Startling a golfer during his backswing is typically frowned upon, but that’s what makes Halloween weekend different from any other at the Tampa Bay area’s Innisbrook resort, where a one-hour “Ghoulf Clinic,” replete with a deranged-looking clown, is among the activities in store from 6-9pm on October 29th and 30th.
The spooky golf lesson, available to grown-ups as well as kids 12 and under (costumes encouraged) is a first for the resort, though this is its second year of providing Halloween weekend programming. Two main events center on the property’s whimsically-shaped Loch Ness Monster pool. A “dive-in” movie, appropriate for kids 4-12, will include short films and cartoons and yes, swimming is permitted during the movies. Appropriate for the same age group, though by the sounds of it (literally) probably skewing toward the older end of that range, is a Haunted Hallow Trail, upon which 11 scenes staged by creepy witches and werewolves are designed to scare you and your family along the way.
One thing I like about this programming is that while its obviously convenient for Innisbrook guests, non-guests are invited, too, which is also why there’s an admission fee attached for all attendees. A party of four can book advance tickets through the resort for forty bucks or you can purchase tickets at the door on either day, $15 for adults, $10 kids under 10, with children under four free. The fee covers most activities – laser tag and some posed photos cost extra – as well as food and a candy bag for kids under 10.
If you won't be in the area for Halloween weekend but like the idea of a family that golfs together, Innisbrook offers lessons for kids and families the rest of the year, sans ghouls, on its Fox Squirrel Golf Course, a 9-hole, par 32, 850-yard walking course developed in partnership with Nike.
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