History
In 1971, as Walt Disney World opened its gates for the first time, the Palm Golf Course opened alongside it — one of two courses built to give the fledgling resort a golfing pedigree from day one. Disney’s ambitions for Lake Buena Vista extended well beyond theme park gates, and a proper golf operation was part of the plan almost from the outset, aimed at drawing the convention crowds and leisure travelers the company hoped would extend their stays into full vacations.
The commission went to Joe Lee, a Florida-based architect who had already built a reputation designing resort and residential courses throughout the state. Lee’s work at the Palm reflected the tastes of its era and its audience: a layout meant to test better players without alienating the vacationing golfer who might be playing his only round of the year. That balance became a hallmark of Lee’s Florida portfolio, and the Palm gave him a prominent stage to demonstrate it right as Disney’s golf ambitions were taking shape.
The course’s standing grew considerably in the decades that followed. It became a regular host site for the PGA Tour’s Walt Disney World-sponsored event, welcoming touring professionals to a course originally built with resort guests in mind — a dual identity it maintained for years. Ownership has remained with Disney since its construction, and the course has undergone renovation work over time to keep pace with modern turf standards and tournament conditioning, even as its routing and Lee’s original design intent have endured.
Playing notes
At 6,840 yards with a slope of 134, Palm plays tougher than its Central Florida neighbors, and the scorecard number alone should tell you this isn't a resort throwaway round. Water shows up on a majority of holes, so club selection off the tee matters more than raw distance — the bermuda fairways offer good roll, but missing them into the rough or hazards will cost you strokes quickly. Bermuda greens run true but can firm up in the Florida heat, so expect faster afternoon conditions than morning tee times. The terrain is flat, which keeps the walk (or cart ride) easy, but don't mistake flat for easy — tree lines pinch several fairways and demand shot shape over sheer power. Bring extra balls for the water hazards, sunscreen for the exposed stretches, and a game plan that favors accuracy off the tee over trying to overpower the layout.
Tee boxes
| Tees | Yardage | Par | Slope | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | 6,840 | 72 | 134 | 73.3 |