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Amy and I played Calusa Lake Golf and Country in mid-March. Calusa Lake is located in Nokomis, Florida.

We ended up playing the course by accident because we generally play at TPC Prestancia in Sarasota.  

Florida is red hot with visitors every March so tee times are at a premium.   

Even with 36 holes, TPC Prestancia was booked with member events, so we looked at a map and saw Calusa Lake is very close.  

As the crow flies, we could walk there but even the drive around to the main strip is less than 10 minutes.

After a quick Google search, we discovered that Calusa was named after a Native American tribe, who inhabited southwest Florida. The Calusa were a powerful and complex society so much so that their name translates to “fierce” or “war-like” people.  

While the Calusa people may have been fierce and warlike, the staff at Calusa Lakes golf club were exceptionally friendly and accommodating. 

As an example, I found it unique to Calusa Lake that the bag drop comes to you.  

We never found the bag drop, so we parked, and the attentive staff came right to the car to grab our bags and set up our cart.

Calusa Lake employees have an unmistakable pride in the course and in their service. It is very notable, and it was mentioned to us a couple of times that the course is in peak condition.

After getting our golf shoes on and our bags taken to our cart, we checked in at the golf shop.  The greens fees are not inexpensive ~ $129 per person nonmember rate plus tax ~ but absolutely worth it. 

Notably, the pro shop had quite a large selection of apparel and shoes, especially women’s shoes, which Amy appreciated. 

Like many courses in Florida, the driving range is a lake with island greens. If I had to reach for a criticism, the range is short and limited to irons only. On the plus side, there are many bays so getting a spot to warm up was easy.

The course itself is in outstanding shape. We particularly enjoyed the forced variation in shots. The course requires many fades and draws off the tees.

Calusa Lakes is not particularly hard or easy, but has a nice array of elevated greens and lower-level greens.

We found the greens exceptionally consistent and in fantastic shape.

Virtually all were fair, pleasingly appearing, and had complicated undulation.

The speed of play was a nice 4 hours. Amy and I fully expected to be matched up with another twosome, but we played alone on a Saturday.  We were told by the pro shop that the course is generally busier during the week than on the weekends.

Only once did the group behind us catch up. We met a nice couple and their teenage son who were vacationing from Ontario, Canada. By happenstance, the beverage cart came by, and we had a quick drink together opining in hope that the US / Canada tariff situation is resolved in short order.

We left the course feeling great. In consideration of the impressive course condition, thoughtful layout, exceptional staff friendliness, speed of play and convenient location, we give Calusa Lakes an A+ and will certainly play here again.