Sarasota National

Pros

• It is a great place to have a home and see lots of golfers and wildlife.
• It is a nice community.
• The course is great and the staff is excellent.
• The area and houses are fantastic.
• It is the best spot on the west coast of Florida.
• It's a gorgeous place to live.
• The pool is perfect, with a kiddie entrance that makes teaching children to swim easier.
• The subdivision is beautiful and the people are clean and friendly.
• It feels like a nature sanctuary and a resort.
• The course and clubhouse are great.
• The course is in great condition and play is quick.
• It is definitely a must-play if you're in the area.

Cons

• Rudest service from another try hard golf course.
• Assistant pros should be working in a different field.
• Golf course shouldn't be private, should be public.
• Gate attendant was very rude and unfriendly.
• The staff in the clubhouse was extremely unprofessional and rude to guests all day.
• The management company is, at best, clueless.

Review

Sarasota National sits on Florida's west coast as more than just a golf course - it's a full-fledged master-planned community that blends resort-style living with the pleasures of a championship track. Visitors and locals alike often describe it as an outstanding and enjoyable place to call home while still having access to some of the most engaging golf and wildlife viewing in the area. Several reviewers praise the overall setting: a gorgeous, well-maintained landscape where you can glimpse golfers winding through lush fairways, and wildlife wandering through a subdivision that feels both refined and inviting. The sense of community comes through in the many notes about a nice, friendly neighborhood where amenities and the natural surroundings create a distinctly pleasant vibe.

From the course itself to the clubhouse, the sentiment is largely positive. The golf course is repeatedly described as a great test of golf with wide fairways that still demand smart shot placement, and greens that can be fast and challenging - particularly when Mother Nature hasn't cooperated with rainfall. Several reviews highlight the condition of the fairways and greens as exceptional, with one reviewer calling it "one of the best links courses in Sarasota." The layout is praised for its balance of openness and challenge, where accuracy off the tee and feel for the greens are both rewarded. A few specifics stand out: the greens are fast when dry, and the design rewards smart targets and deliberate reading of putts. Some golfers appreciate thoughtful touches such as the practice area and the overall maintenance, while a few note minor irritants like the lack of driving-range target areas and occasional GPS distance quirks on the golf carts.

The clubhouse and dining facilities earn mixed but largely favorable mentions. Many guests describe the clubhouse and dining rooms as amazing, with excellent service and a broad, appealing menu. There's a sense of a well-run social hub where good food and friendly staff enhance the experience after or between rounds. However, not every visit rings true for every guest. A few reviewers recount negative experiences with certain staff members in the pro shop or clubhouse, noting rude or unhelpful interactions and citing a sense of inconsistency in service. There's also a lively, if pointed, critique about one of the on-site dining experiences, with a reviewer describing the kitchen as "the worst cooks in Florida" and expressing disappointment with the cost-to-value ratio. These competing impressions underscore how personal comfort and expectations can color the impression of a course's social center.

Customer service within the facility varies by interaction, too. Several passages commend gate attendants and security staff for being polite, punctual, and accommodating - one reviewer even singled out Paul, the gate guard, as especially pleasant and helpful. Yet other readers recount friction at the gate or a general sense that some staff members have been unwelcoming or even rude. The contrast in experiences suggests that the operation's frontline service can be quite variable, which can color a visit as much as the course's tee boxes and greens do.

Amenities beyond golf help define Sarasota National as a living option rather than a simple destination. The property is described as a beautiful subdivision with a range of housing options, including ponds in front of homes and pickleball opportunities that appeal to retirees and families alike. Pool facilities with kid-friendly access are highlighted as a major selling point for those with children, and there's a sense that the community supports a full, active lifestyle - tennis and pickleball in addition to golf - creating a balanced, family-friendly environment. On the financial side, reviewers note HOA dues around six hundred dollars a month and describe a security setup that, at times, feels too permissive, with some concerns about entrance control and ongoing maintenance issues at community facilities (like the pool) that stretch into the red tide season or other maintenance delays.

Housing is a mixed note in the reviews. On the positive side, many visitors marvel at the abundance of luxurious homes and the upscale, gated feel of the community. There's a sense of pride in living among well-kept properties with generous lot sizes, even as some readers express a preference for slightly more space between homes or a lower density. A recurring caution, however, is that this is a high-end, deed-restricted environment, and some residents feel overwhelmed by the pace of HOA leadership or the perception that management isn't delivering the level of service promised during the sales process. A few reviews call out the gatehouse and access controls as areas needing improvement, and there are comments about ongoing pool repairs and other infrastructure challenges, which remind prospective residents that even a premier community must contend with maintenance realities.

Pace of play and value for money emerge as two recurring forks in the road for visitors. Some guests praise the course's speed and efficiency, noting that bag drop, check-in, and starters are friendly and efficient, and that the overall playing experience is worth the price - especially for a top-tier facility with a strong maintenance regime. Others, however, report sluggish rounds, particularly in the afternoon, where groups ahead can slow play dramatically and time management is called into question. A few readers mention that as prices rise - anticipating January increases to $80?$90 or more - the expectation for timely pace and consistent service only grows, making value a matter of personal experience and tolerance for slower rounds. The bottom line for many is that Sarasota National can be a great value when play moves efficiently and the course is in prime condition, but it can disappoint when pace and service do not align with expectations.

In sum, Sarasota National presents a compelling, multifaceted portrait: a premier Florida living choice where golf, nature, and resort-style amenities converge in a beautifully designed landscape. For many, it represents a near-ideal combination of scenic housing, community activity, and a well-kept golf course that rewards accuracy and course management. For others, it is a place of high potential tempered by service inconsistencies, pace-of-play challenges, and maintenance complexities that can dampen an otherwise excellent day on the course. Taken together, the reviews sketch a balanced and lively picture of a community that has much to offer - and room to grow - depending on what a resident or guest prioritizes in a Florida golf and living experience.

Places of Worship

• Colonial Baptist Church Venice Fl (0.5 miles)
• Lift Church (3 miles)
• Church of the Nazarene (4.4 miles)
• Emmanuel Lutheran Church (5.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Woods Pharmacy (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (2.5 miles)
• Gulf Coast Scripts (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Applebee's (1.3 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (1.4 miles)
• McDonald's (1.5 miles)
• Panda Express (1.7 miles)
• Big Mike’s Pizza (3 miles)
• Carrabba's Italian Grill (3.6 miles)
• Bonefish Grill (4 miles)

Physicians

• Gulf Coast Medical Group (1.9 miles)
• David Yan, M.D., FACS (2 miles)
• Gulf Coast Medical Group Women's Health & Wellness (2 miles)
• Coast Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center-Dr. Greg Neily (2 miles)
• Riverchase Dermatology (2.6 miles)
• Conroy Richard A MD PA (2.7 miles)
• Coast Dermatology (2.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Center Of Surgical Excell (2 miles)
• Rodriguez, Charles Venice Healthpark Surgery Center (2.7 miles)
• Venice Regional Medical Center (5.6 miles)
• Anthem Insurance Companies (6 miles)

Theaters

• Spotlight Theatres Venice Luxury (2.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.1 miles)

Parks

• Brohard Paw Park & Beach (5.4 miles)