Inside Calusa Country Club With Diano Benallo (Lakewood Ranch’s Newest Golf Community)
This week I took you inside Calusa Country Club, one of the newest golf and country club communities here in Lakewood Ranch — and if you didn’t catch the video, I wanted to break it all down here too, numbers and all.
What makes Calusa different
Calusa isn’t just a neighborhood that happens to have a golf course on it — it’s a neighborhood built inside the country club. Golf, dining, fitness, pickleball, tennis, the pool, and the whole social side of the club are all part of daily life here, not an afterthought bolted onto a subdivision.
The golf
This is one of the biggest draws to Calusa, and there’s a lot to like. You’ve got two separate golf courses, both designed by Gordon Lewis:
An 18-hole championship course, par 72, playing over 7,300 yards from the back tees, with multiple tee options so it’s playable for different skill levels
A unique 12-hole championship course with par 3s, 4s, and 5s — you still get that full 18-hole feel, just in less time
It’s not just for golfers
Calusa is designed around a full resort and country club lifestyle, so even if you never pick up a club, there’s plenty here. The community has plans for multiple dining and social spots, including restaurants, a bourbon bar, a golf simulator lounge, and poolside dining. There’s also a full-service spa on the way with massages, facials, a nail salon, and a sauna.
Home options and pricing
Calusa has seven different residential collections, ranging from condos up to larger single-family homes. Here’s a sample of what’s currently available:
Terrace Condominiums — starting around $300,000, roughly 2 bed / 2 bath with a carport
The Somerville II — 3 bed / 3 bath plus a den, 3-car garage, about 2,400 sq ft, base price around $740K, HOA around $560/month, CDD fee close to $3,000
The Bougainvillea — 3 bed / 3 bath plus a den, 2.5-car garage, about 2,800 sq ft, base price around $930K, HOA around $565/month, CDD fee around $3,100
The Maria — 3-4 bed / 3 bath, 2-car garage, about 2,200 sq ft, base price around $670K, HOA around $557/month, CDD fee around $2,300
And keep in mind, each of these also carries other one-time fees collected at closing.
Don’t just look at the purchase price
This is the part I really want buyers to understand: the purchase price is only one piece of the puzzle. You also need to factor in the HOA, special assessments, property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, and possibly additional golf or club-related expenses depending on the home. The HOA varies depending on which collection you buy into, so it’s worth knowing exactly what you’re signing up for before you fall in love with a floor plan.
What you’re actually paying for
Those fees buy you into a maintained country club community, with amenities based on the membership attached to your home — think the resort-style pool, fitness and wellness facilities, tennis, pickleball, the clubhouse, dining, and community activities. Lakewood Ranch also advertises maintained lawns here, which is a nice perk if you want a more low-maintenance, lock-and-leave Florida lifestyle. Just know that exact services can vary by collection, so always verify what’s included for the specific home you’re considering.
Golf membership vs. social membership
Homes at Calusa come bundled with either a golf membership or a social membership, and these are not the same thing:
A social membership gives you access to the resort and social side of the community
A golf membership adds access to the golf facilities and both courses
Before you buy, verify exactly which membership comes attached to that particular home.
Who is Calusa a good fit for?
If you want that country club lifestyle and you know you’ll actually use the golf, restaurants, pool, fitness center, pickleball, tennis, and the social scene — there’s a lot to love here. I also really like the range of housing options: you can go as low-maintenance as a condo or villa, or size up into a larger home, all without leaving the community.
The biggest thing to weigh is cost. If you’re not going to use most of the amenities or the golf facilities, there may be other Lakewood Ranch communities where you’re not paying for features you won’t use.
Bottom line
Calusa Country Club has homes starting around $300,000 and going well above $1 million, two very different golf courses, and one of the more extensive country club amenity packages in the area.
Want the full HOA and cost breakdown by collection? Request it here and I’ll send over the pamphlet I put together with all the numbers.
If you’re considering Calusa — or trying to decide between Calusa and another Lakewood Ranch community — reach out. I’m happy to help you compare the numbers and figure out what actually makes sense for you.
This post is for general informational purposes and isn’t intended as legal, financial, or tax advice. Figures are estimates as of publication and subject to change — always confirm current numbers with the community’s official HOA and disclosure documents. Always consult the appropriate professional for your specific situation. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Have questions about buying or selling in Lakewood Ranch? I’m here to help, whenever you’re ready.
I’m Diano Benallo with Michael Saunders & Company. Call or text me at 941-730-1900, email me at DianoBenallo@MichaelSaunders.com, or visit LakewoodRanchFloridaHomes.com to get started.
