Trevor Ng
Walt Disney World Resort is known for its world-class golf courses and has hosted the Walt Disney World Golf Classic, an annual golf tournament on the PGA Tour. The tournament was founded in 1971 and was played on the Palm and Magnolia courses at the resort. The resort has a rich golfing tradition and offers a range of golf experiences, from traditional golf to mini-golf and footgolf. With championship courses, a 9-hole walking course, and even a golf clinic with a pro, it is clear that Walt Disney World takes the sport seriously.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of courses on Disney property | 4 |
| Course names | Palm, Magnolia, Lake Buena Vista, Oak Trail, Eagle Pines |
| Course features | Majestic palm trees, water features, bunkers |
| Course rating | 73.7 |
| Course slope | 131 |
| Yardage | 6,870 |
| Tournament | Walt Disney World Golf Classic |
| Tournament founded | 1971 |
| Tournament format (1974-1981) | Two-player team event |
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What You'll Learn
Walt Disney World Golf Classic
Walt Disney World is home to four PGA tour golf courses, making it the happiest place on turf. The Walt Disney World Golf Classic was an annual tournament on the PGA Tour, founded in 1971 as the Walt Disney World Open Invitational. Between 1974 and 1981, the tournament was played as a two-man team event. It was played on the Palm and Magnolia courses at the Walt Disney World Resort, with the nearby Lake Buena Vista golf course also featuring. The Magnolia Course is known as more "tour"-style, while the Palm Course is considered prettier.
The tournament was televised by ESPN and ABC Sports until 2007, when it was demoted to the Fall Series and shown on the Golf Channel. The Palm Course was redesigned by Arnold Palmer and his team in 2013 and was awarded Renovation of the Year by Golf Inc. Magazine. Arnold Palmer Golf Management has been operating Walt Disney World Golf courses since 2011, when a 20-year strategic alliance was signed.
Disney offers a rich golfing tradition, with staff passionate about making golf memorable for guests. Disney's Oak Trail Course is home to FootGolf, a combination of traditional golf and soccer, perfect for families. Disney also provides complimentary transportation to and from resort hotels for golfers.
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Disney Golf's world-class courses
Walt Disney World is home to four PGA tour golf courses, making it a golfer's paradise. The courses are well-maintained, professionally run, and offer a first-class golfing experience.
The Magnolia Course, designed by Joe Lee and opened in 1971, is one of the most popular courses. It hosted the final rounds of Disney's annual PGA Tour event and challenges players with 97 bunkers and water hazards on eleven holes. The signature par-3 sixth hole features a Mickey Mouse-shaped bunker. The Magnolia Course is an 18-hole course with a yardage of 6,870 and a rating of 73.7.
The Palm Course is another excellent option, known for its impeccable condition and challenging play. It offers a college tournament and a great overall experience. The course has a yardage of 6,745 and a rating of 72.3.
The Oak Trail Golf Course offers a unique FootGolf experience, a combination of traditional golf and soccer, perfect for families. This course is Audubon-certified as a cooperative wildlife sanctuary and features an iconic Mickey-shaped sand bunker.
Eagle Pines is another challenging and fun course that is part of Disney's 99 holes of golf. It offers a great experience for both beginners and experienced golfers, with long par 4s and two par 5s.
With a range of courses, from the challenging Magnolia to the beginner-friendly Eagle Pines, Disney's golf courses offer something for players of all levels. The courses are well-designed, with engaging features, and provide a magical golfing experience, living up to Disney's reputation for world-class attractions.
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Disney's Oak Trail Course
Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course is a 9-hole golf course located in Orlando, Florida. It is one of four golf courses on Disney World property, and it is the only one that does not permit golf carts. The course is walking only, but pull carts can be rented for $9+tax per person per round, based on availability. Holes range from 132 to 517 yards from the white tees, with holes 5, 6, and 7 routed around a deep canal and a picturesque pond. The course is certified by Audubon International as a Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary and is operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management. It features junior tees for younger golfers and is designed to be fun for the whole family.
Disney provides complimentary transportation to and from the course for guests staying at a Walt Disney World-owned resort hotel who have reserved a tee time. Golfers can also take advantage of rental equipment, including premium rental clubs for men and women (both right- and left-handed models) and junior clubs, as well as rental golf shoes. The Disney Magnolia, Palm, and Oak Trail Pro Shop offers a wide selection of golf merchandise and rentals, including souvenirs such as caps, logo shirts, clubs, and towels.
Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course is committed to protecting the environment and minimizing waste. Personal coolers and any type of food or beverage storage devices are not permitted on the course. Instead, comfort stations are equipped with ice machines and water fountains, and guests are encouraged to bring their own reusable cups to fill with ice water provided throughout the course. Disney-branded reusable cups can also be purchased in the gift shops.
In addition to traditional golf, Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course also offers FootGolf, a combination of traditional golf and soccer that is perfect for the whole family.
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Eagle Pines, Disney's former golf course
Walt Disney World in Florida is a golfer's paradise, with not one, not two, but four PGA tour golf courses. One of these was Eagle Pines, a golf course located along the northeast border of Walt Disney World Resort.
Eagle Pines first opened its doors in 1992 as the Bonnet Creek Golf Club, but the name was changed to Eagle Pines & Osprey Ridge Golf Club in 2005. The course was located outside Disney's gateway, near the interchange where Western Way meets the Western Beltway.
However, after the events of 9/11, Disney experienced a significant decrease in guests and was forced to close the Disney Institute and Eagle Pines golf course. Disney then decided to partner with Four Seasons to develop the area into a luxury resort and golf community, with plans for a hotel, vacation homes, and a new 18-hole championship golf course.
The new development will be built in phases over several years and will include a mix of lodging, retail, and commercial space. While the Eagle Pines golf course is now closed, the golf course itself will remain under Disney's control, and a new clubhouse will be built in the area where the 17th and 18th holes were located.
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Golfing at Walt Disney World
One of the standout features of golfing at Walt Disney World is the accessibility and ease of the experience. Arnold Palmer Golf Management and Disney Golf have worked together to make world-class golf accessible to everyone. The staff are passionate about golf and ensuring that guests have a memorable experience. Disney even offers complimentary transportation to and from your resort hotel if you have booked a tee time.
The Palm Golf Course is a great option for those looking for a challenging and beautiful course. Refurbished in 2018, it offers sweeping vistas and lush greenery. The course is located close to the Disney Springs area and features engaging play with 59 bunkers. Another course, perfect for families, offers early morning and early evening special rates. It is the ideal course to begin your golf journey, with a forward-thinking approach to business and creative strategy.
For those looking for a more unique experience, Disney's Oak Trail Course offers FootGolf. This fast-growing sport combines traditional golf and soccer, where players kick a soccer ball down the course to a 21-inch diameter cup. It is a fun and approachable way to get the whole family involved in the game.
Whether you're a seasoned golfer or a beginner, Walt Disney World offers a magical golfing experience with top-caliber courses, stunning scenery, and the exceptional service that Disney is known for. So, if you're looking to combine your love of golf with a touch of Disney magic, look no further than the happiest place on turf!
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Frequently asked questions
Walt Disney is known to have had an interest in golf, with Walt Disney World hosting several golf courses and the annual Walt Disney World Golf Classic tournament.
The Walt Disney World Golf Classic was an annual golf tournament on the PGA Tour, founded in 1971. It was played on the Palm and Magnolia courses at the Walt Disney World Resort, with ESPN and ABC Sports televising the event until 2007.
There are four golf courses on Disney property, including the Palm Golf Course, the Magnolia Course, and Eagle Pines. The Oak Trail Golf Course also offers FootGolf, a combination of traditional golf and soccer.
