Best Private Golf Clubs in Lakewood Ranch, FL
Lakewood Ranch is home to four notable private golf clubs: Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, The Concession Golf Club, The Ritz-Carlton Members Club Sarasota, and Esplanade Golf and Country Club. Initiation fees range from bundled-in HOA dues at Esplanade to a 95,000 dollar Premier Golf initiation at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club as of 2026.
Choosing between a bundled golf community and an optional-membership club? Bundled communities like Esplanade fold dues into HOA fees, while clubs like Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club charge initiation and monthly dues separately.
Browse Lakewood Ranch Golf Course Homes or explore the neighborhood guide.
Club | Courses | Membership Model |
|---|---|---|
Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club | 4 courses, 72 holes | Optional membership; Premier Golf initiation around 95,000 dollars (2026) |
The Concession Golf Club | 1 course, 18 holes | Invitation-only, capped membership |
The Ritz-Carlton Members Club Sarasota | 1 course, 18 holes | Tiered membership (Platinum, Gold, Beach and Spa) |
Esplanade Golf and Country Club | 1 course, 18 holes | Bundled with property ownership |
Membership figures for Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club reflect the club's own 2026 pricing documents. Other clubs list fees directly with prospective members and were not independently re-verified for this update.
Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club
Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club stands as one of the most prominent golf destinations in the area, featuring four championship 18-hole courses: Cypress Links, King's Dunes, Royal Lakes, and The Legacy, for 72 holes total. Designed by Arnold Palmer's design team along with Rick Robbins on one course, these layouts offer a mix of player-friendly and more challenging designs. It remains the only four-course private club in the region. Heritage Golf Group acquired the club in early 2024.
The club offers multiple clubhouses, including a large Main Clubhouse and a lodge-style clubhouse in Country Club East, three full-service restaurants, a 20,000-square-foot fitness center, two resort-style heated pools, and 20 tennis and 20 pickleball courts.
Membership tiers include Golf, Sports, and Social categories. As of 2026, the Premier Golf membership carries an initiation fee of approximately 95,000 dollars with monthly dues in the low four figures. Membership is open to residents and non-residents of Lakewood Ranch, though waitlists are common for full golf privileges given demand.
- Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club: 72 private holes across 4 courses; Premier Golf initiation approximately 95,000 dollars (2026); owned by Heritage Golf Group
The Concession Golf Club
The Concession Golf Club is one of the most exclusive private clubs near Lakewood Ranch, offering a single 18-hole championship course designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin. The course spans more than 7,400 yards through forests and wetlands, with no homes lining the fairways, preserving an uninterrupted golf experience.
The clubhouse spans roughly 33,000 square feet and includes dining, lounges, a sports clubhouse with a gym and treatment rooms, a member yacht, and a short course known as Snake Acre. Membership is by invitation only and capped to keep the roster small; historically, initiation fees have run into six figures, though prospective members should confirm current pricing directly with the club since fees are periodically adjusted.
The Concession is scheduled to host the Senior PGA Championship in 2026, 2027, and 2028, adding to a resume that already includes hosting the 2021 WGC-Workday Championship.
The Ritz-Carlton Members Club Sarasota
The Ritz-Carlton Members Club Sarasota features an 18-hole course designed by Tom Fazio, set across roughly 315 acres with 16 lakes and no homes on the property, which keeps the golf experience tranquil. The course plays to a par of 72 at just over 7,400 yards from the back tees and opened in 2006.
Members have access to a refined clubhouse, practice facilities, and, depending on tier, the Ritz-Carlton Beach Club on Lido Key and the Ritz-Carlton Spa and Fitness Club in downtown Sarasota. Membership tiers include Platinum, Gold, and Beach and Spa options, with Platinum offering the fullest access across golf, beach, and spa. Current initiation fees and dues are set directly by the club and are best confirmed with a membership representative before budgeting.
Esplanade Golf and Country Club at Lakewood Ranch
Esplanade Golf and Country Club is a private, gated community within Lakewood Ranch with an 18-hole course designed by Chris Wilczynski, featuring generous fairways, sculpted bunkers, and water hazards.
Amenities include a clubhouse with multiple dining options, a resort-style pool with beach entry, a spa and fitness center, six Har-Tru tennis courts, pickleball, bocce, and walking trails throughout the community.
Esplanade is a bundled golf community, meaning golf membership comes with property ownership rather than a separate initiation fee. Homes range from condos to single-family properties, with dues collected as part of HOA fees. Some homes carry social memberships that include amenities but not golf.
Want a golf membership bundled into your HOA rather than a separate initiation fee? Esplanade is built around that model. Search Lakewood Ranch Homes to compare bundled versus optional-membership communities.
Finding the Best Private Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch is home to some of the most recognized private golf clubs in Florida, from four-course optional-membership clubs to invitation-only courses and bundled communities. The right fit depends on how often you plan to golf, whether you want membership tied to your home purchase, and how much exclusivity matters to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Lakewood Ranch golf club has the most courses?
Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club has the most courses in the area, with four 18-hole layouts totaling 72 holes: Cypress Links, King's Dunes, Royal Lakes, and The Legacy.
Is golf membership included when you buy in Esplanade?
Yes. Esplanade Golf and Country Club is a bundled community, so golf membership is included with property ownership and dues are collected through HOA fees rather than a separate club initiation.
How much does it cost to join Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club?
As of 2026, the club's Premier Golf membership carries an initiation fee of approximately 95,000 dollars, with additional Sports and Social tiers available at lower initiation costs and dues.
About the Agent: Steve Slocum, GRI, leads the 941 Team at Coldwell Banker Realty and has personally played the majority of golf courses in the Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton area, giving buyers firsthand insight into which club and community fit their game and lifestyle.
