Lake Buena Vista Resort

Designed by renowned golf architect Joe Lee, Lake Buena Vista Golf Course opened in 1972. It's definitely not the longest course, playing only 6,745 yards from the back tees with a course/slope rating of 72.3/133. The white tees are a lot more popular, and play 6281 and 70.1/130. There are two other sets of tees, making the course fun for golfers of all levels. Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is certified by Audubon International as a Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary and has been rated an impressive 4 stars by Golf Digest.

Lake Buena Vista Golf Course seems to be the redheaded stepchild of the Walt Disney World Golf venues. It just doesn't seem to get the recognition it deserves; its sister courses, Palm and Magnolia, seem to hog all the glory. When the PGA Tour heads to Walt Disney World each winter for the Children's Miracle Classic, the first two rounds are split between the Palm and Magnolia before heading to the Magnolia to finish the tournament.

Lake Buena Vista Golf Course does, however, get the last laugh when it comes to professional golf. Did you know it is the only Disney course to host a PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and USGA event within a 12-month period? The PGA Tour Fall Classic, the LPGA's HealthSouth Tournament and the USGA Women's State Team Championship. Now you know.

The course sits in the shadows of the Disney Institute and Downtown Disney and is the only course with a Disney "feel" to it. You can actually feel (and hear, although not to the point of annoying) the hustle and bustle of Downtown Disney on a few of the holes. A series of canals runs through the course; water taxis filled with passengers pass by, creating temporary galleries. This can cost a few strokes when pointed out by a playing partner. But hey, this is Walt Disney World; you're not allowed to be in a bad mood here, no matter how bad you're playing.

As with many Florida courses, water plays a big part in the round. At Lake Buena Vista, it comes into play on 11 holes but doesn't produce any long carries off the tee. The front nine weaves through the Old Key West Resort while the back side offers more tree-lined fairways and has somewhat less of a Florida feel to it.

Throughout the course you will find magnificent Florida pines, palmettos and wildlife in many forms. It's also the only Disney Course with out-of-bounds markers. This may sound insignificant but it's a good thing to remember when you have the cart somewhere you're not supposed to and it stops working! Not to worry, the GPS in the cart will keep you out of harm's way.

The course underwent a redo several years ago including laser-leveling of tees and new TifEagle Bermuda greens. The greens are in great shape and roll true and fast. No slow, resort greens here.

Memorable Holes

Number 1: Par 5, 493 yards. If you didn't have a chance to hit the driving range before your round, your first tee shot can prove to be somewhat of a challenge. The hole is a long, straight par 5 that features water all the way down the left side and a thick strand of Florida vegetation down the right. The water cuts in to the fairway in the landing area of your layup shot and the greenside bunkers have seen their share of balls. The elevated green holds approach shots well and birdies are a definite possibility.

Number 4: Par 4, 364 yards. You'll need to hit your drive over water from the elevated tee box on this tight dogleg left; long ball hitters can easily clear the trees on the left side and leave themselves a better angle and wedge shot into the green which can feature some difficult pin placements.

Number 7: Par 3, 117 yards. Number 7 is the signature hole at Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. It features an island green and only requires about a wedge or 9-iron to get over the water and onto the large, wide green. Birdie is a definite possibility.

Number 16: Par 3, 176 yards. Get ready to be the center of attention as passersby on water taxis watch you hit your tee shot. You'll play over one of the seldom-used canals to a slightly uphill green that is well protected by sand.

Number 18: Par 4, 397 yards. Lake Buena Vista Golf Course saves the best for last. Water lines the left side of this long dogleg right par 4 seems to fade behind a cypress hammock. The fairway bunker on the left comes into play and may be a better place to be than the long, grassy ditch that surrounds it. As you make the turn around the dogleg, the fairway narrows on its way to a well-bunkered, elevated green. Although it's one of the prettier holes on the course, it requires your complete attention from tee to green and is one of the nicer finishing holes in the area.

Last Word: Lake Buena Vista Golf Course may be the shortest of the Disney courses but it will still give you your money's worth. Strategically placed fairway and greenside bunkers seem to have surlyn magnets and attract a lot of balls. Most of the greens are elevated and well protected by bunkers forcing accurate approach shots, or a competent bunker game.

You can have any number of people watching you at any given time; whether it's from a Disney water taxi cruising one of the canals that wind its way through the course, or from the balcony of one of the vacation villas that seem to pop up sporadically. The par five holes are not overly long, especially if you are playing anything but the back tees. However they do require some thought as water, woods and fairway bunkers can wreak havoc on a good layup shot. Par 3s are particularly challenging and range in distance from 117 to 176 yards from the white tees.

Lake Buena Vista Golf Course may not get the notoriety that is bestowed upon two other Disney courses, however it proves to be a good test of golf. Rates vary greatly, with large discounts for Florida and Orlando residents. For more information, visit the Walt Disney World Golf website at www.golfwdw.com.