Best Golf Courses In Tampa – 15 To Try
Tampa is the third-largest city in the state of Florida. It is known for its beautiful beaches, warm weather, and diverse culture. Tampa is home to many attractions, such as Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, and the Tampa Museum of Art. The city is also a popular spot for sports fans, with teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tampa Bay Rays. Florida is renowned for its golf courses partly at least for its climate which allows golf in a polo shirt more or less all year!
Rocky Point Golf Course
If you are looking for some golf that’s a little less damaging to your wallet then you could try Rocky Point Golf Course. It is one of the most popular public courses in the area. It offers golfers a challenging course with plenty of water hazards. There is also a driving range to warm up before your round. In addition to this, you can also take some lessons just book in the pro shop.
Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club
Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club is a world-class semi-private golf facility located in Brooksville. The club is just minutes north of downtown Tampa and offers two championship golf courses and a driving range. The courses are designed by Kurt Sandness and feature dramatic elevation changes, making for a challenging yet rewarding round of golf.
The North Course has been rated one of the top 10 public courses in Tampa Bay and is great for all skill levels. Lake Jovita also provides golfers with state-of-the-art practice facilities. Whether you’re an experienced golfer or just starting out, Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club has something to offer everyone. With its stunning views, impeccably maintained fairways, and a wide variety of amenities, Lake Jovita should be on your itinerary.
TPC Tampa Bay, Lutz
TPC Tampa Bay in Lutz, Florida is a stunning golf course designed by Bobby Weed with some help from Hall of Fame golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez. Situated amid natural wetlands and nestled among the native flora and fauna of the Tampa area, it provides golfers with an unforgettable experience. With its undulating terrain, sweeping vistas and lush green fairways, this is one of Florida’s most beautiful courses.
The 18-hole championship layout includes five sets of tee boxes to accommodate every level of golfer. The course was also home to the Champions Tour for 21 consecutive years. TPC Tampa Bay offers a unique golf experience for everyone who steps onto its grounds, no matter their skill level or playing style. Its design and layout are sure to provide both challenge and enjoyment for all who come to play here. Rounds aren’t cheap though as you will be looking at around $200 at peak times although you can pick up a twilight round for about half that price.
Cypress Creek Golf Club
Cypress Creek Golf Club is located in Tampa and is one of the top-rated golf courses in the city. This stunning 18-hole course offers a challenging yet rewarding experience for any golfer, no matter their skill level. The club is set in a 604-acre cypress preserve offering an exciting and unique golf experience in Florida. With six different tee boxes you can choose from, you can pick the best yardage to suit your skill level.
The club also has an excellent practice facility and pro shop where you can purchase all the latest equipment and apparel. Cypress Creek Golf Club is the perfect place to spend a day on the links with friends or family, enjoying some of Tampa’s best golfing conditions.
For something more exotic you could try golfing in Mauritius.
Club Renaissance Sun City Center
A relatively modest 6701 yards from the back tees, the Renaissance is a course of two halves. Designed by Chip Powell. The front nine is a fairly open linksy feel, with the back nine routed through a conservation area with fairways lined with mature trees. You can pick from six different tee decks, which is just as well given the majority of the holes feature some prominent water. The bunkers should stand out nicely as well as they’ve now been filled with white sand!
Fox Hollow Golf Club
This is one of the more affordable options near Tampa but still represents great golf. Fox Hollow Golf Club is a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design that opened in 1994. The track features more undulation than you find at most Florida courses and uses the natural vegetation well. Owned by the Creighton family (Dave and Adam both played in the NHL) the course has received much investment over recent years to improve its conditioning.
Cabot Citrus Farms (formerly World Woods Golf Club)
The two courses at World Woods near Brooksville are now part of the Cabot family and both are worthy of a mention among the best golf courses around Tampa Bay. Set in 1200 acres of natural beauty there is also a par-3 and a 9-hole course to supplement the two main events.
Both Tom Fazio designs, the Pine Barrens is somewhat reminiscent of Pine Valley in New Jersey while the Rolling Oaks is a slightly more traditional layout. A regular in top-100 lists the Pine Barrens is a must-play although the Oaks is no slouch either. It will be interesting to see whether the courses remain good value after the takeover.
The weather won’t be as good but check out St. Andrews.
Pelican Golf Club
Originally designed by Donald Ross with some renovations overseen by Beau Welling this is a private club that will probably be difficult to play. If you like Donald Ross courses though Pelican might be worth the effort.
Southern Hills Plantation
Fans of Pete Dye will want to check out this course also in Brooksville. At nearly 7600 yards from the tips you’ll need to be a big bomber to take on those tees, particularly knowing how the designer tends to set out his courses. Green fees at Southern Hills Plantation can be as much as $300 however which I think is a little bit steep even in this day and age.
Streamsong
A little further from Tampa you will find a cluster of 3 jaw-dropping courses at the Streamsong Resort. The Red, Blue and Black courses were designed by some of the most renowned modern architects, Coore-Crenshaw, Gil Hanse and Tom Doak. Even resort guests will have to splash out $300 per round at peak times but if you can afford a trip here then you surely won’t be disappointed.
What Is The Best Public Golf Course In Tampa?
The best public golf course around Tampa is undoubtedly at the Innisbrook Golf Resort and Spa at Palm Harbor. It is an ideal destination for those who are looking to get a taste of top-quality golf.
There are four courses in total with the Copperhead Course being the jewel in the crown. It has been a long-time venue on the PGA Tour and currently plays host to the Valspar Championship in March. At 7200 yards it presents a challenge even for long-hitting tour players.
With its tree-lined fairways and numerous water hazards, you will need to bring your A-game. Larry Packard designed all the Innisbrook courses and the Copperhead features the famous “Snake Pit” run of holes from 16-18.
It can be pretty pricey to play there though as you’ll need to be staying at the resort to snag a tee time.
Best Golf Courses In Tampa: Summary
No matter your budget you can find good quality options in and around Tampa. There are also so many other things to see and do in Florida that it makes for a wonderful vacation spot even when you aren’t golfing!
Some other great golfing trips you might like to try include Cape Cod and The Hawaiian Island of Oahu.
