Naples/Marco Island: Golf That Flows with the Gulf Coast.
Golf along the Naples and Marco Island coast reflects the defining character of Southwest Florida, where championship-caliber design meets a relaxed island sensibility. Courses here are shaped by water, marshland, and native vegetation, using the landscape as a strategic partner rather than a backdrop. Fairways flow through lakes and preserves, greens reward thoughtful positioning, and the overall experience feels intentional and unhurried. Golf is part of a broader coastal rhythm, where post-round seafood dinners, sunset walks along the Gulf, and frequent wildlife sightings extend the day well beyond the final putt.
Featured Golf Courses
Architect: Gordon G. Lewis (2020)
The National Golf & Country Club showcases wide, inviting corridors framed by water features and gently rolling landforms. Thoughtfully contoured greens and well-placed bunkering place an emphasis on approach play and club selection. A mix of longer holes, including one of the region’s most demanding par 5s, balanced by more accessible scoring opportunities, creates a varied and engaging rhythm. Gordon Lewis’s design philosophy is evident throughout, blending strategic diversity with modern championship scale.
The National Golf & Country Club at Ave Maria – Ave Maria, FL
Panther Run Golf Club – Ave Maria, FL
Architect: Gordon G. Lewis (2007)
Panther Run Golf Club features a routing that moves comfortably between broad, open visuals and more exacting target golf. Water hazards and bunkering are used selectively, encouraging strategic decisions without overwhelming the player. The architecture allows the natural surroundings to define each hole’s identity, creating subtle shifts in challenge throughout the round. The overall flow feels deliberate and cohesive, offering a layout that rewards planning while remaining approachable.
Gold Course at Tiburón Golf Club – Naples, FL
Architect: Greg Norman (1998)
The Gold Course at Tiburón Golf Club is one of two 18‑hole layouts on property and delivers a refined championship test where strategy and precision are central themes. Known as the host of the LPGA’s CME Group Tour Championship, the routing emphasizes water-influenced approaches and expansive greens with subtle movement. Native pines and palms frame the fairways, rewarding accurate driving and disciplined shot placement. Risk-reward moments are woven naturally into the design, producing a steady rhythm that reflects classic Southwest Florida golf architecture.
Plan Your Next Trip the Right Way
See how the courses, hotels, and areas sit relative to each other in Naples & Marco Island.
Insider Notes:
Check with individual courses for summer aerification and overseeding schedules to plan for optimal playing conditions.
Early morning tee times in summer offer cooler temperatures and typically avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
Select private clubs, including TPC Treviso Bay, open limited public access during summer months.
For elevated dining with a local feel, Sails Restaurant and Osteria Tulia are standout choices for post-round dinners.
Clam Pass Park’s boardwalks and coastal trails provide an easy, scenic way to unwind after golf.
Airport Access:
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
Gold Course at Tiburón Golf Club: ~30 minutes
The National Golf & Country Club at Ave Maria: ~55 minutes
Panther Run Golf Club: ~55 minutes
Driving Times:
Fort Myers, FL: ~50 minutes
Fort Lauderdale, FL: ~1 hour 40 minutes
Miami, FL: ~2 hours
Tampa, FL: ~2 hours 30 minutes
Orlando, FL: ~3 hours 30 minutes
Gainesville, FL: ~4 hours 10 minutes
Jacksonville, FL: ~5 hours 30 minutes
The National Golf & Country Club at Ave Maria – Ave Maria, FL Reviews
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“Reasonably priced round of golf. Beautiful course which is going to be even more beautiful as it matures. Very personable staff."
-Craig
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"Very nice course. Great layout. Tees and fairways are in great shape. Greens are very nice as well as firm and fast. Surprisingly in great shape considering it is a new course. Sandtraps are soft sand. Will definitely play again.”
-Tom
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"Great course, Florida golf ala plenty of water, wind and gators! Course is usually in terrific shape and takes a little bit of strategy to navigate successfully. Only negatives is construction of houses and a later tee time can result in “slow” round.”
-Peter
Panther Run Golf Club – Ave Maria, FL Reviews
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"Absolutely fantastic course. Very wide open so that was nice. Saw a few alligators and was told a bear had been seen on the back nine. I would love to come back, the Rusty Putter restaurant had a great hamburger.”
-John
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"Good environment here in Del Webb. Course layout is from 6500 to 7500. Many different hole layouts to enjoy. It is growing into a beautiful course after our big Renovation of the course."
-Bruce
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"Beautiful course set up so even seniors can play competitive golf. Staff was very accommodating and professional."
-Doug
Gold Course at Tiburón Golf Club – Naples, FL Reviews
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"Amazing course. Outstanding staff. Made us feel incredibly welcome. Very good pace of play. Stellar practice facilities. Can’t be beat. Well worth the price.”
-KG
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"Nice hotel. Grounds are well kept. Staff is very friendly and accommodating. Kid friendly. Great pool , lazy river, and water slides. Highly recommend. I mean, It's the Ritz-Carlton, would you expect anything less?”
-Erica
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"WOW. What a beautiful golf course. Worth every penny. Pristine everything. The grass was like a rug. The greens, like ice. Super fast. The pictures don't do it justice. You must see this place. If you're lucky, you must play it. It will never have better than this place. I guarantee it.”
-Eddie
