The Ritz-Carlton Members Club sits on 315 acres in Lakewood Ranch, about 20 minutes inland from the Gulf beaches. Tom Fazio designed the 18-hole, par-72 course, and nearly 2 million cubic yards of earth was moved during construction to create real elevation changes out of what was originally flat land. Add 16 lakes in play throughout the round and you have a course that demands course management, not just distance.
For a father-son golf trip that holds up whether your kid is 14 or 34, Sarasota is a strong call. The course keeps a serious golfer engaged, and the city has enough around it that the trip doesn't live or die on the back nine.
The Lion's Den: Three Holes That Define the Round
The last three holes at the Members Club are called The Lion's Den, and they've drawn comparisons to The Bear Trap at PGA National. Spend time on that finishing stretch and the reputation holds - tight approaches, water in play on every hole, no bail-out option if you start missing.
A few things to know before you play:
- Players who complete all three holes at par or better receive a commemorative gift from the club
- Water comes into play on every hole in the stretch - there is no safe lay-up
- If you want to settle a bet with your son, this is where to do it
The course holds Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary certification, maintained continuously since 2008 through 2028.
Two Locations, One Real Advantage
The Ritz-Carlton hotel sits in downtown Sarasota right on the water, separate from the golf club in Lakewood Ranch. That's a feature, not a logistics headache. You get the course during the day, then come back to a downtown property with real dining and nightlife instead of a clubhouse that closes at 8. Once you're doing this trip with an adult son, that distinction adds up fast.
What's at the hotel:
- Jack Dusty - coastal seafood and craft cocktails, the main restaurant
- Two heated pools on property
- Beach Club on Lido Key - zero-entry pool, kayaking, paddleboarding, plus Ridley's Porch for casual waterfront dining
- Lido Key Tiki Bar - open-air beach bar directly on the Gulf
What Sarasota Adds Between Rounds
This is what separates a Sarasota trip from one at an isolated golf resort. The city gives you real options when you're not on the course.
Inshore Fishing Charter: Sarasota Bay holds snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, and tarpon depending on the season. A half-day charter out of Siesta Key Marina or downtown fits cleanly between morning and afternoon tee times, and it's one of those things that scales naturally for father and son regardless of skill level - often the story guys end up telling more than the golf itself.
Big Top Brewing: Sarasota's most established craft brewery, with 20+ beers on tap, a permanent BBQ food truck, and a large outdoor space built around the city's circus heritage. Kid-friendly if your son is still in that age range, or a solid spot to decompress with a pint if he isn't.
Siesta Key Beach: About 30 minutes from the hotel. The quartz sand here is some of the finest in Florida - a real afternoon on the Gulf, not a resort pool with a view.
Myakka River State Park: Twenty miles out, with airboat safaris, a canopy walkway, and alligators in the wild. Worth it if you've got a morning free and someone at the table who'd rather be in the backcountry than at the driving range.
Book Both Before Either Fills Up
The Members Club is not a public course - access is tied to your hotel reservation. Book the stay first and the tee times follow. June runs hot, but rates reflect it and the course is noticeably less crowded.
Call the Golf Shop at 941-309-2900 for availability, or start with your stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Review the Members Club course details before you go - arriving at The Lion's Den with a game plan is not the same as arriving hoping for one.
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