If you play golf, well or badly,then Orlando is for you. Everything is big in America andnothing comes bigger than golf in Florida.
Many PGA Tour players including Tiger Woods and Ernie Els alongsidelegends Arnold Palmer and Gary Player make Orlando their home.Why? Within an hour's drive of Orlando are more than 150 superbgolf courses designed by the best players, Palmer, Jack Nicklaus,Greg Norman and Johnny Miller to name but a few. Designerslike like Robert Trent Jones, Tom Fazio, Ron Garl and DavidHarman have added to the plethora of challenging and spectacularcourses on offer right on your doorstep.
Prices vary from as little as $20/£12 per round withouta cart in low season to $160/£90 per round with a cartin high season. With an average annual temperature of 72 degreesseasonal weather doesn't vary nearly as much as in Britain.
If you just want a bit of fun then fun you will have. If youwant to improve your game, Orlando is home to six golf instructionacademies including the renowned David Leadbetter Golf Academywhere he personally teaches. Tuition courses vary from threehours to three days ($300/£170 to $2,300/£1,300).
Kissimmee is in Osceola County which has many courses, thenearest to Indian Creek being Mystic Dunes which is literallytwo minutes in the car or just a ten minute stroll away. This18 hole championship course offers an unprecedented golf experience,a dunes-style western nine similar to a British links courseand an eastern nine of low American classic wandering throughwetlands and oak forests. This course was rated 4 star andranked number 2 in "Orlando's Top 5 Golf Courses".
Rates vary from $70/£40, including cart (with GPS) andrange balls to $150/£85 depending on the season. A superbrestaurant and bar are also located in the clubhouse.
A ten minute drive takes you to ChampionsGate Internationaland National 18 hole courses both designed by Greg Norman.The International provides a British links-style experienceand the national is traditional American style. It's next tohere you will also find the David Leadbetter Golf Academy.
Prices vary from $90/£50 to $150/£85 includingcart with GPS.
A fifteen minute drive and you could be in the CelebrationGolf Club rated 4.5 stars and in the top 3 in central Floridafor service and in the top two for course conditions in GolfDigests "Best Places to Play". This championship-calibre courseinvited competition for many skills level and golfers of allages and abilities can improve in an environment especiallydesigned to facilitate learning. Prices vary from $70/£40to $120/£70.
Possibly the Kissimmee Golf Club, fifteen minutes drive, offersthe best value for money for the not so serious golfers. Thiscourse has long been a favourite of locals and visitors alikeand prices are a wallet friendly $20/£12 to $50/£30. |
