Tampa, Fl Golf Course Recommendation

DRE06 · August 2, 2011

I live in Texas, but my fiancé is from Tampa, Fl., so we are getting married in Tampa next May (2012).

I am planning a golf outing for a bunch of my buddies who will be traveling from Texas. The problem is that my fiancé's family is made up of 100% boaters and 0% golfers.

Could yall recommend some courses in the Tampa area (within 30 or so miles of downtown Tampa) that would be worth playing and that we would have access to. Since we're traveling all the way to Florida, I want to make sure that we play a nice course.

My fiance's parents mentioned that they could get us on at Temple Terrace Golf Club???? Anyone played there?

I initially had my eye on TPC Tampa. How would those two courses compare?

Thanks in advance.

T Shaf · August 2, 2011

Can't speak for temple terrace but TPC Tampa Bay is a very nice course, also I used to play Westchase a bunch when I lived there. Lastly if your willing to travel a bit further check out World Woods, two fantastic courses there that are highly ranked.

GEORGE32654 · August 4, 2011

temple terrace is a nice old fashioned tom bendelow design that runs amongst the neighborhoods of the town of temple terrace. lots of mature oaks and small greens. a good place to play but not very flashy.

Buckhornio · August 4, 2011

I'm a PGA assistant/apprentice working at Buckhorn Springs Country Club in Valrico, Florida. I have a pretty extensive knowledge of the courses in the area, and they range from low-quality w/ high price points to high-quality with low price points. If you want to spend some $$$, check out Tampa Palms, TPC, or depending on where you are staying, check out the Innisbrook & the Copperhead course in Palm Harbor. I don't wanna plug my own place here, but if you're having a hard time finding somewhere to play, PM me and we can see what we're working with.

Mward2002 · August 4, 2011

TPC of Tampa Bay will be about a month removed from the Outback ProAm depending on when in May you come here. The rates will still be high if they can keep the course in tournament like conditions. I second World Woods if you guys don't mind about a 45 minute drive north. It's worth it.

DRE06 · August 8, 2011

We will all be staying in downtown Tampa.

benkodi · August 8, 2011

[quote name='DRE06' timestamp='1312819224' post='3462195']
We will all be staying in downtown Tampa.
[/quote]

How many rounds are you looking to play? What days? 36 in one day? How much are you looking to spend per person? What type of players are your guys (recreational, experienced)? How far are you willing to drive?

Tampa Palms is not a very good option from downtown Tampa. For one, it's private. Secondly, if you're going to drive 40 minutes for a round of golf, there are a dozen better options. Lastly, it's a pretty lousy course.

If you have a large group, there are a number of private clubs that would be willing to let you put together a "member for a day" program. Especially in mid-late May.

Mward2002 · August 8, 2011

[quote name='benkodi' timestamp='1312826535' post='3462650']
[quote name='DRE06' timestamp='1312819224' post='3462195']
We will all be staying in downtown Tampa.
[/quote]

How many rounds are you looking to play? What days? 36 in one day? How much are you looking to spend per person? What type of players are your guys (recreational, experienced)? How far are you willing to drive?

Tampa Palms is not a very good option from downtown Tampa. For one, it's private. Secondly, if you're going to drive 40 minutes for a round of golf, there are a dozen better options. Lastly, it's a pretty lousy course.

If you have a large group, there are a number of private clubs that would be willing to let you put together a "member for a day" program. Especially in mid-late May.
[/quote]

Not to mention all the fun of Bruce B Downs traffic he'd get to deal with both to and from New Tampa.

Buckhornio · August 8, 2011

[quote name='benkodi' timestamp='1312826535' post='3462650']
[quote name='DRE06' timestamp='1312819224' post='3462195']
We will all be staying in downtown Tampa.
[/quote]

How many rounds are you looking to play? What days? 36 in one day? How much are you looking to spend per person? What type of players are your guys (recreational, experienced)? How far are you willing to drive?

Tampa Palms is not a very good option from downtown Tampa. For one, it's private. Secondly, if you're going to drive 40 minutes for a round of golf, there are a dozen better options. Lastly, it's a pretty lousy course.

[b][i][u]If you have a large group, there are a number of private clubs that would be willing to let you put together a "member for a day" program. Especially in mid-late May.
[/u][/i][/b][/quote]

This is your best bet. Don't be afraid to contact clubs directly and ask, even if they are private.

Pinhy · August 27, 2011

Im a member at Temple Terrace. Its on the short side, but VERY tight. Tree-lined fairways all over the place, with streets right behind the trees (O.B.) Water only comes into play on ONE hole, a small lake in the front-right corner of the reachable par 5 green. My HDCP went up a couple strokes when I joined because I spray my drives a lot, and the trees and overhanging branches really punish that. As for other private courses, if you could get a group "member for a day" type thing, you could try Avila or Palma Ceia also.

Innisbrook (home of the Copperhead Course where the PGA plays the Transitions), Lake Jovita and especially World Woods would be quite the drive, but great tracks. TPC wouldnt be too bad. Buckhorn and River Hills are nice courses east of downtown (Brandon). And the USF course, The Claw, is a great track too. It and TT would be easy to get to from downtown.

Avoid the city courses (Rocky Point, Rogers Park, Babe Zeharias).