FULL GUIDE to Playing Golf at Walt Disney World
From thrill rides to lazy rivers, there is a little something for everyone at Disney World. You can seek out an adrenaline rush or spend a day at the spa.
Photo: Disney
And did you know you can golf at Disney World? Actually, there are quite a few options when it comes to golfing around the resort, and we’re going to break them all down for you, thanks to some help from Disney Parks Blog.
Full Guide to Golf at Disney World
Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course
Magnolia Golf Course is named after the magnolia trees that surround you while on the course. You can play 18 holes that blend traditional course design with creative Disney storytelling.
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This course is known for its towering trees, wide fairways, dozens of sand bunkers, and challenging water hazards (11 of the 18 holes have them). Each hole actually features a Disney-themed name borrowed from a classic Disney storyline or character, paired with a quote from either Walt Disney or Arnold Palmer.
Photo: Disney
It’s a 7,505 yard course, but don’t worry, if you get hungry, you can grab a bite at Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Deli (next to the course putting green) or at a Disney character-themed refreshment cart roaming around the course.
Make sure you get there at least 30 minutes before your tee time to enjoy the full Disney Golf experience, including a nice warm-up on the full-service driving ranges.
Photo: Disney
Important Info:
- Location: 1950 West Magnolia Palm Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830.
- What’s Nearby: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Magic Kingdom Park.
- Required Attire: Golfers may wear shoes with metal spike alternatives, or tennis shoes. Proper golf attire is also required; denim is not permitted.
- Carts: Available at this location.
- Pro Shop and Rentals: Available at this location for both right- and left-handed golfers.
- Reservations and Tee Times: Click here.
Grumpy’s Gauntlet at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course
Four holes have recently been reimagined at Magnolia Golf Course, and they are now known as Grumpy’s Gauntlet. These are located near the tail end of the back nine.
Photo: Disney
Magnolia holes No. 14, 15, 16, and 17 are a challenging, Disney-inspired test of your skills! Each demands strategic club selection and precise, confident putting to move your way around bunkers, doglegs, and some of the course’s most undulated greens.
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Holes to Play in Grumpy’s Gauntlet:
- No. 14 (Par 4) – The Backside of Water [506 yards from the back tees]
- No. 15 (Par 5) — The Dinglehopper [597 yards from the back tees]
- No. 16 (Par 4) — An Element of Fun [456 yards from the back tees]
- No. 17 (Par 3) — The Big Green [231 yards from the back tees]
If you’ve completed the gauntlet and are looking to commemorate your round, make sure to customize and print out your very own certificate as a testament to your perseverance on GolfWDW.com!
Disney’s Palm Golf Course
Right next to Magnolia Golf Course is Disney’s Palm Golf Course. These 18 holes are set within the natural landscape of Central Florida’s woodlands.
Photo: Disney
The course was redesigned in 2013, when it introduced entirely new green complexes, reshaped tree lines, and a refreshed bunker design that brought a modern edge to this historic layout. In total, it measures 6,840 yards from the blue tees, weaving together scenic lakes, towering palm trees, tropical sands, and sloping greens.
Actually, water hazards come into play on nine holes, and there are 59 bunkers across the property.
Photo: Disney
Strong iron play and a confident driver are the keys to scoring well under par on Palm, which has four par 5s across the 18 holes. You can even earn a green jacket of your own in this scenic setting if you play well enough!
Photo: Disney
Important Info:
- Location: 1950 West Magnolia Palm Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830.
- What’s Nearby: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Magic Kingdom Park.
- Required Attire: Golfers may wear shoes with metal spike alternatives, or tennis shoes. Proper golf attire is also required; denim is not permitted.
- Carts: Available at this location.
- Pro Shop and Rentals: Available at this location for both right- and left-handed golfers.
- Reservations and Tee Times: Click here.
Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course
Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is near Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. This 18-hole championship design blends a classic course layout with scenic views of Central Florida waterways.
Photo: Disney
This summer, this course will be getting some upgrades, including renovated greens, chipping area modifications, upgraded irrigation systems, and new drainage systems.
This course has hosted some big events over the years on the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour, and during USGA events. It measures 6,718 yards from the championship tees, moving through rolling fairways, mature pine trees, and a picturesque lake setting that you will encounter on several holes.
Photo: Disney
This is a great course for more inexperienced players, but it is still fun for experienced golfers.
It’s also very close to Disney Springs, so it’s easy to go from your round of golf to shopping and dining around the district.
Photo: Disney
Important Info:
- Location: 2200 Golf Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830.
- What’s Nearby: Disney Springs, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Disney’s typhoon Lagoon Water Park, and Disney’s Old Key West Resort.
- Required Attire: Golfers may wear shoes with metal spike alternatives, or tennis shoes. Proper golf attire is also required; denim is not permitted.
- Carts: Available at this location.
- Pro Shop and Rentals: Available at this location for both right- and left-handed golfers.
- Reservations and Tee Times: Click here.
Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
Oak Trail Golf Course is a 9-hole walking course perfect for quicker games and fast competition. The short layout makes it a great option for golfers looking to play without the time commitment of an 18-hole course, and it’s right next to Magnolia Golf Course!
Photo: Disney
This is a good one for young families going to Disney World for a fun daytime outing, with junior tees for younger golfers. The holes on this course range from 132 to 517 yards from the white tees, while holes No. 5, 6, and 7 are located near a deep canal and a pond.
Photo: Disney
As you move around the course, keep your eyes peeled for some of Florida’s wildlife — the course is part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, meaning you might spot native species like turkeys, armadillos, deer, ospreys, and hawks while playing through the setting that’s designed to support and preserve natural habitats.
Photo: Disney
Important Info:
- Location: 1950 West Magnolia Palm Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830.
- What’s Nearby: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Magic Kingdom Park.
- Required Attire: Golfers may wear shoes with metal spike alternatives, or tennis shoes. Proper golf attire is also required; denim is not permitted.
- Carts: Not available at this location. Pull carts can be rented as an alternative.
- Pro Shop and Rentals: Available at this location for both right- and left-handed golfers.
- Reservations and Tee Times: Click here.
FootGolf at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
Oak Trail is also where you can play FootGolf! This is a fusion of soccer and golf and is great for guests of all ages.
Photo: Disney
Instead of clubs, players will kick a soccer ball across the golf course, aiming to score eagles or birdies (or maybe even an albatross for some former soccer players) on shortened length holes with 21-inch diameter cups.
The rules are strikingly similar to golf, with traditional scoring and golf course features such as bunkers and hazards that create a fun experience for those of you looking to get outdoors on your trip to Disney World!
Photo: Disney
Important Info:
- Tee times can be booked to play 9 holes of FootGolf either in front of or behind those playing a traditional round of 9-hole golf on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, or Sunday afternoons.
- For a group of four, expect a 9-hole round to take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- No soccer cleats! Stick with traditional shoes you’d wear on a golf course.
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf
Let’s talk about mini golf! Winter Summerland Mini Golf is near Disney’s Animal Kingdom and right next to Blizzard Beach. It makes the perfect escape from a jam-packed agenda across the parks.
Photo: Disney
The lore goes deep at this spot — the story is that late one Christmas Eve, as Santa Claus was flying back to the North Pole, he discovered snow in Florida. After scanning this peculiar sight, he decided to build a vacation paradise for his off-duty elves, who constructed two distinctly different golf course experiences: the sandy Summer Course and the snow-filled Winter Course.
Important Info:
- Location: 1548 W Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830.
- What’s Nearby: Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
- Reservations and Tee Times: Walk-ups available or call (407) WDW-PLAY.
The Summer Course
If you’re more of a beach person, head to the 18-hole Summer Course, where you’ll find surfboards, sandcastles, and ornaments hanging from palm trees in a beach-themed wonderland. You will putt around peppermint-striped inner tubes and snapping clamshells!
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Be careful on hole No. 18 – you do not want to wake up a sleeping Santa buried in the sand at this tropical golfing destination!
The Winter Course
If you love the winter season, the 18-hole Winter Course is for you! You can putt your way toward the North Hole while dodging sprays from Squirty the Snowman, who sprays water at players when golf balls pass beneath him.
Photo: Disney
Some other obstacles include giant peppermints, hockey sticks, and a melting castle. This course is a perfect midday golfing escape for those of you looking to kick in your competitive instincts in a snow-filled wonderland.
Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf
The other mini golf spot in Disney World is Fantasia Gardens and Fairways. It’s inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Fantasia and is in the EPCOT resort area.
There are two distinct 18-hole courses: one designed for family-friendly fun and another is a scaled-down test for more competitive golfing groups.
Photo: Disney
At Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course, you can see iconic moments from the film come to life through clever obstacles, fanciful fountains, musical theming, and intricate details. While you’re playing, look for five whimsical scenes featuring the mysterious Yen Sid, tutu-clad hippos, pirouetting ostriches, and marching broomsticks ready to douse golfers who pass by.
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Or, try out Fantasia Fairways Miniature Golf Course, which has sand traps, water hazards, and sloping greens that make up an exciting challenge for more experienced putters, with par-3 and par-5 holes ranging from 63 to 109 feet long. This might be the most difficult mini golf course at Disney World, with one-of-a-kind putting experiences featuring nearby views of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels.
Important Info:
- Location: 1205 EPCOT Resorts Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830.
- What’s Nearby: Walt Disney World Swan, Walt Disney World Dolphin, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- Reservations and Tee Times: Walk-ups available or call (407) WDW-PLAY.
More Ways to Enjoy Golf at Walt Disney World
Golfing Lessons at Disney World
If you’re looking for some golf lessons, you can book one with a PGA professional at Disney World! These lessons range from 45-minute lessons to half-day and full-day golf schools and include video analysis, group lessons, skill development, and more.
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Remember, your own clubs can always be shipped directly to the resort at reduced prices, allowing you to have convenience and reliability during your next trip.
For full details on lesson options and availability, check out all the latest info at GolfWDW.com.
Hole in One Club at Disney World
For a super exclusive honor, aim to join the Hole in One Club at Disney World. This celebrates golfers who have achieved a hole-in-one on one of the Disney World golf courses.
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They can celebrate their achievement on GolfWDW.com with a personal certificate and the opportunity to be featured on the website, joining a legacy that spans more than 50 years of Disney golfing history.
More Golf Fun
While you’re visiting, check out any of the Walt Disney World Golf Pro shops for merchandise exclusive to the Disney World Golf shops that include Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Grumpy, and more. Frequent golfers may also want to explore The Player’s Club Pass, available across the Disney World golf courses.
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And, don’t forget to check out The Greatest Green Ever Played, which is an 18-hole putting course that is open to all guests that pays homage to Walt Disney Pictures’ award-winning 2005 movie, The Greatest Game Ever Played. It’s located next to Disney’s Magnolia, Palm, and Oak Trail Golf Courses Clubhouse, on the grounds of the Shades of Green Resort.
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It’s also complimentary for those who have their own putter and golf ball! If you don’t have your own equipment, you can borrow a putter from the golf shop and purchase a logo golf ball featuring your favorite Disney Character to keep as a memento. No reservations required!
Stay tuned for more Disney World news and updates!
