🏌️♂️ Best Public Golf Courses in Orlando – Resort Area Edition
Orlando isn’t just about Mickey Mouse and rollercoasters — it’s also home to some of the best public-access resort golf in Florida. Whether you’re visiting Disney, SeaWorld, or Universal, these courses offer incredible value, lush fairways, and tee times open to all.
Here are the top public golf courses near the Orlando resort corridor — all walk-on friendly, no membership required.
⛳ 1. Walt Disney World® Golf – Magnolia Course (Reimagined in 2025)
📍 Lake Buena Vista, FL
💰 Green Fees: ~$49–$99+
The Magnolia Course just completed its biggest redesign since opening in 1971 — and it shows. All 18 holes were completely rebuilt, with recontoured greens, renovated bunkers, native grass zones, and new tee boxes. The changes are part playability, part eco-conscious design — and 100% Disney magic.
🔥 Feature: “Grumpy’s Gauntlet” (Holes 14–17)
This dramatic 4-hole stretch is designed to test your entire game.
- 14 – “The Backside of Water”: A brutal dogleg with pond-guarded greens and runoff everywhere.
- 15 – “The Dinglehopper”: 597 yards of chaos. Miss left, you’re in bunkers. Miss right, you’re in worse bunkers.
- 16 – “An Element of Fun”: Water left, bunkers right, and a green with four levels.
- 17 – “The Big Green”: Long, narrow, water both sides, and serious slopes. Good luck.
Survive it, and you’re in elite company.
🆕 Bonus: “The Greatest Green Ever Played” — a full 18-hole putting course themed after Francis Ouimet’s U.S. Open win (and Disney’s film about it).
⛳ 2. Walt Disney World® Golf – Palm Course
📍 Lake Buena Vista, FL
💰 Green Fees: ~$49–$99+
The Palm Course brings a breezier, slightly easier layout compared to Magnolia, but still has its own hazards and water challenges. It’s resort-golf friendly but never boring.
✅ Scenic fairways and palm-lined greens
✅ Slope rating that rewards smart play
✅ Same clubhouse and amenities as Magnolia
⛳ 3. Falcon’s Fire Golf Club
📍 Kissimmee (10 min from Disney)
💰 Green Fees: ~$45–$115
A locals’ favorite and frequent visitor pick, Falcon’s Fire blends playability and pace of play with a classic Florida layout. Smooth greens and well-kept bunkers give it a resort-course feel without the resort price.
✅ Practice range + full-service clubhouse
✅ Cart included
✅ Wide fairways — beginner friendly
⛳ 4. Shingle Creek Golf Club
📍 Universal Blvd (near SeaWorld)
💰 Green Fees: ~$79–$129
Owned by Rosen Hotels, this tournament-level course is one of Orlando’s best-kept upscale secrets. Tight fairways, premium greens, and a full country club vibe.
✅ Recently updated with new landscaping
✅ Excellent food & drinks
✅ Popular with convention visitors
⛳ 5. Grande Vista Golf Club (Marriott)
📍 Near SeaWorld / I-Drive
💰 Green Fees: ~$35–$69
If you just want a casual round or to warm up the short game, Grande Vista is a great 9-hole track tucked inside the Marriott resort.
✅ Easy to walk
✅ Short-game focused
✅ Lessons available at Marriott Golf Academy
⛳ 6. Orange County National – Panther Lake Course
📍 Winter Garden, FL (25–30 min from Disney)
💰 Green Fees: ~$65–$150
For the more serious player looking to test their full game, Orange County National’s Panther Lake Course is a must-play. It’s hosted Q-School, NCAA events, and countless tournaments thanks to its elite layout and conditioning.
This is the kind of course that rewards smart course management and precision — and punishes anything else.
🐾 Why It Stands Out:
- Pure championship layout with zero housing distractions
- Huge rolling fairways and lightning-fast greens
- Top-rated practice facility (home to PGA Show Demo Day)
Tip: Warm up early. This course doesn’t ease you in.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Orlando is a golf city disguised as a theme park capital. These courses offer championship-level quality, full resort service, and fair prices — without the red tape. Whether you’re squeezing in 18 before dinner at Disney Springs or planning a dedicated golf weekend, these are your top tee time picks.
Palm + Par 
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