| It is said that there are more golf courses | | | | almost always also have a social membership |
| per capita in SouthWest Florida than anywhere | | | | option as well.In most of the communities |
| else in the United States, with championship | | | | that have equity golf clubs, membership is |
| course designs by Gordon Lewis, Arthur Hills, | | | | not required. That is, non-golfers also live |
| Bob Cupp, Tom Fazio, Chip Powell, and Jack | | | | in the community.Equity Club Examples: Gulf |
| Nicklaus, to name a few. | | | | Harbour (Fort Myers), Miromar (Fort Myers), |
| | | | FiddleSticks (Fort Myers), Pelican Bay |
| For many home buyers, golf is what draws | | | | (Naples), Bonita Bay (Bonita Springs) |
| them to the region, so understanding the | | | | |
| types of golf membership is a key part of the | | | | Price Ranges |
| decision-making process. Here is an overview | | | | |
| of the lingo used when describing the types | | | | Most communities have a mixture of condos, |
| of golf communities in SouthWest Florida. | | | | villas, townhomes, and single-family homes. |
| (SouthWest Florida generally defines the | | | | Prices range from $250,000 to the |
| communities of Cape Coral, Fort Myers, | | | | multi-millions. |
| Naples, Punta Gorda, Bonita Springs, and | | | | |
| Sanibel/Captiva.) | | | | More On Golf |
| | | | |
| Bundled Membership | | | | Public Courses: Players pay a greens fee and |
| | | | cart fee. Fees vary during the year, with |
| The majority of golf communities are called | | | | higher rates in season. Some courses have |
| "bundled," where membership is bundled | | | | differing fee schedules for residents versus |
| together with title to the property. All | | | | non-residents. Examples: Coral Oaks (Cape |
| residents ("front doors") are members. There | | | | Coral), Tiburon (Ritz-Carlton, Naples), Shell |
| is no initiation fee, but there are modest | | | | Point (Fort Myers) |
| annual club dues of about $1800 - $4000 per | | | | |
| year.Residents pay only a cart fee (or a | | | | Semi-Private Clubs: A semi-private club is |
| trail fee if using your own cart). The | | | | one that has members but also allows |
| average number of "front doors" is around 800 | | | | non-members to play. Some bundled golf clubs |
| in each community. So the plus side of | | | | are semi-private. |
| bundled golf is affordability. The down side | | | | |
| is that getting tee times can be difficult in | | | | Walking: To keep play moving, most courses |
| prime season.Title to the property and | | | | require carts. Some courses allow walking |
| membership automatically passes to the new | | | | anytime, and others allow walking at certain |
| owner at closing; some clubs charge a | | | | times of the year (summer) and/or certain |
| transfer fee ($1000-$1500) to the buyer (or | | | | times of the day (early morning, late |
| the seller may offer to pay the transfer | | | | afternoon). |
| fee).Bundled Club Examples: The Legends (Fort | | | | |
| Myers), The Landings (Fort Myers), Kelly | | | | Reciprocal Play: Most clubs, bundled and |
| Greens (Fort Myers), Cedar Hammock (Naples), | | | | equity, offer reciprocal play privileges with |
| Forest Glen (Naples), CopperLeaf (Bonita | | | | area courses. Typically, reciprocal play is |
| Springs), Royal Tee (Cape Coral), Burnt Store | | | | offered only in the off-season or summer |
| Marina (Punta Gorda). | | | | months. |
| | | | |
| Equity Membership | | | | Tenant Transfer Fee: For those who offer |
| | | | their condo or home to renters, tenants can |
| Equity membership is an individual ownership | | | | assume the full rights and privileges as if |
| in the golf club, separate from ownership of | | | | they were the owners / members by paying a |
| a residence in the community. Depending on | | | | transfer fee of about $100 for the time |
| the rules and regs, membership might be open | | | | period they are in residence. This option is |
| to residents only or open to applicants | | | | more often available in bundled |
| anywhere. Membership is by application and an | | | | communities.Brenda Boss is part of the |
| initiation fee, ranging $40,000 to $250,000. | | | | SageRealtor team with Century 21 Sunbelt |
| Depending on the community and fees, | | | | Realty in SouthWest Florida. They work with |
| membership is limited to 225 - 350 members | | | | buyers, sellers, and investors in Cape Coral, |
| per 18 holes. Annual club dues start around | | | | Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda and |
| $5000 and can be much higher.Because people | | | | surrounding areas. Their knowledge and |
| frequently move from one golf community to | | | | expertise spans residental homes and vacation |
| another in SouthWest Florida, equity | | | | properties, golf and yachting communities, |
| initiation fees are usually refundable. Upon | | | | multifamily properties, and vacant land. |
| resignation, the refund may be a percentage | | | | Brenda and her husband David Sage relocated |
| of what was paid for initiation, a 100% | | | | to the area from the Twin Cities in Minnesota |
| refund of what was paid, or a percentage of | | | | and are avid boaters. They can help clients |
| the prevailing rate.In some cases, an equity | | | | learn about the many wonderful facets of the |
| membership owner can sell the membership | | | | Gulf's ICW waterways, the Cape Coral canal |
| independently or the owner can offer the | | | | systems (over 400 miles of canals), and |
| membership as a package with a condo or home | | | | excursions to the Keys or the Bahamas. Visit |
| in the community that is for sale.Some equity | | | | to learn more about SouthWest Florida |
| clubs also offer an alternative sports | | | | property, business, entertainment and real |
| membership, which includes tennis, swimming, | | | | estate. The team also distributes a monthly |
| dining, fitness center and golf limited to | | | | e-mail newsletter, free when you sign-up at |
| the summer months and/or a limited to fixed | | | | their site. |
| number of tee times per month. Equity clubs | | | | |