Key Takeaways
- Fort Myers has more than a dozen public and semi-private courses worth playing, ranging from flat parkland layouts to mature tree-lined designs with serious water challenges.
- Green fees across the area typically run $40-$120 depending on the course and time of year.
- The peak season window (January through April) means tee times book out fast. Plan two to three weeks ahead.
- Several courses were designed by well-known architects including Gordon Lewis, Arthur Hills, and Tom Fazio.
The best golf courses in Fort Myers cover a wide range of budgets, styles, and skill levels. There are more good options here than most visitors realize.
Fort Myers sits at the northern edge of Southwest Florida's golf corridor. While Naples often gets the headlines, the Fort Myers area has been quietly building one of the more diverse collections of public-access golf in the state. This guide covers the courses worth your time, with honest takes on what makes each one stand out.
Fort Myers golf is genuinely seasonal. Winter months draw snowbirds and tourists, tee sheets fill up, and prices climb. If you are a local playing summer rounds, you will find the same courses at dramatically lower rates with empty fairways.
If you are visiting during peak season in Southwest Florida, read up on what to expect before you try to book.
Fort Myers Course Comparison at a Glance
| Course | Green Fees | Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Myers Country Club | $40-$65 | Semi-Private | Classic design lovers |
| Eastwood Golf Course | $35-$55 | Public (Municipal) | Budget-conscious, beginners |
| Shell Point Golf Club | $55-$90 | Semi-Private | Waterfront scenery |
| The Club at Gateway | $80-$120 | Semi-Private | Serious players, Fazio fans |
| Eagle Ridge Golf Club | $35-$60 | Public | Natural Florida feel |
| Coral Oaks Golf Course | $40-$70 | Public (Municipal) | Best value in Cape Coral |
| Verandah Golf Club | $75-$110 | Private (limited public) | Private club experience |
| Legends Golf & CC | $30-$55 | Semi-Private | Value seekers |
| Pelican Preserve | $55-$85 | Semi-Private | Nature-oriented rounds |
| Colonial Country Club | $50-$80 | Semi-Private | Traditional tree-lined play |
Fort Myers Country Club
Fort Myers Country Club is the oldest course in the area, dating back to 1917. The layout sits along the Caloosahatchee River in the heart of the city, and the mature trees that line virtually every hole create a tunnel-like feel you rarely get on newer Florida courses.
This is a walking-friendly design with natural elevation changes that affect club selection more than you might expect. The greens run fast and true, and the course rewards accuracy off the tee over raw distance.
- Green Fees: $40-$65 depending on season
- Access: Semi-private, public play available but members get priority
- Designer: Traditional parkland layout, pre-modern era
- Tip: Book as early as possible during season
"This is what great affordable golf should be like."
TimGavrichGP, GolfPass review
Eastwood Golf Course
Eastwood Golf Course is the city of Fort Myers' flagship municipal course, and it genuinely punches above its weight class. Designed by Gordon Lewis, the layout stretches to just over 6,700 yards from the back tees and features water on about 14 holes.
That number sounds punishing, but the course manages to stay fun rather than frustrating. The water is visible enough that you know exactly what you are dealing with, and the bail-out zones are real, not imaginary.
- Green Fees: $35-$55, twilight rates dropping into the $20s off-season
- Access: Public (city-owned)
- Designer: Gordon Lewis
- Tip: The conditioning has improved noticeably over the past several years
"The layout was challenging, the fairways were excellent and the pace of play was comfortable. I will definitely return to Eastwood."
jetsamjosi, GolfPass review
Shell Point Golf Club
Shell Point Golf Club is part of a large retirement community but open to public play, and the course quality reflects serious investment.
The layout runs along the Caloosahatchee estuary with genuine water views on multiple holes. The combination of saltwater marshes, mangrove lines, and open bay vistas makes it one of the more scenic rounds you will find in Lee County.
- Green Fees: $55-$90 depending on season
- Access: Semi-private, open to public play
- Yardage: ~6,500 yards, rating in the low 70s
- Tip: Mid-handicappers will enjoy it without getting beaten up
"Nothing compares to today's experience. The fairways, tee boxes and greens were in spectacular shape."
extraordinaryhit, GolfPass review
The Club at Gateway
The Club at Gateway sits near the airport corridor on the east side of Fort Myers. The Tom Fazio design is the best argument for why this area deserves more attention from serious golfers.
Fazio built a course here with genuine variety: long carries over wetlands on some holes, tight treelined corridors on others, and large undulating greens throughout that reward approach accuracy. From the tips it stretches past 7,000 yards, but the multi-tee setup means it plays well for a range of abilities.
- Green Fees: $80-$120 when public tee times are available
- Access: Semi-private, access can shift depending on membership levels
- Designer: Tom Fazio
- Tip: Clubhouse and practice facilities are well above average
"Greens rolled the best that I've played so far in the Ft. Myers area."
Phillip2444582, GolfPass review
Eagle Ridge Golf Club
Eagle Ridge Golf Club in south Fort Myers is a public course that gets overlooked partly because it does not market itself aggressively. That is a mistake for golfers who never find it.
The Gordon Lewis design uses native Florida landscaping: saw palmetto, pine flatwoods, and open scrub areas to create natural rough areas that feel authentic rather than manufactured.
- Green Fees: $35-$60
- Access: Public
- Yardage: ~6,800 yards from the back
- Tip: Generous fairways, but missing the greens here costs you
Coral Oaks Golf Course
Coral Oaks Golf Course in Cape Coral is one of the better public courses in Lee County. The Arthur Hills design uses the natural topography and mature oak trees to create a layout with real identity.
Hills was known for building courses that work with the land rather than bulldozing it flat. The back nine brings a legitimate challenge where water and trees both factor in.
- Green Fees: $40-$70 year-round (city-owned)
- Access: Public (municipal)
- Designer: Arthur Hills
- Tip: Golf Digest has recognized Cape Coral-area tracks in past surveys
"The greens were in excellent shape and were fast! You won't be disappointed."
ericbjornson, GolfPass review
Verandah Golf Club
Verandah Golf Club in east Fort Myers offers 36 holes, which immediately sets it apart from most options in the area.
The two courses have distinct personalities. Whispering Oak plays through mature orange grove territory with a more open feel, while Old Orange tightens up with more water and tree interference.
- Green Fees: $75-$110 when public access is available
- Access: Private club with limited public access (typically summer)
- Tip: Conditions maintained at a private club standard
Legends Golf and Country Club
Legends Golf and Country Club in Lehigh Acres sits in a part of Lee County that golfers often skip because they do not know what is out there. That is their loss.
The course is a solid 18-hole layout in a residential community setting with well-maintained conditions and a staff that genuinely wants you to have a good time.
- Green Fees: $30-$55
- Access: Semi-private
- Tip: Not as architecturally distinguished, but plays well and the greens are consistently solid
Pelican Preserve Golf Club
Pelican Preserve Golf Club is part of a large planned community in south Fort Myers with a course designed by Gordon Lewis. The layout works through a series of preserve areas and wetlands that give it a natural feel.
The routing has some clever moments where the wetland corridors force you to make real decisions off the tee.
- Green Fees: $55-$85 depending on season
- Access: Public access available
- Designer: Gordon Lewis
- Tip: The GPS cart system is helpful for first-time visitors since the routing can be unclear on the ground
Colonial Country Club
Colonial Country Club in south Fort Myers rewards patience and ball-striking more than pure power. The layout plays through a mature residential setting with significant tree cover on several holes.
"This course is a must play in SWFL. Impeccable greens, phenomenal condition."
GolfPass reviewer, GolfPass review
The greens are medium-paced and have more break than they look. Club selection on approach shots matters here.
- Green Fees: $50-$80 for public rounds
- Access: Semi-private
- Tip: The club welcomes public golfers and conditioning gets proper attention
How Fort Myers Golf Compares to the Rest of Southwest Florida
The Fort Myers area offers a different golf experience than Naples to the south. Naples courses tend to run more expensive and more exclusive, with a higher concentration of private clubs that limit public access.
Fort Myers has more municipal and semi-private options at accessible price points, which makes it a better base for a golf trip built around public-access play. If you are curious how the two areas stack up, the best public golf courses in Naples are worth comparing side by side.
You can realistically build a 4-6 day golf itinerary here without leaving Lee County, playing a different course every day and spending between $50 and $120 per round. That kind of variety at that price range is genuinely hard to find in Florida.
The PGA's Florida golf travel resource lists Southwest Florida as one of the top destinations in the state, and the Fort Myers concentration of courses is a big reason why.
If you are planning a trip around golf, look at the Visit Fort Myers golf page for resort packages or promotional deals that bundle tee times with accommodations. The savings can be real, particularly during shoulder season in May and November.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best public golf courses in Fort Myers?
Eastwood Golf Course and Coral Oaks Golf Course are the top public options in terms of quality and price. Both are city-owned, well-maintained, and accessible without a membership. Eagle Ridge Golf Club is another strong public option with a distinctive natural Florida character.
How much does it cost to play golf in Fort Myers?
Green fees range from about $30 for a weekday round at a municipal course to $120 or more at semi-private clubs with premium conditioning. Most public and semi-private courses fall in the $45-$85 range during peak season (January-April), with prices dropping 30-40% in summer.
When is the best time to play golf in Fort Myers?
October through December is the sweet spot. The weather is cooler and drier than summer, the crowds have not arrived yet in full force, and prices have not hit peak-season levels. January through March is peak season with great weather but busy and expensive tee sheets.
Are there any walkable golf courses in Fort Myers?
Fort Myers Country Club is the most walking-friendly course in the area given its compact, traditional layout. Most other Fort Myers courses are cart-oriented due to the distances between holes in planned community settings, though walking is technically permitted at several public tracks during cooler months.
Which Fort Myers golf courses are best for beginners?
Eastwood Golf Course and Eagle Ridge Golf Club are the most beginner-friendly options. Both have wide fairways, accessible green fees, and staff accustomed to golfers of all skill levels. Legends Golf and Country Club in Lehigh Acres is another low-pressure option with affordable rates.
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