By George McNeilly
Though not a golfer, Walt Disney created of the world’s leading family entertainment destination. He was a true visionary, and it didn’t take him long to realize that the sky was the limit for golf in Central Florida.
While developing the overall concept for what would become the Walt Disney World Resort, and shortly after acquiring the Florida property, Disney sketched a preliminary outlook for the future of the site which included the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, resort hotels, convention facilities, man-made lakes, plus a large area designated for golf.
A half century later, four unique courses, now operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management (APGM), provide a golfer’s paradise. The layouts are challenging enough for the PGA TOUR’s greatest players, but also friendly enough to accommodate all skill levels at what has come to be known as “The Happiest Place on TURF!”
As Walt Disney World Golf ushers in the next 50 years, there’s tremendous excitement in store with the grand re-opening of the Magnolia Course. Next December will mark the 50th anniversary of the Jack Nicklaus’ third consecutive victory in the Walt Disney World Golf Classic.
Opened in 1971, Walt Disney World Resort will conclude its ongoing 50th anniversary festivities in March of 2023.
After more than four decades hosting annual professional tournaments, Walt Disney World’s focus has shifted to expanding golf’s reach and is now offering a superlative experience in stunningly beautiful surroundings for family vacations, industry gatherings and business seminars.
Given the diversity of the golf challenges and exceptional Walt Disney World Resort dining and entertainment options, it’s no wonder Golf Digest has ranked Walt Disney World Golf among its top five destinations for a family golf trip. It is the ultimate “Family Experience.”
Walt Disney World Golf has just completed an extensive redesign of the Magnolia Course. The changes involve a significant reimagination of all 18 greens and much of Magnolia’s closing stretch, holes 14 through 17.
The Palm and Lake Buena Vista Courses are open for play, along with the Oak Trail Course, a nine-hole walking layout, plus the driving ranges are open to the public.
Disney goes out of its way to make vacations as convenient as possible with complimentary transportation to courses from select Walt Disney World Resort hotels and free parking for golfers on their way to courses. The resort experience is literally tailor-made for travelers. Men, women and junior golfers can rent TaylorMade golf equipment and Adidas golf shoes.
- Disney’s Palm Golf Course
Picturesque natural beauty featuring shimmering lakes, majestic palm trees and tropical sands make the Palm Golf Course a pleasure to play, as well as a challenge. Tee options vary between 5,213 yards (red tees) and 6,870 yards (blue tees). The par-4 18th hole, features a well-protected, elevated green, was always one of the most difficult on the PGA TOUR.
- Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course
Designed as a classic Tour style layout by Joe Lee, the Magnolia Golf Course is the longest of the Walt Disney World, playing at 7,560 yards from the Classic tees during tournaments, 7,141 yards from green tees and 6,684 from the white tees for daily play. Named for the Magnolia trees that line the fairways and elevated tees, it has undergone its most extensive redesign ever. Holes 14 through 17 are being reconfigured and all 18 greens are being substantially enhanced.
- Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course
Designed in 1972 by Joe Lee, this course near Disney Springs winds through several of the resort properties, including Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Disney’s Old Key West Resort. The course plays between 5,177 and 6,745 yards and includes an island green on the par-3 seventh hole and a Mickey Mouse bunker that was added to the rear of the ninth green in 2018.
- Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
A nine-hole walking course, Disney’s Oak Trail is well-suited for families and casual golfers. This course, originally only six holes and known as “The Wee Course”, was expanded in the 1990s by Ron Garl who designed the fifth, sixth and seventh holes to feature water hazards around a canal and pond. The par-36 layout can be played from junior tees (1,713 yards) or close to 3,000 yards (including a 517-yard par-5) from the white tees.
A new fleet of premium Yamaha golf carts was recently introduced at the Palm, Magnolia and Lake Buena Vista Courses. Each cart is equipped with a cutting-edge touchscreen Yamatrack GPS system to provide overviews of every hole, along with yardage from the cart to the flagstick. These carts boast plush, cushioned seats and a suspension system to provide a comfortable ride, USB ports to power mobile devices and Bluetooth speakers for the musically inclined to enjoy. Families can play and ride together as they interact with Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Pluto in Disney character-themed four-seater golf carts.
More state-of-the-art technology is available in the form of Robo-Caddies, a small, robotic golf cart that employs GPS and Bluetooth technology to transport your clubs and all of your additional gear safely around Oak Trail. Golfers clip the cart’s small transmitter to their belt, load their golf bag, and focus on their next shot as the autonomous cart follows a few paces behind at a walking speed.
Walt Disney World Golf also features a fleet of SoloRider individual adaptive carts to help facilitate pace of play and keep mobility-impaired golfers in the game.
Bring the family for the dream vacation, plus while you’re there make some magic of your own at the Disney Golf Courses and make memories that will last a lifetime.
