Waldorf Astoria Golf Club

The Waldorf Astoria Golf Club opened October 1, 2009, designed by Rees Jones — "The U.S. Open Doctor" known for preparing courses for seven U.S. Opens, five PGA Championships, and three Ryder Cups. Jones designed the layout to evoke a pre-Depression-era aesthetic on 482 acres of natural cypress-lined terrain near Walt Disney World.

From 2018 to 2024, Jones and Steve Weisser led a phased renovation: back nine (2022), front nine (2023), and holes 16-17 (2024). The project enlarged greens that had shrunk from bermuda encroachment, replaced bunker liners with Better Billy Bunker technology, expanded tee areas, and cleared native growth for improved sightlines.

The resort was the first new-build Waldorf Astoria property. The course holds GEO (Golf Environment Organization) certification for environmental sustainability and has been named to Golf Magazine's "Top Courses You Can Play" list. Each hole is named after Waldorf Astoria New York landmarks: "Conrad" (Hole 12), "Sir Harry" (13), "The Presidential" (17), "Starlight" (18).

The layout is relatively straight with generous fairways that appear narrower from the tee than they actually are. Strategic bunkering (approximately 60 white sand bunkers) guards preferred landing areas, and raised multi-section greens generally slope back to front. Water comes into play on 14 of 18 holes.

Conditions are consistently praised as immaculate. TifEagle bermuda greens roll firm and true. GPS-equipped carts feature touchscreens with yardage information and food-ordering capability. The five-tee system ranges from 5,179 to 7,108 yards (slope 139 from tips).

The resort atmosphere provides a near-private-club experience accessible to the public, with valet parking, professional locker rooms, and a clubhouse grille.

Do not go over the back of the greens. The back-to-front slope means missing long leaves very difficult recovery shots — err on the side of taking less club.

Fairways are wider than they look from the tee. Trust the visual corridors and swing freely.

With water on 14 holes and 60 bunkers, keeping the ball in play matters more than distance. Fairway bunkers guard preferred sides of landing areas.

Respect the wind. Built on open wetlands, the course is susceptible to gusts, especially on the 624-yard 12th ("Conrad").

The renovation created interesting chipping zones around greens — the ground game is often smarter than a lofted pitch.