Offering a level of service and conditions usually found only at world-class private facilities, The Legacy Golf Club boasts an award-winning Arnold Palmer-signature designed, 18-hole championship daily fee course. The Legacy Golf Club course plays 7,067 from the Black, Championship tees with a slope of 140 and a course rating of 73.8. It is, I can promise, quite unlike anything you'll find anywhere else in the region.
Managed by Troon Golf, Legacy has earned its reputation as one of the premier courses in Southwest Florida. The layout meanders between old-growth, live oaks, and extensive wetlands where Florida's coastal wildlife abounds, all preserved by Arnold to form a stunning backdrop to a stunning golf course. The course also features five sets of elevated tees – there’s something to suit just about everyone - and virtually every hole is framed with sand and water.
Talking of water: I’ve only come across one other course with more water than this one – water is in play on 13 of the 18 holes and featered on most of the others. The Legacy does, of course, have its own intimidating island green, “Arnie’s Island,” the 17th. I wonder if it was planned that way or if it’s just a coincidence. As to island greens: Number 3 offers something a little different - an island hole – a par four of 380 yards completely surrounded by water. You approach the tee over one bridge and leave the green over another.
If it’s not water you have to contend with, it’s sand. There seems to be more sand on The Legacy than there is on Bradenton Beach. The course is scattered with gigantic waste bunkers, some stretching from tee to green. In fact, number 11 (see photo above) is another island green – this one is almost completely surrounded by sand.
What makes The Legacy course unique, however, is the 360-foot wide fairways on all corridors making the look very dramatic and visually challenging while still approachable to players of all levels of skill. Legacy was awarded 4 1/2 stars in Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play" for 2006, and in 2004 it was voted the #1 Public Golf Course in Southwest Florida by Florida Golf News. Green Fees: Through October - $69 to $99 depending upon the time of day, day of the week. Check for current rates.
Golf Specials
- Two-Night Sarasota Golf Getaway at Hampton Inn Bee Ridge
- Three Night Special at Hyatt Sarasota
Where to Stay:
There are a couple of options I can recommend: The Hampton Inn Bee Ridge just off I-75 in Sarasota, and the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Both are handy to the golf course and the two hotels offer a range of price options.
- Compare Prices for nights at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota .
- Compare Prices for nights at the Hampton Inn Bee Ridge.
Should you wish to try for something that might fit your budget a little better, you can also check out my Sarasota area hotel guides:
- Golf Travel's Sarasota and Bradenton Hotel Guide
And moving a little farther afield, you can also check out my area Naples and Marco Island hotel guides:
- Golf Travel's Naples/Fort Myers Hotel Guide.
- Golf Travel's Marco Island Hotel Guide
How to get There:
The closest regional airport is the Sarasota – Bradenton International Airport. The airport is served by Delta, Continental, US Air, AirTran, American, Northwest, and several others.
Look for the best airline and car rental deals with these two aggregators, which provide travelers with an up-to-date search tool to compare prices on airfares and car rentals of all ratings:
Only on Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast will you find such a diversity of golf courses and resorts to choose from. This is one I can personally recommend.
More Southwest Florida Hotels and Resorts
Contact:
Legacy Golf Club8255 Legacy Boulevard
Bradenton, Florida 34202
941.907.7067
