Sinci

Blue Heron Pines fit the bill perfectly for two couples, one being new to golf. It is a small, short and tidy executive course run by a very welcoming and helpful staff. The layout was relatively easy, the pace was leisurely and our guests enjoyed the wildlife — rabbit, heron, gator, etc. Although our electric cart died with five holes to go, the ranger handed us his cart to finish up without hesitation. Recommended for short-iron play, novices and beginners.

The National is looking better and better every time I play it and better value because of it. I hope it remains publicly accessible once the surrounding community is finished. Highly recommended.

Ibis Landing is always great value for the price and quickly becoming one of my go-to courses during busy season in SWFL. Highly recommended.

This was my first crack at Mustang, having played Flamingo on previous visits to Lely. Mustang is different in design and playability and, while not a bad course, I prefer Flamingo. Mustang was fun enough, but neither as pretty nor as interesting. Most every hole felt the same and I found myself using the same four clubs over and over; some clubs went unused. That, and having workmen constantly in the way, merits Mustang 3.5 to Flamingo’s 4.

Based on reviews I had read, I wanted to like San Carlos perhaps more than I did. It is a nicely maintained course with wide fairways and not much trouble. Nice, but unremarkable. I found the biggest challenge was the thickness of the Bermuda rough. As a summer Hot Deal though, it offers decent value so comes recommended..

I really liked Spanish Wells. It is an attractive venue winding through a pretty community. The course(s) divide into nines (I played the north and east), each of them well maintained and built for scoring. Very, very playable. The friendly staff was also very accommodating as we waited out a storm warning and got us going quickly when all clear. Recommended.

Ibis Landing is a diamond in the rough, presumably the centerpiece for a Lennar community being built next to a shabby neighbourhood. Construction aside, the golf course looks great, plays great and great value as a summer Hot Deal. A pleasant surprise that comes recommended.

Forest Glen always a pleasure to play, the course always in beautiful shape, the staff always accommodating. Lightning delayed our round over an hour, but the starter got us back out there efficiently. Highly recommended.

Lely’s Flamingo is a pretty nice course but too often overpriced, especially in high season, so is full value as a summertime Hot Deal. The course was virtually empty, in excellent shape and played extremely well. The greens were particularly true, which resulted in me carding a personal-best score for a full-length course. I only wish the staff was a bit friendlier and the workmen did not get in the way so much. Even so, recommended.

Stoneybrook is a fun golf course. It has a friendly staff and vibe. The layout is varied but always playable, although the greens had been aerated so were rough and sandy on this visit. As it was, I did not have to putt on No. 14, thanks to a hole-in-one! Recommended.

The Hideaway is a hidden gem tucked tightly within a small community setting. It is a private course not often available to the public so I jumped at the chance to try it. The layout is inventive and interesting. The course itself is quite attractive and was in excellent condition the day I played. Overall, it ranks among the most apealing executive courses I have played in SWFL.

Forest Glen never disappoints. Still one of my favourite places to play for the price in Naples. Highly recommended.

Myerlee is an average course on the upswing so more fair-to-middling than fair. However, on this day, it was merely fair. The layout is nice enough, but the course was so painfully hard and dry that even the softest shots and putts rolled ridiculously far. It being a short executive course with carts, I was hoping to play a reasonably quick round, but I was paired with three beginners and it took four hours. Doubt I will be back.

Old Corkscrew is a first-rate golf experience. I had heard the setting had classic flair and old-time charm, but it was even better than expected. It looked and felt like a PGA Champions Tour venue — no housing, just nature — and played like it. Being a Jack Nicklaus Signature course, it is thoughtfully designed and challenging. Impeccably cared for, too. The starter informed us that the greens had a bit of fungi, but it was not a factor as the pins were situated to avoid it, Old Corkscrew is my new favourite course among the affordables in SWFL. Highly recommended.

I have played Arrowhead plenty but was not impressed this round. The course felt a bit, well, coarse, a bit rough in spots and ragged around the edges with only the 18th green truly looking up to snuff. I have seen it look and play better.

In a word, Hibiscus is busy. It is a public course so popular in Naples, but 5+ hours is a long round for three brisk players. We waited and waited and waited some more on virtually every hole. The course is decent enough but it, too, felt busy with fairways winding all over the place. There are far better alternatives for the price at this time of year in Naples.

Quail Run winds tight through a dense community in Naples astride a busy shopping district. High hedges hide the traffic but not the noise. The course is easily playable, in reasonable shape and decent value for a mid-size course as a Hot Deal. Pace was slow, though.

Raptor Bay is a scenic, beautifully designed and maintained course for the discriminating golfer. Everything is first class and held to a high standard. It was in excellent shape and a pleasure to play. Plenty of oversized wildlife too, including gators, herons, ospreys and crickets. Highly recommended.