Mangrove Bay and Cypress Links Golf Courses
Mangrove Bay and Cypress Links offer welcoming public golf with well-kept fairways and greens complemented by Florida’s coastal atmosphere. These courses balance accessibility and strategic interest, providing enjoyable rounds for players of varying skill levels in St. Petersburg’s vibrant golf scene.
Course Overview
Situated in the heart of St. Petersburg, Florida, Mangrove Bay and Cypress Links Golf Courses offer approachable yet engaging golf experiences for a wide range of players. Both courses are public and well-regarded for their inviting layout and condition, making them popular among locals and visitors alike looking for solid value and a test of skill.
Mangrove Bay stretches to a full 18 holes, weaving through a landscape punctuated by water hazards and pockets of native Florida vegetation. The course presents a balanced challenge, with ample bunkers guarding the undulating greens and fairways that demand thoughtful shot placement. While the terrain is mostly flat, strategic doglegs and water features add layers to the playing experience. The greens are well-maintained and receptive, rewarding precise approach shots. Players with handicaps ranging from beginner to intermediate will find Mangrove Bay offers a fair challenge without overwhelming complexity.
Cypress Links, while shorter and consisting of 9 holes, features a par-3 layout that suits players looking to sharpen their short game or enjoy a quicker round. Its walkability is a major plus, and power carts are available for those who prefer to conserve energy, with paths designed to keep carts on the designated walkways. Both courses benefit from Florida's typically warm climate, though periodic dry spells can make the tee boxes firmer and the fairways a touch harder to read.
Amenities at Mangrove Bay include multiple restroom facilities spaced conveniently throughout the course, a drink cart service during peak hours, and a clubhouse offering snacks, beverages, and pro shop essentials. Friendly staff enhance the welcoming atmosphere, although managing pace of play can be challenging due to the courses’ popularity and at times heavy use.
Planning a visit, expect well-conditioned greens and fairways alongside the distinct coastal Floridian landscape. Early tee times can help avoid the afternoon heat, while bringing extra water and sunscreen is advised. Whether you’re emerging from a beginner stage or honing a more refined game, Mangrove Bay and Cypress Links provide a practical and enjoyable venue to suit your outdoor golf aspirations.
Course Highlights
Mangrove Bay’s layout is enhanced by abundant water hazards and Florida native vegetation, creating a course that demands accuracy without punishing less precise shots excessively. Cypress Links offers a compact par-3 experience focusing on approach and short-game skills. Both courses provide scenic glimpses of St. Petersburg’s natural environment and coastal influences, along with convenient on-course amenities such as drink carts and multiple restroom stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Collin Smith
Can someone explain to me why there are literally never any tee times online? Is the course honestly THAT popular that it sells out within 15 minutes for the entire week? I don’t understand. Pace of play is absolutely horrendous, but they don’t care because it’s subsidized by the city. No incentive whatsoever to improve the experience.
Hank Davenport
To management: pace of play NEEDS to be addressed. This track should never take longer than 4 hours tops, realistically 3.5. The fact that people are taking 6 hours to play through is just unfathomable. The tee time booking system NEEDS to be fixed, the amount of no call no shows every day even though it's fully booked is absolutely shameful. Golf is stressful enough without all these issues, please try to make it a bit easier on your loyal patrons (who actually live nearby full-time).
Scott
Snowbirding nearby ive been to both courses. Remember the 9 hole course is first if going to 18 hole keep driving. Cypress 9 hole par 3 can be walked easy but power carts available (you must stay on cement walkway). In and out in hour and a half or less. Course is challanging enough, is in great shape, greens good shape. Ive played here 4 times no washroom on course. Mangrove Bay 18 holes public - got dropped into a foresome with some local friendly guys. Course/Greens are in great shape. Beautiful landscape, lots of water, several bathrooms along the way, drink cart, pop/water vending and clubhouse for snacks and beers. Only negative is courses mostly at tee box is dry from lack of rain. Friendly staff $48 w/cart Played once will return.
Matt McGuckin
We booked as a large group heading down from Canada. Lanier helped it with our bookings and was super accommodating and made sure we had everything we needed. The pro shop staff were very friendly, top notch customer service. The course was in good shape, the greens were in good condition and the layout is a really nice. We had golfers who carry a 3 handicap and others who carry an 18 handicap - all of them had a blast. Will be going back.
Maria Adams
My wife is getting back to playing golf. She's a cancer survivor and we are happy she's back. We are long time St. Petersburg residents and went to Mangrove, as I always remembered it as a nice golf course. Well, the people were not nice. The guy in the starter shack was rude. One guy monopolized the pitching green, and was quite rude to us, even after I tried to reason with him. Someone was yelling at us from the driving range. Shameful behavior towards us. I remember sportsmanship and being welcoming and neighborly. I did not witness that today. Wow. My property taxes help support this place. Terrible culture.
Mr. Seapig
Mangrove Bay golf course needs new management… this golf course could be so much better than what it currently is. It could be better in every way conceivable. actually, Artificial intelligence could manage this golf course much better. Unfortunately, all of the nice public golf courses are in the Bradenton-Sarasota area or the Kissimmee area which about an hour away, each. It’s worth the drive, though.
Collin Smith
Can someone explain to me why there are literally never any tee times online? Is the course honestly THAT popular that it sells out within 15 minutes for the entire week? I don’t understand. Pace of play is absolutely horrendous, but they don’t care because it’s subsidized by the city. No incentive whatsoever to improve the experience.
Tyler Cate
Charlie Davenport
Great public course
Maria Adams
My wife is getting back to playing golf. She's a cancer survivor and we are happy she's back. We are long time St. Petersburg residents and went to Mangrove, as I always remembered it as a nice golf course. Well, the people were not nice. The guy in the starter shack was rude. One guy monopolized the pitching green, and was quite rude to us, even after I tried to reason with him. Someone was yelling at us from the driving range. Shameful behavior towards us. I remember sportsmanship and being welcoming and neighborly. I did not witness that today. Wow. My property taxes help support this place. Terrible culture.
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Course Details
Access & Location
875 62nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702, USA
Mangrove Bay Clubhouse - includes pro shop, snack bar, and locker facilities
Walking is allowed and encouraged on Cypress Links; carts available with adherence to cart path rules.
Reservations recommended; walk-up play available subject to availability
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