Best Private Clubs in/around Tampa Area

[kobe123]

I may be moving to the Tampa area in January and will be looking to join a private club. 

 

What is everyone's thoughts on where I should look?

[cwb12]

On 7/15/2022 at 11:13 AM, kobe123 said:

I may be moving to the Tampa area in January and will be looking to join a private club. 

 

What is everyone's thoughts on where I should look?

You will have at least a 2 year wait on basically everywhere you could join. Club Corp would probably be your quickest entry (Tampa Palms, East Lake, Hunters Green, Countryside). Buckhorn could also be an option, not sure how long that wait list is now.

 

[kobe123]

32 minutes ago, cwb12 said:

You will have at least a 2 year wait on basically everywhere you could join. Club Corp would probably be your quickest entry (Tampa Palms, East Lake, Hunters Green, Countryside). Buckhorn could also be an option, not sure how long that wait list is now.

 

I can move anywhere in the surrounding areas, doesn't have to be tampa. Any suggestions?

[jkody]

On 7/18/2022 at 7:12 AM, cwb12 said:

You will have at least a 2 year wait on basically everywhere you could join. Club Corp would probably be your quickest entry (Tampa Palms, East Lake, Hunters Green, Countryside). Buckhorn could also be an option, not sure how long that wait list is now.

 

 

Pretty sure Buckhorn didn't have a waitlist as recently as the end of April. I also don't think any member has even the foggiest idea how many members it has. Fun course.

[witty4242]

I am at Avila and think it is a great value for the money if you are under 40. I believe there is currently a waiting list to join. 

 

As far as other courses go, I enjoy Hunters Green when I get out there. Feather Sound is a good track and was recently renovated, although I hear the drainage isn't the best (but this is challenging with most courses around here). Pasadena Yacht and CC is another choice if you are closer to St. Petersburg. 

[FairwayMikeRT]

@witty4242 - what is membership group like at Avila? I guess that goes for all Tampa area clubs. I see a lot of posts talking about pricing, wait lists, best actual course but not much on what the typical member is like at each club. What clubs are best in the area for younger new families in their 30's or 40's?

[benkodi]

@FairwayMikeRT, what part of town do you plan to live in?  

 

 

[FairwayMikeRT]

Bit of a tricky answer. We are eyeing up a move to the area in 2024, this timing is based on the job etc. As much as I like to be around a golf club with a nice atmosphere I would actually look to buy or move to a certain area based on the club we like if that makes sense. I believe we would be looking anywhere from Sarasota to Hernando county. The wife is a big fan of being in Tampa proper. I wouldn't mind a little more space and some quiet but ill have to do some convincing. 

 

My parents are in Pinellas so I am really familiar with the area. I have just never been able to play a lot of the private facilities. Just want to end up about an hour away from my parents in either direction. 

[sabram]

Palma Ceia Club has a very good Donald Ross golf course and a nice membership. It's an old school upscale club

Edited August 12, 2022 by sabram
To fix typos

[frankjames55]

9 hours ago, sabram said:

Palma Ceia Club has a very good Donald Ross golf course and a nice membership. It's an old school upscale club

Agree, however, PC has a wait list of 5+ years and once/if your number is called you go in as a clubhouse member with limited golf privileges. The wait to go from clubhouse to full golf is another 10+ years. Course is short and tight, tipping out at just over 6,000 yards with only a wedge range for practice.

 

I live 3 mins from PC and make the 30 min drive to Avila so I can play whenever I want.

[sabram]

2 hours ago, frankjames55 said:

Agree, however, PC has a wait list of 5+ years and once/if your number is called you go in as a clubhouse member with limited golf privileges. The wait to go from clubhouse to full golf is another 10+ years. Course is short and tight, tipping out at just over 6,000 yards with only a wedge range for practice.

 

I live 3 mins from PC and make the 30 min drive to Avila so I can play whenever I want.

I've played there a couple times. Yes it has a few tight holes, but the greens are great and I've really enjoyed playing there. click on the photo below for a photo tour of the course. It's 6229 from the blue markers and I think could be stretched to about 6400 if you played from the back of the teeing grounds. 6229 there is more than enough challenge for me there.

 

Edited August 12, 2022 by sabram

[frankjames55]

On 8/12/2022 at 5:09 PM, sabram said:

I've played there a couple times. Yes it has a few tight holes, but the greens are great and I've really enjoyed playing there. click on the photo below for a photo tour of the course. It's 6229 from the blue markers and I think could be stretched to about 6400 if you played from the back of the teeing grounds. 6229 there is more than enough challenge for me there.

 

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the course and play there 1-2 times a month, most of my buddies are members there. The course is always in great shape and the clubhouse, pool and dinning are fantastic. I was speaking more to someone new to the area looking to join, as it is not going to be a great option for someone who is looking to play or practice multiple times per week. 

[jerebear21]

They have a 6 guest annual limit at PC.  Jr. Members are treated unfairly.  Wait list is long.  60 yard range.  Great social facility.  Nice gym. Food is decent but south tampa has a lot of good food options across the street.  

[iamthebeard]

On 8/12/2022 at 4:40 AM, sabram said:

Palma Ceia Club has a very good Donald Ross golf course and a nice membership. It's an old school upscale club

It’s not a Ross 

 

Tom Bendalow 

[sabram]

On 8/17/2022 at 8:34 PM, iamthebeard said:

It’s not a Ross 

 

Tom Bendalow 

My understanding is that Bendelow was there in 1916. Ross re-did it in the 1920's. There were several others who did work there subsequently, The latest was Bobby Weed who was charged with bringing it back to how Riss designed it . So what is three now is Ross, not Bendelow.

[iamthebeard]

25 minutes ago, sabram said:

My understanding is that Bendelow was there in 1916. Ross re-did it in the 1920's. There were several others who did work there subsequently, The latest was Bobby Weed who was charged with bringing it back to how Riss designed it . So what is three now is Ross, not Bendelow.

Bendalows original routing, Ross changed 2 holes. Weed did some light “restoration” (“sarcasm”) 

 

Credit goes to Bendalow IMO  

 

 

 

Edited August 19, 2022 by iamthebeard

[Tbell3]

I’d check out spots in the Bradenton area

[kobe123]

On 9/2/2022 at 3:40 PM, Tbell3 said:

I’d check out spots in the Bradenton area

Any in particular?

[Tbell3]

2 hours ago, kobe123 said:

Any in particular?

Depends on your budget honestly. 

[jibbs1082]

On 7/15/2022 at 11:13 AM, kobe123 said:

I may be moving to the Tampa area in January and will be looking to join a private club. 

 

What is everyone's thoughts on where I should look?

 

Old Memorial

[Tbell3]

1 hour ago, jibbs1082 said:

 

Old Memorial

Last I heard the waitlist has gotten steeeeeep

[jkody]

2 hours ago, jibbs1082 said:

 

Old Memorial

 

Mandatory single-bag caddy makes for a hell of an expensive place to play multiple times per week.

[Robber6656]

Isnt OM more of a National club? Always had the impression it was a second or third club for rich guys.

[kobe123]

I'm looking at Concession. Anyone have much information on it?

[Tbell3]

4 hours ago, kobe123 said:

I'm looking at Concession. Anyone have much information on it?

What are you wanting to know? It's probably the most difficult golf course in the state/southeast. Last I heard they were on a wait list as well. 

[kobe123]

3 hours ago, Tbell3 said:

What are you wanting to know? It's probably the most difficult golf course in the state/southeast. Last I heard they were on a wait list as well. 

They are on a waitlist for full membership, but you can do like half year partial memberhship. I was going to do this and join Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood ranch?

 

Is it nice?

[Tbell3]

Just now, kobe123 said:

They are on a waitlist for full membership, but you can do like half year partial memberhship. I was going to do this and join Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood ranch?

 

Is it nice?

I’m not a fan of it but that’s just me. 

[jerebear21]

There is no half year/partial membership at concessions or any private clubs in Tampa Bay for that matter. 

[kobe123]

18 minutes ago, jerebear21 said:

There is no half year/partial membership at concessions or any private clubs in Tampa Bay for that matter. 

 

That's not 100% true, some places offer memberships that allow you to play May - September while being on the wait list. I'm trying to find a place to play for October - April.

[jerebear21]

Concessions does not have a seasonal. They have a full membership for property owners. Invitational membership for non property owners. Young professional, national and social. 
 

you are looking for innisbrook which is not a private club.