Golf Course Review & Scouting Report

Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club

73

Tampa, Florida

Established
1987
Architect
Arthur Hills (original), Ron Garl (greens renovation, 1991)
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
4,883 – 7,004 yds
The verdict

A True Local Standout

Tampa Palms offers a stylish blend of Arthur Hills shotmaking, traditional club atmosphere, and nature-forward Florida setting. Its past as a Senior PGA Tour host adds some championship flavor, but this is foremost a members’ course where precise play and strong conditioning define the experience.

Course DNA
Difficulty
75
Scenery
72
Conditioning
82
Shot Variety
78
Walkability
59
Green Complexity
71
Wow Factor
65
Design Quality
72
At a glance

Quick facts

Host of Senior PGA Tour GTE Suncoast Classic
1988–1991
USGA Championship Host
1994 U.S. Amateur Public Links
Certification
Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary
Greens Renovation
Ron Garl, 1991
Architect
Arthur Hills
Club Atmosphere
Traditional private, polished service
Tees Range
5,280 – 7,004 yards across 6 sets
The design

The architecture

Arthur Hills’ Tampa Palms layout is a study in risk and reward, winding through lakes, native Florida trees, and well-preserved wetlands. The design pairs strong, strategic par 4s and 5s with a handful of par 3s that demand full commitment. Anything but a straightforward, grip-it-and-rip-it test, this championship routing demands discipline, angle control off the tee, and calculated approaches into well-defended, Ron Garl-renovated greens. Water is a factor on many holes, and the course ensures that every decision matters—especially for those trying to tame the back nine’s scorecard stretch.

Arthur Hills created the original routing, focusing on modern strategy for a Florida landscape—Ron Garl’s greens work sharpened the challenge just a few years later.

Defining features
  • Bold water hazards and natural wetlands shape play
  • Multi-angled doglegs test tee placement decision-making
  • Arthur Hills’ signature blend of strategy and playability
  • Well-protected greens renovated by Ron Garl in 1991
  • Tournament-caliber bunkering and risk zones
  • Private club-level conditioning and aesthetics
Hole by hole

Signature holes

Hole 5

Double Reward Par 5

PAR
5
YARDAGE
548

A classic risk-reward par 5 where strong play off the tee sets up a tempting go at the green. Trees, bunkers, and well-placed water force a choice—lay up smart or bite off a heroic second shot for eagle chance.

Play it smart

Position the drive, then decide if you have the angle and nerve to reach in two, especially if the pin is tucked.

Where it bites

Water short and right, plus tough bunkers guard any greedy approach.

Course management

Shots to think about

Second shot at the par-5 5th
Play to a comfortable yardage if you can’t carry the hazards—don’t risk it unless you have the angle and wind.
Approach to the long par-4 11th
Take enough club and favor the center, even if it means a longer putt—there’s no room for heroics short-sided.
Tee shot on the par-3 13th
Club up and aim for the heart of the green; par is a moral victory.
Drive on the par-4 15th
Prioritize the fairway—distance is less important than keeping the next shot unblocked.
Second shot on the par-5 16th
Plan for a smart layup unless conditions scream ‘go’—trouble lurks left and right.
Attack angle on short par-4 6th
Don’t get greedy; play to your favorite wedge yardage and avoid the tempting corner.
Closing drive on 18
Aim for the wider landing area to give yourself an inviting look at a closing birdie putt.
On the day

What to expect

Conditions

Lush, private-club turf, well-kept greens and surroundings—expect a polished experience.

Pace

Efficient for members and guests, typically steady—tee times well managed.

Vibe

Quiet, classic country-club atmosphere—serious about golf and service, but friendly.

Dress code

Traditional private-club standards: collared shirts, no denim, proper golf attire required.

Before you tee off

Your game plan

01

Hydration Is Key

Florida heat and humidity can sneak up on you—fill your bottle before heading out, especially in summer.

02

Master The Angles

Preview the scorecard and Google Maps overheads for water and doglegs to avoid hidden trouble off every tee.

03

Iron Play Decides The Day

Stretch your 4–6 iron in warmup—these clubs are vital for the lengthy par 3s and tough second shots.

04

Bring Your Nerves For The Finish

The closing stretch is no pushover—stay focused and embrace the challenge if you’re playing the back nine under pressure.

The lore

How it came to be

  1. 1987

    Course opens, designed by Arthur Hills

  2. 1988

    Hosts inaugural GTE Suncoast Classic (Senior PGA Tour)

  3. 1991

    Greens renovation by Ron Garl

  4. 1991

    Final GTE Suncoast Classic hosted

  5. 1994

    Hosts U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship

Stories & legends

What makes it special

History

When the Pros Came Calling

Tampa Palms was once the stage for the GTE Suncoast Classic, a Senior PGA Tour staple from 1988–91. Some of golf’s iconic names have competed here, and a bit of that tournament magic still lingers on the fairways today.

Architecture

Greens Renewed, Play Enhanced

Ron Garl’s 1991 greens renovation didn’t reinvent the course but gave it a sharper edge for both club players and tournament hosts. It’s a quiet evolution that keeps the challenge contemporary without erasing Hills’ strategic DNA.

Environmental

A Sanctuary For More Than Golfers

Certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, Tampa Palms isn’t just home to players—it’s a thriving haven for local Florida wildlife. Egrets, herons, and the occasional alligator are all part of the experience.

For the group chat

Fun facts

1

Hosted both Senior PGA Tour and USGA national amateur championships within seven years of opening.

2

Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary—expect plenty of local wildlife on the course.

3

Ron Garl’s greens renovation in 1991 modernized short game challenges without changing the original Arthur Hills routing.

4

The club has a reputation for strong private-club conditioning and well-run events.

5

Several holes play through preserved Florida wetlands, giving a natural, scenic feel distinct from many area layouts.

Build the trip

If you're making a Tampa golf trip out of it

CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
TPC Tampa Bay
Public

True championship layout, TOUR pedigree, and challenging for every skill level.

Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead)
Resort

Host of the PGA TOUR Valspar Championship—tough, storied, and memorable.

Fox Hollow Golf Club
Public

Popular, playable, and well-designed with good value for area visitors.

Saddlebrook Resort (Palmer/Arnold Courses)
Resort

Convenient to Tampa Palms, offering two natural Florida resort layouts.

Westchase Golf Club
Public

Good local fill-in round with broad tee options and a friendly atmosphere.

North Tampa / New Tampa or Wesley Chapel for proximity to Tampa Palms and best access to TPC Tampa Bay, Saddlebrook, and public options.

Course DNA

If You Like Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club

Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.

Strong DNA Match7.6

Pinnacle Country Club

Rogers, Arkansas
Conditioning

Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Pinnacle Country Club offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club.

Strong DNA Match8.2

Atlanta Country Club

Marietta, Georgia
Conditioning

Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Atlanta Country Club's own setting.

Strong DNA Match8.0

Brickyard Crossing

Indianapolis, Indiana
Conditioning

Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Brickyard Crossing's own setting.

From the community

Community Sentiment

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