Fairway Adventures: Exploring Golf Courses Around the World
Part Four: Lake Buena Vista Golf Course, Orlando Florida
How to Have a Magical Golf Experience at Walt Disney World
If you are looking for a classic country-club style golf course that offers a challenging and scenic game, you might want to check out Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course in Orlando, Florida. Melissa and I recently played this 18-hole course during a brief visit to Orlando. This challenging golf course was definitely not a Mickey Mouse putt-putt course that you might expect being in the middle of the Walt Disney World theme parks. Lake Buena Vista has hosted the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour and many USGA events. In addition it is certified by Audubon International as a Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary.
The course
The 18-hole course will challenge any level of player with its water hazards, dense woods, and elevated bunkered greens. This par 72 course is not extremely long at 6475 yards and boasts a course rating of 72.3. The slope rating is a 133.
You will want to make sure to arrive early enough to go warm up with a few balls on the range. I must admit that this was the most unique driving range I have ever seen in my life. You hit over a water hazard that covers the entire front of the range. But this will get you ready for the many water hazards that you will face throughout the round. If you are like me, the water seems to be a magnetic attraction when on the course.
The Happiest Place on Turf
The moment that you arrive at the bag drop, one of the first things you will hear is "Welcome to the Happiest Place on Turf." I was going to need that throughout the round as I struggled to get my driver working properly after the first couple of holes. Unfortunately, my struggles didn't end with the driver. The very dense woods ate a few balls, the water hazards took their share, and by the end of the round, I was on the last ball in my bag. Magically though, I was in my happy place as Melissa and I enjoyed the challenging course and learned a few things along the way.
Things we Liked About the Course
The fairways were in very good shape for the amount of golf that must get played in this vacation destination. The carts were all new with built in GPS and a console that gave you tips on how to play the course and even helped you know if your pace was ahead of schedule or falling behind. This is very handy when you are playing a course for the first time.
All of the staff were super friendly, including the pace keepers! On the 9th hole, make sure to get a picture of the Mickey shaped bunkers on the back side of the green.
The nature around the course is very impressive. During the course of play we saw deer, raccoons, and a few red headed woodpeckers. Finally, I would add that the value for playing this course is incredible. You get so used to everything at Disney being very expensive, but we thought this was an incredible deal at $100 for both of us to play 18 holes with a cart.
Because we were playing as a twosome, we were paired with another couple that we enjoyed talking to throughout the afternoon. Thankfully we were suitably matched from a skill level so that no one felt like they were being held back during the round. We've even invited them to Amelia Island to come and play a round with us in the near future.
Areas for Improvement
Let me start out by reiterating how much we enjoyed playing this course. But there are a couple of things we felt could use improvement. The greens played like concrete. Many of them were bare and therefore nothing for your ball to grab ahold of when shooting your approach shot.
If you play in the afternoon, make sure that you fill up the cooler attached to the side of the cart right away. The beverage cart came around just before 4:00 PM for last call. We had a 3:00 tee time. That's a long round without any refreshment on the course in the heat of a Florida afternoon. The one good thing that I will say is that they have ice machines stationed around the course where you can refill your cooler, fill a cup with ice and get filtered water.
Conclusion
I would recommend Lake Buena Vista Golf Course to anyone who loves golf and Disney. This is also a great opportunity to get a non theme park lover to join you on a trip to Disney. This is one of four golf courses that are also located in Disney World, such as Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course or Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course or the Disney Palm. We will definitely be playing all of them over time and as we regularly visit Walt Disney World.
