Living in Tara Golf & Country Club, Bradenton: What to Know Before Buying
- John Belt
- Jun 25
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 8
If you’re searching for a golf community in Bradenton that doesn’t require a seven-figure budget, Tara Golf & Country Club deserves a serious look. With 36 holes across two courses, six on-site dining venues, and homes starting under $150K for condos, Tara delivers a country club lifestyle at a price point that’s hard to match on Florida’s Gulf Coast. But there are trade-offs—mandatory membership fees, an ungated entrance, and inland geography among them. Here’s what I tell my clients before they schedule a showing.
Where Tara Is and Why Location Matters
Tara sits in east Bradenton, tucked west of I-75 and south of State Road 70. The entrance on Tara Boulevard puts you less than a mile from I-75 at Exit 217—a detail that matters every time you need to head north toward Tampa or south toward Sarasota. That interchange access is one of the fastest in the Bradenton corridor.
Day-to-day driving looks like this: downtown Bradenton is 15–20 minutes west. Sarasota’s downtown is roughly 30 minutes south. If you work near University Town Center—the shopping and employment hub off I-75 and University Parkway—you’re about 15 minutes away. SRQ airport is approximately 20 minutes, which makes Tara practical for frequent travelers.
The trade-off is beach distance. Anna Maria Island runs about 25–26 minutes by car. Longboat Key is similar at roughly 25 minutes. Siesta Key stretches to about 35 minutes. You’re not beachfront, and you’re not pretending to be. But if your priority is golf over sand, the math works in Tara’s favor.
What the Community Looks Like
Tara encompasses approximately 2,070 homes split across two distinct sections. The original Tara Golf & Country Club—sometimes called Phase I or simply TGCC—contains about 1,023 properties. The Preserve at Tara, developed later as Phase II, adds another 1,046 homes. They share the Tara name and the Tara Boulevard entrance, but they operate under different rules, different fee structures, and different course arrangements. Understanding that distinction is essential before you write an offer.
Development began in 1989, and yes—the name draws from Gone with the Wind. The TGCC side leans into that theme with southern plantation-style architecture: columns, covered porches, brick accents. The Preserve side shifted to Mediterranean influences: barrel-tile roofs, stucco exteriors, arched entries. Builders on the original side include Arthur Rutenberg and Lee Wetherington—names that carry weight in the Manatee County resale market.
Two things buyers frequently get wrong about Tara. First, it is not gated. The palm-lined Tara Boulevard entrance is open, and there’s no staffed guardhouse or access control. Second, Tara is not formally age-restricted. Despite some third-party listing sites categorizing it as a 55+ community, there is no deed restriction requiring a minimum age. Families with school-age children, working professionals, and retirees all live here.
The Golf—Two Courses, 36 Holes
Here’s where Tara separates itself from most communities in this price range: 36 holes of golf on two distinct courses.
The TGCC course is an 18-hole, par-72 layout originally designed by Ted McAnlis in 1989 and renovated by Ron Garl in 2009. From the back tees, it plays 6,904 yards with a course rating of 73.1 and a slope of 137—challenging enough to keep a single-digit handicap honest without punishing higher-handicap players from the forward tees. The club has been private and member-owned as an equity club since 1997. Membership is bundled with property ownership on the TGCC side, meaning 875 of the 1,023 properties carry mandatory club membership tied to the deed. The club caps golf memberships at 800, which keeps pace of play manageable.
The Preserve Golf Club operates its own separate 18-hole course, also designed by Ted McAnlis. This course runs semi-private—residents can play, but it’s also open to outside play. If you buy on the Preserve side, you’re not locked into mandatory club membership the way TGCC owners are.
What You’ll Pay—Homes and Fees
Tara’s pricing spans a wide range, which is part of its appeal. At the entry level, condos run from roughly $145K to $380K, with sizes between 1,004 and 1,659 square feet. Single-family homes range from about $445K to $900K, spanning 1,491 to 3,157 square feet. The community-wide average sold price sits around $353K, with an average price per square foot of approximately $162.
Now for the fee structure—and this is where buyers need to pay close attention, because Tara layers multiple obligations. Every homeowner pays the Tara Master Association (TMA) fee of approximately $695 per year. On the TGCC side, mandatory club dues run between $2,769 per year for social membership and $5,055–$5,682 per year for full golf membership, plus a $60 per month food & beverage minimum. Most sub-neighborhoods carry their own HOA on top of that, ranging from $87 to $3,243 per year. If you’re buying on the Preserve side, add a CDD assessment of $399–$1,530 per year.
Here’s what I tell my clients: add up every layer before you decide what you can afford. A $350K home with $6,500 in annual club dues, $695 in master HOA, $1,200 in sub-HOA, and property taxes can carry a very different monthly cost than the mortgage alone suggests.
Schools in the Tara Area
Tara Elementary is the clear standout. It carries a 9 out of 10 rating on GreatSchools, holds an A rating from the state, and ranks in the top 10% of Florida elementary schools. Braden River Middle School pulls a 4 out of 10—solidly average. Braden River High School rates a 5 out of 10 with a 91% graduation rate and sits just 1.4 miles from the community. The gap between an elite elementary school and middling secondary schools is worth factoring into your decision.
The Honest Pros and Cons
What works in Tara’s favor: affordable entry for a golf community with 36 holes and six dining venues at a median price under $360K. Two courses in different formats. An active social calendar with dining, leagues, and events. An excellent elementary school rated 9/10. Housing variety from $150K condos to $900K estates. And equity membership bundled with the deed—no separate initiation fee.
What to weigh carefully: not gated, with an open entrance. SR 70 traffic at the community entrance is heavy during peak hours. Beaches are 25–40 minutes away. Middle and high school ratings are average. Mandatory club membership on the TGCC side whether you use it or not. And a complex multi-layer fee structure that requires careful budgeting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Tara Golf & Country Club
If you own a home in Tara Golf & Country Club, get your free home valuation to find out its current market value.
Is Tara Golf & Country Club a 55+ community?
No. Despite some listing sites categorizing it as 55+, Tara has no formal age restriction in its deed covenants. Families with children, working professionals, and retirees all live in the community.
Is Tara a gated community?
No. Tara is non-gated. The main entrance on Tara Boulevard off SR 70 is open to through traffic. There is no staffed guardhouse, no key fob, and no resident sticker system.
How much are golf membership dues at Tara?
Full golf membership runs approximately $5,055–$5,682 per year. Social membership is about $2,769 per year. Both tiers carry a $60 per month food & beverage minimum. On the TGCC side, membership is bundled with property ownership and transfers with the deed.
What’s the difference between Tara Golf & Country Club and The Preserve at Tara?
TGCC (Phase I) includes about 1,023 homes with mandatory country club membership and a private 18-hole course. The Preserve (Phase II) has about 1,046 homes with its own semi-private course and CDD assessment, but no mandatory club membership. Architecture differs too: southern plantation style on TGCC, Mediterranean on The Preserve.
How far is Tara from the beach?
Anna Maria Island is about 25–26 minutes by car. Longboat Key runs roughly 25 minutes. Siesta Key is approximately 35 minutes. During peak season, add 10–15 minutes for bridge and beach traffic.