There are so many fun things to do while visiting Davenport, Florida that many people have trouble finding enough time to do everything they want to do. But there’s one thing you’ll definitely want to leave time for during your trip: playing a round of golf at one of Central Florida’s amazing courses.
Davenport is home to a number of great courses, including Providence Golf—one of our favorite local courses. We’ll share everything you need to know about the course and provide some contact information so you can schedule a tee time below.
Providence Golf Club of Davenport Florida: The Basics
Providence Golf Course is located within the Providence gated community in Davenport, Florida, mere minutes from Walt Disney World and the other world class theme parks of the area. A semi-private course that is open to the public, Providence Golf Course is widely recognized for its first-class greens, which many claim to be the best in all of Central Florida.
The course hosts many major golf tournaments, and boasts a top-tier pro staff, with more than five decades of collective experience in the golf industry. In fact, the staff members have received numerous rewards from both the PGA and LPGA.
In addition to golf, the club also hosts a number of events, such as karaoke night, poker night, and trivia night. You can check the club’s calendar for more details. A golf shop is also located on the grounds to stock up on any necessities before playing your round. Open from sunrise to 5:00 or 6:00 PM depending on the season, the shop carries shoes, gloves, apparel, and clubs.
Playing at Providence Golf, Davenport Florida
The course offers different rates for different times of day, as well as special 9-hole rates after 4:00 PM during some months of the year. Lessons are also offered on the premises, if you’d like a little help extending your drives or hitting more greens.
You can book your tee time online, via the club’s dedicated portal.
Note that outside coolers are not permitted by the club, and proper attire and etiquette are required at all times. This includes caring for the course in the proper way while playing. For example, you’re expected to replace or fill divot holes and rake the bunker sand after use. The course maintains a course care page on their website that outlines your responsibilities while playing.
Providence Golf Club: The Course Itself
Image courtesy of Golf Pass.
Providence Golf Course was designed by renowned golf course designer Mike Dasher. A fan of European-style courses, he incorporated a number of undulating greens, while laying the course out in a way that suits the natural landscape and brings golfers close to freshwater creeks, ancient hardwoods, and wetlands while playing. In fact, the course is so subtly nestled into the local habitat that a variety of Florida wildlife species call the course home.
This challenging and scenic course features 18 beautiful holes of varying difficulty. A few of the most noteworthy holes include:
- Hole 1: Described as a “formidable” par 4 by the club, this hole works well for players who have yet to warm up at the driving range.
- Hole 4: The wind and pin placement will play a big role in your experience with this hole. With sand on three sides of the fairway and green, precision is important for staying on track here.
- Hole 5: Often considered the most fun hole to play on the course, this Par 4 requires you to launch the ball over a water hazard and to the green from the tee box to achieve a birdie. Miss a birdie here and you’re going to struggle to keep up with your companions.
- Hole 6: One of the more challenging holes on the course, you’ll have to hit a relatively narrow fairway while contending with water hazards and bunkers. But most importantly, the undulating green is very unforgiving and designed to test all of your short-game skills.
- Hole 8: A river-crossing par 3, this hole is beautiful with a backdrop of mature trees. Do be careful with green placement, as this green is relatively unforgiving.
- Hole 9: A 550-yard par 5, this long-and-straight hole features a number of water hazards to the left, so care is required. While birdies are possible, most golfers come away from this hole happy to be putting for par.
- Hole 13: A favorite of those who can really drive for distance, this is the shortest par 5 of the course. Be sure to look for the otters who live in the water near the tee box.
- Hole 15: Beautiful and challenging, this par 5 is the longest hole on the course. Reaching the green in three is possible, but you’ll need to aim carefully—the course describes the 15th green as “diabolical.”
- Hole 16: One of the most beautiful holes of the entire course, this par 4 is tricky, thanks to the water hazard. Hitting the center of the fairway is crucial for success at this hole.
- Hole 18: A par 4 many golfers have no trouble birdieing, this hole provides a great view of the clubhouse, but the hole’s water hazard does lurk ominously and play into every shot on the hole.
The Blue Heron Tavern: Food and Drinks at Providence Golf
In addition to the wonderful golf course, Providence Golf Club is also home to The Blue Heron Tavern. The tavern boasts an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere, but they also offer takeout service, if you’d rather eat back at your rental home.
Open every day for lunch and dinner, the tavern offers delicious appetizers, salads, flatbreads, and sandwiches, as well as entrees after 4:00 PM. Their grouper bites appetizer plate is especially popular, though 8-ounce filet mignon has also earned a ton of praise.
The Blue Heron Tavern also hosts events and regularly offers holiday and happy hour specials. It is wise to call ahead or stop by before playing a round to verify their hours, as they are subject to change without notice.
Make Time for Golf During Your Davenport, Florida Vacation
It’d be a shame to travel all the way to the Sunshine State without sneaking in a round at Providence Golf—Davenport, Florida’s ideal course for those seeking a course that’s both lovely to play and reasonably priced. It’s not very far from the best Davenport vacation rentals in the area, and given Florida’s amazing weather, you’ll surely want the chance to enjoy the Orlando golf experience firsthand.
