If you're like me, as soon as you set foot in Southwest Florida for the first time you were probably thinking to yourself, "Man, they sure do love their Golf down here!" With more than 100 golf courses, you could play a different course each week for two years. While there are a number of courses to choose from "off-island," Sanibel and Captiva have four of their own – one at the tip of Captiva Island, and three Sanibel Golf Courses.
I've come to learn that, some golf courses are private, some a public… some are championship courses that have a 10 page waiting list, while others are perfect for the occasional weekend putter. There's really a golf course for every kind of golfer here in Southwest Florida, even the put-put golfers like myself!
While I don't spend much of my free time on the greens, I do enjoy the occasional light-hearted, amateur round of golf with my co-workers and friends. As you can see in the photo above, I bring my best game face to the annual Realtor® golf outing on Sanibel. This year's event was at the Dunes!
Venturing all the way to the end of Captiva Drive you'll reach South Seas Island Resort, a beautiful resort to stay and play right on the Gulf. South Seas is home to Captiva's only golf course – The Captiva Course, and it is stunning!
I love South Seas – it definitely has the "paradise vibe" going on. If you've made your way out there, you know how well-manicured the landscaping is and well-kept the buildings are. Take that and times it by 5, and I present you the Captiva Course!
Click here to see all homes for sale in South Seas Resort.
Tall palm trees sway with the breeze coming right off the Gulf of Mexico – which you can see from the course! Lakes with fountains and other natural landscaping make it hands-down, one of the nicest courses in Southwest Florida.
The Captiva Course is a 9-hole, par-27 course designed by Chip Powell. The course is ranked one of the Top 5 Short Courses in the World. It's gulf-side setting makes it truly a unique and incomparable experience to the other courses in SWFL.
Click here to get more information on the Captiva Golf Course.
At the tip of Sanibel Island, before you cross onto Captiva, the Sanctuary Golf Club sits on the back bay waters of Wulfert Road. Another well-manicured course surrounded by natural woodlands, I admire the Sanctuary's neat and tidy appeal. Not to mention, the Sanctuary borders Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, making the neighborhood feels like a secluded island resort of its own!
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This Sanibel golf course is an 18-hole course designed by Arthur Hills, who describes the course as his "Island Masterpiece." It features scenic bay views of the Pine Island Sound, surrounded by 6,657 yards of peaceful nature preserves.
More information on the course can be found on the Sanctuary Golf Club website here.
Continuing East on Sanibel, the Sanibel Island Golf Club is another Sanibel golf course, located mid-island in Beachview Country Club Estates just off of Middle Gulf Drive. The club's semi-private course is surrounded by native plants and trees with indigenous Sanibel Island wildlife often spotted along the course. Each time I've visited the course I've spotted a unique bird resting peacefully around the lake.
Click here to see all homes for sale in Beachview Country Club Estates.
The Sanibel Island Golf Club is an 18-hole course spanning more than 6,000 yards from the back tees. The club offers a variety of membership packages as well as golf outing event packages for larger grouups. With lush vegetation, quite wildlife and a cool Gulf breeze, the course setting highlights the best of Sanibel Island!
Visit the Sanibel Island Golf Club website here for more information.
Last, but certainly not least, the Dunes Golf & Tennis Club sits on the east end of Sanibel Island near the Causeway bridge. Much like the rest of the island, the Dunes neighborhood and golf course is surrounded by acres of wildlife preserve. Actually the Dunes is one of the highest points of elevation on Sanibel, and the course gets a nice breeze from it's multiple lakes and close proximity to the bay.
Click here to see all homes for sale in the Dunes neighborhood.
Voted the "Best Golf Course in Lee County," by Gulfshore Magazine, the 18-hole course was designed by 10-time PGA Tour Winner, Mark McCumber. The Dunes Golf Course has recently undergone renovations, which all of the players I've heard rant and rave about. The club offers multiple packages and the membership is optional for those living in the Dunes neighborhood.
Visit the Dunes Golf & Tennis Club website here for more information.
This should give you a good overview of Captiva and Sanibel Golf Courses. Each has it's own charm and unique aspect. I know each neighborhood really well and would be glad to help weigh the pros and cons of each with you. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like to see properties in these Captiva or Sanibel Golf Courses!