Plantation Golf & Country Club in Venice, FL

Pros

• The Plantation Golf & Country Club is a beautiful venue with excellent member benefits.
• The private course is well run and in excellent condition with a great pace of play.
• The food and staff at events are genuinely excellent, and guests really enjoy themselves.
• The Christmas Gala is wonderful, and the venue feels grand and beautiful.
• The venue is nice with enjoyable surroundings for parties and weddings.
• The staff are friendly, professional, and go above and beyond to ensure events run smoothly.
• Weddings held there are flawless, with outstanding planning and delicious catering.
• The golf courses are well maintained and the dining options are superb.
• The club is a gem, offering impeccable service and a welcoming atmosphere for members and guests.
• The Learning Center provides helpful instruction and frequent demo days for golfers.

Cons

• A reviewer found the French dip sandwich disgusting and waited over an hour for their food.
• The final payment was poorly handled, with pricing and fees not clearly communicated, leading to being charged more than expected.
• The pool area looked slightly neglected.
• The entertainment was excellent, but the food was not.
• The club was average at best, with little attention to detail and very basic bar food; the reviewer said they expected more and called for better management.
• A non-member was charged a higher price for Thanksgiving Buffet and, after a 22% service fee, their bill came to $181.13—leaving a negative impression.
• The Panther Course ground conditions weren't always ideal.
• A reviewer would not return or recommend Plantation due to how they were treated and being grossly overcharged.
• One comment quipped that the food and service were “better in county jail,” signaling a poor dining experience.

Review

Plantation Golf & Country Club in Venice, Florida is best suited for independent, active seniors who want a vibrant, club-centric lifestyle built around two championship golf courses, extensive social programming, and resort-style amenities. The community excels for those who value a comprehensive menu of activities, golf on the Bobcat and Panther layouts, 13 Har-Tru tennis courts, pickleball, bocce, a robust fitness center, and a heated pool, paired with multiple dining venues and a high-touch events calendar. The cross-property access through Concert Golf Partners also adds a travel-friendly dimension, allowing residents and guests to frequent other properties with similar standards. For families prioritizing a well-rounded, amenity-rich environment where social life and golf are central, Plantation stands out as a compelling choice.

Those considering alternatives should note a few realities. The setting and structure are less ideal for seniors who require daily living assistance, on-site healthcare, or memory-care services, since the community reads more as a private club with residences than a traditional assisted-living environment. Price sensitivity also matters; several reviews flag pricing transparency and occasional service charges that can surprise non-members or guests. For potential residents who prioritize a quieter, ultra-low-key atmosphere, or who seek a straightforward, predictable dining experience without premium add-ons, exploring other residential options or private clubs with clearer pricing and fewer ancillary fees may be prudent. The club’s strength is social and athletic immersion, not a healthcare-forward care model.

On the upside, the pros align closely with an intentional lifestyle plan. Golf is a standout feature: the Bobcat Course is repeatedly praised for its challenge and beauty, with wide appreciation for well-maintained greens and rolling fairways. The Panther Course earns compliments for layout variety, even when some reviews note greens and ground conditions can vary. Beyond golf, the setting shines in its event and hospitality capabilities. Wedding planning and catering are repeatedly described as flawless or near-perfect, driven by a capable team led by coordinators such as Kristina and Hannah, whose professionalism and attentiveness transform complex timelines into smooth executions. Dining quality earns consistent praise, with guests and residents enjoying a range of venues and menus that keep the calendar lively. The staff, described as friendly, helpful, and professional, helps sustain a welcoming, home-like atmosphere that many families value.

Nevertheless, several tangible drawbacks temper the gleam. Price transparency emerges as the most persistent concern. A non-member Thanksgiving buffet experience illustrates how service charges and post-event billing can overshadow otherwise positive impressions, with some reviews recounting unexpected fees and higher than anticipated totals. In-room or bar dining occasionally receives mixed notes, with some guests finding drinks overpriced and food service unevenly paced, including an instance of a meal taking longer than expected. While the pool area is a major selling point for many, a few reviewers describe the pool space as looking neglected in places, signaling that maintenance attention can be uneven. And while greens are generally praised, a few rounds reveal variability in course conditions, underscoring that expectation management matters for those who chase consistency.

The key pros more than offset these concerns for its core audience when weighed in context. The club’s most powerful asset is its orchestration of experiences, top-tier golf, excellent catering, and a hospitality culture that makes events, weddings, and large gatherings feel seamless. For families seeking a memorable celebration or organizations planning significant events, Plantation delivers a level of service and a breadth of amenities that few comparable properties can match. The learning and practice culture, illuminated by the Learning Center and FlightScope offerings, appeals to serious golfers seeking improvement alongside social play. The breadth of amenities, from fitness programs to racquet sports and poolside service, creates genuine value for residents who want an active, all-encompassing lifestyle, making the premium price justifiable for those who use and leverage the community’s full spectrum.

In decision terms, Plantation Golf & Country Club is a strong recommendation for independent adults who want a lively, resort-inspired environment with built-in social circles, high-quality dining, and professional event execution. It is not the right fit for someone needing assisted living support, continuous healthcare access, or a low-cost housing option. Prospective residents should come with clear questions about pricing, guest policies, and what is included in memberships or event packages, and should push for transparent, itemized billing, especially for non-member events and food and beverage services. The practical next steps are straightforward: visit for a live read of the space, request current fee schedules, confirm what is included in various membership categories, and ask about reciprocal access to other Concert Golf properties to gauge long-term value. When aligned with personal health status and financial comfort, Plantation offers a compelling, action-oriented choice for those pursuing an active, social, golf-forward senior living experience.

This part of Venice, Florida, offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities for seniors considering the area for living. With multiple places of worship such as Colonial Baptist Church and Epiphany Cathedral nearby, residents can easily practice their faith. There are also several pharmacies in the vicinity including Woods Pharmacy and Walgreens for easy access to medications and healthcare needs. For medical care, options like Coast Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center and South County Heart Center are within a short distance. In terms of dining options, popular chains like Applebee's and Chili's Grill & Bar are close by, along with local favorites like Snook Haven Restaurant. Nearby theaters such as Spotlight Theatres Venice Luxury offer entertainment options, while parks like Brohard Paw Park & Beach provide opportunities for outdoor recreation. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded lifestyle for seniors looking to settle in Venice.

Places of Worship

• Colonial Baptist Church Venice Fl (1 miles)
• Lift Church (3 miles)
• Church of the Nazarene (4.1 miles)
• Emmanuel Lutheran Church (5.3 miles)
• Epiphany Cathedral (6.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Woods Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• Gulf Coast Scripts (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)

Physicians

• Coast Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center-Dr. Greg Neily (1.9 miles)
• Riverchase Dermatology (2.3 miles)
• Conroy Richard A MD PA (2.4 miles)
• Riverchase Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery (2.4 miles)
• Florida Lakes Vein Center (2.4 miles)
• Coast Dermatology (2.4 miles)
• South County Heart Center (2.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Applebee's (2 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.2 miles)
• Panda Express (2.4 miles)
• Snook Haven Restaurant (3.1 miles)
• Culver's (3.4 miles)
• Big Mike’s Pizza (3.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Rodriguez, Charles Venice Healthpark Surgery Center (2.4 miles)
• Center Of Surgical Excell (2.7 miles)
• Venice Regional Medical Center (5.7 miles)
• Anthem Insurance Companies (6 miles)

Theaters

• Spotlight Theatres Venice Luxury (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• Croissant & Co. (6.2 miles)

Parks

• Brohard Paw Park & Beach (5.7 miles)