Golfers in St. Petersburg, FL, are spoiled for choice. While the city is best known for its white sandy beaches, vibrant downtown, and endless sunshine, it’s also home to a thriving golf scene. Whether you’re a scratch player chasing your next personal best or a casual golfer looking for a scenic round, there are world-class public golf courses within just an hour’s drive.
At Tee Time Tavern, we love great golf almost as much as we love great food, drinks, and good company. And while our Full Swing golf simulators let you play the world’s most famous courses without leaving the bar, nothing beats the smell of fresh-cut fairways and that Florida sun on a real track when the weather is nice. Here are three of the best public golf courses you can play near St. Petersburg, each offering an unforgettable experience on and off the course.
Here are a few of my personal favorites that I frequent in the area!
Golf Courses
1. University Park Country Club (Approx. 45 minutes from St. Pete)
Why Play It: University Park Country Club is a 27-hole Ron Garl masterpiece that delivers country club-level conditions without requiring a full membership. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’re getting away with something — premium service, immaculate greens, and a layout that challenges your strategy, all at public access rates.
Highlights:
- 27 Holes of Championship Golf – Three distinct nines (The Lakes, The Preserve, and The Links) offer variety for repeat visits.
- Exceptional Conditions – Forces you to hit all the shots, greens are lightning-fast, and the course is known for its meticulous upkeep year-round.
- Multiple Tees for All Players – Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned low handicapper, you’ll find a set of tees that fits your game perfectly. It’s not an overwhelmingly difficult course allowing players of all levels to enjoy this golf course!
Insider Tip: Bring your appetite. The club’s new grill serves up a good lunch at a very cool outdoor bar — the perfect way to close out your round at my favorite local golf course before heading back to St. Pete.
2. Waterlefe Golf & River Club (Approx. 50 minutes from St. Pete)
Why Play It: Waterlefe is as much about the views as it is about the golf. Winding along the Manatee River, this Bradenton gem offers a blend of challenging play and pure Florida beauty. The course integrates seamlessly into the natural landscape, with native vegetation, glistening water features, and wildlife sightings almost guaranteed.
Highlights:
- Stunning Scenery – From riverfront holes to lush marshland fairways, every tee box on this golf course offers a postcard-worthy view.
- Memorable Signature Holes – The par-3 9th hole is one of the most picturesque (and nerve-testing) shots you’ll play in the area. Take a look from the tips if you want to feel your heart drop!
- A True Challenge – Good luck. This golf course will test your skills, especially your accuracy, and it’ll do so relentlessly! I love this course, but it’ll humble you in a hurry if you are struggling. This probably isn’t the best course for beginners with some more difficult forced shots at times.
Insider Tip: Book an early morning tee time. The wind tends to be calmer, making your water carries less intimidating — and the golden sunrise over the river is worth the wake-up call.
Also, bring bug spray and apply it on the 14th tee, you’re welcome!
3. TPC Tampa Bay (Approx. 1 hour from St. Pete)
Why Play It: If you want to test your game on the type of golf courses that PGA TOUR Champions players face, TPC Tampa Bay is your spot. It’s not just another Florida course — it’s a tour-level experience with service, amenities, and conditioning to match. This Bobby Weed-designed layout is challenging yet fair, demanding precision over raw distance.
Highlights:
- PGA TOUR Pedigree – Host of the Champions Tour’s Encompass Insurance Pro-Am for 21 years.
- Championship Conditions – Perfectly manicured fairways, challenging bunkers, and undulating greens keep you focused from start to finish.
- Strategic Layout – Risk/reward holes will tempt aggressive players, but patience and accuracy often win the day.
Insider Tip: Resist the temptation to bomb driver on every hole. This course rewards smart play and penalizes overly aggressive lines.
Honorable Mentions
While these three golf courses are standouts, there are a couple more hyper-local gems worth noting — especially if you’re looking for excellent value and easy access from St. Petersburg.
Bardmoor Golf Club (Less than 10 mins)
Bardmoor golf course has long been a favorite for both locals and visitors thanks to its central location, consistent conditions, and fair layout. Known for hosting past PGA and LPGA Tour events, it offers a strong challenge without feeling punishing. It is actually one of 2 golf courses right next to each other as Bayou Club is a private golf courses that has recently not had great reviews. If you are looking at the golf courses and trying to decide the best option, go with Bardmoor.
- Why It’s Worth Playing: Close to St. Pete, a solid course with good length and consistent greens, former host of JcPenney Classic (turned Valspar Championship) and solid value most of the year.
- Insider Tip: Look for seasonal specials in the summer and early fall — you can get prime conditions at a fraction of peak season rates. Get a hot dog at the turn! 1. 80% of the time, a hot dog at the turn works every time. 2. It’s a good hot dog!
Seminole Lake Country Club (Approx. 10 minutes from St. Pete)
A hidden gem tucked just outside the city, Seminole Lake offers a beautiful mix of tree-lined fairways, water hazards, and the occasional glimpse of native wildlife. This is the shortest of all the golf courses I’ve mentioned here.
- Why It’s Worth Playing: Extremely convenient, friendly atmosphere, and well-maintained greens make it a go-to for a quick round. Great for beginners as a shorter course with limited trouble and essentially no forced carries.
- Insider Tip: Winter months often bring the course to peak condition — a great time to snag a morning tee time if you can get one!
Why These Golf Courses Stand Out for St. Pete Golfers
Living in St. Petersburg puts you in prime position to access some of Florida’s best golf courses without breaking the bank. Each of these courses offers a unique experience:
- University Park gives you the feel of an exclusive club with the accessibility of a public track.
- Waterlefe blends challenging design with breathtaking natural beauty and wildlife.
- TPC Tampa Bay delivers the consistency and quality you’d expect from a TPC course.
- Bardmoor offers consistent, quality golf just minutes from downtown.
- Seminole Lake provides opportunity and fun in equal measure.
Together, they represent the diversity of Florida golf — and all are close enough for a day trip from downtown St. Pete.
Can’t Make the Trip? Play Them All at Tee Time Tavern
We get it — life gets busy. You can’t always drive 15 minutes to an hour to play a round, and sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate. That’s where Tee Time Tavern comes in. Our state-of-the-art Full Swing golf simulators will let you play all your favorite golf courses without leaving your bay.
You’ll get the same challenge, the same views (minus the Florida humidity), and the added bonus of great food, cold drinks, and your friends right there with you. Plus, you can pause for a craft beer or appetizer anytime — something you can’t do at the turn on a traditional course.
Final Thought
If you’re a St. Petersburg golfer, you’re sitting on one of the best golf hubs in the country. Take advantage of it — whether that means a road trip to these incredible public courses or a night at Tee Time Tavern to play them virtually when we get open. Either way, your game (and your social life) will thank you!
As always, thank you for reading, we hope you enjoyed this blog!
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We want to thank our sponsor who inspired, mentored, and guided us along the way as we were getting Tee Time Tavern of the ground. If you need any business advice or mentorship, you need to check out Jimmy Ralph!
