Best golf courses in Naples

Beautiful beaches, world-class culture, an ideal climate and an abundance of golf courses make Naples a very popular destination for a golf vacation in Southwest Florida.

Located on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico in southern Florida, Naples rates highly with the travelling golfer. The climate is ideal, especially during the winter months, and the golf is plentiful. Although a lot of the course are high-end private clubs and not always easily accessible, we’ve provided a selection of the best golf courses in Naples that can be enjoyed on your next golf trip.

Designed by Greg Norman, the Gold Course at Tiburón Golf Club opened in 1998 to much praise. The course demands accuracy from the tee – where fairways are well protected by the natural palms, pines and olive trees lining their perimeter.

There are several lakes scattered across the course and this is best highlighted on the 12th and 16th holes, both par-3s that are well protected by the aforementioned water. The final hole requires a precise tee shot before you play your approach towards the clubhouse and the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort. The Gold Course annually hosts the PGA TOUR’s QBE Shootout, and is a must-play when in Naples.

The Black Course at Tiburón Golf Club was completed in 2001 and opened three years after its older sibling, the Gold. Greg Norman is also responsible for this design and the Black is typically seen as the more challenging of the two.

The layout is routed through acres of pines and accuracy is paramount, as any shots that deviate off line are guaranteed to be in danger - you’ll either be taking a penalty drop; find one of many bunkers or be hitting your second shot from a difficult lie off the pine straw. The entire set up at Tiburón is consistently rated among the top 20 in Florida by both GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest. Measuring 6,949 yards from the tips, The Black Course is often referred to as one of Naples’ finest.

Saltleaf Golf Preserve is situated 25 miles north of Naples and is well worth a visit. With a traditional clubhouse and tournament-standard practice facilities, you are extremely well looked after before stepping onto the first tee. The layout isn’t overly long – measuring 6,461 yards from the tips – but this par-71 layout will require precision as opposed to raw power.

Raymond Floyd designed the course with the shot maker in mind and accuracy is the secret to scoring well. Golfers can expect wonderful natural surroundings, rolling fairways, intelligently placed bunkers and numerous water hazards. The signature hole, the par-5 7th, requires a long drive if you are seeking to find the green in two. However, for those of you that miss left, be wary of the water that protects the front left of the green. Saltleaf should be high on the list when planning a Naples golf vacation.

Naples Grande Golf Club is part of the Naples Grande Beach Resort and only those staying at the hotel will have access to play this course that has been rated as one of the ‘Top 50 in Florida’ by GOLF Magazine.

Rees Jones was the architect and the interesting, yet challenging layout will entice visitors back time and time again. Each hole is unique and demands a different approach to the last while the indigenous Florida foliage results in the fairways being in perfect condition all year long. Live oak and grand cypress trees are just one of the highlights of a round at Naples Grande while the club can also proudly boast sensational panoramic views.

Situated to the north of Naples, Old Corkscrew Golf Club is uniquely located in an area of stunning Florida landscape untouched by commercial development. Designed by Jack Nicklaus in 2007, it is a beast from the back tees at 7,400 yards, but a variety of tee boxes allow all golfers to enjoy this first-class Naples course.

Long par-4’s and 5’s, tree-lined fairways, expansive water hazards, deep bunkers, and impressive doglegs characterize the layout, and as a certified Audubon Sanctuary, the club’s natural scenery is sure to impress. Old Corkscrew is certainly worth a visit when staying and playing in the Naples area.

Naples Beach Golf Club is located seconds from the Naples Beach Hotel and is steeped in rich history. Not only did Jack Nicklaus help design the renovated layout, but he first broke 40 playing nine holes on the original course – at the age of 10!

The par-71 championship track consists of five tee markers and it measures at 6,900 yards from the tips. It is a friendly facility that encourages newer players to the game, yet the challenge remains for lower handicappers. The longest par-5 on the course is 523 yards, which should allow birdie opportunities with either two or three well struck shots, and the par-3’s aren’t too daunting either, typically ranging from 160-190 yards. An enjoyable round awaits all that visit Naples Beach GC.

The Lely Flamingo course, which is onsite at Greenlinks Golf Villas at Lely Resort, is the definition of paradise. Robert Trent Jones, Sr. is responsible for the design and it opened to the public in 1989. The course is considered one of the best in the Naples region and is characterized by thoughtful sculpting and shaping, large greens, extensive water and multiple tee markers.

While many of the holes qualify as ‘signature’ status, the 200-yard par-3 5th certainly steals the show. You’ll be hitting into a green that is surrounded by water and protected by bunkers. Plenty of the holes feature rolling fairways and big undulating Bermuda greens. When it comes to golf in Naples, you’ll struggle to find a more exotic setting than a round on the Lely Flamingo course.

The Lely Mustang is also situated onsite at Greenlinks Golf Villas at Lely Resort. Designed by Lee Trevino, his illustrious career provided the perfect knowledge to build an emphatic golf course. The track opened in 1996 and the par-72 layout measures at 7,230 yards from the back tees. The Mustang is best summarised by gently rolling fairways, large greens, multiple bunkers and 12 lakes to contend with.

This course was created with difficulty but fairness in mind and the unique holes are a testament to that vision. While many are challenging, they do also present opportunities to recover from errant tee shots. Whether you play the Mustang or the Flamingo, Lely Resort provides the perfect environment for south Florida golf.

The south Florida climate in Naples makes it the perfect destination for a golf trip, especially during the winter when average highs remain at 80°F. There is a collection of fantastic golf clubs, superb resorts and an array of accommodation options. When spending time away from the course, you can experience boat tours, great beaches, aquatic activities and some of the best restaurants and nightlife in the country. A Naples golf vacation always comes highly regarded by our customers.