Today's Florida club communities are as much about pickleball courts, fitness studios and dining as fairways. Here is what the modern club offers, and what to look for.
For generations, "country club" meant golf first and everything else second. In Florida's residential club communities today, that has changed. Many members rarely play golf at all, and clubs have invested heavily in everything else.
Racquet sports, led by pickleball
Pickleball has become a fixture of Florida club life. Many clubs have added dedicated courts, leagues, round-robins and teaching professionals, often alongside traditional clay or hard tennis courts. When you tour, ask how many courts there are, whether they are lit, how play is organized and how busy they get in high season.
Fitness and wellness
The modern club fitness center often looks more like a boutique studio than a basement gym: group classes, personal training, yoga and Pilates rooms, and in some clubs spa services, massage and physical therapy. If wellness matters to you, look at the class schedule as well as the equipment.
Dining and social life
The clubhouse is usually the social center of a community. Expect a choice of casual and more formal dining, a busy events calendar in season, and clubs and groups for everything from wine to bridge to book clubs. Many clubs require a food and beverage minimum, so it pays to like the restaurants.
Pools, beaches and the water
Resort-style pools are standard in many communities, and some clubs offer even more: a private beach club, a marina, or kayak and paddleboard launches on lakes and rivers. Sailfish Point in Stuart, for example, pairs golf with a marina and beach club, and membership at Mediterra in Naples includes a beach club.
Golf, reimagined
Golf has evolved too. Many clubs have renovated their courses, added short courses and practice facilities with technology for lessons, and made the game more social through couples' events and leagues. A shorter or par-3 course can be the most popular place in the community.
Something for every generation
Families with children look for youth programs, swim teams and junior golf and tennis. Active retirees look for leagues, travel groups and lifelong-learning programs. The best clubs offer both, and the mix of ages varies a great deal from community to community.
How to compare clubs on lifestyle
When you visit, look beyond the golf course:
- How many members use the club in season, and how busy is it?
- What is on the events calendar for next month?
- Can you join only the amenities you will use, such as a sports or social membership?
- What new facilities are planned, and how will they be funded?
Every club profile on our site lists the amenities we could confirm, so you can shortlist communities by the lifestyle you want.
