1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

Anna Maria Island, once a secret-day-trip-get-a-way destination for locals and the affluent is now a not-so-secret, but still spectacular, scenic, white sand, golfers paradise.

First thing to note on Anna Maria Island is the beautiful, tropical weather that makes the entire island so popular with outdoor enthusiasts and golfing guru's the world over.

To say that Anna Maria Island is golf-course poor would be an understatement! There are courses from one end of the island to the other and they are all fabulous.

So, with so many wonderful and various courses to choose from, finding a course that offered something different and something stimulating was a chore!

I wanted to find a bold course. One that offered a seasoned golfer with some stumbling blocks and some mountains to climb.

One public course stood out amid the plethora of golf course splendor, "Buffalo Creek Golf Course."

This magnificent Bermuda grass course was designed by renowned golf course designer Ron Garl and officially opened its greens to the public in 1988.

Buffalo Creek Golf Course is a regulation length, eighteen-hole golf course in Palmetto, Florida and located on scenic Anna Maria Island.

Buffalo Creek is open year round and benefits from Florida's beautiful weather so booking a tee time is never difficult.

The fairway is open to all skill sets, but the track was designed to be challenging. If you're looking for a round of put-put with easy holes and a leisurely course then this green may not be the appropriate place.

There are no caddies here to tote your bags and offer advise and the course is built upon rolling hills and sports many uneven, bumpy lines and also has water hazards on several holes to keep you on your toes!

The course lived up to all the hype and left me sweating and trying to figure out the course and how to keep my golf balls straight and dry!

Buffalo Creek is no kiddie course and boasts seven-thousand and five yards of golf grandeur from the longest tee for a par of seventy-two. The course rating is 73.1 and has a slope rating of 125.

The championship layout features 4 sets of tee-boxes, and although Buffalo Creek is a challenging course it offers enjoyment for golfers of all skill levels.

If you're down in this part of the world and looking for a game of golf, one that offers to test you and make you dig down deep, then Buffalo Creek is the course to play.

If you prefer a more leisurely pace and you're not into a course with roller coaster hills and water traps then I recommend the miniature golf course at Walt Disney World.

Learn more about this author, Jim Osborn.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about A golfer's guide to Anna Maria Island, Florida?
We want to hear your view. Write now!