St. Petersburg Golf Courses: 7 Area Hot Spots for Golfers

Florida, a playground of surf and golf, has more than 1,250 private and public golf courses. One top city for scenic courses is St. Petersburg located in the Tampa Bay metro. Within the area — where Bob Goalby set the PGA Tour record for most consecutive birdies in the 1961 St. Petersburg Open — lies some of Florida’s finest golfing experiences. See our picks for the top St. Petersburg golf courses and accept the challenge.

St. Petersburg Golf Courses to Test Your Skills

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TPC Tampa Bay (Lutz, FL)

Named one of the top five golf courses in Florida by Florida Golf Magazine and host to a PGA Tour Champions event for over 20 years, this course awaits just 35 minutes north of downtown St. Pete. Its greens wind through natural wetlands, cypress heads and lagoons, providing a challenging course that allows golfers to play well within their game.

A variety of tees allow the course to be played from 4,990 yards to just under 7,000 yards, with water on almost every hole. But that’s what makes TPC Tampa Bay fun as well as demanding. Fun fact: Former PGA legend Chi Chi Rodriguez consulted on the building of this elite course.

Isla Del Sol Yacht and Country Club (St. Petersburg, FL)

This St. Pete country club is private and offers summer memberships. Nestled between the southern tip of St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach on Boca Ciega Bay, this 18-hole par-71 course features 6,392 yards of golf from the longest tees.

With 29 courses in Florida to his credit, the late Mark Mahannah designed Isla Del Sol, which opened in 1977. Today, Isla Del Sol’s narrow, condominium-lined fairways and palm trees come into play throughout the course. All 18 holes feature water hazards. For an additional challenge, the course’s signature eighth hole — a 343-yard, par 4 — requires an approach shot over water to an island green.

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Mainlands Golf Course (Pinellas Park, FL)

This tranquil course lies under the watchful gaze of legendary Uncle Julio, a late 19th-century relative of longtime course owner William A. Blair. On Mainlands Golf Course, golfers can ride 18 holes for just $35, or walk for only $30 per person.

Not far from Pinellas Park, the family-owned and -operated establishment has a well-stocked pro shop in addition to magnificent views and challenging play for every skill level. Most golfers use every club in their bag. In addition, Uncle Julio still shouts out directives from above, like offering half-off greens fees and discounts on golf ball purchases at certain times.

Mangrove Bay (St. Petersburg, FL)

This par-72 municipal layout located on 180 maintained acres in northeast St. Petersburg features 18 holes of championship golf on USGA modified platinum paspalum greens. The course’s mangroves also provide a bounty of bird species for golfers who enjoy watching wildlife.

Mangrove Bay was named among the Top 100 Most Women Friendly Golf Courses by Golf for Women magazine. In addition, Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play list ranked Mangrove Bay as a three-star course, lauding the facility as an excellent value. PGA professional golf lessons are available for groups and individuals, and junior golf programs feature lessons for ages 6 to 18.

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Seminole Lake Country Club (Seminole, FL)

This club offers a semi-private facility set among Florida landscaping and views of Long Bayou near the popular vacation communities of Reddington Beach. Seminole Lake Country Club sits on a peninsula surrounded with water on three sides and emits an old Florida feel on its 18-hole, 6,501-yard, from the back tees, layout.

Gentle breezes and birds indicate the presence of the Gulf nearby. The course even has its own family of bald eagles nesting on site. Seminole Lake’s firm and fast greens contain much less grain than traditional Florida Bermuda grass, and the club’s Member for a Day program allows non-club members to experience them first-hand.

Rocky Point Golf Course (Tampa, FL)

Historic Rocky Point, just 20 minutes northeast of St. Petersburg City Hall, was one of the first golf courses in Florida, originally opening in 1911. During World War II, the federal government closed the course and built barracks on the property to house prisoners of war. The grounds were eventually turned over to the city of Tampa in 1953, reopening in 1954 as Rocky Point Golf Course.

Today, the layout provides a fair challenge, with water hazards coming into play on 11 holes and sand bunkers placed throughout. Abundant wildlife teems through the course’s surrounding lakes, which also serve as a bird sanctuary.

And if the mood suits, couples can get married at Rocky Point Golf Course, which offers a wedding golf package.

Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club (Seminole, FL)

Bardmoor houses broad, generous fairways that invite players to hit past water and other features that add sparkle to a round. Some heavy hitters from the past — Arnold Palmer, Payne Stewart, Fred Couples and Tom Kite, among other PGA Tour greats — competed here back in 1977 to 1989.

A renovation by Gary Koch brought Bardmoor’s overall conditions up to excellent. The club sports Tif-Eagle greens that rival tour status, state-of-the-art practice facilities, an award-winning shop, and personal service completes a great golfing experience. In addition, an event venue features a stylish ballroom and outdoor patio accommodates up to 200 guests, making Bardmoor an attractive option for corporate meetings and social events.

It’s time to play these St. Petersburg golf courses! Get started with these St. Pete vacation rentals.

Need something for kids to do? Check out these family-approved activities in St. Petersburg and Treasure Island.