Lake Buena Vista Golf Club

At first appearance, the 6,749 yard Lake Buena Vista Golf Club seems to be short course, but it is not. In reality, anyone but a straight shooter will find the course to be quite challenging, with at least 12 of the fairways requiring precision. Of the six remaining holes, two have slight bends and four have turns to either the right or to the left. Every hole, however, has an elevated tee and nearly every one has an elevated green that is accessible from the front.

The densely forested par 5 opening hole can be quite a challenge as this 514 yarder contains only one catch bunker, which is located to the left. In addition, a waterway runs along all of the left side. 11 other holes also contain water hazards, with the greatest water emphasis being placed on the first nine. Hole 4 is a 382 yarder that forces you to deal with water, a dogleg left fairway, and a stand of pine trees, which are located to the left. To land this one, you will need to aim toward the large oak tree. You will find it just ahead of the two catch bunkers located to the right.

Build in 1972 by Joe Lee, Lake Buean Vista is short, direct, straight, and simply, yet challenging. In fact, it has played host to the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour, and the USGA event – all within one 12 month period in 1995 and 1996. In addition, it was the first of the Disney courses to receive certification as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, which it received in 1999.

At the 354 yard par 4 hole 6 also includes water to the right of the right side as well as a large hazard in the green. You will also encounter a dip in the fairway in front of the green that is barely noticeable. Pay close attention, though, because it leads to the canal. Try your best to not become distracted by the scenery, which includes a blue, pink, and green Old Key West Resort and a red and white lighthouse behind the bridge.

The par 3 hole 7 is an island green, which will bring you to hole 8. This 524 yard par 5 is the top handicapped hole on the course. To make it through, you need to stay out of the forest, which is located to both the left and to the right. If you can do this, you can actually manage a birdie with this hole.

On the back nine, you will find things to be a bit dryer yet not quite as glamorous. Hole 16, however, does contain some water and is the most attractive spot in the back. You can even spot boats carrying passengers and other small watercraft in the canal to the right. There is another, lesser used canal to the right between the tee and the green. Be careful, as a forced shot will cause the ball to land in the far right rough or in the greenside bunkers.

When you reach the 438 yard par 4 final hole, you will again encounter water to the left. You will also find a catch bunker that is hiding a long ditch. The dogleg right fairway at this hole narrows as it approaches the well bunkered elevated green. Be sure to keep your focus on this one.

Lake Buena Vista plays 6,749 yards and has a course/slope rating of 73.0/133. The whites play 6,264 yards at 70.1/129, the golds play 5,919 yards at 68.6/123, and the reds (which is a par 73) plays 5,194 yards at 69.4/120.

Located at the Disney Institute, which is near to the Disney’s Downtown Market Place, you can receive complimentary taxi vouchers to and from the course if you are a guest of a Disney resort. If you are not a guest, you will need to take exit 26B to the Old Key West Resort exit and. Then, follow the signs to the Lake Buena Vista Golf Club.

If you are interested in taking in a 9-hole walking course, you might want to visit Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course. Here, you will find various fountains and gazebos, as well as a wooden bench at each hole. You can also enjoy the variety of wildlife on the course, including turkey, deer, and waterfowl.

Since Oak Trail was created by Ron Garl in 1980 for families, it only has two tee boxes. The reds measure 2,552 yards, while the whites are 2,913 yards. Although it was made with families in mind, it is also the perfect spot to pick up a quick nine or for a beginning golfer to get his or her feet wet.

You will find that the majority of Oak Trail is made of par 4 and par 3 switchbacks. At holes 5 through 7, however, it break away and includes a large pond and canal. Hole 5, which is 517 yards, has an uphill moving dogleg left fairway, which goes downhill and is followed by a dogleg right that ends in a large and guarded green. You will notice that the green tilts to the right, which is toward the woods and the water. Therefore, you need to stay to the left in order to prevent getting hold of the fairway bunker.

Hole 6 is a 378 yard par 4. While the fairway is relatively straight and narrow, it does have a water carry and a wooden bridge crossover. In addition, it features a a double-tiered green, which is framed by a grove of pines.

The 489 yard par 5 at hole 7 is a water-carry tee. The landing to the right contains a large pond and the elevated green has two bunkers. One of these bunkers is located to the rear and the other is to the left. Oak Trails driving course is shared with Magnolia.

If you are a Disney resort guest, you will receive complimentary taxi vouchers to and from Oak Trail. If you are not a resort guests, you will need to take Interstate 4 or Highway 192 to the Magic Kingdom Park to reach the course. After driving through the Disney tollbooth, which is to the far right, follow the signs beyond the Polynesain Resort until you reach the Palm and Magnolia courses.

To obtain more information, call (407)-WDW-GOLF or (407)-939-4653. Or, you can visit www.golf.disneyworld.com.