With numerous exceptional golf courses in Orlando, it was difficult to narrow the field to just 10 courses. Unfortunately, some past favorites were bumped from the list by having a down year. After surveying golfers and golf course operators we have finalized the 2011 Best Golf Courses in Orlando.
Our Orlando golf course rankings are based on course conditions, course design, guest service experience, cost, and playability.
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.
Top 10 Orlando Golf Courses
Shingle Creek Golf Club (Best Resort Golf Course) 
Open to daily fee and resort play, Shingle Creek Golf Club tops our list for Best Resort 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 finished in a first place tie with Southern Dunes Golf Club 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 2011 Best Resort Golf Course in Orlando.
Orange County National (Best Public 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 2011 Best Public Golf Course in Orlando. With impeccable putting conditions, OCN is also a Greens of Excellence award winner.
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 finished in a first place tie with Shingle Creek Golf Club for Best Greens in Orlando.
Champions Gate Golf Club
Highly regarded as a first class golf resort, Champions Gate Golf 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. Champions Gate was under consideration for best resort golf course in Orlando, but was narrowly edged out by Shingle Creek Golf Club.
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.
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 vaults into our Top 10 Orlando golf courses bumping out some previous local favorites.
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.
Grand Cypress Golf Club
With 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus designed championship golf, Grand Cypress was under consideration for best resort golf course in Orlando, but was narrowly edged out by Shingle Creek Golf Club. The 27-hole North/South/East Course provides the ultimate test of accuracy while the 18-hole New Course provides a Scottish links masterpiece.
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 vaults into the Top 10 Orlando golf courses.
With the exception of cost, this Best New Golf Course in Orlando 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.
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 has been near the top of the list since opening in 1996.
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.
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.