Siesta Key

[dennyjones]

We are driving to Siesta Key, FL.   I'm definitely taking my clubs.   My SO is not a golfer but her idea of a vacation is laying on the beach without any distractions (including me).    

I basically don't have any time constraints except for daylight.  Any suggestions?    

[Sandy Divot]

My dad used to go down there, and he liked the Bobby Jones Golf Club in Sarasota. It's a moderately priced muni with 36 holes, and a 9 hole executive course. I'm pretty sure that one, or both of the courses are Ross designs. One 18 is fairly short, and one is 6700 yds. He liked the atmosphere around the clubhouse and grill. Said it had an old-time feel to the whole place.

[bkuehn1952]

I have played both Bobby Jones courses.  The place definitely has the 1950's muni vibe.  When I played I used their online tee time system and inserted myself into a twosome.  The people I joined were okay with that but maybe I got lucky.

Both courses are flat as a pancake.  They are in decent shape and they take care of the courses but don't expect great things.  Lots of small water hazards dot the course (drainage).  "The British" is the longer and more popular 18.  It possibly was a Donald Ross design. "The American" is shorter but to me, a similar layout.

I have played several other courses in the Sarasota area that are good to decent.  University Park is a nice modern course.  Serenoa is a real estate course near where my parents lived.  They were members of the TPC Prestancia so mostly I played those two courses.

Give Bobby Jones a try.  It will be an experience and likely a lot less expensive than the other alternatives.

p.s.

This was my "review" in 2011:

The "American" is shorter and a bit tighter - lots of little areas to the side that will grab an errant shot. The "British" is just a longer version of the "American". The ambiance is truly "American Muni". Lots of regulars, lots of 70+ year olds, tiny practice green and truly awful driving range. Still, I liked it. At $31.50 to walk 18 holes in March it is a bargain. The fact that they allow walking it a real plus in my book (except when you are trailing a 4-some of octogenarians). The greens rolled reasonably well and were quick. There was sand in the bunkers and grass on the fairways. It is certainly not the most picturesque layout but it works for this golf-starved northerner.

Edited February 9, 2020 by bkuehn1952
Add p.s.

[dennyjones]

Thanks @bkuehn1952!