Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club in Venice: A Buyer’s Guide

by Hunt Brothers Realty

Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club is an established gated golf community in Venice, Florida, with approximately 1,355 homesites and villas, 27 holes designed by Ted McAnlis, lakes, wetlands, preserves and a substantial resident amenity program. Homeownership includes a resident social membership, while golf membership is separate and optional. Buyers can choose among single-family homes and villa-style residences in several neighborhoods, but HOA assessments and maintenance responsibilities vary. For golfers, Pelican Pointe is especially notable in 2026 because two of its three nine-hole courses have now completed major renovations.

Quick Answers About Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club

Where is Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club?

Pelican Pointe is in Venice, Florida, east of Venice Island and convenient to Downtown Venice, shopping, I-75 and Gulf beaches. The golf club is at 499 Derbyshire Drive.

How many homes are in Pelican Pointe?

The Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club resident information currently describes the gated community as containing 1,355 homesites and villas. The residential neighborhoods include different housing styles and association structures.

Do homeowners have to join the golf club?

No. Golf membership is separate from residential ownership. Residents receive a social membership with access to specified club and recreational amenities, while buyers who want golf privileges should evaluate the club's current golf membership options separately.

How many golf holes does Pelican Pointe have?

Pelican Pointe has 27 holes divided among three nine-hole courses: Meadows, Preserve and Hatchett Creek. The courses were designed by Ted McAnlis and can be combined into different 18-hole rounds.

Has the Pelican Pointe golf course been renovated?

Yes. Meadows completed a major renovation in 2025, and the club announced completion of the Preserve renovation in October 2026. Hatchett Creek is scheduled for renovation in 2027, so buyers considering membership should verify the current project schedule and course availability directly with the club.

What amenities are included for Pelican Pointe residents?

The club states that resident social membership provides access to tennis, dedicated pickleball courts, a fitness center, the Junior Olympic-size swimming pool, dining and private social events. Golf privileges require a separate golf membership or other permitted golf access.

Does Pelican Pointe have a CDD fee?

Current community information commonly identifies Pelican Pointe as having no Community Development District assessment. Buyers should still review the specific property's current tax bill and association documents because HOA assessments, neighborhood assessments and other property-specific charges are separate issues.

Is Pelican Pointe a 55+ community?

Pelican Pointe is not presented by the club as an age-qualified 55+ community. Buyers specifically seeking age-restricted housing should compare it with communities whose governing documents establish a qualifying age restriction.

Where Is Pelican Pointe in Venice?

Pelican Pointe is located east of Venice Island in Sarasota County. The community is positioned near Center Road, giving residents convenient access to everyday shopping and services while remaining within the broader Venice area.

This location distinguishes Pelican Pointe from newer communities farther south around Wellen Park. Buyers can live in an established golf neighborhood while remaining convenient to historic Downtown Venice, Venice Island and Gulf beaches.

Buyers comparing the wider area can also review Hunt Brothers Realty's guide to the best golf communities in Venice.

What Is Pelican Pointe Like?

Pelican Pointe is a gated, master-planned residential community built around golf, lakes, wetlands and preserve areas. The official club description identifies the overall property as approximately 1,000 acres.

The community was developed by Sam Rodgers and contains approximately 1,355 homesites and villas. Because development occurred over multiple phases, buyers encounter a more established landscape and housing stock than in many newer Venice-area master-planned communities.

Lakes and wetlands are important elements of the community design. The club reports that many residences have water views, while other homes may face golf, preserve or landscaped settings. A particular view should always be verified from the individual property.

What Types of Homes Are in Pelican Pointe?

Pelican Pointe includes both detached single-family homes and villa-style residences. This creates more housing variety than a community built around only one product type.

Individual properties can differ substantially in size, floor plan, garage configuration, private pool, renovation history and maintenance responsibilities. Some homes are positioned along the golf course, while others overlook lakes, preserve areas or neighboring residences.

Are there maintenance-assisted homes in Pelican Pointe?

Yes. Certain neighborhoods and villa properties have association-maintained services that can reduce an owner's exterior maintenance responsibilities. However, the exact maintenance package is neighborhood-specific and should be confirmed from current association documents for the individual property.

Are all Pelican Pointe homes governed by the same HOA?

No. The official resident information identifies a master homeowners association along with individual neighborhood associations. The master association includes representation from the neighborhoods and handles functions such as security, common-area maintenance, wetlands and ponds, plus community architectural and landscaping standards.

Neighborhood associations differ in size, services and responsibilities. That makes it important to identify exactly which association or associations apply to the home being considered.

What Is the Golf Like at Pelican Pointe?

Golf is one of Pelican Pointe's defining features. The club has 27 holes designed by Ted McAnlis, organized into three separate nine-hole layouts:

Meadows
Preserve
Hatchett Creek

The three-nine configuration allows golfers to play different 18-hole combinations rather than repeating one fixed 18-hole routing. Lakes, wetlands and natural preserve areas are incorporated into the course environment.

Pelican Pointe's current membership information states that the 27 holes offer 10 sets of rated tees, creating options for golfers with different playing abilities.

What Has Been Renovated on the Golf Course?

Pelican Pointe is in the middle of a multi-year golf improvement program, and the status changed materially during 2026.

Meadows renovation

The club reports that Meadows completed renovation in 2025. Improvements included Platinum TE Paspalum greens, reshaped bunkers with new sand, new forward tees and irrigation upgrades.

Preserve renovation

Preserve underwent its renovation during 2026. The club announced in October 2026 that the project had been completed, giving Pelican Pointe 18 renovated holes.

The Preserve project included new putting surfaces, revised green contours, expanded teeing areas and a redesigned practice green and chipping complex.

What happens to Hatchett Creek?

Hatchett Creek is scheduled for renovation in 2027 as the next phase of the club's golf investment program. Construction schedules and course availability can change, so golfers considering a home purchase or membership should obtain the latest schedule directly from the club.

What Practice Facilities Are Available?

Pelican Pointe substantially updated its practice facility in 2025. Current official information identifies:

25 turf-grass hitting stations
Approximately 8,000-square-foot putting green
Separate chipping and pitching green
Greenside practice bunker

Golf clinics and individual instruction are also available through club professionals, subject to current scheduling and fees.

Is Golf Membership Required at Pelican Pointe?

No, buying a Pelican Pointe home does not automatically require a golf membership. This is one of the most important distinctions for buyers comparing Venice golf communities.

The residential community, resident social membership and golf membership should be viewed as related but separate components. A buyer can own a home in Pelican Pointe without purchasing the club's full golf membership.

This differs from a requisite-membership community where purchasing a qualifying home triggers a required club membership, and it differs from bundled-golf communities where golf privileges are attached to qualifying residences.

How Much Is a Pelican Pointe Golf Membership?

As of November 2026, Pelican Pointe's published membership information advertises 2026 Gateway golf memberships with a $4,500 initiation fee.

The club also currently states that its non-equity membership program has no food-and-beverage minimum and no member capital or operating assessments. It indicates that refundable membership options are available as well.

Those are current club terms, not permanent property rights. The club also states that initiation fees will increase, so buyers should not use today's published amount as a future membership assumption. Obtain the current membership agreement, initiation charge, dues schedule, privileges and availability directly from Pelican Pointe before making a purchasing decision.

Is Pelican Pointe a Private or Semi-Private Golf Club?

Pelican Pointe currently describes itself as a semi-private golf facility, but its membership program is evolving.

The club states that it has initiated a membership process intended to transition from semi-private toward private status. Current information still supports nonmember play, but access policies can change as membership grows.

Buyers who consider nonmember golf access important should therefore verify the current policy directly with the club rather than assume today's semi-private structure will remain unchanged.

What Does the Resident Social Membership Include?

All Pelican Pointe residents are entitled to a social membership at the club. According to the official resident social membership information, privileges currently include access to:

Junior Olympic-size swimming pool
Fitness center
Tennis courts
Dedicated pickleball courts
Club dining
Private social events and activities

The club currently reports two tennis courts and four dedicated pickleball courts, with the dedicated pickleball facilities opening in 2026. Additional overflow pickleball play is available on tennis courts according to current club information.

What Is the Pelican Pointe Clubhouse Like?

The 22,000-square-foot clubhouse functions as the social center of Pelican Pointe. Current club information identifies dining, social gatherings, golf events, private functions and community activities among its uses.

The social program extends beyond golf. Pelican Pointe's Women's Association, for example, currently reports more than 600 participating residents and more than 40 activity groups, events and service opportunities during its season.

For buyers who do not play golf, that broader recreational and social structure is an important part of evaluating the community.

How Do Pelican Pointe HOA Fees Work?

There is not one HOA number that should be assumed for every Pelican Pointe property.

The community uses a master association and multiple neighborhood associations. Current official resident information identifies neighborhoods including Links, Sanctuary, Villas, Reserve and Arbors, with association management divided among property-management companies.

The club states that homeowner fees include resident social membership, cable television and internet as staples. Additional services and maintenance responsibilities can vary by neighborhood and property type.

What should a buyer verify about HOA costs?

Master association assessment
Neighborhood association assessment
Exactly what each assessment includes
Lawn and landscape responsibilities
Irrigation responsibilities
Exterior maintenance obligations for villas
Cable and internet services
Reserve funding
Any current or approved special assessments
Rental, pet and architectural restrictions

Current assessments can change. Obtain the latest budgets, estoppel information and governing documents for the specific property rather than relying on an older listing or community-wide estimate.

Does Pelican Pointe Have a CDD?

Current property and community sources consistently identify Pelican Pointe as a community without a CDD assessment. That can distinguish it from many newer master-planned developments where Community Development District assessments appear on the property tax bill.

A lack of CDD does not mean a property has no community expenses. HOA assessments, club costs, taxes and property-specific ownership expenses remain separate considerations. Buyers should review the actual current tax bill and association records for the home they are considering.

What Should Buyers Inspect in a Pelican Pointe Home?

Pelican Pointe is an established community, which means two similarly priced homes can have very different renovation histories and major building components.

Property-specific evaluation may include:

Roof age, material and condition
HVAC equipment
Electrical systems
Plumbing
Windows, doors and storm protection
Private swimming pool and enclosure when applicable
Drainage and irrigation
Previous renovations and permits
Insurance-related construction characteristics

A remodeled kitchen or bathroom does not establish the condition of the roof, mechanical systems or other major components. Inspection findings should be evaluated with the appropriate licensed home inspector, contractor, engineer, pool professional or other qualified tradesperson before making a purchasing decision.

What About Golf Course Lots?

A golf-course location can provide open views, but buyers should consider more than the scenery. The exact position of a home relative to tees, greens, fairways and cart paths can affect privacy, golf-ball exposure, maintenance activity and the amount of golf traffic visible from the property.

Walk the exterior and outdoor living areas at the home itself rather than assuming all golf-front lots offer the same experience.

What Should Buyers Know About Flood Risk and Insurance?

Pelican Pointe contains lakes, ponds, wetlands and preserve areas, but those features do not establish the flood designation of an individual home.

Buyers should review current official flood mapping, elevation information when relevant and any lender flood-insurance requirements for the specific property. Flood-zone designation and hurricane evacuation planning are also different issues and should not be treated as interchangeable.

Homeowners insurance availability and premiums can vary based on the individual home's roof, age, construction, wind mitigation features, opening protection, claims history and other underwriting factors. Obtain property-specific insurance quotes and review coverage and deductibles with a qualified Florida insurance professional before purchasing.

Can You Rent a Home in Pelican Pointe?

Rental rights should be verified for the exact neighborhood and property. Pelican Pointe has multiple associations, and rules concerning minimum lease periods, frequency, tenant approval and other restrictions may differ or change over time.

Buyers planning to rent should obtain the current governing documents before relying on rental income or a particular leasing strategy. Questions about legal rental rights should be reviewed with an appropriate Florida real estate attorney when individualized guidance is needed.

How Does Pelican Pointe Compare With Other Venice Golf Communities?

Pelican Pointe's defining combination is an established gated residential community, 27-hole golf and optional golf membership.

That structure differs from several other Venice-area choices:

Plantation Golf & Country Club: Two 18-hole golf courses and a large selection of established housing, with club membership separate from residential ownership in documented neighborhoods.
The Venice Golf and Country Club: Private, member-owned club with a requisite membership structure tied more directly to residential ownership.
Sarasota National: Large Wellen Park-area community where Golf Village and Lake Village properties have different golf membership structures.
Wellen Park Golf & Country Club: Newer construction with bundled-golf residential offerings.
Venetian Golf & River Club: Gated North Venice community with residential and private-club considerations that should be evaluated separately.

For a broader comparison, see Hunt Brothers Realty's 2026 Venice golf community guide and Florida Gulf Coast golf community guide.

What Should Buyers Verify Before Purchasing in Pelican Pointe?

Pelican Pointe's multiple associations and separate club structure make property-specific due diligence particularly important. Before purchasing, verify:

Which master and neighborhood associations apply
Current HOA assessments
Exactly what each assessment covers
Current social membership privileges
Golf membership availability and costs if desired
Current golf renovation schedule
Rental restrictions
Pet restrictions
Architectural requirements
Lawn and exterior maintenance responsibilities
Property taxes and any non-ad valorem assessments
Flood information
Property-specific homeowners insurance
Condition and renovation history of the individual home

Who Might Consider Pelican Pointe?

Pelican Pointe may deserve a closer look when a buyer's priorities include:

An established gated Venice community
27-hole golf with multiple course combinations
Optional rather than automatically required golf membership
Single-family homes and villa choices
A resident social membership
Swimming, fitness, tennis and pickleball
An active clubhouse and social calendar
Lakes, wetlands and preserve settings
Convenient access to Downtown Venice and Gulf beaches
An established resale community rather than primarily new construction

Is Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club Worth Considering?

Pelican Pointe stands out among Venice golf communities because buyers can combine an established gated neighborhood and substantial social amenities with optional access to a 27-hole golf facility.

For golfers, the recent investment is particularly noteworthy. Meadows was renovated in 2025, Preserve completed its renovation in October 2026, and Hatchett Creek is scheduled to follow in 2027. The upgraded practice facilities add another dimension for frequent players.

For non-golfers, the optional golf structure matters just as much. Residents can participate in the community's social, swimming, fitness, tennis, pickleball and dining environment without automatically purchasing a full golf membership.

The key is to evaluate the exact home and neighborhood association rather than treating every Pelican Pointe property as financially identical.

Explore Pelican Pointe and Venice Golf Communities

Hunt Brothers Realty can help buyers compare Pelican Pointe homes with other Venice golf communities based on home style, golf access, membership structure, HOA costs, amenities and property-specific ownership considerations.

Read the Hunt Brothers Realty Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club guide, compare the best golf communities in Venice, explore Florida Gulf Coast communities, or contact Hunt Brothers Realty to discuss current Venice properties.

Informational notice: This guide provides general real estate and educational information only. Golf memberships, initiation fees, dues, club access, HOA assessments, association services, rental and pet rules, insurance, flood information, taxes and property conditions can change and may differ by property. Buyers should obtain current association documents and verify club terms directly with Pelican Pointe before making a purchasing decision. Questions involving contracts, title, association rights or other legal matters should be reviewed with a qualified Florida real estate attorney or appropriate title professional. Insurance should be reviewed with a qualified insurance professional, financing with a lender, tax matters with a qualified tax professional, and property condition with the appropriate licensed inspector, contractor, engineer or other qualified professional.