Golf courses along Florida's Gulf Coast

01 — Golf

Gulf Coast Golf Guide

The Gulf Coast is a world-class golf destination, with courses designed by legends and maintained to perfection. From public gems to private clubs, here is where to play. Sarasota's public side runs from the municipal value of Bobby Jones to semi-private Serenoa, with the private clubs clearly labeled.

New to the area? Our journal post, Golf on the Gulf Coast: Best Courses and What It Costs to Play, covers current green fees, peak season pricing, and the membership versus daily play decision.

02 — Courses

Courses by Community

Arriving from a community hub puts that community's golf first: local courses lead, then clearly labeled nearby options, then the regional field. Every course shows its verified access type, and where no fee is published you'll see "Contact club" rather than a made-up price.

Sarasota

The Legacy Golf Club

Bradenton (near Sarasota)

8255 Legacy Blvd, Bradenton FL 34202

18 holes·$55 - $95

Moderate Public

Arnold Palmer signature layout with water on many holes. Links-style and walkable.

University Park Country Club

Sarasota

7671 The Park Blvd, University Park FL 34201

27 holes·Private

Challenging Private

Three 9-hole courses designed by Ted McAnlis. Member club with reciprocal access.

Sarasota Golf Club

Sarasota

7280 N Lee Wynn Dr, Sarasota FL 34240

18 holes·$75 - $120

Moderate Public

Classic Florida layout with mature oaks. Confirm current operating status before booking.

Serenoa Golf Club

Sarasota

6773 Serenoa Dr, Sarasota FL 34241

18 holes·$40 - $75

Moderate Semi-private

Semi-private but welcomes the public. Friendly atmosphere and good value.

Bobby Jones Golf Club

Sarasota

1000 Circus Blvd, Sarasota FL 34232

18 holes·$35 - $55

Easy-Moderate Public

Municipal course operated by the city. Great for beginners and casual golfers.

Sarasota's public side runs from the municipal value of Bobby Jones to semi-private Serenoa and the classic Sarasota Golf Club; University Park Country Club is private and stays labeled as such. The Legacy is a public Arnold Palmer signature option just north at Lakewood Ranch.

Venice

Wellen Park Golf & Country Club

Venice

12060 Wellen Golf St, Venice FL 34293

18 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

Semi-private 18 (Gordon Lewis design) in the Playmore District of Wellen Park, opened 2023, roughly 7,000 yards at par 72. Public tee times during the community's development period before the club transitions to private.

Sarasota National Golf Club

Venice

25510 National Blvd, Venice FL 34293

18 holes·Private

Challenging Private

Private 18-hole championship course (par 72, 7,344 yards) in a bundled golf community. Play is generally limited to members and residents; confirm any public availability directly at the club.

Hawk's Run at Bird Bay

Venice

602 Bird Bay Dr W, Venice FL 34285

18 holes·Contact club

Easy Public

Public 18-hole executive course (par 56, Ron Garl design opened 1974) at Bird Bay. Welcomes all levels of golfers.

Waterford Golf Club

Venice

1454 Gleneagles Dr, Venice FL 34292

27 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

Semi-private club open to the public with three 9-hole courses (Gleneagles, Sawgrass, Turnberry) combined into 18-hole layouts. The Gleneagles nine alone plays to par 36.

Lake Venice Golf Club

Venice

1801 S Harbor Dr, Venice FL 34285

18 holes·$35 - $55

Easy-Moderate Public

Public, city-owned municipal course opened 1959. Friendly atmosphere and convenient location.

Capri Isles Golf Club

Venice

849 Capri Isles Blvd, Venice FL 34292

18 holes·$35 - $55

Easy Public

Executive course perfect for seniors and beginners. Affordable and well-maintained.

Pelican Pointe Golf and Country Club

Venice

499 Derbyshire Dr, Venice FL 34285

27 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

Semi-private 27-hole gated club in Venice with public tee times.

Jacaranda West Country Club

Venice

1901 Jacaranda Blvd, Venice FL 34293

18 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

Semi-private 18-hole championship course available to members and the public alike.

Venice Golf & Country Club

Venice

250 Venice Golf Club Dr, Venice FL 34292

18 holes·$60 - $100

Moderate Private

Private equity club with a well-respected course and active social calendar.

Plantation Golf & Country Club

Venice

500 Rockley Blvd, Venice FL 34293

36 holes·Private

Challenging Private

Two 18-hole courses (Bobcat and Panther). Member-exclusive community.

Venice's accessible rounds include the city-owned Lake Venice, the executive Capri Isles and Hawk's Run, semi-private Waterford, Wellen Park, Pelican Pointe and Jacaranda West. Sarasota National, Venice Golf & Country Club and Plantation are private or member-focused and clearly labeled. Fees are shown only where verified; otherwise the guide says to confirm at the club.

Osprey

The Oaks Club

Osprey

301 MacEwen Dr, Osprey FL 34229

36 holes·Private

Challenging Private

Private gated club with two 18-hole championship courses (Eagle and Heron) designed by Arthur Hills and William Byrd.

Laurel Oak Country Club

Sarasota (near Osprey)

2700 Gary Player Blvd, Sarasota FL 34240

18 holes·Private

Challenging Private

Private, member-owned course with a well-regarded design and upscale atmosphere, just east of Osprey in Sarasota.

Osprey golf is a two-club story at private facilities: The Oaks Club with its two courses in town, and Laurel Oak Country Club just east in Sarasota as the nearby option. There is no public course in Osprey proper, so the nearest public rounds sit minutes north in Sarasota or south in Nokomis and Venice.

Nokomis

Calusa Lakes Golf Club

Nokomis

1995 Calusa Lakes Blvd, Nokomis FL 34275

18 holes·$45 - $75

Moderate Public

Affordable public course with wide fairways and water features. Good value for the area.

Sara Bay Country Club

Sarasota (near Nokomis)

7011 Willow St, Sarasota FL 34243

18 holes·Private

Challenging Private

Private club designed by Donald Ross. Highly regarded by serious golfers.

Mission Valley Golf & Country Club

Nokomis

1851 Mission Valley Blvd, Nokomis FL 34275

18 holes·Private

Moderate Private

Private member-owned 18-hole club (par 72) in Nokomis; membership and member tee times required.

Nokomis pairs Calusa Lakes, an affordable public 18, with the honest private labels at Sara Bay and Mission Valley. The nearest public variety beyond that sits minutes away in Venice.

Bradenton

Manatee County Golf Course

Bradenton

6415 53rd Ave W, Bradenton FL 34210

18 holes·Contact club

Moderate Public

Municipal 18 holes on 53rd Avenue West.

Directions Website

River Run Golf Links

Bradenton

1801 27th St E, Bradenton FL 34208

18 holes·Contact club

Moderate Public

Links-style course on 27th Street East.

Directions Website

Timber Creek Golf Course

Bradenton

4550 Timber Ln, Bradenton FL 34211

9 holes·Contact club

Easy Public

Nine-hole par 3 that welcomes outside play.

Directions Website

Pinebrook / Ironwood Golf Club

Bradenton

4260 Ironwood Cir, Bradenton FL 34209

36 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

Two courses in West Bradenton with public tee times.

Directions Website

Bradenton Country Club

Bradenton

4646 9th Ave W, Bradenton FL 34209

18 holes·Private

Challenging Private

Donald Ross design established 1924; members and guests only.

Directions Website

The River Club

Bradenton

6600 River Club Blvd, Bradenton FL 34202

18 holes·Contact club

Challenging Public

Championship layout along the Manatee River at Lakewood Ranch; open to the public with daily-fee play. Confirm tee times directly.

Buffalo Creek Golf Club

Palmetto (near Bradenton)

8100 69th St E, Palmetto FL 34221

18 holes·$40 - $75

Moderate Public

County-owned public course. Well-maintained, good pace of play, and affordable.

Heritage Harbour Golf Club

Bradenton

8000 Stone Harbour Loop, Bradenton FL 34212

18 holes·Private

Moderate Private

Private course within the active adult Heritage Harbour community.

Rosedale Golf & Country Club

Bradenton

5100 87th St E, Bradenton FL 34211

18 holes·Contact club

Challenging Semi-private

Ted Robinson layout with water and bunkers throughout; semi-private with membership and public tee times. Confirm current rates directly.

IMG Academy Golf Club

Bradenton

4350 El Conquistador Pkwy, Bradenton FL 34210

18 holes·$50 - $90

Challenging Public

World-class facility at IMG Academy. Open to the public with advanced tee times.

Bradenton covers both sides of the gate: public and semi-private rounds at the municipal, River Run, Timber Creek, Pinebrook Ironwood, The River Club, Buffalo Creek and IMG, with private tables at Bradenton Country Club and Heritage Harbour.

Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood National Golf Club

Lakewood Ranch

36 holes·Private

Challenging Private

Arnold Palmer-designed 36 holes in the Lakewood National neighborhood; golf is bundled with residency and memberships.

Directions Website

Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club

Lakewood Ranch

72 holes·Private

Challenging Private

72 holes across four courses (King's Dunes, Royal Lakes, Cypress Links and The Legacy).

Directions Website

Esplanade Golf & Country Club

Lakewood Ranch

18 holes·Private

Moderate Private

Golf and country club life at Esplanade Lakewood Ranch.

Directions

University Park Country Club

Sarasota (near Lakewood Ranch)

7671 The Park Blvd, University Park FL 34201

27 holes·Contact club

Challenging Semi-private

27-hole club just outside the community that welcomes daily fee players with tee times up to four days ahead.

Lakewood Ranch golf is largely private: Lakewood National, Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club and Esplanade, with semi-private University Park just outside. All are clearly labeled by access.

Anna Maria Island

Longboat Key Club

Longboat Key (near Anna Maria Island)

2200 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key FL 34228

18 holes·Resort

Moderate Resort

Resort golf on Longboat Key across Longboat Pass, about 10 minutes south; access for resort guests and members.

Directions Website

No golf course sits on Anna Maria Island, so the pick below is honestly labeled by where it is: the closest is the resort course at Longboat Key Club across Longboat Pass, and the public options sit across the bridge in Bradenton.

Siesta Key

Bobby Jones Golf Club

Sarasota (near Siesta Key)

1000 Circus Blvd, Sarasota FL 34232

18 holes·$35 - $55

Easy-Moderate Public

Public municipal 18 in Sarasota, about 15-20 minutes from the island. Great for beginners and casual golfers.

Serenoa Golf Club

Sarasota (near Siesta Key)

6773 Serenoa Dr, Sarasota FL 34241

18 holes·$40 - $75

Moderate Semi-private

Semi-private 18 that welcomes daily-fee public play.

Sarasota Golf Club

Sarasota (near Siesta Key)

7280 N Lee Wynn Dr, Sarasota FL 34240

18 holes·$75 - $120

Moderate Public

Classic Florida layout with mature oaks. Confirm current operating status before booking.

Siesta Key has no golf course on the island; the closest playable rounds are on the Sarasota mainland, honestly labeled below from the municipal Bobby Jones to semi-private Serenoa and the classic Sarasota Golf Club.

North Port

Heron Creek Golf & Country Club

North Port

5301 Heron Creek Blvd, North Port FL 34287

27 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

27-hole Arthur Hills layout at 5301 Heron Creek Boulevard; members and the general public are invited to play.

Directions Website

Bobcat Trail Golf Club

North Port

1350 Bobcat Trl, North Port FL 34288

18 holes·Closed

N/A Closed

Sold at auction in April 2026; the new owners plan to reopen the course in about a year, but it is not currently playable.

Directions

Sabal Trace Golf & Country Club

North Port

5456 Greenwood Ave, North Port FL 34288

18 holes·Closed

N/A Closed

The 18-hole course closed in 2015 and is not open for golf.

Directions

Myakka Pines Golf Club

Englewood (near North Port)

2550 S River Rd, Englewood FL 34223

27 holes·Contact club

Moderate Public

27-hole public course in Englewood, about 25 minutes southwest.

Directions Website

Riverwood Golf Club

Port Charlotte (near North Port)

4100 Riverwood Dr, Port Charlotte FL 33953

18 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

Public-honored course in Port Charlotte.

Directions Website

North Port golf is anchored by Heron Creek, a semi-private 27-hole Arthur Hills layout. Nearby public and semi-private options sit in Englewood and Port Charlotte, and two former North Port courses are closed and clearly labeled as such.

Englewood

Myakka Pines Golf Club

Englewood

2550 S River Rd, Englewood FL 34223

27 holes·Contact club

Moderate Public

27-hole public course on the river side of Englewood with a full clubhouse.

Directions Website

Lemon Bay Golf Club

Englewood

9600 Eagle Preserve Dr, Englewood FL 34224

18 holes·Contact club

Moderate Public

Public 18-hole layout in the Eagle Preserve community.

Directions Website

Boca Royale Golf & Country Club

Englewood

1601 Englewood Rd, Englewood FL 34224

18 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

Pay-as-you-play or membership; 18-hole par 71 redesigned in 2024 with Seashore Paspalum greens.

Directions Website

Rotonda Golf & Country Club

Rotonda West (near Englewood)

90 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

Five courses in Rotonda West (Hills, Palms, Links, Long Marsh, Pinemoor) open for public play.

Directions Website

The Cove of Rotonda Golf Center

Rotonda West (near Englewood)

9 holes·Contact club

Easy Public

Public executive course with day and night golf on the Cape Haze peninsula.

Directions Website

Plantation Golf & Country Club

Venice (near Englewood)

500 Rockley Blvd, Venice FL 34293

18 holes·Private

Challenging Private

Member-exclusive community just north in Venice on Rockley Boulevard.

Coral Creek Club

Placida (near Englewood)

13111 Gasparilla Rd, Placida FL 33946

18 holes·Private

Challenging Private

Invitation-only Tom Fazio championship course in Placida; not open to public play.

Directions Website

Englewood has its own public golf at Myakka Pines and Lemon Bay, with semi-private Boca Royale close by. Nearby Rotonda West and Venice-area courses round out the list, and the private Coral Creek Club is clearly labeled.

Port Charlotte

Riverwood Golf Club

Port Charlotte

4100 Riverwood Dr, Port Charlotte FL 33953

18 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

Public-honored course in the Riverwood community.

Directions Website

Kings Gate Golf Club

Port Charlotte

18 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

Semi-private course open to the public.

Directions

Maple Leaf Golf & Country Club

Port Charlotte

18 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

Semi-private course open to the public.

Directions

Deep Creek Golf Club

Port Charlotte

18 holes·Contact club

Moderate Public

Public course in the Deep Creek area.

Directions

Aileron Golf Club at Sunseeker

Port Charlotte

5500 Sunseeker Way, Port Charlotte FL 33953

18 holes·Resort

Challenging Resort

Championship course at the Sunseeker Resort; play is limited to resort guests, members and Hilton Honors members.

Directions Website

Heron Creek Golf & Country Club

North Port (near Port Charlotte)

5301 Heron Creek Blvd, North Port FL 34287

27 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

27-hole Arthur Hills layout minutes from Port Charlotte; members and the general public are invited to play.

Directions Website

Port Charlotte Golf Club

Port Charlotte

22400 Gleneagles Ter, Port Charlotte FL 33980

18 holes·Closed

N/A Closed

Heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022; its future is undecided while the county weighs acquisition.

Directions

Port Charlotte mixes semi-private clubs like Riverwood, Kings Gate and Maple Leaf with the public Deep Creek and resort play at Aileron at Sunseeker. The Port Charlotte Golf Club is closed after Hurricane Ian and labeled honestly.

Punta Gorda

Deep Creek Golf Club

Punta Gorda

1260 San Cristobal Ave, Punta Gorda FL 33950

18 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

Semi-private 18 open to the public for a daily fee; Mark McCumber design, open daily.

Directions Website

Twin Isles Country Club

Punta Gorda

301 Madrid Blvd, Punta Gorda FL 33950

18 holes·Private

Challenging Private

Private members club in Punta Gorda; access for members and guests.

Directions Website

Babcock National Golf Club

Punta Gorda

43111 Greenway Blvd, Punta Gorda FL 33982

18 holes·Private

Challenging Private

Private course inside Babcock National; memberships limited to community property owners.

Directions Website

Punta Gorda golf is led by the semi-private Deep Creek and the private Twin Isles and Babcock National clubs, each labeled by verified access.

Cape Coral

Coral Oaks Golf Course

Cape Coral

1800 NW 28th Ave, Cape Coral FL 33909

18 holes·Contact club

Challenging Public

City-owned 18-hole Arthur Hills championship course with a driving range and clubhouse; open to the public with memberships available.

Directions Website

Cape Royal Golf Club

Cape Coral

11460 Royal Tee Circle, Cape Coral FL 33909

27 holes·Contact club

Challenging Public

27-hole Gordon Lewis championship layout with the Caloosa Club restaurant; open to the public.

Directions Website

Sandoval Golf Club

Cape Coral

18 holes·Private

Challenging Private

Members-only course inside the gated Sandoval community; not open to general public play.

Directions

The Club at Westminster

Lehigh Acres (near Cape Coral)

2199 Berkley Way, Lehigh Acres FL 33971

18 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

Semi-private 18-hole championship course about 20 minutes away; public tee times year-round.

Directions Website

Cape Coral is anchored by two public championship courses, Coral Oaks and Cape Royal, with the private Sandoval club clearly labeled. Nearby Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres options round out the list.

Fort Myers

Fort Myers Country Club

Fort Myers

3591 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers FL 33901

18 holes·Contact club

Challenging Public

City-owned municipal course on historic McGregor Boulevard, opened in 1917 with a Donald Ross design.

Directions Website

Eastwood Golf Course

Fort Myers

4600 Bruce Herd Ln, Fort Myers FL 33916

18 holes·Contact club

Moderate Public

City-owned 18-hole par-72 course designed by Robert Von Hagge and Bruce Devlin.

Directions Website

Kelly Greens Golf & Country Club

Fort Myers

12300 Kelly Greens Blvd, Fort Myers FL 33908

18 holes·Private

Moderate Private

Private, resident-owned community course; play is tied to membership and homeownership.

Directions Website

Gulf Harbour Yacht & Country Club

Fort Myers

14500 Vista River Dr, Fort Myers FL 33908

18 holes·Private

Challenging Private

Private equity-member golf and yacht club on the Caloosahatchee.

Directions Website

The Club at Westminster

Lehigh Acres (near Fort Myers)

2199 Berkley Way, Lehigh Acres FL 33971

18 holes·Contact club

Moderate Semi-private

Semi-private championship course about 20 minutes east, with public tee times.

Directions Website

Fort Myers golf starts with two city-owned public courses, Fort Myers Country Club and Eastwood, then turns private at Kelly Greens and Gulf Harbour. Nearby Lehigh Acres and Cape Coral options round out the list.

St. Petersburg

Mangrove Bay Golf Course

St. Petersburg

18 holes·Contact club

Challenging Public

The city's 18-hole championship course on 180 acres; open to the public.

Directions Website

Cypress Links Golf Course

St. Petersburg

9 holes·Contact club

Easy Public

9-hole par 3 course at the entrance to Mangrove Bay.

Directions Website

Twin Brooks Golf Course

St. Petersburg

9 holes·Contact club

Easy Public

9-hole par 3 course with a driving range, home of The First Tee of St. Petersburg.

Directions Website

St. Petersburg golf is a public story: the city's Mangrove Bay championship course and the nine-hole par 3 courses at Cypress Links and Twin Brooks. Nearby Sarasota and Bradenton options round out the list.

03 — Tips

Golfing on the Gulf Coast

  • Best time to play is early morning (October - May) to avoid heat and afternoon storms (June - September)
  • Many private clubs offer limited public tee times or reciprocal access through stay-and-play packages
  • Most courses welcome walking, but carts are the norm due to heat and distance between greens
  • Snowbird season (January - April) means crowded tee times. Book early.
  • Summer rates are often 30-50% lower than peak season rates
  • Florida bermuda grass greens roll fast. All greens are overseeded in winter for consistent conditions.

04 — Golf Communities

Living on the Course

Many Gulf Coast communities are built around golf courses, offering residents direct access to championship play. Golf course homes range from condos near the fairway to estate homes on the green. Some popular golf communities include Lakewood Ranch Country Club, The Founders Club in Sarasota, and Plantation in Venice. Buying in a golf community often includes membership options, giving you ready access to both the course and club amenities. These homes typically maintain strong resale value, as the golf lifestyle is one of the primary draws for Gulf Coast buyers.

Golf Course Homes Membership Opportunities Resale Value

Live on the Fairway

Find Your Golf Community Home

Whether you want a home backing onto a championship course or a condo in a golf community, Michael can help you find the perfect property.

Golf & Lifestyle Updates

Course conditions, new listings in golf communities, and local tournament news.