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You Are Here: Home » Things to Do » Golf » Area Superlatives »
By Bob Harig
There is something for everyone when talking about golf in the St. Petersburg-Clearwater area. A mix of new and old, expensive and inexpensive. And you don't have to go far to find what you are looking for, whether it be a high-end resort or an affordable muni. All are represented, and all are within an easy drive of the beaches. Here is a sampling of area accolades when it comes to golf.
Most scenic: No. 7, Island course, Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, Palm Harbor
A dogleg par-5 at which you'll have a hard time believing you are in Florida. The tee is surrounded by tall pines, with a lake in the distance that serves as a water hazard for the second shot. The green sits atop a hill. The challenge is putting the scenery out of your mind as you play the hole. The Island course is one of four at the resort.
Best Par-3, No. 11, Lansbrook Golf Club, Palm Harbor
Okay, so it might not be the best . . . but it is vaguely resembles the par-3 16th at Augusta National, with water guarding the left side and a green that gets more difficult the farther you go back. Lansbrook is a popular place because it offers an interesting layout with good conditions.
Best Par-4: No. 16, Copperhead course, Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, Palm Harbor
If this hole makes Ernie Els and Vijay Singh take notice, it will do the same to you. It plays at approximately 460 yards for the PGA Tour's Chrysler Championship, but even from the more benign members tees, the gaping water hazard to the right, the woods to the left, the narrow landing area from a downhill tee . . . all make it pretty frightening.
Best Par-5: No. 16, Renissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club,, St. Petersburg
This hole has water left, water right and is played to an island green that wasn't re-discovered until architect Ron Garl redesigned the course in the early 1990s. The Vinoy Golf Club, a two-mile shuttle ride from the resort, dates
to the 1920s when it was known as Sunset Golf Club. Over the years, through redesigns, the original green was not used and became overgrown. Garl found it and put it back in play.
Best course that used to host the pros: Bardmoor Country Club, Largo
Once the home to the JCPenney Classic, a mixed-team tournament of PGA and LPGA pros, Bardmoor is an upscale public course that offers a private-club experience while open to all. It has an excellent practice facility and restaurant and offers a stern test of golf. Former PGA Tour player and NBC golf analyst Gary Koch gave the course a makeover a few years ago, and conditions are typically pristine.
Best Municipal Course: Mangrove Bay Golf Course, St. Petersburg
What Mangrove lacks in style it makes up for in substance. This is the busiest course in the area and tee times are often gone soon after they become available, which is a week in advance via automated phone system. But golfers appreciate the value, a course that is straightforward but challenging and in good condition. Mangrove also offers an excellent practice area.
Best History: Dunedin Country Club, Dunedin
The course was designed by one of the best-known and most-prolific architects of his time, Donald Ross, whose work included numerous courses across the country, including several of those at Pinehurst in North Carolina. Ross laid out the holes in 1926 and the routing is unchanged. The course also was home to the PGA of America from 1945 to 1962.
More Ross: Belleview Biltmore Country Club, Clearwater
If you are a Donald Ross lover, you don't want to miss the Belleview Biltmore. This was originally known as Pelican Country Club, but changed names when the nearby Belleview Biltmore Resort bought it. Ross probably would not recognize it today, but his signature inverted bowl-shaped greens are still quite apparent.
Most aptly named: Tarpon Woods Country Club, Palm Harbor
Once where Tommy Bolt served as the head professional, Tarpon Woods has plenty of woods. In fact, many are surprised to learn a golf course is located in the area. The scenery makes for a nice day and the layout offers plenty of diversions.
Best view of the Skyway: Isla del Sol Country Club, near Tierra Verde and St. Pete Beach
This semi-private club has several views of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and Tampa Bay. It also meanders near the Intracoastal Waterway.
For information, visit or call: Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, 942-2000; Lansbrook, 784-7333; Vinoy, 896-8000; Bardmoor, 392-1234; Mangrove Bay, 893-7800; Dunedin CC, 733-2134; Belleview Biltmore, 373-3000; Tarpon Woods, 784-7606 or Isla Del Sol, 864-2417.
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