Saddlebrook Resort

We played both courses a few years ago and really enjoyed that experience. This year the experience was not the same. We played the Palmer course and it was in good shape but many other things were not what was expected for the price from a resort course. The cart they gave us did not have a scorecard and there was no starter when we got to the first tee, nor was there any scorecards at the starter hut. Many of the tee boxes did not have the tee blocks distanced out and the towels on the ball washers were all shredded. The last disappointing thing was when I headed to the washroom at the halfway house, I came around the corner of the building and a man was urinating OUTSIDE the women’s washroom door. I had to jump over his urine to use the washroom. The course itself was in good condition but all of these negative extras did not make the experience enjoyable.

I was looking forward to playing at Saddlebrook. The entrance looks so nice but the greens and tee boxes need work. Large bare spots and uneven area on tees. Patches and pot marks on many of the greens.

The worst though were the sand traps. They had not been raked and contained more dirt than sand. The layout was nice and there is potential here but it is priced like a high end corse but does not live up to that level.

We were greeted with great service and you feel like you have come to a high-end facility right off the bat. They valeted our car and we were shuttled promptly to the course. As with all Palmer-designed courses, the layout is both interesting & challenging. We really enjoyed it and will definitely come back next time we are in Tampa.

Need to have flag distance on range. Guy at range said he forgot his range finder?? Surely you can do better than that! Course, tee boxes & greens in descent shape! Again, staff can be friendlier! Maybe stop watching tv when customers are checking in!!

Garbage course for 105 dollars. Played all over the country and had a better place for the money

Saddlebrook is a slightly upscale neighborhood surrounding the resort. The resort itself is huge and seems nice but dated. Staff was great; the valet parking has plenty of eager attendants so it was quick and easy. Course was a resort layout; wide fairways and plenty of room for slight misses. Greens were neither slow nor fast and had enough undulations to be challenging. Bunkers well placed and not too punishing. Not busy so it only took 3 hours to play. Yay! Overall it was an enjoyable round.

Like Palmer courses ---no well signed for Golf --no driving range near the course - no starter - no halfway house

For the price I happened to pay, which was half what the regular rate is, I was satisfied I got a reasonable value but the course has been in much better shape in previous years that I've played here. Fairways are in exceptional shape, as are the greens even though they had been aerated within the last 2 weeks but some tee boxes were in bad shape & I didn't expect to see that from Saddlebrook.

The golf carts are also the typical standard golf cart & are aging, mine could have used a brake job. The carts also don't have GPS like similar upper end courses do.

None of this would keep me from playing the Palmer Course in the future. It's a fun, beautiful layout with some of the fastest greens in the local area, which is nice since I live within 10 minutes of the course.

The course itself was a good layout and enjoyable to play. However, finding your way around the property was absolutely frustrating. There is almost a total lack of signs directing you to the practice range and then back to the pro shop and the first tees on the two courses. Placing signs to direct you to keep points would make a great improvement to the experience.

Challenging from the whites. I’m an 11 index.

Nice layout. Good shape. Could use a little TLC. Greens were nice. Not fast but good for Fla this time of year.

Cart girl had no food just drinks and snack. Halfway house was closed.

I was really disappointed the courses and everything around it just seem so dated to me, tired and old

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

Amazing layout. Super fun. Will play again.

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.