Sarasota is more than just a great place to live. It's also a fantastic place to play golf! If you enjoy golf and live in the Sarasota area, you'll want to know about these eight golf courses in your area. For your daily dose of vibrant green grass, cool blue ponds and magnificent landscaping, check out these nearby golf facilities and clubs.
1. Tatum Ridge Golf Links
Called Sarasota's "fun course to play," Tatum Ridge Golf Links is a public golf course with an 18-hole layout and a wetlands style landscaping that's been compared to Scottish-style golf courses. With a tough par 5 on the 13th hole, you'll love the challenge and the beautiful scenery. With a full-grass practice range, Tatum Ridge is also an excellent place where beginners can try their hand and learn something new. Solo rider golf carts make this an excellent course for people with disabilities.
Fans of Tatum Ridge say that the course has its challenges but all holes are very fair. Tatum Ridge also gets high marks for a professional and courteous staff.
2. Bobby Jones Golf Club
This municipal golf course in Sarasota features two 18 hole courses with rolling hills, water hazards and graceful, mature trees. Dome shaped greens make this golf course challenging and exciting for experienced golfers. Featuring also one 9-hole course with elevated oval greens and additional water hazards, you can find a little something for everyone here.
Online reviews have called the Bobby Jones Golf Club a great place to learn. Use their practice facility featuring a short game practice area, practice sand bunkers, grass pitching area and more. If you're seeking a good teacher, sign up for round of lessons from PGA professional Daniel Baily. They're open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; find out more at the Bobby Jones Golf Club website online.
3. TPC Prestancia
TPC Prestancia is a private facility with two courses offering 18 holes each. As a golf club that has been host to 5 American Express Invitational Champions Tour events, 8 Chrysler Cup tournaments and 13 PGA Senior Tours, you can expect the facilities and course to be top of the line. TPC Prestancia is known to be frequented by some of the most famous golfers of all time, including Arnold Palmer and Chi Chi Rodriguez.
People who visit TPC Prestancia often comment on the outstanding golfing experience, the beauty of the greens, and the excellent food served in the restaurant. The entire club is private, including the on-site restaurant, so if you're interested in having this experience for yourself, look into membership. Like many other private golf clubs, TPC Prestancia offers tiers of membership so you can choose a tier that's right for your budget. Contact them for more information.
4. The Founders Golf Club
The Founders Golf Club is a member-owned, private facility that boasts one of the best golfing layouts in the Sarasota area. With an 18 hole golf course carved from the natural surroundings, every experience at the Founders Golf Club is unique and beautiful. And, with a beautiful Southern Style clubhouse, you'll love the social setting as well as the golfing experience.
Reviewers comment that The Founders Golf Club employs award-winning chefs, the food is fantastic, and the restaurant is top-notch. The golf course itself is a crowd pleaser among experienced golfers. This is a golf club for people who seriously love golf and who want the social experience that comes from joining a top of the line private golf club.
5. University Park Country Club
University Park Country Club is a semi-private golf club in northern Sarasota. With 27 holes (three nines) spread out over natural terrain, you'll love how the terrain changes from one hole to the next. University Park Country Club has an amazing practice range and a top-notch golf academy for learners.
Voted the #1 golf course in Southwest Florida, the University Park Country Club is known for its exceptional staff, well-maintained greens and delicious food.
6. Meadows Country Club
Meadows Country Club boasts courses that have mature oaks and beautiful ponds. Meadows Country Club has three courses, one which is private. Visitors to the Meadows Country Club enjoy the challenges in some of these putting surfaces. There's a lot to do at the Meadows, not just golfing. People come for the dining, aquatics, tennis and more.
Visitors to the Meadows Country Club comment on the "Old Florida" atmosphere, with inviting grounds, excellent staff and a nice outdoor deck for viewing the grounds. The food in the restaurant is known to be very good as well.
7. Sara Bay Country Club
Started in 1926, this country club is private and member owned. You'll love the large trees and sprawling, beautiful grounds. Members of the Sara Bay Country Club appreciate the way it's never over crowded. Sara Bay offers a variety of different membership types, for people on different budgets and seeking different levels of participation at the club. Once called one of the "best courses in America" by the famous Bobby Jones, Sara Bay is steeped in history.
Visitors to the Sara Bay Country Club comment on the delicious food, beautifully laid out course and the quality of the service from staff. Sara Bay is an excellent value for people seeking a traditional, well-known golf course and country club in the Sarasota area.
8. Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch
This award-winning course designed by Arnold Palmer is located in nearby Bradenton. It includes 18 holes and many water hazards. With a practice green as well, people who are just learning the sport can come to improve their skills. The on-site restaurant provides golfers with sandwiches, salads and burgers.
People who have enjoyed time at the Legacy Golf Club have said that the golf club's course is very challenging, and the food at the restaurant is excellent. This golf club provides opportunities for practice and tournaments. Legacy Golf Club provides three different levels of annual memberships for people seeking membership in a club for good value.
