Naples, Florida, isn’t just known for its white-sand beaches and luxury real estate—it’s also recognized as the “Golf Capital of the World”, with more golf holes per capita than any other city in the United States. While many of Naples’ premier courses are in private, members-only country clubs, there are also several exceptional public and semi-private golf courses where you can tee off without joining a club.
If you’re visiting Naples, considering a future move, or just want to sample the local golf scene before committing to a membership, here are some of the best options.
1. Tiburón Golf Club – The Gold & The Black
Location: North Naples
Designer: Greg Norman
Tiburón is a semi-private club and home to the PGA Tour’s QBE Shootout and the LPGA Tour’s CME Group Tour Championship. Both the Gold and Black courses are open to the public on select days through resort play at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples. Expect immaculate conditions, challenging layouts, and a true luxury golf experience. Located within the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Tiburón Golf Club features two stunning 18-hole courses—The Gold (1998) and The Black (2001)—both designed by golf legend Greg Norman. This semi-private haven blends challenging play with natural Florida beauty and top-tier resort amenities. Audubon International Certified Sanctuary, reflecting high environmental standards and lush, natural landscapes. As part of the Ritz-Carlton resort, members and guests enjoy access to luxury facilities: Mediterranean-style clubhouse, spa, fitness center, dining venues, pro shop, and concierge services.
Championship-Level Courses
Gold Course
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Specs: Par 72, up to 7,382 yards, Rating 76.0, Slope 137
Tournaments Hosted:
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LPGA Tour’s CME Group Tour Championship
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PGA Tour’s Grant Thornton Invitational (formerly QBE Shootout)
Reputation:
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Topped GolfPass’s Golfers’ Choice 2024 Top 50, consistently rated #1 by golfers.
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Known for forgiving yet strategic design, with stunning bunkers and views near the clubhouse
Black Course
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Specs: Par 72, up to 6,949 yards, Rating 74.0, Slope 145
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Tournament Hosted: Champions Tour’s Chubb Classic (since 2021)
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Design & Experience:
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Challenges players with tight fairways, pine-strapped bunkers, and water hazards.
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Often considered the more demanding of the two and highly praised for its design integrity
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2. Lely Resort Golf & Country Club
Location: South Naples
Public Courses: Mustang & Flamingo Island
Nestled on a sprawling master-planned community southeast of downtown Naples, Lely Resort Golf & Country Club spans approximately 2,900–3,000 acres and features an award-winning residential golf lifestyle that combines comfort, leisure, and luxurious amenities. Managed by GolfNow and open to the public, Lely’s two resort-style courses offer scenic play with a mix of challenging water hazards and wide fairways. Golfers can sharpen their game on a 54,000 sq. ft. all-grass driving range, complete with multiple target greens, putting, chipping areas, and friendly range balls included for course players. Daily fees for public play (Mustang or Flamingo) can range from approximately $100 to $150, depending on tee time and season. Membership insights from local discussions highlight that The Classics membership is more affordable and flexible than typical private clubs—potential social-tier entry and financing plans may be available. Homebuyers enjoy access to top-tier golf with both public and private courses right at their doorstep. Whether you're an avid golfer, looking for active social life, or focused on wellness and recreation, this community delivers.
Lely’s courses strike a balance between exclusivity and accessibility—Flamingo Island and Mustang are public, while The Classics are private, offering a tiered golfing experience.
Three Championship Golf Courses
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Flamingo Island
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Public access course, Par 72, 7,095 yards, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. Notable for its “hourglass” fairways, sculpted bunkers, and dramatic water features—highlighted by its signature island par-3 hole
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The Mustang
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Public course, Par 72, 7,230 yards, designed by Lee Trevino.
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Offers strategic play with rolling fairways, protective bunkers, and both caliber and challenge for all skill levels
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The Classics
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Private, members-only course, Par 72, 6,714 yards, designed by Gary Player.
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Known for its tranquil, tree-lined layout and traditional design; historically hosted the Senior PGA’s ACE Classic
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3. ArrowHead Golf Club
Location: Central Naples
This award-winning public course offers a friendly, approachable atmosphere with a well-maintained layout. ArrowHead is known for being playable for all skill levels, yet still engaging enough for experienced golfers. Arrowhead Golf Club, located at 2205 Heritage Greens Drive, Naples, FL 34119, Its central location in North Naples, just east of I-75 off Immokalee Road, makes it highly accessible is an award-winning, semi-private course open to the public—perfect for golfers of all levels. Over the years, it's been honored with the Southwest Florida Choice Award for Best Public Golf Course, spanning multiple years from the 2000s to as recently as 2024. Open to the public every day except Christmas—players can reserve tee times up to four days in advance (members enjoy a 7-day booking window). Including Arrowhead in content or property listings showcases not just luxury, but approachable leisure and community living—a compelling angle in Southwest Florida marketing .
Course Highlights
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Designed by Gordon G. Lewis, Arrowhead features a scenic 18-hole, par-72 layout surrounded by 16 lakes, sculpted fairways, and contoured greens—an inviting challenge for high-handicappers and a strategic test for better players.
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With four sets of tees, golfers have the flexibility to choose the difficulty level that suits their game, ranging from 6,832 yards from the back to 4,711 yards from the forward tees.
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On-site features include a grass driving range, a nine-hole practice green, golf clinics for juniors and adults, private lessons, a well-stocked pro shop, and club rentals
4. Hibiscus Golf Club
Location: East Naples
One of the area’s most established public courses, Hibiscus offers mature landscaping, a relaxed pace, and reasonable greens fees. It’s a great option for those looking for a classic Florida golf experience without the commitment of a private club. Hibiscus Golf Club is one of the few public 18-hole golf courses in Naples, offering an inviting experience for both newcomers and seasoned players. Established in 1969 and lovingly renovated in 2007 and 2023, it stands out as a consistently well-maintained and accessible option in a region known for private country clubs. Designed by David Wallace, Hibiscus features wide fairways, bunkered greens, and flavorful water hazards throughout—set amid flowering landscaping that enriches the challenge and charm of every hole. Golfers appreciate its player-friendly design—wide, forgiving fairways balanced with strategic elements like water and bunker placements. It's a course that appeals to all skill levels, offering a pleasant pace and a sense of being a “member for a day.”
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Par 71, with a length of approximately 6,317 yards from the back tees.
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Course rating: 69.2; Slope rating: 128.
Tips for Playing Naples’ Semi-Private & Resort Courses
- Book early—especially in peak season (January–April).
- Check stay-and-play packages with resorts like The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott for access to normally private courses.
- Use online tee time platforms (GolfNow, TeeOff) to find the best rates and available times.
Why This Matters for Relocation & Real Estate
For many homebuyers, golf course access is a deciding factor when choosing where to live in Naples. Even if you’re not ready for a full club membership, having public and semi-private options nearby lets you enjoy the Naples golf lifestyle right away.
And if you eventually decide you want private club access, there’s a wide range of golf communities in Naples that match different styles, budgets, and amenities.
Thinking About Living the Naples Golf Lifestyle?
With 23 years of experience and over $1 billion in luxury real estate sales, I’ve helped clients find everything from waterfront estates to homes in world-class golf communities. Whether you’re ready to buy, invest, or simply explore, I can guide you through the best options Naples has to offer.
