Orlando Trip Review- Grand Cypress Golf Club – New Course

Our second round in Orlando was at the Grand Cypress Golf Club New Course. The New Course is a real treat, with very few similar to it in the US and very different form Celebration and the Golden Bear Club. It is a true links style course that has wide,  double fairways, and deep pod bunkers. There are 14 holes that share 7 greens (These are very large greens and you won’t be hitting anyone from another hole unless its just that bad of a shot). The started was very nice and also told us that the 1st and 18th holes were exact replicas of 1 and 18 from St. Andrews. He also said that those are the only 2 holes without bunkers and that there are 150 more on the remainder of the other 16 holes.

When you drive into the Grand Cypress Resort, you will instantly notice that you are a premier sport for golf. There is a complimentary valet as you pull up, and they will take your clubs down to the cart area when you valet. Head inside and the pro shop will be at the back right passed the restaurant and bar on the left (which looked like a great place to stay for a bite or drink after the round but we had another tee time to catch!). Walk through the back of the pro shop, walk down to the flight of stairs to the carts and a cart worker will load up your clubs for you and head up to the range.

Hole 1

After warming up and heading a ways from the range to the New Course you will get a glimpse of what your going to be up against. Like I mentioned above, the 1st and 18th holes are “exact replicas” of the Old Course at St. Andrews. You will see a wide open fairway which is shared with the 18th hole that is free of bunkers and rough. The green is just behind the creek that runs through holes 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 18. Make sure your approach shot makes it over the creek to the green that is shared with 17. A straight forward easy hole to start with.

Hole 2 is the first par 5 of the day. A good drive can set you up to a long, blind  2nd shot to the green. If your laying up, make sure to be long enough to make it over the large mound to have a clear look at the green from a short distance. If you think that is too far of a shot, lay up short of the mound so you have a flat lie, short of any bunkers that will cost you more strokes.

Hole 3 is a par 3 that shares a green with 15. Just avoid the 3 small bunkers and this hole won’t be the worst mark on your scorecard.

Hole 4 is a long dogleg par 4 that is reminiscent to hole 3 at Colonial Country club. You can either be aggressive and go over the bunkers on the left or play it down the middle with a longer approach. I took the former and ended up in the bunkers, and recorded my worst score of the day. I made sure to stay out of those very penal bunker the remainder of the day. The green is shared with hole 14 and is elevated, so don’t be short.

Hole 5 is a much shorter par 4 that shares a fairway that is separated by bunkers with hole 13, along with a shared green. Depending on the wind, you may have an advantage to play it down either fairway. Avoid the bunker on the left of the green and you can score well on this hole.

The second par 5 is the 6th hole, which will be the toughest to get to in two on the day. I preferred the lay up on the left but be wary, the green has some major undulations. There is a large false edge on the right hand side of the green so steer clear of that and the multitude of bunkers on this hole and you will be walking away happy.

Hole 10

The par 3 7th hole plays much shorter than it looks and shares a green with hole 11. Be aggressive as the green is flatter than most and will allow you a solid chance at a birdie.

The 8th hole is another tough one. Long hitters can be aggressive and go over the native vegetation, keeping it out to the left. Those of us that don’t bomb it will need to thread a shot between the native area and the bunker on the left to have a good look at the hole. This is the toughest approach of the day in my opinion, so don’t be short as the creeks runs right in front. Long will leave you with a tough up and down, but is better than hitting it into the drink.

Hole 9 is a shorter par 4, but has a lot of bunkers around the 250 yd range in the middle of the fairway. So you will have to make the choice to play it safe or be aggressive.

The Back 9 at Grand Cypress Golf Club – New

Hole 10 turns back towards the rest of the course and you are just to the left of 18. This is the shortest par 4 on the course, but is the narrowest fairway (although not really that narrow compared to other courses). Once again you have to hit over the creek on your approach. There’s a little more room long here than on hole 8 so be aggressive as you can score low on this hole.

Hole 11 is a long par 4 but there is nothing in the way of a good drive. This hole shares the green with 7 and is fairly flat so a good approach will be rewarded.

The 12th hole is long par 3. Don’t be long as you will be left with one of the toughest putts on the course and might have to say your apologies as you could end up on the hole 6 side of this shared green. Missing right is better than left.

Just like I mentioned on hole 5, hole 13 shares a fairway and green with it. Check the wind before you hit your drive to make sure where you want to hit your approach from as the green is fairly narrow. Be aggressive is this is a hole you want to score on.

Hole 14 is mid range par 4 with an elevated green. You will need to hit a good approach to stay on the green as it is just as steep behind the green as it is in front. Be happy with par as the next 3 of 4 holes are very score-able.

Hole 15

Hole 15 is “interesting par 5” as the couple from England I was paired up with me told me as we pulled up to the tee. There is plenty of room left, but you will be much lower on the left and will have a blind shot towards the green. You will be doing good to get there in 2, but it is doable. Stay left on your approach or lay up to have a clear look at the green. Follow this plan and you will have a good chance at birdie.

Hole 16 is a par 3 with a larger green that doesn’t play too long. Depending on the wind, be aggressive with the miss left and you will head to 17 happy.

17 is another par 5 that is very reachable. Plenty of room for a big drive and only one bunker next to the green. There is a false edge on the right side so avoid it when you go for the green.

Hole 18 is a fun finish hole as there is no trouble on a very wide fairway. If you have a good round going, don’t ruin it by over swinging. If you haven’t played they way you wanted, it’s a great hole for a frustration drive! Hit it close to the pin as the green is tougher than it looks.

Hole 18

We really enjoyed playing Grand Cypress Golf Club New Course. This is a one of a kind in the Orlando area and is worth playing. There is no doubt I will be back there playing the New Course in the future.

Check out our other course reviews!