A closer look at the WDW golf experience

If you happen to be a keen golfer like myself, then you may want to consider a visit to one of Walt Disney World’s 5 welcoming golf courses, Palm, Magnolia, Osprey Ridge, Lake Buena Vista and the nine-hole Oak Trail.

Each offer a challenge to golfers of all standards and have their own varying degrees of difficulty, but there are no restrictions on which you can choose to play.

Disney’s Palm & Magnolia provide the greatest test, as proven by the fact both feature annually on the PGA Tour as host to the Childrens Miracle Network Classic. (it should be noted that these courses close a few weeks prior to this event in preparation).
Magnolia in particular plays exceptionally long, in fact its the fifth longest course played during the tour season. Mercifully though, the championship tee’s are reserved solely for tournament golf, so you will be directed to one of the front set of tee’s when playing as a paying guest.

Disney’s Osprey Ridge and lake Buena Vista offer a fairer test, albeit not straight forward by any means.
Osprey has a good selection of short and long holes, including the tough 582-yd par 5 7th, which gives it a nice balance.
It is also home to the very bird after which it is named, so keep a eye out for their nests (on top of a large pole) which can be seen from various points on the course.

Lake Buena Vista meanders through the Old Key West Resort and is the shortest of the four 18-hole courses on property. What it lacks in length is made up by a number of well bunkered greens, tight fairways and numerous water hazards, so again will test golfers of all handicaps.

Oak Trail lies next to Disney’s Magnolia golf course and is a walking only 9-hole course (trolleys can be hired if you wish.) It’s ideal for those who want to play a few holes but don’t want to take up a chunk of park-going time in doing so. It’s set up to favour the beginner or developing golfer, but still includes 2 par 5′s on its card and has some tricky, elevated greens to contend with.

Planning your visit to a Disney Course

OK, so once you’ve settled on a course to play, the next question is when’s the best time to tee it up?

Well, this is largely dependant on the time of year. During the summer and early fall months, first thing in the morning is recommended due to the high likelyhood of afternoon thunderstorms. The earlier you can start, the better the chance of completing your round without interruption (green fee’s are less during these months due to the risk of inclement weather.)

A perhaps little known secret of being one of the first off on a morning is that you or one of your group could be lucky enough to be selected for a ‘Magic Moment’ which involves being taken out in the Mickey Cart to the 18th green and allowed to pick the day’s hole location there.

You’ll be given a marker and you can be as ruthless or kind-hearted to your fellow golfers as you like, although it does need to be within a certain distance from the edge of the green (having the hole 3 inches from the fringe next to a water hazard is no go im afraid!)

With that done, you will be taken back to the clubhouse and presented with a certificate with your name and hometown on it, a duplicate of which will be displayed on the 18th tee so that everyone knows who’s to blame when they 3-putt.

If you’re visiting in the winter/early spring season, the weather should be more settled however you might find more comfortable temperatures later in the day, so late morning/early afternoon might be best.

Outwith these periods though, any time of day is usually fine although you are at the mercy of the weather Gods, so if playing in rain is not something you enjoy check the forecast the day before you play. You should be able to move your time or day if required.

Before leaving the subject of weather, if you are out on the course when bad weather is nearby (lightning specifically), a claxon will sound to alert you of the threat and you are expected to mark your ball and return to the clubhouse until the threat has passed. Disney are very good at tracking storms in the immediate area and will always ensure guests are out of harms way when they do occur. Personally, the last place I want to be when lightning is around is in amongst trees or swinging a metal rod around, so the inconvenience is minor.

If the price of a round is a bit off putting, (it is costlier than most of the courses nearby Disney property), then there is the option of twilight golf which offers signifcantly reduced fees when playing after a certain time in the afternoon. These times vary but usually its around 2-3pm, and should give you enough time to do the full 18 before dark.

The Disney Golf experience

Allow me now to take you through what a typical day at a Disney course might involve, and some things to remember to make the most of it.

If you are staying at a Disney Resort,  free transportation to the golf courses can be arranged for you by calling at Bell Services or the Resort’s valet desk. It’s best to arrive a good half an hour ahead of your tee-time  to avoid rushing. If you plan to hit some balls at the range, 45 minutes should be adequate.

Once you arrive at the course, be sure to check-in at the pro-shop. If you require rental clubs (Disney offer a choice King Cobra or Titleist clubs) or golf shoe hire, be sure to mention this when making payment.

You will then be directed on where to pick up your rental clubs, or if you have your own clubs with you, to the golf cart pick-up area.

It should be noted that the caddy cars at each of the Disney courses are fitted with GPS monitors and can be a big help in showing you the lie of the land, club selection and distance to the pin. 1st timers especially will find this a useful tool to have at their disposal.

Range balls may or may not be included with your package. If not, these can be purchased at an additional cost.

The practice areas are only a very short distance from the clubhouse and serve as a nice appetiser to your 18-hole entree. Its also a good opportunity to get a feel for your rental clubs if unfamiliar with the brand.

As you are about to spend the next 4 hours or so under the Florida sun, its essential that you take precautions and apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin. Even on the most overcast of days it’ll get you, so be sure to take some with you. Should you forget, you can buy some at the pro shop.

About 5 minutes prior to your tee-time, head on over to the 1st where you will be greeted by the course marshall/starter, who will explain any local or course rules in operation. You may also be given some complimentary pitch markers to encourage you to help maintain the greens.

It’s possible at this point to be introduced to additional playing partners (if playing in groups less than 4), especially during the sought after times such as early morning, as Disney like to fill the slots as best they can.

Some of the starters will give you an introduction as you step up to (hopefully) blast your drive down the middle of the fairway.

You may see this same marshall later on in your round as they like to keep tabs on your speed of play. If you are falling behind the group in front, or holding up folk behind, you will be asked (politely) to pick up the pace.
The GPS systems onboard your cart will also assist you by displaying (in minutes), how many you are behind or ahead of schedule.

With your groups first shots out of the way, you’ll then be on your own to knock the ball around in as few strokes as possible, and enjoy the many features of your chosen course.

Ice-cold water coolers can be found on selected holes and are essesntial on those warm sunny days. Its sometimes a good idea to take an empty water bottle with you which you can fill up as you go round.

A snack-cart will also pay you a visit at some point, offering a selection of beverages (alcoholic or not), chips, chocolate bars, hot dogs etc.

Having completed your round and cursed the idiot who chose the pin position on 18, its back to the clubhouse to calculate the damage and return your cart/clubs.

You may decide to tackle the 19th hole thereafter, with draft beers served in chilled glasses, or grab a bite to eat from the clubhouse menu (which is very good in my experience.)

If you require transportation back to your resort, just ask one of the club attendants who will arrange this on your behalf.

During your wait, take a look round the well-stocked pro shop which has some unique Disney golf items and clothing available.

Learn more about the courses here, along with maps of each course.

This years Childrens Miracle Network Classic US PGA Tour event takes place Oct 20-23 2011.

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