Wellen Park Golf Course Communities: Which Is Right for You?

Wellen Park Golf Communities at a Glance

One quick note before we get into the details: golf access, fees, pricing, and membership arrangements can change. They can even differ between two homes in the same community, so always check what applies to the specific property you’re considering.

Of course, golf is only one part of choosing where to live. Our guide to the Wellen Park lifestyle covers the most common reasons people say they love living here, including the beaches, restaurants, shopping, events, and everyday conveniences you’ll have nearby.

Wellen Park Golf & Country Club

Wellen Park Golf & Country Club is the shiny new option on this list. Built by Lennar around an 18-hole course designed by Gordon Lewis, it combines newer homes with the full resort lifestyle many people picture when they start dreaming of moving to Florida.

One of its biggest advantages is the home options. The community offers condos, coach homes, carriage homes, and single-family homes, including larger estate-style properties with three-car garages. You’ll find both new construction and resales, with modern floor plans and finishes throughout the community.

The condos are among the most affordable ways to buy into a Wellen Park golf community, sometimes starting around $300,000 or less when builder deals are available. Coach and carriage homes tend to sit around $400,000, while single-family homes can run from around $500,000 to more than $1 million. So there really is quite a spread here. The final price depends on the home, view, location, and the golf membership attached to it.

How the Golf Membership Works

This is the part that is easy to miss: golf membership does not come with every home.

All residents receive social membership and access to the pool, fitness facilities, tennis, pickleball, and other shared amenities. Full golf membership is deeded only to certain properties. If you buy one of those homes, the membership and its associated costs come with it. When you sell, the membership transfers with the property.

For guaranteed year-round golf, particularly during the busy winter season, you need a golf-deeded home. As of September 2026, the club also offers some public tee times and seasonal memberships during the quieter summer months. Those arrangements can change, though, so we wouldn’t recommend buying a non-golf home assuming summer access will always be available.

The Wellen Park golf and country club course itself is an 18-hole championship-style course designed for a range of abilities. It has an aqua driving range, putting greens, chipping areas, a pro shop, and a golf professional on site. We were lucky enough to be among the first to play it when it opened, and it’s been fun watching the course and community come to life around it.

Homes, Amenities and Lifestyle

This is a lively, resort-focused community with plenty going on beyond the course, too. There’s a tropical pool with zero-entry access and lap lanes, several smaller satellite pools, a hot tub, poolside dining, a fitness center with studio classes, spa services, tennis, pickleball, bocce and a dog park. A lifestyle director also organizes regular events and activities, so it is easy to meet people if you’re new to the area.

It’s especially popular with active retirees, seasonal residents, and second-home owners, but you don’t need to be retired to enjoy it. The broad mix of homes and social atmosphere attracts buyers at all different stages of life.

It also offers the golf-cart lifestyle Wellen Park is known for. You can use your cart around the community, then head out to Downtown Wellen for the grocery store, restaurants, and shops.

If you want a newer home, plenty of amenities, and that sociable golf-cart lifestyle, Wellen Park Golf & Country Club is hard to beat. Just make sure you know if the particular home you’re looking at includes deeded golf… never assume from the location or the view.

Sarasota National

Sarasota National feels very different from Wellen Park Golf & Country Club. Built primarily by WCI and Lennar, it is more established, with mature landscaping, beautiful preserve and wetland views, and none of the rawness that naturally comes with a brand-new community.

The neighborhood is now complete, so all available homes are resales. That doesn’t mean your choices are limited. Sarasota National has condos, villas, coach homes, townhome-style properties, and single-family homes, including larger estate homes with three-car garages.

Prices generally run from around $300,000 to more than $1 million. As you’d expect, the home type, size, view, and location all make a difference. A home with a deeded golf membership will also usually cost more than a comparable home without one.

Private Golf with Deeded Membership

Sarasota National has an 18-hole championship course set among preserves, wetlands, and plenty of Florida wildlife. It is a beautiful course, but don’t mistake beautiful for easy – it still has enough challenge to keep experienced golfers interested. The club also has a driving range, putting and short-game practice areas, a pro shop, and professional instruction.

Golf membership is deeded to homes in designated parts of the community. Locally, you’ll often hear people refer to the “golf side” and the “lake side.” Homes on the golf side include membership. Homes on the lake side do not.

Unlike Boca Royale or Myakka Pines, you can’t live elsewhere and purchase a separate golf membership at Sarasota National. It’s a private course, so buyers who want to play here need to choose one of the golf-deeded homes with in the community and pay for the membership..

The amenities are another big draw. Residents have a large resort-style pool, a tiki bar and restaurant, fitness center and classes, spa services, tennis, pickleball, a dog park, and miles of walking and nature trails. It also has a full-time activities director and a busy social calendar.

Sarasota National is the closest of these communities to Downtown Venice, which is a real advantage if you expect to spend plenty of time there. The trade-off is that it doesn’t offer the everyday golf-cart lifestyle found in some other parts of Wellen Park. Golf carts aren’t generally used to get around the neighborhood, except on the course, and you can’t drive one out to Downtown Wellen because of the community’s location on U.S. 41.

If private golf is high on your list and you’d rather move into a finished community with mature surroundings, Sarasota National is one of the first places we’d suggest looking.

2026 NOTE – The Sarasota National golf course is currently undergoing renovations to bring it up to Troon Golf Standards, which will make it one of the nicest courses in the area and possibly host upcoming championships. 

Boca Royale Golf & Country Club

Boca Royale has a completely different feel again. Located just south of Wellen Park in Englewood, it has mature oaks and palms, larger homesites, and the atmosphere of a traditional country club community that has been part of the area for years.

Because the neighborhood has grown over many years, the homes are varied too. There are older custom properties (including some impressive luxury estate homes), alongside villas and newer homes built by Neal Communities. If you’d rather have a home with a little more individuality than a typical new development, this is the place to look.

Villas start in the $300,000s. Single-family homes and larger custom properties range from below $500,000 to well over $1 million, depending on their age, size, and location.

Flexible Golf Membership

The newly renovated 18-hole, par-71 course stretches more than 6,600 yards through the established community, with mature trees, lakes and plenty of Florida scenery along the way. The club facilities and course have undergone extensive renovations in recent years, and golfers also have access to a driving range, practice greens, and instruction.

The big difference here is flexibility. Boca Royale is semi-private, so golf membership is optional and available to all residents and non-residents. You can live in the community without paying for golf you won’t use, or live elsewhere in Wellen Park and still join the club.

All Boca Royale residents have social club access, with regular activities and events. The main clubhouse has dining and bar options; the weekend brunch is especially popular, and the separate racquet club draws tennis and pickleball players. Some of the newer residential sections also have their own pools, clubhouses, dog parks, and resort-style amenities.

Boca Royale is quieter and more established than the newest Wellen Park communities. It’s also less than 10 minutes from Manasota Beach and close to Englewood Beach. Downtown Wellen is currently around a 25-minute drive, although a planned road connection at the back of the community is expected to shorten that journey considerably.

We’d look closely at Boca Royale if you love the character of an established neighborhood, want a little more space around your home, and like the idea of joining the club on your own terms.

Esplanade at Wellen Park and Myakka Pines Golf Club

Esplanade is one of the newest communities in Wellen Park – and it’s the one that needs a bit of explaining, because it isn’t technically a golf community in the same way as the others. It doesn’t have its own course within the community. Instead, this brand-new neighborhood is being built alongside the long-established Myakka Pines Golf Club. 

The community will have it’s own private road connecting to the club house area of Myakka Pines, which also connects to River Rd. So residents can feel like they live on the golf course because they technically don’t have to leave their community to access the course & they could drive their personal golf cart over to the course clubhouse too!

And for some buyers, that is exactly the appeal. You can have a brand-new home, beautiful resort amenities, and an established course next door, without being required to pay for a golf membership, or having golf tied to your home purchase.

Two very different Wellen Park builders are working within Esplanade, giving buyers a much broader choice of homes than you might expect in a single community.

Taylor Morrison is building villas and single-family homes in Esplanade, from lower-maintenance options to larger homes with three-car garages. Villas start around $400,000 (or slightly less), while larger single-family homes can go well above $1 million once you factor in the floor plan, homesite, and upgrades.

John Cannon Homes is also building a small collection of fully custom homes on 90-foot homesites directly beside the course. This is the only opportunity in Wellen Park to build a large custom home directly on a golf course. Prices begin above $2 million and can exceed $3 million.

Optional Golf at Myakka Pines

Myakka Pines is an established, semi-private club with 27 holes. It’s known for its natural Florida setting, abundant wildlife, friendly atmosphere, and excellent course conditions.

Esplanade residents won’t be required to join. They can buy a membership, pay to play when public tee times are available, or choose a completely different club. Membership at Myakka Pines is also open to people living outside Esplanade.

That could work especially well if only one person in your household plays golf, you don’t play often enough to justify mandatory fees, or you want the freedom to change clubs later.

Esplanade’s amenities focus on resort living and wellness. Plans include a large clubhouse, locker rooms with towel service, a resort pool, fitness center and classes, spa facilities, a Bahama Bar and restaurant, tennis and pickleball, walking trails, concierge services and regular events organized by a lifestyle director.

Of course, being one of the first people into a new community comes with a trade-off. Homes, models, and amenities are still being developed, so buyers should expect construction around the neighborhood for some time. Some people will be excited to watch it all take shape, while others may be happier in a community that already feels established.

Once the connection through the golf club to River Road is complete, residents should also be around 10 minutes from Englewood Beach. So if you want a brand-new home and resort-style amenities without mandatory golf fees, Esplanade could be a really good fit.

Decisions! Home First? Or Golf First? 

You don’t need to live in a golf community to make golf part of your everyday life here.

In fact, this is sometimes the better answer. Choose the home and neighborhood you love first, then join a nearby club separately. It opens up more housing options and keeps you from being tied to one course through your property.

This is something to think about if your partner cares more about the pool, social life, or proximity to Downtown Wellen than the course. It also gives you more freedom if you enjoy playing in different places or only spend part of the year in Florida.

Other Golf Courses Near Wellen Park

With so many golf courses near Wellen Park, opening your mind to consider other courses nearby may open up more options for finding the right combination of home and course for you!

You can explore even more golf communities and courses around Venice in our wider guide, but these are some of the best options close to Wellen Park:

Plantation Golf & Country Club

Plantation is one of the most popular clubs near Wellen Park—and it has two beautiful 18-hole courses, not just one. Both wind through mature trees and the surrounding homes, offering plenty of challenge in that lovely, established Florida golf-course setting.

Liz took part in the golf academy here and was really impressed with both the instructor and the facilities, and we were summer members ourselves a few years ago. Plantation also hosts an LPGA qualifying tournament each fall, which says a lot about the standard of the courses.

Away from golf, members have access to a swimming pool and spa, fitness center, tennis, pickleball, bocce, dining, and regular social activities. You don’t have to live within one of the surrounding gated communities to join, which makes Plantation a great option if you find the right home elsewhere in Wellen Park but still want a full country club membership nearby.

Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club

Pelican Pointe is a mature golf community in the heart of Venice, right next to Venice Golf & Country Club. Its 27 holes wind through established neighborhoods, beautiful landscaping, live oaks, streams, and protected natural areas. The course is semi-private, so public play is sometimes available, and you don’t necessarily need to live within Pelican Pointe to enjoy the golf here.

The club offers much more than the course, with a swimming pool, fitness center, tennis, pickleball, and plenty of social activities. This makes it a good option for couples where golf is important to one person, but the other still wants a full country club lifestyle.

Pelican Pointe itself is a highly sought-after residential community with condos, villas, and single-family homes. The villas are especially popular and tend to sell quickly when they become available. But you could also live elsewhere in Wellen Park and join or play at Pelican Pointe, giving you access to an established Venice club without limiting your home search to a golf community.

Jacaranda West Country Club

Jacaranda West in Venice is a good middle ground if you want an established local club without tying your home purchase to a golf-deeded property. Its 18-hole championship course has five sets of tees, making it playable for different ability levels while still offering plenty of challenge for more experienced golfers.

The club has practice facilities, a Golf Academy, golf leagues, dining, and regular social events. Several membership options are available, including full, seasonal, and summer memberships, but public tee times are also available. This gives you the flexibility to live in Wellen Park or another nearby neighborhood and decide how much golf you actually want to commit to.

Mission Valley Country Club

Mission Valley is a private, member-owned club in Nokomis with a peaceful, old Florida feel. The course covers more than 200 acres of lakes and mature landscaping, with very few homes crowding the fairways. We’ve played it many times, and it is one of Josh’s personal favorites. You’ll often see regulars walking the course in the morning, which we really love.

The course was designed to be especially walkable, with greens and tees positioned close together, and there are extensive practice facilities for anyone looking to work on their game. Away from golf, members have access to tennis, dining, an outdoor patio overlooking the course, and a busy calendar of social events.

Mission Valley offers several membership categories, including seasonal and social options. However, full golf membership currently has a waiting list, so it is worth checking availability well before you decide where to live.

Heron Creek Golf & Country Club

Heron Creek’s just down the road in North Port. Its Arthur Hills-designed, 27-hole championship course is divided into three nine-hole courses—the Marsh, Oaks, and Creek—so you can mix up the combination rather than play the same round every time.

The club also offers a large practice and learning facility, along with golf lessons and clinics for different ability levels. Beyond golf, the club has five tennis courts, a resort-style pool and spa, fitness center, two dining options and an active social calendar.

Heron Creek is also a gated residential community, with established homes set among the fairways, lakes and natural areas. However, you don’t need to live there to join the club. Membership is open to people living elsewhere, making it another strong option if you find the right home in Wellen Park but want a full country club experience nearby.

Which Wellen Park Golf Course Community Should You Choose?

If you want one of the widest selections of newer homes, a lower entry price, and a full resort lifestyle, start with Wellen Park Golf & Country Club.

If your priority is private golf in an established community with mature landscaping, excellent amenities, and easy access to Downtown Venice, look at Sarasota National.

If you prefer a traditional country club atmosphere, larger homesites, flexible membership, and quick beach access, Boca Royale may suit you better.

And if you want brand-new construction and luxury amenities without mandatory golf fees, consider Esplanade at Wellen Park alongside Myakka Pines.

You may also decide that none of these is quite right, and that is completely fine. Choosing a non-golf neighborhood and joining a club separately can give you the best home for your whole household and far more freedom over where you play.

Before buying, make sure you know:

• If golf membership is deeded to that specific property
• Which golf, social, HOA, and CDD fees are mandatory
• How the membership transfers when the home is sold
• If the club has a waiting list, joining fee, or annual spending minimum
• How easy it is to secure tee times during peak winter season
• How club privileges work if you plan to rent out the home
• Which amenities are already open and which are still under construction
• Where you can legally use a golf cart inside and outside the community

These details can vary between communities and, in some cases, between two homes on the same street. Looking at the total cost and the membership attached to the individual property is far more useful than comparing listing prices alone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wellen Park Golf

Does Wellen Park have a golf course?

Yes. Wellen Park Golf & Country Club has an 18-hole championship-style course. Sarasota National and Boca Royale also have 18-hole courses within their communities. Esplanade at Wellen Park is being developed beside the established 27-hole Myakka Pines Golf Club.

Which Wellen Park communities have golf courses?

The main Wellen Park golf course communities are Wellen Park Golf & Country Club, Sarasota National, and Boca Royale Golf & Country Club. Esplanade at Wellen Park does not have its own course, but it borders Myakka Pines and includes a limited number of custom homes with golf-course views.

Do you have to live in Wellen Park to play golf there?

It depends on the course. Sarasota National is private, with membership attached to designated homes within the community. Full year-round membership at Wellen Park Golf & Country Club is also tied to golf-deeded properties within that community as well, although some limited summer access may be offered. However, both Boca Royale Golf & Country Club and Myakka Pines golf club are open to the public, and non-residents who live in other communities can pay to play or even purchase memberships.

Does every home in Wellen Park Golf & Country Club include golf?

No. Golf membership is deeded only to certain properties. All residents receive social membership and access to the community’s non-golf amenities, but buyers who want guaranteed full golf access need to choose a home with the membership attached.

Can you live in Esplanade at Wellen Park without joining a golf club?

Yes. Esplanade does not require a golf membership. Residents can join or pay to play at neighboring Myakka Pines, choose another local club, or skip golf membership altogether.

Can you use a golf cart throughout Wellen Park?

Many parts of Wellen Park are golf-cart friendly, and residents of several communities can drive to Downtown Wellen. The rules and available routes vary, though. Sarasota National, for example, does not allow residents to use golf carts as general neighborhood transportation, and its U.S. 41 location prevents golf-cart access to Downtown Wellen.

Find the Right Home and Golf Community in Wellen Park

We don’t recommend one community for every golfer. The right answer depends on how often you play, the kind of membership you prefer, your budget, and the life you want to have when you aren’t on the course.

We can help you compare golf communities, explore homes for sale throughout Wellen Park, and decide whether living on the course, or simply joining one nearby, makes the most sense for you.

We’ve played these courses ourselves and helped hundreds of buyers find new construction and resale homes throughout Wellen Park and the surrounding area. So if you’re planning a move to Wellen Park, Venice, Englewood, Nokomis, or North Port, contact Josh. We’re always happy to answer your questions and share what we know from actually playing here. You can also book a time to chat or schedule a tour of Wellen Park or tour other communities so we can show you the communities, courses, and homes that fit what you’re looking for.