Orlando is crowded. Between the theme park traffic on I-4 and the sea of tourists in matching t-shirts, finding a spot that feels like an actual escape is getting harder. Most golfers visiting Central Florida default to the big names—the ones hosting PGA Tour events or carrying a famous designer’s signature. But honestly? Hawks Landing Golf Club Orlando is the one that actually makes sense for most travelers staying in the Marriott Village or the World Center area. It’s tucked away. It’s manicured. It’s also surprisingly difficult if you don't respect the water.
You’ve probably seen it from the balcony of the Orlando World Center Marriott. It looks like a green oasis surrounded by massive hotel towers. Don't let the "resort" label fool you into thinking it's a pushover. Robert Cupp Jr. designed this layout to wrap around the resort, and he wasn’t shy about using the Florida landscape to create headaches for anyone with a slice.
The Reality of Playing Hawks Landing Golf Club Orlando
Let’s talk about the layout. Most resort courses are designed to be wide open so that a family on vacation can hack their way through 18 holes in four hours. Hawks Landing isn’t quite that generous. It’s a par-71 that plays just over 6,600 yards from the back tees. That sounds short on paper. In reality, it feels much longer because you’re constantly navigating around water hazards.
Water is everywhere. Seriously.
On 15 of the 18 holes, you’re either carrying over a pond or trying to avoid a lateral hazard. This isn't a "grip it and rip it" kind of place. If you bring your driver out on every hole, you’re going to be reaching for a fresh sleeve of balls by the turn. The course demands a bit of strategy—something many golfers forget when they’re three beers deep into a vacation round.
✨ Don't miss: Hotel Gigi San Diego: Why This New Gaslamp Spot Is Actually Different
The greens are usually in fantastic shape, which is a hallmark of the Marriott Golf management. They use TifEagle grass, which holds up well under the brutal Florida sun. They’re fast. They’re true. If you can actually land your approach shot on the dance floor without splashing down in the drink, you’ve got a real chance at birdie.
Why the Location Changes Everything
Accessibility is a huge factor here. If you’re staying at the Orlando World Center Marriott, the pro shop is basically in your backyard. No shuttle buses. No long Ubers to the middle of nowhere. You walk out of the lobby, and you’re there.
For business travelers in town for a convention, this is the "Goldilocks" course. It’s nice enough to impress a client but convenient enough that you can finish a round and still make it to a 2:00 PM seminar. The club also offers high-end rental clubs (usually the latest Callaway gear), which is a godsend for people who didn't want to pay the airline $100 to lug their own bag across the country.
Breaking Down the Tough Spots
The finishing stretch is where things get interesting. The 18th hole is a beastly par-4 that requires a carry over water to a green nestled right against the resort backdrop. It’s cinematic. It’s also where most scorecards go to die.
🔗 Read more: Wingate by Wyndham Columbia: What Most People Get Wrong
- The Par 3s: They aren't just filler holes. Most of them require a precise carry.
- The Wind: Because the course is relatively open and surrounded by tall hotel structures, you get weird wind tunnels. One minute it's calm; the next, a 15-mph gust is pushing your ball toward a palm tree.
- Bunkering: Cupp didn't just throw sand everywhere for aesthetics. The bunkers are strategically placed to catch those "safe" shots you thought you were hitting away from the water.
One thing people often get wrong about Hawks Landing Golf Club Orlando is the price point. Is it cheap? No. It’s a premium resort experience. But compared to the $300+ green fees you’ll find at some of the nearby "trophy" courses, the value here is actually pretty solid, especially if you snag a twilight rate.
The "Hidden" Perks
The practice facility is legit. A lot of resort courses have a cramped range where you’re hitting into a net or a tiny pond. Hawks Landing has a full-service practice area. If your game is falling apart, they have the Bill Sheehan Golf Academy on-site. Sheehan is well-regarded in the Orlando golf community, and his team can usually fix a hosel rocket in a single session.
Then there’s the 19th hole. After 18 holes in the humidity, you need a decent place to recover. The Fairways Pub is right there. They do a solid burger, and the beer is cold. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s exactly what a clubhouse should be.
Dealing with the Florida Element
You have to respect the weather. If you’re playing between June and September, you need to book the earliest tee time possible. By 2:00 PM, the sky usually opens up with a tropical deluge that lasts 40 minutes and leaves everything steaming.
💡 You might also like: Finding Your Way: The Sky Harbor Airport Map Terminal 3 Breakdown
Also, watch out for the locals. And by locals, I mean the alligators. They live in the ponds. They don't care about your Titleist. If your ball goes near the water's edge, just leave it. It’s not worth a trip to the ER. The staff does a good job of monitoring the wildlife, but it’s still Florida.
How to Actually Score Well Here
If you want to walk away with a decent score at Hawks Landing Golf Club Orlando, leave the driver in the bag on the shorter par 4s. The fairway woods and hybrids are your best friends here. The course is designed to punish ego.
Pay attention to the grain on the greens. It usually moves toward the nearest body of water. If you're putting away from the hotel towers toward a pond, it’s going to be faster than you think.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip, don't just show up and hope for the best.
- Check the Overseed Schedule: Like all Florida courses, they overseed in the late fall. If you play during the transition, the course might be a little shaggy or "cart path only." Call the pro shop a week before to see what the conditions are like.
- Download a GPS App: The carts usually have GPS, but having a backup on your phone helps with distances to the hazards, which are more important than distances to the pin here.
- Book Online: Marriott often runs specials through their own booking engine that beat the prices on third-party tee time sites.
- Hydrate Early: The Florida humidity is no joke. If you start drinking water on the 6th hole, it’s already too late.
Hawks Landing isn't trying to be Augusta National. It’s trying to be a high-end, enjoyable, and challenging resort course that fits perfectly into an Orlando vacation. It hits that mark consistently. Whether you're a scratch golfer or a high handicapper just looking to get away from the kids for four hours, it’s a round that feels like you're actually on holiday. Just keep it out of the water. Seriously.
Pack extra balls. You’ll thank me later.