
27.01.2026
Perfect Conditions for Golfers: Why Winter is the Best Time to Visit Florida’s Paradise Coast

27.01.2026
Perfect Conditions for Golfers: Why Winter is the Best Time to Visit Florida’s Paradise Coast
Frankfurt am Main, January 27, 2026 (bz) | While golf courses in Germany are dormant, Florida’s Paradise Coast is in peak season for golfers. The Naples, Marco Island, and Everglades region offers optimal conditions from January to March: over 90 championship courses with temperatures around 24 degrees Celsius, low humidity, excellent course conditions, and high-profile professional tournaments make the region an ideal destination for golf trips.
The winter months from January to March offer the best playing conditions of the year. The golf courses are in their optimal state: the fairways are lush and the greens perfectly manicured. Daily high temperatures between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius, low humidity, and an average of only five rainy days per month ensure reliable playing conditions – unlike the humid summer months with frequent thunderstorms and high humidity.
Over 90 Courses in a Natural Paradise
With over 90 golf courses, the Paradise Coast boasts one of the highest densities of golf facilities per capita in the USA. It’s no wonder Naples holds the unofficial title of “Golf Capital of the World.” The 1,620 holes are spread over an area of approximately 450 square kilometers – designed by renowned designers such as Greg Norman, Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer.
What makes it special: many courses border directly on nature reserves or are nestled within the subtropical wilderness. For example, golfers at the Eagle Lakes Golf Club play with views of bald eagles and possibly in the company of alligators. On courses with abundant water, the local “Reptile Rule” generally applies: if the ball is dangerously close to an alligator, a penalty-free drop is permitted.
From Night Golf to Professional Tournaments
A special highlight is The Links of Naples – the only course in the region that offers night golf. This public 18-hole executive course (Par 61, 4,005 yards) features stadium lighting, allowing play after sunset. From November to April, play is possible from Wednesday to Saturday until 11:00 PM. Due to the lighting and shorter course length, this offering is particularly suitable for family outings or for players who appreciate a relaxed evening on the course.
On a different level is the Tiburón Golf Club. Its two 18-hole courses designed by Greg Norman – the Gold Course and the Black Course – host three prestigious professional tournaments annually: the PGA TOUR Champions Chubb Classic, the LPGA CME Group Tour Championship as the ladies’ tour season finale, and the Grant Thornton Invitational, where LPGA and PGA TOUR professionals compete together for the first time. For golfers, this means playing on the same fairways where the world’s elite will compete for titles just weeks later. In March, when the PGA Tour comes to Florida for several weeks, attention to golf in the entire region increases even further.
Luxury Resorts with Direct Golf Access
The region combines first-class golf with luxurious accommodation. Several resorts have their own championship courses or offer exclusive access to renowned facilities:
- The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón: With direct access to the Tiburón Golf Club, the resort offers special programs. The Caddie Concierge Program (November to April) provides personalized on-course assistance, while the “Hassle-Free Program” offers guests high-quality Callaway rental equipment. Family-friendly offer: children up to 15 years old play for free when accompanied by a paying adult (valid after 3:00 PM).
- JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort: The resort features two championship courses: The Rookery with challenging water hazards and strategically placed bunkers, and Hammock Bay with spectacular views of the mangrove landscape. Daily, one of the courses is reserved exclusively for resort guests, while the other is publicly accessible. Both courses benefit from the optimal winter conditions and offer challenges for every skill level.
- LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort: The resort is located directly between the Gulf of Mexico and Vanderbilt Bay. The 18-hole links golf course designed by Robert Cupp is exclusively accessible to hotel guests and club members. After the round, the award-winning BALEEN Naples restaurant awaits, where guests can dine with their feet in the sand and watch sunsets over the Gulf.
- Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort: Opening in November 2025, the resort will unveil an 18-hole course designed by Tom Fazio in 2027.
The location of the resorts makes it possible to combine golf days with other activities: 30 miles of white sand beaches, airboat tours through the Everglades, and fine dining in Naples’ diverse culinary scene are right on the doorstep.
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Press Contact:
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Trade Contact:
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Annette Eckhardt
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About Florida’s Paradise Coast
The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the official source for travel and tourism information about Florida’s Paradise Coast. This premier vacation and meeting destination in Southwest Florida offers a variety of exceptional opportunities year-round – the elegance of Naples, the charm of Marco Island, and the authentic, rural beauty of Everglades City. With a 30-mile coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, lined with soft, white sand beaches, visitors enjoy a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere and a variety of accommodations, from luxurious beachfront resorts and upscale boutique hotels to inviting, family-friendly lodging. The destination is known for its thriving arts and culture scene, exceptional dining, designer boutiques, and diverse shopping options. As a mecca for sports enthusiasts, it is home to over 90 public and private golf courses, the United Soccer League’s FC Naples team, and hosts three major PGA and LPGA championship tournaments, as well as the Minto U.S. Open Pickleball Championships. Water sports activities abound, from world-class fishing and sailing charters to kayaking, paddleboarding, and airboat rides. The area is also home to the world-famous Everglades – the only subtropical mangrove wilderness in the USA, home to endangered and rare wildlife such as the elusive Florida panther and over 350 bird species.
On Florida’s Paradise Coast, luxurious living meets wildlife. Accolades include being named the “best place to live in the USA,” the “healthiest and happiest city in America,” and “one of the best small towns in the USA.” Florida’s Paradise Coast is just two hours from Miami, three hours from Tampa, and four hours from Orlando, and is easily accessible via interstate highway. Travelers from outside the Sunshine State can fly into Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Punta Gorda (PGD), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and Miami (MIA). For more information about Florida’s Paradise Coast, call 800-688-3600, visit ParadiseCoast.com, X, Instagram, and Facebook.