We are two families going to Tampa all the way from Scandinavia to spend ten days during Christmas. Has anyone stayed at Chase Suite by Woodfin, Tampa? We intend to play golf for at least 5 days and would be very grateful if someone could give advice of nice golf courses. Are the courses crowded this time of year and do you think we have to book teetimes in advance? Thanks for you help.

ck out golfersguide.com and click on Tampa bay...they place you are staying at is located on Rocky Point...also try the newspaper site...tampatribune.com--they have info about things to do..it may be cold weather for you...you are on the bay not on the Gulf of Mexico...also contact the place yor staying and see if they have a golf package deal w/any golf courses...try to find more info for you...know of some courses but would be a drive for you in traffic..consiering the Rocky Point location..try the Bahama Breeze restaurant there..

Yes, I do hope you realize that your hotel is not on the Gulf of Mexico, but on a bay that you would never consider swimming in and the Gulf beaches are a 40 minute drive. It may be better situated for golf, but there is no nice beach to walk, no beach at all in fact, if that was a plan. The views of the water are pretty in this location, but that is all you'll have--a view. That particular hotel is right off Courtney Campbell Cswy, which is a very busy east-west commuter highway between the beaches and downtown Tampa. Traffic is contant and extremely heavy during rush hour.

There is a public golf course no more than 5-10 minutes from Chase Suites, Rocky Point Municipal Golf Course. It's OK, nothing special. Most of the courses my husband plays are as much as an hour away (all north), but he prefers them to Rocky Point.

Rocky Point as an area to stay is decent, but if I were coming all the way to Florida from Scandinavia, I think I'd prefer the beaches to that location unless you are interested solely in golf, and if that is the case, I'd probably look at staying at a golf resort such as Saddlebrook or Innisbrook if those are within your budget. If you do stay at Chase, you'll be our neighbors, as my husband runs a hotel one stop light before Rocky Point.

Don't want to discourage you, but would hate to have you arrive here having seen internet pictures of a hotel on the water, only to find that that water is not at all what you were expecting: not the Gulf, but Tampa Bay, and that particular section, the very upper end of the bay at that.

Yes, I do realize that there are no beaches, but I did not know it may be cold weather. Do you know the temperature this time of year? (Though we are Vikings we do like it to be warm and sunny!) However, we have got a great deal with the Chase Suite and the main reason for the trip is to have a family golf competition! Besides we love the state and the American people of course! Seems as everytime we intend to go somewhere else it ends up in USA anyway. Thanks again for your help and if someone tried any of the courses nearby to Rocky Point (did not know that was the place!) please let me know.

My husband plays the Rocky Point course, the closest course to Chase occasionally. I'm not a golfer, but if you have questions about it, I'll be glad to ask him for you. He prefers the TPC course--I'm not sure if it's restricted, but I'll find out if you'd like. Seems to me TPC is about 30-40 minutes away

As for cold, I don't agree with x. It generally is pretty nice around Christmas. It *could* be as low as low 50's, but odds are the daily highs will be between 65-75. Perfect golf weather!

Sounds as if you have a fun holiday planned.

Hi all, interested in this thread as have a long weekend planned in Tampa (staying out on Sand Key) in mid-January. Please provide recommendations for good course near Sand Key that won't break the bank for my husband and two teen sons. Thanks.

vicky - here's a link to golf courses in pinellas county (where sand key is located). january is peak season for rates everywhere. good luck.

http://www.alltampabay.com/golfcourses.html

maud - chase suite used to be a residence inn by marriott. there are dozens of courses in the tampa bay area. here's a good link that will let you see information about many of them.
good luck! http://www.tampabaywired.com/lifestyle/golf/

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