Looking for an easy escape from the cold northern winters for a round of golf or two? Look no further than Naples, Florida. In January and February, it’s hard to beat the golf scene in Naples, where you’ll find spectacular weather and some pretty strong golf courses.
It’s not surprising then that Naples has become a popular winter golf destination. Head down there in the winter and you’ll find folks from all over the northern U.S., Canada and even Europe.
Naples is located in southwest Florida, and is nearly immune from the cold. Most of the time, from December through February, temperatures range from the low 70s to the low 80s. The humidity at that time of year is also much lower than in the summer months, as Naples averages only a couple inches of rain each month during the Winter.
It is very rare to experience high temperatures in the 40s, much less the 50s, as Naples is far enough south to avoid most of the big Arctic fronts that push down into the U.S. in the Winter. While an arctic blast may hit now and then, it usually doesn’t stay for more than a day or two.
Every year, Naples and the rest of Southwest Florida continue to grow. The area has been receiving a lot of rave reviews in recent years, due to the overall quality of life.
Not only is the weather spectacular for much of the year, but so is the scenery. You can find beautiful beaches, canals and marinas in the area, along with lush landscape, that really makes you feel like you are in paradise.
When you travel to Naples, you will also note it has a pretty upscale feel to it. Naples has the 6th highest per capita income in the U.S. and the second highest per capita number of millionaires.
Overview of Golf in Naples, Florida
Depending upon how far from town you go to count golf courses in the Naples area, the number of courses near Naples is upwards of 80. This makes Naples one of the most densely developed golf destinations, strictly in regard to the number of golf courses. The general area includes Naples, Marco Island, Ft. Myers and Cape Coral.
Because it has developed into a popular destination, Naples is host to a couple professional golf tournaments run by the PGA, including the Champions Tour’s Chubb Classic and one of the after season events, the QBE Shootout.
This speaks to the quality of golf courses that you will find in Naples. Some of the top golf course designers on the planet have designed courses in the area, including Jack Nicklaus, Arthur Hills, Arnold Palmer and Robert Trent Jones, Jr., among others.
Among the top rated golf courses in the area are Hammock Bay Golf Club, Tiburon Golf Club, TPC Treviso Bay, The Links of Naples, Forest Glen, and Naples Lakes.
Most of the golf courses in and around Naples are private. But, among the 16 public golf courses in Naples are a few gems, including Tiburon, Arrowhead, and the Flamingo and Mustang courses at the Lely Resort.
I’ll get into where to play in more detail below.
When to play golf in Naples, Florida
The best time of year to visit Naples to play golf is in the Winter months into early Spring. This is when the temperatures are perfect for playing golf, the humidity is low, and there is little rain.
Unless you are a glutton for punishment, you’ll probably want to avoid playing golf in Naples in the summer. The average temperatures during the summer months are in the low 90s and the humidity is brutal. Of course, because of that, you’ll find better deals on hotels and green fees.
How to get to Naples, Florida
The primary airport serving Naples and Southwest Florida is Southwest Florida International Airport, which is located near Ft. Myers, and a little over 30 miles to the north of Naples.
Non-stop flights to Southwest Florida International Airport are available from a number of major cities across the U.S., including New York, Boston, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Chicago, and Dallas among others. You can check out some of the flight options through Jetradar below.
I highly recommend that you rent a car to travel from the airport to your destination, so you can also explore all that Naples and Southwest Florida have to offer.
If you can fly yourself, the Naples Municipal Airport is located just a few minutes east of downtown Naples.
Alright, let’s dig into where to play golf in Naples!
Where to play golf in Naples, Florida
As I mentioned, there are over 80 golf courses to choose from in Naples, depending upon how big of a geographic area you are considering. For this particular list, we will look at most of Southwest Florida from Marco Island to Cape Coral.
Old Corkscrew Golf Club – Estero, Florida
First up is Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero, which is about 32 miles northeast of downtown Naples. It’s a bit of a hike, and quite a bit inland, but well worth the trip.
This is a Jack Nicklaus Signature designed golf course that opened in 2007. The golf course is regarded by some as the most difficult in Southwest Florida, but is still well worth your time no matter your ability.
From the back tees, the course reaches over 7,300 yards and plays to a par 72. While this is a private club, non-members can play. You can call the club at 239-949-4700 or book a tee time online here… Old Corkscrew tee times. Rates in the high Winter season will run you from about $165 to $180.
TPC Treviso Bay
I visited TPC Treviso Bay shortly after it opened, as it was hoping the Ace Hardware Champions Tour event at the time. The golf course was designed as a collaboration between Arthur Hills, Steve Forrest & Associates, and Hal Sutton.
The course played difficult enough that Loren Roberts won the event with a -7 total that year, which was 2009.
This is another beast that stretches out to over 7,300 yards from the tips. The course features quite a bit of water as is normally the case in this neck of the woods, but the fairways are generous and the greens are pretty large.
TPC Treviso Bay is located about seven miles southwest of downtown Naples, so it is close to many of the major hotels located in the area.
TPC Treviso Bay is a private club, but guests may book tee times by calling 239-331-2052. Green fees are around $210.
Tiburon Golf Club
Tiburon Golf Club is located about nine miles north of downtown Naples and boasts two courses, the Gold and the Black, both designed by Gren Norman. Tiburon currently hosts the LPGA’s CME Group Tour Championship and the PGA Tour’s QBE Shootout.
The Gold course opened in 1998 and is almost 7,400 yards from the back tees with a par of 72. The Black Course opened in 2001 and is a bit shorter and easier, with a total length just under 7,000 yards.
The facility is notable for its huge, Mediterranean style clubhouse. Green fees are among the priciest you’ll find in the Naples area, at around $275 in the peak season. Still, many golfers come away with a great experience, as the courses are noted for their conditioning.
You can book tee times here… Tiburon Golf Club, or call the club for more information at 239-593-2201. Tiburon is also affiliated with the Ritz Carlton Resort in Naples. This is one of my recommended accommodations.
Lely Resort – Naples
The Lely Resort is a sizable golf community located just under ten miles southwest of downtown Naples off of Route 41. The property offers three golf courses, the Mustang, the Flamingo, and the Classics course. The Classics course is for members only.
The Flamingo course is a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design that opened in 1989. It stretches out to just over 7,000 yards from the back tees and plays to a par 72. The signature hole is the par 3 5th as seen in the photo to the left.
The Mustang Course is a 7,230 yard course designed by Lee Trevino that opened in 1996.
Among the resort courses in the Naples area, these courses offer some of the best value with green fees at around $129.
Hammock Bay and The Rookery
Hammock Bay Golf Club and The Rookery at Marco are two private clubs located just to the north of Marco Island, about 13 miles south of Naples. While they are private, you can gain access to these properties by staying at the Marriott resort on Marco Island.
Hammock Bay is among the top reviewed courses in Southwest Florida. The course was originally opened in 1974 as a Bruce Devlin design, and was updated in 2004 by Jacobsen Hardy Design.
This is a par 72 course stretching out to 6,985 yards. The course is noted for its superior conditioning and fast greens.
The Rookery is located just to the north of Hammock Bay. The course was originally designed by architect Joe Lee and opened in 1991. It was most recently updated by Jacobsen Hardy Design in 2014.
This is a resort course that plays to over 7,100 yards from the back tees.
That concludes my list of recommended courses to play in the Naples area. You can’t go wrong by putting a trip together that includes a round of golf at any of these facilities.
What else to do in Naples, Florida
Besides golf, there is plenty to do in Naples. Situated along Florida’s Gulf Coast, you’ll find amazing beaches and opportunities to observe abundant wild life in the area.
One of the favorite tours for travelers involves manatee sightseeing, which are spotted throughout the waterways in the area. There are also plentiful fishing and sightseeing charters originating in Naples.
The Naples Botanical Gardens are located just to the southeast of downtown Naples.
In downtown Naples itself, you’ll find great shopping and dining options, and the famed Naples Pier extends out from 12th Avenue in the downtown area.
Ultimately, you can put together a fabulous vacation inclusive or exclusive of golf when you book a trip to Naples, Florida!
Where to stay during your Naples Florida golf vacation
So far, I’ve mentioned a couple hotel properties you may want to consider for your trip to Naples, including the The Ritz Carlton Golf Resort in Naples and the Marriott resort on Marco Island.
Where you stay will obviously be a function of your budget. As with any popular destination, you can find a hotel for any budget. With that in mind, check out some of the options available by filling out the form below.
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