I love to golf, and as a real estate agent in Southwest Florida I’m blessed to be in one of the greatest places to golf in the world. However, with so many communities offering what they claim is “world class golf experiences” it can be a bit overwhelming. I’ve created this guide to help visitors to southwest florida navigate the complex landscape of golf communities, based on my expertise on both playing, and showing homes in these communities.

Obviously when it comes to buying a home, golf isn’t the ONLY factor in determining one’s final homestead. No, a lot of other factors come into play including community size, community history and location, types and prices of housing, HOA fees and taxes, initial membership fees and annual costs of membership/golf programs; quality and difficulty of golf course; quality and assortment of amenities and activities, etc.

As you go through these lists, click on the name of any individual community if you want to review its specific information and available homes for sale or rent for that particular Golf Community.

TOP 5 “PUBLIC” GOLF COMMUNITIES— These are housing developments built around public golf courses. Normally, you just pay-as-you-play; however, some offer annual memberships.

Arrowhead/Heritage Greens (27-holes; Gordon Lewis)–Naples
Lely Resort (36-holes public courses; Lee Trevino & Robert Trent Jones)–Naples
Old Corkscrew (18-holes; Jack Nicklaus “Signature”)–Estero
Stoneybrook (18-holes; Gordon Lewis & Jed Azinger)–Estero
Valencia (18-holes; Gordon Lewis)–Naples

TOP 5 “BUNDLED” PRIVATE GOLF COMMUNITIES –When you buy in these golf communities, a Golf and/or Social Membership is included in the price of the home, and you pay no upfront membership initiation fee.

Bonita National (18-holes; Gordon Lewis)–Bonita Springs
Esplanade (18-holes; Chris Wilczyski)–Naples
Heritage Bay (27-holes; Gordon Lewis)–Naples
Naples Lakes (18-holes; Arnold Palmer “Signature”)–Naples
Pelican Sound (18-holes; Chip Powell)–Estero