Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 16
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Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 16
At Sarasota National Golf Club, there are few forced carries, although the signature 16th will tempt better players to go over the water. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 5
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Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 5
The fifth, at 648 yards, is the longest hole at Sarasota National Golf Club in Venice, Fla. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 9
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Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 9
The ninth at Sarasota National Golf Club is a 431-yard par 4 with some treacherous bunkering. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 8
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Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 8
At 223 yards from the back, the par-3 eighth at Sarasota National Golf Club also often plays into the wind. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 11
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Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 11
The par-4 11th at Sarasota National Golf Club plays around a large lake. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 13
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Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 13
The short par-4 13th at Sarasota National Golf Club is a good birdie opportunity as long as you avoid the water. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 16
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Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 16
The 429-yard 16th is the no. 2 handicap hole at Sarasota National Golf Club in Venice, Fla. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 17
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Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 17
Not only is the 17th at Sarasota National Golf Club long at 203 yards, but the green is a little tricky, too. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 18
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Sarasota National Golf Club - hole 18
The finishing hole at Sarasota National Golf Club is a dogleg-right par 4. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
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Sarasota National Golf Club in Venice, Florida: Looking good

VENICE, Fla. -- Opened in 2008, Sarasota National Golf Club has undergone several ownership changes in the past few years, but it has never looked better.

Recently purchased by WCI Communities, this 7,344-yard layout features flawless TifEagle greens, wide fairways and 110 bunkers, which were renovated in 2013.

Designed by Gordon Lewis, the golf course has five sets of tees and very few forced carries, despite having water on about a third of the holes. The open layout has a little bit of links feel, especially with the wind blowing.

Many holes stand out, but the par-5 seventh is probably Sarasota National Golf Club's signature hole. This 560-yard dogleg left is reachable in two by good players, but they have to avoid a cluster of fairway bunkers, then hit a long approach across or around the water to a peninsula-type green with plenty of undulation.

Originally planned as a private golf course, Sarasota National, which is operated by Troon Golf, is currently operating as a daily fee. Considering the quality of golf, Sarasota National is one of the more reasonably priced golf courses in the Sarasota/Bradenton area.

Mike Bailey is a former Golf Advisor senior staff writer based in Houston. Focusing primarily on golf in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America with an occasional trip to Europe and beyond, he contributes course reviews, travel stories and features as well as the occasional equipment review. An award-winning writer and past president of Texas Golf Writers Association, he has more than 25 years in the golf industry. He has also been on staff at PGA Magazine, The Golfweek Group and AvidGolfer Magazine. Follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeBaileyGA and Instagram at @MikeStefanBailey.
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Sarasota National Golf Club in Venice, Florida: Looking good