Bay Palms Golf Complex - South Course

$26 (cart included), played on Sunday, July 2009 at 8am

Mac Dill AFB in Tampa has two 18-hole golf courses. They are: The North Course and the South Course. The North course is a nice course, relatively flat, a good challenge, but really lacks any signature holes and is somewhat un-inspired.

The South course is just the opposite. While still basically laid out on flat terrain, the considerable mounding on this course ads a nice variety. Add to this holes that are directly on Tampa Bay as well as several large lakes/ponds and natural vegetation ranging from native palms, mango groves, and live oaks, and now you have a visually exciting and diversified setting. The layout is just as inspired as the terrain. The course provides challenges for all levels of players. The course is particularly women friendly with women’s tee boxes being the equal to the men’s (as they always should be but seldom are industry wide) and with significant yardage compensation.

I played on a beautiful Sunday morning. We experienced light drizzle, which helped keep the temperature nice (summer can be very hot). We played in 3 hours and 30 minutes. While I prefer to walk, if you play the South Course before 1PM, riding is mandatory.

Cost of play on both the nicer South course and the less nice North course is the same. The price for me (retired military) was $14 greens fee and $12 cart fee, total $26, an absolute bargain for a course that is one of the best in the Tampa Bay area. The costs for guests was $44 each (green fee and cart). Like other Florida courses, the bargain prices are in the summer, the highest rates are in the mild winters.

If I lived in the area, I would drive up to one hour on a regular basis to play this course. It is that good. On this particular weekend, I drove 350 miles, to visit best friends, and while in the area, of course we played this course.

If you have access to the base, or to someone with access, and you are in the Tampa area, this is a must play course.