Golf Courses near Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island vacation rentals are favorites among golfing vacationers. It’s no surprise since the island and surrounding area offer perfect year-round weather, stunning nature, and plenty of beautiful views.

The island may only have one golf course, but there are plenty nearby, both on the mainland and on neighboring keys. Below are a few of the best golf courses near Anna Maria Island.

golf course with fountain
Photo from Pixabay

Key Royale Golf Club

Key Royale is the only golf course on Anna Maria Island. This course is private, offering annual and seasonal memberships. Designed by Jim Cochrane, this nine-hole, par-32 executive length course was created with every level of golfer in mind, including beginners looking for lessons.

The course is located on the north end of the island in Holmes Beach, right around the corner from Anna Maria Island vacation rentals. The club has a chipping and pitching area, hitting cages, a putting green, as well as a clubhouse and restaurant.

Longboat Key Golf Club

The Legacy Golf Course is located on beautiful Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island’s sister to the north.

This public golf club offers a total of 45 holes across two courses, Harbourside and Links on Longboat Key. Harbourside offers three nine-hole greens, some more forgiving than others. The course at Links on Longboat Key requires accuracy from the moment you tee off.

Manatee County Golf Course

Bradenton’s Manatee County course is a regional favorite, known for its championship design, excellent green conditions, and customer service.

The course features natural wetlands, water hazards, strategically designed fairways, and greenside bunkers. Located about 15 minutes from Anna Maria Island, the course has an excellent pro shop on site, as well as a restaurant and lounge with indoor and outdoor seating.

IMG Academy Golf Club

IMG was opened in 1972, and has since undergone a $2.5-million renovation that puts it among the best golf courses near Anna Maria Island.

Players will enjoy an 18-hole championship layout with well-maintained grounds. The state-of-the-art green is made from hybrid grass developed specifically for southern courses.

About 20 minutes by car from the island, IMG’s clubhouse has a range of amenities, including a restaurant, pool, and pro shop.

River Run Golf Links

River Run Golf Links is located a 20-minute drive from the island, just east of downtown Bradenton. The course runs through some of southern Florida’s most spectacular nature – wildlife sightings around the course are not uncommon.

This public course offers 18 holes, both straightforward and challenging. Because the course is accessible to anyone, it’s a great place for visitors to the area and those just learning to play. Elevated holes, sand traps, and strategically placed trees will keep more advanced players challenged.

Links at Greenfield Plantation

About a half an hour east of Anna Maria Island on the mainland, the Links offers a unique opportunity to play on a championship course at an affordable price.

Wind through the course’s beautiful landscaping, both natural and human-made, on pristine Southwestern Florida land. Lakes, bunkers, and varying elevation offer a challenging course for seasoned golfers. Beginners can work on their skills at the practice range.

River Strand Golf & Country Club

River Strand club offers a fabulous course inside a gated golf community.

Located about a half an hour from the island, the 27-hole champion course offers players a chance to tee off a signature Arthur Hill course that includes generous fairways and precision approach shots. The club is also home to tennis courts, two pools, and a 24-hour fitness center.

Legacy Golf Club

If you’re feeling adventurous, take a drive to Lakewood Ranch, a Sarasota community located just south of the city.

This public club offers tee times seven days a week, to both locals and vacationers. The course was designed by Arnold Palmer in 1997 as an upscale 18-hole championship course that occupies more than 7,000 yards of Florida land.

Legacy is renowned as one of the premier course layouts in the southeastern U.S, with wide fairways, tricky bunkers, and a par three island green.

Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club

Stoneybrook is an Arthur Hills-designed course in Osprey, about an hour south of Anna Maria Island vacation rentals. The 18-hole, par-72 course has multiple tees, each catering to a different level of player. More experienced golfers will appreciate the challenges and complexities of the course.

Plan Your Visit

If you are a lover of golf then you will love visiting Anna Maria Island! There are so many places to enjoy the game and right by our Anna Maria vacation rental homes!