It’s okay. You can be honest. We know the real reason you asked your kids when their winter break is, so you could book a family trip to Orlando. I’m sure they were psyched over the prospect of going to Disney World, but they were so quick to pack their duffels, I’m not sure they heard you trailing off about Orlando’s 170+ golf courses. So golf is your game? We’ve got Orlando golf hotels with beautifully manicured greens fit for a PGA Tour king, such as yourself.
It’s all in the hips
Golf Academy at Waldorf Astoria Orlando. Photo by Waldorf Astoria
The Waldorf Astoria offers private lessons on their course, carefully crafted by renowned golf architect Rees Jones. You can test out your newly-improved swing with your driver on their five-tee System, which caters to beginners and to seasoned pros. Their Professional set of tees stretch as far as 7,108 yards over their par 72, 18-hole course. Overnight guests receive a discount to play a round, although they won’t turn you away if your passing through their neck of the woods as long as you meet their dress code requirements.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando Presidential Suite master bath. Photo by Waldorf Astoria
Take the drop, or go for a swim
Photo by Villas of Grand Cypress Golf Resort
After braving the back nine with the sun bearing down on you at the Villas of Grand Cypress, kick off your golf cleats and rest easy in the resort’s recently renovated luxury villas, which cost more than $100,000 each. The location is also a golfer’s paradise, as you’re situated within walking distance of a Jack Nicklaus Signature-designed golf playland, which includes 45 holes.
Photo by Villas of Grand Cypress Golf Resort
Your sand wedge might come in handy
Reunion Resort golf course. Photo by Reunion Resort
You have to check-in here to check out Reunion Resort’s three golf courses designed by three golf legends. Some say the property’s best 18 is the Tom Watson/Independence Course, although the Arnold Palmer/Legacy course is no slouch either. And who could forget the Jack Nicklaus/Tradition course, the newest addition to the Reunion Resort golf course family.
Reunion Resort villa guest room. Photo by Reunion Resort
Overcome your stage fright
Arnold Palmer Invitational. Photo by Bay Hill Club & Lodge
Every year in March, the Arnold Palmer Invitational takes place at at his namesake’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge. You can either reserve your tickets or slumber a few nights at Golf Magazine’s third best course in Florida to hit around the Challenger/Champion nines, a majestic layout that has hosted the PGA Tour since 1979. The only other way, aside from lodging or the invitational, to get clearance to play on this course is if a member of the lodge invites you: the golfers equivalent of “friends with benefits.”
Photo by Bay Hill Club & Lodge
Shoot for the birdie, just not the buck!
Wildlife on the Ritz-Carlton’s course! Photo by the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
If you sign up for the Ritz-Carlton’s unique Caddie Concierge Program, fear not, the caddie is not a furry critter without thumbs that trespasses on the grounds. The program is a first for Central Florida golfers and provides anything ranging from course strategy tips to cleaning your golf clubs. Tiger Woods claims that this course has some of the finest putting greens he’s set foot on. During your stay, you can also explore Florida’s natural beauty with the Ritz’s Adventure Experiences packages, offering guided canoe or kayak tours of Shingle Creek, the headwaters to the Florida Everglades.
The cutest bunker, like, ever
Photo by Walt Disney World
We know you intentionally landed in the sand trap to take a Mickey Mouse selfie. You really are a kid at heart. The Magnolia Golf Course, the longest of the Disney courses, is lined with 1500 magnolia trees and is tucked away in a tranquil setting that the Audubon International certified as a Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary and was awarded 4 stars by Golf Digest. While Disney doesn’t have a golf resort per se, if you park your golf bag for the night at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotel, you can take advantage of advanced tee times and reduced rental equipment rates (they’ll also include complimentary rental shoes!).
Photo by Walt Disney World