Private Clubs Sarasota Area..

[IaBlue]

Looking at homes in the Sarasota area.  Any guidance on private clubs in the area would be appreciated.

 

Some of my criteria are:

 

Good social scene, easy games to join

I play often with my wife, so female friendly is required

My wife and I are both about 15 HCP but getting older - she is in her early 50's; I am in early 60's

Prefer unbundled courses so as to not have my home wedded to the course, but would consider great communities.

Have yet to decide on are in Sarasota to live.

We are current members at an AW Tillinghast designed course, so Sara Bay sounds attractive, but would like a good practice area.

 

Thanks in advance.

[jkody]

I live on the other side of the country but Sara Bay is a really, really great course and a nice walk. I would love to have as my everyday course.

 

The range is obviously lacking in a big way but the short game area is excellent. I just saw that they re-grassed the entire course this past summer so I assume conditions are going to be really good year-round.

 

If you haven't played it I would definitely give it a look. It seems like a very friendly place, too.

 

 

Edited December 1, 2023 by jkody

[IaBlue]

Still interested in recommendations so bumping this. 

[GolfSRQ]

you live in Sarasota or no?

[SteveL1]

Also looking at buying a winter home in the Sarasota area and need help. Were you able to find something? We’re considering renting a home for 3 months next winter to figure out where we would want to live and would love to find a private/semi private club to join while there. Like you, looking for good practice facilities and easy going members. I’m 70 but still able to walk flatter courses and carry a 6 index. Have been looking at Lakewood Ranch, Palmer Ranch, University Park and Palm Aire so far but it’s hard to find a lot of info on the internet.

[cfmgolf]

On 3/19/2025 at 8:24 PM, SteveL1 said:

Also looking at buying a winter home in the Sarasota area and need help. Were you able to find something? We’re considering renting a home for 3 months next winter to figure out where we would want to live and would love to find a private/semi private club to join while there. Like you, looking for good practice facilities and easy going members. I’m 70 but still able to walk flatter courses and carry a 6 index. Have been looking at Lakewood Ranch, Palmer Ranch, University Park and Palm Aire so far but it’s hard to find a lot of info on the internet.

Going to be pretty tough to find a seasonal membership at any private course if not impossible.  Most have waiting lists for 12 month memberships and initiation fees have really skyrocketed since covid.  As you have found out most courses don't publish anything either - they must think that their clientele is either internet illiterate or want to keep it hidden so you call around, get you to visit and then try to sell you on their virtues.  Think of Sarasota as broken into 2 large sections for golf (I'm leaving out the beach area in this comment).  Lakewood Ranch area and Palmer Ranch area.  Lakewood ranch is the newer section and Palmer ranch is the somewhat older section.  If you look into the Palmer Ranch area, you can also get down into Venice and North port without to much trouble.  Lakewood ranch would extend up to Parish area. 

 

Also need to understand if you have any budgetary constraints.  If money is not an issue, then you will have options.  If you are trying to stay under $50K initiation and $1500 per month, then much more limited options.  I'm on the south side of Palmer ranch, and head south typically to play.  Pelican Pointe in Venice is a public with membership option as is Heron Creek down in North Port.   Can't comment on the north / Lakewood ranch courses.

 

Lastly you also have to think about traffic and where you rent / live vs. play.  If you need to travel up and down 75 every time you want to play (check out a map between Clark Road and University).  In season from 3-6pm this becomes a parking lot everyday pretty much in both directions.  Heading 75S after Clark road is OK or heading 75N after University is OK most of the time.

 

I certainly didn't mean for this rant to sound so negative - it's a great area and my wife and I have been going to Sarasota for almost 40 years, and have a place there for the past 6 years.  Still go back and forth to OH for now, but hoping to make it more permanent in the next year or two.  It just has gotten to be pretty expensive in the recent years, golf is tough to play in season, and traffic can be difficult.  That being said, I would not pick any other spot in FL to have a 2nd place.  Hope this helps. 

[GolfSRQ]

Rent first for the season is a good idea.    Find out what area works for you before buying.    Lakewood Ranch country club very nice, has 4 courses multiple practice facilites, but might be full.     Laurel Oak also very nice but might be full.    TPC Prestancia in palmer ranch has 2 courses, nice practice facilities and might have a few membership openings.  Might want to call them and see.