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Florida has always been a fantastic destination for golfers of any caliber to visit during the winter months. There are many resorts from end to end of the State that you can visit. There are some places off and on the beaten path that can provide you with excellent golf and fantastic accommodations for a price that will not break the bank. What we are trying to bring you is something a little different or unique.
In this particular case, our best of Tampa Bay is a collection of four golf courses within a 45 minute radius of the Emerald Green golf resort. In all, Waggle Travel can provide you with 10 private and five semi-private golf courses to customize your golf vacation.
Emerald Greens was an ideal place for us to stay and play due to their location, on-site accommodations and 27 holes of championship golf. The two bedroom suites are top of the line. I have stayed in many accommodations for golfers throughout the world and these arrangements are as good as it gets. Two bedroom suites with either two king beds or four twins can be suited for any golfers customized needs.
It wasn't long after our first round of golf that we made our way down to the Olympic size pool and island oasis directly behind our suite. It was tough to get moving again but dinner and the Tampa nightlife was on the agenda.
I wished I would have had more time but I only had four days and really don't care to play more than one round a day. If you only have four days to play these are the four golf courses I would recommend:
Emerald Greens Golf Resort
 Emerald Greens is 27 holes of Dan Maples, (of Pinehurst fame) designed golf. With water on 20 of the 27 holes finishing with the same ball you started is always an accomplishment. Whichever combination of nines you choose if you are teeing it up from the tips you are in the 7,000 yard range and looking at a slope of 137 to 141. Luckily they have four sets of tees so just about any golfer can find the right length for their game.
My favorite hole on each nine! How can you not pick an island green such as the nineth on the Pine 500 plus yard par 5, they say you can go for it in two – sorry, I am not that good and certainly not that long! It is always fun to sit in the Emerald Room after your round as it overlooks the island green. Par on the fourth hole, a 450 yard Par-4, on the Cypress course is a significant achievement. Get it out there off the tee because your second shot will be a long one and you have water to contend with on both sides of the fairway. Everyone loves the challenge of the par 3 - seventh hole on the Meadows Course. 160 yards from the whites, water all down the left side and bunkers protect an undulating green. Needless to say par here is a good score. Can't beat the staff here either! Walking is permitted but for those really hot days air conditioned carts are available.
TPC of Tampa Bay
 With its designation as a TPC course, you know it will be in top condition. I know that Chi Chi Rodrigues is famous for his antics while holing out putts but have you ever played one that he was involved in designing? From what I have seen he might consider doing more! This is only one of two courses in the Tampa area designated as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. It's a nature lovers dream. The course is tough enough without the distractions that the resident deer, foxes, blue herons, cranes, gators and more that call the TPC course home. The course winds itself around natural wetlands, cypress heads and numerous ponds and lagoons or in other words – water, water everywhere, almost every hole. Five sets of tees make it playable for all levels of golfers but even the white tees are sloped at 125 so you know it is a toughy. Fairways are fairly large but there is nothing too far off the fairway that is really good. The TPC of Tampa has a 4 ½ star rating with Golf Digest's Places to Play and is host to the Senior Tours Outback Steakhouse event and it is only 15 minutes from Emerald Greens.
The Quarry Course at Black Diamond Ranch
 Finding elevation change on Florida golf courses is not an easy task. So when someone talks to you about 80 foot cliffs on a Florida course they can only be talking about The Quarry Course at Black Diamond Ranch. It is one of three courses, the others being The Ranch and the nine hole Highlands that you will find within Florida's #1 Residential Golf Community – Black Diamond Ranch. The designer, none other than one who is arguably the premiere designer in the world, Tom Fazio. "Every course is special, but I guess you could say the Quarry Course was one of the milestones in my career" said Fazio.
Not sure what we can tell you about this course that would not be better in person. What can you say about a course that for 20 years has been ranked in Golf Digest's – America's 100 Greatest Course's. Not only that but every high profile magazine in America ranks this course as one of the best! But don't get yourself wrapped up in only playing the Quarry. When Fazio was asked which of the two he preferred of the 2 it was a toss-up! This is one site you will want to check out.
Tampa Palms customize your
 Tampa Palms is one of those cozy settings you just want to keep coming back to! A private club makes you feel at home. The 7,000 yard Arthur Hill's designed course is an Approved Cooperative Sanctuary so you know the wildlife is in abundance. Four sets of tees make it playable for all. With its rating of 73.8 and slope of 135 if you are going to the tips you had better have game! Since opening in 1987 Tampa Palms has continually been ranked among Florida's best. The diabolical Par 3 – 17th is the course's signature hole. All carry over water to a small green protected by bunkers – plenty of doubles have been made here!
If you need some incentive to consider Tampa for your next golf vacation, Emerald Greens is giving you something to consider - Book three nights and receive the fourth night FREE. Stay six nights and receive the seventh and eighth FREE. Long stay plans are also available.
Some of the other courses you might want to consider in the Tampa Bay area are Cypress Run and Bayou Club in Clearwater Largo Florida.
Request more information and prices for The Best of Tampa Bay.
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