Golf Best Bets

The Fort Myers Sanibel area is located in the epicenter of Florida’s Golf Coast (bad pun 100 percent intended). Here are some of the best bets from tee to green.

Golf at its Most Natural

Raptor Bay Golf Club. More than just another meticulously maintained WCI course, Raptor Bay in Bonita Springs is 6,702 yards of championship golf wrapped in a stunning wildlife setting. The 18 Raymond Floyd-designed holes (with 9 holes to be added in the future) weave their way through more than 200 acres of wetlands, native vegetation and natural ecosystems. Birdies may be hard to come by at this Audubon International Gold Signature Sanctuary-certified course, but bald eagles are a common sight.

Practice Made Perfect

Stoneybrook Golf Club through Paradise Golf Academy. Low student-to-teacher ratios are as important on the course as they are in a PhD program, and there’s no way to get your advanced golf degree faster than through a round at Stoneybrook Golf Club in Estero with an instructor from Paradise Golf Academy. One of the largest golf schools in Southwest Florida, Paradise Golf Academy emphasizes teaching techniques such as video swing analysis, and traditional playing lessons with PGA-certified instructors.

The Mike Calbot International Golf Studio & Triad Golf Schools. One of golf’s most sought-after pros, Mike Calbot provides detailed instruction for beginners as well as regular golfers. Take a full- or half-day workshop, or sign up for as many as five days of lessons. Ask him to show you a couple of trick shots, too – that and swings are his specialty.

Rise to the Challenger

Mirror Lakes Golf Club. There are no subtleties to deal with at the famed 11th hole. No nuances, no gimmicks, just 707 yards of raw distance. It’s the longest hole in South Florida – so long, in fact, it’s a par 6. “The 707 Challenger," as it’s nicknamed, is the brawniest challenge of the budget-friendly 7,202-yard course. This is a wide-open layout, so let ‘er rip.

Seaside Slice

Captiva Course at South Seas Island Resort. The biggest hurdle to posting a low number is maintaining your concentration against such a stunning backdrop. Set along the sandy beaches of the northern tip of Captiva Island, these sporty nine holes stretch a friendly 1,394 yards with par of 27. Diminutive greens and steady ocean breezes offset the short length of this oceanfront links layout. Snagging a late-afternoon tee time provides a stunning Gulf sunset, so it matters less how well you play.

Water, Water Everywhere

The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club. The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club on Sanibel Island is less a golf course surrounded by water as it is water punctuated by a golf course. Redesigned by Mark McCumber in 1995, the course meanders its way across tufts of dry land surrounded by a sea of mangrove swamps and wildlife-filled lakes. The H20 comes into play on 18 (yes, all 18) holes, making a pre-round ball-buying spree a necessity for all but the straightest of ball strikers.

Driving for Dollars

Coral Oaks Golf Course. This city-owned gem has been a favorite for local and visiting golfers alike for over 20 years. While the Arthur Hills-designed layout may appeal to the wallet-conscious golfer, don’t let the bargain green fees ($30-$69 with cart) at this Cape Coral course fool you. With water coming into play on 12 holes and majestic oaks guarding nearly every fairway, a round at Coral Oaks is no walk in the park. The large Tifeagle greens can present a daunting challenge, so practice your putting a bit more than usual before the round.

A Course at Its Core

Old Corkscrew Golf Club. This standalone course isn’t part of a development – more like part of its environment. The winner of such prestigious awards as the Florida Golf Course of the Year in 2008, it’s the only course in Lee County to boast Jack Nicklaus’ Signature design. This par 72 course boasts holes that don’t show favoritism to any level of golfer.