Naples' best courses aren't accidents of climate; they're the work of a short list of world-class architects. Here's who built what — with the record set straight on a few common miscredits.
Ask why one Naples course feels world-class and another feels like real-estate golf, and the answer is usually the architect. The area's top tier traces to a handful of names — and two of the most common online attributions are wrong, so let's start there.
Calusa Pines (2001) is a Dr. Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry design — not Tom Fazio, despite what several consumer articles claim; Fry/Straka's own portfolio lists it, and Golf Digest notes it was "built by the same team of architects" as Naples National (1992), the duo's earlier Naples masterwork. Between them: the No. 3 and No. 16 courses in Florida.
Kinsale (opened November 2024) is a Gil Hanse/Jim Wagner design — not Coore & Crenshaw, another frequent mix-up. It's a template-style tribute to the Seth Raynor/C.B. Macdonald school, with 153 bunkers across 174 acres.
Fazio's Naples footprint is the deepest: Old Collier (2001) — the first U.S. course grassed wall-to-wall in salt-tolerant Seashore Paspalum, turf research the club funded — and 36 holes at Mediterra (South ranked No. 56 in Florida; the club and our database differ on which course opened in 2000 vs. 2002 — verify with the club).
Talis Park's course (2004) is the market's only Dye/Norman co-design. Norman solo built both courses at Tiburón (Gold 1998, Black 2001) — the Gold is No. 58 in Florida and the best public-access pedigree in town, which is why three professional tours play there.
Grey Oaks runs 54 holes: the Pine reimagined by Andrew Green (2023) — the restorer of Congressional and Oak Hill — the Palm by Bob Cupp/Tim Liddy (2017), and the Estuary by Cupp (2002, Liddy update 2018).
Hills shaped more premier-private Naples golf than almost anyone: 36 holes at Quail West (1992), 27 at Wyndemere (1981), plus redesign work at Royal Poinciana.
Dick Wilson built Naples' original golf-only club at Hole in the Wall (1957); Robert von Hagge built Bay Colony; Robert Trent Jones Sr., Lee Trevino and Gary Player each built one of Lely Resort's three courses; and Jack Nicklaus signed the Talon at TwinEagles and Old Corkscrew in Estero. Next up: Kyle Phillips at Pandion (2027) and Fry/Straka at The Lantern Club (2028) — the Calusa Pines lineage returning to the market.
Every architect with three or more communities in our database gets a dedicated page:
Related: the architects behind Naples' courses (buyer's guide) and the best private clubs, ranked.
Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry (2001). Several articles miscredit it to Tom Fazio, but Fry/Straka's own portfolio lists Calusa Pines, and Golf Digest confirms it was built by the same Hurdzan/Fry team that built Naples National.
Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner — not Coore & Crenshaw, as sometimes reported. Opened in November 2024, it's a tribute to the Raynor/Macdonald template style with 153 bunkers.
Old Collier Golf Club (2001) and both Mediterra courses (36 holes). Fazio Design Group is also handling Royal Poinciana's Pines course renovation, slated for summer 2025.
Yes — both Tiburón courses (Gold 1998, Black 2001) solo, and Talis Park (2004) as the market's only Pete Dye/Greg Norman co-design.
Pandion Golf Club, a Kyle Phillips design slated for 2027, and The Lantern Club, a Fry/Straka design slated for 2028 — both golf-first clubs with reported $250,000 initiations.
Current initiation, dues, capital contributions and waitlist status for the clubs on your shortlist — verified before you tour.
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