Plan the Perfect Golf Getaway to Florida’s Paradise Coast

Florida’s Paradise Coast draws throngs of golfers year-round, ranging from high handicappers fitting in 18 holes between beach outings to scratch golfers who want to make exceptional golf the centerpiece of a trip.

If you’re among the latter group, or aspire to be, this article is for you. Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades welcomes anyone eager to play our championship-level courses, stay at luxury hotels, and enjoy our incredible dining. Some people even make time to make side trips to the attractions and shopping found on Florida’s Paradise Coast — but they never lose sight of the fact that golf is the reason they came.

Simply put, Florida’s Paradise Coast should be on every true golfer’s bucket list. Read on and find out why.

What to Know Before You Go

The Lay of the Land

While each of the Paradise Coast golf courses has its own character (there are more than 90 in all, public and private), they do share some similarities. The first thing you’ll notice is mostly flat terrain, although you can expect  mildly rolling fairways and cleverly placed berms and mounds. The tees and greens are often elevated. Water hazards, bunkers, and strategic doglegs are in abundance, and Bermuda grass is the predominant turf. 

With so many courses, the challenge level varies.

You’ll play amid lushly green tropical landscapes that include lakes, ponds, and wetlands. You’re likely to see and hear an array of birds and perhaps spot an alligator sunning itself alongside the fairway (Nothing to be afraid of, although it’s wise to keep your distance).

If, however, your lie is in close proximity to a gator, you can apply the Reptile Rule — a drop from the nearest point of relief at a safe distance (but not closer to the hole).

Tips on Play

It’s best to play target golf to avoid craftily placed hazards. Many Paradise Coast layouts are designed to reward patience and punish reckless swings.

Don’t underestimate the Bermuda grass, which has a much more prominent grain than northern grasses. Expert tip: A shiny or lighter green means the grain is growing away from you; darker means it’s growing toward you. Reading the grain is especially important on the greens and in the short game.

Consider moving up a tee box. Tamp down your ego and choose tees based on strategy rather than driving distance. You'll enjoy your round more — and likely score better — if you're hitting short irons onto greens rather than hybrids. Even elite players often move up one set of tees when first playing unfamiliar Paradise Coast courses.

So Many Courses, So Many Options — Where to Begin

Resort Courses

The top resorts on Florida’s Paradise Coast have affiliated courses. Staying at one of them gives you exclusive access, and you can schedule a tee time through the resort. That means less organizing and more play (and time on the range, if you like). This type of luxurious play-and-stay presents the pinnacle experience for the serious golfer looking to conquer the courses on Florida’s Paradise Coast. 

Top Resort Courses

• The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort has two courses, The Rookery at Marco and Hammock Bay Golf Club. They’re the closest courses to Marco Island, and both are semi-private.
• The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón boasts the Tiburón Golf Club, with two Greg Norman-designed courses — the Gold Course and the Black Course — that are part of the resort complex. Tiburón hosts professional tournaments such as the PGA TOUR Champions Chubb Classic, the LPGA CME Group Tour Championship, and the Grant Thornton Invitational. 
• LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort has the private LaPlaya Golf Club, designed by Robert Cupp.
• The Marco Beach Ocean Resort is affiliated with the course at Fiddler’s Creek. 
• Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, which debuted in 2025, has plans to open a championship-level course, designed by Tom Fazio.     

Top Public Courses

Florida’s Paradise Coast has several public courses, many of which will meet the demands of skilled players. Here are a few options:

• TPC Treviso Bay is part of the PGA TOUR’s acclaimed TPC Network of clubs. Memberships are available, but the course is open to public play (just know it may be challenging to get a tee time during peak season). Designed by architect Arthur Hills, it’s known for challenging even the best players and forcing them to reach deep into their bag of tricks.
• Lely Resort Golf & Country Club has two popular courses: the Mustang, a Lee Trevino design that balances playability with stunning natural beauty; and Flamingo Island by Robert Trent Jones. The latter is best known for Hole 5, a 200-yard par 3 surrounded by water.
• Arrowhead Golf Club — designed by Gordon G. Lewis, Arrowhead is frequently voted the best public golf course in Naples. 
• Panther Run Golf Club, also designed by Gordon G. Lewis, is in the community of Ave Maria a half hour northeast of Naples. Keep a lookout for deals on mid- to late-afternoon play.
• The Links of Naples is a popular public, 18-hole, par-61 executive course at the edge of the Everglades on the southeast side of Naples. It’s the only course in the Naples area to feature stadium lighting for nighttime golf, which is available from November through April on Wednesday through Saturday nights until 11 p.m.

Where to Stay if Golf Is Your Focus

Most of the courses on Florida’s Paradise Coast are located in Naples or the nearby outskirts. As noted above, staying at a resort with an affiliated course is your best bet. 

But for those who prefer to stay outside of resort properties, there is a vast range of lodging options — from large hotels to boutique beachfront resorts to vacation rentals — within easy reach of the courses. In some hotels, concierges are familiar with course schedules and specials, and may be able to set up a tee time for you. 

Things to Do Beyond the Course

You can’t spend every waking hour on the course during a golf getaway to Florida’s Paradise Coast — although some of you would like to figure out a way.

Fortunately, there are endless things to do away from the course.

• The most obvious choice is our 30 miles of white-sand beaches. First-time visitors owe it to themselves to make time for a trip, whether it’s setting aside a beach day, a post-round afternoon on the sand, or taking in one of our gorgeous sunsets (boat tour optional).
• Florida’s Paradise Coast is rapidly earning a reputation as a spot to enjoy world-class dining. Downtown Naples overflows with restaurants, with clusters on 5th Avenue South and Third Street South (which are within walking distance of each other). Mercato is an outdoor shopping center with plenty of restaurants, bars, and entertainment. In addition, the luxury resorts include several on-site restaurants.
• Downtown Naples is a terrific place for a relaxing stroll to explore bars, boutiques; galleries; funky Tin City, with its waterside shops; and historic residential districts like Old Naples.
• Here’s a tip if you're visiting as a couple — Naples Botanical Garden, a 170 beautifully sculpted acres with tropical plants, orchids, butterfly gardens, water features, and more.

We hope this article tees up an unforgettable golf getaway to Florida’s Paradise Coast. So come and join the fun — and don’t forget to bring your A game.