Luxury Golf Communities in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch: A Local Realtor's Comparison

Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch are home to some of Florida's finest private golf communities, and each one feels very different. Some offer four courses and a big social scene. Others limit memberships so you can walk on the first tee in February. Some require club membership with your purchase, and others leave it optional. Here's my side-by-side guide to five of the area's top golf communities, with a link to my detailed page and current listings for each.

By Grace Bonaccorso, Realtor, Preferred Shore Real Estate. 35 years serving Sarasota and Manatee counties. Updated October 2026.

At a Glance (October 2026)

Listing counts and prices are a snapshot from mid-October 2026 and change daily. Membership terms change too, so always confirm current details with each club.

Which Golf Community Fits You?

For the most privacy and the biggest homesites: The Concession

About 250 estate homes spread across more than 1,200 acres, behind guarded gates, around the only course Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin ever designed together. It hosted the PGA Tour's WGC-Workday Championship in 2021. Inventory is extremely thin, so serious buyers need to be ready to move. See The Concession guide and listings.

For the most golf and the widest choice of homes: Lakewood Ranch Country Club

Four private courses, two clubhouses and dozens of gated villages, from villas to estates, in the center of Lakewood Ranch. The Country Club is the original, mature section, and Country Club East is newer. See the Lakewood Ranch Country Club guide and listings.

For uncrowded golf and custom homes: The Founders Club

About 260 custom homes on 700 acres of preserves and lakes, with golf memberships capped at about 275 so tee times are easy even in season. The club offers a caddie program, too. See The Founders Club guide and listings.

For big homes, mature trees and a close-in location: Laurel Oak

A gated, family-friendly community of about 400 homes just east of I-75 on Bee Ridge Road, with a member-owned club and a busy social calendar. Homes date from the 1990s, so updates drive value. See the Laurel Oak guide and listings.

For a bayside setting and a full club lifestyle: The Oaks

A guard-gated, member-owned club community in Osprey with two courses, a top racquets program and croquet, plus homes from condos to bayside estates. Membership is required with purchase, so build it into your budget. See The Oaks guide and listings.

Grace's Advice Before You Choose a Golf Community

Get the membership facts first. Whether membership is required, optional or limited changes your total cost and your timeline. Initiation fees, dues and waitlists vary from club to club and change over time. I'll help you get current details straight from each club.

Compare true monthly cost, not just price. Add club dues, HOA fees, property taxes and any CDD assessment, plus homeowners and flood insurance. A lower-priced home in one club can cost more each year than a pricier home in another.

Mind the age of the home. Many of the area's established golf communities were built in the 1980s through the 2000s. Roof age, windows and systems affect both repairs and insurance, so inspections and insurance quotes matter.

Play before you buy. If golf is the reason you're moving, ask about guest play or a visit so you can experience the course, the pace of play and the social scene firsthand.

Golf Community FAQ

Which Sarasota golf community has the most courses?

Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, with four private 18-hole courses, or 72 holes.

Which golf communities require club membership?

Of these five, The Oaks in Osprey requires membership with a home purchase. At Laurel Oak and The Founders Club, membership is optional. At The Concession and Lakewood Ranch Country Club, it's a separate decision from buying a home. Always confirm current terms with each club.

What is the most exclusive golf community near Sarasota?

It depends on what exclusive means to you. The Concession has the fewest homes on the most land. The Founders Club limits golf memberships for easy tee times. The Oaks and Laurel Oak are long-established, member-owned clubs.

Can I buy in a golf community without playing golf?

Yes. All five offer gated living and community amenities, and most clubs offer social memberships with dining, fitness, tennis and events.