Best Golf Courses in Clearwater, Florida

by Hunt Brothers Realty

The best golf courses in Clearwater, Florida include Clearwater Country Club, Cove Cay Golf Club, Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club and The Landings Golf Club, with additional championship golf available minutes away in Dunedin, Belleair, Seminole and Palm Harbor. Clearwater golfers can choose from traditional 18-hole layouts, a shorter public course, waterfront golf along Old Tampa Bay, private country clubs and PGA TOUR-level resort golf nearby. For public access, Cove Cay, Chi Chi Rodriguez, The Landings and nearby Dunedin Golf Club are strong places to start. Golfers seeking the area's most famous challenge can look north to Copperhead at Innisbrook Resort.

Quick Answers About the Best Golf Courses in Clearwater

What Are the Best Public Golf Courses in Clearwater?

Cove Cay Golf Club, Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club and The Landings Golf Club welcome public play, while Clearwater Country Club operates as a semi-private facility. These courses provide distinctly different experiences, from Old Tampa Bay scenery at Cove Cay to the shorter par-63 format at The Landings.

What Is the Best Golf Course Near Clearwater for Serious Golfers?

Copperhead at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor is the Clearwater area's most nationally recognized championship course. The par-71 layout reaches 7,209 yards and hosts the PGA TOUR's Valspar Championship.

Which Clearwater Golf Course Has Water Views?

Cove Cay Golf Club is a standout for scenery because the course sits along Old Tampa Bay. Its back nine is particularly known for water views, while water comes into play on 13 holes.

Is There a Golf Course on Clearwater Beach?

No. Clearwater Beach is on the barrier island, while the area's golf courses are on the mainland or in neighboring communities. Golfers staying on Clearwater Beach should plan to cross the causeway, and travel times can vary with traffic and season.

Which Nearby Course Was Designed by Donald Ross?

Dunedin Golf Club is a public Donald Ross design that opened in 1927 and underwent a major restoration completed in 2024. Nearby private Belleair Country Club also has two 18-hole courses associated with Ross.

Which Clearwater Course Is Good for a Shorter Round?

The Landings Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-63 public course with nine par-4 holes and nine par-3 holes. Its shorter format makes it particularly useful for golfers who want a complete 18-hole round without playing a championship-length course.

Are There Private Golf Clubs in Clearwater?

Yes. Countryside Country Club offers 27 holes through three Gary Player-designed nine-hole courses, while Feather Sound Country Club provides another private golf setting in the Clearwater area. Membership availability, costs and privileges should be confirmed directly with each club.

Which Clearwater Golf Courses Should You Play?

Clearwater works particularly well as a golf destination because players are not limited to one type of course. There are accessible public courses inside the city, private country clubs, historic courses nearby and one of Florida's best-known PGA TOUR venues within the broader northern Pinellas County area.

Visit St. Pete-Clearwater's 2026 golf selections include Clearwater Country Club, Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club and Cove Cay Golf Club among the area's notable courses. Nearby Innisbrook Resort took top honors in the destination's 2026 Best of St. Pete-Clearwater golf-course awards.

For golfers considering a move rather than simply planning a round, Hunt Brothers Realty's guide to the best golf communities near Clearwater compares the residential settings around several of these courses.

1. Clearwater Country Club: Historic Golf in the Heart of Clearwater

Clearwater Country Club is one of the most convenient traditional golf choices for players who want to remain inside Clearwater. The semi-private, 18-hole course was designed by Herbert Strong and traces its history to the early 1920s.

The course is a par 72, and Stevenson Creek passes through multiple holes. The club also provides a driving range, putting and chipping areas, golf shop and clubhouse.

Clearwater Country Club makes sense for golfers who want a conventional full-length round without traveling far from central Clearwater. Because it is semi-private, golfers should check current public tee-time availability and rates before visiting.

2. Cove Cay Golf Club: Golf Along Old Tampa Bay

Cove Cay Golf Club is one of Clearwater's strongest choices for golfers who want both public access and water-oriented scenery. The semi-public 18-hole course sits along Old Tampa Bay and was designed by David Wallace.

The course reaches just under 6,100 yards and provides four tee positions. Narrow fairways, deep bunkers and water on 13 holes create a target-golf challenge despite the relatively moderate total yardage.

The club highlights the views on its back nine, and the par-5 17th is its signature hole. Cove Cay also has a driving range, putting green, chipping area and practice bunker.

The on-site Bayview Grill is open to the public, making Cove Cay an option for golfers who want to stay for lunch or dinner after their round.

3. Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club: Public Golf with a Community Mission

Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club combines an accessible public course with a youth-development mission. The Denis Griffiths-designed layout is a par 69 with more than 70 sand traps, water hazards on 12 holes, two-tiered greens and Bermuda-grass fairways.

The course is less about raw length than shot placement. Golfers encounter water, bunkering and greens that can reward a more strategic approach.

There is also a distinctive community component. A portion of golf fees supports the Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy and First Tee Clearwater, connecting the golf operation with youth education and development.

The club offers public tee times, with rates varying by month, day and time. Current pricing and availability should be checked directly with the course.

4. The Landings Golf Club: A Shorter Public Course in Clearwater

The Landings Golf Club of Clearwater is a useful choice for golfers looking for a shorter, public 18-hole experience. Formerly known as Clearwater Executive Golf Course, the facility dates to 1970 and was designed by Ron Garl.

The par-63 layout has nine par-4s and nine par-3s. That configuration creates a different experience from Clearwater's full-length courses and can work well for golfers who want to emphasize iron play and their short game.

The Landings also has a driving range and practice putting facility, and golfers can walk or use a cart.

As of November 2026, the City of Clearwater states that The Landings remains open and is operating normally while the city evaluates a proposal concerning the property's future. Golfers planning a future visit should therefore confirm current operating status with the course.

5. Dunedin Golf Club: Restored Donald Ross Golf Near Clearwater

Dunedin Golf Club is one of the most compelling public golf options just outside Clearwater, particularly for players interested in classic architecture and golf history.

Donald Ross designed the course, which opened in 1927. Dunedin Golf Club later served as the home of the PGA of America from 1945 through 1962 and hosted 18 Senior PGA Championships during that period.

The course underwent a comprehensive restoration in 2024 under architect Kris Spence, with the objective of returning the layout closer to Ross's original design. It now plays as an 18-hole, par-72 course measuring 6,745 yards.

Most importantly for visiting golfers, Dunedin Golf Club is a municipal facility and remains open to the public.

6. Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club: Championship-Length Public Golf

Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club in Seminole is worth the drive south from Clearwater for golfers seeking a longer public-access course with tournament history.

Bardmoor stretches to 7,015 yards from its back tees and plays to a par 72. The course has TifEagle greens, water features, bunkering and some elevation change, along with multiple tee sets that shorten the layout substantially for players who do not want the full championship distance.

The club has hosted PGA and LPGA competition in its history, and players including Arnold Palmer, Payne Stewart, Fred Couples and Tom Kite competed there. A major renovation led by Gary Koch was completed in 2003.

Unlike several of the area's private clubs, Bardmoor currently accepts public tee-time reservations.

7. Copperhead at Innisbrook: The PGA TOUR Challenge Near Clearwater

Copperhead at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor is the area's best-known tournament course and the destination choice for golfers seeking a PGA TOUR-tested experience.

The par-71 course measures 7,209 yards from its longest tees. Mature pine trees, rolling terrain, elevation changes, bunkers and water create an environment that feels different from many flatter Florida layouts.

Copperhead hosts the PGA TOUR's annual Valspar Championship. Its best-known stretch is the Snake Pit, the demanding closing sequence where tournament outcomes can change quickly.

Innisbrook has much more than Copperhead. The resort operates four golf courses totaling 63 holes, making it one of the most substantial golf destinations near Clearwater.

Golf access at Innisbrook is structured differently from a conventional municipal or daily-fee course, so prospective players should verify current resort, package and membership requirements directly with Innisbrook before planning a round.

Is Innisbrook's Island Course Worth Playing Too?

Yes, especially for golfers planning more than one serious round near Clearwater. Copperhead receives most of the national attention, but Innisbrook's Island Course is another demanding championship layout.

The Island Course is a par 72 measuring 7,194 yards. Tight fairways, substantial water hazards, bunkering and unusual Florida elevation changes contribute to the challenge.

The course has hosted U.S. Open qualifiers, NCAA championships and professional competition, giving golfers another tournament-oriented option at the resort.

8. Belleair Country Club: Private Donald Ross Golf Near Clearwater Bay

Belleair Country Club is one of the most historically significant private golf settings near Clearwater. Located immediately south of Clearwater, the club has two 18-hole courses associated with Donald Ross.

The West Course is particularly notable after an extensive restoration using historic Ross plans. According to the club, 17 of its 18 holes provide views of Clearwater Bay.

The combination of traditional architecture and bay scenery makes Belleair different from many inland Florida golf experiences. However, this is private-club golf. Access generally requires appropriate membership, guest or qualifying arrangements, which should be confirmed directly with the club.

9. Countryside Country Club: 27 Holes of Private Golf in Clearwater

Countryside Country Club is a strong private-club choice for golfers who want course variety while remaining in Clearwater.

The club has three Gary Player-designed nine-hole courses named Bayhead, Lake and Pine. Different combinations provide 27 holes of golf rather than the single 18-hole layout found at many clubs.

The Lake nine measures 3,357 yards, Pine reaches 3,398 yards and Bayhead measures 3,257 yards from the listed tees. Water, bunkering, mature trees and varying hole shapes provide different challenges among the three nines.

Countryside is a private club, so prospective golfers should verify current membership availability, categories, initiation charges, dues and privileges directly with the club.

How Do the Best Clearwater-Area Golf Courses Compare?

Golf Course	Location	Access	Best Known For
Clearwater Country Club	Clearwater	Semi-private	Historic Herbert Strong design
Cove Cay Golf Club	Clearwater	Semi-public, public play available	Old Tampa Bay views and target golf
Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club	Clearwater	Public	Shot-making and youth mission
The Landings Golf Club	Clearwater	Public	Shorter par-63 format
Dunedin Golf Club	Dunedin	Public	Restored Donald Ross design
Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club	Seminole	Public tee times	Championship length and tournament history
Copperhead at Innisbrook	Palm Harbor	Resort and membership access	PGA TOUR Valspar Championship
Belleair Country Club	Belleair	Private	Donald Ross golf and Clearwater Bay views
Countryside Country Club	Clearwater	Private	Three Gary Player nines, 27 holes

What Is the Best Public Golf Course in Clearwater?

There is no single best public course for every golfer because Clearwater's public-access courses emphasize different experiences.

Cove Cay: Choose it for Old Tampa Bay scenery and target golf.
Chi Chi Rodriguez: Choose it for shot-making and a round that supports the course's youth-development mission.
The Landings: Choose it for a shorter 18-hole format.
Clearwater Country Club: Consider it for a traditional full-length, historic Clearwater course with semi-private access.
Dunedin Golf Club: Make the short trip outside Clearwater for public Donald Ross architecture and golf history.

Tee-time availability and pricing change by course, season, day and time, so golfers should check current information directly with the facility before visiting.

Where Should Low-Handicap Golfers Play Near Clearwater?

Experienced golfers looking for a substantial test should put Copperhead, Innisbrook's Island Course and Bardmoor near the top of the list. These courses provide more championship length and demanding architecture than Clearwater's shorter options.

Copperhead stretches beyond 7,200 yards and has PGA TOUR credentials. The Island Course reaches 7,194 yards with narrow fairways, water and substantial elevation changes. Bardmoor provides a public-access alternative measuring 7,015 yards from the back tees.

Private-club golfers can also consider Belleair Country Club, Countryside Country Club and other membership-based clubs throughout Pinellas County.

Where Should Casual Golfers Play in Clearwater?

The Landings and Chi Chi Rodriguez are particularly relevant for golfers who do not need a 7,000-yard championship test. Both are public, and each offers a different way to enjoy a round without making length the central challenge.

Cove Cay also provides four sets of tees ranging from approximately 4,216 to 6,079 yards, allowing golfers to choose a distance that better fits their game. Its water and bunkering still demand accuracy, so the shorter yardage should not be mistaken for an automatically easy round.

Can You Live in a Golf Community in Clearwater?

Yes. Clearwater and the surrounding Pinellas County area offer several residential settings associated with golf courses. Cove Cay, Countryside and Feather Sound are three prominent Clearwater-area examples, while Belleair, Bardmoor and Innisbrook expand the choices beyond the city.

The housing can include condominiums, villas and detached homes, depending on the community. Importantly, owning property beside a golf course does not necessarily provide membership or playing privileges.

Buyers considering golf-oriented real estate can compare the best golf communities near Clearwater and golf communities near Clearwater Beach.

Does Buying a Golf-Course Home Include Club Membership?

Not necessarily. Residential ownership and golf access can be completely separate arrangements.

This distinction is particularly important when comparing Clearwater-area properties around private clubs. A home may overlook a golf course without giving the owner any automatic right to play it.

Before purchasing a property because of its golf setting, buyers should obtain current written information directly from the club concerning membership eligibility, availability, initiation charges, recurring dues, guest privileges, transfer provisions and playing access.

What Should Golf-Course Homebuyers Investigate?

Golf-course real estate should be evaluated as a property purchase first and a golf opportunity second. The fact that a home has a fairway or water view does not answer questions about the association, insurance, property condition or club arrangements.

Depending on the property, buyers may need to investigate:

Whether golf membership is included, optional or unavailable
Current initiation charges and recurring club dues
HOA or condominium assessments
Condominium reserves and association insurance
Property-specific homeowners insurance
Rental and pet restrictions
Maintenance responsibilities
The exact view and orientation of the property
Golf-course access and guest policies

These arrangements can change and should be verified for the exact property and club before a buyer makes a purchasing decision.

Which Clearwater Golf Course Is Best for You?

The best Clearwater golf course depends on whether you prioritize public access, scenery, course history, a shorter round, private-club amenities or championship difficulty.

For historic golf in Clearwater: Clearwater Country Club
For Old Tampa Bay scenery: Cove Cay Golf Club
For public shot-making golf: Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club
For a shorter public round: The Landings Golf Club
For public Donald Ross golf: Dunedin Golf Club
For championship-length public golf: Bardmoor
For PGA TOUR golf: Copperhead at Innisbrook
For private Donald Ross golf: Belleair Country Club
For 27 holes of private golf in Clearwater: Countryside Country Club

For a beach-oriented version of the comparison, see Hunt Brothers Realty's guide to the best golf courses near Clearwater Beach.

Explore Clearwater Golf Communities with Hunt Brothers Realty

Hunt Brothers Realty helps buyers compare homes, condominiums and communities throughout Clearwater and Florida's Gulf Coast, including properties in golf-oriented settings.

If golf is part of your Florida home search, explore the best golf communities near Clearwater or compare golf communities near Clearwater Beach.

When you are ready to compare available properties, contact Hunt Brothers Realty to discuss your Clearwater-area real estate search.

Informational notice: Golf access, public tee times, resort requirements, membership availability, initiation charges, dues, course conditions and operating schedules can change. Confirm current golf information directly with the applicable course or club before making plans. For real estate purchases, golf privileges should be verified independently from property ownership. HOA and condominium obligations, insurance, financing, taxes, property condition and legal rights are property-specific. Buyers should review these matters with the applicable association and qualified real estate, insurance, lending, tax, inspection and legal professionals before making a purchasing decision.