Love Golf? Here’s How Bundled Golf Works in Naples

Golf is one of the biggest reasons people move to Naples, and one of the most confusing parts of buying here. Two communities can both say “golf” in the listing and work in completely different ways. In a bundled golf community, the golf membership comes with the home: every owner is a member, there’s no big initiation fee, and the cost is built into your regular dues. Here’s how bundled golf works, how it compares to the other kinds, and what to ask before you buy.

The three kinds of golf communities

• Bundled. Every home includes a golf membership. You pay for it through your association or club dues whether you play or not, and it transfers to the next owner when you sell.
• Equity. You buy a membership separately, often with a large one-time fee on top of the home price, and part of it may be refunded when you sell. Membership is capped, so tee times are usually easier to get.
• Optional or public. The course is there, but you choose whether to join or simply pay to play. That’s how it works at Valencia Country Club, where membership is optional.

Why buyers love bundled golf

• No big entry fee. You’re not writing a separate check for a membership the day you close.
• A predictable cost. Golf is part of the dues you already pay, so there are no surprise membership invoices.
• A built-in social life. When everyone is a member, the clubhouse, the leagues and the restaurant become the center of the neighborhood.
• Easy resale. The membership goes with the home, so your buyer gets the same package you did.

The trade-offs to know

• You pay whether you play or not. If you don’t golf at all, an optional community may cost less.
• Tee times can be busy. Every owner is a member, so ask how tee times are booked in season.
• Not everything is included. Ask about cart fees, guest fees, range use and any food and beverage minimum.

What to ask before you buy

1. What exactly do the dues cover? Get the current fee schedule, including the master association and any golf or club fee, and see how it compares in my HOA fee guide.
2. Are there one-time fees at closing? Some communities charge a capital contribution or transfer fee when a home sells.
3. Is it a condo or a single-family home? Many coach homes in golf communities are owned as condominiums, which comes with its own documents and rules under Florida’s condominium law. My guide to condo documents explains what to read.
4. Is there a CDD? Many newer communities sit inside a Community Development District, which shows up as a separate line on the property tax bill. Ask for the current amount.
5. What are the rental rules? If you might lease the home, know the limits before you buy.

Featured home: 6015 Ellerston Way #921

My listing at The National Golf & Country Club in Ave Maria is a good example of bundled golf. It’s a 2022 Bay Creek coach home with a deeded bundled golf membership and sweeping golf course and lake views. It’s freshly refreshed, vacant and easy to show, offered at $419,900, and the seller is offering a $20,000 credit to the buyer:

• Three bedrooms and two baths in about 2,110 square feet, with a split-bedroom plan and a private guest suite
• An open kitchen with a large island, walk-in pantry and breakfast bar, flowing into the great room and a screened lanai over the water and golf course
• A primary suite with dual sinks and a walk-in shower
• Concrete block construction with a tile roof, fire sprinklers, and impact-resistant windows and doors
• A rare three-car attached garage for cars, a golf cart and bikes

Ownership brings the full National lifestyle: championship golf, a resort-style pool with a bar and grill, an attended fitness center, a lap pool, tennis, pickleball, bocce, a sauna, a sit-down restaurant, and miles of bike and jogging paths. Ave Maria itself has Publix, dining, parks, schools and year-round events, with easy access to I-75, RSW airport and the Naples beaches. Moving here full time? Here’s how the homestead exemption works.

Bundled golf: quick answers

What does bundled golf mean in Naples?
It means the golf membership is included with the home. Every owner is a member, and the cost is part of the regular association or club dues, usually without a large initiation fee.

Do I have to pay for golf if I don’t play?
In a bundled community, yes. The golf cost is part of the dues every owner pays. If you don’t golf, an optional or public-course community may cost less.

What’s the difference between bundled and equity golf?
Bundled golf comes with the home through the dues. Equity golf is bought separately, often with a large one-time fee, and part of it may be refunded when you sell.

Is The National in Ave Maria a bundled golf community?
Yes. Homes at The National Golf & Country Club come with a bundled golf membership. Confirm the current fees and what they cover with the association.

Want to tee it up?

Call or text me at (239) 289-0749 to tour 6015 Ellerston Way #921, or tell me how often you play and I’ll help you find the right kind of golf community. New to buying here? Start with the complete buyer guide. Se habla español.