Last Updated on February 24, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club is located in Fort Myers, Florida. It’s a two course design with more than 800 acres of gated land. The Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club is a lifestyle community with nature preserves, community activities, and more. As a former membership director and golf professional, I’ve had a chance to play and visit the Heritage Palms golf courses and can say that there are some great things this community has to offer. Here’s my Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club review and overview.
Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club: At A Glance
Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club, located in Fort Myers, Florida. The club is not only known for its two championship golf courses and extensive amenities but also for its strategic location.
The club is about 15 miles from Fort Myers Beach, offering easy access to the stunning Gulf Coast beaches.
Additionally, Heritage Palms is conveniently situated just about 2.4 miles from Southwest Florida International Airport. This makes it an accessible destination for both local and international visitors. If you are looking for a second club, this one makes a great choice.
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Fort Myers, Florida |
| Golf Courses | Two 18-hole championship courses (Azinger/Lewis design), Driving Range |
| Tennis Courts | Eight lighted Har-Tru courts |
| Pickleball Courts | Two Courts Available |
| Bocce Courts | Located at the Lodge facility |
| Wellness Center | State-of-the-art fitness area, aerobics room, locker rooms, personal training |
| Swimming Pools | Clubhouse pool, Lodge pool, plus seven community pools |
| Dining Options | Palms Dining Room, Grill Room, Tiki Bar & Grill, Cabana, Lodge |
| Membership Types | Full Golf, Social, Family, Single |
Pros and Cons of the Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club
Having the chance to place Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club several times I was able to really see what the facility has to offer. Although most of my experience was positive, here are a few of the things that you can consider the pros and cons of Heritage Palms.
Driving Range is a Water Range
When we first found the Heritage Palms driving range; my kids thought it was incredibly cool. There is something great about hitting golf balls into the water as a kid (not as much fun as you get older!).
The water driving range is unique; it looks attractive. However, if you are serious about game improvement, you probably want to see more of how the ball reacts when it lands on the turf. There are greens to hit; they are small.
It’s not a make-or-break thing for Heritage Palms Country Club; it’s just something to be aware of.
Golf Course Conditions Are Really Good
The golf course conditions are excellent. I was very impressed with the consistency in the green speeds. In addition, landscaping and general course maintenance are pretty close to perfect. These guys do a great job.
It’s Not Easy to Just Run Out On The Course
If you like the “sleepy” no tee time golf club atmosphere, this is not it. Heritage Palsm is busy, and if you don’t get into the tee time, you may end up missing out on a chance to play. Even late in the day, the place is busy.
It Is Busy
Heritage Palms offers a great value (see below); however when you look at golf clubs that have better value, you can expect that the facilities are usually busier and offer less individualized service.
Pace of Play is Not The Fastest
We played most Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club rounds in 4.5 hours. It’s not the slowest but not the fastest pace from what we witnessed. Again, when it’s foursome after foursome all day long, it’s hard to keep the pace closer to 3.5 hours.
When One Course is Down You May Not Play
Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club recently went through a renovation. The renovation closed one golf course completely, and it made it very difficult to get on the other course. Again, this is not a common problem; just be ready to play some reciprocal golf if you are an everyday golfer.
Pools Can Get Very Busy
The club pools with food and beverage service are a bit busy at times. It’s one of those spots that you may have to make sure you get there early in the day. During holiday weekends, it’s especially difficult. If you have family in town and know you need some tables and space, plan for it.
Satellite Pools Are A Nice Option
If you don’t need a hamburger while you sit by the pool, the individual pools in the neighborhoods are a nice benefit. You can use these without worrying about grabbing a seat first thing in the morning.
There are enough of them throughout the neighborhood to accommodate the population, even during prime season.
Food is Average
The food we had was good. It’s nothing incredible. With that said, I’m not sure we expected much more, considering the pricing and overall fee structure of Heritage Palms. It’s a good place, and there are plenty of restaurants in the local area if you want to change it up and eat outside of the club from time to time. Egg sandwiches are good.
People Are Not Stuffy
The people at Heritage Palms, or HP as many members call it, were mostly friendly and accommodating. It seems like a club filled with people from New York and the Midwest. They are happy to have found their spot in Fort Myers.
Golf
The Azinger/Lewis-designed layout here features 36 holes across two championship golf courses, and I’ve always found the conditions to be top-notch. The courses are beautifully maintained, ensuring great playability all year round. What stands out to me is the fairness of the layouts; they’re challenging yet completely fair, catering well to golfers at all skill levels.
In addition to the fantastic courses, there’s a full-service Golf Pro Shop, Driving Range, Putting Greens, and golf instruction and clinics.
Heritage Palms uses the Chelsea automated tee time system. It’s convenient and ensures that all members get equitable access to the courses.
Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club Costs
Costs can change from year to year at any country club. We were able to get the Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club costs from their membership book. The thing to keep in mind here is the affordability of the golf membership, considering all that is offered with it.
- Resident Club Dues: $3220
- Master Association Capital Reserves- $739
- Master Association Fees: $3698 (maintenance for common areas, security, internet and television)
- Special Assessment Fee: $550 (to pay for the recent renovation- paid off by 2037)
- Food and Beverage Minimum: $500
Total costs end up at around $8800 but that is covering maintenance within the community as well. Something that is usually additional.
Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club vs. The Competition
| Club | Type | Key Features |
| Heritage Palms Golf & Country Club | Private | Two 18-hole championship courses designed by Jed Azinger and Gordy Lewis, 45 freshwater lakes and ponds, 179 acres of nature preserves. |
| Verandah Club | Private | Two 18-hole courses (Old Orange and Whispering Oak designed by Jack Nicklaus II and Bob Cupp), a large practice facility, and two restaurants. |
| The Forest Country Golf Club | Private | Two 18-hole championship courses (The Bobcat and The Bear), U.S Open Qualifiers, and other major tournaments, nestled in nature preserves. |
| Cypress Lake Golf Club | Private | Historic club with a course designed by Dick Wilson, water in play on most holes, and diverse wildlife and vegetation. |
| The Plantation Golf & Country Club | Private | 18-hole course designed by Dr Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, water challenges, undulating fairways, and well-protected greens. |
| Olde Hickory Golf & Country Club | Private | Ron Garl designed the course, water hazards, five sets of tees, Celebration Bermuda grass on fairways, TifEagle Bermuda Grass on greens. |
| Fiddlesticks Country Club | Private | Two courses (Long Mean and Loch Ness), challenging holes water hazards, ranked among the top courses in Southern Florida. |
Things You May Not Know About Heritage Palms
Here are a few things you may not know about Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club, at least until you head there for a round of golf.
- You cannot walk the course; get used to riding in a cart; it’s really your only option.
- The community itself has some great fishing ponds that are easy to access and lots of walking path and trails.
- The newly completed fitness center is state of the art; combine that with a walk in the neighborhood, and you can stay active without having to walk the course.
- The Tiki bar is a long way from the main clubhouse; you must get in a car to get there.
- Personal golf carts are not a big thing in the community; many of the residents live in the large condo buildings with nowhere to part or leave a cart.
- You can get pretty much everything you need (Shopping, Groceries, Gas, Auto Repair, etc) within about 10 minutes of the club; it’s a very central location.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for golf clubs in the Fort Myers area, Heritage Palms should be on your list. As far as private country clubs go, Heritage Palms is affordable and has a lot to offer. As a golf professional, great greens matter to me (and they should matter to you if you are joining a club). Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club does a great job with their course maintenance and conditioning, and to me, that brings a lot of value to this place.
