Innisbrook, A Salamander Golf and Spa Resort

Of all the accolarions I was told about greatness of this courses, I was mostly disappointed by the conditions of most or all of their fairways. They are spotty brown and super dried. Not many players fixed their divots. Greens are fine. It was a hot and humid day when we played yesterday but was also surprised that they dotnt have ice machines on the courses. Unless you stocked your knee in the first hole, you are in tough luck. Good things that they have a die hard beverage cart gal on the course. This course is not worth the $175 rate.

As they say, "play where the pros play." If it wasn't for its place in the schedule they would probably get all the best players as this is and excellent challenging course. Often forget that you are in south FLA with the pines, lakes and elevation changes.

This course challenges every part of your game. You need all the shots as well some strategy.

Conditioning has been an issue the last few years as the reseeded to whole course and had some bad breaks with the weather. But things should be much improved this season and going forward. Can't wait to get back there.

The south course has a very good track. First 4 holes is more like a Florida course. Holes 5-13 are a wide open links course. Holes 14-18 are more of a Florida course also. Pro shop dated, small range, bad practice facility. Course was not in great shape but playable. Weedy greens, bad tee boxes (especially number 4). Also, no water stations on the course AT ALL. Went to go open my water cooler, finding one full bottle and one empty bottle, no ice. No cart gps or green map. Only good thing I could say is the fairways were in phenomenal shape and the staff was very friendly. If your staying at the resort or are a guest, play the other three courses. They are by far better.

The Innisbrook resort has 4 courses and this course is one of the 2 short courses although it still plays to a par 71. If you are here to play multiple courses, the North course is a good change of pace from the longer Island and Copperhead courses. I believe the back tees max out around 6k yards. However, with all of that said, the North course is not easy by any means. Lots of trees and dog legs to navigate here and although there are multiple par-4's that are under 300yards, going for any of these greens can lead to extremely high scores...it's a fun course but if you can only play one while you're in Palm Harbor, choose Copperhead or at least the Island course.

Of the four courses at Innisbrook, the Copperhead is certainly the most well known of the bunch, thanks to the fact it's a long-standing host of the PGA Tour. But the Island is every bit as challenging, and is home to some of the neatest holes and greatest elevation change on the property. I love the par-5 7th, which is a severe dogleg left off the tee and then trudges uphill to the green. The par-5 11th has a great elevated tee shot, while there are some other holes that are more narrow, like the 6th, and requires nothing but your finest (and straightest) drive. It would be silly to only play the Copperhead during your stay at Innisbrook; be sure to play the Island as well. I had the chance to play the course first-off on a warm September morning, which really added to the appeal of the round. Try and do the same.

Overall, golf course was in fair shape for our summer climate and the volume of rounds they get. However pace of play was horrendous and the staff made no effort in trying to speed up play. For a famous resort course I expected a better course and staff experience.

If they grew the rough on the Island Course, it might be even more difficult than the course that the PGA Tour plays on -- Copperhead. It's certainly tighter, and if you played at more than 7,300 yards, it'd be a pretty incredible challenge. I didn't tackle it from there, but it was plenty difficult from 6,700 yards. Water everywhere, plenty of bunkers and pretty tight fairways means you need to be on your game. Plus some of these holes, like the par-4 10th that plays back uphill, play pretty long.

The first few holes seem like typical Florida golf, but from the fifth hole to the 17th, the course opens up with somewhat of a links feel with interesting bunkering, mounds and a wide-open look. At 6,400 yards, this par-71 isn't particularly long, but play it from the back tees, and there's plenty of golf course. The South Course also complements the other three courses at Innisbrook Resort, which includes the famed Copperhead Course, also designed by Larry Packard.

Having never played this course before a recent restoration that included new greens, new irrigation and bunker renovations, I really can't compare it to the old. But I can certainly understand why the PGA Tour players list this among their favorite courses. It rewards good shot-making, plain and simple. And the design, though it's less than 50 years old, is certainly classic. The finishing stretch -- the Snakepit -- is certainly memorable and challenging. And with a a few hills, bends and strategically placed water hazards, it never gets boring.

Island course at innisbrook is definitely a well-kept course but it definitely takes second place to the PGA tour stop and sister course, Copperhead. This course is extremely tight and can play quite difficult. Some might use the term "unfair" but straight shots are rewarded here and if you are not in the fairway, you most likely will be in trouble and probably have to punch-out or take a drop. I would have preferred to see some of the trees and overhanging limbs cleared out a bit to give the average golf a bit more forgiveness but Island is a course where hitting it straight and long is a MUST. This course is not for the play-once-a-year golfer but if you like challenges, this is a great course to test out your game. But be warned, this course will make you swallow your pride!

Copperhead recently re-opened after a full restoration of the course and it did not disappoint. The course layout is almost exactly the same but the course is in pristine condition right now. The greens are a bit slow on some holes but thats normal as they are new and its hard to cut down as they come in. The course itself is challenging but very fair. The greens are fairly large so GIR isn't as relative. The scenery surrounding the course is pretty amazing as its surprisingly hilly and the elevation changes/tall pines can make it feel like the carolinas which is nice in a very flat area of florida. The practice area and driving range has plenty of space to fine-tune your game. The copperhead course is the best course of the Innisbrook resort and is a must-play when in the Tampa/Palm Harbor area especially considering its an annual PGA Tour stop. The other courses here are nice but this is the one you should look forward to playing!

This is a great golf course. Be ready for deep rough and an excellent layout. Just make sure you check the weather.....We didn't have rain for 4 days prior to our round and the course was still we and mushy in many areas. It does not drain well!!!

The course is a great layout. As good as Copperhead but surprisingly more difficult. The rough is deep and water is in play on many holes. When there is no water there was OB or trees (or both). My only issue with the course is that it doesn't drain well and although we had no rain in previous 4 days it was still mushy in many areas. Some areas around greens lacked consistency in terms of the amount of grass, some thick, some bare areas which make chipping an unknown adventure.

This is a tough course,especially for a mid-to-high handicapper that isn't on top of his/her game. The pros play from the tips with less problems than someone that can not split the fairways or is intimidated by water or extremely penal rough. You should play this course if you have the chance, but be prepared to swallow your pride when you walk off it.

I played in the Golf Channel Am Tour event and truly my score reflected poor play versus the difficulty of the course. It is a fair but challenging course, and bring along a few extra balls if you are not playing well. Hope to get a second shot at this course some day.

Spectacular course for a Pinellas County Golf Association event. Flawless condition. Staff was well prepared for the event. Not nearly as difficult as other courses at Innisbrook.

Reviewing the Copperhead was one of my first assignments as a golf writer back in 1999. I played the course a week after the tournament. I still remember how difficult the ankle-high rough and super-slick greens were to manage. It was a big-boy course, and I brought a beginner's game. I can't vouch for certain that the Copperhead is the best of the four Florida venues that host the PGA Tour. I haven't seen the new Doral or PGA National. But most surveys and comments show that the pros love and respect the course. You will, too.

The main feature that stands about Copperhead is that you forget you are in Florida. The elevation changes and the pines make you feel like you are in North Carolina. If you like North Carolina as I do then that's a good thing. This is a big time golf course that tests every part of your game. And the only style of play that it favors is good play. Distance helps but you gotta have control. My favorite hole is the par 4 16th. Challenge the pond up the right side off the tee and you are well rewarded with a shorter approach and a better angle. Bail out to the left in the rough and you may have a play but the green slopes away so you likely won't hold the green. If you have a bucket list of the top courses to play in Florida then the Copperhead should be on it.

I'm a huge fan of Copperhead at Innisbrook, if only because it's so different from your garden variety Florida golf course. There is so much elevation change here, which lends itself to great hole variety, that it feels like something more Midwestern than a property minutes from the Gulf of Mexico. This is a design dating back to the 1960s, so prepare for a traditional course design, lots of water, well-guarded greens and a good dose of length. Between here and World Woods, the Tampa area has two real knockouts for bucket list golfers to play.