Sarasota County houses about 30 different golf and country clubs. Some are extremely exclusive and others are open to everyone. Some are filled with welcoming amenities and offer a pure golfing experience without the frills.
Newer or experienced golf enthusiasts alike might be wondering what to expect while golfing on their Siesta Key vacation. Fortunately, we can help you learn how to prepare and pack for a golf trip. You can have a rewarding day of golf and not look lost on the greens.
What Should You Bring?
Basic preparation for a golfing vacation in Florida is key. You won’t enjoy the game if you are busy handling the bare necessities during your stay in a Siesta Key condo rental.
As golfing is one of the best outdoor activities in Siesta Key, you won’t get far without sunscreen. One of the first things you will want to pack is plenty of 30 UVA and UVB factor sunscreen or higher and appropriate golf attire for the weather, which can be a bit inconvenient to have to buy on vacation. Be sure to also bring plenty of water, which you’ll always need but especially during the warmer months.
Do You Need Equipment?
Even if you don’t own clubs or can’t bring them with you, you aren’t out of a game of golf. Firstly, some courses offer club rentals to the public. This is not always available, so you definitely want to call your location ahead of time. Even if you can rent equipment, you may be restricted to a certain set of clubs.
You can also purchase smaller equipment like golf balls or tees. Edwin Watts Golf is one of the closest golf sporting goods store to Siesta Key.
You can head further northeast to Pinecraft Golf Shop for a wide selection of club sizes, apparel, and special high-end designer clubs. Pinecraft also offers golf rentals for a reasonable rate per day.
These outlets are also a great resource for learning about how the sport is played in Sarasota. Their guides will offer you tips, local course details, tournament information, and more.
Where Are the Best Public Golf Courses?
Since there are so many different courses near the beaches of Siesta Key, perhaps the most important thing to know when taking a golf trip is whether a course is public or private.
While private courses are exclusive to paid members and rarely open their courses to the public, public courses will always allow for walk-ins and public bookings even on short notice. If you are visiting, you should most likely seek out public courses in Sarasota.
One of the best public courses is The Groves at 3101 Longmeadow. This stunning course is known for its scattering of lakes.
Suncoast Golf, located at 7741 15th St E, offers a unique experience. Firstly, the public course is open to 10 p.m., which is rather unusual for any course, let alone a public one.
The course leaders also stress welcoming all-ages play. You can partake in guided instructions to learn the conventions of the game before hitting the greens.
You can also purchase golf gear, including a variety of equipment and even apparel from top providers. These include Titleist, Scotty Cameron, and Callaway.
Plan Your Trip
Hitting the links is only one of many fun things to do on Siesta Key. Contact us today for more information on planning the perfect vacation!
When is the Best Time to Go Golfing?
What do you expect from a vacation golf experience? Ask yourself, and prepare accordingly. Think about gauging the seasonal crowds. The summer occasionally slows down for obvious reasons. The weather is too hot to enjoy extended games on the greens. With that said, the clubs are still open.
If you prepare for the heat, you can get a lot of practice in- and at a good price! During the summer, prices often dip tremendously.
Keep in mind, the peak season is during the winter where the snowbirds collect in Sarasota in droves. The prices will often increase as well as the crowds. Know this going in. Call or visit online to book tee times well ahead to ensure you can get in at your preferred time.
What Should You Expect When Coming in for Your Tee Time?
You will usually want to book your tee time online by using the website if they offer the option. It isn’t always required, but it is highly recommended. Not every course will allow you to book a tee time online.
For what to do each day on a 2-week golfing vacation, consider playing a few different courses. Book ahead and set up games in different areas for each weekend.
When arriving for your tee time, you should expect to go up to the front entrance and sign-in. The club may have some features you can enjoy pre or post-game, such as a clubhouse.
Some courses will offer rental equipment for the day. You can also request a caddy and kart, which is usually an extra cost.
Decide if you want to play 9 holes or 18. Consider starting early to beat the heat and play into the mid-afternoon. People are passionate and excited to share their love of the sport, and you can expect to find that in every encounter on and off the greens and fairways of Sarasota.
If you’re dying to putt around on the greens now, then be sure to view our condo rentals in Siesta Key. It’s time to start your Crescent Beach adventure in Florida!
