Few communities anywhere can claim three championship courses designed by three Hall-of-Fame names — and at Lely, two of them are open to the public. Here’s how the golf works, plus what it costs to belong to the Players Club & Spa.
A classic Robert Trent Jones Sr. design — the only RTJ Sr. course in the immediate area — and a long-time local favorite. Water comes into play across the round, bunkering is bold, and the finishing stretch is widely considered the toughest test at Lely.
Flamingo Island is open to the public, so you can play and get a feel for the community before you ever buy a home here.
| Designer | Robert Trent Jones Sr. |
|---|---|
| Access | Public (greens fees) |
| Holes | 18 · Par 72 · ~7,230 yds |
| Opened | 1990 |
| Operated by | The Club at Lely Resort |
| Designer | Lee Trevino |
|---|---|
| Access | Public (greens fees) |
| Holes | 18, championship |
| Operated by | The Club at Lely Resort |
Lee Trevino’s only design in the area — a fun, fair, and playable layout that winds through the center of the community past lakes and homes. It’s a favorite for members and visitors who want a great round without a brutal scorecard.
Like Flamingo Island, Mustang is open to the public. Together the two public courses share a clubhouse and the on-site Sam Snead’s Tavern.
The third course — The Classics — is a Gary Player masterpiece wrapped in subtropical woodlands and preserve. It’s the private, member-owned course at the center of Classics Plantation Estates, with its own clubhouse, dining, and a tight-knit membership.
Because The Classics is private, access comes through an equity membership, which is separate from the Players Club & Spa. If a Classics membership matters to you, I can connect you with the club and explain how it pairs with a home purchase.
| Designer | Gary Player |
|---|---|
| Access | Private (equity membership) |
| Holes | 18, championship |
| Setting | Classics Plantation Estates |
Three Hall-of-Fame designs, two of them playable without any membership. Here’s how they compare.
| Course | Designer | Access | Holes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flamingo Island | Robert Trent Jones Sr. | Public — pay-as-you-play | 18 · Par 72 · ~7,230 yds (opened 1990) | The toughest test at Lely; water in play and bold bunkering |
| Mustang | Lee Trevino | Public — pay-as-you-play | 18 · championship | A fair, playable round that winds through the community |
| The Classics | Gary Player | Private — equity membership | 18 · championship | Member-owned privacy inside Classics Plantation Estates |
Course specs are compiled from public sources; ask for the current scorecards (yardage by tee, rating and slope) before you plan a round. Green fees and membership pricing change seasonally — see memberships & fees below.
Sam Snead's Oak Grill & Tavern — the on-site restaurant overlooking the courses at Lely Resort.
Two different things often get lumped together at Lely — the Players Club & Spa (the resort amenity), and golf. Here’s how each works.
The resort amenity hub — pools, fitness, spa, tennis, pickleball, and dining. This is a sports & social membership, not golf.
| One-time deposit | $10,000 (refundable) |
|---|---|
| Annual dues | $6,400 + 6% FL sales tax |
| Required in | Many Stock-built neighborhoods |
Per the 2026 Players Club & Spa schedule. Membership is mandatory in some neighborhoods and not offered in others — confirm for any specific home.
Golf at Lely is separate from the Players Club:
Greens fees and golf-membership pricing change seasonally and aren’t published here — ask me and I’ll get you the current numbers from the club.
There’s also a modest master association assessment that every Lely Resort owner pays (recently about $30 per quarter) plus a one-time $1,500 capital contribution at closing to the master association — on top of each neighborhood’s own dues. See the cost-of-ownership guide for the full picture.
Want to play without a big commitment? The public courses make Lely unusually flexible. Want a private-club experience? Look at Classics Plantation Estates. Want resort amenities for the family? Focus on neighborhoods that include the Players Club. I’ll help you line up the lifestyle with the right neighborhood and budget.
Lely is one of dozens of golf communities across Collier & Lee County, each with a different membership model. For side-by-side initiation fees, dues, and course designers across the whole area, see our companion guide.
Yes. Two of the three courses — Flamingo Island (Robert Trent Jones Sr.) and Mustang (Lee Trevino) — are open to the public and play on seasonal greens fees, no membership required. Only The Classics (Gary Player) is private and requires an equity membership.
Three Hall-of-Fame designers: Flamingo Island is a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design (opened 1990), Mustang is Lee Trevino’s only course in the area, and The Classics is a Gary Player design at the center of Classics Plantation Estates.
The public Flamingo Island and Mustang courses need no membership — you pay seasonal greens fees. The Classics is a separate private equity club; published figures have ranged roughly $45,000 to $100,000 initiation with annual dues about $8,000 to $22,000 depending on membership type. The Players Club & Spa is a separate sports-and-social membership ($10,000 refundable deposit + $6,400/yr + tax) and does not include golf.
No — they are two different Naples communities that are often confused. Lely Resort is the roughly 2,900-acre master-planned community with three championship courses (Flamingo Island, Mustang and The Classics) and the Players Club & Spa, which is what this site covers. Lely Golf Estates is a separate, older residential community nearby. If you are researching the three courses and the resort amenities, that is Lely Resort.
Yes. Sam Snead’s Oak Grill & Tavern sits on the public-golf side, shared by the Flamingo Island and Mustang courses, with views over the fairways.
Green fees on the public Flamingo Island and Mustang courses are pay-as-you-play and change seasonally (highest in winter season, lower in summer). For current rates and tee times, contact The Club at Lely Resort at (239) 732-1200, or ask me and I’ll get you the current numbers.
Greens fees, golf-membership options, Players Club details, or which neighborhoods include membership — tell me what you’re weighing and I’ll get you accurate, current answers from the clubs.
Brokerage. Nicholas Nolan (Florida Real Estate License SL3504588) is a licensed real estate sales associate of Realty ONE Group MVP, 1495 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples, FL 34109.
Equal Housing Opportunity. We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law and equal opportunity housing standards.
Independent resource. Lely Resort Guides is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Lely Resort, Stock Development, the Players Club & Spa, The Classics Country Club, The Club at Lely Resort, or any Lely Resort association. Course designers and brand names are referenced for identification only and are the property of their respective owners.
Fees. Membership and golf pricing change without notice. The figures shown reflect the 2026 Players Club & Spa schedule and may not be current — verify directly with the club before relying on them.