Venetian Golf Club

The Good: Venetian Golf & River Club is a playable semi-private club in Venice, FL, about 30-minutes south of Sarasota. This Chip Powell design is accessible via GolfPass, but is otherwise members only during core season months. Fairways overall are ample in size and depth, but strategically placed bunkers throughout make the course fairly interesting. Green complexes have a little more undulation and options compared to most Florida flat courses. Par-5s in particular are both challenging and fun. Victorian-style clubhouse is beautifully crafted and very impressive, with a nice outdoor dining area to go with a full restaurant indoors. Staff was extremely accommodating in the clubhouse and very friendly. Decent value at under $100 during peak season.

The Bad: Course conditions were overly dry and a little rough around the edges of the fairways and greens considering the price tag and amenities. Par-3s are fairly forgettable. Greens didn’t hold that well yet putt a little slow for my liking. While staff was very friendly in the clubhouse and pro shop, on-course service was non-existent.

The Verdict: A solid, fun Sarasota area course in which the off-course amenities overshadow the actual golf experience. Could be an elite course if more dollars are invested in the golf course.

Best Hole: The 7th hole is a winding Par-5 that can be a “cost cutter” if you can play a draw to the peninsula green that is heavily guarded by a large pond on the left and deep bunkers.

A beautiful well groomed course with plenty of wildlife and a fair layout. I will definitely play this course again.

Very enjoyable afternoon even with winds of around 16. Well maintained and staff very professional

I really enjoyed this course. Wide fairways are golfer friendly. Lots of undulations on big greens are challenging and reward good ball striking. The greens are smooth and medium fast. Very good layout in good condition make it a must play.

Nice course the greens with all their mounds really gets your attention.

Friendly and helpful golf staff who took care of bags, direction to the provided driving range and putting area as well as locating the 1st and 10th holes.

Course was in good shape from tees, fairways and greens. Interesting/challenging greens...not boring/routine in any way. Very nice and natural surroundings and cart was in great shape.

Very nice course in great shape. tee boxes where lush and level, also allot of options for all golfers. fairways where prefect and very wide on most wholes. Greens where in great shape a little firm but ball rolled true on them. I will defiantly be going back to this course.

Played Venetian for the first time. Great layout and small old Florida greens. Unfortunately for our group we played on one of the windiest days in a long time.

Nice mix of par 3’s. Fairways were in great shape as were the greens. Lots of very subtle breaks on the greens which made it challenging and fun. Definitely would like to play here again without the wind this time.

1st time playing here and can't wait to come back. Some very challenging holes and birdies can be made with smart play. Conditions were extremely windy and course was in excellent shape. Greens rolled true, very fast downhill and each green held.

Spectacular layout. Great pace of play. Greens a bit slow in the afternoon.

Very good course, conditions nice. Greens roll true. Would play again.

Played Venetian last spring greens were 11-12. This year over sanded due to fungus

Loved it. Good pace of play. Well groomed. Greens were recently sanded, so they were a bit slow. I was very impressed and will definitely go back!

Course has great layout. Fairways were in great condition. Greens were slow and it looks like they were recently top dressed.

Very tight fairway lies into "Tom Foolery" undulating greens made for a bad combination for this 6 handicapper. I would not want to play this course on a regular basis. The quality of course is not worth the $99 price tag...sorry!