I love golf. It’s a beautifully frustrating game that is unbelievably challenging while being equally rewarding. For me, there is no better way to unplug from the daily grind than to grab a few friends, hit the links at some of the best golf courses in Orlando, and enjoy the beautiful Florida sunshine (and maybe a few beers).
Central Florida is a golfer’s paradise, offering a wide range of quality golf courses in Orlando for golfers of all skill levels. Regardless of where you are located in the Orlando metro, it is all but guaranteed you are a short drive away from multiple quality courses. In this guide I’ll help you discover some of the top-notch courses in Orlando and Central Florida.
Hot tip: The farther you’re willing to drive from the tourist areas, the better the rates get.
Top Public Golf Courses
Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge
Located in Winter Garden, this premier destination features two 18-hole courses—Crooked Cat and Panther Lake—and a 9-hole walking course, The Tooth. Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge boasts the largest driving range in the United States. Believe it or not, it’s also among the best-value courses in Central Florida. Crooked Cat has a couple of my favorite holes to play. Conventional wisdom on Hole #9 would be to layup right of the sawgrass, but if you have the distance you should go right at the green with plenty of room to miss right and bunkers to catch your ball if you are short or left.
Watch out for #12! It’s one of the toughest holes with a demanding tee shot followed by a long carry to a protected green.
Championsgate Country Club
Home to the National and International courses, Championsgate offers a challenging layout with beautiful surroundings. It’s an excellent choice for golfers seeking a range of course options and an impressive facility.
Falcon’s Fire Golf Club
A great mix of tight, challenging holes alongside wide-open fairways makes Falcon’s Fire an appealing choice. Hole 13 is dog-leg right with a long carry over water… if you have the distance and confidence you can carry most of the water and leave a very short approach into the tucked green. Fair warning: it doesn’t always drain very well when there’s heavy rain. But Falcon’s Fire features scenic views and friendly staff, making this course ideal for a laidback day of golf.
Celebration Golf Club
Celebration Golf Club is a hidden gem that offers affordable rates and quality fairways. Being beginner-friendly and still engaging enough for experienced golfers (particularly in terms of putting) earns this spot its hidden gem reputation.
Eagle Creek Golf Club
Eagle Creek, in Lake Nona, offers a scenic par-73 course that appeals to golfers of all levels. Featuring five par 5s and a relatively open course, it’s one of the best values in the summer (prices can creep up in the winter). Be careful on Hole 14 – if you go long over the fairway left you are all but guaranteed to be in the water. Instead, go right over the bunkers and take the water out of play. Book in advance if you want a morning tee time during the busy season.
North Shore Golf Club
Located near Eagle Creek in Lake Nona, North Shore Golf Club offers a challenging course layout with hidden hazards and plenty of tricky shots. If you have the distance, Holes 1 and 16 offer the bigger hitters the chance to drive the green. It’s a great pick for golfers who enjoy strategic play. While conditions can vary in the summer, the course shines in the winter months when it’s often in great shape and gets fewer players.
Dubsdread Golf Course
Located off Par Street just minutes from downtown, Dubsdread is one of the oldest courses in Orlando built in 1924 before being renovated in 2008. It is in great shape year round and very affordable given the great playing conditions. It is a short, tighter course that requires calculated shot making. Pro tip – when in doubt, club down – it’s better to be short than long on almost every hole. However, you will likely need to book your tee times in advance as the tee sheet fills up quickly.
Rio Pinar Golf
Another older course, Rio Pinar is known for its dense trees and fox squirrels, and is a very fun track. Recently sold and under new management, Rio Pinar has been experiencing fantastic upgrades to the range and clubhouse. But be mindful, their cart’s GPS systems are highly restrictive, so don’t expect a quick round.
Top Resort Courses
Ritz-Carlton Golf Club
This luxurious course is maintained in pristine condition year-round. Ritz-Carlton Golf Club offers a truly elevated golfing experience with top-tier amenities and services you’d expect from the Ritz-Carlton brand.
Reunion Resort and Golf Club
Featuring three championship courses designed by golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tom Watson, Reunion Resort is a must-visit for those seeking a “stay and play” experience with a range of challenges.
Cypress at Evermore
Known for its Links course and new Cypress course, Evermore provides a mix of open-links-style holes and challenging fairways, making it a rewarding experience for golfers. Ready for a new course in excellent condition? Famous for your errant tee shots? The Links at Evermore accommodates ten-fold. But be careful as the roughs are quite challenging if you can locate your ball.
Hawk’s Landing Golf Club
Situated near Orlando’s major attractions, Hawk’s Landing features immaculate year-round conditions. While seemingly short on the scorecard, it plays longer than it seems and offers a fun but challenging course. (Hole 18 is a challenging island green par 3 that rivals the infamous hole 17 at TPC Sawgrass.)
Shingle Creek Golf Club
A newer addition to the Orlando golf scene, Shingle Creek offers state-of-the-art facilities and beautiful greens that are both forgiving and enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels. An excellent value among resort courses, Shingle Creek’s greens are well-maintained, though be prepared for cart-path-only restrictions after heavy rains.
Best Private Golf Courses
Bella Collina
The luxurious gated community of Bella Collina offers an exclusive golfing experience with scenic views and a course designed by Sir Nick Faldo. Perfect for those seeking privacy in a world-class environment.
Lake Nona Country Club
It is a highly exclusive course in Central Florida. If you can afford it, Lake Nona is one of the best and most prestigious golfing experiences anywhere.
Tuskawilla Country Club
Located in Winter Springs, Tuskawilla Country Club is a private course known for its excellent value among private clubs in Central Florida. Yet it features a fun and challenging course.
Heathrow and The Legacy at Alaqua Lakes
Heathrow and The Legacy at Alaqua Lakes is one of the most popular private courses. Attracting many working professionals, its members provide a welcoming community.
Eagle Dunes Golf Club
With rolling fairways and a friendly atmosphere, Eagle Dunes stands out as a private course offering a laid-back vibe alongside excellent playing conditions.
Worth the Drive: Great Courses Outside of Orlando
Cypress Head Golf Club (Port Orange)
This affordable gem offers well-kept greens just an hour from Orlando, providing a serene golfing experience.
Venetian Bay (New Smyrna Beach)
A challenging course known for its water features and scenic views, Venetian Bay is perfect for those looking for variety in their game.
Deer Island Country Club (Tavares)
It is one of the most scenic courses in Central Florida, and it’s not uncommon to spot an alligator or ten while golfing at this unique location.
Harmony Golf Club (St. Cloud)
Located in St. Cloud, Harmony is a fun track with some scenic holes. While not overly challenging, Harmony does require some smart course management. Much like North Shore, it’s best to play in the winter after overseeding.
Streamsong Golf Resort (Bowling Green)
Finally, Streamsong offers one of the best golf experiences you can ever have. In fact, it features three top-100 courses and is a must-play for any serious golfer. Located in Bowling Green, south of Lakeland, the hour and 45-minute drive is well worth the trip.
Golf Communities and Real Estate Near Orlando
The courses in Central Florida provide excellent golfing experiences at every level for property investors and tenants alike. Properties near these courses often attract a dedicated community of golf enthusiasts, making them ideal for long-term investment properties. Popular golf communities include those around Lake Nona, Winter Garden, and Celebration, each offering proximity to some of the top public and private courses.
