Public Golf Courses (Tampa, Sarasota, Country Club: wedding, purchase, university)

[Rushmore]

I searched the site, and surprisingly did not find an answer to this:

I will be living on Palmer Ranch. I love golf. I am not wealthy, and I am a duffer (85 on my best days) so I play public courses.

I require suggestions, or I could lose a year playing berry patches until I find a solid go-to course.

Note: I needed a brief break from the wedding thread, and whenever I need a break, golf comes to mind. Maybe I am moving to the right place.

[atroxanautin]

The only public coarse is Bobby Jones. Bobby Jones Golf Course

I've been out of the loop on golf for awhile. However, if you want an executive course, Village Green is pretty affordable. You'll find plenty of places to play affordably during the summer though. You are going to find the highest green fees this time of the year. You can walk Bobby Jones (either one) for like 12 bucks during the summer. This time of year its closer to 40

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by atroxanautin

The only public coarse is Bobby Jones. Bobby Jones Golf Course

I've been out of the loop on golf for awhile. However, if you want an executive course, Village Green is pretty affordable. You'll find plenty of places to play affordably during the summer though. You are going to find the highest green fees this time of the year. You can walk Bobby Jones (either one) for like 12 bucks during the summer. This time of year its closer to 40

When you say "the only public course is Bobby Jones," do you mean it's the only one worth playing, or that it is the only public (or municipal) course in the immediate area? A Google search reveals too many courses to list, but the point of my question was to see if anyone had actually played these courses at all, so I might benefit from others' trials and errors.

When I lived in Tampa/St. Pete, I had no trouble at all finding many public courses, of varying quality, of course, but I found myself out hacking in the pastures very often.

Anyway, so far I know I will play a loop at Bobby Jones.

[joeyddog]

I'm not a golfer but in the Meadows where I bought a place. there is a public course,The Groves. The prices did not look too bad to me. I'm not sure whether you can contact it directly or need to go thru the Meadows Country Club phone number. The Groves is located off 17th Street on Long Meadow- not far from Bobby Jones

[atroxanautin]

Sorry, I was confusing which version of public you meant. There are several courses that are decent that are open to the public. Bobby Jones is a municipal golf course, that is, owned by the City of Sarasota. It is the only government owned golf course in Sarasota, but it has two 18-hole courses.

[jdyfromjrzy]

Had to respond....my husband and i have spent the month in fl looking for an area. to purchase a 2nd home. First priority is affordable public golf courses. The last 3 days we have played, The Legacy, University Park and Sarasota National and loved all three. So much so, that i think this is the area for us. We are both in our 50's and will be snowbirds for the next 5-10 years. Give these courses a try and i am sure you will not be disapointed.

judy

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by jdyfromjrzy

Had to respond....my husband and i have spent the month in fl looking for an area. to purchase a 2nd home. First priority is affordable public golf courses. The last 3 days we have played, The Legacy, University Park and Sarasota National and loved all three. So much so, that i think this is the area for us. We are both in our 50's and will be snowbirds for the next 5-10 years. Give these courses a try and i am sure you will not be disapointed.

judy

Thanks very much Judy. This is exactly what I was looking for--a little first hand, recent experience on the subject. I'll play all three after I unpack.

[Racelady88]

Peridia has a decent course and it is open to the public. I stuck my head in this morning and got the rates.

9 Holes

7-2 $30 ride/$22 walk
2-5:30 $26 ride/$19 walk

18 Holes

7-2 $38 ride/$25 walk
2-5:30 $32 ride/$23 walk

The clubhouse is also open to the public.