They’ve promoted it as the most extensive redesign in the 54-year history of Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course, and the course is in exceptional condition.
PGA Champion Jason Day had the opportunity to experience it a couple of weeks before my friends and I arrived in Orlando, and his perspective was incredibly insightful. The fairways are lush, the greens are rolling true, and, to use his words, “the course is phenomenal.”
Grumpy’s Gauntlet
We had so much fun, and I could play the newly redesigned holes 14-17, known as Grumpy’s Gauntlet, again and again!
Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course has its Snake Pit branding, and Disney’s Magnolia is all about the lovable dwarf from Snow White who warned the other six in the group to mark his words about “trouble a brewin.”
While no wicked witch nor poison apple were sighted on Grumpy’s Gauntlet, these holes are no easy walk in the woods. That’s what course designer Ken Baker of One Club Limited had in mind. Each required careful club selection to avoid trouble. Once you advance to the 18th tee box, you feel as if you accomplished something, even as an amateur shooting par or even bogey, in my case.
No. 14 was transformed from a par 5 to a par 4 with an entirely new green location, while the 15h hole was relocated and went from a par 3 to a par 5 with a dogleg right. No. 16 was also moved to a different location than before and is now a dogleg left, and 17 is a long par 3, so my advice is to club up as I did to avoid water on both sides of the hole. The green also slopes in multiple directions. I suggest you aim to the right below the view of the monorail passing by.
The tee markers feature an inspiring quote, attributed either to Walt Disney himself or the king of golf. I personally prefer the one below, just as Day seemingly did during his visit.
“Jason Day enjoying Grumpy’s Gauntlet at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course, The Happiest Place on Turf!”
Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course – History
This course has so much history. From 1971-2012, Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course played host to major champions on the PGA TOUR, beginning with Jack Nicklaus, who won the first three tournaments from 1971-73. Tiger Woods won the Walt Disney World Golf Classic twice on “The Mag” in 1996 and 1999. Other major winners include Davis Love III, Mark O’Meara, Vijay Singh, Lucas Glover, Payne Stewart, Hal Sutton, Raymond Floyd and Larry Nelson.
Although the TOUR has since moved on, guests like you and me can still walk the very same fairways and greens the pros did, 365 days a year, and that’s very cool.
Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course is one of the original three championship courses designed by Joe Lee and named after its more than 1,500 magnolia trees. It’s a par-72 layout known for elevated tee boxes and greens, rolling terrain, and an iconic Mickey Mouse-shaped greenside bunker on the par-3, 6th hole. It’s Walt Disney Golf’s longest of its four golf courses, ranging from 5,252 to 7,560 yards from the back tees,
By all means, please take my advice and tee it forward for an enjoyable day.
It’s located near the Magic Kingdom area of Walt Disney World at the same facility as Disney’s Palm and 9-hole Oak Trail Golf Courses. It’s also home to what they call a new 18-hole putting course, “The Greatest Green Ever Played.’’
That clever name is a nod to “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” a Walt Disney Pictures film based on the early life of amateur golf champion Francis Ouimet and his surprise victory at the 1913 U.S. Open. It’s a movie worth watching after a great round of golf and maybe some bragging rights on the putting green.
Disney’s Lake Buena Golf Course is located nearer to Disney Springs and also offers a pleasant golfing experience.
Final Thoughts
Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course is a must-play destination if you’re looking for a world-class golfing experience with a touch of Disney magic. With its beautifully enhanced fairways, strategic bunkering, and stunning natural scenery, this championship course offers both challenge and charm for golfers of all skill levels. Whether you’re tackling Grumpy’s Gauntlet or enjoying the serene surroundings, Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course delivers an unforgettable round of golf. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this iconic course at its absolute best!
They call this place “The Happiest Place on Turf!” and all I can say is they treat you well, from a friendly greeting at bag drop to scrubbing your clubs after the round and then offering to help load them up in your car.
A tip of the cap to Arnold Palmer Golf Management, which has been operating these courses since 2011.
Photos courtesy of Matt Stroshane.
