Sawgrass: Golf-Course Living in a Gated Venice Community

by Hunt Brothers Realty

Sawgrass is an established gated community in Venice, Florida, with just over 550 homes surrounded by golf fairways, lakes, preserves and mature landscaping. Development began in the late 1990s, creating a neighborhood of primarily detached single-family homes with golf-course, water or preserve views at selected properties. Residents have a clubhouse, fitness center, resort-style pool, pickleball and access to tennis, while the adjacent Waterford Golf Club provides 27 holes with optional membership and public-access play. Sawgrass has no CDD, and golf membership is not required with homeownership, two distinctions that are especially important for buyers comparing Venice golf communities.

Quick Answers About Sawgrass in Venice

Where Is Sawgrass in Venice?

Sawgrass is located off Auburn Road in Venice, Florida 34292. The official community association places Sawgrass approximately 3.9 miles from downtown Venice and 4.5 miles from Venice Beach, giving residents access to golf-oriented living without moving far from central Venice.

Is Sawgrass a Gated Community?

Yes. Sawgrass is a gated, deed-restricted residential community. Current property records also reference gate security and buyer approval requirements, although residents should verify current gate staffing and access procedures with the association.

How Many Homes Are in Sawgrass?

The Sawgrass Community Association describes the neighborhood as having just over 550 homes. Historical development records indicate the community was originally planned for approximately 568 homesites.

Does Buying in Sawgrass Include Golf Membership?

No. Golf membership is separate from Sawgrass homeownership. The community borders the Waterford/Sawgrass golf layout, but homeowners are not required to purchase a golf membership simply because they own property in Sawgrass.

Does Sawgrass Have a CDD?

No. The official Sawgrass Community Association specifically states that the neighborhood does not have CDD fees. Buyers should still review the individual property's tax bill for any other non-ad valorem assessments.

What Amenities Does Sawgrass Have?

Sawgrass residents have access to a clubhouse, card and meeting rooms, fitness center, resort-style swimming pool, pickleball and tennis access. The community also contains lakes, wetlands and natural preserve areas.

Is Sawgrass a 55+ Community?

No. Current property records do not identify Sawgrass as a legally age-restricted 55+ community.

How Much Are HOA Fees in Sawgrass?

A current October 2026 listing reports an annual Sawgrass HOA assessment of $2,382, equal to approximately $198.50 per month. Fees can change, so buyers should verify the current assessment, budget and any property-specific obligations before purchasing.

What Kind of Community Is Sawgrass?

Sawgrass combines a gated residential neighborhood with the visual character of a golf-course community, but its structure differs from a bundled-golf or mandatory-membership country club.

The residential association maintains its own common areas and recreational facilities. The neighboring golf operation is separate. That arrangement allows homeowners to enjoy fairway scenery at selected properties without automatically assuming the financial obligations of golf membership.

This distinction is worth understanding before comparing Sawgrass with other communities in the Hunt Brothers Realty guide to the best golf communities in Venice. Golf access, residential fees and membership obligations vary substantially among Venice neighborhoods.

Is Sawgrass Part of Waterford?

No. Sawgrass and Waterford should not be treated as the same residential community. Sawgrass has its own homeowners association, governing documents, amenities and residential fee structure.

The connection comes from golf. The Waterford Golf Club's 27-hole facility contains three nine-hole layouts named Gleneagles, Turnberry and Sawgrass. Portions of the Sawgrass nine wind through the Sawgrass residential landscape, which is why homes in the neighborhood can have golf-course views.

Waterford itself is a separate residential community with approximately 640 homes across multiple neighborhoods and its own master owners association. Buyers comparing the two should review the association structure of each rather than assuming a Waterford fee or rule applies to Sawgrass.

What Is Golf Like Around Sawgrass?

Waterford Golf Club provides 27 holes divided into three nine-hole layouts: Gleneagles, Turnberry and Sawgrass. Different pairings allow golfers to play multiple 18-hole combinations rather than repeating one fixed routing.

Golf in Venice currently operates Waterford as a semi-private facility. Public golfers can book play under the club's current policies, while memberships are also available separately.

Practice facilities include a driving range and putting green. Current golf access, membership availability, dues, cart or trail fees, tee-time privileges and public rates can change, so golfers should verify those details directly with Golf in Venice.

For additional public-access options, see Hunt Brothers Realty's guide to public golf courses in Venice and the guide to golf courses near Venice Beach.

Is Golf Membership Required in Sawgrass?

No. A buyer can own a home in Sawgrass without purchasing a golf membership.

This creates a meaningful difference from communities where private-club membership is integrated with residential ownership. A Sawgrass buyer can value the fairway setting, gated streets and residential amenities without necessarily budgeting for annual golf membership.

Golfers who do want regular access can evaluate Waterford's current membership choices independently from the home purchase. Membership terms, availability and pricing should be confirmed directly with the club before a buyer relies on them in a purchasing decision.

When Was Sawgrass Developed?

Development of Sawgrass began in the late 1990s. Historical development sources report that the community was originally platted for approximately 568 homesites in 1997.

Taylor Woodrow was involved in the original development, followed by builders including J & J Homes and Waterford Builders. Neal Communities acquired 79 remaining homesites in 2010 and introduced additional floor plans during the later phases of construction.

As a result, Sawgrass does not consist of one builder, one construction year or one identical collection of floor plans. Buyers can encounter homes from different development phases spanning roughly two decades.

What Are Sawgrass Homes Like?

Sawgrass is primarily a detached single-family home community. Current property records show many one-story residences with block and stucco construction, tile roofs, attached garages and screened outdoor living areas.

The variety of builders and construction periods produces more architectural and floor-plan diversity than buyers might expect from a gated planned community.

How Large Are Homes in Sawgrass?

Current and recent 2026 properties illustrate the range. A home at 737 Misty Pine Drive offers approximately 1,862 square feet, while 679 Sawgrass Bridge Road provides approximately 2,674 square feet. A current residence at 692 Egret Walk Lane offers more than 3,200 square feet.

These examples should not be treated as minimum or maximum community dimensions, but they demonstrate that Sawgrass includes both more manageable floor plans and substantially larger residences.

Do Sawgrass Homes Have Private Pools?

Many homes have private screened pools, but a private pool is not universal. Buyers who choose a home without one still have access to the community swimming pool through the residential association.

Do Sawgrass Homes Have Two-Car or Three-Car Garages?

Both configurations can be found. Two-car garages are common, while larger homes and selected Neal Communities designs have three-car garages. A former Oakmont model at 543 Sawgrass Bridge Road, for example, has a three-car garage.

What Views Can Homes in Sawgrass Have?

One of Sawgrass's distinguishing characteristics is the range of open-space settings found behind individual homes. Depending on the lot, buyers may find views of golf fairways, lakes, ponds, preserves or landscaped areas.

A 2026 sale at 539 Sawgrass Bridge Road, for example, documented both golf-course and lake views. Other current properties are positioned beside conservation areas rather than fairways.

Not every Sawgrass home has a golf or water view. Buyers who consider the setting important should evaluate the specific lot and verify what lies beyond the property boundary.

What Should Buyers Consider With a Golf-Course Lot?

A golf-course view can create additional openness behind a home, but buyers should evaluate more than the scenery. Consider the home's position relative to tees, fairways and greens, potential golf-ball exposure, maintenance activity, golfer traffic, vegetation and the orientation of outdoor living areas.

Buyers should also avoid assuming that the residential HOA controls golf-course operations. The Sawgrass association specifically describes the neighborhood as enjoying golf-course views without the responsibilities of course ownership.

What Natural Areas Are in Sawgrass?

The Sawgrass Community Association emphasizes natural preserves, ponds, wetlands and wildlife as part of the neighborhood's landscape. Historical development information identifies approximately 54 acres of lakes and natural preserve areas within the larger community setting.

The association also notes its responsibility for maintaining ponds, wetlands, preserves and common areas in compliance with applicable permitting requirements involving Sarasota County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

These natural features contribute to Sawgrass's established landscape, but individual lots differ. Buyers should verify any conservation boundary, easement or use restriction affecting a specific property through the appropriate survey, title documents and governmental records.

What Amenities Are Included With Sawgrass Homeownership?

Sawgrass provides substantial residential amenities even for homeowners who never join the golf club. The official community association currently identifies:

Gated community access
Community clubhouse
Card and meeting rooms
Fitness center
Resort-style community swimming pool
Pickleball courts
Access to tennis
Landscaped common areas
Lakes and ponds
Natural preserve areas

The association also maintains an active community calendar. Buyers interested in particular programs, court access or guest policies should confirm current operating rules directly with the association.

How Much Are Sawgrass HOA Fees in 2026?

A current October 2026 listing at 679 Sawgrass Bridge Road reports an annual homeowners association assessment of $2,382, equivalent to approximately $198.50 per month.

The same current property record identifies services including common-area taxes, grounds maintenance, management, pool maintenance, recreational facilities and security.

The amount is useful as a current example, not a permanent guarantee. Association budgets, assessments and included services can change. Buyers should obtain the current budget, estoppel information when applicable, governing documents and information about any pending or approved assessments before purchasing.

Does Sawgrass Have CDD Fees?

No. The Sawgrass Community Association specifically identifies the neighborhood as having no CDD fees.

This is relevant when comparing Sawgrass with some newer communities where Community Development District assessments appear as non-ad valorem charges on property tax bills. No CDD does not mean a property has no taxes, HOA assessments or other ownership expenses.

Is Sawgrass a 55+ Community?

No. Current property records identify Sawgrass as an all-ages residential community rather than legally age-restricted housing.

Buyers should not infer an age restriction from the community's golf setting, clubhouse or recreational amenities.

Are Pets Allowed in Sawgrass?

Current 2026 property records identify cats and dogs as permitted, subject to association restrictions. The Sawgrass Community Association publishes current covenants and community-wide standards that buyers should review for any property-use or pet-related requirements.

Buyers with specific pet requirements should verify the current documents rather than relying solely on an individual listing's pet field.

Can Homes in Sawgrass Be Rented?

Leasing is subject to association restrictions, and current 2026 public listing information is not sufficiently consistent to state one universal minimum lease term. Some current and recent records report a three-month minimum, while another 2026 listing reports six months.

A buyer planning seasonal, investment or future rental use should obtain the current Sawgrass declaration, amendments and leasing rules before purchasing. Current application procedures, ownership-period requirements, minimum terms and frequency limitations should be verified directly with the association.

Questions involving leasing rights or governing-document interpretation should be reviewed with a qualified Florida real estate attorney when individualized legal guidance is needed. Tax and financing consequences should be discussed with the appropriate tax or lending professional.

What Should Buyers Know About Flood Zones in Sawgrass?

A current 2026 property at 679 Sawgrass Bridge Road reports FEMA Flood Zone X. Other Sawgrass properties have also been marketed with Zone X designations, but buyers should not generalize one property's flood information to the entire community.

Sawgrass contains lakes, stormwater systems, wetlands and different elevations. The current FEMA designation and any elevation information should therefore be checked for the exact property.

Insurance availability, coverage, deductibles and premiums can vary substantially by home. Buyers should obtain property-specific homeowners and flood insurance quotes and review coverage with a qualified Florida insurance professional before making a purchasing decision.

How Close Is Sawgrass to Downtown Venice and the Beach?

The official Sawgrass Community Association places the neighborhood approximately 3.9 miles from downtown Venice and 4.5 miles from Venice Beach.

That location helps distinguish Sawgrass from golf communities farther south around Wellen Park or farther north in the Nokomis area. Residents can live in a gated golf-course setting while remaining within driving distance of historic Downtown Venice, Venice Island, Gulf beaches, shopping and restaurants.

Actual travel times vary with route, traffic, bridge conditions and destination, so buyers should test the trips they expect to make regularly.

How Does Sawgrass Compare With Pelican Pointe?

Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club is another established gated Venice golf community, but its residential and club structure differs from Sawgrass.

Pelican Pointe contains approximately 1,355 homesites and villas around a 27-hole Ted McAnlis golf facility. Residents receive social membership through the residential structure, while golf is separate and optional.

Sawgrass is smaller, with just over 550 homes, and its residential HOA does not own the neighboring golf course. Both can work for buyers who want golf nearby without a mandatory golf membership, but the amenities, fees, home styles and club relationships should be compared directly.

How Does Sawgrass Compare With Venice Golf and Country Club?

The Venice Golf and Country Club provides a more integrated private-country-club ownership structure.

VGCC contains 587 single-family homes and operates as a private, member-owned club where membership is integrated with residential ownership. Its golf course, dining, tennis, aquatics, fitness and social facilities form part of the private club experience.

Sawgrass separates residential ownership from golf membership. That can make it particularly relevant for buyers who enjoy a golf-course setting but do not want mandatory private-club membership.

How Does Sawgrass Compare With Waterford?

Waterford is a separate deed-restricted residential community containing approximately 640 homes across 11 neighborhoods. Its residential amenities include a sports club complex with a Junior Olympic pool, spa, tennis, fitness facilities and other recreation.

Sawgrass has its own association and amenity center, while both communities interact visually with the 27-hole Waterford Golf Club environment.

For buyers, the practical comparison should include the individual home, HOA structure, maintenance obligations, recreational facilities, golf-course position and total recurring costs rather than treating Waterford and Sawgrass as one development.

How Does Sawgrass Compare With Golfvista?

Golfvista provides a condominium alternative for buyers who want an established Venice golf-course setting.

Golfvista consists of low-rise condominiums around the Capri Isles golf environment, while Sawgrass is primarily a detached single-family home community with private lots, garages and substantially larger residences.

The choice can therefore involve more than golf. Buyers should decide whether condominium ownership or a fee-simple detached home better fits their desired maintenance responsibilities, space and ownership structure.

What Should Buyers Inspect in a Sawgrass Home?

Sawgrass homes span multiple builders and construction periods beginning in the late 1990s. That makes property-specific inspection especially important.

Depending on the home's age and improvements, buyers may want to evaluate:

Roof age, condition and remaining useful life
HVAC equipment
Electrical systems
Plumbing materials and condition
Windows and exterior doors
Storm-protection features
Stucco and exterior finishes
Screen enclosure condition
Private pool and equipment when applicable
Drainage around the lot
Irrigation system
Prior renovations and permits when relevant

Inspection findings should be evaluated with the appropriate licensed home inspector, contractor, engineer or other qualified tradesperson before the buyer makes a property-specific decision.

What Should Buyers Verify Before Purchasing in Sawgrass?

A Sawgrass purchase involves both the condition of the home and the rules of an established homeowners association. Buyers should review current information rather than relying only on a listing description.

Important items can include:

Current HOA assessment
Current association budget and financial information
Pending or approved special assessments
Current covenants and amendments
Community-wide architectural standards
Leasing restrictions
Pet rules
Fence and exterior modification rules
Golf-cart rules
Flood-zone designation
Homeowners and flood insurance costs
Condition of the individual residence
Golf-course exposure for fairway lots
Current golf membership terms if golf is important to the purchase

Questions involving title, association rights, easements, leasing rights or other legal matters should be reviewed with a qualified Florida real estate attorney or other appropriate legal professional when individualized guidance is required.

Who Might Consider Sawgrass?

Sawgrass may deserve consideration for buyers whose priorities include:

A gated Venice community
Primarily detached single-family homes
Golf-course views at selected properties
Optional rather than mandatory golf membership
No CDD fees
A community swimming pool
Fitness facilities
Pickleball and tennis access
Lakes and preserve settings
Private pools at selected homes
Mature landscaping
Convenient access to downtown Venice and Gulf beaches

It may be less aligned with buyers who specifically want new construction, bundled golf, mandatory private-club membership, direct Gulf-front property or a legally age-restricted 55+ community.

Is Sawgrass Worth Considering for Golf-Course Living in Venice?

Sawgrass occupies an interesting position in the Venice golf-community market. It provides the scenery of a golf-oriented neighborhood without making golf membership part of the residential ownership requirement.

Its just-over-550-home scale, gated streets, mature landscaping, lakes, preserves, clubhouse, swimming pool, fitness center and racquet amenities create a substantial residential environment even for owners who never play golf.

Golfers can separately evaluate Waterford Golf Club's 27-hole facility, while non-golfers can concentrate on the home, lot and residential amenities. The lack of CDD fees is another structural distinction when comparing Sawgrass with some newer communities.

For any individual buyer, the decision should still come down to the specific home's condition, view, insurance costs, HOA obligations, flood information and total ownership expenses rather than the community name alone.

Explore Sawgrass and Venice Golf Communities With Hunt Brothers Realty

Hunt Brothers Realty can help buyers compare Sawgrass homes based on golf-course position, lake or preserve setting, floor plan, private pool, construction era, HOA obligations, insurance considerations and current availability.

Golf-oriented buyers can compare Sawgrass with Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club, The Venice Golf and Country Club and Golfvista.

For a wider comparison, read Best Golf Communities in Venice and Best Golf Communities on Florida's Gulf Coast. Buyers can also explore Florida Gulf Coast communities or contact Hunt Brothers Realty to discuss current Venice opportunities.

This article provides general real estate and educational information only and is not individualized legal, financial, tax, insurance, lending, inspection, engineering, construction, title, association or other professional advice. HOA assessments, association rules, golf access, membership terms, leasing policies, pet restrictions, flood information, insurance costs and individual property characteristics can change or vary. Buyers should obtain current property, association and club information and consult the appropriate licensed real estate professional, homeowners association, golf club, mortgage lender, insurance agent, home inspector, contractor, engineer, Florida real estate attorney, tax professional, title professional, surveyor or government authority before making decisions requiring individualized guidance.