Best Public Golf Courses in Kissimmee, Florida
Best Public Golf Courses in Kissimmee, Florida
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With all the writing about Florida public golf I’ve done lately, I’m half tempted to buy a plane ticket, pack my sticks, and head that direction.
Don’t get me wrong, the weather is great this time of year in Phoenix, but I’ve got a serious case of cabin fever. I’ve got to be careful though, I don’t want to burn up all my points before my boondoggle to Bandon Dunes next month. . .
Alright, that’s enough. Let’s get on with discussing the best public golf options in Kissimmee, Florida. Here again, my experience is somewhat limited in this part of Florida. But our readers had plenty of positive things to say about the golf scene in Kissimmee.
Shall we?
1
Winter Park Golf Course
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Having read our public course guides, our readers know by now that I’m a huge fan of golf courses that are owned and run by the city in a way that provides both recreation and revenue to the community.
That’s why it comes as no surprise that Winter Park Golf Course came in near the top of the list.
This gem of a nine-hole track dates all the way back to 1914. Even though it underwent a major renovation in 2016, it remains modest in nature. With that being said, it’s always in tremendous condition.
Locals that play here a lot prefer to walk. The course yardage is short, as are the distances between greens and tees.
This track occupies an important place in the Winter Park ecosystem, and it doesn’t appear that will change any time soon.
2
Waldorf Astoria Golf Club
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If Winter Park Golf Course sits at one end of the spectrum, Waldorf Astoria is at the other.
This is a high-end daily fee facility with all the trappings you’d expect, and then some.
Set amongst the Bonnet Creek Nature Preserve, this track accentuates the natural surroundings.
Designed by the iconic Rees Jones, the layout blends traditional design features with subtle nuances that add character at every turn.
From the back tees, this is a real test. But five different sets of tees make it playable for everyone.
If you’re in search of some of the best instruction in the country, Top 50 teacher, Brian Mogg, calls this place home.
Along with great golf, the amenities at this resort are second to none.
Even though Waldorf Astoria costs a pretty penny to play, you won’t be disappointed.
3
Shingle Creek Golf Club
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My golfing hero, Mr. Arnold Palmer, designed the course at Shingle Creek.
Both strategy and variety are this track’s hallmarks. You need to think your way around here and execute solid shots. In true Palmer fashion however, there are ample opportunities for risk and reward. Just make sure you choose your spots wisely.
The real story is told on and around the greens though. Most are elevated and the surrounds are closely mown. While these characteristics give you plenty of options for short game shots, it doesn’t mean getting the ball in the hole is easy.
Locals say Shingle Creek is one of the more fun rounds of golf in the area. That’s just what the King would have wanted.
4
Panther Lake at Orange County National
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There are a host of courses at Orange County National. Panther Lake is one of the better ones.
The layout traverses open meadows and native pine forests. The natural surroundings are what attract a lot of golfers to this facility. You won’t find any homes or commercialization here. As such, you can expect to see a plethora of different wildlife. It’s a good idea to bring your camera.
The shot values are highly touted as well. Each hole is unique, and asks something different from your game. It’s said that you’ll be able to recall each hole when you’re done with your round. The same can’t be said about other courses.
The playing conditions are unrivaled too.
In short, Panther Lake has it all.
5
Crooked Cat at Orange County National
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Elevation change and large, contoured greens provide definition at Crooked Cat. While the course offers plenty of challenge from tee to green, the real fun begins on the dance floor. Pay close attention to hole locations, and expect to get a little creative with your pitches and chips.
Having played here myself, I can attest that there’s plenty of room off the tee. If I can find the fairway out here, you can too, trust me.
Like Panther Lake, this course isn’t surrounded by homes. You’ll feel right at home with nature during your round.
Both challenging and user friendly, a round at Crooked Cat is a must when you’re in town.
6
Eagle Creek Golf Club
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Eagle Creek Golf Club is a great first or last round of your trip. It’s located just minutes from the Orlando International Airport.
Ron Garl and Howard Swan designed this links layout that plays to a par of 73.
More than 60 bunkers, ample water hazards, and bulkheads are waiting to eat up errant shots.
The wind can blow here, especially in the afternoon. You’re encouraged to use the course’s contours to place your shots where you want them.
In addition to great golf, the 14,000 square foot, two-story clubhouse has every amenity you can imagine. The highlight is the Belfry Restaurant which features modern twists on traditional American dishes.
A great experience at an even better value, I can’t wait to get back to Eagle Creek.
7
Grande Vista Golf Club
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Grande Vista Golf Club sits at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades ecosystem. The course is surrounded by mature oak and cypress trees.
It’s only nine holes and plays to a par of 32. With that said, you can’t just snooze your way around and expect to score. Quite the opposite. You need to be on point with your short irons and wedges. This is a great place to work on your scoring clubs.
In addition to the course proper, a 35-acre practice facility has all the modern features you’d expect. With so much space, you won’t have any problem finding room to work on every shot in the bag.
8
Celebration Golf Club
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At Celebration Golf Club, everyone understands that there’s a big difference between “playing” golf and “experiencing” the game as it was meant to be. It’s been that way since the course opened in 1996.
The father and son duo of Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Sr. designed this track that utilizes the natural terrain to give each hole its individual character.
The proverbial theme here is Celebrating Golf at Every Level. This is realized through five sets of tees. From the tips, the good player will be tested. At the forward tees, juniors, seniors, and women will have the chance to reach holes in regulation and shoot a decent score.
There’s no such thing as a bad day at Celebration Golf Club.
9
Providence Golf Club
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The community of Davenport is just south of Orlando. It’s where you’ll find Providence Golf Club.
Designed by renowned architect, Mike Dasher, Providence reflects his affliction for European layouts. This shows up in undulating greens that are sure to test even the most deft putters. At all costs, try and stay below the hole so you can putt aggressively.
Providence is demanding from tee to green too. The fairways are narrow and lined by hardwood forests and wetlands. Straight is the name of the game.
The course’s location is perfect too. It’s just 15 minutes from Disney World, 30 minutes from Orlando, and 45 minutes from Tampa Bay.
A course that often goes underrated, Providence is certainly worth checking out.
10
White Heron Golf Club
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Golf in this part of Florida isn’t the cheapest. But White Heron Golf Club prides itself on providing tremendous value. Just because it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg though, doesn’t mean it lacks in quality.
The course stretches all the way to 7,400 yards from the back tees. More than 100 natural sand waste areas dot the course too. This is a ball striker’s test.
Fortunately, multiple forward tee options allow everyone to enjoy themselves at White Heron.
A great spot to test your game at an affordable price, White Heron Golf Club deserves an honest shot.
Conclusion
You could spend a month in the Kissimmee area, play golf every day, and still not hit all the quality public courses. There are that many.
Unfortunately, we only have room for ten on our list. But our readers seem to think the ten we’ve chosen are a fair representation of what the area has to offer. These folks know what they’re talking about, and they’re darn proud. They’re the ones that made this guide possible.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about public golf in the Kissimmee area too. Will you do us a favor and drop us a note in the comments below?