Palmer at Saddlebrook Golf & Tennis Resort: #5
A view of green #5 at Palmer from Saddlebrook Golf & Tennis Resort.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.0
1639 Reviews (1639)
5 Stars
691
4 Stars
617
3 Stars
183
2 Stars
86
1 Stars
62
Conditions
3.9
Value
4.0
Layout
4.1
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.3
Amenities
3.9
78.8%
Recommend this course
1364 out of 1639 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
39 Reviews (39)
5 Stars
18
4 Stars
12
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.1
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.5
84.6%
Recommend this course
33 out of 39 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
62 Reviews (62)
5 Stars
26
4 Stars
19
3 Stars
9
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.0
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.2
Amenities
3.8
StaffFriendliness
4.4
79.0%
Recommend this course
49 out of 62 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Saddlebrook's staff consistently earns high praise for being genuinely friendly, courteous, and well-prepared with GPS carts and helpful course advice. The redesigned layout offers excellent variety and strong value compared to other top courses in the Tampa Bay area.

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 72
Length 6434 yards
Slope 141
Rating 72.2
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Saddlebrook Resort Golf Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1982
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Tif-Eagle Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Arnold Palmer (1982) Ed Seay (1982) Robert Walker (1982) Rees Jones (2025)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes - "Saddlebrook Golf Academy"
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Snacks, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities, Spa

Available Activities

Swimming, Billiards

Available Sports

Fitness
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Reviews

4.0
1639 Reviews (1639)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 16
Patio Dining 13
Dinner 9
Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 54
Bunkers 45
Forced Carries 32
This course/club is great for:
A Weekend Splurge 33
Advanced Golfers 32
Locals 25
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 53
Worth the Drive 28
Convenient to the City 27

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing

Does not worth the price

Booked for a single at almos $100, next day same TT $56. Greens are not optimal for serious golfers.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Challenging

Amazing layout. Super fun. Will play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Great layout

Really enjoyed this course. Layout was scenic with just the right mix of challenging and fun. Especially after Ian, course was surprisingly very dry, with no cart restrictions. I would have given it 5 stars except for several factors. Many of the greens were under repair and in spots had weeds. Aside from this, the actual greens rolled true with just the right amount of speed. Lack of a regular beverage cart service. I missed the cart on the 4th hole, and never saw it again. Warm day, and 18 holes with no water is tough. Layout is a little confusing. Got lost a couple times on the course finding the next hole, the driving range is not easily located and requires taking a golf cart on main roads. Parking is confusing and you can't actually drive to the bag drop. Your best option is use the free valet service and let them shuttle you and your clubs to the drop. Even with these short comings, I will definitely play the course again, next time I visit Tampa.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 22
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Previously Played

What happened?!

Had family in from out of town and couldn’t decide which amazing course to play. Never in six trips have I had a bad experience playing Saddlebrook so took my Dad there. Starter couldn’t keep up so theyre were four other groups on number one tee. Tee time 0830, didn’t tee off til 0900 am. Cart staff loaded clubs but left my cigar box and cooler full of water behind. Valet and cart girl were great as well as course conditions. BUT the overbooking and or starter’s incompetence really left a bad vibe over the entire round. Delays happen, but doing half the job or sending an on time group out 30 minutes late is unacceptable. Also 8 bucks for a beer is ridiculous!!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 28
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Keeper

Course is always in prime shape whenever I've played there. Friendly and courteous staff

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 28
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

4th time playing here & easily sits in my top 2 (out of 15 courses I've played here in Tampa area). T's can use some work, outside of that, very nice course!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice Layout

Enjoyed playing there. Staff was friendly. Greens putted extremely well. Great Palmer layout. The course was saturated but still playable. Would definitely come back!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Very Pleased with Saddlebrook

Thoroughly enjoyed this round of golf. The Palmer course was restricted to a 90 degree rule with carts but the conditions were barely noticeable. There was no standing water anywhere. Some soft spots but if you paid attention and respected where you were driving, there was no damage from tire marks. The greens were lightly top-dressed and fertilized but had no effect on any putts, short or long, breaking or straight. Overall the course was well worth the cost of the green fees, staff from the front gate to the golf shop, on course maintenance, outside operations, and valet services were nothing short of courteous, professional and outstanding. I will be going back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Saddlebrook Palmer

Terrific layout. Conditions were very good considering it’s the rainy season. Extremely challenging yet fair. Will return often.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 63
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Great fun!

Played with two of my Sunday group. The other 7 backed out due to recent rains and possible new showers. MEOW.... We had sunshine and a light breeze all day, The course was damp in some low spots and 3 bunkers had standing water. The rest of the course was great. Greens rolled true. Sand in bunkers was fluffy. It was great. The staff were terrific in every way. The Ranger and Cart Girl were the stars of the show. Lift clean and place and cart path only were the rule of the day. Our round, On a Sunday, was 3.5 hours. Started at 0900, ended at 1230. Amazing speed for weekend golf around here. Will play this again ,soon. My buddies missed a great round due to the Meow factor.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 45
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather

What can I say PERFACT

This was a lot of fun playing hard but fun .The staff went all out for everyone that played ,

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Needs Serious Work

You pay for 18 but can only play 15. First hole the green isn't usable. They just cut a hole and stuck a flag in the middle of the fairway. Come to find out there are multiple holes like this. Greens have giant spots missing grass. Felt like I was putting on carpet because the greens haven't been mowed in quite some time. Back 9 was in a little better shape than front.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

On course bathrooms are not cleaned and attended to enough. Dirty and no toilet paper.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

I'd play it again

Run short course.

Needs better grass mowing and trimming.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Keep a Close Eye on your Belongings

Overview: Green fee cost was good. The valet staff and the guys in the clubhouse were friendly. The course was in decent shape--75% of the holes were in really good shape. But it's critical that you keep an eye on your belongings.

Pros: Great rate for a decent, albeit dated resort course (look at all of the facilities and you'll suddenly feel like your back in the late 1970s).

Cons: The drink cart that they said would be on the course never once came by us.... Getting a ride from a valet to the clubhouse is a delay (and a tip expense) you should plan for... Getting a hold of anyone at this resort through their phone system is really a pain and they don't return phone messages.

Really Big Con: My laser rangefinder was magnetically attached to the golf cart. It was there when we finished our round (we used it on the last hole). I ran inside the clubhouse as we finished our round and when I came out someone else had taken my clubs off of the cart and loaded them onto the valet cart for the ride to our car. Unfortunately, they didn't grab my rangefinder and I didn't notice. When I noticed it was missing the next day, it took forever to get through to someone who made an attempt to go look for my rangefinder. He didn't find it and transferred me to security so I could file a lost and found report. What bothers me is there's no way anyone but an employee of Saddlebrook could've "found" the rangefinder. The cart was in their hands from the moment we got back to the clubhouse until we left and there weren't any other people around. So I'm out an additional $250 thanks to no one being able to "find" it. I'm sure I'll see it on EBay if I keep an eye out there, though...

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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