Going to Orlando in April and want to get at least one round in with my 10 years old. Would like to play a nice course. We are staying at universal and have a car but don’t want to drive more than 30/40 mins. Any recommendations please ?
Golf course recommendations in Orlando
- Thread starter HPIMG
- Start date
@clubchamp98 is an expert on this.
Lucky man, and son. If you want some extra fun, try the Top Golf there. I'm sure your son would love it there.
Lucky man, and son. If you want some extra fun, try the Top Golf there. I'm sure your son would love it there.
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
Wouldn’t say expert but I have played there a bit.
Where your staying has lots of good courses.
But imo the best for a young boy and yourself would be Eagle Creek golf club. Not to expensive but top course!
It’s just been refurbed and is a lovely course.
Not to much water or houses and not to hard off the forward tees for the lad but a test off the tips.
If you want a proper test a bit further away then Orange County National on US192 is one of the the best courses in the area imo.:
It has two USPGA courses and a par three course .
Just watch as it’s pretty expensive in April.
Celebration GC is very nice but can be wet so depends on the weather.!
Harmony GC is a fantastic course but is a bit of a drive 45 mins approx !
But in the middle of nowhere usually empty.
Southern Dunes golf club on US 27 is about 1 hour from Universal but is the best courses in in Orlando imo
If you need a list I can sort something
Look on “GOLFNOW.COM this is what we use and has a filter for courses within a mileage setting of where you are.
LOTS DEALS IF YOU BOOK LATE .
Can’t beat Eagle Creek golf club imo it’s one of my favourites.
Where your staying has lots of good courses.
But imo the best for a young boy and yourself would be Eagle Creek golf club. Not to expensive but top course!
It’s just been refurbed and is a lovely course.
Not to much water or houses and not to hard off the forward tees for the lad but a test off the tips.
If you want a proper test a bit further away then Orange County National on US192 is one of the the best courses in the area imo.:
It has two USPGA courses and a par three course .
Just watch as it’s pretty expensive in April.
Celebration GC is very nice but can be wet so depends on the weather.!
Harmony GC is a fantastic course but is a bit of a drive 45 mins approx !
But in the middle of nowhere usually empty.
Southern Dunes golf club on US 27 is about 1 hour from Universal but is the best courses in in Orlando imo
If you need a list I can sort something
Look on “GOLFNOW.COM this is what we use and has a filter for courses within a mileage setting of where you are.
LOTS DEALS IF YOU BOOK LATE .
Can’t beat Eagle Creek golf club imo it’s one of my favourites.
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sunshine
Well-known member
I know this doesn't answer your question, but I noticed loads of adventure golf courses in Orlando. One of them had holes playing over ponds with alligators, you could pay a couple of dollars to buy some chicken to feed them. The sort of thing that a 10 year old would find really fun, think it was called Gator Golf
The kid would find it fun, I suspect the dad would be having kittens 
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
Plenty of Gators on the golf courses.The kid would find it fun, I suspect the dad would be having kittens
You need your wits about you.
Stay away from the water =Alligators and water Mocasins.
Stay out of the woods there are some very dangerous things in there != Snakes and some very large spiders .
This sounds a bit dodgy lol do all the courses have gators and has anyone ever been bitten
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
Most resort courses remove them but there’s that much water in Orlando its impossible to stop them getting back.
Don’t worry they stay by the water but you must respect they are wild animals , most run away before you get anywhere near them.
Most woodland is a red penalty area just don’t go in there !
People have been attacked but it’s rare unless your an idiot and go in the water.
Fabulous place to play golf,
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
The Disney crazy golf courses are great fun, and big with excellent quality. Great for all members of the family.
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
Yes Disney also have a Trail golf course you can walk and play ( rare in the US)
It’s very nice and a lovely walk aimed at families.
Might be good for the lad.
You can use the Disney practice facility if you play the Trail course.
I havnt played it but spoke to lots who have.!
Golf is fun
Well-known member
Oak Trail at Disney is definitely a good option, 9 holes and family friendly.
I'd also second Southern Dunes as a decent option.
Not mentioned here, but Top Golf is also worth a look, it probably ahs slightly less appeal now top tracer and trackman ranges are everywhere, but it's still nice given the weather is decent and the facilities are nice with each bay having a table and seating area, so you can have some food and drink alongside the golf. You can also get some good deals if you go during the week, tends to be based around time rather than number of balls hit.
I'd also second Southern Dunes as a decent option.
Not mentioned here, but Top Golf is also worth a look, it probably ahs slightly less appeal now top tracer and trackman ranges are everywhere, but it's still nice given the weather is decent and the facilities are nice with each bay having a table and seating area, so you can have some food and drink alongside the golf. You can also get some good deals if you go during the week, tends to be based around time rather than number of balls hit.
The Fader
Newbie
A +3 for Southern Dunes. Especially now with their renovated greens. They have also put in a Top Tracer driving range.
Follow your round with a meal at Manny's Chophouse just down the road.
You'll find wildlife on most Orlando golf courses - great to look at but don't touch!! Any alligators you might see will not
bother you unless you bother them. Southern Dunes only has a couple of water areas - so unlikely to bump into many alligators there!
Follow your round with a meal at Manny's Chophouse just down the road.
You'll find wildlife on most Orlando golf courses - great to look at but don't touch!! Any alligators you might see will not
bother you unless you bother them. Southern Dunes only has a couple of water areas - so unlikely to bump into many alligators there!
3 jabber
Well-known member
I played St Cloud links a few years ago, seem to remember it being quite open with little water so may be a good option for you.
IanMcC
Well-known member
For you, I wouldn't look beyond Orange County National. One of the most challenging and enjoyable courses I have played anywhere. Might not be for a 10 year old though, so I would heed others advice.
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
Have you played El Campion up US 27 Howey in the hills.
It’s the toughest course I have ever played.
Hxck
Active member
If you're in the Disney area skip the Disney courses and play the Waldorf Astoria instead, completely different league. Shingle Creek is within 30 mins and worth a visit, Hawks landing is another good one.
cliveb
Head Pro
I've played a bit in Florida (about a dozen rounds) and only ever saw one gator. It was about 6 feet long, so quite small, and was lying in a small pond minding it's own business.
Re. Southern Dunes: we once stayed in a villa right next to it but decided the green fee was out of pocket for us. The public courses are much cheaper, and although some of them are a bit scruffy you can still have an enjoyable round. Scruffy public courses in Florida are in better nick than my home course during the winter!
Hxck
Active member
Think it's very course dependant. The country club where I usually play you will see a couple of gators per round at least. We frequently get them on the banks by the water, and obviously a lot more in the water that you don't see.
D-S
Well-known member
Played in Naples and Sarasota in Fl last year. There were a lot of gators, one or two really large ones - a local who we were plying with had to take a drop as his ball was far too close to a (to me) really big one. One guy had a scary story about being chased by one once. quite shook him up for a few days.
However they are part of the fun and interest of playing there and no reason to be more afraid of them than snakes etc.
sunshine
Well-known member
I stayed at Shingle Creek in 2023, the hotel was nice. Family holiday, didn’t play golf.
Bit frustrating opening the curtains every morning and looking out over a beautifully manicured golf course, in the knowledge that I was going to spend the whole day in a theme park with Disney princesses.
