Best Public Golf Courses in Tampa Bay

March 07, 2023
| 03:47 AM

Living in Florida means you either hang out by the beach or hang out on the golf course, both lifestyles are taken very seriously here in the Sunshine state and we want to make sure you can experience all that the city has to offer golf enthusiasts.

We put together a list of the best public golf courses in Tampa Bay and did all of the research so you don’t have to. Take a look at the takeaways from each gold club/court and let us know in the comments which one you would like to visit first.

TPC Tampa Bay ‎

📸 TPC Tampa Bay

TPC Tampa Bay is without a doubt one of the best public golf courses in Tampa Bay! It was built in ’91, the 18-hole, par 71 resort course has earned a 4.5-star rating from Golf Digest and was named one of the top five golf courses in Florida by Florida Golf Magazine.

Did you know they’ve also been the host of the PGA TOUR Champions event for over 20 years? How cool is that?!

After you work up a sweat on the gold course there you can also dine. In 2015, TPC Tampa Bay opened up a new restaurant called ¡CUATRO, a modern restaurant, friendly neighborhood hub, and golfer’s retreat. ¡CUATRO is open to the public 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

📍 5300 W Lutz Lake Fern Rd Lutz, FL 33558

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Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club

📸 Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club

Another great public golf course in Tampa Bay is Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club, located in Temple Terrace, Florida – just 2 miles east of Tampa. This well-known country club offers 18 prestigious holes of golf at par 72. Designed and built in 1921, by renowned golf architect Tom Bendelow.

Worthy of the investment, Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club offers a 20,300 square foot clubhouse with a ballroom, fine dining, inside Grille lounge, and dining patio overlooking the first tee box. Got little ones? No problem! The Terrace Pool Pavilion features a heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, and a kiddie pool for the whole family to enjoy.

📍200 Inverness Avenue Temple Terrace, FL 33617

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Rocky Point Golf Course

📸 Rocky Point Golf Course

Can’t have a list of the best public golf courses in Tampa Bay and not include, Rocky Point Golf Course, managed by the Tampa Sports Authority.

Fun fact, Rocky Point’s Golf Course is one of the first golf courses in the state. The course was open for 31 years until the US entered World War II in 1942. During the war, the Federal Government closed the course and built barracks on the property to house prisoners of war.

In 1953, the Federal Government turned the property over to the City of Tampa for $1.00. The City then leased it to J.S. Curly Hurtman for 25 years, who reopened the course with his wife, Merle, in 1954.

The Tampa Sports Authority still manages Rocky Point today along with Babe Zaharias Golf Course, Rogers Park Golf Course, and Raymond James Stadium.

📍 4151 Dana Shores Dr. Tampa, FL 33634

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Northdale Park and Recreation Center

Northdale Park and Recreation Center is another great option for the list of best public golf courses in Tampa bay. This community park with activities for kids, teens, adults, and seniors is a one-stop shop for fun! The center offers instructor-led classes and is a popular location for Pickleball players too!

📍15550 Spring Pine Dr. Tampa, FL 33624

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The Claw at USF Golf Course

The Claw at USF is an amazing addition to our list of best public golf courses in Tampa Bay! It is one of Tampa Bay’s most challenging public golf courses. They offer 5 sets of tees, no matter your skill level for you to enjoy.

What’s your skill level on the green? Be sure to snap pics and share with us using the hashtag #StufftodoinTampaBay! We would love to see you in action!

📍13801 N 46th St, Tampa, FL 33613

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Chi-Chi Rodrigues Golf Club

📷 Chi-Chi Rodríguez Golf Club

Having The Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Course on our list was a no-brainer, not only because of its popularity but its impact as well.

This golf course is known for helping golfers overcome the obstacle of balancing their love of the sport with life’s demands by providing shot-makers with a par-69 course featuring more than 70 sand traps, water hazards on 12 holes, two-tiered greens, and fairways covered with Bermuda grass.

Take note, The Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club is open to the public, with fees set by time of day. Juniors (6-15 years) can play for reduced rates.

📍 3030 North McMullen Booth Rd. Clearwater, FL 33761

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Mangrove Bay and Cypress Links Golf Courses

Mangrove Bay is a par-72, championship golf course located on 180 acres in northeast St. Pete. Mangrove Bay offers 18 holes of championship golf, a clubhouse with a snack bar, a driving range, a practice facility, PGA golf instruction, and a pro shop for all of your golfing needs.

Also, did you know that Golf Digest recently ranked Mangrove Bay as one of their “Best Places to Play”?

📍875 62nd Avenue NE St. Petersburg, FL 33702

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Westchase Golf Club

📸 Westchase Golf Club

We had to save the best for last… on our list of best public golf courses in Tampa Bay and that is, Westchase Golf Club!

Westchase opened back in 1992 as the centerpiece of the Westchase master-planned community that spans over 2000 acres and has more than 5000 homes.

Today, Westchase Golf Club is a premium daily-fee facility recognized by the National Golf Foundation as a top 10 course in the national rankings. Offering their signature 3rd hole is a par 3 over water, yardages available on a full scorecard and not to mention four sets of tees to service golfers of all skill levels.

So tell us, which golf course do you think is the best fit for you and your plus one? Let us know in the comment section below.

📍11602 Westchase Golf Drive. Tampa, Florida 33626

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Which Golf Course in Tampa Bay Will You Try Next?

Excited about exploring more must see golf spots in Tampa? Let us know your favorite by tagging @StuffToDoInTampaBay on Instagram and Facebook!

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