that for any WDW resort guest with a tee time, not just DVC.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

The fact they are taking so long with the Floridian Way expansion / finishing the Magnolia course annoys me, but at least it’s 33% off for 14 holes. But seriously, they are in zero rush to finish that it seems. Hopefully later in 2024 when the new Poly tower opens is their end date to have that whole Floridian Way/Magnolia Course/new Poly entrance stuff complete.

 

[Chili327]

The fact they are taking so long with the Floridian Way expansion / finishing the Magnolia course annoys me, but at least it’s 33% off for 14 holes. But seriously, they are in zero rush to finish that it seems. Hopefully later in 2024 when the new Poly tower opens is their end date to have that whole Floridian Way/Magnolia Course/new Poly entrance stuff complete.

Have you met Disney?? lol

 

[NickDubs34]

Golf at WDW used to be so much better. The Palm and Magnolia have been around forever and are fine. But they used to have two courses -- Osprey Ridge and Eagle Pines -- that were really excellent. I have such fond memories of playing with my dad on those two courses in particular. Wish they'd add another course or two back but guessing that isn't in the cards.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Golf at WDW used to be so much better. The Palm and Magnolia have been around forever and are fine. But they used to have two courses -- Osprey Ridge and Eagle Pines -- that were really excellent. I have such fond memories of playing with my dad on those two courses in particular. Wish they'd add another course or two back but guessing that isn't in the cards.

DH still has his golf shirts that he bought at Osprey and Eagle Pines, and he thinks of those courses fondly whenever he wears one.

 

[Love Ft Wilderness]

I'm just starting to learn golf and it's my goal to be "good enough" to play WDW course. It sounds like Oak Trail is the one I need to shoot for first.
Is there a driving range there too?

 

[maltdizzy]

I'm just starting to learn golf and it's my goal to be "good enough" to play WDW course. It sounds like Oak Trail is the one I need to shoot for first.
Is there a driving range there too?

Yes, there are (small) driving ranges at both the Palms/Magnolia/Oak Trail golf complex and the LBV course. These aren't the large two-story ranges with several dozen bays like some busier municipal courses have, they are more akin to what you might see at a country club.

(Photo credit: the Stop, Drop and Travel blog)

And, if your curious, the club rentals at WDW are pretty solid Top Flight Taylor Made sets for a reasonible fee. Most die-hard golfers will pack their own fitted clubs. I don't play enough in a WDW trip to give up that much trunk space (and my clubs aren't worth showing off).

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I'm just starting to learn golf and it's my goal to be "good enough" to play WDW course. It sounds like Oak Trail is the one I need to shoot for first.
Is there a driving range there too?

FWIW, I love Oak Trail. It’s so peaceful and a great way to get in 9 holes and not have to commit to a longer time commitment. Nothing like a little golf with the distant sounds of the MK train, ferry, etc.

 

[john7994]

We golf at LBV while staying at Saratoga every January with the family (multi-generations) - love the pro shop and the merch there - and they are always running some kind of sale on co-branded items.

It’s not Augusta, but whatever - it’s golf at Disney and the clientele along with the CMs are relaxed and not “over-pro’ed” with themselves - which the same may not be found at other so-called better courses.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Unfortunately, IMO, I think they closed the best course down, Osprey Ridge. It was a very scenic and challenging course. WDW will give you free shuttle service to any of their courses.

 

[Love Ft Wilderness]

Yes, there are (small) driving ranges at both the Palms/Magnolia/Oak Trail golf complex and the LBV course. These aren't the large two-story ranges with several dozen bays like some busier municipal courses have, they are more akin to what you might see at a country club.

(Photo credit: the Stop, Drop and Travel blog)

And, if your curious, the club rentals at WDW are pretty solid Top Flight sets for a reasonible fee. Most die-hard golfers will pack their own fitted clubs. I don't play enough in a WDW trip to give up that much trunk space (and my clubs aren't worth showing off).

I like my clubs as I'm a lefty and it took some time to even find them. I would only bring a few for the first time.
I hope that driving range isn't over water like that picture. Right now all my balls would go into it.

FWIW, I love Oak Trail. It’s so peaceful and a great way to get in 9 holes and not have to commit to a longer time commitment. Nothing like a little golf with the distant sounds of the MK train, ferry, etc.

It sounds perfect! I hope I improve by next year's December vacation.

Thank you both for your comments!

 

[ThornXBL]

And, if your curious, the club rentals at WDW are pretty solid Top Flight sets for a reasonible fee. Most die-hard golfers will pack their own fitted clubs. I don't play enough in a WDW trip to give up that much trunk space (and my clubs aren't worth showing off).

According to their site, the current rental sets are Taylor Made Stealth 2:

https://www.golfwdw.com/images/Walt_Disney_World_Golf_RentalEquipment_2023.pdf

 

[DJFan88]

My adult sons loved playing there when we went last year. They liked the Palms course better for overall playing course, but the Buena Vista one they loved too for visual appeal. They both rented the Taylor Made clubs. My younger son, a leftie, especially loved the clubs. Compared to golfing anywhere, pricing is not rediculous. Not sure if they are still running Sunset 9 specials, all golfing info. Is available on Disney golf pages/site. We went in summer, so they got very early tee times. When you book a tee time it looks like it’s all available, but a few days to a week before all the good times start to go. They will match you up if they need to, as slots will show if 2 or 4 left etc, They enjoyed the people they golfed with. This is like any golf course in this regard.
Someone above suggested Saratoga to stay at, and since that’s where one of the courses is, it’s a great idea. We were fortunate to have our car, so we just drove them over to Shades of Green for the other course and picked up later.

 

[maltdizzy]

According to their site, the current rental sets are Taylor Made Stealth 2:

https://www.golfwdw.com/images/Walt_Disney_World_Golf_RentalEquipment_2023.pdf

Oh, that's right, I completely zoned out on the brand.

 

[jpmom]

Thanks everyone. Great information. I need to see if we get a discount with our DVC membership.