Destination Guide

Destination: Bradenton/Sarasota

The Bradenton-Sarasota region of Florida fits the definition of overlooked and underrated by both tourists and golfers alike.

That's a mistake on both accounts. This Gulf Coast destination, sandwiched by Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg to the north and ritzy Naples to the south, still offers the mild winter weather of the Sunshine State and attractions good enough to entice beach bums and golfers to visit year-round, but with a sleepier, small-town vibe.

Sarasota's best rounds come courtesy of the Arnold-Palmer-designed Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch and the Troon Golf-managed Sarasota National in Venice. There are a couple dozen more courses to consider, just be sure to save some energy for post-golf adventures.

Sailing and chartered catamaran and fishing trips are great day excursions on the Gulf of Mexico available in either city. Boaters can explore Beer Can Island.

The miles-long Siesta Key Public Beach ranked no. 1 in the world in 2011 by Dr. Beach for its soft, sugary-white sand, but the Venice Beach, Longboat Key Beach, Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach and Lido Key Beach are also revered shoreline spots for families and sunbathers.

Spoiled guests love the luxury of the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota and, across the Sarasota Bay on a thin finger of land, the Longboat Key Club & Resort, home to 45 holes of golf in Longboat Key.

Sarasota boasts a vibrant arts community. The paintings at the world-famous Ringling Museum of Art highlight the museum scene. John Ringling's Ca D'Zan Mansion, made of Venetian Gothic architecture, and the Ringling Circus Museum are intriguing, too. A nationally recognized opera house, ballet company, symphony orchestra and multiple theaters reside just a mile down the road from the Ringling complex.

Sarasota's quaint Towles Court art district comes to life with brightly painted wooden homes filled with galleries, shops and restaurants. Main Street is for strolling, whether you're on the prowl to eat, drink or shop. St. Armand's Circle across the Ringling Causeway is another hotspot.

Away from the hustle and bustle, the gigantic Myakka River State Park offers miles of hiking trails, campgrounds, cabin rentals, and airboat tours.

The Sarasota Jungle Gardens animal park showcases the Florida wildlife. For a different kind of migratory bird, check out Ed Smith Stadium, the spring training headquarters of the Baltimore Orioles. The stadium is fresh off a $31-million renovation completed in 2011. Up the coast, the McKechnie Field, home of the minor-league Bradenton Marauders, hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training camp. Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Academy, where Andre Agassi honed his game, calls Bradenton home as well.

See also


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Courses

Course City Rates from
Course City Rates from
Blue/ Red at Myakka Pines Golf Club Englewood $18.69 - $45.00
Marsh/Creek Course at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club
Tee Times
North Port $27
Heritage Harbour Golf Club
Tee Times
Bradenton $12
2/3 at University Park Country Club
Tee Times
University Park $25
The Club at River Wilderness
Tee Times
Parrish $60
3/1 at University Park Country Club
Tee Times
University Park $25
The Highlands Golf Course
Tee Times
Sarasota $8
1/2 at University Park Country Club
Tee Times
University Park $25
White/Blue at Myakka Pines Golf Club Englewood $18.69 - $45.00
Creek/Oaks Course at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club
Tee Times
North Port $27
Oaks/Marsh Course at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club
Tee Times
North Port $27
Waterlefe Golf & River Club
Tee Times
Bradenton $21
Red/White at Myakka Pines Golf Club Englewood $18.69 - $45.00
Buffalo Creek Golf Course
Tee Times
Palmetto $13
Bent Tree Country Club
Tee Times
Sarasota $10
Serenoa Golf Club
Tee Times
Sarasota $17
Village Green Golf Club of Sarasota
Tee Times
Sarasota $10
Tatum Ridge Golf Links
Tee Times
Sarasota $20
Venetian Golf & River Club North Venice $90
Misty Creek Country Club
Tee Times
Sarasota $13
The River Club
Tee Times
Bradenton $10
Moccasin Wallow Golf Club
Tee Times
Palmetto $18.69
Legacy Golf Club
Tee Times
Bradenton $14
Terra Ceia Bay Golf & Tennis Club
Tee Times
Palmetto $10
Wellen Park Golf & Country Club Venice $99 - $149
Panther Course at Plantation Golf & Country Club Venice $66 - $76
Jacaranda West Country Club
Tee Times
Venice $12
The Palms Golf Club At Forest Lakes
Tee Times
Sarasota $12
Sawgrass/Gleneagles at Waterford Golf Club Venice $30 - $58
Bobcat Course at Plantation Golf & Country Club Venice $66 - $76
Calusa Lakes Golf Club Nokomis $30 - $70
Links at Greenfield Plantation Bradenton $17.99 - $29.99
The Meadows Country Club
Tee Times
Sarasota $35
Manatee County Golf Course
Tee Times
Bradenton $10
Duffy's Golf Center
Tee Times
Port Charlotte $28
Gleneagles/Turnberry at Waterford Golf Club Venice $30 - $58
Sawgrass/Turnberry at Waterford Golf Club Venice $30 - $58
Riverside Club
Tee Times
Ruskin $12
River Run Golf Links
Tee Times
Bradenton $12
Boca Royale Golf & Country Club
Tee Times
Englewood $12
The Groves Golf Course
Tee Times
Sarasota $9
Peridia Golf & Country Club
Tee Times
Bradenton $10
Preserve Golf Club at Tara
Tee Times
Bradenton $10
Sarasota National Golf Club
Tee Times
Venice $39
Venice East Golf Club Venice $12 - $20
Timber Creek Golf Course Bradenton $10 - $23
Charlotte Harbor National Golf Club
Tee Times
North Port $19
Rosedale Golf & Country Club
Tee Times
Bradenton $14
Riverwood Golf Club
Tee Times
Port Charlotte $17
IMG Academies Golf & Country Club
Tee Times
Bradenton $30 - $69
Capri Isles Golf Club Venice $30 - $58
Gillespie Executive Course at Bobby Jones Golf Club Sarasota $9 - $20
Players Course at TPC Prestancia Sarasota $159 - $205
Tara Golf & Country Club Bradenton $60
Venice Golf & Country Club Venice $75
First/Second at Lake Venice Golf Club Venice $15 - $35
Pinemoor West Golf Club Rotonda West $10.28 - $26.99
Pine Valley Nine at Long Marsh Golf Club at Rotonda West Rotonda West $15.00 - $43.99
Lakes Course at Palm-Aire Country Club Sarasota $80
King's Dunes Course at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club Bradenton $40 - $75
Eagle Course at The Oaks Club Osprey $105
Oyster Creek Golf Club Englewood $19 - $25
Sara Bay Country Club Sarasota $60
Third/First at Lake Venice Golf Club Venice $15 - $35
Ritz - Carlton Members Club Bradenton $125 - $155
Championship Course at Bobby Jones Golf Club Sarasota N/A
Esplanade Golf & Country Club at Lakewood Ranch
Tee Times
Lakewood Ranch $31
Harborside Red/White at Longboat Key Club & Resort Longboat Key $58 - $164
Sanctuary Course at River Strand Golf and Country Club Bradenton $32 - $89
Champions Course at Palm-Aire Country Club Sarasota $80
The Resort at Longboat Key Club - Links on Longboat Longboat Key $58 - $164
Harborside White/Blue at Longboat Key Club & Resort Longboat Key $58 - $164
Orange Nine at Palmetto Pines Golf Course Parrish $22
East Course at Laurel Oak Country Club Sarasota $100
Palms Course at Rotonda Golf & Country Club Rotonda West $19.99 - $39.99
Coral Creek Club Placida $125
Hatchett/Meadows at Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club Venice $31 - $72
Concession Golf Club Bradenton N/A
Pinebrook/Ironwood Golf Club Bradenton $13.85 - $16.00
Links Course at Rotonda Golf & Country Club Rotonda West $12.99 - $22.99
Heron Course at The Oaks Club Osprey $105
River Isles Golf Club Bradenton $13
Estuary Course at River Strand Golf and Country Club Bradenton $32 - $89
Founders Golf Club Sarasota $95
Cypress Links Course at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club Bradenton $40 - $75
Gasparilla Inn & Club Boca Grande $125
Second/Third at Lake Venice Golf Club Venice $15 - $35
Gator Creek Golf Club Sarasota $100 - $124
White Marsh Nine at Long Marsh Golf Club at Rotonda West Rotonda West $15.00 - $43.99
Lakewood National Golf Club - Piper Course
Tee Times
Lakewood Ranch $89 - $129
Red Nine at Palmetto Pines Golf Course Parrish $22
Key Royale Club Holmes Beach $14
Mission Valley Golf & Country Club Nokomis $30 - $45
Lemon Bay Golf Club Englewood $70 - $80
Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club Sarasota $36 - $88
Harbourside Blue/Red at Longboat Key Club & Resort Longboat Key $58 - $164
Tributary Course at River Strand Golf and Country Club Bradenton $32 - $89
Suncoast Golf Center
Tee Times
Sarasota $12
Royal Lakes Course at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club Bradenton $40 - $75
Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club Sarasota $32.50 - $75.00
Hills Course at Rotonda Golf & Country Club Rotonda West $18.99 - $33.99
Preserve/Hatchett at Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club Venice $31 - $72
Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club
Tee Times
Lakewood Ranch $25
West Course at Laurel Oak Country Club Sarasota $100
Sorrento Par-3 Golf Course Nokomis $6
Greens of Manatee Golf Course Bradenton $16 - $32
The Long Meadow Nine at Long Marsh Golf Club at Rotonda West Rotonda West $15.00 - $43.99
Bradenton Country Club Bradenton $70 - $75
Meadows/Preserve at Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club Venice $31 - $72
Stadium Course at TPC Prestancia Sarasota $197 - $205
Gimme Course at The Concession Golf Club Bradenton N/A
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