Sarasota National Golf Club

The bag man John has a surly attitude. The Marshall blew off a question about slow play. A foursome two holes ahead of us were slow and had 2 holes open in front of them. Yet the Marshall wouldn't speed up play by allowing the twosome to play through. Very disappointing. I understand older gents play slower and this should be marshaled closer.

The golf course and personnel were very nice. The course was in great condition. Greens, Fairways, 5 stars. The fairways are extra wide. Greens are on the difficult side and pin placement can make the difference in your score. Played as a 2-some - 4:15 but had to wait a lot. Marshall assisted in speeding up the group but it didn't help too much but they tried. The only other negative comment is that the holes are spread out in a new developing community so you don't get a feel of a traditional course. Some holes are 1000 yards apart. Overall, if the price is right, play it.

Took 4 hour 20 min to play 15 hole .Had to leave befor I could play last 3 hole.

Layout was confusing at times with a lot of surrounding construction in developments that the course weaves through. Too long to walk it so make sure you have a cart and pace of play was slower by 15-30 minutes than it should have been. It was in great shape and the greens were lightning fast and you must be below the hole! A lot of tournament pin placements and sucker pins too! Staff was a bit too aloof and the 18% gratuity on beer or snacks for each person was robbery! I would send people to play it for the greens alone - brutal!

You can always count on a breeze playing here but it was a steady 15+ mph, which made it very challenging to play. The greens were like glass. Best I've seen playing here over the years. New clubhouse is really. Good food and quick service. Only issue is pace of play. You see the marshall twice a side and tell them the speed issue and they do nothing about it. When you wait on every tee box and know you can play faster makes the round seem much longer.

Sarasota National is always in very good shape. The greens are true and fast. Pin positions can be tough as the greens are quick and undulated.

Getting off the tee is not a problem; there's plenty of space for errant tee shots.

One of my favorite courses in the area. Keep an eye out for gators - usually see at least one when we go. One even crossed the tee box to get to the pond (about 10 feet behind us)

Of all the Florida courses I have played Sarasota National continues to make me feel special.

It's the politie staff, the yardage books on the cart, the free range balls, the starter trying (actually) to get you off early. The marshals not hassling twosomes join up when everyone is moving at a sub-four hour pace. He actually waves back and even stops while you hit your ball. The cart girl that came around 3 times and even remember which beer we were drinking.

Reviewers can say what they want about the construction. It's a necessary evil. But there are holes where you have no idea it's going on. Step back, look up, breathe in and take in those holes where it's wide open and there aren't homes and settling ponds being built.

The course is challenging. The wind can be brutal. But the greens are fair, fast and consistent. Fairways and tee decks are nice and manicured. Bunkers could be better and showed signs of rain the night before. Best to avoid... Lots of water on the course, also best to avoid... Holes that make you think and plan your shots. Plenty of risk/reward.

Anytime I'm in the area and I can find a deal I'll head back. It could be a really fun course with a few more rounds under my belt.

You have to play it at least once. Look out for the gators. Lots of construction going on but it doesn't stop you from having a good round.

Sarasota National is one of the latest courses. It is in a WCI (I think) community and they always seem to have great courses. Sarasota National is an exceptional track. Very WIDE fairways. Smooth and true greens. Undulating greens, but rolled very smooth and true. Great pace of play. Really enjoyed the round.

The course is GREAT!!!! Be there prior to your tee time as they seemed always packed, the bag drop guys do a great job, tip them well, both in and out, you will be glad you did. You are warned that part of area is under construction, IT IS NOT THE COURSE, you just have to go around where they are building homes, does not infringe on play, areas are loud due to excavators, however a small area of the course. Being from Michigan I am used to many trees, narrow fairways, and water. Well, here you see some beautiful palm trees, huge water, and sand bunkers that come out of nowhere. The course is in great condition!!! This course is LONNNNGGGGG and plays longer. Most bunkers were great sand. You do see alligators one quite large, however he just watched us go on by. If you are looking for great golf this is the course. 19th hole were great drinks, and service. They also have a cart girl on course, we found a rarity on most courses we played in Florida.

This is my groups favorite golf course in the Venice/Englewood area. Although homes are under construction, the course is very well maintained and fun to play. Staff and other players all very friendly. Lots of interesting wildlife, including Bald Eagles, Sandhill Cranes and some good sized gators. A joy to play!

Played the front in 2:40 with three groups on each hole. It was after 3PM and apparently all marshals had left for the day....with the beverage cart girl. I went it to the pro shop after nine and told the lady working there about the time. She was unimpressed and unconcerned. She told he there was a marshal and beverage cart on the course and I probably just missed them. I told her that when you are sitting in a golf cart for 2:40 you don't miss anything. You have nothing if not time to study everything going on arouund you. Anyway, I would not buy in this community or play the course until they fix the pace of play issue and hire some employees that know what the word empathy means.

I enjoyed playing this course. It is in it's infancy but as the course matures it will get better and better. Most of the cart paths are still sea shells (not gravel in Florida) but that is because Sarasota National is new and I'm sure paved paths are in their plans. My only suggestion would be to have better signage to get from hole to hole. I got lost a few times. Play this while you can. My bet is it will go private as the development of the community nears completion.

Ennjoyable, challenging. Little barren without houses

Course was in excellent condition and can be a bit challenging. Began at 1:30p and barely finished by sunset so pace of play rather slow. Cannot walk this lengthy course!

Very challenging course with a lot of water. Wildlife was great including the gators! Beautiful day for golf in sunny Florida.

I played this course 2 times in the past 5 days. There is a LOT of construction around the course which can be quite distracting and takes away from the experience. When this home construction phase is over, I feel this course will be outstanding. The course itself is in good shape. Water level in some of the ponds seems to be a bit down. Not sure if this is due to drought, construction or what, but keeping the man-made ponds at a respectable level would make the course look better. 1st time I played was at 2PM and the pace of play was around 5 hours. Waited on EVERY shot as did the people behind us until they gave up and ended their round early. Rangers didn't seem to help AT ALL. We trudged on and finished the last 2 holes in what seemed complete darkness. Round 2 started at 7:45AM and the pace of play was around 3:45. MUCH better and is the main reason for the overall "Good" rating. Funny that we saw rangers more in the morning when there was no problem with pace of play than in the afternoon when play was trudging along. Maybe they take the afternoon off??? Either that or don't feel like pushing people along who need it. I would suggest playing earlier rather than later in the day for this reason.

This is our favorite course. People friendly, pace is good and course offers lots of variety shots. In great condition to the many others we play in the area.

Due to extensive construction, it does not play well. Pace of play was terrible. I would play it after 8 more years.

First was cart path only.Asked pro shop why said x amount of rain last night. Play thus was very slow but no fault of any players on course just takes a great deal of time even bringing several clubs to your ball.I have played many many courses after rain this course did not need cart path only. 90 degree would have been fine. Next we went out at 8:50 am no cart lady till we reached the 15th hole.Asked at pro shop after why cart path only all three persons behind counter mumbled that course was wet. Then asked if they toured course said no but the head pro said driving range was wet and that was a part of course so rest must be wet also. This was around 12:45. The fact was the worst part of the course were the cart paths,muddy full of puddles in fact many holes we drove next to path as they were so sloppy.However all that being said course was in excellent shape.Fast greens,excellent tee boxes and fairways were very good and by the way not very wet.Also design is very nice and course is playable for all types of players.I am around a 10 hdcp and 68 years old and felt course was very fair but challenging.Price is fair.My only advice is call ahead if there has been any rain to find out if cart path only.