Disney's Palm #1_Credit_Nile Young PGA Family Golf Championship
Photo by Nile Young

Disney’s Palm Golf Course to Host Second Annual PGA Family Golf Championship with Exciting New Enhancements

Golfers, families, and Disney fans alike are in for a treat next week as Disney’s Palm Golf Course gears up to host the second annual PGA Family Golf Championship. This year’s event will showcase a fresh twist, offering one of the most challenging and authentic putting surfaces in the area—thanks to a stunning makeover of the practice putting green. The new 18-hole grass putting course is designed with contouring and elevation changes, promising an elevated experience for golfers of all levels.

Related: All 18 Holes of Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course To Open This November

Walt Disney World Golf Putting Green 2023
Walt Disney World Golf Putting Green 2023

This new attraction is just one of the many exciting updates coming from Arnold Palmer Golf Management, which operates the Walt Disney World® Golf courses. The makeover not only offers a visually striking layout, but also gives golfers a fresh challenge each time they play. Hole locations are changed weekly, and the lengths and difficulty levels are adjusted daily, keeping the experience fun and unpredictable.

“We wanted to create something truly unique, and the feedback from our guests has been fantastic,” says Bruce Gerlander, PGA General Manager at Walt Disney World Golf. “This course is both serious and fun, bringing out the competitive edge in players while also offering a lot of enjoyment.”

The PGA Family Golf Championship, which runs from September 27-29, 2024, is the perfect showcase for this new course. Open to teams of 2-4 players who are biologically or legally related, the championship allows families to come together and enjoy the game of golf in a beautiful, family-friendly setting. The newly enhanced putting green will serve as the backdrop for the tournament’s welcome reception, giving competitors a first look at the upgrades.

According to John Lindert, PGA President, “The PGA Family Golf Championship highlights how families can create lifelong memories through golf. Hosting this event at Disney’s Palm Golf Course makes it extra special, adding a magical touch to the game we love.”

A Golf Experience Tailored for Everyone

Walt Disney World Golf offers world-class options for golfers of all ages and skill levels, with courses open 365 days a year. Visitors can choose from the championship layouts at Disney’s Palm, Magnolia, and Lake Buena Vista Golf Courses, or opt for the nine-hole, family-friendly Oak Trail Golf Course. For non-golfers, the rising sport of FootGolf is also available, blending soccer and golf into an entertaining hybrid that’s growing in popularity.

Walt Disney World Resort guests staying at select hotels can also take advantage of complimentary transportation to and from the golf courses, ensuring that the entire experience is seamless from start to finish. Plus, the resort offers TaylorMade equipment and Adidas golf shoes for rent, so travelers don’t have to worry about packing their own gear.

Related: Planning a Magical Golf Vacation at Walt Disney World Resort

disney-magnolia-golf-course-cover
Magnolia Golf Course, photo by Chris Boyer

A Closer Look at the Courses

  • Disney’s Palm Golf Course: Redesigned in 2013 by Arnold Palmer Design Company, this course blends natural beauty with a challenging layout. With shimmering lakes, tropical sands, and majestic palm trees, it’s a golfer’s paradise.
  • Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course: The longest course at Walt Disney World, the Magnolia is undergoing a major redesign, set to be fully revealed in early 2025. The course’s magnolia-lined fairways and elevation changes will be complemented by newly enhanced greens and an exciting reconfiguration of several holes.
  • Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course: Winding through Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Disney’s Old Key West Resort, this classic course is known for its challenging doglegs and the iconic Mickey Mouse bunker added to the ninth green.
  • Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course: Perfect for families and casual golfers, Oak Trail offers a picturesque nine-hole walking course. This course also features FootGolf, a fun twist that combines soccer with traditional golf, available on select afternoons.

A Magical Addition to the Golf World

As Walt Disney World continues to innovate its golf offerings, the PGA Family Golf Championship will undoubtedly become another highlight in the park’s storied history of hosting prestigious events. From youth tournaments to PGA TOUR, LPGA, and Senior PGA events, Disney’s courses have long been recognized as top-tier destinations for golfers.

“The family nature of this tournament makes it a perfect fit for Walt Disney World Resort, where fun and family experiences are central to everything we do,” says Alex Forsyth, PGA, Director of Sales and Marketing at Arnold Palmer Golf Management. “We’re thrilled to add another chapter to Disney’s golf legacy with this championship.”

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a first-time visitor, Disney’s Palm Golf Course and its sister courses offer an unforgettable experience at the Happiest Place on TURF!