While the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Golf Resort is consistently one of the most challenging courses on the PGA Tour schedule, it's also frequently named a favorite among the world's best players.
Home of the Valspar Championship since the tournament's inception in 2000, the Copperhead Course is one of four tracks at the Palm Harbor paradise—Island Course, North Course (nine holes), and South Course being the others—all of which were designed by Larry Packard.
Opened in 1974, Copperhead plays long at more than 7,200 yards from the tips. Not to worry, though. The par-71 layout features five sets of tee boxes when the Valspar isn't in session, so amateurs have plenty of options to choose from.
The big draw, of course, is the famed "Snake Pit," the three-hole closing stretch that baffles even the best golfers. Here's how the resort itself describes the 16th, 17th, and 18th holes.
Hole 16, Par 4 | 458 - 412 - 376 - 336 - 330
- One of the toughest scoring holes on the PGA Tour, the Par 4 'Moccasin' will test the player's ability to hit a controlled fade into a very tight fairway.
Hole 17, Par 3 | 206 - 181 - 171 - 161 - 136
- Beware of 'The Rattler' - this long Par 3 has plenty of bite for the player that misses the green.
Hole 18, Par 4 | 443 - 390 - 376 - 328 - 328
- With an all uphill approach, 'The Copperhead' is the ultimate finishing hole for a championship course.
Yet another great feature of the Copperhead Course is that anyone can play it, although there is a bit of a caveat to that statement.
The Copperhead Course is available to those who stay at Innisbrook Golf Resort
While Copperhead isn't a true public course where one can simply walk up or call to get a tee time, it is available to anyone who books a "Stay and Play" type of package at Innisbrook.
The Full Swing Golf Package includes accommodations, one round at the Island Course or South Course per golfer per night of stay (there's typically a two-night minimum), with the ability to upgrade to the Copperhead Course—when tee times are available, of course.
Naturally, there is a surcharge for the upgrade, with the additional greens fees typically running $85 from Monday to Thursday and $115 from Friday to Sunday.
Pricing on the package varies by season, and the type of room booked plays into the cost as well. As one would expect, the lowest rates come during the hot summer months in the Sunshine State.
At that time, the package starts at roughly $550 per night (double occupancy) for a deluxe room and up to $900 for a premier suite.
Rates run considerably higher in the non-summer months, with even the deluxe rooms typically starting at more than $700.
The far more expensive option is to become a member at Innisbrook. There are currently three levels of membership—full golf membership, resort golf membership, and executive golf membership—all of which offer unlimited play on all four courses.
Initiation fees reportedly range between $17,500 and $45,000, depending on the package, with monthly dues ranging anywhere from approximately $350 to more than $700.