Golf in Naples: the back story

About Golf in Naples: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Naples Editorial Team

Naples has a remarkable number of golf courses, but most belong to private clubs. Here is how a visitor gets a game.

Private by default

Golf shaped modern Naples: many of its communities were built around courses, and most of them are private, members-and-guests-only clubs. If you are not a member, you play there only as a member’s guest.

Where visitors can play

The surest route is a resort with its own course or golf access, such as The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort with Tiburón Golf Club, or LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort; ask about tee times when you book your room. Courses such as Lely Resort publish their own visitor access, which changes over time, so always check before you go.

Most Naples courses are private; plan your tee times through a resort or a public course.

When to play

Winter and spring are high season, when tee times are scarce and rates are highest; book well ahead. Summer is quieter and cheaper, but play early: afternoons are hot and lightning storms are frequent, and courses clear when lightning is near.

Watching the pros

Tiburón has hosted the LPGA Tour’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, usually in November, and the area hosts senior professional events in winter. Check the tours’ official sites for dates.

Our advice: if golf is the point of the trip, choose a resort with its own course and book tee times with the room, play early in the day, and ask locals about guest days at the private clubs.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Golf in Naples: the back story before you go.