“Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated.” — Golfing legend Arnold Palmer
For many, the game of golf reaches far beyond a pastime or a sport and rather is a way of life. Greater Tampa Bay is a paradise to the avid golfer, hosting more than 20 courses and 60 more still within a 20-mile radius. A sunny day, a sea breeze and a set of clubs are that is necessary to enjoy any one of the area’s courses. Hit the links — they are only a swing away.
“It took me 17 years to get 3,000 hits in baseball. It took one afternoon on the golf course.” — Hall of Fame baseball star Hank Aaron, Atlanta Braves
The PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship, held at the famous Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, has hosted famous pros like Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh. Innisbrook boasts four incredible courses, including The Copperhead, the North Course — sometimes called the baby Copperhead — as well as the challenging South Course and the picturesque Island Course.
The Claw at the University of South Florida offers home course comfort, with five sets of tees for players of all skill levels. Other Tampa-based locations include the Saddlebrook Resort, the TBC Tampa Bay course, Emerald Greens, Countryway Golf Club and Heritage Isles Golf and Country Club.
Popular spots near the Westchase area include The Eagles Golf Club and the Westchase Golf Club. The former boasts two 18-hole forest and lake courses, while the National Golf Foundation listed the latter as a top 10 course. The Club at Cheval in Lutz features long and beautiful greens, while the Rocky Point Golf Course is a 100-year-old public course featuring wildlife and bird sanctuaries as surroundings.
In St. Petersburg, be sure to check out the Mangrove Bay and Cypress Links Golf Courses. Featuring both nine- and 18-hole courses, Mangrove Bay sits close to the water, capturing the true essence of a relaxing day on a Florida green. The Vinoy Golf Club features a tough 18 holes on a course designed by celebrated architect Ron Garl.
Clearwater is home to the Cove Cay Golf Club, a USGA rated course that lines the shore of Old Tampa Bay. With three nine-hole courses designed by world-famous professional golfer Gary Player, the Countryside Country Club offers championship-level holes spread across the unbeatable vistas of Clearwater. Further up route 19 is the Dunedin Golf Club, a nearly century-old public course that also served as the former home of the PGA of America.
The Tarpon Springs Golf Club, developed back in the turn of the century, is the history of Florida golf in a course. As a participating member of the Florida Historic Golf Trail, the Tarpon Springs Golf Club was one of the earliest in the state, standing today as a beacon of the rich history of the game.
Professionals are not the only ones who can enjoy golf — in fact, it does not take much skill at all to have fun with it. Whether still learning the game or having spent a lifetime devoted to it, any golfer is in the right at home here.
Greater Tampa Bay is home to dozens of unique golf courses. To see a complete listing of area greens, visit tampabay.guide.directory.
By Ryan Walsh
