Eastwood Golf Course

Public golf in SW Florida in March can be challenging. Eastwood has a fine layout, and with a variety of tee boxes, this golf course will test players of all abilities. The greens are in superb shape considering the amount of play the course receives. Thus ends the niceties.

Our group played here twice in recent weeks and both times pace of play was a major problem. That’s not surprising. The issue is that management and employees do not care. Once you pay your greens fees and hand your slip to the starter at the first tee you are basically on your own.

Some examples: As we approached the 16th tee (par 3) there were four groups between us and the middle of the adjacent 17th fairway. There was no one between that group and the parking lot. At minimum, the group on 17 was four spots behind. A Ranger happened to drive by and when asked he said, “we’re told not to say anything”. That shows total disregard for the majority of your customers.

The next week we had a similar slow play issue and asked a Ranger if we could skip a hole (not play through). That request was denied because of “the group ahead of them”. There was no group within a hole and a half of the group in front of us.

Other tidbits: the GPS system in the carts can monitor the pace of play of each group. The Ranger told us it is not linked to the pro shop and “means nothing”. The course is presently showing the effects of the severe drought the area is experiencing. But to end on a positive note, the Happy Hour beer prices are incredible.

On Sunday, Feb. 16th, a friend and I had a Tee time for 7:42 at Eastwood Golf Course, in Fort Meyers. We were paired up with another twosome and after the 3rd hole, we realized the foursome behind us was catching up. We decided to let them play ahead. It was not a crowded day and was not interfering in anyone else’s game. The Marshall came along and read us the riot act for attempting to do that. For the rest of the front 9, the Marshall followed us. at the end of the first 9, the 2 guys we were playing with and the Marshall got into a match and those guys left the course, stating they would never play there again.

I did choose to complete the course. I was there with a friend who was on vacation andI felt obligated to finish.

As soon as I returned home I called the club house to complain but received cold and matter of fact treatment; not getting your money back or compensated, you played 18,

The way we were treated at Eastwood was totally uncalled for, embarrassing and unprofessional. Watched like 5 year olds. For what? All because we were going to let another foursome play ahead on an uncrowded day?

I will never play that course again nor will I recommend it.

75 bucks for this course ; far too espensive. Far nicer and lush course up north for less money. But it is “March Break “ snowbirds want to play so let’s make them pay. Am sure you can play this course for 30 bucks after spring training .. Fairways were dry like pavement not much grass base, tee boxes need lots of work, greens were good. Staff was friendly. Not much of a club house and certainly not a place to have a nice lunch or dinner;.but beer was cold and no snow to shovel..

Eastwood is definitely the better of the two municipals in Fort Myers, as the Fort Myers Country Club course has become as "mini-putt course on steroids" after the reconstruction a few years ago! Conditioning is average, at best, but for $75 that's what you should assume. Some interesting and fun holes, especially on the back side.

Got out as a single with three others at midday. Fairways are generous, but fairly sparse: need overseeding. Rough is thin as well. Bunkers are very well filled with soft sand and greens roll true. The rates drop at 1:30 and I'll play again. A few too many doglegs for my taste, but the layout is dictated by available land so the architects did a decent job. Staff was friendly and pace of play was 4.5 hours. I was told low lieing areas make play in the wet season a test, unless you like mosquitos.

Course is long no matter where you play. No frills no thrills at this course. You load and unload your clubs, pick-up your cart with the place locking up at 5, before you finish your round.

People are friendly and helpful so no problem there.

Would play again, but before the snow-birds reek havoc on the course.

Had a great time playing for the first time of 2016. Course was in good shape except for a few mushy spots. However, phone number in Golf Adviser entry is incorrect. Correct number is 239-321-7487

Eastwood is one of two courses operated by the city of Ft. Myers and is a much more interesting layout than Ft. Myers C.C. for the same money. Tee boxes were in good shape was were the greens although they were very slow. Bunkers were well-filled and the fairways playable although soft from all of the rain. Kudos to the grounds crew here. Lots of doglegs (or so it seemed). My twosome was paired with an EXTREMELY slow pair of seniors and we were asked very politely to pick up the pace on #8. The pro should get a diplomacy award - - very well handled. Will play again.

This place reminds me of the courses I grew up playing in South Florida as a kid in the 70' - 80's. I've driven by this course many times and it looked like a decent layout, but never looked all that greatly maintained. With the amount of rain they've had this summer, I will say it's recovered quite well. The fairways were soft, but not to the point your ball would plug. The greens were in very good condition. We played the front nine and it was a very nice track. No houses on the entire front nine with plenty of challenging holes. Doglegs left and right, tight treelined fairways, strategic bunkering, forced carries.... pretty much everything. $20 for 9-holes including cart. I would like to walk this course too.

When I saw this was public, I just assumed it would be rough. It wasn't. The fairways were fine, as good as any around, and the greens were just fine. Not like 13 on the stimp, but very enjoyable to putt on. I totally enjoyed my round, and the course was just fine condition-wise. A big pleasant surprise after I learned it was public. Will play there again.

I played Eastwood during a Christmas vacation so was more focused on shaking off the rust during the first few holes than on the course itself. Once I got in the groove, it was easy to see that I was playing on a top-notch track. I had to check my receipt again because I couldn't believe I was playing such a fine course for the amount I paid. The layout was challenging, the fairways were excellent and the pace of play was comfortable. A couple of the greens needed some TLC, but most were in good shape and challenging. I will definitely return to Eastwood. It rivals much more expensive private and/or public courses in the area. The staff was friendly and helpful.