Course

“I’ve been involved with many wonderful courses in Florida. I can honestly say that The Bayou Club golf course is special to me. It’s a golf course that stands the test of time, offering enjoyment for players of any caliber.

“The course has a subtle and distinctive flavor, a fine test of skill for the best players, yet enjoyable, fun and exciting for members of any handicap. It has eye-catching frames, old-style bunkers and soft-flow elevation changes around green slopes.

“I’ll always be proud to be associated with a fine club like The Bayou Club.”

— Tom Fazio, course designer

Relaxing yet challenging. Beautiful yet competitive.
The layout of these 18 championship-caliber holes stand as a luxurious centerpiece of an exclusive community. Bayou Club's golf course gently weaves its way through oaks and pines, marshes and bayous.

The sights and sounds of nature abound: great blue herons, playful otters, manatees, jumping fish and bald eagle sightings enrich your golf experience. Another hallmark of Bayou's success is the playing condition of it's golf course. Meticulous maintenance practices and continual site improvements keep the course in outstanding shape every month of the year.

Several design features distinguish Bayou from other golf courses.
Of the 18 holes, 16 feature water hazards. Another unique feature is the combination of back-to-back par-5’s on the front nine, and back-to-back par-3’s on the back nine. The 16th hole is a par 3 that ranks with any in terms of beauty and degree of difficulty, requiring a 200-yard carry from the Championship tee with little room for error. Pars on this hole are cherished, and we have multiple tees to provide an appropriate test for golfers of all skill levels.

Ours is the only Tom Fazio designed/signature golf course in Pinellas County.

Let’s study the course:
First things first. Before teeing off, Jim highly recommends a trip to the just completed practice facility, our state-of-the-art practice facility. It’s centrally-located, with a two-acre practice tee area! We’re not suggesting that your game needs a primer; we’re just awfully proud of the practice facility!

For membership information, click here now or give us a call! (727) 399-1000.

An auspicious beginning to a round!
The first hole at Bayou is arguably the most difficult hole on the golf course and a real test to begin your round. It’s a 464-yard, par-4 from the gold tees (and four sets of additional tees for the short knockers), with a dogleg left and a lake to the right. Trees on the left force you a bit right, hitting to a small green protected by a large bunker.

“This is one of our four or five holes that present as much challenge as you’ll get from a golf course in Pinellas County and established our reputation for offering a challenging round of golf,” Jim reports.

The surrounding homes are not a problem for your round at The Bayou Club. Actually, the homes enhance the round with their beauty, without detracting from the playability of the course.

Best par 5?
That would have to be number seven, where The Cross Bayou comes into play. Running along the length of the hole to the left is a water hazard (our namesake) with trees and bunkers to the right. This is a three-shot, par-5 that features mangroves, manatees, fish, and otters.

The second of our back-to-back par-5s, you’ll need a driver off the tee – unless your initials are T.W.! There’s a nice landing area but if you hook your shot your ball is going to get wet.

The fairway narrows as you approach the green; lay up with anything from a fairway wood to a 4-iron to a well-trapped, small, elevated green.

What’s the best par-3 on the course?
It’s our Signature hole, number 16, the second of back-to-back par-3’s, aka the “Bridge Side” hole. It’s 216 yards from the gold tees.

Take a bridge through marsh to get to the tee area, then you hit over marsh. You’re going to need a full carry or you’re in the marsh. “The only bail-out on this hole,” according to Jim, “is going long.” Lovely but lethal – this is a nearly-island green.

Looking for trouble?
You may find it on hole number four, which is a mere 452 yards from the back tees! It’s narrow, with out-of-bounds left; trees right and a ravine in the middle of the fairway that you have to carry to get to the green in two. And there’s no rest for the wicked on the green, either! It’s a severe back-to-front, small, sloping green.

For membership information, click here now or give us a call! (727) 399-1000.

A strong finish.
And spectacularly beautiful, too!

With all of the wildlife on the course, you’ll be happy to know that you’ve got a good chance for a birdie on 17. But don’t let the beautiful views and gorgeous homes distract you!

Finally, 18 is a par-4 coming uphill back to our clubhouse that’s perched atop the hill.

Grass
Fairways – 419 Bermuda
Greens – Tif-Dwarf

Greens
Nice array of sizes, and a variety — some larger than others; some offering a more undulation than others to test your putting skills.

Tees	Rating	Slope	Yards
Gold	75.1	136	7085
Blue	72.1	133	6580
White	70.3	121	6139
Green	66.9	117	5518
Women’s	70.9	128	5200

Chris Ettner – Director of Golf
Jim King Director of Instruction, MyPro Golf School

For membership information, click here now or give us a call! (727) 399-1000.