Summertime is hit-the-links time for many golfers, for a number of reasons. First, as the rates come down, some of those top-end courses drop into the affordable range. But just as importantly, the warmer weather can mean smaller crowds, which makes it that much more possible to get on some of the more exclusive layouts in Sarasota and Her Islands.

Grab your sunblock and bottled water, and pick up your spikes and sticks. Sarasota's best golfing opportunities await.

Beachcombers beware at Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club. The Meadows, Preserve and Hatchet Creek nine-hole layouts wind into a 27-hole course that features scenic glimpses of nature preserves, lakes, birds and wildlife. Bunkers abound, however, so steer clear or be prepared to give that sand wedge a workout. Fees are $39 before noon, and $29 after noon.

At University Park Country Club, the Ron Garl-designed 27-hole layout has maintained a 4-star rating on Golf Digest's "Places to Play" list since 1996, getting strong notice for service, natural beauty and maintenance. It's a challenging, straightforward track that offers few tricks. "We don't want anybody getting beat up out there," Garl says. Visitors are welcome after 11 a.m., Monday

Enjoy golf savings during the summer

to Saturday, and before noon on Sunday. Prices range according to season with summer prices at $60 per 18-holes (down from about $100).

The 27 holes designed by Arthur Hills at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club take advantage of the natural wooded and watery beauty of the North Port area. The courses feature elevation changes not often seen in the area, including the uphill approaches to the greens on Nos. 4 and 8 of the Marsh Course. Summer rates are $45 in the morning and $35 after noon from June to September.

For the impression of playing at a slightly more northern latitude, try Calusa Lakes Golf Course in Nokomis. Set back in a pine forest, the course features live oaks and an abundance of lakes, providing players a wooded feel that contrasts the breezy, beachy reputation Florida can offer. Costs drop to $46 (morning) and $35 (afternoon) in May, then again to $36 (morning) and $27 from June through September.

In reaction to the words "Country Club," the folks at Oak Ford Golf Club say "we are in the country, and we've got a club... but we are casual, and we have fun." Getting away from it all is the calling card here. Houses are only occasionally visible from the course; condominiums not at all. So peace and quiet and an Old Florida feel are the major attractions. During the summer, it's $25 to get on the course from sun-up until 8:30 a.m., $50 until 2:30 p.m., then back down to $25 for the rest of the day.

In 2004, Golf Digest gave a 4½-star rating on its "Places to Play" list to the Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch, an Arnold Palmer-designed course with wide fairways and multiple elevated tees. Expect professional-level service and eye-popping views on your visit to the course that was ranked No. 1 Public Course in Southwest Florida by the readers of Florida Golf News. Between May and October, Legacy's pre-1 p.m. rate drops from $79 to $58, and that fee falls to $40 after 1 p.m Friday through Sunday.

Other courses well worth a look are: Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club in Sarasota, Rosedale Golf & Country Club in Bradenton and The Golf Club at Capri Isles and Waterford Golf Club in Venice.

For visitors who might be around long enough to get on a couple of courses, a Big Summer Card is a worthwhile option. The program has 32 participating courses (with some reaching into Manatee, Charlotte and southern Hillsborough counties) that offer further discounted rates from May through October, if you've purchased the card for $60. Playing five different courses inside a calendar month also qualifies golfers for potential greens fee, merchandise and cash giveaways. Cards are on sale throughout the summer.

If you go:
Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club, 941-496-GOLF
www.pelicanpointeclub.com
University Park Country Club, 941-359-9999
www.universitypark-fl.com/golf.asp
Heron Creek Golf & Country Club, 941-423-6955
www.heron-creek.com
Calusa Lakes Golf Course, 941-484-8995
www.golfinvenice.com
Oak Ford Golf Club, 941-371-3680
www.oakfordgolfclub.com
Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club, 941-926-7600
www.golfinvenice.com
Legacy Golf Club, 941-907-7067
www.legacygolfclub.com
Rosedale Golf & Country Club, 941-756-0004
www.rosedalegolf.com
The Golf Club at Capri Isles, 941-485-3371
www.golfinvenice.com/capri.htm
Waterford Golf Club, 941-484-6621
www.golfinvenice.com/waterford.htm
Big Summer Golf program, 941-923-2232
www.bigsummergolf.com

Originally posted 4/7/05