Florida is one of the hottest spots in the nation for golf lovers, especially when it comes to Naples. If you’re looking to take your passion for golf down to the Sunny State, then you’re probably wondering about the best public golf courses near Naples, Florida.
There are countless Florida public golf courses to choose from, ranging from the panhandle to the Keys. If you’re looking for the perfect climate and atmosphere for a few rounds, however, you’ll want to head right to Collier County.
You’re in luck – we’ve put together this guide to the best public golf courses in Naples, FL so that you can skip the trouble and get right to the green.
How to Choose the Best Public Golf in Florida
When you’re looking for the top public golf in Naples, FL, there are a lot of factors to keep in mind. Of course, which golf club you choose will have a lot to do with your preference for the number of holes and the way they’re integrated into the landscape. Besides the golf courses themselves, though, you’ll want to consider some other factors.
For example, the best public golf in Florida should offer a range of amenities and services that cater to you throughout your visit. They should also offer exceptional customer service at a reasonable price.
At each golf club that you discover, research whether they offer the following services.
Lessons
If you’re looking for public golf in Naples to learn the sport before you join a club, then you’ll need a golf club that offers lessons. The best public golf courses in Naples, FL offer golf lessons for all levels of skill and experience.
Golf lesson prices come in hourly charges as well as per game rates and packages of several meetings. Expect to pay around $70 per hour for golf lessons, or get a good deal by signing up for a set of lessons.
Driving Ranges
Another great way to learn and sharpen your skills is to visit the driving range and practice facilities. Many South Florida public golf courses offer practice facilities and driving ranges for visitors and members. You’ll be able to buy a small, medium, or large bucket of golf balls, or you can pay for a monthly or annual pass to use these amenities.
Leagues
If you’re confident in your skills, you can join a league. When you join a league, you’ll be expected to commit to playing regularly in the events of the league’s schedule. Public golf courses in Naples, FL have several league options for both men and women.
For example, the Valencia Golf and Country Club offers two different men’s leagues: the Saturday Morning Men’s 18-Hole League and the Men’s 9-Hole League. They also have the Women’s 18-Hole League and the 9-Hole Couples Scramble.
Memberships
Once you’ve decided to become a regular at the club, you can choose to sign up for memberships. At each public golf club you consider, inquire about their monthly rates for membership and what’s included in the price. The best public golf courses in South Florida will offer affordable cart fees, 2-week advance tee times, walking after 3 pm, and more.
Restaurants and Shops
Less important to the sport itself, but still worth considering, is the availability of places to eat and shop on the premises. Golfing often takes up much of the day, so having a place to relax and refresh yourself is always a great option. Many golf courses open to the public in Naples, Florida offer bars and restaurants as well as shops to pick up new equipment.
Best Public Golf Courses Near Naples, Florida
Now that you know against which standards you should measure public golf in Naples, you can choose the best courses for you to visit. To help you narrow down your search, we’ve put together a shortlist of the best public golf in Naples, Florida that the county has to offer.
Tiburon Golf Club: A Meditteranean Resort Experience
In conversations about local golf clubs, the Tiburon Golf Club hardly goes unmentioned. The club offers two different 18-hole courses, the Black Course and the Gold Course.
Every December, the PGA plays on the Black Course for the QBE Shootout. Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine have ranked Tiburon at the top of Florida courses.
The Tiburon Golf Club does not offer conventional golf lesson packages. Instead, you can join the Tiburon Golf Academy. In this program, you have access to a team of coaches to identify your strengths and weaknesses and put together a training program unique to your needs.
If you’d like to join as a member, Tiburon Golf Club offers three tiers:
- Medallion – membership for residents of the Tiburon communities
- Associate Club – membership for non-residents of the Tiburon communities
- Signature – membership for both residents and non-residents
Unfortunately, the Tiburon Golf Club does not offer a driving range. They do, however, have a gorgeous 27,000 square-foot clubhouse in the Mediterranean style famous to the area. Inside, you’ll find private member locker rooms, three dining rooms, lounge areas, and an exceptional Golf Shop.
If that’s not enough, you can check out their other amenities for members such as tennis courts, pool, spa, fitness center, and more. Many of these amenities are offered by the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort.
When it comes to playing at Tiburon Golf Club, booking your tee time early is best. The club utilizes a dynamic pricing model, meaning that the prices will rise with demand and as the desired date gets closer.
Old Corkscrew Golf: Gem in the Florida Wilderness
This Jack Nicklaus Signature Design course is 7,400 yards with 18 holes of a championship golf course. It’s also a certified Audubon International Silver Signature Sanctuary, weaving golfing greens among the natural environment full of oaks, pines, lakes, and wetlands. Old Corkscrew Golf is top-rated by Golf Magazine for a very good reason.
It’s one of the youngest courses in the area, built in 2007, but it doesn’t lack challenge. Many frequent golfers at the club say that the natural landscape adds to the difficulty, introducing water hazards at nearly every turn.
If you’re looking to start your golf journey with the basics, Old Corkscrew Golf offers the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, a program that offers group lessons at half and full-day packages. You can also choose to book private lessons.
Becoming a member is beneficial at Old Corkscrew Golf because it requires no monthly minimum spending and no additional monthly dues. Otherwise, you can book a tee time for around $175.
There aren’t any leagues or driving ranges, but you can use their practice facility. Here, you can use their grass tee boxes, large putting green, short game area, or chipping! Don’t forget to also enjoy their Pro Shop with premier merchandise brands and their online store.
One unique thing about this golf club is that they offer an online tour of their course! You can check out an overview of the course, complete with a photo gallery, or you can explore the course hole by hole through an interactive map.
Hibiscus Golf Club: For the People
One of the only truly public golf courses in Florida, the Hibiscus Golf Club recently underwent a renovation and landscaping project for a revival from past hurricane damage. This 18 hole course designed by Dave Wallace has 6,476 yards with a par of 72.
The Hibiscus offers fall, winter, and frequent player rates for the public with competitive prices.
- In the fall, you can play 18 holes for $55-85 and 9 holes for $35-55
- In the winter, you can play 18 holes for $59-109 and 9 holes for $39-59
- Frequent players get a 20% discount
If you’re looking for training and lessons, the Hibiscus Golf Club recommends speaking with Dennis Meyer’s Golf School. Or, you can sign up for lessons with Mike Smuniewski, the Director of Golf, for private single and series lessons.
Unlike Tiburon and Old Corkscrew, Hibiscus offers a driving range. You can get a small bucket for $8 and a large one for $14, and the targets range from 57 to 225 yards. You can also practice on their pitching green to perfect your putting, chipping, and pitching, and short game.
Of course, the Hibiscus also has a Pro Shop for apparel, gear, and more. They do not, unfortunately, have other amenities like a restaurant.
Valencia Golf and Country Club: The Ace
Valencia Golf and Country Club was built in 1997 but was recently redesigned by Drew Rogers in 2018. At the same time, the course has kept its challenging aspects so that golfers of all skill sets can enjoy.
This golf club is well-known for its beautiful surrounding landscape and its wide fairways, so it’s a must-see. The course was transformed by the use of Celebration Bermuda grass, which has a high drought tolerance and stays lush and beautiful year-round.
The Stats
This golf club has an 18-hole course of 7,145 yards. With a 74 course rating and 130 slope rating, this course comes in at a Par 72.
The Rates
If you aren’t persuaded yet, the rates to play at this club will send you over the edge. It’s only $85 to book a tee time in the morning, $75 for the afternoon, and $45 for twilight hours. They even offer a 10% discount for military and Florida residents.
If you’d like to become a member, you can do so at $500 per month as an individual from November to December and $875 per month from January to April. If you’re a couple, you can get a discount by buying your membership together, starting at $800 per month and going up to $1500 per month in warmer months.
With your membership, you’ll get access to discounted guest fees and carts for only $24 per player. You’ll also be able to walk the greens past 3 pm and book your tee times two weeks in advance.
Training and Lessons
While other golf clubs in the area offer structured training academies, Valencia offers training that is much more flexible. At this club, you can find training for experience levels in full series or single lessons. For a deal of only $100, you can book a four-week training course with clubs provided.
Another factor that sets Valencia Golf and Country Club apart is the availability of driving ranges. Driving ranges give you the option to learn and practice on your own without the pressure of having an instructor or set time. At Valencia, you can choose from one of 30 all grass range stations with targets from 100-270 yards.
The club also has a great practice facility with 5,000 square feet of putting green and 5,500 square feet of chipping green. For routine access, you can buy a monthly range pass at $175 or an annual pass for $650.
Leagues to Join
Valencia Golf and Country Club prides itself in its golfing community, which is plain to see by its array of golf leagues to choose from. You can become a regular part of the golfing community here by signing up for leagues.
If you join the Saturday Morning Men’s 18 Hole League, you can play at 7:45 on Saturday mornings weekly or biweekly. The Pro Shop takes care of assigning pairings, but a GHIN handicap is required.
The Men’s 9 Hole League is available from April to October as well. They meet everything Thursday evening at 5:30 pm for $21 per player.
If you’re a woman, you can enjoy the Woman’s 18 Hole League which meets every Wednesday at 10:30 am. Or, you can join the 9 Hold Couples Scramble in which 4 people can play at 3:30 pm on Wednesdays. The Pro Shop assigns the pairings weekly.
Amenities to Enjoy
The Valencia Golf and Country Club has the Patio Bar, a refreshingly casual and modern environment for those who are sick of the stuffy country club feel at other golf clubs. Whether you’re looking to have a few beers and enjoy the Florida landscape or eat a hearty meal after a good game, this place can help.
The Pro Shop is just as helpful here, providing gear for every skill level. There are even custom fittings available here.
Find Your Perfect Golf Club in Naples
Now that you know exactly what to look for in public access golf courses in Naples, Florida, you can start narrowing down your options. It will be a tough choice, but by starting in South Florida, you’re on the right track.
Of all the best public golf courses near Naples, Florida, though, the Valencia Golf and Country Club is clearly our favorite. With a lush landscape, challenging course, and a casual bar, we offer top-notch relaxation and sport. Book your tee time online today!
