Sea, Sun & Swing: Where to Golf in St. Pete-Clearwater

As the 25th anniversary of the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship tees off from 16-22 March at the legendary Copperhead Course, golfers from the UK and beyond are flocking to St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida, to play on its renowned courses and enjoy the destination’s sun-drenched fairways and stunning scenery.

With its vibrant fan experiences, bold on-course branding and electric atmosphere, “The Most Colourful PGA Tour Tournament in the World” returns to Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club, where visitors can experience championship-calibre golf just minutes from the Gulf Coast. But watching the pros is just the beginning. The wider St. Pete-Clearwater area is home to more than 40 courses, spanning resort prestige to historic favourites.

So, whether you boldly hit the course in your golfer’s best or tentatively stride to the tee box hoping to keep the ball on the green, St. Pete-Clearwater has a course to suit everyone’s ability.

Championship courses

Follow in the footsteps of the world’s best at Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club, where the legendary Copperhead Course challenges even the most seasoned golfers with strategic water hazards and dramatic terrain. The round finishes at the famous ‘Snake Pit’ from holes 16 to 18 – a nickname for the twisting, high-stakes closing holes that test both skill and nerve. Innisbrook also features three additional championship courses spread across more than 900 acres, from the rolling fairways of the South Course to the precision-testing holes of the North Course’s island greens.

Quality play in St. Pete-Clearwater extends well beyond resort settings. Located on 180 waterfront acres in northeast St. Pete, Mangrove Bay is a par-72 championship course frequently cited as one of Florida’s best municipal courses. Despite a suburban setting, its wide fairways are lined with mangrove trees, and its USGA-modified greens provide a smooth rolling surface suitable for all levels.

For a more urban outing, the Vinoy Resort & Golf Club offers a beautifully-maintained par-71 course with scenic Tampa Bay views. The lush, palm-laden course is open to guests of the emblematic hotel, providing a walkable and scenic escape close to downtown St. Pete.

Historic favourites

History runs deep through St. Pete-Clearwater’s fairways. At the Belleair Country Club, golfers can tee off on Florda’s very first golf course, established in 1897 and later redesigned by the legendary architect Donald Ross into two full 18-hole layouts. Guests staying at the beloved Belleview Inn, which dates back to 1897, enjoy access to both courses, combining a boutique stay with golf steeped in more than a century of heritage.

Just up the coast, another Donald Ross masterpiece has recently been given new life. Dunedin Golf Club first opened in 1927 and once served as the headquarters of the PGA of America, hosting 18 consecutive Senior Tour Championships. Following a $6 million restoration in 2024, the course was named “Renovation of the Year” by Golf Inc, with Ross’ original greens and strategic bunkering carefully restored to bring the layout back to its Golden Age glory. Best of all, it’s a municipal course open to everyone.

Rounding out the region’s historic trio, Tarpon Springs Golf Course is a storied gem celebrating its 120th anniversary next year. Expanded to a full 18 holes in 1926, the course was a favourite practice ground for golf legend Gene Sarazen – the first to win the career grand slam. The course features notable elevation changes and frequent sightings of local wildlife such as bald eagles and alligators, if you’re lucky.

Relax the St. Pete-Clearwater way

And, when it’s time to unwind and dream about the PGA career that could have been, St. Pete-Clearwater has that covered, too. Between the holes, visitors can relax on the pristine sands of Honeymoon Island State Park and award-winning Clearwater Beach, explore marine life at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, or soak up the culture in downtown St. Pete, home to the Dalí Museum, the Chihuly Collection, and the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art for the perfect change of pace.

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Notes to editors:

Link to download images: https://visitstpeteclearwater.canto.com/b/OLK2Q

For further press information, please contact:
Annie Hopson | Caitlin Lesko | Cesar Arnold
Rooster.
T: +44 (0)203 440 8930
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About Visit St. Pete-Clearwater:
Soaking up the sun on the sugar white sand, enjoying the interactive art and museums, taking in a waterfront concert, dining at Michelin-rated restaurants and capping the experience with a picturesque sunset – all in a single day – is what makes St. Pete-Clearwater America’s Best Beaches. Beyond the 35-mile stretch of award-winning coastline, the destination is a harmonious blend of natural beauty, history, creativity, and adventure, nestled between the emerald Gulf waters on Florida’s west coast and Tampa Bay. A premier destination for solo adventurers, friends, sports enthusiasts, film producers, business professionals and families, this sun-soaked peninsula seamlessly transitions world-class cultural experiences and a sophisticated urban pulse with endless sun and fun.

Tampa International Airport is the gateway to St. Pete-Clearwater, conveniently located just 30 minutes away from America’s Best Beaches and offers daily flights from London through Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. Discover the adventures that await at VisitSPC.com.