Naples Public Options

[BdubBoston]

I'm staying in Naples for a few months this fall/winter and was hoping to get some feedback on places to play without a membership.

 

A few caveats: I know the area is expensive, exclusive, and tee times are hard to come by. I've been coming down for years and it has been getting harder year over year. Without a membership you're stuck with s*** courses or paying out the nose (which is fine--I don't mind paying up for good golf). The market is a bit bifurcated. I'm looking to brainstorm and see if there is anything I might be missing.

 

Tiburon is a good option, especially when you can sneak in round under $300. I played this week (Gold is in GREAT shape with the LPGA coming through) and plan on mixing Gold and Black in at least every other week.

 

There are some decent reciprocals available on Openrounds through my home course up north. Highlights are Country Club of Naples and The Strand (though Strand has been unresponsive) on the list.

 

Mustang at Lely seems to open up tee times in afternoons for $140 which seems like a good deal and I'll probably hit this up on some weekdays going forward.

 

Hammock Bay and The Rookery have tee times available through Marriott golf but they're hovering around $380/round. I don't mind spending the cash but I'm not sure the value prop is there for these courses--any feedback?

 

Corkscrew is a bit of a hike but will probably get it once or twice over the next few months.

 

I've heard The National at Ava Maria is decent and has some open tee times. A bit of a hike but will check it out.

 

[Robber6656]

15 minutes ago, BdubBoston said:

I'm staying in Naples for a few months this fall/winter and was hoping to get some feedback on places to play without a membership.

 

A few caveats: I know the area is expensive, exclusive, and tee times are hard to come by. I've been coming down for years and it has been getting harder year over year. Without a membership you're stuck with s*** courses or paying out the nose (which is fine--I don't mind paying up for good golf). The market is a bit bifurcated. I'm looking to brainstorm and see if there is anything I might be missing.

 

Tiburon is a good option, especially when you can sneak in round under $300. I played this week (Gold is in GREAT shape with the LPGA coming through) and plan on mixing Gold and Black in at least every other week.

 

There are some decent reciprocals available on Openrounds through my home course up north. Highlights are Country Club of Naples and The Strand (though Strand has been unresponsive) on the list.

 

Mustang at Lely seems to open up tee times in afternoons for $140 which seems like a good deal and I'll probably hit this up on some weekdays going forward.

 

Hammock Bay and The Rookery have tee times available through Marriott golf but they're hovering around $380/round. I don't mind spending the cash but I'm not sure the value prop is there for these courses--any feedback?

 

Corkscrew is a bit of a hike but will probably get it once or twice over the next few months.

 

I've heard The National at Ava Maria is decent and has some open tee times. A bit of a hike but will check it out.

 

 

The National at Ave Maria is a hike but it's a great bang for the buck.

 

I have place in Fiddlers Creek. I have played Hammock Bay and The Rookery many times. Both are always in good shape and good courses. Are they worth $380 a round? Not even close.  I played two weeks age for about for $145. That is the most I would pay to pay either. In Sept I was playing them for $80.

 

Mustang is not bad.

Edited November 14, 2022 by Robber6656

[BdubBoston]

1 hour ago, Robber6656 said:

I played two weeks age for about for $145. That is the most I would pay to pay either. In Sept I was playing them for $80.

 

Thanks for the input and what I expected. Were you booking on their sites directly? I had been watching them at those prices but they look to have shot up as the season has progressed.

 

I'm also staying at Fiddler's, are you a member at the golf club? My extended family is considering it though has not pulled the trigger. I'll likely get the chance to play at least once this year but as of yet have not played the course.

 

Edit: and to be clear, I'm not looking for a round or anything just curious on how you potentially like the course/club

Edited November 14, 2022 by BdubBoston

[Robber6656]

I always call the Rookery or Hammock Bay to book directly. I was on the waiting list there for 4 years but their current deal is not very appealing to me so I dropped out. I put a non refundable deposit down to join Eagle Creek. Hopefully I get in there in the next few years. That part of Naples is tough for golf.

 

I'm not a member of the Creek Course. I played there a lot when they allowed unescorted guests. That's no longer the case. It's now a $250,000 refundable initiation to join. I actually talked to the gentlemen who is running the membership drive last week and that is a real number believe it or not. The clubhouse construction has not yet started. They are going to re-grass the course starting at the end of April 2023. It has 16 really good holes. The 2nd and the 18th aren't very good in my opinion.

 

Where are you staying in Fiddlers? I have a coach home in Laguna. I'm a CPA still working so I rent my unit Jan-March. Been there since 2016. It's a great area and I bought at the right time. Prices have more than doubled.

[BdubBoston]

Played Lely Mustang this morning. Going rate was $170--would not pay that again as Robber mentions $140 or less is a decent value.

 

Good conditioning, though some quirky holes. 

 

Public golf in November continues to be tough!

[Robber6656]

Personally if I was down there this time of the year I would make the drive to Ava Maria. I’ve played the National and heard the Panther course there was good also.

[1puttTUT]

I was there a couple weeks ago and played Ave Maria National. It was in great shape, but there's currently no clubhouse so plan on grabbing food/drinks/bathroom usage in advance!

[alaaro]

the national at ave maria is ok, in my opinion. I prefer Panther Run much more.