Sarasota’s known for its sugar-sand beaches and sunset views, but beyond the coastal postcard, there’s a rich sports culture that doesn’t always make national headlines. Local golf courses, rowing clubs, polo fields, spring training baseball, and sports teams to bet on - all within reach. So if you want to spend a vacation in Sarasota and don’t fancy just lying around on a beach, it’s worth learning about available sports activities.

Golf where you’d least expect it

Sarasota County is home to more than 30 golf courses, but a few stand out for the views and the crowds they draw. Take the Bobby Jones Golf Club, for instance. After a massive $32 million renovation, the historic municipal course reopened in late 2023 with a Donald Ross-inspired 18-hole layout and a 9-hole adjustable “flex” course aimed at younger and beginner players. Locals are calling it a game-changer for downtown Sarasota.

Just 10 minutes east, The Meadows Country Club is another community favorite. With three courses and active junior and senior tournaments year-round, it blends old-Florida charm with competitive action.

Beyond that, options like Tatum Ridge Golf Links and The Highlands at Palm Aire offer scenic layouts, affordable tee times, and friendly local vibes without the country club pretension. These are the kinds of places where you can hit a round before lunch and still have time to catch the sunset.

So, if you’re a fan of golf, you’ve got plenty of laid-back, high-quality spots to spend a great day out on the greens.

Entertainment of rowing 

Sarasota is home to Nathan Benderson Park, a world-class rowing venue that’s hosted the 2017 World Rowing Championships and continues to bring in top collegiate and national crews. The park boasts a 2,000-meter course built to international standards. It’s become a hub for high-performance training, youth development, and community fitness.

The local nonprofit Sarasota Crew regularly trains there, and their youth program has sent dozens of rowers to D1 schools and national teams. Weekend practices often share water with casual paddlers and dragon boat crews, giving the venue a real mix of pro-level grit and community energy.

So, if you like competition on the water or just enjoy a morning paddle with a view, Sarasota’s rowing scene is as strong as its coastal breeze. 

Short drive to the pros

One of Sarasota’s low-key perks is how close it is to the Tampa Bay pro sports scene. Drive just over an hour north and you’re at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Buccaneers, or Tropicana Field, where the Rays play. The Lightning’s home games at Amalie Arena bring NHL action right into reach. And the Tampa Bay Rowdies, while in the USL Championship, have a die-hard following that’s growing fast.

This proximity turns Sarasota into a perfect satellite city for Florida sports fans who want the excitement without the big-city stress. Game days are easy to plan, and Tampa’s teams have made enough playoff runs recently to keep things interesting.

If you want top-tier sports without relocating, Sarasota lets you keep one foot in the beach and the other in the big leagues. And to make it even more fun, you can bet on what you see. 

Betting fun with local teams

If you’re the kind of fan who doesn’t just watch but likes to get in on the action, Sarasota has something for you, too. After all, what’s a great game without a little extra thrill?

Florida's sports betting scene is evolving fast, especially since the Seminole Tribe relaunched online betting through Hard Rock Bet in late 2023. While still exclusive to specific platforms, the move opened the door for tech-savvy fans to bring their wagers into the digital age.

With online access now available, more locals experiment with crypto-friendly options and use Bitcoin betting platforms to wager on their favorite team, like the Buccaneers, or Tropicana Field. These platforms are great for fans who want anonymous, fast-paced, and mobile-first betting experiences. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies allow micro-betting or quick in-game wagers, especially useful for fans following fast-paced sports like hockey or soccer.

This way, if you're already watching a game, adding a crypto bet or two doesn’t feel like a stretch.

Conclusion

What ties all this together is how deeply sports are woven into Sarasota’s everyday life. Locals and tourists have plenty of ways to be engaged in sports and feel community spirit if they like watching or playing themselves. And now, with online betting and digital tools in the mix, that connection feels even more interactive and a little more high-stakes.