Is Karoo Worth the Money?

[Dtep]

I'm in Tampa for the holidays each year, 2023 I went to Streamsong and got to play all (3) courses. This year was thinking Cabot would be fun to fit in but Karoo is now 395 dollars. For context, that's basically 100 dollars more than a tee time at Streamsong. I will definitely play Karoo at some point in the coming years, but based on the photos/vids I've seen I wouldn't say I view it as a must play. For those that have played Karoo, do you think it is worth that price tag? Roost will still be under preview play at that time and much less, at 185 a round. I think that's a no brainer, although I have seen next to nothing in regards to photos/discussion of Roost. Appreciate any thoughts, thank you!

[sabram]

$395 is a lot. Play the Roost instead

[italianstallion]

While value is subjective by person, I don't think its worth paying $395 to see Karoo.

[jjthomp2]

No. Utterly ridiculous what these places are charging now. 

[ND2005]

I have a work trip to Tampa coming up and was going to check out Cabot, but I found the pricing (especially the lodging) ridiculous. Headed back to Streamsong instead. 
 
Have heard pretty underwhelming feedback from some Tampa locals anyways, especially regarding service and F&B. 

[Tyrus Webb]

All reviews I've heard of Cabot Citrus so far are, unsurprisingly, that it needs a couple of years to mature and get to peak.

[italianstallion]

On 12/5/2024 at 11:08 AM, Tyrus Webb said:

All reviews I've heard of Cabot Citrus so far are, unsurprisingly, that it needs a couple of years to mature and get to peak.

 

That might be true for the resort operations. Honestly when I played in April aside from some sod seams in some of the fairways I thought the conditions were superb. Balls were bouncing everywhere.

[Tyrus Webb]

4 hours ago, italianstallion said:

 

That might be true for the resort operations. Honestly when I played in April aside from some sod seams in some of the fairways I thought the conditions were superb. Balls were bouncing everywhere.

 

Very golf-specific, actually, from solid, older, well-respected players who've been most everywhere. 

 

"Superb conditions" are pretty unusual on a course so young, but I'm glad you enjoyed it.  I'll stay on the sidelines until it's matured a bit.

[italianstallion]

1 hour ago, Tyrus Webb said:

 

Very golf-specific, actually, from solid, older, well-respected players who've been most everywhere. 

 

"Superb conditions" are pretty unusual on a course so young, but I'm glad you enjoyed it.  I'll stay on the sidelines until it's matured a bit.

I’ve played 37 of the top 100 public courses in the U.S., including all of the top 10. I’ve played golf on three continents, including two of the top 10 courses in the world. So allow me to clarify that when I say “superb” it’s an adjective to describe how the agronomy matches the intended play of the course, not “Hulk see green grass, green grass good, course condition perfect.” Perfect is not obtainable, and neither I nor your “solid, older, well-respected” player friends have ever played a course that was in “perfect” condition unless they have happened to have played Augusta National during the first week of April. There’s always going to be something out of place agronomically on any course, so it’s significantly more important and relevant for you, me, and your buddies to judge playing conditions based on the way they match HOW a course was designed to play. It’s a concept that’s lost on most golfers and it’s all that matters once the last construction bulldozer has left. 

 

I played the Lido this summer, and that’s a new course that is still growing in. The conditions at Lido were also superb for how the course is supposed to play: firm and defended by what happens to the ball once it’s on the ground. The only complaint I had were the greens were so firm that they were extremely difficult to hold if a ball landed anywhere in the middle or back of them. But even still, if you know what the Lido is and how it’s supposed to play then you could also argue that’s the point and adjust accordingly. I also played Sedge this summer literally the week that opened. Conditions were good for a new course but nowhere near superb.  

 

So even though my opinion based on actual observation differs from yours of complete non-observation I’ll say it again: when I played Cabot Citrus Farms Karoo in April, aside from sod seams in the fairways the course conditions were superb. The ground was firm, the ball bounced everywhere, the greens were firm and rolled true. For the purposes of the playing style the course was designed for, I as a paying customer was more than pleased with how the conditions in April matched how the course should play. 
 

To expand on my earliest post on the actual topic at hand: the course is interesting to see at a price point of $200 or less. I have played significantly more architecturally interesting courses than Karoo for less. 

[Tyrus Webb]

21 hours ago, italianstallion said:

 

I’ve played 37 of the top 100 public courses in the U.S., including all of the top 10. I’ve played golf on three continents, including two of the top 10 courses in the world. So allow me to clarify that when I say “superb” it’s an adjective to describe how the agronomy matches the intended play of the course, not “Hulk see green grass, green grass good, course condition perfect.” Perfect is not obtainable, and neither I nor your “solid, older, well-respected” player friends have ever played a course that was in “perfect” condition unless they have happened to have played Augusta National during the first week of April. There’s always going to be something out of place agronomically on any course, so it’s significantly more important and relevant for you, me, and your buddies to judge playing conditions based on the way they match HOW a course was designed to play. It’s a concept that’s lost on most golfers and it’s all that matters once the last construction bulldozer has left. 

 

I played the Lido this summer, and that’s a new course that is still growing in. The conditions at Lido were also superb for how the course is supposed to play: firm and defended by what happens to the ball once it’s on the ground. The only complaint I had were the greens were so firm that they were extremely difficult to hold if a ball landed anywhere in the middle or back of them. But even still, if you know what the Lido is and how it’s supposed to play then you could also argue that’s the point and adjust accordingly. I also played Sedge this summer literally the week that opened. Conditions were good for a new course but nowhere near superb.  

 

So even though my opinion based on actual observation differs from yours of complete non-observation I’ll say it again: when I played Cabot Citrus Farms Karoo in April, aside from sod seams in the fairways the course conditions were superb. The ground was firm, the ball bounced everywhere, the greens were firm and rolled true. For the purposes of the playing style the course was designed for, I as a paying customer was more than pleased with how the conditions in April matched how the course should play. 
 

To expand on my earliest post on the actual topic at hand: the course is interesting to see at a price point of $200 or less. I have played significantly more architecturally interesting courses than Karoo for less. 

 

jfc

 

 

[fsutanker]

On 12/2/2024 at 2:50 PM, sabram said:

$395 is a lot. Play the Roost instead

Grant Horvat and the Good Good Guy just up an 18 hole match at the ROOST. There was some GUR in areas where still growing. Greens looked great though. 

[shackmangolf]

Just got back from Cabot. My #1 comment - super expensive. 

 

$395 a round plus $40 caddie fee plus $60-80 caddie tip. $500/round. No replay rates. Played two 18 hole rounds and the short course. Spent $1200 on green fees alone. 

 

This is top 20 in terms of cost for public golf in US. The golf experience is not worth it.  It's good, but not great. 

 

I would never choose this over other public options. 

 

[T Shaf]

I live 30 minutes from there and have played Karoo multiple times…overall great condition, slight resemblance to Pine Barrens (Old World Woods course built from)…I would not play it for that amount. I would definitely take the 2 hour drive down to Streamsong. 

[Yuck]

I just played both Karoo and the Roost at the end of March.  I had played the old World woods layout years ago.

We stayed a couple nights in one of the cottages.  Course conditions were better than expected at the Roost given it is so new, and good as expected at Karoo.  Course conditions were on a par with what you would find at other nicer resorts.  (Pebble, Kiawah Ocean Course, Pinehurst #2 etc.) The cottages are well located and set up nicely, but at $2500 a night for a 4 BR, kind of pricey for what you get.  We were within walking distance of everything we needed.  Track man Driving range and super cool putting green right near cottages.  You do get a green fee discount if you stay.  I think it was $290 per round ++ rather than $400 if you stay on site.  Dining options are not all there yet.  Staff was all very friendly and helpful.  Caddies are still learning some of the green reading, but I give them a pass, since at Karoo that could take several seasons of experience.  Karoo was easier than I expected.  We played it from Tangerine tees which is just under 6500 yards.  It seemed to play shorter due to fast conditions. any of the holes clearly kept the old Pine Barrens routing, which is a good thing in my view.  Also on the plus side, it is very tough to loose a ball or hit one OB, but you can definitely put it in some bad places.  All in all, a fun course and a good time.

 

To the OP’s question, is it worth it?  It is not Pine Valley, Seminole, or Cypress Point worth it.  But it is comparable to other nicer resorts.  What it is missing, as are Streamsong, Bandon and some others is a storied history with Professional Majors and Elite Amateur events.  If you have the money and the time, it is worth it, as are literally dozens of other venues.  The course is ready, the rest will come with time.  Will it become a classic course?  Not likely.  Nor will Streamsong Black or many of the other Destination golf venues.

Edited April 9 by Yuck

[ilikegolf26]

On 2/12/2025 at 10:24 AM, shackmangolf said:

Just got back from Cabot. My #1 comment - super expensive. 

 

$395 a round plus $40 caddie fee plus $60-80 caddie tip. $500/round. No replay rates. Played two 18 hole rounds and the short course. Spent $1200 on green fees alone. 

 

This is top 20 in terms of cost for public golf in US. The golf experience is not worth it.  It's good, but not great. 

 

I would never choose this over other public options. 

 

That’s robbery. $2500/night to stay on property!!?? Karoo is just Pine Barrens without the trees. You used to be able to play Pine Barrens for $30 in the summer just before they were sold and renovations started for Karoo. 

Edited June 2 by ilikegolf26