Sanctuary at River Strand Golf and Country Club

River Strand is a beautiful course in a country club setting. The course is very challenging and can require length and accuracy.
The greens were very fast, and recently sanded. The bunkers are deep and require a strong sand game.
I will try to tame this course and will play it again.

Booked 1.16pm tee time via golf now.com at $29 plus tax. Greeted well at bag drop and in pro shop and invited to go to starter and get going when we were ready as course was very quiet. Very pleasant starter who was helpful and friendly. We played Tributory and Sanctuary. The whole course is in excellent condition from every tee to some undulating greens. Greens running at 10.5 on stump going on glass upturned saucer speed. They were firm fast and not for the faint hearted.The Tributory nine is a bit of a building site as work on the housing continues. Have played here many times and course is in best shape I can remember. This is a definite must play in the area.

First time back at this course in a few months, and very pleased with my experience. The greens were in excellent condition, as well as the tee boxes. This is not an easy course, so if you are an average golfer, bring extra balls. Staff was accommodating and friendly.

Both are good courses. They are completely different. The greens are rolling awesome 10.4. The collars of the greens need to be replaced as the grass is burning out but you can putt from them. Overall very good place to play & the course is in good condition.

River Strand is an excellent course with interesting holes and challenging shots. Plenty of water and other hazards but generally generous fairways make the play challenging but not intimidating. The greens were fast, about 10 on the stimp meter, but putted true. The course is located in an upscale gated residential area but housing was not located especially close to any of the holes that we played with exception of #1 on the Sanctuary 9. Overall, one of the better courses in the Sarasota area.

Overall impression was a very good course. Some of the greens are difficult to hit and hold. Great layout and need some strategic ball placements. Course knowledge is helpful. Played with another twosome who played here before and gave us good tips. Will definitely play again. Friendly staff. Great practice areas. Greens were FAST! Played Sanctuary to Estuary.

There are too many bugs at Estory course and they are aggressive !

One of the best mid Florida golf courses I have played. Why? From Tee to green everything well maintained. "Crisp" is the term. Some traps needed work but they had strong rains earlier in the week. Staff was there from the start and very pleasant and helpful. Good humor, yet professional. We did not eat so no comment there. Carts were excellent.
We played Sanctuary and Tributary courses. Both interesting and challenging. Beautiful natural areas around Sanctuary but current construction will change much of that, unfortunately. "Sets the bar" for us in this part of Florida.

Got a great deal on Golfnow.com for $36 for a 1pm tee time. Regularly $79. Worth every penny at $79 too! Played Sanctuary and Estuary. Sanctuary is by far my favorite 9 at River Strand. Estuary is definitely the toughest 9.

Course was in immaculate condition. I guess the only complaint that I would have is how short they have cut the fairways. They were very green, but most times your ball was not sitting up, which for me makes my long irons a bit of a challenge.

They run this course like a well oiled machine. One of the few courses in the area that actually spaces tee times out instead of packin em on the 1st tee. The pace of place was good. Took us about 4 hours and 15 minutes to play 18.

Greens were fast as lightning but rolled great. Unfortunately for me, I never got the speed down and 3 putted a couple of greens. My fault though because the greens were in excellent condition.

I highly recommend this course. All 3 nines are different and present different challenges. Making par on the par 3 5th at Estuary made my day. 200+ yards from the blue tees.

Love this course. Greens and Course are top notch. Sand Traps are a big disappointment. Most have little sand. Around the edges it is built up so much that if they could spread that in the main sand trap areas it would make for a more consistant experience.

I always find the three nines to be in great shape. Today we played Estuary and Tributary. Even though a 20-25 mph wind made the round interesting, a great day none the less.

Found the staff a bit arrogant. Played with members who said the course should not allow public. Didn't feel welcome at this course.

I have played River Strand several times and have never been disappointed. Course conditions are excellent and each time presents a great test of golf. Wind was a factor on that day, and usually is blowing at a good pace. Very impressed with the Marshal's and their concern regarding the pace of play.

Friendly and helpful staff. Excellent course conditions comparing to other courses. Greenfees are a little high, but the course is worth to be played.

First we got a great deal on golf now $44 for this $100 course. Estuary 9 was by far the most difficult. I asked the starter why the back tee where not out he said to many guys try and play back there and shouldn't. Then he bet me a beer that I wouldn't shot a 38 from the blue. I went back to gold and shot 40. I was very pleased with that score on such a tough 9 holes. The other nine was much easier but also very enjoyable. All in all a great day of golf at River Strand. We will be back!!

I really enjoyed the course. Good layout, good conditions, greens were faster than other courses I played. Played on a Sunday mid day and the pace of play was acceptable. Nice facility overall, lots of home construction is not too pleasing to the eye...

Great course, in great condition. Super price for this quality course

Played this course just after Christmas. It was in awesome shape. The fairways and greens were perfect. This course is a drivers paradise with lots of room off the tee but requires some accuracy into the greens. I would definitely return to this course, don't miss it if you are in the area! Close to Ellenton Premium Outlets, great place to drop the non-golfers off to shop and get a round in.

great course conditions well maintain greens will play again when visiting florida

In a word. FANTASTIC. Course has 27 holes. Each none having it's own character.