7 Must-Play Public Golf Courses in Naples

As the destination with the most golf courses per capita in the U.S., Florida’s Paradise Coast offers a variety of places to play a round — or two or three. Everyone from beginners to scratch golfers can make golf a part of their visit here, and many come purely on golfcations, playing as many rounds and courses as possible.

Many of the courses in a luxury destination like the Paradise Coast are private, so if it’s an open-to-the-public course you’re looking for, we’re here to make your job easier. You can use this list rather than combing through the 70-plus facilities that populate the Naples area.

Naturally, if you want to make golf the focus of your visit, you could always stay at one of our luxurious golf resorts. So as a bonus, we’ve added a few of those options as well.

All of the courses covered below feature at least 18 holes and have clubhouses, pro shops and nice — sometimes really nice — restaurant/bars. This list concentrates on the courses themselves.

Open-to-the-Public Golf Courses

Hibiscus Golf Club

Par 73; 6,540 yards

Located just five miles southeast of downtown Naples, Hibiscus Golf Club is prized as a top-quality course that’s fully open to the public. It’s also user-friendly for less experienced players. One online reviewer wrote: “You don’t need to be a pro to play here and you should enjoy the forgiving wider fairways.” These fairways are cut through indigenous Florida foliage, and well-bunkered greens make for some challenging approach shots.

The Links of Naples

Par 61; 3,985 yards

This executive-length course has been described as “a great beginner course with a mix of par threes and fours.” It’s not just for newbies, though. Experienced golfers can find challenges throughout. One cool extra about The Links of Naples: It offers lighted night golf Wednesday through Saturday, November to April. The facility also features a fully lit practice area. The Links is located 14 miles southeast of downtown Naples.

Valencia Golf & Country Club

Par 72; 7,145 yards

Newly renovated in 2018, the Valencia Golf & Country Club — 24 miles northeast of downtown Naples — has long been known for its wide fairways and contoured greens. The redesign includes Celebration Bermuda grass on the fairways; TifEagle greens for consistent speeds when putting; and more purposeful placement of bunkers. Valencia has been awarded a 4-star rating by Golf Digest. Twenty-four miles northeast of downtown Naples.

ArrowHead Golf Club

Par 72; 6,927 yards

From 2004 to 2020, the Southwest Florida Choice Awards named ArrowHead the Best Public Golf Course for all but two of those years. One visitor from Illinois wrote: “Great course for any age and skill level.” Opened in 1997, ArrowHead features 16 pristine lakes, plus undulating greens and well-placed bunkers. Fifteen miles northeast of downtown Naples.

Lely Resort

Flamingo Island: Par 72; 7,095 yards
The Mustang: Par 72; 7,320 yards

The community of Lely Resort Golf & Country Club, 10 miles southwest of downtown Naples, is home to two open-to-the-public golf courses. Flamingo Island was designed by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones and is characterized by beautifully sculpted, hourglass fairways, expansive greens and plenty of water. The Mustang, designed by Lee Trevino, is a bit more friendly to the average golfer, but no less picturesque. Ten miles southwest of downtown Naples.

Eagle Lakes Golf Club

Par 72; 7,177 yards

Established in 2005, this course is laid out around 21 lakes. The club promises a “one-of-a-kind Florida Everglades golf experience.” Eagle Lakes Golf Club borders the vast wilds of Collier-Seminole State Park, 15 miles southeast of downtown Naples. Many online reviewers mention the wildlife they’ve seen while playing. But please, don’t let these creatures distract you from a great round of golf.

TPC Treviso Bay

Par 72; 7,367 yards

 

The prestigious TPC Treviso Bay, which opened in 2008 and is a member of the Tournament Players Club network, is open for public play from May through October. Booking seven days in advance is highly recommended. Beautifully manicured and scenic, the course will test the skills of even the most accomplished players. Eight miles southeast of downtown Naples.

Stay and Play in Naples

Tiburón Golf Club

The Black Course: Par 72, 6,949 yards
The Gold Course: Par 72, 7,382 yards

The luxurious Tiburón Golf Club is part of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples. It includes two championship courses, the Gold and the Black, both designed by Greg Norman. The Gold course, which opened in 1998, can play as long as 7,382 yards. While technically the longer of the two courses, it’s actually regarded as the easiest, thanks to wider, more forgiving fairways. The Black, which opened in ‘01, plays as long as 6,949 yards. It’s considered tougher, as it's routed through acres of pines and has huge bunkers flanking the fairways. Ten miles north of downtown Naples. Golfing at Tiburon requires a stay at the Ritz-Carlton. Several stay-and-play packages are available.

Naples Grande Golf Club

Par 72; 6,955 yards

Guests of the Naples Grande Beach Resort can tackle this terrific championship course designed by architect Rees Jones. The Naples Grande Golf Club earned a 4.5-star rating from Golf Magazine, and Golf Week named it one of North America’s Top 100 Resort Courses. It’s located seven miles southeast of the Naples Grande Beach Resort and six miles northeast of downtown Naples.

La Playa Golf Club

Par 72; 6,488 yards

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort guests can play this lovely and testy layout, which is located just four miles to the northeast. The course, designed by architects Ernie Smith and Bob Cupp, is lauded for its consistently pristine condition. GolfNow described the course as “difficult yet friendly” — no easy feat. The La Playa Golf Club is located eleven miles north of downtown Naples.