December in Sarasota, FL: peak season for golf — great conditions and a wide playing window. Best tee times: mid-morning through early afternoon.
| Average December Weather | |
|---|---|
| Avg daily high | 73°F |
| Avg daily low | 60°F |
| Rainy days | 8 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 12.7 mph |
December sits in a useful sweet spot coming out of November and heading toward January — not the warmest month, but the driest by a clear margin. With only 8 precipitation days, it's the least interrupted month of the year for rounds in Sarasota. Highs average 73°F and lows 60°F, a 13-degree daily swing that means morning tee times call for an extra layer but afternoons settle into comfortable conditions. Peak wind sits at 12.7 mph, placing December as the 5th-windiest month, so club selection on exposed layouts along the bay will matter.
For golfers timing a trip around reliability, December delivers. The drop from November's 10 rain days to 8 is real and noticeable across a week-long visit. Temperatures have cooled enough that walking 18 in the afternoon is easy work, and the season-tier badge on this page reflects that: this is legitimately peak season, not just a marketing label.
With lows at 60°F, early morning slots before 8 AM can feel brisk on open fairways, so a mid-morning start around 9–10 AM captures warming air without surrendering afternoon tee availability. December's 8-day precip average is the lightest of the year, but the month still draws peak-season crowds, so booking at least 10–14 days out is advisable for weekend rounds at the more sought-after public tracks. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
Coming out of November, December drops 5°F on the average high (78°F down to 73°F) and sheds two precipitation days, making it meaningfully drier even if slightly cooler. Heading into January, the high falls another 4°F to 69°F, rain days climb back up to 10, and peak wind increases by 1 mph to 13.7 mph — so December is the cleaner, calmer window between the two. If the goal is fewest weather interruptions, December wins that comparison outright.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Sarasota, FL for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
← November in Sarasota, FL • January in Sarasota, FL →
December is one of the most dependable months to play, with only 8 precipitation days — the fewest of any month of the year. Highs reach 73°F and afternoons are comfortable for walking. The trade-off is that it's peak season, so courses are busier and tee times book up faster than in shoulder months like October.
Lows average 60°F, which means early morning rounds can feel cool, particularly on open or waterfront layouts where the 12.7 mph peak wind adds a chill. By mid-morning temperatures climb toward the 73°F average high, so most golfers find a light layer sufficient for the first few holes and unnecessary by the turn.