Best Golf Courses in St. Petersburg, Florida

by Hunt Brothers Realty

Some of the best golf courses in St. Petersburg, Florida include Mangrove Bay for straightforward public golf, Vinoy Golf Club for a historic private and resort experience, St. Petersburg Country Club for private championship golf, and Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club for golf near the southern waterfront. Golfers willing to expand the search slightly can also consider Pasadena Yacht & Country Club and public-access Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club. St. Petersburg offers fewer public 18-hole choices than some larger Florida golf destinations, but the combination of municipal golf, established private clubs, shorter courses and nearby Pinellas County options gives golfers several distinctly different ways to play.

Quick Answers About the Best Golf Courses in St. Petersburg

What is the best public golf course in St. Petersburg?

Mangrove Bay is the clearest starting point for golfers seeking a full-size public course within St. Petersburg. The city-owned facility is an 18-hole, par-72 championship course on 180 acres in northeast St. Petersburg.

Does St. Petersburg have municipal golf courses?

Yes. The City of St. Petersburg operates Mangrove Bay, Cypress Links and Twin Brooks. Mangrove Bay is the 18-hole course, while Cypress Links and Twin Brooks are nine-hole par-3 layouts.

Can the public play Vinoy Golf Club?

Vinoy Golf Club is not a conventional public course. Its official club information states that the course is available exclusively to club members and hotel guests. The 18-hole course is located on Snell Isle.

What are the major private golf clubs in St. Petersburg?

St. Petersburg Country Club and Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club are two prominent private golf choices within the city. Vinoy Golf Club also provides a club-oriented golf experience, with access available to members and hotel guests.

Where can beginners or casual golfers play?

Cypress Links and Twin Brooks are useful choices for shorter rounds. Both are nine-hole, par-3 public courses operated by the City of St. Petersburg, making them alternatives to committing to a full 18-hole round.

What are some good golf courses just outside St. Petersburg?

Pasadena Yacht & Country Club in Gulfport is a nearby private option, while Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club in Seminole offers public tee times. Both expand the golf choices available to St. Petersburg residents.

1. Mangrove Bay Golf Course

Best for: Public 18-hole golf within St. Petersburg.

For golfers who want a traditional public round without leaving St. Petersburg, Mangrove Bay Golf Course is the obvious place to begin. The City of St. Petersburg identifies Mangrove Bay as a par-72 championship course occupying 180 acres.

Visit St. Pete-Clearwater lists the course at 6,656 yards and describes a layout with relatively wide fairways and large greens. Waterways, ponds and mangrove environments help give the course a distinctly Florida setting.

One notable feature is what the course does not have. Homes do not line its fairways, which creates a different playing environment from the many residential golf courses found elsewhere in Florida.

Why Mangrove Bay stands out

Mangrove Bay combines public access, a full 18-hole layout and a location inside St. Petersburg. For a resident who wants regular golf without making private-club membership part of the household budget, that combination can be particularly useful.

2. Vinoy Golf Club

Best for: Historic St. Petersburg golf connected to a landmark downtown resort.

Vinoy Golf Club offers one of St. Petersburg's most distinctive golf experiences. The course is located on Snell Isle, separate from The Vinoy's downtown waterfront hotel, and is available to club members and hotel guests.

The current course is an 18-hole, par-71 layout measuring 6,626 yards. Vinoy's historical information traces golf at the property to the 1920s, with an 18-hole Snell Isle course designed by Stiles and Van Kleek in 1927. The course was later redesigned by Ron Garl and reopened in 1992.

Practice facilities include a driving range, putting green, bunker and chipping area, golf simulator and professional instruction. The club also includes a clubhouse, pool and dining.

Why Vinoy stands out

Vinoy combines golf with one of St. Petersburg's best-known resort environments. It can be particularly relevant to buyers exploring Snell Isle and nearby neighborhoods who want private-club golf relatively close to downtown St. Petersburg.

3. St. Petersburg Country Club

Best for: A traditional private country-club experience within St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg Country Club is an established private club with an 18-hole, par-72 golf course. The club dates to 1924 and identifies Herbert Strong as the course architect.

The course underwent a full renovation completed in 2024, with PGA Tour veteran Gary Koch serving as lead design consultant. Beyond golf, the club offers tennis, pickleball, swimming, fitness, dining and social activities.

For buyers considering a private-club lifestyle, it is important to distinguish between living near the course and actually holding golf privileges. The club currently reports a wait list for golf membership, so prospective members should contact the club directly regarding current availability and requirements.

Why St. Petersburg Country Club stands out

Its century of history, private-club setting and recently renovated course make St. Petersburg Country Club particularly relevant for golfers who want golf to be part of a broader year-round club lifestyle.

4. Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club

Best for: Golf combined with the waterfront lifestyle of southern St. Petersburg.

Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club occupies a distinctive location near the southern end of St. Petersburg. Its 18-hole golf course measures 6,392 yards from the longest tees and plays to a par of 71.

The course was designed by Mark Mahannah and opened in 1977. Isla Del Sol's setting makes the club particularly relevant to golfers interested in the residential areas near the Pinellas Bayway, Tierra Verde, St. Pete Beach and the approach to Fort De Soto.

As the name suggests, the club experience extends beyond golf. Buyers considering real estate on Isla Del Sol should separately verify the membership arrangements, privileges and current costs associated with the club rather than assuming golf membership is automatically included with residential ownership.

Why Isla Del Sol stands out

Few St. Petersburg golf choices connect the course so closely with a coastal residential and boating environment. For buyers who want both golf and proximity to the Gulf beaches, Isla Del Sol deserves consideration.

5. Pasadena Yacht & Country Club

Best for: Private golf, boating and country-club amenities near southwest St. Petersburg.

Just outside St. Petersburg in Gulfport, Pasadena Yacht & Country Club is a private member club located minutes from downtown St. Petersburg, Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach.

The club dates to 1924. Its 18-hole championship course originated in the 1920s and was renovated in the 1980s by Arnold Palmer. The club's history includes PGA and LPGA events, and Walter Hagen served as its first club professional.

Pasadena is private and identifies its golf course as open to members only. Golf membership provides access to the course along with additional club facilities, while other membership categories can carry different golf privileges.

Why Pasadena stands out

Pasadena is worth adding to a St. Petersburg golf search when a buyer wants both private golf and a yacht-club environment, particularly when southwest St. Petersburg, Gulfport or the nearby beach communities are part of the residential search.

6. Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club

Best for: Public championship golf within an easy drive of St. Petersburg.

Golfers willing to drive north into Seminole can add Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club to the list. Unlike the private clubs above, Bardmoor currently accepts public tee-time reservations.

The course stretches to 7,015 yards from its back tees. Bardmoor was founded in 1971, and the course later underwent a major renovation led by PGA Tour winner and golf-course architect Gary Koch. Its history also includes hosting the PGA and LPGA JCPenney Classic.

Practice facilities, golf instruction and tennis are also available, making Bardmoor a useful option for St. Petersburg golfers who want a longer public course and do not mind driving outside the city.

Why Bardmoor stands out

Bardmoor adds something important to the St. Petersburg golf picture, public access to a championship-length course with a tournament history. That makes it a logical alternative when Mangrove Bay tee times are limited or a golfer simply wants more variety.

What About Cypress Links and Twin Brooks?

Not every round needs to consume most of the day. St. Petersburg's municipal golf system includes two shorter public options in addition to Mangrove Bay.

Cypress Links

Cypress Links is a nine-hole, par-3 course located at the entrance to Mangrove Bay. It provides a shorter alternative for beginners, families, golfers working on their short game or anyone who wants a quicker round.

Twin Brooks

Twin Brooks is another nine-hole, par-3 municipal course. It includes a driving range and is home to First Tee of St. Petersburg.

Together, these facilities give St. Petersburg residents public choices ranging from short-game-oriented nine-hole golf to a complete 18-hole round at Mangrove Bay.

Which St. Petersburg Golf Course Is Best for You?

For public 18-hole golf: Start with Mangrove Bay.

For historic resort and club golf: Consider Vinoy Golf Club.

For a traditional private country club: Explore St. Petersburg Country Club.

For golf near the beaches and waterfront: Consider Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club.

For private golf and boating near southwest St. Petersburg: Explore Pasadena Yacht & Country Club.

For another public championship-length option: Drive north to Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club.

For a short public round: Try Cypress Links or Twin Brooks.

Should Golfers Live Near Their Favorite Course?

For a home buyer, the best course and the best neighborhood do not necessarily have to be the same place. St. Petersburg is compact enough that golfers can consider residential areas based on housing, waterfront access, downtown proximity and other priorities while driving to golf elsewhere in the city or county.

A golfer who wants downtown restaurants and waterfront parks might value access to Vinoy Golf Club but choose a home based primarily on downtown or nearby residential preferences. Someone interested in southern St. Petersburg may find Isla Del Sol particularly convenient. A buyer who prefers public golf can choose from a much wider range of neighborhoods because Mangrove Bay does not require residential ownership or private membership.

That flexibility can be valuable. Instead of selecting a home solely because it borders a fairway, compare the complete residential setting with how often you actually expect to play.

Buying a Home on or Near a Golf Course

Golf-oriented real estate deserves a little additional due diligence. A course view can be appealing, but buyers should evaluate how the specific lot interacts with actual play.

Consider:

Which hole borders the property
Location of tees, greens and landing areas
Distance from the home to active playing areas
Golf cart paths
Potential golf-ball exposure
Morning course-maintenance activity
Backyard and pool privacy
Sun orientation
Trees and landscaping between the residence and course
Applicable HOA or condominium obligations

Insurance can also vary by property. Buyers should obtain property-specific insurance quotes and discuss any concerns associated with the home's location and golf-course exposure with a qualified insurance professional before making a purchasing decision.

Do You Have to Join the Golf Club If You Buy Nearby?

Do not assume that buying real estate near a private golf course automatically provides membership, or that every property requires it. Club membership and residential ownership can be separate arrangements.

Before purchasing a golf-oriented property, verify:

Whether membership is required or optional
Whether golf memberships are currently available
Initiation fees and recurring dues
Food and beverage minimums when applicable
Cart and trail fees when applicable
Guest privileges
Whether membership transfers with the property
Any HOA or condominium fees separate from club expenses

Membership structures and fees can change. Obtain current information directly from the club and review property-specific association obligations before relying on a listing description.

Is St. Petersburg a Good Place to Live for Golfers?

St. Petersburg gives golfers several ways to build golf into everyday life without requiring every home search to center on a golf community. Public municipal golf is available inside the city, while private clubs occupy locations ranging from Snell Isle to southern St. Petersburg.

The broader Pinellas County golf inventory adds more choices. A St. Petersburg resident can play locally, drive to Bardmoor, explore courses farther north in Clearwater and Dunedin, or consider additional private clubs around the county.

For home buyers, that means golf can be one factor rather than the only factor. Neighborhood character, home type, waterfront access, condominium or HOA structure, insurance, commuting needs and proximity to the places you use most can remain part of the decision.

Explore St. Petersburg Golf and Gulf Coast Living With Hunt Brothers Realty

Hunt Brothers Realty helps buyers compare Florida Gulf Coast communities based on golf access, housing, waterfront options, association structure and other property-specific priorities. For golfers, the goal is not simply finding the closest fairway, it is finding the combination of home, neighborhood and golf access that fits how you expect to live.

You can also read Hunt Brothers Realty's guide to the best golf courses in Sarasota and guide to golf courses near Wellen Park to compare other Gulf Coast golf destinations.

Informational notice: This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes. Golf access, membership availability, initiation fees, dues, food and beverage requirements, guest privileges, tee-time policies, course conditions and club rules can change. Buyers considering real estate associated with a golf course or private club should obtain current information directly from the applicable club and association. Property-specific financial, insurance, inspection, title, tax, association and legal questions should be reviewed with the appropriate qualified professionals before making a purchasing decision.