Prestigious Golf Courses and Elite Clubs: a Golfers Paradise, Naples FL

Few places in the United States can match the caliber of golf courses and country clubs in the Naples area for avid golfers and those with discerning tastes. This slice of Florida’s Paradise Coast is a true golfer’s paradise, boasting over 90 pristine golf courses designed by legendary architects and set amid beautiful natural landscapes. Many top-rated courses are part of exclusive country club communities offering world-class amenities beyond the immaculately groomed fairways and greens.

 

The Naples area enjoys an ideal subtropical climate for year-round golf. The winter months from November through April are sublime, with average daily highs in the 70s and very little rainfall. Even in the summer months, when afternoon thunderstorms are more frequent, golf is very playable in the mornings. The mostly flat terrain along the Gulf Coast provides a quintessential Florida golf setting with abundant water hazards, palm tree-lined fairways, and stunning views.

 

For those without a country club membership, Naples still has an impressive array of public and resort courses open for pay-to-play. Tiburón Golf Club’s two 18-hole courses at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort are among the most celebrated in the area. Designed by Greg Norman, the Gold Course hosts the PGA Tour’s QBE Shootout each year. The Black Course is equally impressive and provides views of the Ritz-Carlton beach resort.

 

Jack Nicklaus is another prolific golf architect whose work is displayed in Naples. His immaculate layouts at Lely Resort’s Mustang and Flamingo Island courses, which have 54 holes, challenge golfers with strategically placed bunkers and water hazards. Swaying palm trees surround fairways and the pristine greens.

 

For a more natural Florida golf experience with golf courses surrounded by pine forests and wetlands, head to Panther Run Golf Club’s two 18-hole tracks, designed by Gardon G. Lewis, in Ave Maria, a short distance from Naples.

 

 

Many of Southwest Florida’s most prestigious private country club communities call Naples home. These ultra-luxury residential developments center around opulent clubhouses and championship golf courses designed by golf’s biggest names.

 

A Tom Fazio masterpiece can be found at Calusa Pines Golf Club inside the gated Quails’ Nest community. The 18-hole course stretches over 7,300 yards of meticulously sculpted fairways and greens routed through soaring towering pines. Along with the world-class golf, members enjoy an expansive 48,000-square-foot clubhouse with multiple dining venues.

 

Across from the prestigious Naples Grande Resort on the Gordon River is the serene sanctuary of Naples Grande Golf Club. The private club features an 18-hole Rees Jones-designed course that winds through pine stands and natural waterways. The chic Mediterranean-style clubhouse offers members luxurious locker rooms, a resort-style pool, tennis courts, dining options and more.

 

In true Naples fashion, some of the most elite country clubs exude an unmistakable Old World grandeur. The ultra-exclusive Olde Cypress Golf and Country Club off Immokalee Road emanates European sophistication when you pass through the ivy-draped arched entry. Rick Cupp’s Certified Signature Sanctuary golf course pays homage to famed venues like Pinehurst and St. Andrews, which have acres of crushed coquina sand waste areas and crowned greens defended by grassy swales. The majestic 52,000-square-foot Mediterranean clubhouse sets the lavish tone for this club.

 

Another North Naples country club of European inspiration is in Talis Park, formerly the Tuscany Reserve Golf Course. Taking cues from the romantic countryside of Tuscany, Tuscany Reserve is a gated community surrounding a superb Rick Robbins-designed championship layout woven seamlessly into woods, lakes, and acres of preserved land. The stately 53,000-square-foot clubhouse draws inspiration from an Italian Renaissance villa.

 

Beyond the picturesque golf course, members of The Vineyards enjoy one of Naples’ most significant and most impressive clubhouses. The stately 70,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse features a lavish interior with marble floors, coffer ceilings, custom millwork, and stone fireplaces. Amenities include multiple dining venues, a spa, salon, fitness center, resort-style pool and tennis courts.

 

Tiburon delivers an exceptional golf and country club experience for those drawn to British Colonial architecture styles. The immaculately groomed Greg Norman Signature Course blends seamlessly into the natural dunes and pinelands surrounding it. Norman incorporated pot bunkers, hillocks, and contoured greens reminiscent of Scottish links courses into the challenging layout. Members retreat after rounds to the magnificent 36,000-square-foot British Colonial clubhouse featuring rich woods, plantation shutters, and sweeping verandas.

 

Another prestigious club for those who appreciate classic golf course design is The Estuary at Grey Oaks. The 18-hole par 72 layout, designed by acclaimed architect Bob Cupp, exudes old-school Florida charm. No homes line the fairways, just pristine twisting doglegs carved through old-growth pines and natural wetlands. Grey Oaks members enjoy access to the luxurious 30,000-square-foot clubhouse for dining and other amenities.

 

Select country clubs in and near Naples allow limited public access for a fee for visitors and non-members. The Renaissance Village and Renaissance Private Beach & Golf Club in Fort Myers offer day passes for their private beach area and privileges to reserve tee times on their championship golf course.

 

The Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has an 18-hole Fazio-designed golf course. The club also grants day passes for the public to access its restaurant and sprawling pool deck, which are right on the Gulf.

 

 

Whether you want to join an exclusive country club community or book a tee time at one of the area’s top resort golf courses, Naples delivers an unparalleled golf experience. With masterfully designed layouts framed by natural beauty and complemented by lavish clubhouse amenities, it’s easy to see why Naples is a top golf destination. The impeccable golf courses, desirable subtropical climate, and relaxed Florida lifestyle make Naples an absolute golf paradise.

 

With masterfully designed championship layouts by golf’s biggest names, lavish country club amenities, and a perfect year-round climate, Naples offers an unrivaled golfing experience. For avid golfers seeking to call this golfer’s utopia home, be sure to contact Stan Whitcomb at The Whitcomb Group. As a local real estate expert, Stan can guide you through the process of finding your dream golf community residence in the Naples area and make this golfing paradise your reality.