When Walter Elias Disney announced his secret “Florida Project” in 1965, golf played a key role in the planning process. In fact, as he flew over what is now the Walt Disney World Resort, he sketched out the Magic Kingdom Theme Park, several hotels, lakes, and golf courses, all of which opened in 1971.
While Walt never lived to see his vision come to fruition, he was keenly aware that you can’t build a world-class resort in the Sunshine State without exceptional golf.
Joe Lee designed Disney’s Palm and Magnolia Golf Courses, as well as Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course layout near Disney Springs, which opened a year later.
For more than four decades, Disney was a very popular stop on the PGA Tour schedule, and none other than Jack Nicklaus won three times in a row from 1971 to 73 to start the party. Tiger Woods claimed victories here in 1996 and 98, and many Major winners, including Mark O’Meara, Davis Love III, Hal Sutton, Payne Stewart, Raymond Floyd, Lanny Wadkins, Vijay Singh, and David Duval finished atop the leaderboard here.
Tiger Woods in 1998 celebrates his second win in three years on Disney’s Magnolia golf course.
While the Tour moved on to new pastures after 2012, these award-winning championship courses became a focal point, available year-round.
“Our world-class courses have hosted some of the biggest names in professional golf, and our amenities and team members ensure that all of our guests fully enjoy their experience, from bag drop to their final putt, every day of the year,” said Bruce Gerlander, General Manager of Walt Disney World Golf operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management.
There’s a wide selection of nearby lodging options, ranging from high-end places like Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and the Four Seasons to more budget-friendly, pleasant choices like Wyndham and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista.
Dining options are abundant at Disney Springs, which is a short walk from both Wyndham properties and Lee’s third masterpiece. Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course will undergo a major renovation in the coming months. This will include a complete greens overhaul, select bunker restorations, and a major upgrade to the irrigation system.
With 63 holes of golf available to guests, there’s no shortage of opportunities to tee off on lush fairways while rolling putts on impeccable greens. Disney’s Palm Golf Course was actually redesigned in 2013 with the King himself leading the Arnold Palmer Design Company every step of the way.
Walt Disney World Golf will soon unveil a statue of Grumpy and has introduced a new merchandise collection to celebrate the recent renovation of Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course, which features “Grumpy’s Gauntlet!”
Located adjacent to the 14th tee box, players will be able to capture their golf moments by snapping a photo with the beloved Disney character before pulling out their driver.
Last year, Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course underwent a major redesign, which included reshaping and re-imagining the contouring of the greens, rebuilding all teeing grounds, and renovating the chipping and bunker areas around the greens and along the fairways.
A playful Grumpy’s Gauntlet tee featuring the iconic Snow White quote, celebrating the newly redesigned stretch of challenging holes at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course.
The key addition was the creation of “Grumpy’s Gauntlet,” which features a redesign of holes 14-17. It is named after the beloved character from Disney’s 1937 classic movie Snow White, where he famously stated, “Mark my words … there’s trouble a-brewin’!”
Rest assured, Grumpy’s Gauntlet tests both shot selection and strategy for golfers of all skill levels.
The National Golf Course Owners Association recently named Walt Disney World® Golf, operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management, as the 2026 Resort Course of the Year.
“Walt Disney World Golf represents the pinnacle of resort-level golf experiences, setting a standard for service, design, and industry leadership,” said Cathy Harbin, President of the NGCOA Board of Directors. “The APGM team members at Walt Disney World Resort are passionate about our industry, delivering first-class experiences and inspiring others. It is a privilege to recognize their dedication to golf and highlight their achievements.”
Featuring the three iconic courses as well as Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, a nine-hole walking experience, all were overseeded last Fall to ensure the best possible playing conditions now.
