A view of green #5 at Palmer from Saddlebrook Golf & Tennis Resort.
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4.3
909 Reviews (909)
5 Stars
445
4 Stars
335
3 Stars
78
2 Stars
33
1 Stars
18
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.2
Layout
4.5
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
4.3
Amenities
3.9
87.3%
Recommend this course
805 out of 909 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
73 Reviews (73)
5 Stars
39
4 Stars
29
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.3
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.5
91.8%
Recommend this course
67 out of 73 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
127 Reviews (127)
5 Stars
60
4 Stars
51
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.2
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.3
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.5
88.2%
Recommend this course
112 out of 127 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 71
Length 6273 yards
Slope 136
Rating 72.5

The Palmer Course is one of two championship courses designed by Arnold Palmer at the Saddlebrook Resort just north of Tampa. Although it is seemingly tame at 6,273 yards, it plays much tougher. The golf course features more elevation changes than the resort's other course, the Saddlebrook. The undulating, tree-lined fairways were designed to mimic a hilly New England course but the moss-covered cypresses, palm trees, and marshy swamplands are true to the Florida landscape. The layout features tight fairways framed with contoured mounding and the occasional water hazard but the most formidable challenge comes from the bunkers strategically placed along the undulating greens. The approaches to the tiered greens, which are often sloped from back to front, demand accuracy. Golfers should be prepared to use every club in their bag and employ a variety of different shots.

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Saddlebrook Resort - Palmer Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1982
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Tif-Eagle Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Arnold Palmer (1982) Ed Seay (1982) Robert Walker (1982)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School Academy Yes - "Saddlebrook Golf Academy"
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Snacks, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities, Spa

Available Activities

Swimming, Billiards

Available Sports

Fitness

Reviews

4.3
909 Reviews (909)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 7
Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 29
Bunkers 22
Undulating Greens 20
This course/club is great for:
A Weekend Splurge 18
Advanced Golfers 17
Playing Multiple Courses 12
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 28
Convenient to the City 14
Worth the Drive 14

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

The greens were very good

The tee boxes were kong from overseeding i believe, other than that small blemish, the Palmer course was in better condition than 3 others we played this week. None had greens that rolled so smoothly.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Always Great Time on Palmer!

This place realizes it has one thing keeping it alive. Two great golf courses

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great Course / Great Price

Greens rolled true, even in the rain! Great layout, great price. Can’t wait to play the other course as well as the Palmer Course again!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 34
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Amazing 👏

I played the Saddlebrook side before First time playing Palmer and I absolutely loved it! A+ perfect conditions. Looking forward to playing again 🙂

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0

Love this course

Greens a little choppy around the cups. Pin placements could be positioned in healthier parts of greens.

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Always a good experience

Greens were recently punched and a little slower than normal, but course was otherwise great.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

If Not for the Restrooms…

The Palmer course was in very good condition. A few tee boxes were knotty, but the overall course was well maintained and the undulating greens were awesome. The golf staff was very helpful - thank you Aiden for going the extra mile and escorting our car to the first tee box. Be prepared to carry your clubs from the valet area to the golf shop. The golf valet cart provided no service after 1pm. You can also leave your clubs at valet and grab them when you get your cart. The only negative about this course was the rest rooms. They were filthy. As a female golfer, this on course amenity is extremely important. Otherwise, the course currently is a 5 star.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great course at great value

While every other course is dealing with crap conditions, the Palmer course was impeccable. Tee boxes and fairways were great. Greens were super slick and rolled true. And it’s just a great course. For $60 this was a great deal.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Awesome outing with my son

Had a great time on the Palmer course. Didn’t bring our clubs but they had those to rent. Great time. Carts were awesome as well with real time data letting you know were to go and how much further.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Palmer

No services on golf course
Watering low, greens burnt
No golf cart food &beverage
All washers not filled with water
No water fountains

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

No cart or water on course at all

Course was in really good shape and can’t beat the price for twilight round. The only negative was no drinking water or cart on course during twilight. With this course not wrapping back around to the club house after 9 it was a brutal end to the round.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great day at Saddlebrooke

Course was a fun layout with tough pin positions. Great value!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing

Not worth what they charge

Very confusing layout, when you first come in you drive past the range then go 2 miles into the development to drop your car off with valet then to walk 1/4 mile to the pro shop just to go 2 miles back to the range then to turn around and go 2 miles back to the 1st tee. The course layout is probably the only thing i would say is worth the $70-$100 price tag other than that you can find better courses for half the price if not less. I was genuinely surprised in the green conditions especially after reading reviews about how they were better than others in the area. There were weeds growing on every green, two of the greens had sections under repair.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
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