Magnolia Golf Course
|
|
Long. Very long!
When a golfer is asked to describe the Magnolia course at Walt Disney World Resort, this is normally the answer for this layout that is 7,516 yards from the tips (pro tees).
Like "sister courses" Palm and Lake Buena Vista, Magnolia was designed by Floridian Joe Lee. Opened on the same morning as Magic Kingdom in 1971, Magnolia sports a second description: a classic Florida golf course.
Every year since 1971, Magnolia has been host to the final round of the PGA TOUR fall Classic. The course has entertained many of the world's finest golfers, including Jack Nicklaus, who earned victories in the first three Disney tournaments. Tiger Woods capped his rookie season with victory here in 1996 and won again in 1999.
The course, aptly named for its more than 1,500 magnolia trees, winds through 175 acres of thick Florida wetlands. It features 97 bunkers including the world-famous "Mouse Trap" fronting the par 3 No. 6. Water comes into play on 11 holes. Six stately bridges carry players across the many creeks that cross the course.
In Robert McCord's The 479 Best Courses to Play in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, it is concluded, "The combination of water hazards, sand traps, length, challenging greens and well-designed golf holes make the Magnolia course a beautiful and memorable test of golf."
The course has undergone two major facelifts over the years. In 1993, 23 years after opening, course architect Lee returned to redesign all 18 greens and the main putting green.
The putting surfaces, which had lost their shape through years of routine maintenance, were restored to their original condition.
"The main thing we changed on the golf course was the elevation of the back of the greens," Lee said. "We have created 'spectator mounds' on most holes for better viewing during golf tournaments."
The original Tifgreen/328 grass was replaced with Tifdwarf, a grass that Lee described as "superior and faster."
Aside from the greens, Lee had teeing areas realigned to their original form. He also changed many of the tees used by women. With women making up such a large portion of the world's golfers, he said he is "trying to do a much better job with ladies' tees."
"I think the guy who said this is one of the greatest golf complexes in the world would have to be right," Lee said. "I think what we have done here with reconstruction may be better than when it was originally done."
Lee was no longer alive to oversee a second “extreme makeover” during 2005. But head golf professional Kevin Weickel believes the designer would be pleased with the makeover because the changes have restored Lee’s “design philosophy” for the course. Specifically, the course has been lengthened by more than 300 yards through the installation of new tee boxes. The result: Today’s typically longer hitter will be playing into the landing areas that Lee had in mind when he originally conceived the course.
The most dramatic yardage increases involve several of the par 4s – four of which can now play at more than 480 yards – and the iconic par 3 No. 6 – fronted by the famous “mouse trap” – which will play at more than 230 yards.
The changes have made the Magnolia one of the five longest courses in Florida … and one of the five longest courses that the PGA TOUR plays.
But the changes aren’t intended to scare off resort golfers. “Fifty weeks of the year, our courses are played by amateur golfers,” Weickel said. “They were originally designed with that in mind – to be great courses for all levels of golfers. And they are still that. For the average golfer, the changes are like going to a steakhouse, saying ‘Wow!’ when you look at the six-pound challenge … and then ordering something more to your taste – a strip, a Delmonico, a petit filet.”
The makeover also included another resurfacing of all the greens with yet a newer bermudagrass – TifEagle.
- Detailed 3D views of each hole
- Precise yardage to different fairway and green locations
- Professional tips that aid course strategy
- Leaderboard and scoreboard views for tournament play
- Ability to monitor time and pace of play and communication to course management in the event of an emergency
Satellite Map / Aerial View of Course Layout
Photos
Reviews & Ratings
Facilities
Pro Shop -- full-service shop featuring all the golf gear you need. Accessories range from golf shoes to designer golf bags to a selection of character and custom-logo sportswear.
Rental Equipment -- Golf clubs, shoes and driving range balls are available for a nominal fee.
Practice Facility -- Hone your skills on the four driving ranges and four practice putting greens of Disney Golf. Wherever you play, a practice facility is nearby. Improve your long and short game; there are even practice bunkers to sharpen your sand play.
Dining -- Stroll over to the nearby Shades of Green Resort for three delicious dining options. Start your day with breakfast at the Garden Gallery. After a round, stop poolside at the Evergreen Sports Bar, where you can take in a televised sporting event and enjoy American favorites. And don't forget Mangino's for a delectable dinner
Course Information
Rates
All rates are subject to 6.5% Sales Tax.
- Walt Disney World Resort Guest and Day Visitor Weekend and Weekday rates are per person and include greens fees, use of electric golf carts and pre-round practice balls.
- Replay rates are 50% of the applicable full rate on the same day. They occur on space-available basis, and may not be reserved in advance.
- On the 4 Disney championship courses, Walt Disney World Resort Guest and Day Visitor 2-Round Pass rates are per person for 2 greens fees and use of an electric golf cart. This offer may not be split between 2 players and does not include pre-round practice balls.
- Twilight Special rates are per person for greens fee and use of an electric golf cart. Pre-round practice balls are not included for Twilight greens fees. Twilight Times:
- Twilight rate is based on as many holes as you are able to play before dusk
- Start at 2:00 p.m. from November 7, 2010 – March 12, 2011
- Start at 3:00 p.m. from March 13, 2011 – April 14, 2011
- On Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course, rates are per person for greens fee; there are no electric carts available on the course.
- Pre-round practice balls are not included in Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course greens fees. Pull carts are available at $6 each and are available on this course only.
- All rates are subject to 6.5% sales tax.
- Rates are subject to change without notice.
- For additional information or assistance on rates, please call our Master Starter at (407) 938-GOLF (938-4653). You must be 18 years of age or older to dial this number. Guests under age 18 must have a parent's or guardian's permission to call.
Directions
For Disney Resort Guests - advise the Valet Desk or Bell Services that you have a tee time at the course and they will arrange free transportation for you. Returning from the course, the golf service staff will arrange transportation back to your hotel.
Parking is free at the Golf Course.
If driving to the Magnolia Golf Course, follow the signs from I-4 or route 192 to the Magic Kingdom® Park. Stay in the right lane of the Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza. Follow the signs to Disney's Polynesian Resort. The golf course is located across the street at the Shades of Green Resort.
Tips & Facts
Tee times can be made by calling 407/WDW-GOLF. Guests with a resort confirmation number can reserve tee times up to 90 days ahead. Day visitors can book up to 30 days ahead. Or book online.
Full beverage cart service is available on the golf course.
Lockers and shower facilities are available at the clubhouse.
Guests wanting to book another round, whether same-day replay or next day, can book their tee times in the Pro Shop.
Golf balls and other select merchandise featuring your favorite Disney Golf Course are available.
Engraved trophies and other awards may be custom-ordered for your event.
Course opened in 1971
Par is 72
Course record: 61 (Payne Stewart)
Water figures in the design of 11 holes
Greens are TifEagle
Fairways are Tifway 419
Magnolia is one of three Walt Disney World courses designed by Joe Lee; others: Lake Buena Vista and Palm
Among the prestigious events that have called the course "home": the PGA TOUR fall Classic (1971- ) -- currently the FUNAI Classic at Walt Disney World; the Bryant Gumbel/Walt Disney World Celebrity Tournament benefiting the United Negro College Fund (1989-91); and the AJGA/Polo Golf Junior Classic (1995-2003 )
Magnolia is part of a 99-hole Walt Disney World golf resort complex honored as one of America's Gold Medal Resorts by Golf Magazine (2004 biennial survey)
