Fort Myers Tees Up The Sunshine!
By JD Latorre
If you are looking for a warm-weather golf escape that pairs serious play with coastal relaxation, Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods delivers a story that goes well beyond the scorecard.
Here, players start their mornings on palm-lined fairways surrounded by nature preserves and spend their evenings watching the sun melt into the Gulf of Mexico. As the sun shines nearly 300 days a year on the destinations 50 courses across the Fort Myers area offers everything from luxury resort golf to historic public play and scenic island layouts all within minutes of beaches, fresh seafood and waterfront sunsets.
For travelers seeking a stay-and-play experience where the course is steps from the spa and pool deck or where championship-level play unfolds in pristine natural surroundings, the Fort Myers area delivers elevated golf immersed in Southwest Florida’s landscape.
Saltleaf Golf Preserve at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point (Bonita Springs): The course winds through a 500-acre resort property and features 22 acres of lakes and more than 200 acres of native vegetation and protected preserve. It was the first resort course in the world to receive Audubon International Gold Certification, and each hole was crafted to blend seamlessly with its lush surroundings. The course is open to both resort guests and the public, with rental clubs and shoes available for visiting golfers.
Old Corkscrew Golf Club – Jack Nicklaus Signature Course (Estero): Set across 275 acres of unspoiled natural preserve, Old Corkscrew is the area’s only stand-alone Jack Nicklaus Signature Course and widely regarded as one of the finest in Southwest Florida. This championship course offers a pure Florida golf experience framed by cypress stands, towering pines, mature oaks and protected wildlife habitats. Certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, a distinction earned by fewer than two percent of courses worldwide, the course feels secluded, scenic and deeply connected to its natural setting.
For players who appreciate tradition, walkability and the quiet charm of Old Florida, Fort Myers offers one of the most storied public courses on the state’s Gulf Coast.
Fort Myers Country Club in the River District was opened in 1917 and is a classic walking course that has been part of the community for more than a century. Located just one mile from the famed Edison & Ford Winter Estates, it once welcomed both Thomas Edison and Henry Ford during their winter stays in Fort Myers. The layout retains the feel of early American golf; strategic bunkering, mature trees and a routing designed for walking rather than resort spectacle. Recent enhancements have modernized turf conditions and facilities while preserving its historic character, allowing today’s golfers to experience a piece of Florida golf history without sacrificing playability.
The barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva bring a distinctly coastal feel to the game, where wildlife, sea breezes and Gulf views become part of the round.
The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club (Sanibel Island): Known for its abundant wildlife,laid-back island setting and located just minutes from beachfront stays such as Sundial Beach Resort & Spa and Sanibel Island Beach Resort, The Dunes is an easy addition to a Sanibel getaway allowing golfers to move seamlessly from beach mornings to afternoon tee times.
Sanibel Island Golf Club (Sanibel Island): Blending challenge with tranquility, the lush surroundings and Gulf-adjacent scenery create a peaceful, immersive environment that feels worlds away from inland Florida golf.
The Clutch at South Seas (Captiva Island): This 9-hole short course offers views of either the Gulf of Mexico or Pine Island Sound from every hole. Ranked among the Top Five Short Courses in the world by the PGA, it’s the only golf course on Captiva and delivers a uniquely intimate island golf experience that pairs perfectly with a resort stay.
For travelers new to the game or those looking for a lively, social alternative to 18 traditional holes, Fort Myers rounds out the experience with modern, off-course play.
PopStroke Fort Myers (South Fort Myers): Designed by Tiger Woods, PopStroke reimagines mini golf with championship-style synthetic greens across two putting courses, on-course food and beverage service and a high-energy atmosphere. It’s ideal for families, couples and multigenerational trips where not everyone wants a full round but everyone wants to participate.
Topgolf Fort Myers (South Fort Myers): This tech-driven golf entertainment venue offers a climate-controlled, low-pressure way to practice swings or simply enjoy an evening out. It’s a natural fit for group travel, bachelor weekends or travelers easing into the game. a natural fit for group travel, bachelor weekends or travelers easing into the game.
Together, these experiences make the Fort Myers area appealing, not just to avid golfers, but to entire travel parties. Between rounds, visitors can seashell hunt along pristine beaches, kayak through mangroves, explore historic neighborhoods or dine on fresh seafood, creating a golf trip that feels as restorative as it is recreational.
