The first hole is a perfect picture of paradise:  Sand and water next to a rolling green with grasses on the tees and a line of trees in the distance.  It makes my list of the five “happiest” opening shots in town.  Hence, this hole is called “Cheeseburger in Paradise”.  When teeing off, you don’t have to be too particular, or too precise – it’s heaven on earth with an onion slice!  

Then onto one of the harder shots of the day at the 2^nd hole titled “Pencil-Thin Mustache” named because the narrow green behind a fully frontal trap is certainly pencil thin!  You’ll need a perfect drop shot for a chance at par. 

Turning due south, you’re now up on the tee of “The weather is here, wish you were beautiful” 3^rd hole.  Because it's a painfully plain hole - sure wish it were more beautiful.  The green does have a severe frontward slope dropping about 3 feet, so you’ll have to roll with the punches, play all your hunches and make the best of whatever comes your way.”

The 4^th hole requires a focused 130 yard shot through the center of two front traps.  But that's not the true focus for this hole.  It's the collection of all sizes and shapes of stones to the fairway's left.  One looks like a turtle, one like a zebra, and yes, one that looks like a saltshaker!  So #4 is called “Looking for my lost shaker of salt”! 

“It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere” means it's time for your longest drive of the day on #5.  There are triple traps on the left and a green that rolls 2 feet down, so try for an upward putt by aiming for the front of the green. 

Now for your first water shot, step up to the “Son of a Son of a Sailor” 6^th hole.  The pond bows out in front of the green more than you think. Anything short and you might be screaming “Son of a……..!  

Time to change attitudes.  And directions.  Turning to the west you face the longest par three of the day.  This is Tarpon's “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” 7th hole.  If the gold tee is set back at 181 yards, this will be your toughest shot of the day.  That’ll take an attitude adjustment for sure! 

The 8th looks like a welcome respite.  But the green has so many dips and drops you'll feel like you spent the day in “Margaritaville”.  It’s only 120 yards but the toughest green you’ll play, sober that is. 

Our final encore shot of the day is Tarpon’s only par four.  The 9th hole is called “If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane”.  At only 240 yards, the smart play would be to lay up with an iron.  But we’re all insane right?  So, go ahead, get the driver out and blast away. But be right of center to avoid the slope into the water on the left.  Each time I play Tarpon, I hit a crazy driver on this hole, and it goes haywire, certainly proving that “I’m growing older, not up!” 

It's been a great day on the Boil.  All of the tall palms swaying in the breeze encircling this pretty course are a fitting vibe that reminds me of Jimmy Buffett!  I have his songs in my head all around the round.  And I don't know about you, but now I'm hungry for a cheeseburger in this paradise!  I hope Come Monday I see all you Coral Reefers on the Boil! 

Toughest to Easiest

7, 5, 2, 9, 8, 4, 6, 3, 1 – toughest green – 8

From the Blacks! 

#7 and 5, the Changes in Latitudes and 5 O’clock Somewhere holes, will really have you wasting away in Tarpon Boil.  Both are over 190 yards.  But since "we’re all pirates living 200 years too late", we might as well go for it!  

Go Green! 

There are no real advantages playing from the shorter green tees.  On average, the tees are 40 yards closer on each hole, but the angles are still challenging, especially on 2 and 9.  But if it makes you happy to play up, then Jimmy would approve. He said it best in his song titled Happily Ever After: “Some people never find it, some only pretend. But I just want to live, Happily ever after, now and then”! Go Green!

What's Nearby?

The clubs on your cart aren’t your only clubs that swing.  There are thousands of organizations that are Villager-led social clubs.  The Jimmy Buffett Parrot Heads Club is just one.  And just like Jimmy’s music, “nearby” is just a state of mind.  There’s a club nearby every golf course! Here’s a listing.