(First, if you've clicked on this page, make sure to also see our "Naples-Ft. Myers Itinerary" on "Itineraries-Page Two")
February 6, 2016: I've been coming to the Naples-Ft. Myers area for a week or two in February in each of the last eight years or so. A few years ago, I was thinking I should write an article about the best golf courses/developments in the area, designed to help people who are thinking of buying a place in Southwest Florida. I never did write that article, because, I think, I never could get my head around the immensity of this project. I was talking to J.D. Murray, the head professional at the relatively new Esplanade Golf & CC the other day about this topic. I asked him what he thought the best places (in addition to Esplanade) might be in the area to buy a place to live the "golfing life." His reaction was to say something to the effect of "there are 200 golf courses between Naples and Ft. Myers and most of them have residential components. So that is really tough to say." His comment struck me like a lightning bolt, because I realized, quite belatedly, why I never could complete that article. So I came up with a new approach. To dedicate a page on this website to the golf courses with residential components that I have played -- or heard about -- as a starting point for someone looking into a winter home (or even full-time home_in Southwest Florida. So here we go. (Also I will divide this discussion into "private" venues and those with public access. So I will be trying to build this Section out in the coming months -- and years!
Among the private venues that I have played, some of my favorites include Pelican's Nest at Pelican Landing, Fiddlesticks CC, Gulf Harbour Yacht & CC, Audobon CC. Some of the private clubs that I have not played that get very good reviews by word of mouth are Old Florida, Calusa PInes, and Port Royal. Of course, those last three are also known for their exclusivity. I have been told Calusa Pines is a $150K downstroke for membership, and Port Royal is surrounded by multi-million dollar homes.