Wildcat Run Golf & Country Club

Pros

• The course is great, with an enjoyable layout and perfect conditioning.
• The bunkers are outstanding and the greens run true.
• The clubhouse is nice and the staff are friendly.
• The dining room is beautifully renovated and the food is excellent.
• The staff across the club are amazing and the cafe is great.
• The course is beautiful, quiet, and welcoming.
• The club is considered the quintessential golf club in Estero.
• The service is outstanding and the staff are professional and helpful.
• The course is fun, challenging, yet fair.
• The views are stunning and the scenery is a standout feature.
• The pro shop staff are welcoming and professional.
• The grounds are impeccably maintained.
• The Arnold Palmer signature course is beautifully manicured.
• The community around the club is lovely.

Cons

• The restaurant was closed at 3.
• The course is in rough shape and tough to play.
• A major renovation is underway and the course is closed until early November 2023.
• Not a course for someone who draws the ball.

Review

Wildcat Run in Estero comes across as the kind of place that golfers dream about before they even step onto the first tee. Across a broad mix of voices, the course earns praise for its Arnold Palmer signature design, its thoughtful layout, and the sense of place that makes it feel both exclusive and welcoming. Many reviewers describe it as a quintessential golf club experience, where the setting is serene, the scenery is consistently beautiful, and the overall vibe leans toward quiet confidence and refined enjoyment. The course is frequently highlighted for its well-considered balance of challenge and playability, with several comments pointing to the way water features, mature landscaping, and thoughtful hole design create memorable rounds.

The playing experience is repeatedly described in glowing terms. Bunkers are singled out as outstanding, a testament to the course's maintained edge and its strategic risk-reward character. Greens are noted as true and with a speed that feels consistent, neither lightning-fast nor too sluggish, which helps keep rounds engaging without being punishing. The layout itself earns praise for offering both beauty and practicality - gorgeous views that don't come at the expense of course management. A recurring caveat about intimidation for certain players comes in with a practical warning: "hit a fade" if you want to navigate the shaping, as one reviewer quipped that it isn't a course for players who naturally draw the ball too often. The combination of water hazards, bunkers, and the Palmer design philosophy creates holes that test accuracy and club selection while still being enjoyable for dedicated recreational golfers.

Condition and maintenance occupy a sometimes-contrasting space in the conversation, reflecting the realities of a course in ongoing development and the ebb and flow that comes with renovations. Several reviews celebrate moments when the grounds feel impeccably cared for: the turf, the bunkers, and the greens described as well-kept and true, with a sense that the grounds crew takes pride in their work. However, there are also notes about a major renovation underway and a period when the course was closed or restricted. One review mentions a temporary closure until early November 2023, while others still remember the classic, well-maintained state that preceded major improvements. The sentiment is not uniform, but the throughline is clear: the course remains a strong draw even when pieces of the operation are being refreshed, and the community is patient and supportive through the transition.

The clubhouse and dining experiences frequently emerge as a bright highlight, offering a social hub in addition to a premier course. A newly renovated dining room receives particular praise for its beauty and atmosphere, paired with a top-notch caf? and a staff that consistently delivers warmth and attentiveness. Guests regularly recount food that's excellent and service that feels five-star in tone, whether at the dining room, the cafe, or the snack shop. The dining scene seems not only to satisfy the palate but to contribute to the overall sense of hospitality - an inviting space where members and visitors alike can unwind after a round or gather for special events. Even when a review focuses on the course, the impression of a well-run, people-first operation shines through in the remarks about dining and everyday interactions.

Behind the scenes, the human element elevates the experience to something memorable. The staff - ranging from the pros in the shop to the folks at the snack counter - are repeatedly described as friendly, professional, and genuinely welcoming. Specific shout-outs abound: Bill and JJ in the pro shop stand out for their warmth and professionalism, the snack shop attendant is praised for being helpful, and the ranger, Ralph, is singled out for going above and beyond to help players find partners and get the most out of a day on the course. There's a sense of a community that cares deeply about its guests, with stories of introducing players to new members, facilitating great rounds, and creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to return.

Beyond the golfing experience itself, many reviewers speak to the overall lifestyle that Wildcat Run offers. It's described as a wonderful place to live, with neighbors who feel like friends and an environment that fosters a sense of belonging. The combination of a world-class course, a curated social calendar (including parties and events), and a friendly, close-knit community makes the location feel both prestigious and accessible. The sentiment shared by many is that this is more than just a golf club - it's a place where people come to connect, celebrate, and enjoy a high-quality standard of living. The club's energy, whether during a casual round or a more festive gathering, is described as welcoming and uplifting, reinforcing why so many reviewers would return again and again.

Taken together, the reviews paint a picture of Wildcat Run as a premier individual and social destination in Southwest Florida. The Arnold Palmer signature course delivers a challenging yet fair and highly scenic experience that remains compelling, even as renovations shape its current phase. The grounds, bunkers, and greens are consistently praised, and the clubhouse, dining options, and staff contribute a warmth and professionalism that elevate the whole day. For many, it's a place where the golf is superb, the views are spectacular, and the community feels like a home away from home. If you're drawn to a world-class course with a strong sense of place, excellent service, and a living, breathing club culture, Wildcat Run seems to deliver on all those fronts - even as it continues to evolve through ongoing improvements and updates.

Restaurants

• Perkins Restaurant and Bakery (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (1.3 miles)
• Naples Flatbread & Wine Bar (1.4 miles)
• Ford's Garage (1.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (4 miles)
• McDonald's (4 miles)
• Zaxby's (4.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (4 miles)
• Walgreens (5.3 miles)
• Pelican Village Pharmacy (5.4 miles)
• Walgreens (5.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (7.3 miles)
• Walgreens (7.3 miles)

Physicians

• Riverchase Dermatology (1.4 miles)
• Island Coast Pediatrics (2.5 miles)
• Lane Pediatrics, PA (3.2 miles)
• Tyson Eye (4.5 miles)
• Orthopaedic Specialists (4.8 miles)
• Bonita Springs Acupuncture & Anti-Aging Clinic (5.2 miles)
• Bonita Vision Center (5.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Lee Health Outpatient Rehabilitation - Coconut Point (4.5 miles)
• Lee Health Outpatient Rehabilitation - Bonita Bay Lifestyle Center (7 miles)

Transportation

• Fox Rent A Car Fort Myers (5.3 miles)
• SIXT rent a car (6.1 miles)
• Hertz Rent A Car (6.2 miles)
• Avis Rent A Car (6.3 miles)
• Main Terminal (6.3 miles)
• American Airlines Ticket Counter RSW (6.3 miles)
• Security Checkpoint (6.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Iglesia Cristiana Jesus Amor Eterno En Peniel In (6.1 miles)
• Blessed Pope John the XXIII Catholic Church (8.8 miles)
• Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers (8.9 miles)

Parks

• RSW Aircraft Observation Area (6.7 miles)
• River Walk Park Bonita Bay (8 miles)

Cafes

• Survey Cafe (6.8 miles)
• Downtown Coffee And Wi (7.1 miles)
• Starbucks (7.3 miles)
• Starbucks (7.3 miles)
• Trackside Donuts & Cafe (7.5 miles)
• Starbucks (8.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (9.5 miles)