What Is Esplanade Golf & Country Club Like in Naples, FL?

Esplanade’s amenity program is structured to deliver a true resort-style country club experience supported by world class amenities. When I walk clients through the community, what stands out is the breadth of offerings - golf, fitness, spa services, dining, racquet sports, and outdoor recreation all integrated within one gated setting. The design allows residents to move easily between activities without leaving the neighborhood.

• Lagoon-style pool and Bahama Bar with cabanas and lakeside lounge seating.
• Culinary Center (approximately 15,000 sq ft) featuring the Barrel House Bistro & Tap Room, Barrel House Patio, Docidi 951 ballroom, Uva tasting room, teaching kitchen, and casual café.
• Multiple dining venues including café, grill, taproom, wine room, and demonstration kitchen for cooking classes and wine tastings.
• Full-service Koquina Sand Spa offering massages, facials, manicures, and hair services.
• 24-hour fitness center and aerobic studio with structured programs and personal training.
• Professional tennis and pickleball courts plus bocce courts.
• Dog parks, community gardens, and lakeside parks.
• Approximately 14 miles of walking and biking trails through preserved wetlands and natural areas.

Esplanade’s country club lifestyle centers on its 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course designed by Chris Wilczynski and opened in 2014. The course stretches 6,983 yards from the back tees and features TifEagle greens, strategic bunkering, and preserved wetlands throughout the layout. Practice facilities include a driving range, short-game area, and putting green, and the course is professionally managed by Troon Privé. The club has also engaged Rees Jones, Inc. to develop a long-term master plan for course enhancements.

Golf membership is bundled with property ownership, meaning there is no separate initiation fee and membership transfers with the home. Social members have access to dining, fitness, pool, and racquet amenities but do not receive full golf privileges.

Because Esplanade operates under a bundled model rather than an equity structure, the culture remains consistently active with organized leagues, tournaments, and year-round events. For many buyers, the appeal lies in the balance: access to a full championship golf experience without the capital contribution structure or long-term waitlists often associated with traditional equity country clubs.

Esplanade’s Culinary Center serves as the community’s clubhouse and social hub. The recently completed 15,000‑square‑foot facility offers indoor and outdoor dining venues, including the Barrel House Bistro & Tap Room, Barrel House Patio, Uva tasting room and Docidi 951 ballroom, as well as a teaching kitchen for cooking classes and private events. Residents can grab morning coffee at the café, attend wine tastings, or reserve the ballroom for special occasions. The Culinary Center complements the existing amenity center with its resort pool, fitness complex and sports courts, creating a vibrant social scene for year‑round enjoyment.

Esplanade is a bundled golf community; every residence either includes a golf membership or a social membership. There are two tiers:

• Full Golf Membership (Bundled): attached to select properties. There is no initiation fee; membership transfers with the property. Annual golf dues are about $11,536. Membership is capped at roughly 850 members and includes unlimited play, practice facilities and full access to all amenities.
• Social Membership: bundled with other homes; provides access to dining, fitness, spa, pool, racquet sports and social events. Social members pay about $2,700 annually and can play a limited number of golf rounds at prevailing guest rates.

Membership details can vary by home and are subject to change. Contact Matt Brown at (239) 580‑8864 for the latest membership fees and waiting list status.

Within North Naples, Esplanade is often compared to Grey Oaks, Mediterra, and TwinEagles, but the ownership structure creates a meaningful distinction.

Grey Oaks and Mediterra operate as equity golf clubs with higher initiation fees and a more traditional private club model. TwinEagles, like Esplanade, offers bundled golf but is located further east with a larger land footprint and a quieter, more rural setting.

Esplanade differentiates itself through its resort-style amenity campus, Culinary Center, and bundled membership structure without a separate equity contribution. Buyers who want strong golf access combined with active social programming and newer construction often view Esplanade as a middle-ground option between ultra-luxury equity clubs and more remote bundled communities. For a broader view of how Esplanade fits among the area’s leading options, see Matt Brown’s guide to the Top 3 Naples Golf Communities.

Esplanade offers a range of housing options designed to accommodate both low-maintenance seasonal ownership and larger estate-style living within a bundled golf community.

• Estate Homes: Built primarily by Stock Development, ranging from approximately 2,800 to over 4,500 square feet, typically offering three to five bedrooms, larger lots, and upgraded finishes.
• Single-Family & Villa Homes: Developed by Taylor Morrison, generally between 1,800 and 3,500 square feet, featuring open layouts and manageable lot sizes.
• Coach Homes: First- and second-floor residences with attached garages, typically around 1,800 to 2,400 square feet, often including social membership.
• Condominiums: Two- and three-bedroom units ranging from roughly 1,700 to 2,400 square feet, designed for lock-and-leave convenience.

Homes are positioned around the golf course, lakes, and preserved wetlands, creating a mix of fairway, water, and nature views throughout the community. With just over 1,100 residences spread across 1,798 acres, Esplanade maintains a relatively low residential density compared to many newer developments. The integration of open space and water features contributes to a layout that feels expansive rather than compressed.

When clients ask about dining near Esplanade Golf & Country Club, I often point them to Mercato, less than 20 minutes away. This mixed-use destination offers everything from upscale steakhouses like The Capital Grille to casual spots such as Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar and Bar Tulia, along with evening venues like Blue Martini. Closer to the community, Logan Landings and Founders Square provide additional restaurants, cafés, and breweries that make everyday dining convenient.

For shopping, Mercato blends boutique retail with Whole Foods Market, while Waterside Shops and Coastland Center expand options for luxury and department store brands. Residents also benefit from nearby Publix, Sprouts Farmers Market, and essential services, keeping daily errands simple and accessible.

Entertainment options round out the lifestyle. Residents can catch a film at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, attend performances at Artis Naples and the Baker Museum, or spend time outdoors at Naples Botanical Garden. With Vanderbilt Beach and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park just a short drive away, Gulf sunsets and waterfront recreation are always within reach.

Full Golf Members enjoy year-round access to the 18-hole championship course, practice facilities, organized leagues, member tournaments, and instructional programming. Regular events and seasonal competitions make golf part of weekly routine rather than occasional play.

Residents have access to professional tennis and pickleball courts with structured leagues, clinics, and open play. Organized programming allows players at different skill levels to participate consistently throughout the season.

The 24-hour fitness center supports daily workouts with strength equipment, cardio machines, and group classes. Members also have access to spa services at Koquina Sand Spa, integrating wellness into everyday life.

The Culinary Center anchors the social calendar with formal and casual dining, wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, themed dinners, and private events. Residents regularly participate in club-hosted gatherings, creating an active social environment beyond golf.

The lagoon-style pool, Bahama Bar, bocce courts, walking trails, and dog parks provide additional ways to stay active within the gates. The community layout encourages walking, biking, and casual outdoor recreation.