Hitting the Links- Orlando Style

Everyone knows Orlando is filled with magnificent theme parks, water adventures and other family-oriented activities. Not everyone knows, however, that beautiful Orlando is also a great place to play golf. So, the next time you head to Disney World for a vacation, don't forget to pack your clubs. If you don't want to pay the outrageous fees for checking your clubs as airline baggage, many of the golf facilities in the area have equipment rental available.

You will have no shortage of courses to choose from as there are between 100 and 150 golf courses in the Orlando area. Orlando is also home to two PGA tour events. One of the most spectactular courses is Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club and Lodge. This semi-private club is one of the most prestigious clubs in the entire country and has been part of the PGA tour since 1979. Bay Hill features three nine-hole courses: the Challenger, the Champion and the Charger. This club offers top-of-the-line services (for instance each foursome gets a forecaddie with no extra charge to haul clubs), but you will pay a fairly hefty price for the luxury. You must be a guest or resort member to play these courses.

45 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus, the North-South course at Grand Cypress Villas Resort is known as one of the best groomed courses in the entire state. Roomy but challenging, the course features rolling fairways and turtleback greens. Most agree this is a "must see" for serious golfers.

Two-time British Open Champ, Greg Norman, has designed the Ritz Carlton Golf Club, Grande Lakes. Visitors find the course challenging but a fair test of a golfer's abilities. Much of the design makes it feel like a private course as it features demanding greens, sand traps and some pretty tricky water hazards. Grand Pines Golf Club, also at the Ritz-Carlton, is a fantastic course, particularly if you want to enjoy lovely scenery. The course has been designed to respect and protect the local flora and wildlife.

Walt Disney World also offers a variety of courses, including: Disney's Palm Golf Course, Disney's Magnolia Golf Course, Bonnet Creek Golf Course, Lake Buena Vista Course and Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course as well as Disney's Osprey Ridge Golf Course. Free transportation is available to/from the Disney courses if you are staying at any of their properties. Simply notify the bellman the night before you plan to play golf and transportation will be arranged.

There are also a number of very good, challenging public golf courses available in the Orlando area. Here is a list of just a few:

Boggy Creek Golf Course, 3650 8th Street, Orlando, FL Phone: 407.857.0280. Boggy Creek is a nine-hole golf course, open to the public year round.

Dubsdread is another of the popular public courses in the area. Located at 549 West Par St. in Orlando, the 18-hole course is open to the public year round. For details call 407.246.2551.

Hunter's Creek Golf Course - 14401 Sports Club Way in Orlando features 18-holes and is opened year round to the general public. Phone: 407.240.4653.

Eastwood Golf Course - 13950 Gulfway Blvd. in Orlando is another public course open year round. Eastwood is an 18-hole course and you can contact them at 407.281.4653 for more detailed information.

If you would like to check-out other resort golf courses, here are a few for your consideration. All of those listed come highly recommended.

Faldo Golf Institute by Marriott, 9 holes, located at 12001 Avenida Verde Orlando, FL 32821. Guest policy is open, the course is open all year and you can contact them at 407.238.7677.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort is home to a beautiful 18-hole course, which is also open year round and is open to the public. Contact: 800.835.7377 for more detailed information.

Marriot's Orlando World Center at 8701 World Center Drive in Orlando also features 18 challenging holes of golf. Open year round and welcoming to everyone, you can contact them at 407.824.2616.

So, when you can't stand to hear "It's a Small World" one more time or the thought of another dizzying amusement ride, head out to the wild "green" yonder to enjoy some well-deserved peace and quiet.