Hey Gang,
Sifted thru the thread here for the golf. I’ve got a good idea where to play when we get there, but I was hoping for a different kind of reco…
Me and the lady are gonna do a Florida scouting trip. We are gonna likely go Tampa to Winter Park to Jacksonville to see where we would like to live, as retirees essentially.
So the question is: where in Tampa can be considered an artsy/ funky/bohemian type neighborhood? Basically, where could a couple of GenXers chill, smoke their pot, play some golf and make art?
In Tampa, this would almost certainly be Seminole Heights. Maybe Tampa Heights as well since it’s so close to Seminole Heights. Ybor City is cool to see either way, but probably doesn’t quite fit what you’re looking for. A little too much night life.
Not quite artsy, but worth checking out Safety Harbor. Nice small town village and centrally located to Tampa and Pinellas County.
It sounds like downtown St Pete could be a great option as well. Only thing I’ll say about St Pete is to be very diligent on the flood zone of your home if you’re going the single family home route. Soooo many homes flooded over there in Helene. I would probably only go the condo route if living over there.
Hey Tampa squad, I’ll be staying in Indian Shores from 2/21–2/28 for a family vacation with my in-laws. It’s three families total and three kids (none of them mine), and while there aren’t really any golfers in the group, I’m hoping to sneak away and get in a few rounds while I’m down there. I’m coming from up north and probably won’t play again until May 1, so even a couple of decent rounds would be a win.
I’ll have my own car, but I’m having a hard time figuring out what a reasonable drive looks like in that part of the bay, especially with traffic and winter demand. I’m expecting to playing as a single, so I’m also trying to get a feel for which courses are generally welcoming to that. I’m a member at a mid-tier private club in Vermont and could ask our pro to make a few calls, but I’m not sure how much mileage that really gets me in late February.
I’ve read through the existing threads and it sounds like the scene can be pretty bleak, but I’m willing to drive if it means better access or conditions. Dunedin seems like one potentially good option in the right area of the bay, but I’m open to any suggestions, reality checks, or strategy tips for a single during that window.
I played Dunedin last February on a work trip as a single, got paired up with 3 Canadian snowbirds. Good layout and had fun, course was in fine shape, price was a bit high given course quality in my opinion but as you mentioned slim pickings on that side of the bay. Will definitely play it again when I’m in Tampa.
Streamsong or Cabot are the bigger name public courses if you don’t mind the cost, and longer drive.
Dunedin is the answer. Close enough that you can likely sneak in two early AM rounds if you play your cards right with the family. Pace of play is solid for a public course because most are locals/members.
It is a bit steep at $140 but it’s by FAR the best public option within one hour of the beach.
Downtown Dunedin is awesome as well. Worth a day trip with the group since you’re in the area for a full week.