The Groves Golf and Country Club in Land O'lakes, FL

Pros

• The course is very well maintained with beautiful greens and spotless restrooms.
• It's a great course for distance-challenged players, and the staff are friendly and helpful.
• It's one of the favorite places to play, offering great golf, beautiful views, and a friendly clubhouse.
• The grounds are beautiful and well maintained, and the clubhouse is fun with plenty of activities.
• The greens and fairways are in very good condition, and the staff are welcoming.
• The driving range is nice and convenient for practice.
• The course is in excellent shape and very fun to play, with amazing staff.
• The course offers a lot of variety of shots, and the staff are friendly and accommodating.
• The course is in great shape with GPS on carts and a beverage cart around the course.
• The Back 9 Bistro is a hidden gem with outstanding service and great food.
• The community is enjoyable, with a guarded entrance and pleasant surroundings.
• This Sarasota course is a hidden gem and a go-to for players, with well-kept greens and fairways.

Cons

• The course was in poor condition and not well maintained.
• Staff attempted to take a golfer's cart away in the middle of a round, which was disruptive and unacceptable.
• The front desk customer service was unprofessional and unhelpful.
• The course is not worth the money.
• The ranger was rude and had zero people skills.
• The course is overbooked, giving players only 30 seconds to swing.
• The buffet was terrible.
• The community is not recommended.

Review

The Groves Golf and Country Club in Land O' Lakes is best suited for active older adults and couples who want a self-contained, amenity-rich retirement lifestyle where golf remains a central social activity. The community's appeal centers on a well-kept, shorter course that rewards shot-making and strategy over brute length, paired with a lively clubhouse, dining options, and easy access to walking trails, wildlife, and other leisure amenities. For residents who want to combine a comfortable living environment with regular rounds and social gatherings, The Groves offers a practical, self-contained lifestyle that keeps golf front and center without demanding long hours on an exhausting, demanding track.

Those weighing alternatives should consider options if pristine, uniform course conditions across every hole are a top priority, or if consistently seamless customer service and fewer interpersonal frictions are nonnegotiable. Some reviewers describe uneven experiences with staff and pace enforcement, including moments when interactions felt heavy-handed or inconsistent. For families prioritizing a more expansive dining and activity ecosystem, or medical or elder-care resources on-site, other communities may present clearer coverage. The guard-gated entry and the "retirement-community-with-a-golf-focus" vibe can feel restrictive to some, so a buyer who wants a more open or less regimented atmosphere may want to look elsewhere.

The core advantages - the greens and overall maintenance, the pace for a shorter course, and the value proposition - often cluster in a way that mitigates the drawbacks. Greens are repeatedly praised as immaculate or excellent, with most reviewers noting reliable conditioning and true rolling. The course's shorter length makes it accessible for distance-challenged players and beginners, allowing for enjoyable rounds without the fatigue of longer layouts. Priced reasonably for the quality delivered, the Groves also benefits from thoughtful touches like GPS in carts, a reliable driving range, and the Back 9 Bistro, which many patrons celebrate as a standout dining and social anchor. These positives tend to offset occasional fairway wear or bunkers that are fine but not synonymous with championship-caliber courses.

A strong social and community layer emerges in the mix of reviews. The clubhouse atmosphere, staff hospitality, and opportunities to socialize near the dining options and activities give the Groves real value beyond the 18 holes. Wildlife sightings and a landscaped, planful environment contribute to a serene, resort-like feel that complements a retirement-friendly lifestyle. Yet, the spectrum of guest experiences remains wide: some visitors leave elated by friendly service and engaging conversations with residents; others report rudeness from rangers or front-desk friction that tempers the otherwise rosy impression. The presence of a robust community life can offset occasional service hiccups for many, but not for all.

For families evaluating living arrangements, this community makes sense when golf, social clubs, and a compact, walkable campus align with the senior's interests and routines. It suits those who appreciate a well-maintained, aesthetically pleasing setting and who value easy access to dining, casual recreation, and light-to-moderate competition on a course that rewards precision over power. Potential buyers should plan a vetting visit to see how the staff dynamics feel in real time, observe pace of play on a busy day, and assess whether on-site dining and social programming align with expectations. If the desire is for a broader menu of services, more expansive course options, or consistently flawless customer care, alternatives deserve exploration.

In the end, The Groves represents a thoughtful, well-priced option for seniors who want to stay engaged through golf and community life, with greens and scenery that justify the costs and a social scene that can be genuinely rewarding. It is less ideal for those who demand uniformly flawless service, aggressive avoidance of friction, or a longer, more challenging course experience. Heritage and similar nearby communities are reasonable comparisons for families weighing longer-term living plans and a different balance of pace, amenities, and service. The Groves earns strong consideration for the right buyer: one who values a tight-knit, golf-forward lifestyle at a sensible price and is prepared to overlook occasional service misfires in favor of a lived-in, neighborly atmosphere and dependable course upkeep.

This part of Land O'Lakes, Florida offers a variety of amenities and conveniences for seniors considering the area for senior living. There are several dining options nearby, including familiar chains like McDonald's and Chipotle, as well as local favorites such as The Great Catch by Taste of Boston. For outdoor recreation, there are parks within a short driving distance, such as Asbel Playground and Nye Park. Additionally, there are pharmacies located conveniently in the area, making it easy to access medication and healthcare services. Nearby physicians' offices offer specialized care for various medical needs, including women's health and pediatric care. For leisure activities, there are cafes like Starbucks and theaters like Cobb Grove 16 Cinemas within reach. Transportation options are also available through Enterprise Rent-A-Car for those who may need to travel locally. Places of worship like Idlewild Baptist Church provide spiritual support, while St Joseph's Hospital is located just 10 miles away for any healthcare emergencies or ongoing medical needs. Overall, this part of Land O'Lakes offers a diverse range of services and amenities that can cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable living environment with convenient access to essential resources.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.5 miles)
• McDonald's (5.4 miles)
• The Great Catch by Taste of Boston (5.9 miles)
• WingHouse Bar & Grill (6.8 miles)
• Beef 'o' Brady's (7 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (7.2 miles)
• Bonefish Grill (7.2 miles)

Parks

• Asbel Playground (2.6 miles)
• Nye Park (8.9 miles)
• Cunningham Park (9.7 miles)
• Wesley Chapel District Park (9.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (5.5 miles)
• Walgreens (6.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (6.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (6.8 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (7 miles)
• Walgreens (7.2 miles)
• Walgreens (7.9 miles)

Physicians

• The Woman's Group (5.9 miles)
• Brain and Spine Neuroscience Institute (7 miles)
• Reyher, Christopher The Center for Bone and Joint Disease (7 miles)
• Pediatric Health Care Alliance (7.9 miles)
• Diabetes Alliance of Tampa Bay (8.2 miles)
• Sunshine Pediatrics of Lutz (8.2 miles)
• Women's Care Florida (8.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (6.8 miles)
• Starbucks (7.3 miles)
• Starbucks (8.3 miles)
• Starbucks (9.5 miles)
• Cafe Masaryktown (11.8 miles)

Theaters

• Cobb Grove 16 Cinemas (7.8 miles)
• AMC Highwoods 2 (11.5 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Idlewild Baptist Church (9.5 miles)

Hospitals

• St Joseph's Hospital (10 miles)