Sarasota may boast an artsier pedigree, but Bradenton holds its own when it comes to golf. Fine area courses garner regular awards from Golf Digest and Golf Magazine, thanks to world-famous architects, impeccably manicured greens, and state-of-the-art facilities. Golfers flock to the area to take advantage of both cities' wealth of courses, and year-round temperatures that rarely dip below 80 degrees.

Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch
8255 Legacy Boulevard, Bradenton
(941) 907-7067
www.legacygolfclub.com

This award-winning Arnold Palmer-designed course, managed by Troon Golf, has quickly earned its reputation as one of the premier courses in Southwest Florida. The well-maintained 18-hole championship course features elevated multiple tees, and most holes are lined with sand and water. The 360-foot wide fairways on all corridors give the course a very dramatic look. Golf Digest lists the Legacy as one of its "Best Places to Play," and the readers of the magazine give it four-and-a-half stars.

The River Club
6600 River Club Boulevard, Bradenton
(941) 751-4211
www.riverclubgc.com

For the discriminating golfer who prefers a challenge, this Ron Garl-designed 18-hole championship course is as vexing as it is beautiful. Not your typical Florida course, the front nine has rolling fairways with plenty of mounding; the back nine wind through dense woods with undulating, rolling greens. This course was cut out of a jungle, creating a challenging environment for both the average and experienced player. The fairways are wide open though, and the greens are undulating and putt true.

Waterlefe Golf & River Club
1022 Fish Hook Cove, Bradenton
(941) 774-9771
www.wcigolf.com

Nestled on a beautiful section of the Manatee River, complete with wide expanses of pristine marshes, the Waterlefe features gently sloped greens and the newest TiffEagle Bermuda grass. Designed by Ted McAnlis, the course protects its surrounding natural environment, giving it a unique character. Don't be surprised if on the 15th tee you spot a family of manatees poking noses up for a breath of air. Five sets of tees for each hole allow golfers to customize their games, and the full-service grill and bar allow them to talk it all over at the end of the day.