Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Disney's Palm is a polished, thoroughly modern resort course combining classic Joe Lee bones with Arnold Palmer’s bold updates. Expect strategic water, slick greens, and a fun test where big moments in Disney-PGA Tour history still echo. Its accessible yet challenging personality makes it a worthy detour for any Orlando golf trip.
Don’t miss the commemorative plaques marking Disney’s PGA Tour history on the Palm—perfect for a photo and a little inspiration before your round.
Classic meets contemporary at Disney's Palm, where Joe Lee’s original wide corridors and risk-reward water holes—built to attract pros and resort guests alike—were dramatically updated in 2013 by Arnold Palmer’s team. The renovation introduced new green complexes, distinctive bunkering, and bold shaping, yet preserved its tournament pedigree and resort playability. The result: a strategic, visually engaging layout equally suited to high-level competition and a bucket-list Orlando golf getaway.
Joe Lee’s foundational routing brought championship ambition to Disney golf, while Arnold Palmer Design’s 2013 overhaul gave it modern shot values and visual punch.
The opening par 5 tempts players with a possible early birdie, encouraging you to be aggressive yet demanding you respect the lurking water and fairway bunkers. Its large fairway offers a forgiving start, but the green complex gets your nerves buzzing right away.
Favor position off the tee to keep water out of play and set up a sensible approach or layup; stay left for best angle to a receptive green.
Water hazards and a complex green mean a loose shot early can turn an easy par into a tough bogey.
Expect meticulously maintained greens and fairways, always presented at a high resort standard.
Pace can be brisk in the mornings but may slow with resort traffic, especially during busy vacation weeks; build in extra time for water-heavy play.
Classic Disney: friendly, polished, but with a legacy of serious competition and fun.
Collared shirts and proper golf attire required; standard resort golf presentation.
The on-site practice range and putting greens are excellent—take advantage to dial in before facing quick resort greens.
Slots fill up quickly thanks to demand from resort guests and public visitors alike, especially during school breaks.
Orlando heat, humidity, and pop-up showers are common—bring sun protection, extra gloves, and a lightweight rain shell just in case.
With plentiful water in play, a practiced drop or recovery shot can save your scorecard.
Disney's Palm Golf Course opens, designed by Joe Lee
First Walt Disney World PGA Tour event begins, using Disney courses
Hosts inaugural Disney National Team Championship
Complete course redesign by Arnold Palmer Design Company
Wins Golf Inc. Renovation of the Year (Resort Division)
Disney’s Palm Golf Course teed off the same day as Magic Kingdom and Magnolia Golf Course, instantly helping Walt Disney World establish itself as a serious golf destination, not just a theme park haven. That opening day synergy remains a point of pride for the Disney golf legacy.
For more than 40 years, the Palm was part of the Walt Disney World PGA Tour event, its fairways seeing Tour stars like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods compete on golf’s biggest stage. The event transformed resort golf into serious competition and put the Palm on the national map.
After more than four decades, Arnold Palmer Design Company led a dramatic 2013 redesign, reconstructing green complexes, reshaping bunkers, and updating tees to modern standards. The transformation earned industry accolades and revitalized the course’s challenge and appeal.
As a rare Disney resort course with real PGA Tour pedigree, the Palm mixes tough tests and scorable holes, echoing with big moments and family vacation magic alike. You can chase birdies where the pros once walked, all just minutes from Cinderella Castle.
The course debuted alongside Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in 1971.
59 bunkers and 9 water holes shape the play on Disney’s Palm Golf Course.
Palm was part of Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest 10 straight years from 1973–1982.
The 2013 Palmer-led redesign earned Golf Inc.’s ‘Renovation of the Year’ for resort courses.
Legendary champions like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have teed it up here in tournament play.
Prestigious conditioning and an elegant resort vibe just minutes from Disney.
One of Florida’s top public-access layouts, famous for its two strong courses and ultimate practice venue.
Convenient to Orlando’s convention area with contemporary resort architecture and fast greens.
Superb resort golf, especially after course and facility upgrades.
Play where Arnold Palmer lived and the PGA Tour still competes—book a stay for access.
Stay in the Disney Springs/Lake Buena Vista corridor for access to Palm, Magnolia, Oak Trail, and the best of Orlando’s resort golf.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club's own setting.
Why it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Cobblestone Golf Club's own setting.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Los Angeles Country Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Disney's Palm Golf Course.
Chicago’s king of public championship tests
Atlanta’s legacy of tournament-caliber, private club golf.
A classic Joe Lee layout with unique South Florida elevation
Fully renovated South Florida parkland challenge
Classic Disney resort golf with challenge and charm
Central Florida’s Only Island Golf Challenge
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