- Moderator
- #1
I had the privilege to play Cypress Run Golf and Country Club, a private course located about 30 minutes from Tampa International Airport. Called "The pride of Pinellas", this course has hosted numerous USGA events. Upon arrival, you're greeted with a clubhouse that honestly does nothing to impress. There's unfortunately nothing fancy about its members locker room (3 showers, a shoe shine service, and moderate locker room) or clubhouse layout (screams of something built in the late 70's or early 80's) that just doesn't give its guest or member a warm or welcoming feeling.
Its driving range consists of multiple targets though and offers the opportunity to hit from artificial grass or real turf, depending on turf conditions and the decision of the clubhouse. It's a fairly good size range, but I felt like it would have difficulty holding more than 30 people at a time. The turf is very typical for Florida, with a very heavy sand base. If you're someone who isn't used to seeing a bit of sand blasting to the bottom of ones clubs after a warmup or range session, I suggest you look further before you play this club.
The course does though offer a tricky layout, especially with the wind blowing. The placing of your tee shot is key in both approach angle, as well as to avoid overhanging tree limbs in some very intimidating tee shots. The approach shots aren't so bad as the design makes you think there's not much room on either side, but only after you've hit the shot and you turn around back towards the tee do you realize you had a little more room than imagined. It's similar to a Pete Dye layout if one has had the chance to play a Pete Dye course. That being said, it also reminds me of a Pete Dye layout in that not every hole is memorable. Many holes after a while blend in and feel the same, and also feel mentally taxing after having to factor in both wind, fairway slope, and hole layout.
The greens have some undulation that isn't so bad when the green speeds are moderate, around 9 on the stimpmeter, but can be incredibly challenging when they approach the 11-12 on the stimpmeter speeds. Having now played with both moderate and very fast green speeds, it's amazing the difference in score when one isn't having to be timid due to green speed and undulation. I felt I could be significantly more aggressive on the slower greens when I wasn't having to play almost 7 feet of break on some putts due to speed. Overall, it's a course I would play again but likely would not be the first choice for the price. As one can see, there really aren't very many pictures included in this review. That's because the course really just felt the same hole after hole and when looking back in the photos I did take, the only one that stands out is the last one on the tee shot on 18, mostly because I was glad it was over and it was the last time I had to really focus on "threading the needle" on a tee shot.
Its driving range consists of multiple targets though and offers the opportunity to hit from artificial grass or real turf, depending on turf conditions and the decision of the clubhouse. It's a fairly good size range, but I felt like it would have difficulty holding more than 30 people at a time. The turf is very typical for Florida, with a very heavy sand base. If you're someone who isn't used to seeing a bit of sand blasting to the bottom of ones clubs after a warmup or range session, I suggest you look further before you play this club.
The course does though offer a tricky layout, especially with the wind blowing. The placing of your tee shot is key in both approach angle, as well as to avoid overhanging tree limbs in some very intimidating tee shots. The approach shots aren't so bad as the design makes you think there's not much room on either side, but only after you've hit the shot and you turn around back towards the tee do you realize you had a little more room than imagined. It's similar to a Pete Dye layout if one has had the chance to play a Pete Dye course. That being said, it also reminds me of a Pete Dye layout in that not every hole is memorable. Many holes after a while blend in and feel the same, and also feel mentally taxing after having to factor in both wind, fairway slope, and hole layout.
The greens have some undulation that isn't so bad when the green speeds are moderate, around 9 on the stimpmeter, but can be incredibly challenging when they approach the 11-12 on the stimpmeter speeds. Having now played with both moderate and very fast green speeds, it's amazing the difference in score when one isn't having to be timid due to green speed and undulation. I felt I could be significantly more aggressive on the slower greens when I wasn't having to play almost 7 feet of break on some putts due to speed. Overall, it's a course I would play again but likely would not be the first choice for the price. As one can see, there really aren't very many pictures included in this review. That's because the course really just felt the same hole after hole and when looking back in the photos I did take, the only one that stands out is the last one on the tee shot on 18, mostly because I was glad it was over and it was the last time I had to really focus on "threading the needle" on a tee shot.
