With numerous exceptional golf courses in Orlando, it was difficult to narrow the field to just 10 Orlando golf courses. Unfortunately, some past favorites failed to make the list with several other good golf courses. After surveying golfers and golf course operators we have finalized the 2013 Best Golf Courses in Orlando.
Our Orlando golf course rankings are based on course conditions, course design, guest service experience, cost, playability, accessibility and location. There are more than 100 public layouts in the Orlando golf marketplace, but we made the task of choosing your next Orlando tee time a little easier by narrowing the list down to the top 10. Enjoy playing golf in Orlando.
Top 10 Orlando Golf Courses
Shingle Creek Golf Club (Best Orlando Golf Course) 
Open to daily fee and resort play, Shingle Creek Golf Club tops our list for Best Golf Course in Orlando. Shingle Creek has it all...course design, tournament quality conditions, first class service and a perfect location. Located just one mile from the Orange County Convention Center, Shingle Creek Golf Club and Resort merges the modern resort experience with the natural feel of the historic "Shingle Creek"...surrounded by nature and wildlife.
Shingle Creek Golf Club is also a Greens of Excellence award winner. Shingle Creek, Orange County Nataional and Southern Dunes Golf Club topped the list for Best Greens in Orlando. If you had just one round to play golf in Orlando, it would be difficult to bypass Shingle Creek for another venue. Congratulations to Shingle Creek Golf Club for being the 2013 Best Golf Course in Orlando.
Orange County National (Best Public Orlando Golf Course)
Orange County National tops our list for Best Public Golf Course in Orlando. OCN features the Panther Lake and Crooked Cat courses for 36 holes of championship golf surrounded by nature in a tranquil setting. Orlando County National Golf Club has played host to the 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2010 PGA TOUR Qualifying School Finals.
In addition to 36 holes of championship golf, OCN has a 9 hole short course, 360 degree driving range and a 46 room lodge to accommodate stay and play packages. Congratulations to Orange County National for being the 2013 Best Public Golf Course in Orlando. With impeccable putting conditions, OCN is also a Greens of Excellence award winner.
If you are looking to play 36 holes in one day, Orange County National provides an excellent golf experience with impeccable conditions.
ChampionsGate Golf Club
Highly regarded as a first class golf resort, ChampionsGate Golf Club is home to both the National and International Courses. Greg Norman designed the 36 holes of golf to offer golfers a blend of tradition and modern elements and to create a unique golf experience. ChampionsGate once again earns designation as a Top 10 Orlando golf course.
The International course at Champions Gate offers a golf experience unlike any other in the Orlando area, but one that will be familiar to those who have played the links courses of Scotland and Ireland. A great venue for 36 holes in one day. The International course provides a stern test of golf.
Legends at Orange Lake Resort
The Arnold Palmer designed Legends Course at Orange Lake Resort might be the best kept secret for Orlando golf courses. With a commitment to continually enhancing playing conditions, friendly service and a quality layout, Legends at Orange Lake remains in our Top 10 Orlando golf courses once again.
The Legends Course at Orange Lake Resort features two distinctly different nines...The Links and The Pines offers a variety of challenges to keep golfers thinking.
Celebration Golf Club
Designed by the father & son team of Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Jr., Celebration Golf Club is protectively framed by borders of native trees and natural wetlands and speckled with clusters of native oaks, pine and magnolia trees.
Designed with shot-making strategy in mind, Celebration Golf Club demands accurate approach shots. We strategically placed hazards and challenging greens, Celebration features 18 distinctly fascinating holes. Celebration Golf Club continues to be one of the better Orlando golf courses since opening in 1996.
Southern Dunes Golf Club
It should be no surprise to any Orlando golfer that Southern Dunes Golf Club appears on our list of best golf courses in Orlando. The nationally recognized Steve Smyers' championship design has been a favorite since opening in 1993. Southern Dunes rolling fairways that carve through large sandy scrub areas to create a "Dunes" atmosphere.
Southern Dunes is also a Greens of Excellence award winner. Southern Dunes, Shingle Creek and Orange County National topped the list for Best Greens in Orlando.
Eagle Creek Golf Club
Eagle Creek Golf Club features more than 90 white sand, Scottish-style bunkers strategically placed within the splendid layout. The fairways are wide to offer forgiveness for the errant shot, but the frequent windy conditions of Orlando make hitting the fairways a challenge.
Eagle Creek is an 18-hole, 7198-yard, Par 73 championship golf course featuring Mini-Verde grass greens, resulting in some of the best putting conditions in Orlando.
Grand Cypress Golf Club
With 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus designed championship golf, Grand Cypress continues to be on of the Top 10 Orlando golf coursess. The 27-hole North/South/East Course provides the ultimate test of accuracy while the 18-hole New Course provides a Scottish links masterpiece. The cost of Grand Cypress is a little pricier than other Orlando golf courses on this list, which bumps it down slightly in our rankings.
Harmony Golf Preserve
Harmony Golf Preserve is the only Johnny Miller designed golf course in Central Florida. Built on a 260 acre wildlife preserve Harmony features a fantastic design in a peaceful setting. With a 76.1 course rating and a 136 slope, Harmony is one of the most challenging Orlando Golf Courses.
Harmony Golf Preserve is located 30 minutes south of Orlando International airport, so the location is the only downfall. With impeccable conditions and a fun layout, Harmony is worth the drive.
Falcons Fire Golf Club
The Rees Jones Signature designed Falcon's Fire Golf Club features 6,901 yards of classic architecture, an exquisitely maintained course and year round playing conditions. With its classic golf course design, unique terrain and year-round tournament playing conditions, Falcons Fire Golf Club is arguably one of the top Orlando golf courses. White sand bunkers, grass mounding and natural water hazards border the pristine fairways for a visually aesthetic and picturesque setting. Photo opportunities abound at Falcon's Fire.
Waldorf Astoria Golf Club
The Waldorf Astoria Golf Club is the newest addition to Orlando golf courses and opened with lofty expectations. With immaculate playing conditions, a classic course design and exceptional service levels, this Rees Jones championship design remains as one of the Top 10 Orlando golf courses.
With the exception of cost, this Best New Golf Course in Orlando 2011 rated highly in our review criteria. If cost is no object, the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club should be placed on your checklist of must play Orlando golf courses right behind Shingle Creek Golf Club, Orange County National and ChampionsGate.
