Fort Myers is one of the deepest golf markets in all of Florida - Lee County's Fort Myers area is home to more than 90 golf courses. From the nationally-recognized Club at Gateway (voted Best of Fort Myers four years running) to the city-owned Fort Myers Country Club to affordable public gems like Eastwood Golf Course (Golf Digest top 100 public facilities) and Eagle Ridge, the region delivers quality golf across every budget.
This guide covers the best golf courses in Fort Myers with 2026 rates, access info, booking tips, and insider notes - whether you are a scratch golfer, a mid-handicapper, or a retiree looking for a home course.
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Why Fort Myers Is a Top Golf Destination
The Fort Myers–Lee County region is one of the most concentrated golf markets in the country, with 90+ courses across public, semi-private, and private tiers. Compared to the Naples premium market, Fort Myers offers significantly better value for equivalent course quality - the same $150 round in Naples often costs $60-90 in Fort Myers.
The climate supports year-round play, with peak-season conditions from November through April. Summer rates drop 40-50% and early-morning tee times avoid the afternoon thunderstorm window.
For retirement-adjacent planning, pair this guide with Retiring to Fort Myers and our 55+ communities in Fort Myers guide - golf is central to both.
Book a hotel near Gateway, Eastwood, downtown, or Bell Tower for easy course access
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Quick Picks by Situation
If you want a fast decision, use this table:
| Your priority | Book | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall course, no membership | The Club at Gateway (public days) | Voted Best of Fort Myers 4 years running |
| Top-rated public value | Eastwood Golf Course | Golf Digest top 100 public facilities |
| Classic city-owned public | Fort Myers Country Club | Historic, affordable, walkable |
| Beautiful championship layout | Eagle Ridge Golf Club | Pines, cypress, strategic water hazards |
| Gated community with dining | Shell Point Golf Course | Full country club amenities |
| Semi-private with public windows | Verandah Club | High-end layout, opens to public select days |
| Budget public | Coral Oaks (Cape Coral) | Affordable, popular with locals |
The Club at Gateway
The Club at Gateway is widely regarded as one of the best golf courses and layouts in all of Southwest Florida. The course has been voted Best of Fort Myers for four consecutive years. Gateway is a gated master-planned community, and the course is primarily member-focused but offers limited public tee times and stay-and-play packages through local hotels.
- Access: Primarily member/reciprocal; limited public tee times
- Rates: Peak season $125-225; off-season $70-125
- Style: Strategic championship layout, well-conditioned year-round
- Location: Gateway, Fort Myers (east of downtown, off Daniels Parkway)
Insider tip: Gateway's best public access is during summer months (May-October) when the course opens more broadly to non-members. Winter tee times are hard to come by. Stay-and-play packages with certain hotels occasionally include Gateway access - call the hotel's golf concierge when booking.
Fort Myers Country Club
Fort Myers Country Club is a city-owned public golf course and one of only two 18-hole courses operated by the City of Fort Myers Parks and Recreation Department. It is a solid public course with a mix of easier and more challenging holes - appropriate for mid-handicappers and weekend warriors.
- Access: Public, daily-fee, no membership required
- Rates: Peak season $45-75; off-season $25-45
- Style: Classic Florida municipal layout, walkable, mature trees
- Location: 3591 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers
Insider tip: Fort Myers Country Club is the best value championship-style public round in the city proper. Walking rates are available (many Fort Myers courses are riding-only) and the course is genuinely walkable. Pair a morning round with a lunch downtown at the Luminary Hotel restaurants - both are within 15 minutes.
Eastwood Golf Course
Eastwood Golf Course is an affordable, award-winning 18-hole par-72 course recognized by Golf Digest as one of the top 100 public facilities in the USA. For the price point, it is arguably the best golf value in the entire Fort Myers market.
- Access: Public, daily-fee, no membership required
- Rates: Peak season $55-95; off-season $30-55
- Style: Championship-caliber layout, well-conditioned, challenging without being punishing
- Location: Fort Myers
Insider tip: Eastwood regularly books out on weekends during peak season (January-April). Weekday mornings are the sweet spot - fewer golfers, better conditions, and occasional specials at $40-50 per round. Book 5-7 days ahead for weekends.
Eagle Ridge Golf Club
Eagle Ridge is an 18-hole championship course framed by native pines and cypress trees, with large greens, wide fairways, and strategically placed water hazards. The course has a more dramatic landscape than many Florida courses - the cypress stands and pine corridors give it a distinctive character.
- Access: Public, daily-fee
- Rates: Peak season $65-125; off-season $40-75
- Style: Championship layout, water hazards, mature tree lines
- Location: Fort Myers
Insider tip: Eagle Ridge's par-4 and par-5 water-carry holes are the signature challenge - bring extra balls. The course plays longer than scorecard yardage due to mature tree lines and forgiving-but-technical green complexes. Pair with the best kayaking in Fort Myers guide if you want to extend the day.
Shell Point Golf Course
Shell Point is an 18-hole championship course surrounded by 70 acres of native flora and fauna, tranquil lakes, and pristine greens. It is part of the Shell Point Retirement Community - a CCRC (continuing care retirement community) - and the course is open to the public with preferential access for community members.
- Access: Semi-private; public tee times available
- Rates: Peak season $75-140; off-season $45-85
- Style: Nature-rich championship layout
- Location: Shell Point, Fort Myers (near Iona area)
Insider tip: Shell Point is worth playing even if you are not considering the Shell Point retirement community. The natural setting and well-maintained condition rival higher-priced rounds. The on-site clubhouse restaurant (open to golf guests) is a solid post-round lunch option.
Sunset cruises, fishing charters, and Everglades tours make great rest-day activities between rounds
Browse Fort Myers Tours & Activities →
Other Notable Fort Myers Courses
Verandah Golf Club
Verandah is a semi-private gated community course with two 18-hole layouts. Recognized among Southwest Florida's premium daily-fee experiences when public tee times are available.
- Access: Semi-private; public tee times offered select days
- Rates: Peak $100-175; off-season $60-110
- Style: Two championship courses
Pelican Preserve Golf Club
Part of the Pelican Preserve 55+ community (one of Fort Myers' most popular retirement communities), Pelican Preserve Golf Club runs community-oriented golf with public access on select days.
- Access: Community-first, public tee times limited
- Style: 27-hole layout designed for all skill levels
Old Corkscrew Golf Club
Old Corkscrew is a premium Jack Nicklaus Signature design east of Fort Myers proper (on the Estero border). Often ranked among the best-conditioned public-access courses in Lee County.
- Access: Public, daily-fee
- Rates: Peak $150-275; off-season $75-150
- Style: Nicklaus Signature design, top-tier conditioning
Coral Oaks Golf Course (Cape Coral)
Just across the Caloosahatchee bridge in Cape Coral, Coral Oaks is a popular public value course for locals and visitors on a budget.
- Access: Public
- Rates: Peak $40-65; off-season $25-40
- Style: Walking-friendly, mature Florida layout
Best Time of Year for Fort Myers Golf
Peak Season (January – March)
Busiest months. Course conditions at their best - fairways overseeded, greens firm, weather ideal (70-80°F, low humidity). Tee times book 1-2 weeks ahead. Rates at their highest.
Shoulder Season (November, April, May)
Best balance of conditions and value. Weather excellent, conditions solid, rates drop 20-30% from peak. Easier booking.
Summer (June – September)
Hot and humid with daily afternoon thunderstorms. Rates drop 40-50%. Best strategy: tee off at 7:00-7:30 AM to beat storms. Many Fort Myers locals swear by summer mornings - empty courses at bargain rates.
Early Fall (October)
Hurricane season winding down, but conditions usually stabilize by mid-October. Excellent value window.
Golf Stay-and-Play Options
Several Fort Myers hotels and resorts bundle accommodations with golf:
- Sanibel Harbour Marriott - Bundled stays with partner course access. See our Sanibel Harbour Marriott dining guide.
- Luminary Hotel & Co. - River District hotel with concierge-arranged golf at partner courses. See Luminary Hotel dining guide.
- DoubleTree Fort Myers Bell Tower - Central location with access to multiple east-side courses. See DoubleTree Bell Tower dining guide.
Booking Tips
- Book 1-2 weeks ahead for January-March peak tee times
- Weekday mornings are the least-crowded windows at public courses
- GolfNow, Tee Times USA, Supreme Golf aggregate multiple Fort Myers courses online
- Call the pro shop directly during peak season - sometimes tee times open up by phone before posting online
- Check course dress codes - most Fort Myers courses require collared shirts, no denim, soft-spike shoes
What to Bring
- Sun-protective clothing - Florida sun is relentless even in winter
- Extra golf balls - many courses have water hazards
- Rain gear (summer) - thunderstorms build fast
- Hydration - pack extra water on summer rounds
- Polarized sunglasses - help with glare off water hazards
If you are playing multiple rounds, use a non-golf day for a sunset cruise, shelling trip, fishing charter, or Everglades tour.
Browse Fort Myers Tours & Activities →
Find accommodations near the area's best courses for your golf trip
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best golf course in Fort Myers?
The Club at Gateway is regarded as the best overall course - voted Best of Fort Myers four years running. For public-access golf: Eastwood Golf Course (Golf Digest top 100 public facilities) and Eagle Ridge Golf Club are the standouts. For classic municipal golf: Fort Myers Country Club (city-owned). For stay-and-play experiences: Verandah and Shell Point both offer strong options.
How much does golf cost in Fort Myers?
Peak-season (January-April) public rates range from $45-75 at value courses (Fort Myers Country Club, Coral Oaks) to $125-275 at premium courses (Old Corkscrew, Gateway). Off-season rates drop 30-50%. Premium stay-and-play packages at partner hotels start around $150-300 per round bundled with accommodations.
Can the public play at The Club at Gateway?
Sometimes, but not easily. Gateway is primarily a member-focused course. Limited public tee times are available, especially during summer months (May-October) when member demand is lower. Stay-and-play packages through certain Fort Myers hotels occasionally include Gateway access - ask the hotel's golf concierge.
When is the best time of year to golf in Fort Myers?
November through April for peak conditions and weather. November, April, May (shoulder months) offer the best balance of conditions and value. June through September offers the best rates - plan early-morning rounds to avoid thunderstorms.
Are there public golf courses in Fort Myers?
Yes - Fort Myers Country Club, Eastwood Golf Course, Eagle Ridge Golf Club, and Shell Point Golf Course are all public-access. Coral Oaks (Cape Coral) is nearby. Old Corkscrew (east of Fort Myers) is premium public. Plus several additional community courses with public tee times on select days.
Is Fort Myers a good golf retirement market?
Yes - Fort Myers is one of the top golf retirement markets in Florida. The 90+ courses across public, semi-private, and private tiers give retirees broad options at price points significantly below Naples or Sarasota. For community-tied golf, Pelican Preserve, Verandah, and Gateway are commonly shortlisted. For relocation planning, see our Retiring to Fort Myers guide and 55+ communities in Fort Myers guide.
How does Fort Myers golf compare to Naples?
Fort Myers offers better value at equivalent course quality - a comparable round in Naples often costs 40-50% more. Naples has the prestige and PGA TOUR associations (Tiburón, Chubb Classic). Fort Myers has broader inventory, more public access, and lower daily-fee rates. Many golf retirees tour both markets - see our Naples golf courses guide for comparison.
What should I wear at Fort Myers golf courses?
Men: Collared shirt, tailored shorts or pants, soft-spike golf shoes. No denim. Women: Collared or golf-style shirt, skort/shorts/pants, soft-spike shoes. Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen) is essential year-round.
