SW florida - Naples

Hi,

I went to Naples in 2011 and i'm back next month.

Played old corkscrew and will be again, so any more recommendations for rounds?

Treviso bay is 10 mins from me so fancy this?

Tiburon not sure really as it is quite pricey for the time of year.

Any hidden gems?

I would play Treviso Bay. Although they don't have a clubhouse up and running, it's a great course especially if it is priced right. Tiburon is great, but if it's too costly there are plenty of other options. Raptor Bay is a well kept course. A hidden gem is Panther Run. It has always been in great condition and it is relatively cheap. It's probably a hidden gem because it is pretty far out of the way depending where you're staying. Next to Treviso Bay are the Lely Flaming and Mustang courses. They're not at the same level as Corkscrew, Tiburon, or Treviso Bay, but they're excellent courses to start a golf trip with.

Highly, highly recommend playing Hammock Bay. It's south of Naples just before you get to the bridge onto Marco Island. It was one of my favorite courses in the area when I lived down there. Just a beautiful course with lots of wildlife that is very playable.

Treviso is nice, but bring some golf balls. That place is tough and water lurks at (just about) every shot.

I'm staying on the lely resort so certainly will play the courses, i've also got Players Club membership

Thanks for the tips guys.

Tiburon is very overpriced and overrated. Old Corkscrew is a must as you already know. Treviso and Hammock Bay are both nice and can usually be booked on a local site reasonably. The Plantation out by the airport is kind of a hidden gem imo has a "member for the day" deal usually. If you can get on either of the fazio Bonita bay east courses, Naples Grande, Twin eagles, or the Quarry do it. Sometimes they allow some play from outside.

Played at Hideout in July, real nice

Rookery at Marco Island. Great layout in great shape.

I was down that way about a month ago. We were going to play Raptor Bay but they had aerated that week so double check before playing there. We played Tiburon Black and really enjoyed it. Definitely could see how it's overrated but I enjoyed it. It was in nice shape at least. Make the drive up and play Streamsong Red. One of the best courses I've ever played.

Colonial Country Club in Fort Myers is right off I-75 and is a great course, great friendly staff, and great prices before Jan 1. Very tough course especially from the back tees but great variety, amenities and excellent condition

I have a condo at Treviso Bay and absolutely love the course. Best conditioned course i've ever played, and I've been lucky enough to play at some nice courses

[quote name='pmo09' timestamp='1441676011' post='12278386']
I have a condo at Treviso Bay and absolutely love the course. Best conditioned course i've ever played, and I've been lucky enough to play at some nice courses
[/quote]. We played hideout on a fri in July then on the next day sat we got on Treviso bay for $59.00 each - we got 12 holes in then it stormed and we had to quit- wouldn't let up------what's up with the clubhouse ??we did like Treviso bay a lot- thought was real nice

[quote name='ronnbee' timestamp='1441751960' post='12283470']
[quote name='pmo09' timestamp='1441676011' post='12278386']
I have a condo at Treviso Bay and absolutely love the course. Best conditioned course i've ever played, and I've been lucky enough to play at some nice courses
[/quote]. We played hideout on a fri in July then on the next day sat we got on Treviso bay for $59.00 each - we got 12 holes in then it stormed and we had to quit- wouldn't let up------what's up with the clubhouse ??we did like Treviso bay a lot- thought was real nice
[/quote]

Was the Hideout open to outside public play, or did you get on with a member, or have a pro set up a tee time? What did you think about that course? I'm thinking about setting up a tee time there and at Naples national when I come back down in October.

I agree about TPC. It's always in a great shape. It's a hidden gem. Every time I have played it, it hasn't been crowded. I've brought down guys for a golf trip the last few years, and that has always been one of our favorite courses. Once the clubhouse is done, it's gonna get busy.

We got invited by a member, but your course we loved

Someone mentioned it already but I second Panther Run... Definitely a hidden gem and if you play it from the tips it's a stiff test ... First 5 holes are just beastly

Forest Glen is also worth checking out... Not your typical SW FL course... It's quite interesting ... I really like it

Esplanade is good if you can get it on a deal but wouldn't go out of the way for it

Old Corkscrew is definitely worth it but I believe Forest Glen can be had cheaper and I would pick FG over Corkscrew

All the above are public (to my knowledge) and if you are flexible can be played at a reasonable cost

If you can can an invite to Hide Out it's phenomenal.. Same with Grey Hawk and Calusa Pines

I heard Calusa Pines is outstanding and the top country club of Naples

I played the Quarry last year and thought it was a great course in excellent condition. But it never gets any love when people talk about Naples courses so what do I know.

My favorite in the area if you can get on is Bonita Bay East.

Good to know about Forest Glen. I've never played it, so I'll put that one on my list. To the OP, you have over a half dozen great courses to play within 5 miles of where you're staying.

I've heard nothing but great things about Calusa Pines. I would drop everything and play there if I got an invite.

[quote name='ronnbee' timestamp='1441751960' post='12283470']
[quote name='pmo09' timestamp='1441676011' post='12278386']
I have a condo at Treviso Bay and absolutely love the course. Best conditioned course i've ever played, and I've been lucky enough to play at some nice courses
[/quote]. We played hideout on a fri in July then on the next day sat we got on Treviso bay for $59.00 each - we got 12 holes in then it stormed and we had to quit- wouldn't let up------what's up with the clubhouse ??we did like Treviso bay a lot- thought was real nice
[/quote]

Clubhouse started to be constructed in 2008 when the community was with a previous developer. The community was intended to be a luxury destination for the rich, but when the economy went in the toilet, the builder went bankrupt. Lennar bought the community and is now building the clubhouse. I was lucky enough to get in when the prices were super cheap. Construction is scheduled to start again on the clubhouse this quarter. They had some engineers go out to survey the construction to make sure it was still stable and they didn't have to start over. As far as I know that went well. Lennar was waiting until so many homes were sold prior to making the huge investment in that clubhouse (it is going to be massive). As far as I know it will be starting construction shortly.

Give a call to Golf Life Navigators... They will help you find anything you are looking for in naples!

Playing somewhere in Naples area on Fri Oct 2, reading this thread just cant decide where

Try to get on gray oaks. Most overlooked course on these boards . Stupid how good these tracks are. Gonna need a clubhouse referral.

[quote name='Baitkiller' timestamp='1442601527' post='12331852']
Try to get on gray oaks. Most overlooked course on these boards . Stupid how good these tracks are. Gonna need a clubhouse referral.
[/quote]

Grey Oaks was, and I'm sure still is, always the hot ticket come reciprocal season. Never got to play unfortunately, but never heard a single complaint from anyone who had.

Eastwood Golf Course in Fort Myers was a great course for the $$$ last time I was down there in 2012.

Hideout in july[attachment=2961404:image.jpeg]

There is FAR too much golf in SW florida

How will i fit my fishing in

[quote name='Daniel Eason' timestamp='1441295527' post='12257214']
Hi,

I went to Naples in 2011 and i'm back next month.

Played old corkscrew and will be again, so any more recommendations for rounds?

Treviso bay is 10 mins from me so fancy this?

Tiburon not sure really as it is quite pricey for the time of year.

Any hidden gems?
[/quote]The Plantation in Fort Myers

So,

End of my week in Naples, and played Corkscrew earlier in the week.

Looks like it has had a lot of rain of recent as the ball was plugging a lot (maybe operator issues), greens were not in top shape and surroundings were a bit sodden, however it didn't change my view of the course and its challenges.

I played the blue tees and man does the ball go so much further here in the heat than the UK, i'm talking 10-20 yards. My wedge play awful in the bushy grass, so killed me a bit.

We had the course to ourselves and I got a decent price on golf now and I was pleased to had shot about 32 Stableford points (UK system), as the last time we played I was about 21HCP and didn't enjoy it. Par on 18 made dinner taste better

Then today disaster struck..I booked forest glen on a last minute golf now....got there and had booked a tee time for tomorrow that showed up on the search, so didn't end up playing in the end but never mind. Greens driving in/out looked nice...but it was rather intimidating as a country club compared to old corkscrew (and I'm a member in the UK at a stuffy club).