Kissimmee Bay Country Club: Championship Golf & Club Life on East Lake Toho
A semi-private gem in the heart of Kissimmee where century-old oaks, water-lined fairways, and lakefront scenery make every round a Central Florida experience
Kissimmee Bay Country Club is a semi-private, 18-hole championship golf facility located at 2801 Kissimmee Bay Blvd, Kissimmee, FL 34744, bordering East Lake Tohopekaliga in eastern Kissimmee. Designed by Lloyd Clifton and opened in 1990, the par-71 course measures 6,830 yards from the back tees, features water on 16 holes, and was nominated one of America's Best New Courses by Golf Digest. The club is approximately 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport and 25 minutes from downtown Orlando. In addition to golf, Kissimmee Bay offers a driving range, short-game practice area, pro shop, on-site restaurant, a free golf museum, and banquet facilities accommodating up to 225 guests. Memberships and public tee times are both available; the club opens at 6:00 AM on weekends and 6:30 AM on weekdays.
Here's something that surprises a lot of people considering a move to Kissimmee: the city is home to one of the most scenically distinctive golf courses in all of Central Florida — and it's been sitting on the water since 1990. Kissimmee Bay Country Club, tucked into the eastern side of the city along the banks of East Lake Tohopekaliga, has evolved into far more than just a place to swing a club.
Whether you're a serious golfer, a casual weekend player, or just trying to understand what the lifestyle looks like in this corner of Osceola County, Kissimmee Bay Country Club is worth knowing about. Let's break it down.
The Course: Built from a Forest, Refined by Decades
Kissimmee Bay Country Club was designed by Lloyd Clifton and opened in 1990, carved directly out of a natural Florida landscape of ancient oaks and towering cypress. The result is a course that feels genuinely different from the flat, manufactured layouts that dominated Central Florida development in the same era — you're playing through trees that date back a hundred years, which is a genuine rarity in this region.
The numbers: 18 holes, par 71, measuring 6,830 yards from the championship tees, course rating 72.4, slope 132. Five tee sets starting as short as 5,104 yards make it accessible for all skill levels, with Bermuda grass on both greens and fairways. Water is the defining element — East Lake Tohopekaliga borders the property and the design incorporates water on 16 of 18 holes. The 185-yard, par-3 13th is the signature test: an all-carry shot over a lake section to a well-bunkered green. Golf Digest nominated Kissimmee Bay as one of America's Best New Courses when it opened — recognition that still holds up today.
Semi-Private, Not Exclusive — Here's What That Means for You
One thing worth clarifying: despite the "country club" name, Kissimmee Bay is a semi-private facility. Public tee times are available alongside membership options — you don't need to know anyone or join anything to play. The club is open seven days a week, starting at 6:00 AM on weekends and 6:30 AM on weekdays, and afternoon rates tend to be notably more affordable than morning tee times.
For residents who want to make Kissimmee Bay a regular part of their routine, membership provides preferred tee access, event participation, and the full club social experience. The club also manages nearby Remington Golf Club in eastern Kissimmee, so members have access to two distinct courses under one umbrella. Find complete information on golf, fitness, and recreation in our detailed Kissimmee sports and athletics guide.
Beyond the Fairways: What the Clubhouse Offers
Kissimmee Bay Country Club has evolved into a full-service facility well beyond a golf operation. The clubhouse includes a restaurant and bar open to golfers and guests, a free golf museum with an extensive collection unique among Central Florida courses, a well-stocked pro shop, a driving range, short-game area, and practice putting green, plus golf instruction through club professionals.
The events side of the business is substantial. Kissimmee Bay hosts weddings in ballrooms accommodating up to 225 guests, corporate golf outings, charity tournaments, and private events — the combination of indoor elegance and lakefront course scenery makes it a popular choice for Osceola County gatherings that need some visual impact.
Location, Neighbors & the East Lake Toho Connection
Kissimmee Bay Country Club sits in eastern Kissimmee at 2801 Kissimmee Bay Blvd, about 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport and 25 minutes from downtown Orlando. The eastern corridor has a distinctly different character from the US 192 tourist strip — more residential, more established, and oriented around East Lake Tohopekaliga rather than theme park proximity.
East Lake Toho (as locals call it) is the eastern sister lake to the more famous Lake Tohopekaliga anchoring downtown Kissimmee's waterfront. Both lakes are part of the same connected system renowned for largemouth bass fishing, and East Lake Toho hosts competitive bass tournaments that draw serious anglers from across the Southeast. The Kissimmee Bay residential community surrounds the course itself, offering the classic live-on-the-fairway dynamic for a specific type of Osceola County buyer.
Nearby Celebration to the northwest and St. Cloud to the east are both within easy reach, making this club a convenient amenity for residents across a wide swath of Osceola County.
Pros, Cons & Who This Course Is Best For
The Pros:
- Scenic layout with century-old oaks and lakefront views
- Semi-private — no membership required to play
- Five tee options accommodate all skill levels
- Affordable afternoon rates
- Free golf museum — unique in Central Florida
- Full-service clubhouse with dining, events, and practice facilities
- 15 minutes from MCO
The Cons:
- Water on 16 holes means high penalty-stroke risk for high-handicap players on rough days
- Course condition can vary seasonally during winter maintenance cycles
- Eastern Kissimmee location means longer drives from western metro communities
Our take: Kissimmee Bay is a great fit for players who want a course that rewards thoughtful play over raw power in a setting that genuinely feels like Florida. For new residents, the membership and event program offers a real social pathway into the local community. Discover more parks, trails, and outdoor recreation in our detailed Kissimmee parks and recreation guide.
Kissimmee Bay in Context: The Broader Golf Scene
Kissimmee Bay Country Club isn't the only course in the city. Falcon's Fire Golf Club on the western side near the Florida Turnpike offers another championship-caliber public option, while Remington Golf Club — managed by the same team as Kissimmee Bay — anchors the far eastern corridor. For the broader active lifestyle picture, Bob Makinson Aquatic Center serves as the city's competitive aquatics hub, and our pickleball, tennis, and fitness courts guide covers what's available beyond the country club setting.
What the Locals Know
Kissimmee Bay Country Club has been part of this city's fabric for over 35 years, and it's earned that tenure. It's not the flashiest name in Central Florida golf — what it offers instead is a consistently enjoyable, scenically rich round on a course with genuine character, at prices that make regular play realistic for working residents rather than just weekend tourists. The free golf museum alone is worth stopping in for even if you're not playing.
If you're weighing a move to eastern Kissimmee, the ability to walk out your back door and onto a Golf Digest-nominated course bordering East Lake Toho is the kind of quality-of-life detail that's easy to underestimate until you're living it. Find even more things to do in our complete Kissimmee entertainment guide. ⛳
For tee times, membership information, dining reservations, and event bookings, visit the official Kissimmee Bay Country Club website.
Ready to explore Kissimmee real estate near championship golf and East Lake Toho? Browse our Kissimmee homes for sale, check out our Kissimmee sports and athletics guide for more active lifestyle options, or contact us for personalized relocation advice across Osceola County.
