When I play a golf course for the first time, I ask myself, “Could I play this track every day?”
Soleta Golf Club is a new Nick Price-design winding through pristine sandy ‘scrubland’ 20 miles east of Sarasota. While I had doubts along the way, Soleta is the ideal course to play multiple times a week and to call home.
Each hole at Soleta Golf Club is a challenge with no ‘breathers’ or easy holes sprinkled in. However, the fairways are generous, and Price left clear paths to every green complex.
Strategic golfers will score well at Soleta. Keep your ball on the short grass, and avoid hazards, though the whole course is fairway and then waste areas. There is no rough at Soleta Golf Club, and the water hazards do not intrude on the routing.
Nick Price designed Soleta Golf Club
All the greens at Soleta Golf Club offer a run-up option, a nod to the Open Championship Price won at Turnberry during his Hall of Fame career and the best way to play Soleta in the wind. And in this part of Florida, the wind is ever-present.
Soleta Golf Club is in terrific condition only 11 months after breaking ground. They moved a lot of sand, but it was worth it. The greens played firm and fast and received approach shots far better than expected. The bunkers have a lot of sand in them but will correct naturally with time and settling.
Soleta is a unique, visually pleasing golf course that can be tricked up for the best golfers yet remain enjoyable for the casual golfer. Sounds like a great place to play every day, right?
Transitions
Golf architecture is often lost on me. I struggle to see the big picture and can easily miss the designer’s intent. I understand design elegance when explained, but rarely when I play.
However, the paths between holes always interest me. My absolute favorite is when the green aprons roll onto the next tee, though that is more realistic on classic, manicured golf courses. Soleta is rugged and more links-like.
Still, I am always curious how architects use this transition space. Too frugal, and a golf course can feel restricted and even dangerous. Too spacious, and the layout feels disjointed, and the round can meander. If I use a ‘Three Bears’ metaphor, Price’s clever routing is just right.
Soleta is a pleasant stroll without any extended ‘walkbacks.’ The big tee complexes subtly extend each hole’s length while adding width and approach angles. Soleta does not feel like two different courses, as can be the case when the distances between tees get stretched to challenge long-ball hitters.
The back tees are 7,411 yards, though the distance for any of the eight color-coded tee options quickly loses importance when you realize what Price envisioned for Soleta. He calls them ‘free-form tees’ and encourages a ‘Create Your Own Golf Course’ vibe.
Best Holes at Soleta
Dean Bidwell shaped Soleta, and I chatted with him before playing. He suggested a few holes he was especially proud of.
The Par-4 9th seemed longer (465/408/329 yards), playing uphill off the tee and then downhill to the green. A gentle dog leg around an extended sand area offers tempting carry options to shorten the hole. The green has two distinct pin complexes, front or back, with a ridge across the putting surface.
The slightly shorter Par-4 10th (467/398/321 yards) is the Yang to the Yin of the 9th green. A spine bisects the two sides of the green. Hit the correct side of the green, or a 3-putt or more becomes possible.
The Par-3 16th (235/180/149 yards) appears slightly above the tee complex. Well protected on either side, the pin was tucked in the left back-center. I tried to run a punch shot through the generous open front but found the front left bunker. Like most greens at Soleta, there are many pinning options.
The best players will be tested at Soleta. Price built very large, free-form tees with a dual purpose: A variety of tee options for low handicappers, and the high handicap golfer can avoid any forced carries and clear avenues to the fairways and putting surfaces. Not an easy feat, though Price executed deftly.
I love a short par-4, and the 17th is a fine one. This was the only hole not birdied on the Member’s opening day a few weeks earlier. The course record 66 was set, so this hole can defend itself.
The hole plays around 300 yards, so fade a tee shot down the left side of the narrow fairway to avoid the lonesome tree on the right guarding a water hazard. A short wedge in seems like this hole is gettable, but not with a pin in the front. No breather here.
Performance Center by David Leadbetter
Lastly, the Performance Center, designed by David Leadbetter, will be a vast indoor/outdoor facility with every tool imaginable to improve your game; clubfitting, simulators, a putting studio, and a state-of-the-art biomechanics lab.
At the moment, TopTracer Range is available. Alan Pope, the Membership Director, encouraged me to download the app to my phone. This computerized gaming system shows distance data and trajectory for every shot and stored it on my phone. There are games and modes suited for all ages. Pounding range balls at the ‘Rock Pile’ has come a long way.
Every serious golfer wants these new technologies at their club. And Soleta will no doubt stay in front of the latest and greatest golf tools as they become available.
This ‘Practice Playground’ will keep everybody entertained and challenged regardless of where they are on their golf journey. Perfect for a quick-fix golf therapy session to tide junkies over until their next proper round or when faced with limited time or weather that will close other golf clubs. Soleta will always be open.
When the clubhouse is completed, Soleta members and their guests will have a perch to view the 9th and 18th greens and undisturbed surroundings.
A comfort station or Fish Camp with river views will offer options for dining or drinks and a destination after a hike along the Myakka River.
Soleta feels like an escape or a unique adventure. Only two holes will have homes in view and are far removed from the golf course. Atypical for a Florida golf course, though appealing for everyday play.
Soleta Golf Club is a Gem
Soleta will be compared to nearby Streamsong and Cabot Citrus Farms, both top-ranked destination golf resorts built in the sands of the Sunshine State. And it should be; comparisons are inevitable with the quality and vision for this project. Though Soleta is closer to the desirable attractions of Sarasota, and a lucky few will call Soleta their home course.
Soleta Golf Club is a gem.
Me on the Range
This is a picture Mike Lang of SHT took of me on the range at Soleta Golf Club. I don’t know Mike, and I found the picture when he included it in an article published the next day in the Sarasota Herald Tribune. I got a few texts alerting me.
Since Duranko Golf is my Independent Golf Sales Rep page, here is my gear list..
Collars & Co. The Orignal Dress Collar Polo – Lavender & Navy Three Stripe Grid with Semi Spread Collar.
SParms Sun Sleeves – White Connected Sleeves or Shoulder Wrap
Tracer Golf Glove – White with blue trim
Oars + Alps Sun Protection Essentials – Everyday Lotion SPF 50, Sunny Mint Lip Balm SPF 18, then after Golf, Cooling + Cleansing Wipes followed by After Sun Lotion.
Uswing Mojing Sunglasses – Eagle 001 Frosted Gold
Thank you Mike Lang at Sarasota Herald Tribune for the pix.