
Palma Ceia Course
Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club



About this course
Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club sits in the heart of Tampa, occupying a historic neighborhood setting that has made it a fixture of the city's social and sporting life since 1916. The course bears the marks of multiple architectural hands across its evolution. Tom Bendelow laid out the original design, which was later revised by Donald Ross, whose influence appears in the strategic bunkering and green complexes that characterize many holes. Bobby Weed conducted a more recent restoration and renovation, working to honor the Ross-era features while adapting the course to modern tournament standards and playing conditions. The routing moves through mature live oaks and established residential surroundings, creating tree-lined corridors that demand accuracy from the tee. The relatively flat Tampa terrain is punctuated by Ross-style crowned greens and thoughtfully positioned hazards that reward precise approach play. Water comes into play on several holes, reflecting the low-lying Florida landscape, while the bunkering style maintains the classic look associated with Ross's design philosophy. Palma Ceia has hosted significant amateur championships, including multiple USGA events, establishing its reputation as a serious test of golf within Florida. The club maintains a traditional membership culture rooted in Tampa's established families and business community, with clubhouse amenities and dining that reflect its long-standing role as a social center. The course remains a private club experience, balancing its competitive pedigree with the daily rhythms of member play.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in FL
Quick facts
- Location
- Tampa, FL, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1916
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- Tom Bendelow, Bobby Weed, Donald Ross
- Par
- 70
- Length
- 6,252 yards
- Difficulty
- 72.4/126
- Course Vaults score
- 8.1
Getting there
Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club is most readily accessed via Tampa International Airport (TPA), situated roughly twenty minutes north of the club's Hyde Park address, or via the smaller but equally convenient Tampa Executive Airport (TIW) for those traveling by private aircraft. The drive from TPA traces a direct path south through Tampa's tree-lined corridors, transitioning from the modern sprawl of the airport district into the leafy, established neighborhoods that define this corner of the city - a gentle descent into one of Florida's most storied golfing enclaves. Those arriving by car will find the final approach marked by the distinctive architecture and manicured grounds that announce Palma Ceia's arrival, a club whose very location speaks to Tampa's golden age of golf and whose proximity to the city center belies its air of quiet, old-money seclusion.

FAQ
Common questions about Palma Ceia
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Palma Ceia has a Course Vaults score of 8.1 out of 10 based on 29 logged golfers.
Palma Ceia was designed by Tom Bendelow, Bobby Weed, and Donald Ross.
Palma Ceia is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Palma Ceia is 70.
Palma Ceia plays 6,252 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Palma Ceia is 126.



