The best golf courses in Tampa Bay

Did you know the Sunshine State has more golf courses per capita than any other place in the United States? If you’re looking for a place to tee off or you are ready to buy your dream home on the course, take a look at some of these Tampa Bay-area golf course communities, which are all open to the public.

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Hillsborough County Golf courses

TPC Tampa Bay (Lutz): Built by the PGA Tour in 1991, the Bobby Weed designed 18-hole course has earned a 4 ½ star rating from Golf Digest and was named one of the top five golf courses in Florida by Florida Golf Magazine. Home of 21 consecutive Champions Tour events, the stunning course winds through natural wetlands, cypress heads and lagoons, providing the perfect backdrop for outstanding golf. The natural setting and abundance of wildlife make TPC Tampa Bay one of only two courses in the Tampa Bay area to be designated as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

Cheval (Lutz): The 18-hole, par-71 public course at Cheval offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. They also have a pool and tennis facilities.

Heritage Harbor (Lutz): Heritage Harbor is a par-72, 6,900-yard course with four sets of tees and loads of water and marshes to cross. Along the way, you’re likely to spot hawks, ospreys, loons, ibis, herons and kingfishers; you name it. It’s a paradise for birds as well as for golfers.

Tampa Palms (New Tampa): The 18-hole par-72 Arthur Hills designed course is the former home of the Senior PGA Tour’s GTE Suncoast Classic. Our 18- course sits on a certified Audubon sanctuary and is patterned as a continuous loop that does not return to the clubhouse until the eighteenth hole, reminiscent of some of the great Scottish links courses.

Heritage Isle (Tampa): One of the most demanding public golf courses in the Tampa Bay area, where water comes into play on all 18 holes, challenging even the most seasoned player. Scenic layout, meticulously maintained greens.

Westchase (Tampa): Nationally known architect Lloyd Clifton designed Westchase's 6710-yard, par 72 course, which winds through natural wetlands, wooden bridges and bulkheads. Called "one of the most beautiful public-access course in the Tampa area," Westchase has earned 4 out of 5 star rating from Golf Digest Places to Play. Westchase was also ranked #1 in Florida for Customer Satisfaction by the National Golf Foundation.

Pasco County golf courses

Plantation Palms (Land O Lakes): Tampa Bay Times readers voted Plantation Palms Golf Course as “Best of the Best” among all golf courses in the 5-county Tampa Bay region that encompasses over 75 golf courses in 2020. It’s a par-72 David Harmon designed course with rolling hills and several lakes. There is also miniature golf and a lighted driving range.

Saddlebrook (Wesley Chapel): Saddlebrook Resort is home to two of Florida's most picturesque and playable golf courses, as well as the renowned Saddlebrook Golf Academy and the Saddlebrook Preparatory School for junior athletes. Designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer, both golf courses incorporate rolling fairways and well-maintained greens along with wilderness areas full of cypress, pine and palm trees.

Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club (San Antonio): Located in an active adult (55+) community, there is an 18-hole champions course as well as a 9-hole, par-3 course that is perfect for newer golfers.

Lexington Oaks (Wesley Chapel): This par-72, 6,748-yard course was designed by Gordy Lewis, evoking an equestrian theme. The course winds like a steeplechase through woods, marshland and water (on 15 holes).

Fox Hollow (Trinity): The par-71 layout features Sea Dwarf, Seashore Paspalum greens, rolling fairways, and large white sand bunkers.  The four sets of tees provide a true test for golfers of all skill levels. The practice facility consists of a grass driving range with more than 25 hitting stations, a chipping green with a practice bunker and a 10,800 square foot practice putting green. It was ranked 57th by Golf Digest in their list of Top 75 Courses Accessible to the Public in Florida.

Pinellas County golf courses

Innisbrook (Palm Harbor): Innisbrook was named among the country's premier golf resorts by LINKS Magazine as well as Golf Magazine's "Top 100 You Can Play” and Golf Digest's "Top 75 Golf Resorts in America." Innisbrook is home to four outstanding courses - all designed by the innovative and imaginative architect Lawrence Packard - including the top-rated Copperhead course, which welcomes the world's finest players each April when the PGA TOUR competes in the Valspar Championship. In fact the Copperhead Course is one of the longest courses in Florida, reaching 7,340 yards from the tips and the last few holes are called “The Snake Pit” and are so difficult that even the professionals start to sweat.

Lansbrook (Palm Harbor): The 18-hole, par-72 Lane Marshall designed course was redesigned by acclaimed golf course architect Ron Garl in 1991. Players remark about the great variety of challenging holes that make up this traditional Florida layout. Bordered by majestic trees, Lansbrook's championship course has no parallel fairways and water on 16 holes.

Wentworth (Tarpon Springs): The course meanders through naturally rolling terrain with abundant wildlife. The front nine is secluded with never a home to be seen as it rolls through moss-covered oaks and gently rolling fairways. The back nine brings water into play and tee shots that will require distance and accuracy. It’s short at only 6500 yards but the tight fairways make it feel much longer.

Dunedin Golf Club (Dunedin): A Donald Ross creation and the former home to the PGA of America! It is one of a handful of Florida golf courses listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The club has a par-72 course with 4 tees, full-size driving range, a short-game practice area, a practice putting green and two practice sand bunkers.