I lived south of there in Marco Island until I retired in 2002. Lots of golf courses to choose from, but depending on the season can be very crowded and quite expensive. Most of the year to me was so hot and humid golf wasn't enjoyable. Winter gets quite expensive and courses are over crowded. Five hour rounds were considered brisk that time of year. Even the private clubs fill up in Winter unless you join a high end that limits numbers of members. If you find the Summer heat tolerable there will be endless choices at reasonable rates. Good luck on your move, I hope it turns out to be what you're looking for.

Thanks for the reply Paul, Marco is beautiful. We have visited there and love it, but could not afford a house on the island. I kind of figured the winter would be crazy on the courses because of the snow birds and nicer weather. I guess I will be trying to book early morning tee times in the summer. Thanks again!

You may tolerate or adapt the heat better than I did. Many people can, but early morning is the time to play in the Summer. At least the courses will be less crowded for sure. If you can take the heat and play midday they are deserted that time of year. I was fortunate to have connections at a lot of the private courses and could play those in the Winter for a cart fee when they could squeeze me in. Otherwise, I was a driving range golfer.

We were just in Marco two weeks ago for a short visit. Still getting into the mid 90's and humid. The cost of living there has gone insane. We couldn't afford to live there if we wanted to. The house I sold in 2001 for $150,000 is now listed for $700,000. Glad to be in the mountains of NC where Summers are cool. We spend time in St. George, UT in the Winter to avoid the worst of the cold here.

BM - lived in area for 5 years in the Cape. Cape Coral Country club is nice. There are numerous courses in Lee County you may want to explore. Miss living there..

I would like to suggest that you take a look at Vero Beach on the East coast. It's located off of I-95 and has a wonderful private club, Pointe West CC. It's very reasonable and has a nice membership. Vero has a wide price range of homes, low taxes and beautiful beaches.

I'm in Fort Myers. Summertime golf (May to October) is great. Not very crowded and very reasonably priced. There are some discount cards that get you on some nice courses for under $40 pretty much any time in the offseason. Once you get into peak season (December to March) rates skyrocket and the public courses are difficult to get on. If you can swing $7k a year you can join some pretty decent clubs. Otherwise there are some summer memberships to be found for under $1k.

Seems like peak season is going to have to be for range time I guess. Still better than staring at my clubs all winter . Thanks for all the replies

There is golf to be played during the winter, but it's just more expensive and loooooooong rounds because of the snowbirds. If you play in the afternoons, it's not uncommon to find rates around $40. My preferred places to play are River Hall, Heritage Landing, Babcock National, Valencia (Naples), Fort Myers Country Club and a few others.

During the summer when rates are lower, courses like Old Corkscrew and Raptor Bay are 1/3 the price. There are also many private courses that open up for public play like Riverwood CC and The Hideaway.

If you're open to driving an hour or so, Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch have some great options, such as Sarasota National, Waterlefe, Esplande, University Park and Lakewood National.

Depending on where you live, I would look a summer membership. I'm joining The Club at Gateway and The Hideaway for next summer. Gateway has a great practice facility and a decent Tom Fazio course. The Hideaway is a short course (par 67) but the conditions are incredible and it's a fun place to play an afternoon 18 holes in about 90 minutes. Worth checking out!

Agreed! Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota National, University Park and Lakewood National are all great. I haven't played Waterlefe, but have been meaning to every year when I'm down there visiting family. I just like those first four so much, it's hard to pull myself away from them. Esplanade, in Bradenton. is probably my favorite. Sarasota National, in Venice, was my favorite back when there were virtually no homes being built. Still great now though.

I purchased the Suncoast Golf Trail Pass last year for like, 50 bucks and saved myself a few dollars on winter rounds at Esplanade and Lakewood Nat'l. Sarasota Nat'l is also part of the Suncoast Pass, but the savings were only maybe 10 bucks. Summertime rates are really low with the pass, and if I'm not mistaken, there are a few courses on it as far south as Ft. Myers. I think Esplanade in Naples is on it, though I don't know anything about that one.

My parents live in Bonita Springs and when I visit, I ALWAYS play is Old Corkscrew at least once. One of my favorites down there. It's pricy but worth playing it once.

I usually go down in the winter when prices are high and only tip I have is to check out GolfNow for last minute deals. I've gotten lucky a few times.

Enjoy your time down there!

Old Corkscrew is a great place to play when you're feeling overly confident and need to be checked back to reality. LOL. Easily the most difficult course in the area. Beautiful golf course, amazing design, and a test on every single shot. Definitely worth playing every once in a while.

That is the truth Brock! I won't say how many balls have been lost.... :)

Thanks for all the insight guys. looking forward to playing all the area has to offer!

Speaking of cool courses, Tiburon Gold Course is very fun...they play the LPGA Tour Championship and the PGA Tour events on this course. FWIW

CHris92009, Watching the QBE Shootout as I write!