Add a Round of Golf to Your Walt Disney World Resort Vacation

Who says your Walt Disney World vacation has to be all about the theme parks and your hotel? There are so many things to do outside the theme parks, including shopping, visiting the water parks, and even playing a round of golf. Walt Disney World is home to four championship golf courses and there's a perfect course for every kind of golfer.

Add a round of golf to your Disney vacation

Disney's Magnolia Golf Course is located near Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and the Walt Disney World Speedway. This course is the longest of all the Disney courses and was named for the majestic magnolia trees on the course.

Players will find elevated tees, spacious greens, and some challenging water hazards. You might also find yourself in the Mickey Mouse-shaped sand trap. Eleven of the 18 holes have a water hazard and there are 97 bunkers on the course, so it might be in your best interest to bring some extra golf balls. Just in case.

A view of the Magnolia Golf Course

Disney's Palm Golf Course was redesigned in 2013 by the Arnold Palmer Golf Course Design. The redesigned course features new greens, reshaped tees, and a new bunker design that helped modernize the course. Players will find nine water hazards and 94 bunkers on the course, which is rated as a 4-star course by Golf Digest. The Palm Golf Course is located near Disneys' Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

The Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is a country club style course that has hosted PGA, LPGA, and USGA Tour events. The course is certified by Audubon International as a Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary and was designed by Joe Lee.

The island green at Lake Buena Vista Golf Course

As you play the Lake Buena Vista course, you'll be surrounded by lush greens, sparkling lakes, palmettos, and you'll have a view of the lovely pastel villas of Old Key West Resort. The seventh hole on the course is said to be a good test of a golfer's skills with its island green.

If you're looking for a leisurely family golf outing, check out the 9-hole Oak Trail Golf Course. This course is a family-friendly par 36 course. The holes range from 132 to 517 yards and holes 5, 6, and 7 are located around a pond and canal. A round of gold at Oak Trail is a great way to spend an afternoon with the whole family.

Take the family to Oak Trail Golf Course

And if playing 9 or 18 holes of serious golf isn't your cup of tea, don't forget that Walt Disney World is also home to two miniature golf courses, Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland.

Fantasia Gardens features two 18-hole miniature golf courses that are based on Disney's animated film Fantasia. The courses resemble actual golf courses, just in miniature and features sand traps, water hazards, sloping greens, and par-3 and par-5 holes.

The other miniature golf course, Winter Summerland, is currently closed according to the Disney Parks website. When it is open there are two courses: a winter course where guests putt their way to the North Hole, and the summer course which features palm trees decorated with Christmas ornaments.

The story behind Winter Summerland is that Santa discovered snow in Florida one Christmas Eve night and built Winter Summerland as a place for his off-duty elves to visit.

Sorcerer Mickey at Fantasia Gardens

The miniature golf course prices are: $12 for kids ages 3-9 and $14 for guests ages 10 and older.

Tee times for the Walt Disney World Resort golf courses can be made online or by calling the 407-WDW-GOLF. When making online tee times be sure to choose the right option on the pulldown menu, including day guest, Walt Disney World Resort guest, Disney Vacation Club member, Annual Passholder, and more. Rates for the Magnolia, Palm, and Lake Buena Vista courses start at $39 and go up to $165. Rates at Oak Trail range from $20-$38.

The Palm Golf Course at Walt Disney World

Players at the Magnolia, Palm, and Lake Buena Vista courses are required to use a golf cart. Golfers who wish to walk are encouraged to play the Oak Trail Golf Course. Proper golf attire is required at the courses and no metal spikes are permitted on golf shoes. Golf clubs and Adidas golf shoes can be rented at the courses.

For more information on all the Walt Disney World Resort golf courses visit Walt Disney World Golf online.

Have you ever played a round of golf at Walt Disney World Resort? We'd love to hear about your game! Leave us a comment and let us know which course you like best.