Sarasota Area Golf Communities And Their Membership Dues

If you are an avid golfer and you are looking for a new home in a Sarasota Florida gated golf community, this page will give you some useful information to help make your buying decision easier.

Searching for real estate in a gated golf community is not just about buying a home it’s also about buying a golf club. Many golfers get excited about a golf course and come to find the real estate in that community is not a good fit. Some may find that ideal home but the golf course lacks the challenge or playing conditions that they desire or the membership fee is not affordable.

What I advise my clients to do before searching for a golf community home is to narrow their possibilities by finding the golf course that is affordable as good fit first. After discovering the golf clubs that are potentially a good fit for you personally then it is time to start looking for the home.

This page and those that are linked from it will help you discover the opportunities available in the golf communities that are in close proximity to Sarasota and how much it will cost you to be a member. The criteria that must be met for clubs to make this list is they must be no further than a 40 minute drive from downtown Sarasota.

The list is ordered by not only the price of the membership but also the quality of the club facilities based solely on my personal opinion, the information I have discovered visiting these communities, previous client comments and the interviews I have conducted with various members and locals. The clubs at the top of the list offer the best experience but they also have the highest price. As you are aware, there is no such thing as a “one size fits all” approach when it comes to a golf and country club.

The membership initiation contributions may have changed since the publication of this page and the numbers are only to give you an approximate idea of the associated costs of membership. I do try to keep the list as current as possible but with the many specials being offered by the clubs, it is hard to keep track of them all. To the best of my knowledge, these prices are current for the 2010 winter season. As you will see by the list I have included golf clubs that span across many price points and hopefully you will find your perfect fit in this list.

Clicking the photo of the club will take you to a page with more comprehensive information about the club, the course and the community as well as the MLS listings of properties currently available for sale in the residential community.

The Concession

Located just east of Lakewood Ranch, The Concession is where the pros practice. This insanely impressive 18 hole golf course has some of the finest facilities of any course in Florida, even the driving range uses Titleist Pro V1 balls. The clubhouse is simply stunning, as is the full bar in the mens locker room. No expense is spared and the course certainly reflects that. The Concession has a required membership contribution of $100,000 plus dues of $900 per month. Various other membership options are available; inquire with the membership director for more details. Next to the exclusive Ritz-Carlton Members Club, this is the highest priced membership in Sarasota. Currently there are some fantastic deals in the community on bank owned lots. Property that sold for over $600,000 can be had for a bit over $250K. Homes range from $1.2 million to $6 million.

The Oaks Club

Located south of Sarasota in Osprey, The Oaks Club memberships are required for all homeowners in The Oaks Club communities. The Oaks Club membership dues require a $65,400 initiation fee for residents, $7,500 for non residents. Annual dues of $7,255 plus food and beverage minimum of $900 as well as a quarterly capital charge of $240. The Oaks Club has 36 holes of Golf and the courses in the community are some of the finest manicured courses in Sarasota. The community residents are some of the friendliest you will meet and there are some amazing waterfront homes available in the west development. Condos from $200K to homes over $7 million.

The Founders Club

The Founders club is located east of Sarasota and provides 18 holes of golf as well as traditional caddie services for those who wish to walk the course. This is the third highest priced golf membership in Sarasota. The Founders Club has suffered some setbacks with the recession but appears to be on the road to recovery. The Founders Club has a equity contribution of $47,500 plus monthly dues of $875, annual Caddie minimum of $1000 and an annual food and beverage minimum. Homes range in price from $800K to $3 million.

Lakewood Ranch Country Club

The Lakewood Ranch Country Club offers more amenities than any other Country Club in Sarasota. The clubhouse is majestic and the facilities are spectacular. 54 glorious holes (with plans to expand to 72), the fitness center, water park, tennis courts… This is country club living at its best. The Lakewood Ranch Country Club Membership fee of $47,718 includes deposit, and initiation fees. Monthly dues are $573. Homes prices from $300K to over $1 million.

Laurel Oak Country Club

This is hands down my favorite. 36 holes of golf on two well manicured courses sprawling through a beautiful mature community and Laurel Oak Country Club has a low membership contribution of $6,000, $764 in monthly dues, plus an annual food and beverage minimum. The facilities are a little older than the Lakewood Ranch Country Club but there are also not as many members and as a result, it is much easier to get a good tee time here in the height of season. The membership director is probably the best in Sarasota, he is a resident of the community and would be happy to take you for a free round so you can see for yourself the quality of the courses in the development. Homes range in price from $300K to $1 million.

TPC Prestancia

Prestancia has 36 holes of golf in Sarasota’s largest planned urban development, Palmer Ranch. This is an older club in Sarasota that celebrated its 25th anniversary in February 2010. Here you will experience 2 different course types and playing conditions. The Club Course was the first golf course originally built for Country Club of Sarasota. In 1985 it was sold to what is now TPC Prestancia and the Stadium Course was built. The Stadium Course is elevated by moguls along the fairways and this is the course that was played for all of the professional tournaments that were held at TPC Prestancia. Membership requires a $4,000 to $20,000 initiation fee as well as $266 to $639 a month in dues. Condos in Prestancia begin at $200K, villas start at $300K, and executive homes can be priced to over $1 million.

Country Club of Sarasota

This gated community technically no longer has its own golf course as it was sold to neighboring Prestancia in 1985 but memberships to Prestancia are available to Country Club of Sarasota residents and therefore is worth a special mention with Prestancia. Nearly every home in Country Club of Sarasota is along the fairways of the club course of Prestancia. The mix of Prestancia and Country Club of Sarasota is certainly a strange one but these are two nice communities that share the same golf course. Basically you have one community on one side of the fairways, one on the other. The Serendipty Racket Club is on the Country Club of Sarasota side and memberships are available to Prestancia residents. Make any sense? Well regardless if it does or not, either community is a great place to live due to their Palmer Ranch location. Homes in Country Club of Sarasota are about 10 years older than those in Prestancia but some of them boast some very interesting and unique styles with a lot of character and large lots. Homes in Country Club of Sarasota range in price from $300K to $600K.

University Park Country Club

The University Park Country Club opened in 1991 and since then, this 27 hole, semi private, Ron Garl designed course and the community that surrounds it has received many prestigious designations. The community received and award for “Best Community Design in America” by the National Association of Home Builders. Initiation fee of $5000 plus annual dues for a full membership. Home prices vary greatly from $250,000 to $4 million.

Misty Creek Golf and Country Club

This is a beautiful 18 hole golf course. Many of the fairways are in the nature preserve and bordered by natural old Florida woodlands. The Misty Creek course is a great course for loosing balls, it is a challenge to say the least but it sure is a lot of fun! The clubhouse is small but there is a lounge and grill and a decent pro shop. What makes Misty Creek so appealing is the community. The homes here offer great value at a great price. This is also an equity membership club, but with an 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, you certainly get a lot of value for money in Misty Creek. Homes from $300K to $850K.

Waterlefe Golf & River Club

Waterlefe has 18 holes of golf in a community along the Manatee River. One of the fantastic amenities of Waterlefe is the River Club. If you are also an avid boater, this is the golf community for you. Many homes are along the water and have boat lifts and those that do not have the option of purchasing a slip in the River Club Marina. Townhouses from $200K to single family homes over $2 million. Waterlefe memberships require a $10,000 initiation fee (currently waived for new members), monthly dues of $442 plus $142 per month in golf cart trail fees.

Palm Aire Country Club

Palm Aire is a member owned golf and country club located west of interstate 75 on University Parkway next to the University Park Country Club in Sarasota Florida. This 1300 acre Palm Aire country club development features two 18 hole golf courses, 10 tennis courts, athletic center and an Olympic size swimming pool. Special membership initiation rates are currently being offered: Full membership $2,500, sports membership $1,250, tennis membership $1,000 and social memberships are $500. Monthly dues vary but are quite affordable. Prices of the Palm Aire homes for sale range from $45,000 for a one bedroom condo to $650,000 for a 4 bedroom house with private swimming pool.

The Meadows Country Club

This 54 hole golf and country club is absolutely fantastic. The golf facilities are very nice and well kept. If you are looking for a budget winter home the Meadows community is the most affordable in Sarasota. Condos in the community can be had for around $100,000 and homes for twice that much. The Meadows is not a gated community, it is just a great place to play golf. There is no requirement to live in the community if you are a member. In fact, The Meadows is the locals choice. Those of us that live here full time love playing this course. There is a small enclave of 9 new homes being built on a previously undeveloped tract in the meadows, prices for these homes average $1.5 million. This is the best priced club in the area, Membership initiation fees are currently waived with a 2 year membership commitment, $100 for an equity certificate is required and monthly dues of $510. This course is a fantastic value for the money.

Stoneybrook on Palmer Ranch

Stoneybrook on Palmer Ranch is a bundled golf community, meaning, memberships to the community country club are mandatory and are part of the HOA fees charged to the address. This is a good community for the occasional golfer and the course is in good condition. Tee times can be difficult in season due to the large number of members having only 1 – 18 hole course open for play. I prefer Stoneybrook over Heritage Oak because of Stoneybrook’s location in Palmer Ranch and some of the homes in Stoneybrook are much nicer than what Heritage Oak has to offer. Annual dues of approximately $3270 and a $500 food and beverage minimum per residence.

Heritage Oaks Country Club

Heritage Oaks is a bundled golf community, meaning, memberships to the community country club are mandatory and are part of the HOA fees charged to the address. This is a good community for the occasional golfer and the course is in good condition. Tee times can be difficult in season due to the 800+ members having only 1 – 18 hole course for play. Membership dues run about $8,000 a year, the homeowners dues run about $650 to $750 a month, add to that your taxes and insurance and you are looking at over $1,300 a month just in fees to live here and play the community’s 18 hole golf course that is completely surrounded by the residences. Every property has a view of the course.