The names Palmer, Nicklaus and Watson are among the most iconic in golf.
The three were among the greatest golfers to ever play the game, with all three turning to the golf course design business while still active players.
Each of the three possessed distinctive playing styles, and that carried over to their work in golf course architecture. In particular, Palmer and Nicklaus have produced numerous world class designs over the years, with Watson a relative newcomer to the field.
Having the name of any of the three attached to a golf course is a definite asset. But at Reunion Resort in Orlando, you get your pick of three exceptional layouts designed by a trio of golf’s legendary stars.
Perhaps the best known of the three is Arnold Palmer’s Legacy course, along with Tom Watson’s Independence course the original two at the resort, opening in the mid-2000s. The Jack Nicklaus designed Tradition course followed several years later.
The Palmer course hosted an LPGA event played at Reunion Resort from 2006-2008, with a diverse trio of winners (Mi Hyun Kim, Brittany Lincocome, Lorena Ochoa) exemplifying the nature of the layout, which does not favor a particular style of play.
The resort has since become the home of Annika Sorenstam’s golf academy.
Measuring 6,916 yards from the black tees and 6,419 from the golds, the Palmer course lacks serious length, and features some relatively modest course rating/slope numbers (73.4/137 – black; 70.9/132 – gold).
The blue tees are a friendly 6,058 (69.2/128), with the whites (5,529) and reds (4,802) very comfortable for seniors and women.
Palmer’s Legacy course features mostly generous fairways, many of which are bordered by expansive waste areas that are very much in play on a sizeable number of holes, along with the occasional tree line.
For a Florida resort course, water hazards are not a frequent factor, but there are a few holes where the water is a concern, beginning with the opener. A tree at the corner of the dogleg left can be a definite impediment if your tee shot is not in the right side of the fairway. With water looming right of the green and the terrain sloping in that direction, the hazard appears more ominous if you have to contend with the tree on your second shot.
The only other hazards on the front nine are in front of the tees at holes 7 and 8 and are not much of a concern. The waste areas that line most of the other holes are definitely in play, with the Legacy course requiring a decent amount of accuracy off the tee to avoid the sand and some well-position trees.
The straightaway par-5 fifth is an example. A waste area extends along the entire left side of the hole, along with trees and a few fairway bunkers, with trees also pinching in on the right. At 538 from the tips and 511 from the golds, the hole lacks significant length, with accuracy the more pressing concern, along with a deft putting touch to handle the undulating putting surface.
The general absence of serious length offers some early scoring opportunities if your iron game is sharp. Both par 3s are of short-to-medium length, with the scenic second featuring a 50-foot drop from tee to green and requiring some precise distance control. The multi-level green at the fifth is surrounded by sand left and long and a waste area right that is well below the level of the rolling putting surface. Even if you hit the green, par is not a certainty.
The green at the short, par-4 fourth also includes ample amounts of slope, with a large front left bunker making for some testy short iron approaches to left side pin positions.
At just 303 yards from the black tees and 274 from the next set, the seventh is drivable, with the main risk some deep bunkers on either side of the angled green. For those unable to reach the green off the tee, the flip wedge second must contend with an undulating green and a tough-to-reach back right pin.
The expanse of waste area is very much in play at 8 and 9, a long par 4 and mid-length par 5. The waste area extends to just short of the wide, shallow green, which is also bordered by mounds, making for a long and challenging approach.
The usually downwind ninth includes ample amounts of roll in the fairway that can produce some uneven lies, along with a narrow strip for the lay-up between waste areas.
The back nine begins with the longest of the par 5s, with the hole topping out at 600 yards. Like the ninth, the lay-up offers little margin for error, with bunkers on either side of the fairway around the 150 mark especially in play for the distance challenged.
Holes 11-13 provide generous expanses of fairway, with water in play on both 12 and 13. The carry from the tee on the 12th is modest, with the tougher shot the approach to an elevated green with some sharp fall-offs short and right of the green.
A hazard borders most of the 13th hole down the left side and along the green, with a solid drive required to avoid a lengthy approach. At 443 from the tips and 416 from the next set with water a definite threat, the 13th is the No. 1 handicap hole on the course.
Three of next four holes are considerably more inviting, beginning with a short par 3 over marshland that will reward those who hit precise short irons while deservedly punishing any miss-hit.
The exception to the fairly tame stretch of holes is the par-5 15th, which demands a hefty carry from the back three sets of tees to clear a marsh area. Once you get to the fairway, the challenge eases considerably, but getting there is the problem, particularly for those playing the blues who face a carry of 200-yards-plus.
All the par 3s on the Legacy course are long on aesthetic appeal and short on length, with the 16th no exception. The main problem is a waste area short and left that is below the level putting surface and will make it extremely difficult to execute an up-and-down par save.
Palmer’s Legacy course concludes with a pair of contrasting par 4s. The dogleg left 17th has sand, mounds and a waste area left of the fairway, providing a clear message not to get too bold off the tee. A sensible tee shot will leave a relatively inviting second, unless the pin is back left between some greenside bunkers.
The picturesque 18th has some bite to go with its visual appeal, with a large waste area to the right dotted with some attractive landscaping arrangements. The mid-length par 4 ends with an uphill approach to a two-tier green surrounded by sand that makes for a stout, if striking, conclusion to the round.
Reunion Resort offers a variety of spacious accommodations that are perfect for family vacations or larger gatherings. The resort features plenty of non-golf activities along with several quality dining options.
Along with Hammock Beach in Palm Coast and Innisbrook in Tampa, Reunion is part of a trio of outstanding Florida destinations that belong to the Salamander Hotels and Resort Family. Reunion is located six miles south of Walt Disney World and a short drive from other Orlando attractions and less than 30 minutes from the Orlando International Airport.