Four Fabulous Sarasota Golf Communities Selected From Many

Considering that golf was invented in Scotland, it is fitting that the manager of a development community for Scottish immigrants brought the game to Sarasota. Developer John Hamilton Gillespie built a two-hole course in 1886. By 1905, Gillespie had constructed a nine-hole course that encompassed 110 acres. Other clubs soon appeared. Today, there are so many possibilities in the county that choosing just four fabulous Sarasota golf communities can be a challenge.

If you long to purchase a home on a Sarasota course, you can find options ranging from gated communities boasting seven-figure estates to family neighborhoods. Some have units they rent to vacationing tourists. A clubhouse, pool, and tennis courts are among the amenities that are standard.

The Meadows planned community has around 3,400 homes and 1,650 acres of natural landscape that includes 80 lakes or other waterways. Home choices range from villas to condos, with garden and single-family homes available as well. Tennis, biking, swimming and hiking are additional recreational choices. A shopping village features a bank, boutiques, stores, restaurants and other services. There are three 18-hole courses, one of which is public, ranging from par 65 to par 72.

Lakewood Ranch encompasses around 8,500 acres, with homes that run the gamut from townhomes to million-dollar estates. Three 18-hole courses, 9 polo fields and tennis courts offer residents a variety of choices. There are also shopping, dining, and health care facilities.

Heritage Oaks is one community that also has units that vacationers can rent. Homeowners can choose a condo, single-family dwelling, villa, or luxury duplex. Golfers can enjoy 18 holes, have a snack at the tenth hole, or avail themselves of the pro shop. Four heated pools and lighted tennis courts are also to be found. Lunch and dinner are served in the clubhouse, as well as a Sunday buffet.

The Bent Tree planned community features single-family dwellings and condos, with estates available in the gated community inside Bent Tree, Woodlands. Membership in the country club is not required, but if chosen, it provides access to the club facilities. The Bent Tree Country Club has a par 72, 18-hole course that was remodeled in 2010.

Golfers are typically able to play year-round, thanks to the region’s mild climate. The city is on the Gulf Coast, between Tampa and Fort Myers, in southwestern Florida. Sarasota includes several keys, or islands, in the gulf. Siesta Key and Lido Key are popular for their beaches. Bird Key is considered to be among the most prestigious residential areas on Florida’s west coast, boasting numerous celebrity residents.

View the best Sarasota golf course communities.