WALT DISNEY WORLD GOLF
HISTORY: It all began with just a couple of courses back in 1971 and, over the
years, with the usual Disney flair, developed into a world-class golf
destination with 63 holes of golf and the magic of the mouse. In the beginning,
Joe Lee designed the Magnolia and Palm courses, which
play host annually to the PGA Tour's Walt Disney World Golf Classic and are
within a four-iron from the Magic Kingdom. Some of the greatest names in golf,
past and present have won this event, starting with Jack Nicklaus, a three-
time winner, two-time champions Larry Nelson and Tiger Woods, and solo winners
Payne Stewart, Ray Floyd, Hal Sutton, Lanny Wadkins, Mark O'Meara and David
Duval. All of those have at least one major championship title to their credit.
In 1972, Lee was commissioned once again and, this time, crafted the Lake Buena
Vista layout, which is located near Downtown Disney and Disney's Old Key West
Resort. To top off the golf resort, Ron Garl knocked out a family-play, nine-
hole walking course, perfect for the beginner or a quick tune-up for the more
serious golfer. Now instead of just enjoying the incredible sights and sounds
of the Magic Kingdom, MGM Studios, EPCOT and Animal Kingdom, thousands of
vacationers from around the globe can test their skills on the some of the best
golf this country has to offer.
LAKE BUENA VISTA GOLF COURSE
Course Architect: Joe Lee
Year Opened: 1972
Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Slope: 133 Rating: 73.0
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,749
Hole-by-Hole: 1 - Par 5 514 Yds 10 - Par 4 375 Yds
2 - Par 3 176 Yds 11 - Par 4 442 Yds
3 - Par 4 409 Yds 12 - Par 3 197 Yds
4 - Par 4 382 Yds 13 - Par 4 397 Yds
5 - Par 4 390 Yds 14 - Par 5 506 Yds
6 - Par 4 354 Yds 15 - Par 4 384 Yds
7 - Par 3 157 Yds 16 - Par 3 200 Yds
8 - Par 5 524 Yds 17 - Par 5 526 Yds
9 - Par 4 378 Yds 18 - Par 4 438 Yds
Par 363,284 Yds Par 363,465 Yds
Key Events Held: Walt Disney World Golf Classic (1982-93, 95-97);
LPGA HealthSouth Tournament (1996-97);
USGA Centennial Women's State Team Tournament (1995)
Awards Won: Rated 4 stars by Golf Digest's Places to Play;
Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary
Course Record: 61 (Bob Tway)
REVIEW (LAKE BUENA VISTA): The tightest of the Disney courses, the Lake Buena
Vista layout features 12 holes with water hazards that meander through a pine
forest lining narrow fairways and well bunkered greens. The third course Joe
Lee designed at Disney is completely different from his first two efforts. LBV,
as the locals call it, plays shorter with smaller greens and requires more of a
finesse game, the one that most weekend golfers have been seeking since their
first set of clubs graced the garage or basement walls. The third hole is a
perfect example, requiring a well-placed tee shot with either a three-wood or
long iron to the left side of the fairway, avoiding the overhanging trees on
the right. The green is one of the longest on the course at 42 yards deep and
slopes from back to front with two huge bunkers guarding right and left. The
fourth hole is another tight one that slopes from right to left. Not only must
the tee shot clear a water hazard left, but both sides of the fairway are
flanked by trees with two gaping bunkers on the right. At just 382 yards, a
good drive should leave you with a mid to short iron to a putting green that is
surrounded by four menacing bunkers and a very undulating surface. Practice
with your sand wedge is what this hole is all about. The sixth and seventh
holes are great birdie and bogey holes, sort of golf menopause. The short par-4
sixth has an ample fairway to hit. However, your approach shot with a short
iron requires pin-point accuracy as the green is fronted by a lake with a huge
bunker behind the surface and one of the most difficult putting greens on the
course, sloping from back to front. The seventh is a short par-three, just 157
yards from the tips, so birdie is a possibility; however, don't be fooled, as
the putting surface sits on an island with a bunker left-front and one right.
One of the most demanding holes on the course is the 442-yard, par-four 11th.
Both length and accuracy are needed off the tee, as out of bounds is left and
grass bunkers and trees are right, not to mention the sign in the right rough
advising the errant player that lessons are available in the pro shop. The
mouse does have a sense of humor. The par-four 13th is a beaut, with a canal
fronting the fairway and bunkers right and left in the landing area. The second
shot must be placed uphill to a two-tiered narrow green with a pair of bunkers
right and trees left. Another great par-3 is the 16th at 200 yards from the
blue tees. The tee shot must carry a canal and two large bunkers fronting the
green. The large putting surface places a premium on club selection as the hole
is played uphill to a two-tiered green, making three-putting very common. The
final two holes also place a premium on accuracy. The 17th is a long par-five
at 526 yards down a very narrow fairway with OB left and right all the way to
the green. The putting surface is very small and is tucked away, making your
layup shot very precise or it spells trouble and yet another stroke lost. The
final hole is long and exacting at 438 yards, with trees right all the way to
the green and a big fairway bunker left. Your tee shot has to be long enough to
reach the dogleg right, leaving a mid to short iron approach to an uphill green
guarded by three gaping bunkers. The putting surface is longer than it is wide,
so, once again, proper club selection is key. As you have undoubtedly noted,
club selection is almost as important as the manner in which you strike the
ball. With its four sets of tees, LBV gives the Disney golfer plenty of options
and is a true delight to play.
MAGNOLIA GOLF COURSE
Course Architect: Joe Lee; Lee - redesign (1993)
Year Opened: 1971
Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Slope: 141. Rating: 76.0
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,516
Hole-by-Hole: 1 - Par 4 428 Yds 10 - Par 5 526 Yds
2 - Par 4 417 Yds 11 - Par 4 399 Yds
3 - Par 3 170 Yds 12 - Par 3 169 Yds
4 - Par 5 542 Yds 13 - Par 4 384 Yds
5 - Par 4 492 Yds 14 - Par 5 592 Yds
6 - Par 3 231 Yds 15 - Par 3 203 Yds
7 - Par 4 422 Yds 16 - Par 4 450 Yds
8 - Par 5 614 Yds 17 - Par 4 485 Yds
9 - Par 4 500 Yds 18 - Par 4 492 Yds
Par 363,816 Yds Par 363,700 Yds
Key Events Held: Walt Disney World Golf Classic (1971-present);
Bryant Gumbel Celebrity Classic (1989-91);
AJGA/Polo Golf Junior Classic (1995-present)
Awards Won: Rated 4 stars by Golf Digest's Places to Play;
Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary
Course Record: 61 (Payne Stewart)
REVIEW (MAGNOLIA): The host course for the Walt Disney World Golf Classic, the
Magnolia is also home to the signature Mickey Mouse bunker guarding the par-
3 sixth hole. At 7,200 yards, the Magnolia is also the longest of the five
full-length venues with water wreaking havoc on a dozen holes. The course was
named after the more than 1,500 magnolia trees that surround it and is a big
hitter's delight featuring elevated tees and greens, rolling terrain and
water and doglegs on nine holes. Some of the key holes on the outward nine are
the fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth. The 448-yard, par-4 fifth is the most
difficult hole on the course. It doglegs to the right so length is important
and accuracy is a must with trees guarding the entire right side and two
fairway bunkers at the corner. The green is quite a bit more narrow than usual
and drops off sharply on the left side. The par-3 sixth pays tribute to the
most famous mouse in the world, with a bunker shaped to form his silhouette
fronting the green. The longest hole in the Disney quintet is the 614 yard
eighth. This monster bends to the left with four bunkers guarding the corner
of the dogleg. Your lay-up shot must negotiate three bunkers 100 yards from
the green. The next step is to battle the severely sloping green with another
three bunkers surrounding the surface. The final hole on the front is another
rugged par-four at 431 yards that has water guarding the last 100 yards of the
left side all the way to the green. Water seems to be everywhere on the back
nine with seven holes playing host to H2O. The par-3 12th features water all
along the right side with four devilish bunkers guarding the surface. Look for
the Sunday pin placement to hug the right side, bringing all the trouble you
need for one day into play. Another monster of a hole is the 14th, a par-5 of
595 yards with water right off the tee and, again, left by the green. This
brute doglegs right with another quartet of bunkers guarding the corner. With
water left, trees right and a narrow landing area, your approach shot must be
accurate. You're not in Kansas anymore and Dorothy and Toto are in the foursome
behind you. Although the green is surrounded by sand and water, a short pitch
should leave you with a great birdie opportunity. Three super finishing holes
await as you come down the stretch. At 400 yards, the 16th is a tough driving
hole with trees and a bunker guarding the left and water and trees right. As
the hole bends to the right, the player is faced with a difficult shot to a
green guarded front and left by water and four bunkers. The putting surface is
very long, so the usual proper club selection is a must. The 17th is a dogleg
left around a huge body of water hugging the entire left side with another pond
on the right side by the green. With any sort of match on the line, the 17th
could be the decider. A healthy straight-away par 4 of 455 yards closes the
course. A narrow landing area with a bunker both right and left pose problems
for the player. Three big bunkers guard the front and left side of the green
with a putting surface that slopes back to front. Only the strong will survive
playing this course from the tips so choose wisely on the first tee and forget
about trying to impress the rest of the group. With 98 bunkers and multiple
water hazards, the Magnolia is definitely the most difficult of the Disney
golf adventure so finishing with a quality score will make your experience most
rewarding and provide a card ready to be framed and hung in the den.
PALM GOLF COURSE
Course Architect: Joe Lee; Lee - redesign (1993)
Year Opened: 1971
Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Slope: 138 Rating: 73.9
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,957
Hole-by-Hole: 1 - Par 5 495 Yds 10 - Par 4 450 Yds
2 - Par 4 389 Yds 11 - Par 5 552 Yds
3 - Par 3 165 Yds 12 - Par 3 199 Yds
4 - Par 4 422 Yds 13 - Par 4 364 Yds
5 - Par 4 403 Yds 14 - Par 5 547 Yds
6 - Par 4 412 Yds 15 - Par 4 426 Yds
7 - Par 5 532 Yds 16 - Par 3 172 Yds
8 - Par 3 205 Yds 17 - Par 4 397 Yds
9 - Par 4 373 Yds 18 - Par 4 454 Yds
Par 363,396 Yds Par 363,561 Yds
Key Events Held: Walt Disney World Golf Classic (1972-present);
Bryant Gumbel Celebrity Classic (1989-91);
AJGA/Polo Golf Junior Classic (1995-present),
PGA Junior League Championship (2015).
Awards Won: Rated 4 stars by Golf Digest's Places to Play;
Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary
Course Record: 61 (Mark Lye)
REVIEW (PALM): The other half of the Walt Disney Golf Classic, the Palm,
features plush fairways, elevated greens, majestic palms and water, water and
more water. You do not need caddies or carts on Disney courses, you need kayaks
and wet suits. As with most of the Disney venues, water is quite abundant;
however, at the Palm, it really comes into play. The sixth hole, consistently
rated as one of the most difficult on the PGA Tour, requires a perfectly placed
tee shot, avoiding water left. After the hoped for (in most cases, prayed for)
successful tee shot, your approach must carry over another body of water to a
green guarded by a pair of huge bunkers. Another "Waterloo" of sorts is the
short, but diabolical ninth. Just 373 yards from the tips, this par four calls
for an iron off the tee, avoiding water left and bunkers right. Water
stretches all the way to the huge undulating putting surface. Short and you're
in sand, left in water, and if you miss right, well, you're near the practice
area. One of the most daunting and problematic holes is the 10th, stretching to
450 yards from the blue tees. Two-time Walt Disney World Golf Classic winner
Larry Nelson called this hole one of the toughest on the course, "especially as
a starting hole," as players tee off on both the front and back nines during
tournament play. The 13th and 14th holes are two examples of Disney risk-
reward. Just 364 yards, the 13th is a sharp dogleg right over water and trees
as playerstry to cut the corner leaving a short approach. The par-five 14th
can make or break your round, as Disney's golf version of Waterworld comes into
play throughout the hole. Players must negotiate water right off the tee and
then left and through the green in an attempt to make birdie. Misfire slightly
and it's a watery grave for your Titleist. The signature par-3 is the 16th at
172 yards. Not long by most standards but remorseless and unkind in its own
right with a forced carry over water and four bunkers surrounding the entire
putting surface. To top it off, the green is large and slopes from back to
front towards the water. If the pin is tucked left, a birdie opportunity will
not be available. The closing hole on the Palm is another great finisher. The
18th requires a bomb off the tee to a narrow landing area asyou avoid a pair
of bunkers on the left and a canal that dissects the fairway 310 yards out. A
mid to long iron approach awaits to a large green that is concealed by three
distinct bodies of sand. Par here will put a smile on your face from ear to
ear. At 3,561 yards, the back nine is the longest of all the Disney inward
nines. The Palm was ranked in 1992 in the top-75 resort courses by Golf Digest
while the locals consider this somewhat water-logged perplexity as the toughest
of Joe Lee's Disney designed courses. Although shorter than its sister-
course the Magnolia, the Palm is narrow and requires careful club selection to
navigate the dense woods and water hazards. During an early Disney Classic,
Chi Chi Rodriguez commented, after falling from the lead, "I'm allergic to
water." Don't be afraid, choose the correct tees to play from (anything except
the ladies) and enjoy this beautiful layout.
OAK TRAIL GOLF COURSE
Course Architect: Ron Garl
Year Opened: 1980
Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Slope: 123 Rating: 68.2
Par: 36
Yardage: 2,913
Hole-by-Hole: 1 - Par 4 260 Yds
2 - Par 3 160 Yds
3 - Par 4 352 Yds
4 - Par 4 324 Yds
5 - Par 5 517 Yds
6 - Par 4 378 Yds
7 - Par 5 489 Yds
8 - Par 4 297 Yds
9 - Par 3 136 Yds
Par 362,913 Yds
Awards Won: 3 1/2 stars by Golf Digest's Places to Play
REVIEW (OAK TRAIL): It's time for the family to get involved and for "browny
points" to be strewn about liberally so the Oak Trail nine-hole course is
perfect for penance and confidence building at the same time. Not only is this
a walking-only course, but kids can play too. You don't have to carry your bag,
since pull carts are available, so come one, come all and have some fun. Hey,
if you just want to practice, this course with its contoured greens is a
perfect venue to sharpen your game.
OVERALL REVIEW: What used to be just a passing of time in-between rides at the
Magic Kingdom, golf at the Walt Disney World Resort has become a must for all
golfers who travel here from around the globe. These are NOT "Mickey Mouse"
courses. Not only do you receive the enchantment and excitement of the Disney
theme parks, but the golf is outstanding from top to bottom. No wonder the Walt
Disney Golf Resort complex was named by GOLF Magazine to its 2002 list of "Gold
Medal Resorts," and why Golf Digest gave all five 18 hole courses four stars
out of five in its "Places to Play," plus its being one of the top-75 golf
resorts in America. The Disney courses, with world-class designers Fazio, Dye
and Lee, offer golfers an incredible challenge during each round as they wind
their way through pristine landscapes. Not only that, vacationers and players
alike are afforded programs for a variety of instructional clinics with well-
equipped pro shops open to add to your wardrobe and set of clubs. There are a
dozen Disney resort hotels from which to choose - the Grand Floridian Resort &
Spa to the quaint Disney Port Orleans Resort and, right in themidst of the
two, the incomparable Swan and Dolphin. Outstanding golf packages are available
and they include golf, accommodations tickets to the park(s) and too much more
to list here. To top it off, the Disney hospitality is second-to-none when it
comes to service. Disney World should be on every player's list of places to
visit as a destination for great golf year after year.