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Golf Living

Golf & Country Club Communities

If golf is your lifestyle, Southwest Florida delivers, from championship bundled-golf communities to private membership clubs. Below are standout golf and country-club communities I help buyers into across Lakewood Ranch, Wellen Park, Sarasota, and Bradenton.

The big thing to understand is how golf is structured, "bundled" (membership comes with the home) versus optional or private membership, because it changes both your dues and your buying strategy. I'll explain exactly how each community works before you commit. Tap any to learn more.

Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood National Golf & Country Club

Lennar’s Lakewood National is home to 36 holes of Arnold Palmer, designed golf, the Piper and Commander courses, with bundled golf deeded to the home, a grand clubhouse, a beach-entry lagoon pool, and a full spa. One of the best golf settings in Southwest Florida.

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Esplanade Golf and Country Club

Taylor Morrison’s flagship Esplanade, first-class country club living with 18-hole bundled golf deeded to the home, two activity campuses, three resort pools, eight pickleball and six tennis courts, a full spa, and the Barrel House Bistro.

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Azario - Esplanade

Now Building

Taylor Morrison’s resort-style Esplanade at Azario, built around an 18-hole bundled championship course with a wellness spa, culinary center, Bahama Bar, and a full-time Lifestyle Director, the neighborhood that feels like a year-round getaway.

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Country Club

The original Lakewood Ranch Country Club, where the whole community started. A mature, guard-gated address with golf and club access by membership, multiple sub-neighborhoods, and one of the most recognized names in LWR real estate.

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Country Club East

A newer, guard-gated extension of the Country Club with long views and a prestige address. Single-family homes from the $600s to $2M+, with golf and club amenities available by membership.

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Calusa Country Club

Now Building

Lennar’s newest LWR golf community, and the only one with a dual-course setup, an 18-hole championship course plus a 12-hole executive course, 30 holes in all. Resort pool, aqua driving range, pickleball, and a Lifestyle Director round it out.

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Wellen Park

Sarasota

Prestancia

An upscale, gated community on 565 acres anchored by TPC Prestancia, two 18-hole golf courses (Stadium & Players), built between 1986 and 2004. Features a full-service country club, resort pool, fitness center, tennis, and dining.

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The Founders Club

An exclusive gated community of estate-sized single-family homes on a Robert Trent Jones Jr., designed 18-hole championship golf course, limited to under 300 homesites, with a full-service clubhouse and fine dining.

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Laurel Oak Estates

A gated community of 406 homes (346 single-family and 60 villas) on 813 acres with two Rees Jones, designed 18-hole golf courses, features a 44,000 sq ft clubhouse, resort pool, tennis center, and fine dining.

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Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club

One of Palmer Ranch's largest and most established communities, over 940 homes on an Arthur Hills, designed 18-hole championship golf course, built between 1994 and 1999. Features a resort pool, full fitness center, tennis, and miles of trails.

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The Meadows

One of Sarasota's largest master-planned communities, approximately 3,400 residences on 1,650 acres, developed by Taylor Woodrow Homes between 1977 and 2017. Features 17 Har-Tru tennis courts, 14+ miles of nature trails, lakes, and an Audubon-certified bird sanctuary. The Meadows Country Club offers 54 holes of championship golf.

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Bent Tree

A gated community of approximately 450 homes and 50 condos across nine subdivisions, built between 1980 and 2018, centered on a Bill Lewis, designed 18-hole golf course (opened 1975). The Hammocks at Bent Tree section is age-restricted 55+ with 186 units. Located east of I-75 off Bee Ridge Road with a community center, pool, and tennis.

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Calusa Lakes

A gated golf community of 575 custom-built single-family homes on 460 wooded acres with 28 lakes, built between 1992 and 2003. Features an 18-hole semi-private golf course, clubhouse, pool, tennis, and pickleball. No CDD fees and low HOA.

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Longboat Key

An exclusive 11-mile barrier island shared by Sarasota and Manatee counties, single-family estates, luxury condos, and resort properties on the Gulf and bay, anchored by the Longboat Key Club. Residents enjoy a quiet, upscale island lifestyle with world-class golf and tennis.

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Bradenton

River Strand

A bundled golf community within the Heritage Harbour master plan east of I-75 to 27 holes designed by Arthur Hills, a full-service clubhouse with formal and casual dining, resort pool, tiki bar, nine Har-Tru tennis courts, eight pickleball courts, and a fitness center. No separate membership required, all amenities are included.

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Rosedale Golf & Country Club

A gated golf community of approximately 1,100 homes built between the 1990s and 2020, centered on an 18-hole par-72 championship course. Builders include John Cannon, Ashton Woods, and M/I Homes. Features a junior Olympic-size pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis, pickleball, and a clubhouse with full-service dining.

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Tara Golf & Country Club

A non-gated community of approximately 2,070 homes spread across 1,110 acres, established in 1989. The private, member-owned country club features a 6,800-yard par-72 golf course. Mediterranean, Tuscan, and contemporary architectural styles with a mix of single-family homes, villas, and condos.

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University Park Country Club

The private, resident-owned country club at the heart of University Park, 27 holes of four-star-rated Ron Garl golf, 11 lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, first-class dining, and a full fitness center. Membership options available to University Park homeowners; one mile from University Town Center Mall.

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Waterlefe

A gated golf and river community of 621 homes on the Manatee River, built between 2000 and 2007. The Ted McAnlis-designed 18-hole par-72 course features five signature holes along the riverfront. Condos, villas, single-family homes, and waterfront estates with boating, kayaking, and river access.

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Heritage Harbour

A master-planned community of approximately 2,800 homes on 1,400 acres along the Manatee River east of I-75. Anchored by an Arthur Hills-designed 18-hole golf course, resort pool, fitness center, tennis, pickleball, bocce, playgrounds, trails, and riverfront kayak launch. Multiple sub-communities by builders including Lennar and Neal Communities.

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Peridia

A community of 650 single-family homes, condos, and villas from the mid-1980s on a 60-acre 18-hole executive golf course. Not gated, golf membership is included in the HOA. Clubhouse with restaurant, bar, tiki bar, pro shop, tennis, pickleball, and pool. The Fairway Trace section offers condos.

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Palm Aire

One of the largest country club communities in the area, 3,752 homes across 30 subdivisions on 1,300 acres along University Parkway, spanning Sarasota and Manatee counties. Two championship golf courses, a 23,000 sq ft member-owned clubhouse, Har-Tru tennis courts, and an Olympic-size pool. Membership is optional.

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Greenfield Plantation

A gated community of approximately 1,200 homes on 400+ acres with 24/7 security, centered on The Links at Greenfield Plantation, an independently owned 18-hole public championship golf course. Single-family homes and maintenance-free options with a community pool, clubhouse, snack bar, and sundeck. No CDD fees.

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Whitfield

Also known as Whitfield Estates, established in the 1920s as Sarasota's first golf community, with homes along the fairways of Sara Bay Country Club, canal-front properties, and bayfront estates. Half-acre lots with a mix of Spanish-Mediterranean, Florida ranch, and modern architectural styles. Located midway between downtown Bradenton and downtown Sarasota.

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Parrish

Palmetto

This is a curated selection, there are more options across the region. Tell me what you’re after and I’ll match you to the right community.

Golf & Country Club Communities FAQ

What are the best golf communities in Southwest Florida?+

Southwest Florida has 30+ golf communities across every price range. Lakewood Ranch alone offers six, from Arnold Palmer’s 36-hole Lakewood National to the bundled Esplanade and Azario campuses. Wellen Park has Sarasota National, Boca Royale, and the boutique Gran Place with Plantation Golf access. Sarasota features Prestancia (TPC), The Founders Club, Laurel Oak, Stoneybrook, and The Meadows. Bradenton’s lineup includes River Strand, Rosedale, Waterlefe, Heritage Harbour, Palm Aire, and University Park. The right one depends on bundled vs. membership golf, course caliber, amenities, and budget.

Do you have to play golf to live in a golf community?+

Not necessarily. Many golf communities offer social or sports memberships alongside golf, so you can enjoy the clubhouse, dining, pool, tennis, and pickleball without a golf membership. In "bundled" communities, golf is included with the home; in others it’s optional. I’ll clarify each community’s structure for you.

What is bundled golf?+

In a bundled-golf community, a golf membership is tied to the home and its fees, every owner is a member, which keeps golf costs lower but raises the HOA dues. Non-bundled communities make golf optional or require a separate (often private) membership. It’s a key factor in both monthly cost and resale, so I always flag it.

Let’s find your community

Tell me your budget, lifestyle, and timeline, and I’ll match you to the right fit, with current pricing, availability, and an honest read on fees and value.

Or call or text (941) 350-0224.

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