Kissimmee, Florida
Tom Watson’s Florida design at Reunion delivers imaginative, strategic resort golf in standout condition. State-ranked and praised for its playable but demanding mix of risk, reward, and short-game challenge, it’s a must-play for serious Orlando golf trips. The blend of wide-open greens, sprawling bunkers, and nuanced angles defines the core experience.
Before your round, test your short game at the practice green—Watson’s rolling, multi-tiered surfaces make warmup touch essential.
The Watson Course showcases Tom Watson’s signature design style: bold, sweeping bunkers, rolling fairways, and generously proportioned greens that demand creative approach play and precise short-game execution. The routing balances corridors of stately Florida trees with wide, exposed stretches, offering both strategic width and visually intimidating tee shots. Every hole rewards positioning and shot-making, with Watson’s philosophy emphasizing beauty, variety, and the subtle punishment of missed angles over brute penal defense.
Tom Watson’s only Florida design, the course stands as a testament to his focus on strategic challenge and his hallmark use of bunkering to dictate approach play.
The 234-yard seventh is a monumental par 3, demanding a long iron or fairway wood to a large, exposed green complex. As wind swirls and trepidation rises, only a precisely struck shot catches the putting surface.
Emphasize club selection and favor the center; aiming for the heart of the green over flag-hunting avoids costly mistakes.
A miss short or right courts deep bunkers; left and long leave a nervy up-and-down.
Pristine greens, slick fairways, and daily high-level maintenance define the experience.
Enjoyable but resort-paced—expect occasional delays on busy weekends but steady play overall.
Polished and welcoming resort golf, with a special-occasion feel but low intimidation factor.
Collared shirts and proper golf attire required.
Practice fairway and greenside bunker shots—many Watson greens are fiercely defended by intimidating sand.
Carry a rangefinder and track yardage—elevated and multi-contour greens make precision scoring a must.
Central Florida sun can be unforgiving, and the course’s openness makes shade scarce on exposed holes.
Course opens as The Independence Course, designed by Tom Watson.
Official debut as new original layout for Reunion Resort.
Front nine featured in the LPGA Ginn Open composite routing.
Final year as part of LPGA Ginn Open host venue.
Ranked #13 public course in Florida by Golf Magazine.
Bunker and landscaping enhancements completed.
When the Watson Course opened as The Independence in 2004, it marked Hall of Famer Tom Watson’s first Florida golf course design—staking his name alongside Nicklaus and Palmer at Reunion Resort. The course introduced Watson’s imaginative bunkering and emphasis on variety to the Florida resort scene.
Originally called The Independence Course, Watson’s design was so distinctive that the resort soon renamed it to emphasize the Watson pedigree. Today, playing ‘The Watson’ is a badge of honor for visiting golfers and a key draw for the resort.
Watson’s layout is dotted with show-stopping par 5s—No. 8 and No. 17 especially—that have flipped many matches on their demanding angles and scale. These holes earn consistent praise and force players to commit fully to their plan.
First Florida course designed by Tom Watson.
Known as The Independence Course on opening.
Front nine used in the LPGA Ginn Open composite layout.
Part of a rare three-signature-architect lineup (Watson, Nicklaus, Palmer) at one resort.
Features some of the largest and most uniquely contoured greens in Central Florida.
Big, bold layouts and true tournament pedigree.
Polished daily-fee course with top-tier conditioning and Orlando access.
Charming resort track—fun, walkable, and friendly for all skill levels.
A regional favorite with a unique sandy character.
High-luxury service and a strong strategic routing minutes away.
Reunion/Kissimmee or the Disney corridor for best proximity and flexibility.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: If Reunion Resort & Golf Club – Watson Course is your kind of course, TPC Tampa Bay is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. TPC Piper Glen offers similarly polished playing surfaces and makes the greens a central strategic puzzle, making it a compelling counterpart to Reunion Resort & Golf Club – Watson Course.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Grey Oaks Country Club (Pine Course) offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Reunion Resort & Golf Club – Watson Course.
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