Everything You Need to Know About Playing Golf in Tampa, Florida

Almost forgotten in the mad rush to play more celebrated Florida destinations like Orlando, Naples and Ponte Vedra Beach is Tampa, the dynamic city by the bay on the state's west coast.

There are nearly 100 golf courses in Tampa and you can tee it up 365 days a year.

I recently wrote a series of articles on Tampa for The Golf Channel's GolfAdvisor site.

Check out my articles and discover everything you need to know about Tampa golf:

A Beginner's Guide to Golf in Tampa/St. Petersburg

Play Tampa Bay's Most Scenic Golf Courses

Tampa's Tournament Tested Golf Courses

Tampa's Best Golf Resorts

Tampa's Most Unique Golf Courses

5 Reasons I Like to Play Golf at Innisbrook Resort

1. The Copperhead, site of the PGA Tour’s Transitions Championship, is one of Florida’s best courses. Don’t ask me. Paul Azinger once said, “Copperhead is the best course we play on Tour.”

2. With its rolling hills and tall pines, the Copperhead is reminiscent of the Sandhills of North Carolina. If you’re tired of palm laden, flat-as-a-pancake Florida courses, play Copperhead near Tampa.

3. You can see all types of wildlife on the Copperhead, including fox squirrels, bald eagles, alligators and blue herons.

4. It has three other 18-hole courses. My favorite is the Island, which is peppered with water hazards and bunkers.

5. The Fox Squirrel walking course is a 9-hole, par 36, 1,236-yard layout ideal for kids and novices.