
Palmer Course
Saddlebrook Resort



About this course
The Palmer Course at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Florida, opened in 1981 as part of Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay's design work for this tennis and golf destination north of Tampa. The course reflects Palmer's design philosophy from this era, emphasizing playability for resort guests while incorporating strategic elements that reward thoughtful shot-making. The layout works with the gently rolling terrain characteristic of this part of west-central Florida, featuring elevation changes modest by the state's standards but notable enough to create visual interest and varied lies. Water comes into play on roughly half the holes, typical of Florida resort courses from this period, while bunkers frame landing areas and greens in Palmer's straightforward style. The course stretches over 6,500 yards from the back tees, offering multiple tee options suitable for the resort's diverse clientele. Live oaks and pines line many fairways, and the routing takes advantage of the property's natural vegetation to create definition and separation between holes. Saddlebrook has hosted various professional and amateur events over the decades, serving primarily as a training and tournament venue for developmental tours and junior competitions. The resort itself is known for its tennis facilities and has attracted professional athletes for training camps. The Palmer Course operates alongside the resort's other Arnold Palmer-designed layout, providing guests with 36 holes in a setting that balances competitive golf with the recreational atmosphere expected at a full-service resort property.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in FL
Quick facts
- Location
- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1986
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 6,273 yards
- Difficulty
- 72.5/136
- Course Vaults score
- 7.3
Getting there
Saddlebrook Resort sits just forty minutes north of Tampa International Airport (TPA), accessible via a straightforward drive through central Florida's gently rolling landscape that gradually transitions from suburban sprawl into the quieter, oak-dotted terrain of Pasco County. Private aviators will find a natural home at nearby Tampa Executive Airport (TPA-adjacent facilities), which cuts the ground transfer to mere minutes. The final stretch unfolds along tree-lined roads that signal the shift from highway to resort grounds, where the arrival at Saddlebrook's columned entrance and manicured grounds announces a destination built for serious golf and unhurried retreat.

FAQ
Common questions about Palmer at Saddlebrook Resort
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Palmer at Saddlebrook Resort has a Course Vaults score of 7.3 out of 10 based on 20 logged golfers.
Palmer was designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay.
Yes. Palmer at Saddlebrook Resort is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Palmer is 71.
Palmer plays 6,273 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Palmer is 136.



