Sunny days and mild winter temperatures make golf an exceedingly popular pastime in Central Florida all times of the year, so much so that links legends like Arnold Palmer and Annika Sorenstam call the area home. Dozens of golf courses dot the region's landscape, and a few within 15 miles of downtown Orlando have been known to attract PGA pros -- making the city one of the top destinations in the country for dedicated duffers.
If you want to go where all the pros play, Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge is Orlando's premier course. The Challenger/Champion course has been one of the most popular stops on the PGA tour since the 1970s and is host to the Arnold Palmer Invitational each spring. The 270-acre course runs along the shores of the Butler Chain of Lakes, meaning water hazards are ever-present challenges. The water and bold sand bunkers make this among the most challenging courses in Central Florida. You must either be a member or stay at the club's resort to play, but it's well worth the expense to play a round on these storied links.
The Waldorf Astoria Golf Club may be nestled amongst Disney resorts and theme parks, but this is no kiddie course. The Rees-Jones-designed links wind through wetlands and stands of pine and cypress trees, making it one of the most scenic courses in the area. Water hazards and old-school sand traps offer plenty of challenges to all skill levels. You don't have to be a hotel guest to play the 7,108-yard course, and you can enjoy lunch and drinks at the Clubhouse Grille after your round.
Nestled in a quaint neighborhood in northern Orlando, Dubsdread is the oldest public golf course in the greater Orlando area. These links were designed in 1923 and renovated in 2006, and have seen the likes of PGA pros Sam Snead and Ben Hogan swing their clubs here. Dubsdread is a lighter challenge than other area courses, making it perfect for novices and casual duffers. The driving range is open until 10 p.m., and an on-site restaurant serves food and drinks.
Sitting just 1 mile from the Orange County Convention Center, Shingle Creek Golf Club attracts business travelers and locals alike. The large greens are considered some of the best in Orlando. Add plentiful water hazards -- the namesake creek runs the length of the club -- and this is a challenging set of links for any skill level. Balancing out the difficulty, an abundance of straight fairways keeps it from being a pro-only set of links. Brad Brewer, named a top-100 instructor by Golf Magazine, runs the on-site Brad Brewer Golf Academy to help improve your game.
