Shingle Creek Golf Club

Shingle Creek Golf Club opened in 2003 at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort, designed by David Harman — a prominent Central Florida architect whose portfolio included Orange County National. Harman tragically passed away from cancer in December 2004 at just 51, making Shingle Creek one of his final designs.

The course sits along historic Shingle Creek, recognized as the headwaters of the Florida Everglades — a waterway historically important for Native Americans and early settlers. After Harman's original design, the Arnold Palmer Design Group refined the layout with knobs, swales, slopes, and closely mown runoff areas around elevated greens.

The Brad Brewer Golf Academy is based at the club, and Director of Golf Dave Scott previously worked for Arnold Palmer at Bay Hill, reinforcing the Palmer connection. The course is located just one mile from the Orange County Convention Center.

Shingle Creek is an open, parkland-style layout through dense oaks, pines, and natural wetlands along the Everglades headwaters. Fairways sweep between tall trees and glistening wetland areas with interconnecting waterways throughout.

Water comes into play on 16 of 18 holes — a significant strategic factor. However, the design generally provides bailout areas, and there are only three forced carries, keeping it playable across skill levels. Greens are elevated with slopes, knobs, and swales creating challenge.

The natural setting features abundant wildlife and mature trees, offering a welcome contrast to the nearby theme park corridor. The course plays longer than the scorecard suggests — one reviewer noted 6,600 yards felt more like 7,200 due to the open layout where wind is a factor.

Water is on 16 of 18 holes — identify bailout areas on each hole rather than challenging the hazards directly.

Prepare for the 220-yard par-3 17th with water right. Take enough club and aim left of center — there is no safe miss right.

Account for the wind. The open, flat Florida layout means wind adds significant effective yardage. The course plays longer than it looks on paper.

Greens are elevated with Palmer Design Group refinements — don't go long. Short-sided misses are more recoverable than running off the back.