Tee Off in Paradise:
The Ultimate Guide to Golf Courses in Bonita Springs & Estero, FL
By Jill Kushner | jillkushner.com | Southwest Florida Luxury Real Estate
If there’s one thing Southwest Florida is famous for — besides stunning sunsets and world-class beaches — it’s golf. The Bonita Springs and Estero area is home to some of the finest golf courses in the entire country, spanning everything from elite private clubs with five-star amenities to accessible public courses tucked inside breathtaking nature preserves.
As a luxury real estate specialist in Southwest Florida, I hear from buyers all the time: “We want to be close to great golf.” Whether you’re searching for a home in a premier golf community in Bonita Springs, FL, or exploring the best public golf courses near Naples, FL, this guide covers everything you need to know. Let’s tee up.
⛳ The Best Golf Courses in Bonita Springs & Estero, FL
1. Bonita Bay Club — 90-Hole Private Golf Paradise
📍 Bonita Springs, FL | Private | 90 Holes | Designer: Arthur Hills
When it comes to golf communities in Bonita Springs, FL, few can rival the sheer grandeur of Bonita Bay Club. An award-winning private club designed by legendary architect Arthur Hills, Bonita Bay offers a staggering 90-hole experience across two properties: West Club and Naples Club — making it one of the most comprehensive golf destinations in all of Florida.
West Club Courses (3 par 72 courses):
West Club is home to Creekside, Marsh, and Bay Island. Creekside rewards long hitters with wide fairways but punishes with elevation shifts and deep bunkers. Marsh demands careful navigation through natural terrain. Bay Island — ranked 78th in Florida — is the crown jewel, winding through water hazards, sand traps, and towering mature trees for a truly unforgettable round.
Naples Club Courses (2 par 72 courses):
Cypress and Sabal round out the five-course experience. The Sabal course, bordering a wildlife preserve and named for its hundreds of native sabal palms, carries the extraordinary designation of being the world’s first private 36-hole Audubon International Signature Sanctuary — a title that speaks to the club’s commitment to environmental stewardship alongside world-class golf.
Beyond the fairways, members enjoy a luxury spa, Lifestyle & Wellness Center, and a private full-service marina. If you’re exploring homes in golf communities in Bonita Springs, Bonita Bay Club is the gold standard.
2. Pelican’s Nest — A Wildlife Sanctuary & World-Ranked Course
📍 Bonita Springs, FL | Private | 36 Holes | Designer: Tom Fazio
Designed by one of golf’s greatest architects, Tom Fazio, Pelican’s Nest at Pelican Landing is where natural beauty and championship golf coexist perfectly. When it opened in 1995, Golf Digest ranked it the #3 Best Public Golf Course in the United States — high praise for any course, anywhere.
Today a private club, Pelican’s Nest is also an annually certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, home to herons, bald eagles, bobcats, and foxes. Its 36 holes are split between two distinct courses:
Hurricane Course (18 holes, par 72):
The more approachable of the two, featuring seven tee boxes that welcome golfers of all skill levels. A great starting point for members new to the club.
Gator Course (18 holes, par 73):
The longer, more challenging layout with five par 5s and a dramatic water feature on a par 3. The course never forces shots over water from the tee boxes, keeping play fair and engaging.
Membership is capped at a community-focused 575 people. Add a 36-station practice range, active social calendar, and multiple dining venues — and you have one of the most complete private club experiences in Southwest Florida. Homes in Pelican Landing are perennially in demand for their waterfront luxury and unmatched lifestyle.
3. The Colony Golf & Country Club — Intimate Elegance Near the Airport
📍 Bonita Springs, FL | Private | 18 Holes | Designer: Jerry Pate | Renovated: 2017
If exclusivity and community are what you’re after in a Bonita Springs golf community, The Colony Golf & Country Club delivers on both. Designed by Jerry Pate in 1996 and completely refreshed with a $3.1 million renovation in 2017, The Colony features 6,802 yards of championship golf with a course rating of 74.1 across six tee options.
With membership capped at just 325, this is a club where you’ll genuinely know your fellow members. Located just 20 minutes from Southwest Florida International Airport, and moments from the beach, shopping, dining, and healthcare, The Colony checks every box for the discerning Southwest Florida homebuyer.
4. Shadow Wood — 54 Championship Holes & a Coveted Community
📍 Bonita Springs, FL | Private | 54 Holes | Designers: Robert Cupp & Arthur Hills
Shadow Wood is one of the most sought-after golf communities in Bonita Springs, and for good reason. Three championship courses totaling 54 holes, a membership capped at 900, and a newly renovated clubhouse make this a complete luxury lifestyle destination.
Three Audubon-Certified Courses:
The North Course (designed by Robert Cupp, renovated by Rees Jones in 2017) features undulating fairways over glittering lakes. The South Course is more open and forgiving with striking water features. The Preserve Course, designed by Arthur Hills, winds through marshes and wetlands rich with native pines, sabal palms, and palmettos. All three carry Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary designation.
Shadow Wood at the Brooks is one of the most coveted communities in all of Southwest Florida — demand is consistently high and inventory is low. Beyond golf, residents enjoy Beach Club access, multiple dining options, and an active social calendar. This is Florida living at its finest.
5. West Bay Club — Distinguished, Intimate, and Designed by the Dyes
📍 Estero, FL | Private | 18 Holes | Designers: Pete & P.B. Dye
Designed by the legendary Pete and P.B. Dye and recently honored with BoardRoom Magazine’s prestigious Distinguished Club Award, West Bay Club is the definition of refined luxury golf near Estero, FL. With just 300 memberships available, this is as intimate and exclusive as Florida private golf gets.
The course was thoughtfully designed to enhance Southwest Florida’s natural beauty while challenging players of every skill level. The West Bay Golf Academy — led by PGA and LPGA professionals — adds extraordinary value for members looking to improve their game. After your round, unwind at the resort-style pool or the Private Beach Club, complete with beach butler service. Luxury homes surrounding West Bay are worth exploring for those ready to commit to this exceptional lifestyle.
6. Estero Country Club — Best Country Club in Southwest Florida
📍 Fort Myers, FL | Private | 18 Holes | Designer: Gordon Lewis
Named Best Country Club in Southwest Florida by The News-Press, Estero Country Club sits on a spectacular 105-acre property with sweeping lake views — widely considered one of designer Gordon Lewis’s finest works. The par 72 championship course offers limited memberships for a truly elite experience, while golf leagues, tennis, dining, and social events round out a vibrant club culture.
7. Stoneybrook Golf Club — The Best Public Golf Course in Estero
📍 Estero, FL | Public | 18 Holes | Designers: Gordon Lewis & Jed Azinger
Looking for the best public golf courses near Naples, FL or in the greater Estero area? Stoneybrook Golf Club is a standout. One of the longest courses in Southwest Florida, it was among only 200 courses nationwide to earn “Beginner Friendly” certification from the National Golf Course Owners Association — making it genuinely welcoming to all levels of play.
Originally designed in 2000 and renovated in 2010, the course winds through preserve areas and shimmering lakes leading to large, undulating greens. Lighted practice facilities make it easy to sharpen your game at any hour. If you’re seeking public golf courses in Bonita Springs, FL and the surrounding region, Stoneybrook deserves a spot on your list.
8. Bonita National Golf & Country Club — Luxury Meets Playability
📍 Bonita Springs, FL | Private | 18 Holes | Designer: Gordon Lewis
Bonita National is a beloved Bonita Springs golf community where beautiful scenery meets resort-style amenities. Gordon Lewis’s 2014 design stretches across 7,019 yards of lakes, white sand bunkers, and lush fairways — fun and challenging for golfers of all ages and experience levels. Up to 850 members enjoy a lagoon pool with beach entry, poolside café and bar, and an active social scene. The surrounding homes are equally impressive.
9. Old Corkscrew Country Club — A Bucket-List Golf Experience
📍 Estero, FL | Semi-Public | 18 Holes | Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Old Corkscrew is unlike any other course in Southwest Florida. A Jack Nicklaus Signature Design and Certified Audubon International Silver Signature Sanctuary, this semi-public course has collected an extraordinary set of accolades: Golf Magazine’s Best Course You Can Play, Best Course Near You, Best Course That You’ve Never Heard Of, and Golf Digest’s One of America’s Best New Courses.
Set outside any residential community, Old Corkscrew offers a pure, standalone golf experience. Dramatic oak, pine, and cypress trees frame what many consider the most challenging course in Florida. For any serious golf enthusiast visiting or relocating to Southwest Florida, a round at Old Corkscrew is an absolute must.
10. Raptor Bay Golf Club — Scenic Public Golf in Bonita Springs
📍 Bonita Springs, FL | Public | 18 Holes (2×9) | Designer: Raymond Floyd | Par: 71
Designed by Raymond Floyd in 2001, Raptor Bay is a beautiful public golf option set within the Estero Bay nature preserve — and a proud Audubon International Golf Signature Sanctuary. Two 9-hole courses offer a relaxed, scenic experience perfect for casual golfers, families, or anyone looking for a lighter commitment. After your round, Braxton’s full-service bar and grill with outdoor seating in the Florida sunshine is the ideal cap to the afternoon.
11. Vasari Country Club — Tropical Paradise Golf Living
📍 Bonita Springs, FL | Private | 18 Holes | Designer: Gordon Lewis
Vasari Country Club rounds out our guide with a Gordon Lewis-designed championship course (2004) that’s known throughout the region for its exceptional playability and lush tropical scenery. Rolling green fairways, 375 acres of lakes, and adjacent wildlife preserves create a genuinely paradise-like setting.
With up to 750 members, Vasari supports active Men’s and Ladies’ golf associations and a Junior Golf program. Residents of the Vasari community receive automatic membership — a major lifestyle perk for homebuyers exploring golf communities in Bonita Springs, FL.
Ready to Live on the Fairway?
Southwest Florida’s golf communities aren’t just about the game — they’re about a lifestyle. Waking up to manicured fairways, connecting with a close-knit membership community, and enjoying resort-style amenities year-round is what separates this region from anywhere else in the country.
Whether you’re drawn to the five-course grandeur of Bonita Bay Club, the intimate elegance of The Colony, or the bucket-list challenge of Old Corkscrew, there’s a golf community in Bonita Springs or Estero that’s perfect for you — and a home waiting to be found.
📞 Contact Jill Kushner today to explore luxury homes in Southwest Florida’s premier golf communities. Visit jillkushner.com or call to schedule a private consultation.
