Yeah I typically aim for a bottle of water per hole out there in the summer, it’s brutal. And those cooling towels/neck gaiters are so fucking great.
3 Likes
I mentioned to my buddy that I figured they just didn’t put many bathrooms out on the course because they knew people would sweat so much they wouldn’t need them. It was crazy. 3 Powerades and 6 bottles of water, 3 of which had a packet of liquid IV in it, and I went to the bathroom a whopping 1 time while I was on property and that was after the round. Luckily I ordered a bucket hat before the trip which helped, but a cooling towel would have been clutch.
2 Likes
Getting all settled in here in North Tampa - not sure I’m going to join the Club Corp right away, so what’s the best public options up north to play and also driving ranges?
Thoughts on Heritage Isles or Plantation Palms? Any other decent places? And are most courses in the area walkable?
Also - If anyone ever has an open spot to play or is new to the area like me and wants to get out, happy to travel wherever and meet some people in the area.
Love all the Streamsong talk too - need to get there ASAP.
2 Likes
Sorry, but public golf in Tampa area generally sucks. Heritage Isles is fine if they have grass on the greens, which they usually don’t. I play at Mangrove in St Pete, which is best in the area especially when you consider price. But it’s a slow round
1 Like
Played Heritage Isles this weekend and the greens were in decent shape for being punched ~3 weeks ago. Fun course but conditions are hit-or-miss. The range is off of mats into a lake and the chipping and putting greens stink. In general, I’d stay away from all city owned courses in Tampa, unfortunately they are in bad shape and not well maintained.
Best public practice facility in the Tampa area I’ve found is Bloomingdale Golfers Club - the turf is pure on the driving range and the putting and chipping areas are very large and in good shape.
Mangrove Bay is a great public spot in St. Petersburg with good practice facilities and an additional 9 hole par 3 course. Greens are v slow but usually in decent shape. SLOW rounds and a legion of bots sweeping up the most desirable tee times can make it a tough spot to plan on playing. You can usually get out as a single without waiting too long though.
Not familiar with much of the North Tampa golf but would love to meet up to play sometime, I’m in S. Tampa.
And since @DombrowBryan didn’t do it…
We’d love to have you out at the next Splash of OJ event on 8/5/23.
Here’s the signup sheet: Splash of OJ Roost Events 2023-24 Season - Google Sheets
1 Like
4 Likes
Not really for the majority of public courses - you’re firmly in the planned housing community, tons of lakes (forced carry), and infrastructure paradise of Central FL. The cart is king in this neck of the woods.
Walking is very much in play at the majority of the private clubs in the area though!
1 Like
4 Likes
Mangrove Bay was fun, definitely would go back, but like mentioned above it was a slow round and it was kind of a haul from North Tampa with traffic. I have only done the range at Heritage Isles, it got the job done but was not great. I live in North Tampa/Pebble Creek area, not far from Heritage Isles, so if you ever want to get out somewhere let me know.
1 Like
I am slowly learning this since moving here in April, and as someone who is stuck in the public golf scene for the next three years it is quite sad.
2 Likes
I’m working on improving it!
10 Likes
2 Likes
Abandoned Dudes 3.0 needs a home for next year 
8 Likes
Should be able to get a great deal there!
7 Likes
Yep, echoing what others have said that public golf in Tampa isn’t great. In my experience either courses are either way overbooked, not well maintained, or both. Gotta take the bad with the good though I guess in that we have the ability to play year round.
2 Likes
A guy who enjoys playing shite golf and happens to live in the Bay Area, I guess.
Just messing around, would sure be nice to meet you at The Rollback though
3 Likes
I’m playing Lansbrook at 6:45am this Sunday (7/23) if anyone wants to join!
1 Like