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Tampa
has three municipal golf courses where you can play for about $30 to $35, a
relative pittance compared to fees at privately owned courses here and elsewhere
in Florida. The Babe Zaharias Municipal Golf Course, 11412
Forest Hills Dr., north of Lowry Park (tel. 813/631-4374), is an 18-hole,
par-70 course with a pro shop, putting greens, and a driving range. It is the
shortest of the municipal courses, but its small greens and narrow fairways
present ample challenges. Water provides obstacles on 12 of the 18 holes at
Rocky Point Golf Course, 4151
Dana Shores Dr. (tel. 813/673-4316), located
between the airport and the bay. It's a par-71 course with a pro shop, practice
range, and putting greens. On the Hillsborough River in north Tampa, the
Rogers Park Golf Course, 7910 N. 30th St. (tel. 813/673-4396), is an
18-hole, par-72 championship course with a lighted driving and practice range.
All of the courses are open daily from 7am to dusk, and lessons and club rentals
are available.
You can
book starting times and get information about these and the area's other courses
by calling Tee Times USA (tel. 800/374-8633; www.teetimesusa.com).
If you want to do some serious work on your game, the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy World Headquarters is
at Saddle brook Resort, 5700 Saddle brook Way, Wesley Chapel, 12 miles north of
Tampa (tel. 800/729-8383 or 813/973-1111; www.saddlebrookresort.com). Half-day
and hourly instruction is available, as well as 2-, 3-, and 5-day programs for
adults and juniors. You have to stay at the resort or enroll in the golf program
to play at Saddle brook.
For course information online, go to www.golf.com or www.floridagolfing.com; or call the Florida Sports
Foundation (tel. 850/488-8347) or Florida Golfing (tel.
866/833-2663).
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