Saddlebrook at Saddlebrook Golf & Tennis Resort

My first time on this course. I played the Palmer course on my last visit. Course was in good shape with some weeds on both the fairway and greens, but this really didn't impact play that. much. Overall, puts rolled true, although I thought the greens were a bit slow.. There re is a lot of water on the course, so shot placement and proper club selection is essential.

The golf course was good for it being off-season. The "resort" was weird. Directions to the clubhouse were difficult to find. Hint: it's not near the golf practice facility as the address suggest. Valet parking is required at the resort entrance and they'll shuttle you to the pro shop. Valet is free with tee time purchase. Overall, I expected more but if the green fees are below $40; it's a deal.

Saddlebrook is always a great course to play. Everyone is very friendly and it is very challenging.

Course conditions were fair to poor. The greens had pits and spots all over along with crab grass. Fairways had clippings in clumps stopping roll on the fairways.

Course is nice, well kept. Pace of play was quite enjoyable. Parking and getting your clubs set up on your cart is a hassle. Same when returning the cart. Zero water coolers, and never saw an on course drink vendor during play. Paid just under $60, might consider again for a deal around $40.

Since I've played all the top courses in the Tampa Bay area I am asked which is best ? ..well .. World Woods was #1 before Cabot bought it and now it's under construction and not open ... Saddlebrook/Saddlebrook is now the #1 Public Golf Course in Tampa Bay and vicinity . The facility and course conditions are magnificent and even if you didn't play golf and just to rode around Saddlebrook is worth the day out . The course is lined with the most magnificent trees in all of Florida and no other course in Tampa Bay is so awesome just to be on . PLAY this course and you'll see why Saddlebrook/Saddlebrook is the #1 Course in all Tampa and you'll thank me later .. P.S - The Palmer Course at Saddlebrook is not this review so remember to book Saddlebrook-Saddlebrook ONLY !!!

You gotta know where to go, and it’s not self explanatory… but once you get to the course it did not disappoint. The Valet lot was full so we had to retreat to an auxiliary lot and ride the shuttle back to the resort center where we carried our clubs a few hundred yards before reaching the cart staging area. Everyone was very kind and helpful throughout our visit. The course is in very nice shape and we played in just over 3 hours. Didn’t see much of anyone out on the course mid morning on a weekday. Would definitely go back and feel much more confident in navigating now that we’ve been there once. Lost lots of time in the parking scramble debacle so didn’t warm up or putt at all. It was a steal at the Hot Deal rate!

The course was great. Even though it had rained a lot overnight, greens had no puddles, they were just wet since it was still early morning. It was HOT. Only disappointment was with the amenities- there were practically none. No cart girl selling drinks or water, no restaurant (calls to pool bar were unanswered, later we found out they were "closed for weeks"). Note to bring your own water/drinks or grab a gatorade at the shop if you play on a Friday AM as nothing will be offered on course.

Nothing to do with the course but this is difficult weather to play golf in. The heat is bad but its the humidity that gets you wet, effects grip and vision.

The course is very challenging as sandtraps are located exactly where if you make good contact but are 25 feet to left or right, you will find yourself in the sand. The sand is very hard, not easy to control the shot.

Course layout is one of the best I've played in the Tampa Bay area. I would like to play here when it hasn't rained so much as the rough ate up balls. Grass was so thick balls dissappeared. Greens I thought were a little slow and some have bare spots and weeds. Tee boxes and fairways were fine.

It is a beautiful course and I enjoyed playing it. Now that I know how the greens roll, next time I will have a better day with the putter.