Shades of Green Golf Courses Review

Walt Disney World is known to have some of the best and most entertaining theme parks and resorts in the world, but did you know they also have some of the USA’s best golf courses?  On today’s blog we explore three of these courses.

Entrance

The Magnolia, The Palm and Oak Trail, respectively, are all based at the little known Disney resort of Shades of Green; ‘Little known’ resort, as this hotel and facilities (except the golf) are just for retired or serving members of the US Military Service.  Shades of Green is located off of the Floridian Way and nearly opposite the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

The small clubhouse is joined onto the right of the Shades of Green Resort

Magnolia and Palm are two PGA Championship Golf Courses. Owned and operated by the Walt Disney World. Both of which, featured and hosted the Children’s Miracle Network Golf Classic. Past Golf Classic winners include local PGA golf pros Mark O’Meara, Jack Nicklaus and the local man done good, Tiger Woods.  Both courses are respected nationally as classic PGA courses and are rated amongst the very best.  Incidentally this annual tournament will be celebrating its 40^th anniversary in 2010, so expect to see lots of pre-events and activities around September and October time.

The Driving Range

The Magnolia is by far the longest of all the Disney courses by over 900 yards. The design is fine, with very wide fairways. Caution must be taken on seven of the eighteen holes as these have prominent water features with a further four having some sort of water installation.  Over ninety bunkers are scattered around the scenic landscape with most fairways and greens being pretty camber free.

Within minutes after a rain shower a rainbow graces the skies…

The Palm is one of the most picturesque of the courses on Disney property.  Large surrounding forests make way for rolling fairways, crystal lakes and raised pedestal like greens.  The Palm is also famous (or should that be infamous!) for not only being the most beautiful but also being the most difficult of all the courses.  Like the Magnolia is also has its share of water features, mixed with dotted around bunkers and extremely small-elevated greens (by PGA standards).  A novel feature of this course, should you be playing early morning, is that most mornings you will be sharing your game with the local herd of deer, which graze between here and the neighboring forests.

The Palm is well maintained with very long fairways

The Oak Trail is the smallest of all Disney courses and is either a straight 9-hole course or 18 through doubling-up the holes.  This par 36 course is ideal for juniors and those starting out in golf.  We have also found that out of all the courses on property this one seems to be the less well maintained of all.  An easy course with minimal water features adds for great fun for all.

The Oak Trail is located next to the Range.

All three named courses above share one clubhouse, which is located next to the Shades of Green resort and shares a car park with it.  The clubhouse is quite unassuming and somewhat out of step with its connecting PGA credentials.  The Clubhouse acts merely as somewhere to pay, buy the latest Disney golf attire and to stock up on bottled water from the ice-cold fridges.  The Clubhouse is well stocked and staff are always on hand to dish out expert advice for seasoned or amateur players, whether that advice was requested or not!  Located to the right of the building is also an exposed driving range, whereby although technically chargeable, the staff usually give you a few free buckets of balls to knock out at “the range”, as they call it.

Aerial view of the Magnolia Course, with the Polynesian Resort and MK monorail to the side (c) Disney.

The two PGA courses are maintained exceedingly well and staff are always attending to chores throughout your journey.  Things to remember: Electric golf carts are provided for the Disney 18-hole courses only, along the courses are a number of drinking stations for people who need a top-up and you will encounter wildlife on the way.  We spotted vultures, snakes, deer, spiders and even a raccoon.  Although normally the earlier you go the less chance you have of animal encounters arise.  It is prudent to note that what with the average temperatures of Florida it is better to play first thing in the morning and to avoid midday’s and afternoons.  Some discounts are also to be had for people playing in the late afternoons or light evenings.

Tee-times can be reserved up to 90 days prior to arrival and parties of less than 4 might have others added into their tee-time.  Prices start from $89 for resort guests or $104 for non-resort guests, additional charges for clubs rental or weekends rates will apply.  Most resort guests do get free transportation to the golf courses through their resorts (via taxi) just ask at reception and allow thirty minutes for this to be organised, when available.

Tee-times and group outings may be arranged by calling the Golf Group Sales & Events Office at 407-WDW-GOLF (407-939-4653) or (407) 938-3870, by faxing your request to (407) 938-3875 or by sending an email to WDW.Golf.Reservations@disney.com. 
Opening times for the courses are simply from dawn till dusk daily.  Book as early as you can to secure the better tee-times.

So have you played at any of these world class golfing venues?  Let us know below in the comments section…