Southwest Florida Golf Guide
Florida Golf Courses
The Southwest Florida area, from St. Petersburg to Naples, is well known as one of the golf capitals of the world. The challenges you will enjoy are beyond your wildest dreams. Next to our beautiful Gulf beaches and nature preserves, there is no better place where Southwest Florida's natural beauty can be experienced than on one of the hundreds of fine golf courses available for you to play.
While most of the golf courses in Florida are private member only, many offer reciprocity with other clubs and open their facilities for public play during "non-season" months (May - October). Quite a few are also affiliated with major hotels so guests can play too.
The range of SW Florida golf courses available is almost limitless. From public to private membership, there is something for everyone. To get you started, we are providing you with a list of what many of our clients and friends consider being some of the best golf courses in our area. They are a big part of what makes Southwest Florida living so enjoyable.
Notice: As many of you may already be aware, the Bonita Bay Group is having major problems with its private golf clubs in the community's of Bonita Bay, Mediterra, Shadow Wood and The Commons Club at the Brooks and Twin Eagles. In fact, they have given all the clubs a final notice that if they cannot come to terms on a member buyout, the clubs will be closed and they will file for bankruptcy.
Update 12/11/09: It's official, members of the Commons Club and Shadowwood at the Brooks announced they have raised the money to purchase their clubs. More than 90% of them have agreed to join the new member-owned clubs allowing the sale to move forward.
Update 12/04/09: Mediterra's Board of Governors announced they have finalized the purchase of their golf and beach clubs. Under the terms of the contract, members purchased the assets for $6.8 million in cash and assumed $15 million in debt for the Community Development District (CDD). The CDD pays for the roads, sewers, landscaping and their upkeep. More than 630 members agreed to the buyout plan. Golf members paid $19,000.00, Sports members paid $6,000.00 and 167 new Social members kicked in anywhere from $1,900.00 to $2,900.00 in order to complete the deal. In addition, members waived their rights to any initial deposits owed from the BBG. The closing took place late Thursday.
Update 3/18/10: The Members of the Bonita Bay Club at Bonita Bay have completed their purchase from the Bonita Bay Group. The $11.5 million purchase included 90 holes of golf, two clubhouses, three practice facilities, an 18-court tennis and swim center, and a fitness center. The purchase included partial refunds of member deposits. Not included is the Marina Club at Bonita Bay. Its members are still in negotiations with the BBG.
Members who did not join in the purhase continue with their lawsuit againt the BBG. In addition, The Florida Attorney General's office also announced it has filed a lawsuit againt the BBG for non-refund of the members deposits.
Update 3/24/10: Twin Eagles announced it has signed a contract with The Ronto Group and Angelo Gordon to purchase the golf club. The buyers are now in the due diligence period and hope to conclude the purchase by the end of April.
Ft. Myers - Estero - Bonita Springs - Naples
- Pelican's Nest Golf Club - Bonita Springs - 36 Hole Tom Fazio Designed. Private Member Only.
- Tiburon Golf Club - Naples - 36 Hole Greg Norman Designed. Private Member Only.
- Hammock Bay Golf & Country Club - Naples - 18 Hole Peter Jacobsen & Jim Hardy Designed. Private Member Only.
- The Club at Twin Eagles - Bonita Springs - 36 Hole Jack Nicklaus Designed. Private Member Only.
- Naples Beach Golf Club - Naples - 18 Hole Ron Garl Designed. Public Course.
- Naples National Golf Club - Naples - 18 Hole Dr. Michael Hurdzan Designed. Private Member Only.
- Raptor Bay Golf Club - Bonita Springs - 18 Hole Raymond Floyd Designed. Public Course.
- The Club At Renaissance - Ft. Myers - 18 Hole Arthur Hills Designed. Private Member Only.
- The Sanctuary Golf Club - Sanibel - 18 Hole Arthur Hills Designed. Private Member Only.
- Estero Country Club - Estero - 18 Hole Gordon G. Lewis Designed. Private Member Only.
Some Local SW Florida (Pay as You Play) Golf Courses:
Bonita Bay East Golf: 239-353-5100
Cypress Woods Golf: 239-592-7860
Heritage Bay Golf: 239-353-2561
Hibiscus Golf Club: 239-596-1000
Lely Flamingo Island Club: 239-793-2223
Lely Mustang Club: 239-793-2223
Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club: 239-482-7644
Naples Beach Golf Club: 239-261-2222
Old Corkscrew Golf Club: 239-949-4700
Raptor Bay Golf Club: 239-390-4600
Riviera Golf Club: 239-774-2011
Stoneybrook Golf Club: 239-948-3933
Tiburon: 239-594-2040
Valencia Golf Club: 239-352-0777
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort at Tiburon has received Golf Digest's top rating as the No. 1 golf resort in Florida and No. 32 out of the Top 75 in North America and the Caribbean. The golf resort is home to a pair of 18-hole signature Greg Norman golf courses and hosts his annual PGA Shark Shootout. It also offers the Rick Smith Golf Academy. For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com.
Tampa - St. Petersburg - Sarasota
- The Legacy Golf Club - Bradenton - 18 Hole Arnold Palmer Designed. Public Course.
- Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club - Bradenton - 36 Hole Arnold Palmer Designed. Private Member Only.
- Laurel Oak Country Club - Sarasota - 72 Hole Gary Player Designed. Private Member Only.
- Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club - Tampa - 18 Hole Gary Koch Designed. Public Course.
- Tournament Players Club - Tampa - 18 Hole Bobby Weed Designed. Private Member Only.
- Bobby Jones Golf Complex - Sarasota - 36 Hole Donald J. Ross Designed. Public Course.
- Renaissance Vinoy Golf Resort - St. Petersburg - 18 Hole Ron Garl Designed. Private Member Only.
- Old Memorial Golf Club - Tampa - 18 Hole Steven R. Smyers Designed. Private Member Only.
- The Club Renaissance - Sun City Center - 18 Hole Chip Powell Designed. Public Course.
- Coral Creek Club - Placida - 18 Hole Tom Fazio Designed. Private Member Only.
- Mangrove Bay Golf Course - St. Petersburg - 18 Hole Bill Amick Designed. Public Course.
- Westin Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club - Palm Harbor - 18 Hole Larry & Roger Packard Designed. Semi-Private Course.
Other Notable Florida Courses
- Doral Golf Resort and Spa - Miami - 90 Holes. Blue Monster: Dick Wilson and Raymond Floyd Designed. Private Member Only.
- TPC at Sawgrass - Ponte Vedra Beach - 99 Holes. Pete Dye Designed. Private Member Only.
- Plantation - Jacksonville - 18 Holes. Arnold Palmer Designed. Semi-Private Course.
- Grande Pines Golf Club - Orlando - 18 Holes. Steve Smyer Designed. Semi-Private Course.
More Southwest Florida Living Information
We also have other resources available related to living in Southwest Florida. Please use our Southwest Florida Living Library or feel free to contact us directly. We'll be happy to assist you with any questions you may have.
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