I've got an Orlando vacation planned and I'm thinking I'd like to play mostly on links style courses (my own personal 'mini-tour'). The two that I'm aware of are the JN New Course at Grand Cypress and Championsgate International. I know that there are a lot of excellent courses in the area (OCN, for example), so I'm looking for suggestions on links courses only. Thanks.

I have played the new course at Grand Cypress and it was great. I have never played St. Andrews, but from what I have seen of the course by watching the Open, the new course is a pretty good copy of the course. Well worth the play.

I'll second that. Grand Cypress Resort in Kissimmee.

The New course is modeled after St. Andrews and they also have 3 other 9's, two of which the LPGA played.

I hope you like pot bunkers!

champions gate has a links course

There is a new course west of Orlando near Lakeland that has a definite links look and feel. It's called Bridgewater. Just opened last Feb. but is not in bad shape at all. Bunkering is brutal. Does have some water that takes a little away from the true links look.
There are really no other "Links" courses in the Orlando area.

But Championsgate International and the New Course at Grand Cypress are very very good. Make sure you make your tee times in the early morning. It's hotter than **** here right now. And it rains most afternoons.

Just came back, and here is my mini-review.

Grand Cypress North and East - the South course was closed for renovation, but the north and east tracks were in top shape. Did I say top shape? Superior shape! These people really know how to maintain a golf course. Aside from the condition, I consider the courses at GC to be among the best, if not THE best, in Orlando. Excellent Nicklaus design, challenging at times but not tricky. These courses are also very mature, having been there since the early/mid 80's, with mature trees. I cannot recommend these courses too highly for anyone visiting the area.

Grand Cypress New Course - I was warned by the staff that the course was just reopened after some maintenance and that the greens would be sandy. Nonethless, the course was in excellent shape. It's a great track, links style, but with just the right amount of interest. Another must play for Orlando visitors.

If you stay at the GC Villas (I recommend you do), the golf experience is even better. You have access to all the GC courses at your fingertips, and you can use their driving ranges (they have 2) as well as three real holes of golf (par 3, 4, and 5) at the Academy. Plus, there's club storage and no travel to other courses to deal with.

Osprey Ridge - The course was in fair shape, but very soggy on many of the holes. I'd give it a C grade for maintenance as it obviously was not kept up very well. Surprising for a Disney property. I understand that this property and Eagle Pines are being sold to Ritz Carlton, and so maybe Disney is just less interested here. Overall, a very average experience and no better or different that I can find here in the Northern NJ / Southeastern NY area.

Championsgate International - An overall disappointing experience, and I have played there before. Lots of brown. Lots of bugs. It appeared that there was no maintenance whatsoever to the rough. Yes, I know it's a links course, but there was a lot of neglect here. They need to take a lesson from the GC New Course. Sorry, Championsgate, but there are so many decent courses in Orlando that it is a waste of time to play here.

I've played the New Course at Grand Cypress, its a phenomenal overall facility and the course is a blast to play. Don't miss that one.

In addition to the New Course and Champions gate, I always thought Black Bear up in Eustis North of Orlando had a Links feel. Shingle Creek is the same way.

If you are willing to drive 90 minutes, play Ocean Hammock in Palm Coast. It's a great track. Many of the holes are right on the ocean.

Remember you are in Orlando and not on the coast.

Have fun.