Waldorf Astoria Golf Club - Old World Elegance and Charm

Standing sentinel on New York City's Park Avenue for over a century, The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel is the epitome of elegance and grace. The renowned art deco building possesses an Old World charm. Once you enter the grand lobby and leave the hustle and bustle of Manhattan behind, you know you're somewhere special, somewhere that has stood the test of time. That's exactly the feeling found while playing golf at the venerable hotel's namesake in Orlando - the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club.

Most golf courses of a recent vintage have that "new car smell" - the fairways look like they just grew in, the greens are hard as rock and about as receptive as a brick wall. Not so with the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club. The Rees Jones design seems to have been hiding in the wetlands for eternity and all Mr. Jones had to do was fashion the routing. The Scots have a saying that a course needs to be walked on 10,000 times before it ages properly. Although, this new eighteen in the heart of Disney opened in 2010, it already seems as aged as fine wine.

Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised as Rees Jones is a master of the art of golf course architecture. "The course is different than any in Orlando, because it has an old, classic look," says Jones. The bunkers, in fact, were formed to be reminiscent of hazards designed at courses a century ago. They frame the course magnificently.

Jones earned the title "U.S. Open Doctor" for his reconstruction of such classic venues as Torrey Pines South, Bethpage Black and Congressional Country Club. And while Waldorf Astoria Golf Club doesn't have the history yet to host a major event, it's strictly a matter of time. That's how good the course is.

Perhaps, what's best about the course is the well deserved moniker of being a "shot-makers" layout. With smallish, elevated putting surfaces reminiscent of Scotland's Highland masterpiece Dornoch, a sound short-game is crucial. Hole after hole requires chips and lobs and run-ups needing the finesse of a cat burglar.

As one would expect with a course built on wetlands, watery graves abound. Eight holes feature water in play off the tee with another eight having the drink making precision approaches paramount. Luckily, most of the water on the shot in is behind the sloped putting surfaces. Another intriguing aspect here is the holes bear the names of iconic features of New York's Waldorf=Astoria, central Florida attributes or a Rees Jones connection.

Standout holes include the stout 624-yard 12th named "Conrad" after Conrad Hilton. In 1932, 17 years before the famous hotelier would buy the Waldorf=Astoria, the prescient Hilton wrote on a picture of the landmark building as "the greatest of them all." "Conrad" seems to play about 700 yards as you're hitting directly into the prevailing breeze. Jones has protected par quite handsomely on this brute which seems a par 6 in par 5 clothing, at least for amateurs. Nonetheless, it's a fun hole.

As a counterbalance after all that length, the 13th is a devilish delight as the back tees are but 322 yards from the well-protected green. With water down the entire left flank, hitting driver isn't for the meek. More comfort may be found with the coward's route. Named "Sir Harry" after the famous lobby bar found at both the Waldorf=Astoria New York and here in Orlando, a powerful liberation might be just the ticket to provide the mettle needed to pull out driver off the tee.

Probably the hardest hole is the monster 482-yard 17th coined "The Presidential" in honor of the first "Presidential Suite" ever at the original Waldorf=Astoria. This august, penultimate par 4 requires two on the screws for any opportunity of sniffing the green in regulation. The finisher is a reachable par 5, but water lurks everywhere so be forewarned. Pleasantly named "Starlight" after the noted rooftop lounge in New York, the 18th green also serves as the launching pad for ceremonial fireworks marking special occasions. The layout here at Waldorf Astoria Golf Club is superlative. Well done, Mr. Jones.

Though the course is smack dab in the middle of Disney, you'd never know from the serene ambience. The course has hospitality down to a tee as one would anticipate with its pedigree. With valet parking and a clubhouse featuring all the creature comforts golfers expect these days, the golf experience to be had comes highly recommended. With stay-and-play packages available with the nearby Waldorf Astoria Orlando - you and your family can have the time of your life. The Waldorf Astoria Golf Club lives up to its name.

The "Unlimited Golf Package" starts at $349 per night and includes unlimited golf each night of stay, spacious guestroom featuring views of Bonnet Creek or Disney, choice of one king or double queen beds and $20 Resort Credit (per person).

The "Performance Golf Package" features "test driving" the newest technology with rentals from Taylor Made and Adidas, 18 holes of golf and choice of one king or double queen beds with views of Bonnet Creek or Disney. Prices begin at $389 per night.

Now Playing -- The Waldorf Astoria Golf Academy at the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club, led by prominent golf figure Brian Mogg as director of instruction, recently opened its doors. The new Orlando golf academy will assist local, national and international golfers of all skill levels and ages in improving their game, using the popular Waldorf Astoria Golf Club as a "classroom."

The academy will offer private individual instruction for junior and adult players, with a comprehensive half-day, single-day and two-day golf school program. It will also offer corporate outings and clinics for groups attending conferences in Orlando, including the adjacent convention center at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Half, Full and Two-Day schools are available.

For more information on golf packages and tee times visit http://www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com/golf/ or call 407-597-3783.