Sarasota/Bradenton Golf

My Dad is retiring this year and my parents are looking to spend next winter in Siesta Key. Are there any recommendations for courses to play in the area? He's looking for a regular game and would not be against joining a club that offers seasonal memberships. His home course is in the Philadelphia area and play 6500+ yards- he is a 10-12 handicap.

Looking forward to any recommendations on the area and courses. My parents are going to be down in the area late next week to look around and we will likely play any recommended courses while they are in town.

Thanks for the assistance!

[quote name='peliason' timestamp='1425310289' post='11060425']
My Dad is retiring this year and my parents are looking to spend next winter in Siesta Key. Are there any recommendations for courses to play in the area? He's looking for a regular game and would not be against joining a club that offers seasonal memberships. His home course is in the Philadelphia area and play 6500+ yards- he is a 10-12 handicap.

Looking forward to any recommendations on the area and courses. My parents are going to be down in the area late next week to look around and we will likely play any recommended courses while they are in town.

Thanks for the assistance!
[/quote]You guys could check out playgolfsarasota.com for a list of courses in the area.

University Park Country Club is generally pretty nice but a bit of a drive from Siesta Key. Traffic is not the best around Sarasota and Siesta Key and the duration of the round trip could be a deterrent for some places.

As crazy8golfer said, the best approach could be to get a list of courses and play several rounds at each. My personal Sarasota golf experience is mainly at low rent muni's and off season rounds at public tracks or a higher end private club (TPC at Prestancia). If you want to experience muni golf at its finest (or lowest), give the Bobby Jones Golf Complex a visit.

Riverstrand. One of the best courses in the area. Good practice facility and 27 holes of golf.

I grew up in Sarasota and Siesta Key. Fantastic place. I get back once a year for a buddies poker game. Siesta is a tough place to golf from - no courses on the island, and not a lot nearby. The closest is probably Prestancia, which is a high end private course. After that, from Siesta, you have to go south towards Venice, east to near or across 75, or through town and north to places like University Club and the Bobby Jones and such. Anyway you cut it, from Siesta you are going to be 30 minutes to much more from golf. Now, if you are retired, and spending time getting to and from the course(s) doesn't matter, there are plenty to choose from.

[quote name='highscoreinky' timestamp='1425338015' post='11064087']
Riverstrand. One of the best courses in the area. Good practice facility and 27 holes of golf.
[/quote]

River Strand is excellent, good recommendation.

Sara Bay is your best bet. Likely not the cheapest, but the finest golf option in the area (Concession is in the conversation as well).

As someone stated staying on Siesta Key will be at least 30 minutes to good golf like River Stand. Bobby Jones golf complex is a muni at its worse. again someone mentioned Sara Bay it is private but they will reciprocate with other private clubs if you have your pro call in advance. There are good courses depending on how far and drive time. Not in any order but I have played these all and recommend them. Sarasota National probably the longest drive located in Venice, IMG, Lagacy GC, River Stand, University Park, Waterlefe, Misty Creek, River Run, Stoney Brook, River Wilderness. The only two courses I didn't like so far have been Bobby Jones and Serrenoa.

Thanks for the input guys- please keep it coming. It looks like Stoney Brook is closest to Siesta Key and offers a reasonable monthly rate. Some of the other clubs will do a seasonal rate or some type of membership for the snowbirds.

Coming down today for 9 days. Playing Sarasota National on Monday & then considering University Park (I've played once), Riverstrand (also played once, Estuary & Tributary) or Legacy (never played). Anyone have any course condition updates or play recommendation of one over the other? Also is the Sanctuary better than either Tributary or Estuary?

Not trying to get on Concession or Sara Bay which I realize is probably better than most. Heard Waterlefe is more target golf with some blind shots in play & I'm not sure I want that unless I'm going to play it a second time, which I'm not on this trip.

Esplanade is a new course that opened up last year. Conditions there are excellent right now.