The Groves Golf Course

Afternoon tee time as single expecting I'd be paired up on such a beautiful day...normal protocol for properly managed (Icon Management group) course, anywhere. Indifferent, not engaged outside ops team, no starter visible, proceeded to tee and interacted with 4some teeing off at 3:07 (my time 2:42)...starter finally appeared...friendly and engaged...only to discover the professional golf staff was sending me out as single! (Ps., starter had no record of me and added me to his manual tracking sheet). Labored for two holes in traffic until I caved in...predictably as single, duh! Returned to golf shot to have pro tell me, after embarrassed shop staff punted to him for "resolution"..."sorry, can't help you...it's our policy" as I asked for some consideration like a raincheck or even partial credit (normal accommodation for a case of mismanagement by golf staff sending me out as single, packed as it was. I capitulated saying I'll just practice at the range for another hour and added, I had hoped for some normal consideration as indicated...mumbling I'll speak to GM on the way out the door. I won't. Poor decision making by questionably trained staff as to proper service standards at a Florida club which frankly surprised and disappointed me given my 23 years of professional experience in this industry and area. I won't be returning there to play even though it would have been desirable given my proximity to the course and relative value so I chalked it up to poor training of staff and inept decision making of field management...an area of opportunity for the club and one I benefited from when I learned the trade beginning in 1997 in Florida at a properly run facility.

Missed opportunity to impress a customer and retired industry professional. Disappointing...

The staff @ the golf cart barn and pro shop were very friendly. The starter was very informative. The course was in good shape. Fast and challenging greens. Short course, but you have to be accurate. Pace of play on a Wed @ 9am was exceptional. 3 hrs for 18 holes. Would recommend.

Had a lot of fun playing the Groves. Greens were great and the layout is very challenging for a par 62. Would definitely play it again.

Absolutely no monitoring of pace of play..No food or cart to get items.

This course is much to difficult for the average golfer out to enjoy a round of golf. Very narrow in places, greens that slope off the green, unless you make the prefect chip the ball rolls off the green because many slope away on all sides like an upside down bowl.

This is a comfortable smaller course. A twosome can play it easily under 3 hours and the course does not beat you up. The front nine is well maintained and picturesque. The first couple of holes on the back nine are basically ugly, poorly signed and needs some infrastructure work to bring it up to the level of the front nine. Greens are exceptionally fast, ball rolls like greased lightning. But right now with drastically inflated prices for an 18 hole round it is one of the better deals in Sarasota.

The course is your average daily fee experience. Decent value for money with some interested holes. Staff is absolutely wonderful.

Course has improved greatly since my last visit 5 years ago. Green’s excellent and fairways good+