Golf at Reunion Resort Orlando: The Complete Guide to Three World Class Courses
There is nowhere else on earth quite like this.
Reunion Resort in Orlando is the only destination in the world where you can play championship golf courses designed by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson all in the same place. Three legends. Three completely different courses. One extraordinary resort just six miles from Walt Disney World.
Whether you are planning a dedicated golf trip, a family holiday with golf on the side, or a group getaway that combines time on the fairways with time in a luxury private villa, Reunion Resort golf in Orlando is in a league of its own.
This guide covers everything you need to know before you book.
Why Reunion Resort Golf Is Unlike Anything Else in Orlando
Orlando is not short of golf courses. There are dozens across the region. But Reunion Resort sits in a completely different category.
During their professional careers, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, and Jack Nicklaus won 33 Major Championships between them. All three then applied that same genius to course design. And remarkably, all three chose the same location to do it.
Reunion Resort was named Florida’s Best Golf Hotel in 2018 by the World Golf Awards and named one of the Best Courses You Can Play in Each State by Golfweek in 2017.
The courses are open exclusively to resort guests and members. That exclusivity matters. It keeps the pace of play excellent and the experience genuinely premium. The expected pace of play for 18 holes on each course is 4 hours and 20 minutes or less. You are never waiting around.
Staying in a luxury villa at Reunion Resort means these three world class courses are right on your doorstep. That is something very few golf holidays anywhere in the world can offer.
The Arnold Palmer Course: Risk, Reward, and Pure Drama
The Course at a Glance
The Arnold Palmer Course is known for its dramatic risk/reward shots and significant elevation changes of up to 50 feet, which are unusual for a Florida course. It features rolling terrain, wide fairways, and strategically placed bunkers and natural preserve areas.
Yardage: 6,916 yards | Par 72
What Makes It Special
This course reflects exactly how Arnold Palmer played the game. He was bold, fearless, and always willing to go for it. The course demands the same attitude from you.
Just as The King often took risks throughout his career, this 6,916-yard, par-72 course will lead you to go for it on nearly every single hole, if you dare.
The elevation changes are the first thing that surprises golfers. Florida is famously flat. Reunion Resort is not. A 50-foot elevation drop on the second hole will keep you engaged from the very start. Undulating greens and firm, shallow surfaces give every hole a distinct character.
This is a course that rewards bravery. Play it conservatively and you will leave frustrated. Commit to the shot and the feeling when it comes off is something else entirely.
Best For
Golfers who enjoy adventure, elevation, and risk/reward decision making on every hole. Midhandicappers tend to love it. Low handicappers find it genuinely challenging. Everyone finds it memorable.
The Tom Watson Course: Precision Over Power
The Course at a Glance
The Watson Course is 7,154 yards long from the back tees, with a par-72 layout and six sets of tees, enabling golfers of all experiences to enjoy it.
Yardage: 7,154 yards | Par 72
What Makes It Special
Tom Watson was arguably the finest short game player of his generation. His course reflects that completely.
The Watson Course challenges golfers with wide-open greens, rolling fairways, and strategically placed bunkers that demand a solid short game. Power off the tee will only get you so far here. What separates good scores from great scores on this course is what happens from 100 yards in.
If you want to shoot a low score at the Watson Course, you must bring your A game, especially with your putter and wedges, just like Watson himself.
The fairways are firm and occasionally unforgiving. Miss a green in the wrong place and you are scrambling. Get your wedges working and the course opens up beautifully.
Best For
Golfers who love course management and appreciate being tested around the greens. This is the thinking golfer’s course at Reunion. It rewards patience and precision over aggression.
The Jack Nicklaus Course: Accuracy Above Everything
The Course at a Glance
The Jack Nicklaus Course is a 7,219-yard, par-72 layout designed by the Golden Bear.
Yardage: 7,219 yards | Par 72
What Makes It Special
Jack Nicklaus built his career on one thing above all else: accuracy. His course at Reunion demands exactly that from every golfer who plays it.
The Nicklaus Course is generally forgiving off the tee, but small, undulating greens place a premium on precise iron play. Elevated railroad-tie tees and greens, along with the occasional pot bunker, give the course real character.
This is the longest of the three courses. Distance is not the issue. Hitting the right part of the green with your approach is what determines your score. Miss the green and those pot bunkers punish you immediately.
The Nicklaus Course has its own dedicated clubhouse. After your round, it is a brilliant place to sit down, reflect on the game, and enjoy a drink while looking out across the resort.
Best For
Low handicappers and serious golfers who want to be tested from tee to green. The course suits players who prioritise accuracy and iron play over raw distance.
Beyond the Courses: Everything Else Golf at Reunion Offers
The three championship courses are the headline act. But Reunion Resort golf goes considerably further than just the fairways.
Staying at Reunion Resort includes complimentary access to the putting greens and chipping area. A golf academy and pros are on-site to help refocus your swing. Whether you want a proper lesson before your round or just a warm-up session on the practice green, everything is there.
The Palmer and Watson Courses share a clubhouse, while the Nicklaus Course has its own dedicated clubhouse. Both offer food and drink throughout the day. You are never far from somewhere to stop, eat, and enjoy the surroundings.
For larger groups, Reunion Resort is one of Orlando’s premier golf tournament destinations. The resort can accommodate groups of up to 12 players with standard tee time bookings. Groups larger than 12 or those wanting a full tournament experience can contact the resort’s Golf Group Sales team directly.
Staying in a Villa at Reunion Resort: The Perfect Golf Holiday Base
Playing world class golf is one thing. Coming home to a luxury private villa with your own pool afterwards is something else entirely.
At Exclusive Private Villas, we offer a hand-picked collection of villas within the Reunion Resort community. Many of them sit directly alongside the golf courses, with views across the fairways from your terrace or pool deck.
After your round, you come home to a fully equipped kitchen, a private pool, multiple bedrooms for the whole group, and complete privacy. No hotel lobby. No shared facilities. Just your group, your villa, and the Florida evening ahead of you.
For golfing groups, this combination is genuinely hard to beat anywhere in the world.
What to Know Before You Book
Tee times at Reunion Resort must be booked in advance. Walk-on play is not guaranteed. We strongly recommend booking your tee times as early as possible, particularly during peak season from June through to August and around major holidays.
To book tee times, call the resort directly on 407-396-3199. Our team at Exclusive Private Villas can also advise you on the best villas for golf groups and help you plan your stay around your preferred course schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reunion Resort golf open to the public? The three championship courses at Reunion Resort are exclusive to resort guests and members. You need to be staying at the resort to play. All of our EPV villa guests at Reunion qualify for course access.
Which of the three Reunion Resort golf courses is the hardest? Most golfers consider the Jack Nicklaus Course the most demanding, thanks to its length of 7,219 yards and the precision required on approach shots to small, undulating greens. The Tom Watson Course is widely regarded as the most technical, with its emphasis on short game and course management.
Do I need to book tee times in advance? Yes. Tee times are required on all three courses and are not guaranteed without advance booking. Reunion Resort recommends booking as early as possible, especially during peak season. Call 407-396-3199 to reserve your slot.
Can I take golf lessons at Reunion Resort? Yes. Reunion Resort has a golf academy with on-site professionals available for lessons and swing coaching. Complimentary access to the practice putting greens and chipping area is also included with your stay.
How many holes can I play in a day? All three courses offer full 18-hole rounds. Nine-hole options are also available. The expected pace of play is around four hours and twenty minutes for a full round.
Is Reunion Resort good for beginner golfers? Each of the three courses offers multiple tee boxes, including options suited to less experienced players. The Arnold Palmer Course in particular is a popular choice for mid to high handicappers. On-site tuition is available for beginners who want to improve before or during their stay.
Book Your Reunion Resort Golf Villa Today
A golf holiday at Reunion Resort is one of those experiences that stays with you long after you get home. Three of the greatest courses ever designed, a luxury private villa to come back to, and one of the finest resort communities in Florida right on your doorstep.
Get in touch with our team today and we will help you find the perfect villa for your golf group, confirm availability, and make sure every detail of your stay is sorted before you arrive.
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