Best private golf clubs Tampa

[jerebear21]

8 hours ago, iamthebeard said:

Jerebear is the resident expert according to the thread. But here am I to interject my opinion to the original topic. 
 

have lived in Tampa since 1996 so I’ve seen a lot come and go through the years 

 

Also, Every club of any substance in Tampa has a waiting list at this point in time. But if we’re talking Tampa proper (Hillsb. country) The only golf clubs worth discussing are:

OM

Palma Ceia 

Avila

 

Now extending the grid to Pinellas you add: 

Belleair 

Pelican 

*Feather (haven’t played since the Reno) 

 

Now trying to rank those 5 

OM: best (current) course from architecture stand point - not saying much-. Solid practice area and conditions.  Also the best hang and logo, but a bring your own game joint. 100k+ initiation and deep waiting list for local members

 

Belleair: West course reno will make this this best golf course in the Bay Area by a mile. Exited to see final product. 50k initiation plus a deep waiting list 

 

PC: great social club and membership. Fantastic test of golf for what it is. Only traditional proper golf club in the Tampa area. Good luck getting on the waitlist and enjoy your wait 

 

Avila: typically decent conditions. Terrible architecture (9,10). Great under 40 program, solid practice facility 

Pelican: great conditioning, horribly boring architecture. Stuffy membership (cute blueberry jackets) and staff. Might be a fun hang if you’re not paying the bill. 50k+ and a waitlist and hope you’re a friend of the Doyle’s to get on it 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty much spot on, but numbers are a bit off.  Though I will say if I wanted to play daily, I’d have to put Pasadena CC and Isla Del Sol(both in st pete) up there as well.  Nothing special but just fun daily play.  If you add Bradenton to the Tampa Bay Area category it opens up to a lot more. For me, it seems like it’s faster to go from tampa airport to Bradenton than it is from south tampa to Avila.  And sometimes it feels it’s faster to get to southern hills from tampa proper than to PGC or Belleair.  Infrastructure is so bad here.  If Southern Hills was 20 minutes closer, that’s my choice to play over all the other exclusives.  A couple clubs getting renovated, Vinoy and TPC Tampa.  Add in cabot citrus farm.  Tampa is getting better.  

[tGolfer1256]

What does PCG stand for? New to the tampa area and am a scratch golfer, but have never heard of PCG??

[CCTxGolf]

On 4/30/2023 at 11:10 AM, tGolfer1256 said:

What does PCG stand for? New to the tampa area and am a scratch golfer, but have never heard of PCG??

Palma Ceia

[cwb12]

17 hours ago, CCTxGolf said:

Palma Ceia

Actually Pelican Golf Club, Palma Ceia would just be PC or PCCC

[CCTxGolf]

4 hours ago, cwb12 said:

Actually Pelican Golf Club, Palma Ceia would just be PC or PCCC

There you have it. PGC, PCG, PC, PCCC! Tampa will make a fella spin!

 

thanks for the clarification 

[jerebear21]

Might be too last minute but that’s how it always is, got an extra spot at Palma Ceia (140pm) today if anyone interested.  You get my reciprocal rate(cheap).  

[Got941]

On 6/8/2023 at 7:35 AM, jerebear21 said:

Might be too last minute but that’s how it always is, got an extra spot at Palma Ceia (140pm) today if anyone interested.  You get my reciprocal rate(cheap).  

If you ever have an extra spot again I would love to play there!

[acostanzo]

Looking for a solid under 40 membership. In Palm Harbor and would like to stay within 20 minutes or so. Any recs would be appreciated! A couple I have been looking at is; Ardea, Cypress Run, Innisbrook (I know its not private, curious on thoughts on social atmosphere here). Any other suggestions?

[gato_plomo]

On 4/8/2024 at 9:33 PM, acostanzo said:

Looking for a solid under 40 membership. In Palm Harbor and would like to stay within 20 minutes or so. Any recs would be appreciated! A couple I have been looking at is; Ardea, Cypress Run, Innisbrook (I know its not private, curious on thoughts on social atmosphere here). Any other suggestions?

 

Feather sound is 50k, I believe SPCC is 20k, Isla del Sol 30k, belaire 70k

[Skinspat]

I was inquiring about membership at Bellair and currently it requires upfront non refundable initiation to join the wait-list. The wait-list is apparently 5 years or more long and the non-refundable deposit provides no guarantee of membership.

 

Wondering if this is normal operating procedure for clubs. From a risk standpoint, it doesn't seem like a favorable agreement for me, but I suppose there are no other options if others are signing up.

 

Also does anyone have any insight as to whether these membership wait-lists are converting? I have been on Vinoy's since 2021 with no indication on progress.

[argoodman]

I've noticed that Countryside has been advertising for new members, which could signal a gradual shift in the golf scene in Pinellas County. Several of my friends are on the waiting list at Belleair, but they aren’t moving up as quickly as they’d like. The revamped West Course is enjoyable, and with the upcoming redesign, the East Course is set to be significantly improved. I expect there will be a long wait to secure full golf membership at a centrally located club with two quality courses.

[Skinspat]

That's what I'm afraid of! Thanks.

[dam276]

On 3/2/2025 at 7:52 PM, Skinspat said:

I was inquiring about membership at Bellair and currently it requires upfront non refundable initiation to join the wait-list. The wait-list is apparently 5 years or more long and the non-refundable deposit provides no guarantee of membership.

 

Wondering if this is normal operating procedure for clubs. From a risk standpoint, it doesn't seem like a favorable agreement for me, but I suppose there are no other options if others are signing up.

 

Also does anyone have any insight as to whether these membership wait-lists are converting? I have been on Vinoy's since 2021 with no indication on progress.

Finally got a call from Vinoy after 6 years on the waitlist…initiation now $150k. Easy pass!