Esplanade Golf & Country Club at Lakewood Ranch

The course was in great shape despite the recent rain but the greens were rough but expected that due to the 2.5" of rain the day before

In every way, this is a fair course with a great layout and kept in immaculate shape. If you love golf and visit this area, Esplanade is a must play.

One of the newer courses in the area. A challenging but fair course with generous fairways and big greens. The green fees rise over $100 in the winter.

Course was in excellent shape! Staff was friendly and helpful!

Grabbed a hot deal on GolfNow here for $22. Was surprised considering it's listed as semi-private. Course layout was fairly easy, but scenic. Spacious fairways. Greens were in good condition and had some nice rollout to them. I'd say they were running about a 9 or a 10 on the stimp. Fairways were also in good condition. Bunkers were in great shape. Not a lot of forced carries off of the tee. I'd definitely return.

After calling back this weekend to verify 0706 Tee Time for the 4th we arrived a little before 6:30 AM and we're unable to get into any of the gates. After getting a hold of golf course were told gate guards would be there at 6:30 by 6:45 no gate guards and back on the phone with the golf course trying to get in. Finally one of the passengers from the car in front of us discovered that you could drive around the exit side and cut back and get through the second set of gates and get to the golf course. So off we went. Upon arrival cart guys were not ready and never got our golf carts to the back of the club house by the time we paid. We had to get our own carts and bring them down. No starter available only folks running around counting carts in preparation for a members tournament scheduled for 8AM start. We were told that we wound not see them and they would not interfere with our round. Starter came out around hole number 3 to get out cart numbers and told us as long as we get it done on a four hour pace we were okay. After hole number 7 ranger came out and told us we needed to pick up the pace even though were playing the front nine in way under 2 hours and that was with letting twosome through. We made the the turn and caught up the twosome we let through as they were waiting of two other foursomes in front ot them who were involved in the tournament. We just could not understand why they sold the early morning tee times, let us to out, told us tournament would not interfere or be a problem and on top of that told us to pick up the pace only to get stuck when we made the turn. We called the club and spoke with Wendy and she was very apologetic and we asked for 9 hole raincheck which we said she would do. As we passed the group behind us we told them the bad news about wait times and they said they would do the same thing. Not understanding also why the golf course is on the gate call box but does not have the capability to buzz people in who are there early for their tee time to play golf when the gate guards do not show up. Bad decision to sell those tee times and in front of the tournament.. 9 hole rain check much appreciate just would ask that Golf Shop look at the phone/call box situation and also relook at their policy on tee times before a 75 person shotgun start. Course conditions were great and this will not change ou desire and willingness to comeback and play again. The two stars are for the pain we experienced today!!!!!!! So the start of our 4th of July was not good!!!!!!!!

We booked through Golf now for a great price. Esplanade is the best course in Bradenton/Sarasota Florida. From our booking to arriving at the course the experience was great . The staff at the bag drop were really prompt to greet us and take our golf bags.

Upon arrival we were informed the greens had been aerated days prior. Instead of offering us a discount from the 69$ we were told to contact GolfNow. Then while we debated playing a group ahead of us were charged 40. We were told "they signed up for an email deal." Then after figuring we were already all the way out there we hit the range. Which had Wilson range balls. For 69 dollars during offseason you would expect better range balls and more accommodating service.

Last few times I've played Esplanade, the rounds have taken over 5+ hrs each time. On one occurance, there were 3-4 groups on a par 3 #12........totally unacceptable. This course is far easier than neighboring courses and yet it always is the slowest at Esplanade.

Booked two times - showed up for the first to be advised their was a tournament. Second booking showed up to be advised

the course was closed for maintenance - unreal - this happened twice in the period of two weeks.

Esplanade is one of the newest courses in Lakewood Ranch and it's a terrific and fun layout for the average duffer. The fairways are generous and the greens are huge, though challenging. There are a few blind shots that can leave you in trouble but otherwise, it's a fine place to spend an afternoon. Until the clubhouse gets built, their "Tiki" hut lounge and restaurant is serving nicely as the 19th hole. We'll go back!

Course was recommended as good value and as being in good condition by golf retailer in locality. Made a late booking for early tee time (2nd out) using Golfnow.

I needed rental clubs but had not booked them in advance. I looked at the rental clubs in the pro shop and knew I was in trouble when the shop assistant tried to convience me that the A shaft in the Titleist demo clubs meant "amateur" golfer. There was no choice according to this staff member. At $45 plus tax one is entitled to expect a little more than demo clubs with no flex options?.

To the positives: Nice practice area with island greens set up in lake as targets. The course itself plays relatively short so you may want to back go to the tips-black as from the gold the par 5 are in reach. Greens were quite good with one or two exceptions-16th I think. There is plenty of room to hit it off most tees. The course could do with a couple of decent dogleg holes as the straightaway nature of a lot of the holes is repetitive and boring.

Main issue on the course is the amount of construction activity with numerous houses in different part of the course under construction.

There is better value out there, especially in the current off season.

So much home construction, landscape installation & maintenance, subcontractors, anvil related activities going on that the environment is not relaxing at all. Course is adequate in design and condition but the negatives do not yet outweigh the positives. There are too many good options to play instead. I may try it again in a year or two.

I didn't play very well, but I still enjoyed myself. It certainly wasn't Esplande's fault. The course will eventually be private, I think. And it is already in the shape of an exclusive course. Sand traps (I became intimate with several) were fluffy, not packed. Sort of like skiing in powder. Rough is short. Everything is well-marked. Staff was very friendly, helpful. I recommend you give it a try.

Wide open course. Very forgiving. Greens are challenging with lots of elevation changes. Definitely worth a play.