The Visitors Guide to Public Golfing in Naples Florida
Without question, Naples, Florida is one of the best golfing destinations in the world.
Golfing in Naples Florida features both challenging professional level courses to courses for the weekend golfer, and the year round great weather makes for an unparalleled experience.
While Naples prides itself on being a definitive “Golf Capital of the World” — and it has the courses to back it up — not all courses are publicly accessible.
So where does a Naples visitor go golfing? This Guide has you covered!
Make Naples your golfing destination and bring the family.
While you’re out on the links, there are plenty of things to do in Naples for your entire family.
Naples has some of the best beaches in Florida, and kayak, canoe, and jet ski rentals will keep your gang well occupied.
Naples Golf Courses — Which Course is Right for You?
There’s no doubt that golfing in Naples is some of the best in the world.
Before you head out, here are some working definitions to understand if you’re new to golfing in Naples Florida as a visitor.
Public Resort Courses — As the name implies, these are golf courses associated with a major resort that offer their guests access to their own course without requiring a club membership.
Public Community Courses — Community courses in Naples are golf courses built within a golf community development, which are open to the public.
Public Golf Courses — These public golf courses in Naples FL are open to the public without restrictions.
Golfing in Naples Florida is a highlight of any stay in southwest Florida
Public Golf Courses in Naples, FL — Table of Contents (Click to Jump Ahead)
Things to Know Before You Go Golfing in Naples
Public Resort Courses in Naples
Public Community Courses in Naples
Public Golf Courses in Naples FL
Golfing in Naples Florida
There is a course in Naples for everyone regardless of handicap or skill.
The greater Naples area has 92 golf courses — none of them are municipal courses, some are only for guests staying at a particular resort, some are open only to members of a club and their guests, but even so, many courses are available to the public.
Did you know that Naples golf courses have the second highest number of golf holes per capita in the country?
From Bonita Springs to Naples and on to Marco Island there is an amazing number of golf courses. And that’s a whole lot of holes!
Things to Know Before You Go Golfing in Naples
Weather
Undoubtedly most golfing enthusiasts choose the winter months for a Naples golf vacation.
The weather is so nice, golfing truly is a SWFL bucket list experience!
Winter in southwest Florida — November through April — is the “dry season” when daytime temperatures are mild and the humidity is low.
This is the time of year when courses get a bit crowded, so make your tee time well in advance of the day on which you plan to play.
Summer, May to October, is the “wet Season” when the weather can be quite hot and sticky with high humidity and afternoon thunderstorms.
The good news is that things become quieter in Naples in the summer, and the courses are no longer crowded.
This allows for tee times earlier in the day to beat the heat and the rain.
Plan Your Trip
Before you book your flight or make a road trip it’s always a good idea to check with the courses you plan to play to find out if they are hosting any special events.
With Naples being a mecca for golfers there are several PGA events that occur at different times of the year.
These events draw a lot of golfing enthusiasts to the area which may interfere with your plans.
Think in advance of things like where to stay, local restaurants in Naples, getting on the courses that you want, and available alternative courses.
Golf Clubs: Yours or Theirs
Most golfers prefer their own clubs.
Several visiting golfers have told us that they prefer to ship their clubs with UPS or FedEx to wherever they are staying.
This is much more convenient than having to lug your golf bag through the airport terminal, or having baggage handlers toss them around.
Your other choice is to rent clubs through the course that you’re planning to play.
Call ahead of time for rental options and availability.
Special Rates and Discounts
If you don’t see any discounts for the number in your party, or combos like green fees plus a golf cart on the golf courses’ website, call ahead and ask.
See if they are offering any deals with discounted rates, or a package rate because you plan to play the course for several days in a row.
There are several types of golf courses that are strictly determined by the level of access.
In a public /municipal course, access is granted to everyone. However, there are other courses which allow access.
For example, golfing magazine’s website identify courses as public, private, semi-private and resort course.
Fees for semi, private and resort course are usually significantly higher than public courses.
There are also access restrictions for semi and private courses. Each usually determine access by membership.
With resort courses, guests are allowed access and pay fees according to the resorts’ private rate.
Naples has some of the most beautiful courses in Florida
Public Resort Courses in Naples
Lely Resort - Mustang Golf Course
This challenging course was designed by World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Lee Trevino.
The Mustang course offers a fair challenge for the average golfer without being punishing for those out of bounds shots.
8004 Lely Resort Blvd, Naples, FL
Par 72
18 holes
7,217 yards
Course rating: 75
Slope rating: 141
Lely Resort - Flamingo Island Golf Course
Considered among the nation’s premier public courses and without question one of the best in Naples, the course was designed by famous golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
The course’s signature hole is the par 3, 200 yard hole #5.
The fairway is completely surrounded by water and only connected to the land by two small bridges.
8004 Lely Resort Blvd, Naples, FL
Par 72
7,171 yards
18 holes
Course rating: 74
Slope rating: 135
Tiburón Naples
Tiburon Golf Club features two Greg Norman-designed 18-hole golf courses, The Gold and The Black.
Tiburon is host to the LPGA CME Group Tour Championship and the PGA Tour’s Franklin Templeton Shootout, and is consistently rated among the top 20 golf facilities in Florida by Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine.
There are luxurious accommodations, incredible amenities, and stay-and-play packages.
The 295-room Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort sits adjacent to the two award-winning courses.
2620 Tiburon Dr, Naples, FL
The Black Golf Course at Tiburón Golf Club
The beautiful Black Course features six sets of tees to challenge all levels of players.
The course has been designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International.
Par 72
6,949 yards from the championship tees
18 holes
Course rating: 74
Slope rating: 147
The Gold Golf Course at Tiburón Golf Club
This challenging course is one of the most beautiful and well-maintained golf courses you’ll ever experience.
Palm trees and pines line the fairways for incredible quiet scenery while you play.
This course will bring out the best in any golfer.
Par 72
7,382 yards from the championship tees
18holes
Course rating: 75
Slope rating: 137
Tiburón Golf Club in Naples Florida
Public Community Courses in Naples
Arrowhead Golf Course At Heritage Greens Golf Course
Arrowhead Golf Course at Heritage Greens designed by Gordon G. Lewis has been voted the Best Public Golf Course by the Southwest Florida Choice Awards.
This is a challenging and enjoyable course. A courteous staff, great food, and clubhouse amenities should put this course on your list during your next golf getaway.
2205 Heritage Greens Dr, Naples, FL
Par 72
6,927 yards
18 holes
Course rating: 73
Slope rating: 132
Playing golf in Naples is a treasured lifestyle, not just a sport
Public Golf Courses in Naples FL
There is a long list of golf courses in and around Naples, and these 5 public courses are arguably the best in the area in terms of amenities, scenery, maintenance, and public access.
Given the number of acclaimed designers each course has its own personality and degree of difficulty.
Hibiscus Golf Club Golf Course
For a public course Hibiscus might be the best of the strictly public courses in Naples.
You’ll experience 18 completely different holes providing a challenge to both high and low handicap golfers on this Dave Wallace & Blackfoot Resources Group-designed course.
Hibiscus features wide fairways, bunkered greens, and lots of water making each hole both a challenge and a pleasure to play.
Along with exceptional customer service the facilities include one of the few public practice facilities available to the public in Southwest Florida.
75 Doral Circle, Naples, FL
Par 73
6,540 yards
18 holes
Course rating: 72
Slope rating: 125
Old Corkscrew Golf Club, Estero
An award winning Jack Nicklaus Signature designed course, Old Corkscrew is also a certified Audubon International Silver Signature Sanctuary.
Perhaps one of the most beautiful courses in the area it is not surrounded by developments only the natural beauty of southwest Florida.
If you book online for 2 or more players you’ll receive a generous discount.
17320 Corkscrew Rd, Estero, FL
Par 72
7,393 yards
18 holes
Course rating 77
Slope rating 153
The Links of Naples Golf Course
This par 61 par 3course was designed by Signature Golf Company to provide challenge on an executive length course at a reasonable price.
Even the low handicap crowd is teeing up at The Links of Naples.
The course is fantastic and kept in tip-top shape.
For something different you can play your round under the lights.
16161 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL
Par 61
3,985 yards
18 holes
Course rating: 60
Slope rating: 98
TPC Treviso Bay
Ever dreamed of playing on award winning course?
Now open to the public, TPC Treviso Bay is located within the gated community of Treviso Bay in Naples.
This championship course was designed by Arthur Hills in consultation with Hal Sutton and is a member of the Tournament Players Club network operated by the PGA Tour.
The course will challenge the skills of every golfer as you drive and putt your way through a beautifully maintained golf course.
9800 Treviso Bay Blvd, Naples
Par 72
7,367 yards
18 holes
Course rating: 76
Slope rating: 155
There are many golf courses in Naples FL accessible to the public
Valencia Golf & Country Club Golf Course
Known for its wide fairways and lush scenic landscape, the course was recently redesigned by Drew Rogers.
Happily the redesign has increased the courses playability while maintaining enough of as challenge for golfers of all levels.
Amenities include a driving range and a great pro shop.
1725 Double Eagle Trail, Naples, FL
Par 72
7,145 yds
18 holes
Course rating: 74
Slope rating: 130
No matter which of these public courses you play, golfing in Naples, Florida is sure to have you dreaming of your next round of play or visit.
You’ll experience not just great golf, but all of the natural beauty of southwest Florida that has been preserved throughout these courses.
Amenities are far better than you’ll find at public courses in most any locale.
Categories
Recent Posts
