Courses
The best courses you can play in Naples
With South Florida’s reliable warm temps and a more laid-back vibe than the hustle of the Sunshine State’s Atlantic Coast, Naples is an increasingly popular destination for snowbirds. And for golf-minded Northerners looking for a winter escape, this Southwest Florida hotspot should be near the top of any list, as it boasts more than 100 courses within 30 miles of the city center.
Yet with all the golf, buddies’ trips to Naples aren't as common as the reliable favorites—Orlando, Scottsdale, Myrtle Beach, etc. That’s because of the over 100 nearby courses, the vast majority are private.
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That said, if you’re visiting Naples this winter and don’t have any ins with a private club, you still have some solid options, which we’ve gathered for you in this collection of the Best Courses You Can Play in Naples. These options range from a high-end centrally located resort to a couple lesser-known gems just east of the city.
It’s worth noting that we’d typically include Raptor Bay on a list of must-play courses in Naples, but it is currently undergoing a renovation. It is scheduled to reopen in early 2023 as Saltleaf Golf Preserve, so keep an eye out for this revamped Raymond Floyd design.
Scroll on to learn more about each course and be sure to expand each course page to read reviews from our course-ranking panelists. We hope you enjoy our searchable course database, Places to Play, our new hub for course reviews, experts’ opinions and star ratings.
Nestled among the Florida pines, Tiburón Black uses the natural landscape to feature undulating greens and crushed coquina waste areas. Like its sibling Gold course at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, the Black is featured on our Best Courses You Can Play in Florida list.
If you’re staying close to downtown Naples or on the south side of town, Lely Resort is a great public option. There are 54 holes on property, with two of the three layouts open for public play. The par-72 Mustang, designed by World Golf Hall of Famer Lee Trevino, tips out over 7,200 yards and plays through the South Florida marshlands. We would typically recommend Lely's Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed Flamingo Island layout as well, but the course was recently regrassed and needs some time to grow in.
