Disney World has finished revamping its Magnolia Golf Course, featuring four redesigned holes on the latter part known whimsically as Grumpy’s Gauntlet.

The extensive multiyear refurbishment of the golf course in Lake Buena Vista, Florida—which was initially crafted by Joe Lee and inaugurated in 1971—was overseen by One Club Limited along with designer Ken Baker. Holes numbered 14 through 17—the recently dubbed Grumpy’s Gauntlet—now boast expansive waste bunkers, fresh dogleg turns, and some of the course’s most rolling greens, as stated in a press statement issued by Disney. Additional improvements made during this project encompass brand-new greens and revamped fairways alongside improved greenside bunkers. Stretching out to an impressive length of 7,560 yards from the farthest set of tee boxes, the course maintains a standard par score of 72. Further specifics provided within the same announcement cover these enhancements.

• Number 14 changes from a par 5 to a par 4 with a newly positioned green.
• Number 15 has been relocated and now changes from a par 3 to a par 5, featuring a sharp turn to the right.
• Number 16 has moved to a new spot and now features a bend to the left.
• Number 17 transforms from a par 4 into a par 3 due to the relocation of the tees.
• A new cart bridge meanders through the woodland area to link hole 16 with hole 17.

Additionally, new signage has been installed at each tee box, featuring a Disney-themed message along with a quote attributed to either Walt Disney or Arnold Palmer. The 18-hole putting green near the clubhouse has been dubbed “The Greatest Green Ever Played,” inspired by the Walt Disney Pictures film “The Greatest Game EverPlayed” which came out in 2005 and chronicled the life of golfing icon Francis Ouimet. This putting course can be accessed by anyone playing on one of the three courses—Magnolia, Palm, or the nine-hole Oak Trail—which are served by the clubhouse.

We’ve put together an outstanding team that has crafted the ultimate experience for travelers worldwide who come here seeking top-notch golf vacations,” stated Bruce Gerlander, the general manager at Arnold Palmer Golf Management, overseeing Walt Disney World’s golf facilities. “Over forty years ago, the Magnolia Course became a beloved destination on the PGA Tour circuit, and we have meticulously planned this extensive undertaking for several years.

The Magnolia Course sits close to Disney’s Magic Kingdom, and together with the Palm Course, it hosted the PGA Tour’s Walt Disney World Golf Classic (known by various titles over time) from 1971 until 2012. Notable winners of this tournament were Tiger Woods, David Duval, Vijay Singh, and Payne Stewart. Ex-World Number One golfer Jason Day teed off at the Magnolia just prior to reopening as he made his journey to Bay Hill for this year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.

It’s been quite some time since my last visit,” Day mentioned in the press statement. “Many of the holes still stand out vividly; they were remarkable. The course appears spectacular, so well done for that as it seems you all have great weather now. Also, both the condition of the course and how lush the turf is look excellent. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Arnold Palmer Golf Management has made significant investments in all the Disney World courses over the past few years. The Palm Course underwent renovations in 2013, followed by updates to Oak Trail in both 2014 and 2018. Additionally, the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course—located closer to Disney Springs—received enhancements in 2018. In 2015, the Magnolia Course had substantial work done on its bunkers as well.

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Disney World revamps the Magnolia golf course, infusing a distinctively Disney-themed design into multiple holes.