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
Heritage Harbour Golf Club
Tee Times
Bradenton $12
2/3 at University Park Country Club
Tee Times
University Park $25
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
3/1 at University Park Country Club
Tee Times
University Park $25
Red/White at Myakka Pines Golf Club Englewood $18.69 - $45.00
The Highlands Golf Course
Tee Times
Sarasota $8
Waterlefe Golf & River Club
Tee Times
Bradenton $21
The Club at River Wilderness
Tee Times
Parrish $60
White/Blue at Myakka Pines Golf Club Englewood $18.69 - $45.00
Oaks/Marsh Course at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club
Tee Times
North Port $27
Creek/Oaks Course at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club
Tee Times
North Port $27
1/2 at University Park Country Club
Tee Times
University Park $25
Serenoa Golf Club
Tee Times
Sarasota $17
The Groves Golf Course
Tee Times
Sarasota $9
Panther Course at Plantation Golf & Country Club Venice $66 - $76
Buffalo Creek Golf Course
Tee Times
Palmetto $13
Peridia Golf & Country Club
Tee Times
Bradenton $10
Legacy Golf Club
Tee Times
Bradenton $14
Preserve Golf Club at Tara
Tee Times
Bradenton $10
The Palms Golf Club At Forest Lakes
Tee Times
Sarasota $12
Village Green Golf Club of Sarasota
Tee Times
Sarasota $10
Jacaranda West Country Club
Tee Times
Venice $12
The River Club
Tee Times
Bradenton $10
Calusa Lakes Golf Club Nokomis $30 - $70
Bobcat Course at Plantation Golf & Country Club Venice $66 - $76
Tatum Ridge Golf Links
Tee Times
Sarasota $20
River Run Golf Links
Tee Times
Bradenton $12
Sawgrass/Gleneagles at Waterford Golf Club Venice $30 - $58
Charlotte Harbor National Golf Club
Tee Times
North Port $19
Duffy's Golf Center
Tee Times
Port Charlotte $28
Links at Greenfield Plantation Bradenton $17.99 - $29.99
Capri Isles Golf Club Venice $30 - $58
Misty Creek Country Club
Tee Times
Sarasota $13
IMG Academies Golf & Country Club
Tee Times
Bradenton $30 - $69
Gleneagles/Turnberry at Waterford Golf Club Venice $30 - $58
Rosedale Golf & Country Club
Tee Times
Bradenton $14
The Meadows Country Club
Tee Times
Sarasota $35
Sawgrass/Turnberry at Waterford Golf Club Venice $30 - $58
Venetian Golf & River Club North Venice $90
Riverwood Golf Club
Tee Times
Port Charlotte $17
Bent Tree Country Club
Tee Times
Sarasota $10
Manatee County Golf Course
Tee Times
Bradenton $10
Moccasin Wallow Golf Club
Tee Times
Palmetto $18.69
Boca Royale Golf & Country Club
Tee Times
Englewood $12
Timber Creek Golf Course Bradenton $10 - $23
Venice East Golf Club Venice $12 - $20
Riverside Club
Tee Times
Ruskin $12
Sarasota National Golf Club
Tee Times
Venice $39
Terra Ceia Bay Golf & Tennis Club
Tee Times
Palmetto $10
Wellen Park Golf & Country Club Venice $99 - $149
Preserve/Hatchett at Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club Venice $31 - $72
Founders Golf Club Sarasota $95
Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club
Tee Times
Lakewood Ranch $25
Third/First at Lake Venice Golf Club Venice $15 - $35
Coral Creek Club Placida $125
White Marsh Nine at Long Marsh Golf Club at Rotonda West Rotonda West $15.00 - $43.99
Second/Third at Lake Venice Golf Club Venice $15 - $35
Lakewood National Golf Club - Piper Course
Tee Times
Lakewood Ranch $89 - $129
East Course at Laurel Oak Country Club Sarasota $100
Ritz - Carlton Members Club Bradenton $125 - $155
Lakes Course at Palm-Aire Country Club Sarasota $80
Orange Nine at Palmetto Pines Golf Course Parrish $22
Sanctuary Course at River Strand Golf and Country Club Bradenton $32 - $89
Cypress Links Course at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club Bradenton $40 - $75
Hatchett/Meadows at Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club Venice $31 - $72
Pinebrook/Ironwood Golf Club Bradenton $13.85 - $16.00
Esplanade Golf & Country Club at Lakewood Ranch
Tee Times
Lakewood Ranch $31
Meadows/Preserve at Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club Venice $31 - $72
Bradenton Country Club Bradenton $70 - $75
Royal Lakes Course at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club Bradenton $40 - $75
Mission Valley Golf & Country Club Nokomis $30 - $45
Oyster Creek Golf Club Englewood $19 - $25
Harborside White/Blue at Longboat Key Club & Resort Longboat Key $58 - $164
Gillespie Executive Course at Bobby Jones Golf Club Sarasota $9 - $20
Hills Course at Rotonda Golf & Country Club Rotonda West $18.99 - $33.99
Pine Valley Nine at Long Marsh Golf Club at Rotonda West Rotonda West $15.00 - $43.99
Concession Golf Club Bradenton N/A
King's Dunes Course at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club Bradenton $40 - $75
River Isles Golf Club Bradenton $13
First/Second at Lake Venice Golf Club Venice $15 - $35
Lemon Bay Golf Club Englewood $70 - $80
Estuary Course at River Strand Golf and Country Club Bradenton $32 - $89
Harbourside Blue/Red at Longboat Key Club & Resort Longboat Key $58 - $164
Key Royale Club Holmes Beach $14
Champions Course at Palm-Aire Country Club Sarasota $80
Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club Sarasota $36 - $88
Tara Golf & Country Club Bradenton $60
Sorrento Par-3 Golf Course Nokomis $6
Greens of Manatee Golf Course Bradenton $16 - $32
Harborside Red/White at Longboat Key Club & Resort Longboat Key $58 - $164
Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club Sarasota $32.50 - $75.00
British Course at Bobby Jones Golf Complex Sarasota $13 - $33
West Course at Laurel Oak Country Club Sarasota $100
Stadium Course at TPC Prestancia Sarasota $197 - $205
Eagle Course at The Oaks Club Osprey $105
Tributary Course at River Strand Golf and Country Club Bradenton $32 - $89
The Resort at Longboat Key Club - Links on Longboat Longboat Key $58 - $164
Gator Creek Golf Club Sarasota $100 - $124
Heron Course at The Oaks Club Osprey $105
Gimme Course at The Concession Golf Club Bradenton N/A
Gasparilla Inn & Club Boca Grande $125
Palms Course at Rotonda Golf & Country Club Rotonda West $19.99 - $39.99
The Long Meadow Nine at Long Marsh Golf Club at Rotonda West Rotonda West $15.00 - $43.99
Players Course at TPC Prestancia Sarasota $159 - $205
Suncoast Golf Center
Tee Times
Sarasota $12
Links Course at Rotonda Golf & Country Club Rotonda West $12.99 - $22.99
Red Nine at Palmetto Pines Golf Course Parrish $22
Sara Bay Country Club Sarasota $60
Pinemoor West Golf Club Rotonda West $10.28 - $26.99
American Course at Bobby Jones Golf Club Sarasota $13 - $33
Venice Golf & Country Club Venice $75
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