Courses, Travel & Tee Times

Short and sweet: Orlando's top par 3s

Orlando may be known as America's playground, but there are some par 3s in the area that can turn it into America's nightmare, at least when it comes to golf. Play any of Orlando's best courses, and face the challenge of their memorable par 3s, each with its own set of challenges, surrounded with all kinds of tricky obstacles, bunkers or water hazards. From no. 11 at Waldorf Astoria G.C. to the second at Bay Hill, here are some examples of holes that can make or break a round.

Nicklaus designed South East and North golf courses at Grand Cypress complement stellar New Course

Grand Cypress is one of the most family-friendly resorts you'll find, so the non-golfers in the family will have plenty to do. But the 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus-designed golf are something special, too. The 18-hole New Course is getting rave reviews, but don't overlook the resort's top-flight South, East and North nines.

Golfer's guide to college football's bowl season in Florida

With six contests including the Discover Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida is the capital state for football action this season. That's good news for alumni who want to bring their golf clubs along for the trip.

Challenging El Campeon makes Mission Inn Resort & Club worth the drive from Orlando

If you want a respite from winter but don't want to play a typical Florida golf course, you might want to check out Mission Inn Resort & Club. Of its two courses, El Campeon is considered the most difficult. On the 7,001-yard course, you deal with elevation changes of more than 85 feet, which might not impress a visitor from Denver, but for Florida golf, it is certainly different.

Top 10 greatest moments in golf at Walt Disney World Resort

Since the early 1970s Disney's four courses -- the Magnolia, Palm, Lake Buena Vista and Osprey Ridge -- have hosted more than 100 professional golf events, leading to many memorable moments over the past 40 years. Erik Peterson shares with us the 10 greatest moments in Disney golf history.

Long and strong: The best par 5s in Orlando

The Orlando area is stocked with daunting par 5s good enough to challenge the best players in the world. Picking the best of them wasn't easy, but we think you'll agree, a par on any of these par 5s goes a long way. A birdie? That's reason to celebrate, Jason Scott Deegan writes.

Disney's Magnolia: A PGA Tour host with a Kodak finish

Over the weekend at the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic on the PGA Tour, the players will take on the brawny Magnolia, which highlights the courses at Walt Disney World.

Magnolia Course at Walt Disney World A fun round of golf at the Happiest Place on Earth

Even if the Magnolia weren't on the Walt Disney World Resort property, it would still be a great golf course. The Joe Lee design is for tourists looking for a fun round at the Happiest Place on Earth, and on that count it delivers. Still, you better bring every club because you will need them all; especially around the time of the PGA Tour's yearly visit.

Central Florida Champion: El Campeon at Mission Inn Resort

A little glimpse of yesteryear is fully evident northwest of Orlando at the Mission Inn Resort & Club and one of Florida's great classic, public-access courses, El Campeon. With a rich history and some of Florida's most interesting land to work with, El Campeon is a sleeper pick for one of the Orlando area's top plays for golfers who like a classically styled course with subtle doglegs and raised, well protected greens.

Bring the big sticks to the Las Colinas Course at Mission Inn Resort Club near Orlando Florida

Don't bother bringing five different lob wedges to the 7,230-yard Las Colinas Course at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida. Built in 1992 as the second course at the resort, Las Colinas is longer than Mission Inn's El Campeon Course, but locals say it's the most playable. Bring the big sticks, and be prepared to bomb away.