Since moving to Orlando we have enjoyed being able to go golfing year round. We have been trying to get out and explore difference courses and recently tried a highly recommended golf course just south of Walt Disney World Property that has been on our list for quite some time: Mystic Dunes. We enjoyed a day on the course and then capped it off with dinner and drinks at the on-site restaurant. Read on to find out what we thought of this uniquely designed golf resort.
About Mystic Dunes Resort
The Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club is located in Celebration, which is just south of Walt Disney World Property right off I-4. The resort is tucked among 600 acres of rolling hills, lush Florida nature preserves and beautiful tropical gardens and the emerald greens and fairways of their championship golf course. Located just two miles south of Walt Disney World property, 20 minutes from Sea World, and 25 minutes from Universal Studios, Mystic Dunes Resort is in the middle of it all.
Accommodations include spacious, condo-style villas come in studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom options appointed with kitchens, washer/dryers and private balconies. Amenities include four inviting resort pools, including Dunes Lagoon with a 2-story water slide, private poolside cabanas, 18-hole miniature golf course, and a wide array of family and supervised children's activities. There are also a variety of on-site dining options, including our signature restaurant and two relaxing tiki bars.
Mystic Dunes Golf Club
Mystic Dunes Golf Club was designed by Champions Tour Player and NBC golf analyst Gary Koch and rated 4 1/2 Star course by Golf Digest magazine. With 80-foot elevation changes, rolling sand dunes, mature oaks and large wetland areas, the par 72 course offers two distinctly different nines. The “low country” style back nine is reminiscent of classic Carolina courses, meandering through native wetlands and marsh areas, bordering oak and cypress forests. The front nine features the characteristics of a British Isles links course, with extensive perimeter mounding and pot bunkers, and lush, rolling fairways.
The course includes several signature holes, 36 bunkers, two holes with surrounding water and two holes as designated island holes. Mystic Dunes Golf Club tips out at 7,012 yards with a course rating of 73.0 and slope of 131. There are also four additional sets of tees measuring 6,574 to 4,465 yards which provide a fair and challenging course for any caliber player. Click here to see the full scorecard.
Course Condition
The course conditions were exactly what one would expect from a resort golf course in Orlando. The black (Andrew) and red (Julie) tees were in great shape, and the fairways were firm and fast, to the point where catching the right slope meant an extra 15-20 yards roll. The greens were incredibly smooth and ran pretty quick. One thing that really stood out was the lack of ball marks meaning either very few golfers hit the green with longer shots or they are very good about fixing them. Either way, the greens were in fantastic shape.
Layout
Even with the great conditions, it was the layout that really stood out. Being from the northeast, we are used to rolling hills and elevation changes, which are harder to come by in central Florida. However, Mystic Dunes boasts elevation changes that we experienced since playing golf in the Orlando area.
There are two distinct nines at Mystic Dunes with the front winding mostly through homes and the back working its way through the woods and swamp.
There are two instances where local knowledge is a big advantage; the greens and knowing the correct lines off the tee. There are quite a few fairways that sit at a slight angle when standing on the tee so just hitting it straight sometimes doesn’t work out. After playing once, we have a much better idea of which lines off the tee are the best. The 150 yard marker posts help out with this a little bit. Also, having a range finder or GPS is very handy. Andrew has a range finder and was able to get accurate yardages off the tee by using the large trees that frame the fairways or even the fairway bunker bulkheads as they are easy to range. The course also sells a yardage book for $2.00.
The second piece of information that is helpful to have is where not to end up. For example, there are runoff areas around some of the greens that should be avoided at all costs. The more important piece of knowing where to be is on the greens. There were times when we were 30 feet from the flag but on a separate tier making it nearly impossible to even two putt. Quite a few of the greens have severe slopes built in so being in the right place is very important.
Pace of Play
We expected a longer round given we teed off on a beautiful Friday afternoon right at noon. However, we played much quicker than we thought we would. After really taking our time and letting a few faster groups through, we finished our round right at 4 1/2 hours. If we were moving at a normal pace, it would have been under four hours.
Golf Carts
While somewhat basic, the golf carts at Mystic Dunes are kept very clean and in good shape. In addition to comfy seats you will find useful accessories such as:
an attached cooler
a pair of sand bottles for divots
a large rain cover for the clubs
Driving Range
Before your round, take advantage of the 60,000 sq. ft. practice facility including a driving range, chipping and putting greens and practice bunkers. Mystic Dunes Golf Club has a very large grass driving range with quite a few target flags. They provide a sign updating the distance to each based on where on the grass range you are hitting from. On one side of the grass range, there is a chipping green which includes a practice bunker and on the opposite side is the putting green.
On-Course Facilities
There are a pair of comfort stations on the course located behind the 4th green just before you cross the street. The second is located behind the 14th tee (which is currently under renovation). These include Men’s and Women’s restrooms, and a vending machine. Make sure to ask for the code to the restrooms before you tee off as they require one to get in.
The comfort station behind the 4th green.
Clubhouse
Pro Shop
The Pro Shop at Mystic Dunes is one of the largest shops we have come across. They have a huge selection of merchandise such as logo’d polos, hats, and other accessories from just about every manufacturer including Under Armour, Callaway, Nike, etc. There is also a fitting room so you can make sure it fits before taking it home.
Pro Shop at Mystic Dunes Golf Club.
Locker Rooms
Both the Men’s and Women’s locker rooms include restrooms, plenty of sinks and counter space for that post round clean up, lockers, and a pair of showers.
Men’s Locker Room.
Women’s Locker Room.
Pricing
We played Mystic Dunes in prime season, which is during the winter months here in central Florida, the rates run $95 everyday before 1:00, at which point they drop by $6 until twilight when the rate is $50.
There aren’t any discounts for local or Florida residents. Everyone pays the same rate. However, golfers can snag the occasional discount if they book directly on the course website.
Food & Beverage
Snack at the Turn
Kenzie’s Restaurant and Lounge also serves as the snack shack at the turn. Even though it is a full bar and restaurant, there are plenty of options to go. We went with the tried and true hot dog at the turn and a turkey sandwich, both of which we were ready to go and required no wait. We washed these down with a pair of Blue Moon’s.
Kenzie’s Restaurant and Lounge
We capped off our day at the Mystic Dunes Resort by having dinner at Kenzie’s Restaurant and Lounge located in the clubhouse of the Golf Club.
They offer both indoor and outdoor seating options with distinctive personality and cuisine. With its all-American menu, the Kenzie’s Restaurant and Lounge, winner of the 2018 Diners Choice Award from Open Table, is open daily for lunch and dinner. Our menu options have been created by our executive culinary team and are prepared to appeal to every palette. Both the lunch and dinner menus include appetizers, salads, numerous entrees, sandwiches, pizza, and a good selection of wine and beers.
Kensie’s Menu Part 1 (Click to enlarge)
Kensie’s Menu Part 2 (Click to enlarge)
Kensie’s Menu Part 3 (Click to enlarge)
Kensie’s Menu Part 4 (Click to enlarge)
There is nothing like an ice cold drink right after a round of golf so that is what we started with a couple signature cocktails like a Paloma. We also sampled a Woodinville Whiskey Flight.
For dinner, we opted for a few popular recommendations, beginning with the Bang Bang Shrimp which was crispy shrimp tossed with sweet chili aioli. Andrew could have just eaten these and nothing else all night!
For the main course, Julie ordered the Coffee Pork Tenderloin which was coffee crusted pork tenderloin topped with bourbon apples served with garlic mashed potatoes, Asparagus and goat cheese. Andrew went with the Peppered NY Strip with red wine butter, horseradish cream sauce, grilled asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes. Both of these dishes were amazing.
Bang Bang Shrimp
French Onion Soup
Coffee Pork Tenderloin.
NY Strip
Even though we were getting quite full by this time, we still decided that we had to try at least one dessert. We chose the Chocolate Lava Cake and washed it down with Mama’s Cold Brew which was double espresso Van Gogh vodka, Kahlua, Bailey’s, and cream. Both of these were quite good.
Mystic Dunes Golf Club Staff
The staff at Mystic Dunes Golf Club was very helpful. From the gentleman who loaded our clubs on the cart, to the pro shop and Kenzie’s staff, everyone was incredibly helpful and friendly. Everyone also seemed very happy to have guests in that they didn’t just say hi, but many staff members would strike up conversations.
Final Thoughts
Learning to play golf in the Northeast, Andrew had gotten use to rolling terrain on golf courses. It was very refreshing to play a course in Florida that wasn’t completely flat. We really enjoyed the layout, especially feeling as if the front nine is a different course than the back. The elevation changes were enough to impact club choices and the greens were challenging but fair.
As far as the the Resort side goes, staying here is not to be overlooked. For some reason, Disney is making it less and less appealing to stay on property and with the amenities Mystic Dunes Resort offers along with its proximity to property, this would be a great place to stay while on vacation in the Orlando area.
Disclaimer: This post was written in collaboration with Mystic Dunes Golf Club. All thoughts are our own.
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