Solheim Cup Groundbreaker
In 1990, Lake Nona made history by hosting the very first Solheim Cup, igniting decades of global women's team competition. The property’s international tournament legacy began here.
The verdict
Elite Private Central Florida Classic
Lake Nona delivers a pure Tom Fazio championship test, split between wooded corridors and big lake panoramas. Its legacy of hosting global events ensures a round that combines prestige with demanding shotmaking.
Course DNA
Difficulty
85
Scenery75
Conditioning93
Shot Variety82
Walkability74
Green Complexity81
Wow Factor77
Design Quality81
Don't miss
If invited, don’t miss a post-round walk through the club's memorabilia gallery—historic Solheim Cup and World Cup artifacts line the walls.
At a glance
Quick facts
Original Architect
Tom Fazio
Longest Tee
Black – 7,215 yards
Shortest Tee
Green – 4,221 yards
Tournament History
Host of Solheim Cup & World Cup
Practice Facility
Expansive member-only range
Famous Residents
Home to Ernie Els and Annika Sorenstam
Course Setting
Woodland, lakes, and residential enclave
The design
The architecture
Lake Nona Golf & Country Club is a pure example of 1980s Tom Fazio championship design, showcasing a classic Florida parkland experience. The opening holes thread through a dense woodland canopy, demanding thoughtful positioning and control, while the back nine opens to grand lake views and strategic water features. Fazio's hallmark is evident in the bold but balanced bunkering, contoured greens, and the seamless blend between seclusion and spectacle. The routing constantly shifts direction and style, forcing constant adaptation and rewarding both accuracy and bravery. Expect top-tier private club conditioning and a layout that is both exhilarating and fair.
Tom Fazio’s vision for Lake Nona was to create a member-friendly, tournament-capable parkland that embraced the natural woodland footprint while maximizing drama with sweeping lake views.
Defining features
- Front nine’s tight, tree-lined corridors
- Back nine’s lakeside vistas and open-air feel
- Strategically placed water hazards dictating approach shots
- Classic Fazio bunkering shaping landing zones
- Generous but demanding greens complexes
- Distinct contrast between nines for memorability
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 4
The Hybrid Gauntlet
PAR
3
YARDAGE
197
A long par 3 demanding a full, nerveless swing with a long iron or hybrid over water and subtle front bunkers. Wind and pin position determine whether this is a green-light birdie or hold-on-for-par hole.
Play it smart
Take enough club to cover the front and favor the wider half of the putting surface—short is jail.
Where it bites
Miss left or short and your day is derailed by water or sand; back bunkers are no picnic.
Course management
Shots to think about
High-pressure approach to the water-guarded 17th
Trust your club, play the smart side, and don’t chase a tough flag.
Second shot on the risk/reward par-5 15th
Lay up to your favorite wedge yardage if unsure—water eats the overly bold.
Opening drive under the pines at hole 1
Favor control and fairway; don’t try to overpower the hole, or you risk an awkward recovery.
Windy tee shot on par-3 6th
Take enough club, ignore the flag if the crosswind is strong, and aim for the big side of the green.
Approach laid up right on 18
Keep your shot low and left of the pin—the green runs away toward the water.
Partial wedge after laying up on par 5s
Prioritize spin and finding the best angle over brute strength—Fazio’s greens reward setup.
Putting from the wrong quadrant of tiered greens
Lag smart; aggressive mid-green putts can quickly run away if you challenge the edge slopes.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Lush, tightly-manicured private surfaces with world-class greens and fairways.
Pace
Consistent, relaxed member pace—rarely crowded.
Vibe
Elite, quiet, and service-driven; expect exclusivity over casual buzz.
Dress code
Traditional country club attire: collared shirts, tailored slacks or shorts, no denim.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Dial in Your Long Iron Game
With four par 3s over 190 yards and critical approaches over water, sharp long irons or hybrids are essential for a stress-free card.
02
Practice Short Game Precision
The Fazio greens demand spin control and creative up-and-downs; spend warmup time on the practice chipping areas.
03
Respect the Weather
Orlando afternoons can mean pop-up thunderstorms—bring good rain gear and play with a plan.
04
Arrive Early for Range Time
The practice facility is top tier and gives you time to groove your swing, especially if shaking off travel rust.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1986
Lake Nona Golf & Country Club opens with Tom Fazio’s design
- 1990
Hosts the inaugural Solheim Cup, the first-ever women’s international team competition
- 1993
Site of the World Cup of Golf, drawing an elite international field
- 2010
Hosts USGA Senior Amateur Championship
- 2021
Hosts the Gainbridge LPGA
- 2022
Begins hosting Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions (LPGA)
- 2025
Ranked 33rd on Golf Digest’s Best in Florida
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Champions in Residence
Some of golf's greatest champions, including Ernie Els, Annika Sorenstam, and Graeme McDowell, have called Lake Nona home, making it a true player’s enclave and a gathering ground for talent.
Evolution Without Overhaul
While many elite clubs have undergone major renovations, Lake Nona’s Tom Fazio design remains fundamentally unchanged, maintaining its classic championship core amid evolving club amenities.
From Canopy to Lakeview
Golfers at Lake Nona experience a front nine shrouded in woodland seclusion, then emerge on the back for dramatic approach shots along open water and panoramic vistas.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
First club to host the Solheim Cup in 1990, launching a worldwide tradition.
2
Famed for its elite player-residents—golf royalty often practices here.
3
No major design overhauls since opening—Fazio’s vision remains intact.
4
Tournament gallery memorabilia lines the club’s interior.
5
The front and back nines contrast sharply—woodland seclusion to wide-open lakeside drama.
Build the trip
If you're plotting an Orlando golf trip
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Orange County National (Panther Lake/Crooked Cat)
Public
A top-tier, accessible pair of 18s with big-sky scale—perfect for golf groups.
ChampionsGate Golf Club
Resort
Twin high-profile layouts offer variation and resort amenities.
Shingle Creek Golf Club
Resort
Polished, player-friendly golf near major attractions and the airport.
Grand Cypress Resort / Evermore
Resort
Redesigned and prestigious, ideal for upscale stay-and-play plotters.
Waldorf Astoria Golf Club
Resort
A top conditioning pick for those who love that resort finishing touch.
Lake Nona / MCO east Orlando for convenience, or the South International Drive/Disney area for maximum golf options.
Course DNA
If You Like Lake Nona Golf & Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.3
Ballantyne Country Club
Charlotte, North CarolinaConditioning
Why it matches: If Lake Nona Golf & Country Club is your kind of course, Ballantyne Country Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Saucon Valley Country Club – Old
Bethlehem, PennsylvaniaConditioning
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Saucon Valley Country Club – Old's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.0
University Club at Arlington
Richmond, KentuckyConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. University Club at Arlington offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Lake Nona Golf & Country Club.
The architect's other work
More from Tom Fazio
Merion Golf Club
Ardmore, PennsylvaniaCompact, historic, endlessly demanding chessboard of golf
Oak Hill Country Club - East
Rochester, New YorkChampionship pedigree and Ross magic, restored
Pinehurst Resort (No. 6 Course)
Pinehurst, North CarolinaChampionship-caliber parkland in Pinehurst’s heartland
McArthur Golf Club Front Yard
Hobe Sound, FloridaElite privacy and classic Florida design
Bayou Club
Largo, FloridaFazio-crafted strategy among oaks and water
Buffalo Ridge Springs Golf Course
Big Cedar Lodge, Hollister, MissouriOzarks drama, resort polish, and elevated vistas await
Community Sentiment
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