For those that try to find the ideal Florida golf community to buy real estate in and set out on a quest to investigate all the golf communities the state has to offer, I would like to offer a bit of advice; by the time you have researched every golf community in Florida you will likely be too old to enjoy the game anymore. Within the counties of Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte, there are over 100 different golf courses and this is only 3 Florida counties!
If you are serious about finding that ideal golf community to purchase that second home in, you would be better served to first determine what part of Florida is best for you. Search the most popular locations such as Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Fort Lauderdale, Sarasota, etc. and see which part of this beautiful state you like the best.
Consider hurricane potential, you do not want to invest in an area that could become ground zero someday for Katrina's big sister. Though your home may be spared, your lush golf course will never be the same for years due to the damage done to the landscaping. Not to mention the loss of value to your home. Certain areas in Florida are more prone to hurricanes than others. The Tampa Bay/Sarasota Bay area has a greatly reduced risk of suffering a direct hit when compared to the likes of Miami and the south-eastern shoreline communities of Florida.
Tampa Bay does not offer that "vacation living" feel, this is the second largest city in Florida and the traffic on the roads certainly proves it. If you are looking to escape the herd when you come to Florida the Sarasota area holds special promise.
This area boasts a certain lifestyle that is conducive to vacation living. Known as the creative coast, The Sarasota Florida area has more to offer those that appreciate the arts than any other city in Florida. From our many live performance theatres to the special workshops offered by the Ringling College of Art And Design, there is no shortage of Art and culture in this shire.
The #2 beach in America also resides here. With sand that is finer than table sugar and whiter than any other sand on any beach anywhere, Siesta Key Beach and its 99% pure quartz sand is truly a sight to behold.
All of those wonderful reasons aside, the main reason you want to live here is the golf. Our area has been truly blessed by the developer gods that are responsible for the construction of these fantastic communities. There are a few in the Sarasota area that truly stand out from the rest and they should make up anyone's short list when considering to reside either full time or part time in west central Florida.
These communities are:
This course screams opulence. Though the community only has 18 holes, those 18 holes are some of the best championship play you will ever have the pleasure to drive on. The driving range in the practice area uses Titlest Pro V1 balls... At 40 odd dollars a dozen for these spheres of flight, this is where you really can see how far you can drive rather than be told the lies by range stones used on any other driving range. $80,000 initiation fee for residents of the community, $100,000 for non-residents. $900 a month in dues.
This is another high end community in the Sarasota area. The course is not as nice as The Concession course but the cost of membership is less than half. Founders club is one of the few courses where there are no tee times, you just show up and play whenever you want. Add this luxury to a traditional caddie program and endless golf lessons for $1200 a year, well you get the idea. Equity contribution of $47,500 plus monthly dues of $875 plus annual Caddie Minimum of $1000 paid in advance.
Offering 54 holes of Championship Golf, Lakewood Ranch Country Club is one of the areas largest. The fitness center is 14,000 square feet, there are 18 tennis courts, a water park, driving range, Swimming pool, sauna, whirlpool, short game are, putting greens, child care services, 44,000 square foot clubhouse, fine dining, lounge, bar... not to mention a polo club down the road and a cricket club for the English in all of us.. Lakewood Ranch is a playground for big people. Membership fee of $47,718 includes a membership deposit, and initiation fees. $573 a month in dues.
Fantastic golf on 2 par 72 courses and a great location just south of Sarasota and close to Siesta Key Beach and Casey Key. This is a community of three separate developments. The Oaks club is where Bertha Palmer of the Palmer Ranch built her home in 1910. From the first day of this development those who have and wish to enjoy all they worked for have called this location home. Some of Sarasota's finest waterfront properties can be found here. $65,400 initiation fee for residents, $7,500 for non residents. Annual dues of $7255 plus food and beverage minimum of $900 as well as a quarterly capital charge of $240.
The Laurel Oak Country Club is a local favorite. This is a family club with an average membership age of 57, one of the lowest in the Sarasota area. A 45,000 square foot clubhouse, 12 tennis courts, Junior Olympic pool, and some of the most well manicured golf courses you have ever seen in this 404 home gated golf community. $6,000 initiation fee, $764 in monthly dues, plus an annual food and beverage minimum.
This Palmer Ranch golf community has 36 holes of championship golf. TPC Prestancia has hosted eight Chrysler Cup Tournaments and five American Express Invitationals and Champions Tour events. The Stadium course if bordered by moguls that provide exceptional spectator vantage points and the Club Course is a traditional Florida design complete with doglegs and water hazards. A $4,000 to $20,000 initiation fee is required as well as $266 to $639 in monthly dues depending on the membership plan you choose.
Waterlefe is a very challenging course that meanders through conservation areas and alongside the champion of all water hazards, the Manatee River. Practice your swing hitting floating golf balls into the community driving range lake. Sound interesting? The real estate in the community certainly is, a mix of California and Mediterranean architecture breaks the Florida mold and makes Waterlefe a very eclectic community. Memberships require a $10,000 initiation fee (currently waived), monthly dues of $442 plus $142 per month in golf cart trail fees.
The only other course in the area that is reminiscent of Misty Creek is The Concession. Nearly every fairway is lined with old growth Florida. Massive Hammock oaks, deer on the fairways and resident Bald Eagles sums up this course nicely. You need to have a very targeted game to play this course or a lot of golf balls to see you to the 18th green of these links. Equity membership contribution of $2000, $1000 initiation fee, monthly dues of $430, $50 in monthly reserve capital charges, and a $900 annual food and beverage minimum.
Heritage Oaks is a bundled community. Your HOA fees also include your membership fees to the golf club. This is a very busy community and a very busy course. If you like to be social this is the club for you. 18 holes of golf meander through the community of primarily condos and maintenance free villas. Membership fees not quoted included in monthly HOA.
This is another bundled community located next to the Oaks Club in Palmer Ranch. The location of Stoneybrook can not be beat if you are looking to be close to shopping opportunities and Siesta Key Beach. The homes, condos, and maintenance free villas are well regarded for their design and quality. Annual dues of approximately $3270 and a $500 food and beverage minimum per residence.
There are a few more communities that should have made the list but as I mentioned before, searching for Sarasota Golf Communities can be a daunting task. The courses above certainly are some of the best in the Sarasota area and they are a great place to start.
Christina Miller is a real estate broker in Sarasota Florida specializing in Premier neighborhoods and country club communities. Her business website features Sarasota golf communities and articles relating to the surrounding communities.
Along with her current real estate focus, Christina also focuses her efforts on Siesta Key real estate. Siesta Key, a long time favorite of Christina, is home to over 6,500 condominiums as well as a large selection of opulent executive homes and old Florida beach bungalows dating back to the 40's and 50's.
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