Golf courses die all the time. Honestly, it’s a brutal business. In Florida, where every square inch of green space is a target for developers wanting to cram in more townhomes, seeing a course shutter its doors usually feels like the end of the line. But Plantation Palms Golf Club Land O Lakes didn't follow that script. It’s one of those rare spots that stared down a permanent closure and somehow made it back to the other side.
If you’ve lived in Land O Lakes for more than a minute, you probably remember the dark years. Around 2014, the place was a mess. We’re talking overgrown weeds, cracked cart paths, and a clubhouse that looked more like a ghost town than a community hub. It stayed that way for years. Most people just assumed it was only a matter of time before the bulldozers showed up to turn the fairways into a subdivision. Instead, the community fought back, a new owner stepped in, and the result is a 18-hole championship layout that’s actually fun to play without being a total slog.
The Design and the Difficulty Spike
Dave Harman designed this track. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the same guy behind Kauri Cliffs in New Zealand—though obviously, Land O Lakes has fewer sweeping ocean vistas and a lot more suburban charm. The layout is a par-72 that stretches out over 6,600 yards from the back tees. It’s not the longest course in the Tampa Bay area, but it’s definitely not a pushover.
The greens are the real story here. After the massive renovation led by Ace Golf (the group that bought the property in 2016), they put a ton of money into the turf. They use TifEagle Bermuda. It’s fast. If your short game is shaky, these greens will absolutely expose you.
Water comes into play on just about every hole. That’s just Florida golf, right? But here, it’s about the angles. You can’t just grip it and rip it. Take the 11th hole, for instance. It’s a short par 4, but if you’re greedy with your tee shot, you’re either in the drink or blocked out by trees. It’s a thinker’s course.
It’s More Than Just a Round of Golf
Most "country clubs" feel a bit stuffy. This place doesn't. One of the smartest things the management did was lean into the "lifestyle" side of things. They have a lighted driving range. That’s a huge deal for people who work 9-to-5 jobs and can’t get out for a full round during the week. You can go out at 8:00 PM, grab a beer, and just hit a bucket of balls under the lights. It changes the whole vibe from "exclusive club" to "neighborhood hangout."
They also added mini-golf.
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Purists might roll their eyes, but it’s actually brilliant. You’ll see serious golfers on the main course and then families with kids playing the 18-hole mini-golf course right next to the clubhouse. It keeps the lights on. It makes the place feel alive. Plus, the Mulligan’s Irish Pub on-site is genuinely decent. It’s the kind of spot where you’ll see guys in golf polos sitting next to families who just came for the burgers.
Membership vs. Daily Fee
You don't have to be a member to play here. It's a semi-private setup. That said, if you’re playing more than twice a month, the "membership" (which is often marketed as a loyalty or pass-holder program) usually pays for itself.
- Public Rates: Usually vary by season and time of day. Expect to pay more on weekend mornings.
- The Ace Golf Connection: Since they own other courses like Crescent Oaks and Pebble Creek (before its closure), there are often reciprocal deals or multi-course passes available.
Why the Location Matters
Land O Lakes is booming. It’s not the quiet rural outpost it was twenty years ago. With the expansion of State Road 54 and the Suncoast Parkway, Plantation Palms Golf Club Land O Lakes is basically the centerpiece of a massive residential hub.
The course sits right in the middle of a deed-restricted community. This means the homeowners have a vested interest in the course looking good. When the course was rotting back in 2015, property values in the neighborhood were taking a hit. Now that it’s manicured and busy, the whole area feels different. It’s a symbiotic relationship that you don't always see in golf-course communities.
The Reality of the Conditions
Let's be real for a second. This isn't Augusta National. It’s a high-traffic public course. During the peak winter months (January through March), the course takes a beating from the "snowbirds" and the sheer volume of rounds played. You might see some worn spots in the fairways or a few unraked bunkers.
But compared to where it was? It’s a miracle. The greens are almost always in great shape because the maintenance crew knows that’s what golfers care about most. If the greens are rolling true, most people will forgive a little brown patch in the rough.
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Navigating the Practice Facility
If you’re just looking to work on your game, the practice area is one of the better ones in the North Tampa area.
- The grass tees are usually open, which is a big plus over hitting off mats.
- The putting green is huge and actually mimics the speed of the greens on the course.
- The chipping area allows for some decent short-game work, though it can get crowded on Saturday mornings.
One tip: if you're going for the lighted range at night, check their Facebook page or call ahead. Sometimes they close parts of it for maintenance or private events, and there’s nothing worse than hauling your bag out there just to see the lights off.
Dealing with the Florida Element
If you’re playing Plantation Palms Golf Club Land O Lakes in July, God help you. The humidity in Land O Lakes is a different breed of heavy. Because the course is carved out of old wetlands and surrounded by homes, the breeze can get blocked.
You need to bring water. A lot of it. The beverage cart is usually circling, but don't bet your hydration on it. Also, the afternoon thunderstorms in the summer are no joke. The pro shop is pretty good about rain checks, but if you see those dark clouds piling up over the Suncoast Parkway, it's time to start heading back to the clubhouse.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Club
A common misconception is that you have to live in the Plantation Palms community to play there. You don't. It's open to everyone. Another myth is that it's "too hard" for beginners. While the water is intimidating, there are multiple sets of tees. If you play from the appropriate yardage, it’s actually a very fair test of golf.
The "links-style" label gets thrown around a lot here too. It’s not really a links course in the traditional Scottish sense. It’s a Florida meadowlands course. There are some open vistas, but there’s too much water and too many forced carries to call it a true links.
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Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head out to Plantation Palms Golf Club Land O Lakes, here is how you should handle it to get the best experience.
Book your tee time through their website directly. Sometimes the "discount" sites save you three dollars but then charge a five-dollar booking fee. Plus, the course gets more of the money when you book direct, which helps with the upkeep.
Show up 45 minutes early. The check-in process is usually smooth, but the range is located a bit of a drive/walk from the first tee. You don’t want to be rushing your warm-up.
Play the right tees. If you’re a 15-handicap, stay off the back tees. The forced carries over the marshes will eat your golf balls for breakfast. Move up, enjoy the birdies, and keep the pace of play moving for everyone else.
Check the wind. Because the course is relatively open in spots, the wind can absolutely whip through the corridor. A two-club wind is common here, especially on the back nine.
Hit the pub after. Seriously, the food is better than your standard hot-dog-at-the-turn. It’s a big part of why the club survived—it’s a functional restaurant, not just a snack bar.
Whether you're a local or just driving up from Tampa, the story of this course is worth appreciating. It's a reminder that golf courses can be saved, provided the community and the owners actually care about the dirt they're standing on.