FLORIDA
FEATURES
Making the
best
of
three days
in Orlando
By Derek Duncan,
Senior Writer
ORLANDO, Fla. (April 7, 2003) -- "I'll be in Orlando for three days on business and want to know where to play."
This might be the most asked question in the world of Florida golf travel.
With mega-complexes such as the Orange County Convention Center (one of the largest ballroom/meeting facility in the nation), Disney World, MGM Studios, Universal Studios, and Sea World in town, Orlando is virtually nonpareil as a destination for both business and vacation. And with the sun shining 365-days a year and courses galore, golfers who stop in will be looking to squeeze in a few rounds between those meetings or amusements.
The bad part is you have to decide where to play. An excursion to the magnificent World Woods Golf Club in Brooksville or Ocean Hammock in Palm Coast would be nice, but you probably don't have the extra four hours to get there and back.
Compiling a list of the area's most popular golf courses would be fairly simple, as would providing a ranking of what the author considers the best pure designs, which often conflicts with the popular list. Instead we offer the following recommendations that take into account everything, from quality of design, to proximity to the greatest concentration of hotels in southwest Orlando, to price, keeping in mind that rates will be $20 to $50 higher from December to April than in the summer and fall months.
The first options for serious players passing through Orlando might be the esteemed resort courses such as Bay Hill and Grand Cypress Resort, which only allow guest play. For others, golf in Orlando starts and stops at Walt Disney World Resort with its 99 holes and location in the heart of the tourist district. Those looking for game outside these high-profile venues will want to consider these courses that we identify as providing the most return for the least investment of time and money.
1.
Mystic
Dunes Golf Club
-- Opened in
the summer of
2001, Mystic
Dunes is located
virtually across
the street from
Disney World's
south entrance.
The knock on
it is that resort
construction
is rapidly encroaching
on the holes,
but the design
is one of the
most strategic
and invigorating
in Central Florida.
The mind-boggling
green complexes,
the heart and
soul of the
course, are
simply on another
level. Green
fees are as
low as $48 in
the summer but
can climb into
the $100's in
peak season.
(866) 311-1234.
2. North Shore Golf Club -- North Shore is the closest golf course to Orlando International Airport, roughly six miles to its southeast. It's a thoughtful, Mike Dasher-designed layout that has something for everyone as the course wanders around wetlands, over old ranch land, into an oak grove, and then back to the clear again. Ever growing in popularity the green fees are still reasonable, ranging from the $40 to the $70. (407) 277-9277.
3. Orange County National --This 36-hole complex isn't exactly close to the major hotels but can be quickly accessed by taking county roads 535 or 545 in the back way. David Harman designed the Panther Lake and Crooked Cat courses on wonderfully rolling and scenic topography. OCN's complete isolation is a blessing and the rates are fair for the product, ranging from $50 to $100 per round. Advance scouting will usually yield package deals and special promotions. (407) 656-2626.
|
5.
Southern
Dunes --Southern
Dunes in Haines
City is a little
farther away
and a little
more expensive
than Highlands
Reserve ($50-$100),
but it absolutely
belongs on this
list since it's
one of the most
original and
outstanding
golf courses
in Florida.
The Steve
Smyers design
is awash in
expressive bunkering
and strategic
options and
there's enough
going on between
the ropes to
keep your eyes
off the tract
housing lining
many of the
holes. (863)
421-4653.
6. MetroWest -- Until the golf course explosion began in the mid-1990's MetroWest was considered by most to be the finest public access course in Orlando. It's a typically demanding Robert Trent Jones design that's highlighted by surprising elevations and a panoramic view of the downtown skyline on the second nine. Rates have risen recently to the $60 to $110 bracket (call for specials), but the course is conveniently located just a matter of miles away from most hotels. (407) 299-1099.
7.
Hawk's Landing
-- Hawk's Landing
is probably
the most centrally
located golf
course in the
"tourist" part
of town. Originally
designed by
Joe Lee, architect
Bob Cupp gave
the course a
well-deserved
face-lift several
years ago. Wrapping
around the grounds
at the foot
of the Marriott
Orlando World
Center Resort
the course if
a festival of
hazards that
demands a strong
aerial game,
with water in
play on 15 holes.
It's not cheap
at $85 to $135,
but it's as
convenient as
it gets in Orlando.
(407) 238-8660.
8. Diamond Players Club of Clermont -- Though located roughly 40 minutes west of Orlando DPC Clermont deserves serious consideration because it's so damned fun to play. This course is one of the most unique and adventurous in the state due to rapid elevation changes of 200 feet. Terry LaGree certainly didn't hold back in taking advantage of the exuberant if stark terrain. Rates range from $50 to $90 with specials available. (352) 243-1729.
9. Lake Orlando -- Lake Orlando, a mature, flat course with glorious stands of cypress and oak along with plenty of water hazards, is old school Florida golf (1972). It's simple, centrally located off of I-4 north of downtown, and the $25 to $45 rates are next to impossible to beat. If you like tight older courses with character then Lake Orlando is a logical choice. (407) 298-1230.
10. Forest Lake of Ocoee -- This is one of Orlando's best-kept secrets, a gorgeous, affordable, and engaging course with no homes in sight. Designed by the local firm of Clifton/Ezell/Clifton Forest Lake possesses rich green complexes and one of the finest stretches of holes in town, the marvelous run from 13 to 17. Best of all, the green fees top out at $55. (407) 654-4653.
11. The Legends at Orange Lake -- The Legends at Orange Lake is another course that often gets overlooked when accolades are passed out but its design can compete with any in the city. The Legends Course, from Arnold Palmer Course Design, is one of two regulation tracks at Orange Lake Resort, a timeshare community adjacent to Disney World on the south side. It's exceedingly bold and chock full of visceral features and risk/reward shots, a thoroughly macho golf course where the only downside are the rates, which can run into the mid-$100's. (407) 239-1050.
Worth a Look
Victoria Hills, Deland -- A superstar new golf course, but a good 45 minutes to an hour north on I-4. Rock Springs Ridge -- 27 holes in Apopka, play the former second nine and the exciting new nine. Legends of Clermont -- Another hilly course 15 miles north of Highlands Reserve.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
