Golfing on Longboat Key

A big attraction to Longboat Key for my husband and me was that it is home to some excellent golf courses. Sure, warm beaches with cool sand, fabulous boating, and the island lifestyle experience makes our area ideal. However, if you are a golfer, you understand.

Longboat Key Golf Communities:

• Longboat Key Club

• Resort at Longboat Key Club

• Country Club Shores

• Bay Isles

• The Islander Club

Longboat Key Golf Courses:

• Links on Longboat (known localy as Islandside Course)

• Harbourside Course

Longboat Key is home to The Resort at Longboat Key Club and its course with 45 challenging holes. Golf Digest gave it their prestigious “Best Places to Play” award. The Links of Longboat Course borders the lovely Gulf of Mexico, (also referred to as the “island side”) and also borders the tree-lined Harbourside Golf Course that is near the Sarasota Bay, (aka the “bay side.”)

In 2014, the Links of Longboat was redesigned by Ron Garl and has achieved its current 4-star rating. There, you are able to enjoy the plentiful natural areas and gulf breezes while honing your skills on the fairly demanding Par 71. It has been noted that the course “does not punish you for an errant shot. Fewer bunkers and more grassed collection areas allow for an easy pitch to the hole even if you’ve missed the green.” The longest tee measures 6748 yards.

Then we have Harbourside’s three nines that give you three distinctive 18-hole options. There is the White Egret nine that measures 3,342 yards. It has fewer water hazards, but the challenge is the tight fairways. The Red Hawk nine measures 3,314 yards. Considered a more forgiving course thanks again to the Ron Carl redesign. However, it does have more water plays in many shots. Last, but not least, there is the Blue Heron, this final nine at Harbourside measures 3,368 yards. Beautiful views are abundant throughout every challenge.

As for picking a favorite course, that may be made easier by deciding what part of Longboat Key you prefer - island or bay side? Allow me to help you find you the perfect home that gives you the best of golf, the Florida lifestyle experience, and luxury living on an island Paradise! Call or email me at beverlysthilaire@michaelsaunders.com or 818-416-2505.