HIGHLANDS RESERVE GOLF CLUB (863-420-1724)
Florida Golf Course Review
Highlands Reserve in Davenport just west of the Disney Resort area, is a Mike Dasher design that is atypical in the Orlando golf market. This mid-priced course features water in
play on just 2 holes, as pine tree lined fairways traverse past nature preserves and citrus groves, along a rolling terrain that features elevation changes of as much as 120 feet.
This Scottish highlands links style layout boasts panoramic views, immaculately maintained playing surfaces, spacious landing areas and large, mildly undulating putting
surfaces. The greens are often multi tiered, so paying attention to the day's pin placement is advice worth heeding.
Highlands Reserve has undergone extensive renovation in the past several years including:
Entire new irrigation system
Overseed first time in 4 years
New tee markers
New Flags and flagsticks.
Green side bunker renewals
Revival of 500 trees and all debris on ground in wood lines
New Carts
Clubhouse renovations
Range ball machine
The clubhouse at Highland Reserve features a small pro shop and snack bar area with sandwiches, snacks and beverages available. There is a grass range with target areas plus a large practice green on property. The year round affordable green fees here reflect the fact that players are paying to play golf here, minus the upscale amenities that drive
up prices at many Orlando area golf properties. On course, yardage blocks are provided at 100 and 200 on par fours, plus 250 yards on par fives. 150 yard stakes are visible on the
fairways, and pin placement sheets are posted on each golf cart.
The front side opens with some fairly tight holes, lined by mature pines and highlighted by raised putting complexes accentuated with greenside collection areas and depressions.
Greenside bunkering is absent until the fourth hole, when a small but deep sand trap fronts an elevated green. On five, a deep grass depression guards the green, creating some
tough recoveries on approaches hit short There are huge sand waste areas to the left and past the green on the right on the par three sixth, though neither is readily visible from
the tee. From here on, sand becomes a formidable obstacle. Waste areas define the landing zones on holes 7, 8 and 9, and greenside bunkers also come into play.
The terrain on the back side is similar to the final four holes of the front...with waste bunkers in play on nearly every hole. Though the fairways are usually ample, the landing zones
off the tee are sometimes squeezed by these hazards. Like the front, the back side features large, double tiered and multi ridged putting surfaces. The green on number 16 is quite
unique. The depression that cuts through the center of the putting surface is so pronounced, that it almost seems like two separate greens! Holes thirteen through fifteen are also
interesting, as they provide panoramic vistas from the highland tee areas. All three begin from elevated tees, play into valley fairways that are dotted with numerous bunkers, and
play back uphill to raised putting complexes. Number 18 is an interesting finishing hole - a 507 yard dogleg left par five which encourages a tee shot that cuts across a large sand
waste area on the short side. The approach is downhill to a challenging green complex, flanked by sand left and deep collection areas right.
Highlands Reserve is conveniently located off Hwy 27 about 15 minutes from Disney. It is a pleasant golf experience and, as the slope ratings and yardages indicate, it can be
enjoyed by all levels of golfers. Three sets of tees play to: 6649 yards/118 slope, 6010 yards/115 slope, and 4073 yards/107 slope.
For more info, visit our page for Highlands Reserve with a direct link to their website by clicking here.
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