Orlando & Central Florida — Golf Travel Guide (2026)
Orlando is a year-round golf destination with over 170 courses in the greater metro area, anchored by iconic resort properties and PGA Tour history.
Overview
Orlando's golf scene extends far beyond its famous theme parks. Bay Hill Club hosts the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Grand Cypress offers a Nicklaus-designed tribute to St. Andrews, and Reunion Resort provides three signature courses by Palmer, Watson, and Nicklaus. The region's abundance of resort courses means easy access without club memberships, and stay-and-play packages deliver strong value. Rolling terrain, Florida native landscaping, and year-round green fairways create an appealing setting. Orlando also offers Streamsong Resort just 90 minutes south — a destination-within-a-destination featuring three of America's top-rated courses.
Best Time to Visit
October through May is ideal golf weather with temperatures in the 65°F-85°F range. February through April is peak season with the highest demand. Summer is hot and humid (90°F+) with daily afternoon thunderstorms, but morning tee times are available at heavily discounted rates.
Getting There
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the busiest in the U.S. with direct flights from virtually every American city and many international destinations. Most resort courses are 20-40 minutes from the airport.
Where to Stay
Reunion Resort offers three championship courses on property. Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate provides two Greg Norman courses and family amenities. Bay Hill Club & Lodge offers an intimate, golf-first experience. For theme park + golf combos, the Bonnet Creek area puts you near Disney and multiple courses.
Top Courses to Play
Orlando, Florida · Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (2012) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,148 yards
While technically south of Orlando in Polk County, Streamsong Red is the must-play course for any Florida golf trip. Built on a former phosphate mine, this Coore & Crenshaw links-inspired layout features towering sand ridges, rolling fairways, and a sense of isolation unique in the Sunshine State.
Tampa, Florida · Gil Hanse (2017) · 18 holes · Par 73 · 7,311 yards
The newest course at Streamsong Resort, Gil Hanse's Black routing is the most dramatic and photographed of the three courses. Built on the highest point of the property, it features vertigo-inducing elevation changes and bold, strategic design.
Bowling Green, Florida · Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (2012) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,050 yards
Built on a former phosphate mine south of Tampa, Streamsong Red is a Coore & Crenshaw masterpiece that transformed industrial wasteland into one of America's most acclaimed golf courses. The rolling sand dunes, native grasses, and treeless landscape create a uniquely links-like experience in the heart of Florida.
Orlando, Florida · Dick Wilson (1961) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,381 yards
Arnold Palmer's legendary home course and host of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bay Hill is one of the most storied venues in American golf. The lakeside layout demands precision and course management, with the finishing stretch among the toughest on Tour.
Tampa, Florida · Jack Nicklaus (2006) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,474 yards
Named for Jack Nicklaus's famous 1969 Ryder Cup concession to Tony Lika, this Jack Nicklaus design in Bradenton hosted the 2021 WGC-Workday Championship. The 7,474-yard layout features some of the boldest bunkering and most dramatic elevation changes in Southwest Florida.
Bowling Green, Florida · Tom Doak (2012) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,077 yards
Tom Doak's companion course to Streamsong Red, the Blue features equally stunning sand-dune terrain with Doak's signature minimalist approach. The wide fairways and creative green complexes reward strategic thinking and ground-game creativity in a setting that rivals the great links of the British Isles.
Windermere, Florida · Arnold Palmer & Ed Seay (1986) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,544 yards
Nestled among the Butler Chain of Lakes in Windermere, Isleworth is one of the most exclusive and celebrity-studded private clubs in America. Originally designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, the course was later enhanced by Steve Smyers to produce a 7,544-yard par-72 layout with a slope of 142.
Tampa, Florida · Larry Packard (1972) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,340 yards
Host of the Valspar Championship, Copperhead at Innisbrook is a demanding layout that winds through dense Florida forest. The infamous "Snake Pit" finishing holes (16-18) are among the toughest closing stretches on the PGA Tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you combine a golf trip with theme parks in Orlando?
Is Streamsong worth the drive from Orlando?
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