Trying to choose between Fiddlesticks Country Club and The Club at Renaissance in Fort Myers? If you’re a golfer who cares as much about community and clubhouse life as shot values and greens speed, the decision can feel big. You want the right mix of tee time access, social energy, and a membership path that fits your home search and budget.
This guide gives you a clear, side-by-side framework to compare both clubs, the exact questions to ask, a touring checklist, and buyer tips for membership transfer and waitlists. You’ll walk away ready to tour with confidence and make a decision that fits your lifestyle and real estate goals. Let’s dive in.
Quick snapshot: what to compare
Fees and policies can change. Focus on structure, access, and vibe first, then confirm the latest numbers with each membership office.
| Theme |
Fiddlesticks: what to verify |
Renaissance: what to verify |
| Course & play |
Architect, holes and par, routing across water or preserves, pace of play in high season, tee time policy, league and championship calendar, guest access priorities |
Architect, course style and difficulty, pace targets and enforcement, tee time spacing and booking window, league intensity, guest policies |
| Practice |
Range surface and targets, short-game areas and bunkers, putting greens, teaching staff and coaching programs, performance tech availability |
Range setup and hours, short-game variety, putting complexes, instruction options, junior programming, tech like launch monitors |
| Clubhouse & social |
Dining venues and reservation norms, dress code tone, seasonal social calendar, fitness/pool/tennis/pickleball, member age mix and vibe |
Dining capacity and hours, event cadence and type, fitness/spa offerings, court sports, family and newcomer programming, overall feel |
| Membership & costs |
Membership categories offered, what each includes, initiation fee terms and refundability, dues and minimums, assessment history, governance and board structure |
Category inclusions, initiation and transfer fees, dues cadence, capital plans or assessments, who owns the club and how decisions are made |
| Waitlist & real estate |
If memberships are transferable with a home, mandatory vs optional, current waitlist status and priority rules, HOA and club rule alignment |
Transferability with resale, mandatory vs optional membership, waitlist length and categories, any resident priority, HOA interplay |
Course and play experience
Your day-to-day enjoyment often comes down to course style, access, and rhythm. In Southwest Florida, seasonal population surges can influence tee sheet pressure and event schedules. Ask both clubs to walk you through peak-season logistics and how they keep play moving.
Tee time access and pace
- How far in advance can you book as a full golf member, and does the policy change in peak season?
- What are the tee time intervals and pace targets on busy days? How is slow play handled?
- Do residents or certain member categories get priority on the tee sheet?
- What are typical wait times for preferred tee times during winter months?
Events, leagues, and guest play
- Frequency of member leagues, couples events, and club championships.
- Member-guest policies and calendar intensity in high season.
- Guest round limits, guest fees, and blackout periods.
- Any reciprocal play with nearby clubs during course maintenance or shoulder seasons.
Practice facilities and instruction
Strong practice options help you improve and enjoy the game even when tee times are tight. Compare depth and accessibility, not just the presence of a range.
- Range setup: grass vs mats, target variety, and typical condition in high season.
- Short-game: dedicated bunkers, varied lies and green complexes, space to practice 30–70 yard shots.
- Putting: size and number of greens, contour variety, and availability during events.
- Instruction: who teaches on site, lesson packages, clinics, and any junior programming.
- Technology: availability of tools like launch monitors and putting analysis for fittings and lessons.
Clubhouse, dining, and social life
Culture fit shows up in dining norms, the event calendar, and how members use amenities outside of golf.
- Dining: number of venues, reservation norms, menu variety, and busy-night capacity.
- Dress code: how it reads on paper and how it’s applied day to day.
- Social calendar: holiday events, themed nights, live music, member-driven groups, and charity tournaments.
- Amenities: fitness center, pool, spa, tennis and pickleball courts, walking paths.
- Family and newcomer onboarding: programs that help you meet people and settle in.
Membership categories, costs, and governance
Every private club organizes access a bit differently. Before you compare dollars, make sure you’re matching privileges.
- Typical categories to confirm: Full/Active Golf, Non-resident, Social/House, Corporate, Junior or Intermediate.
- Inclusions: golf access, practice privileges, dining, social events, fitness and court sports.
- Initiation terms: refundability, any graduated refund schedule, and transfer fees.
- Dues and minimums: monthly or quarterly dues, food and beverage minimums, and guest fees.
- Assessments and reserves: capital assessments history, whether a reserve study is available, and any planned capital projects.
- Governance: who owns the club, how the board is structured, and how major decisions are made.
Waitlists, transferability, and real estate impact
Post-pandemic, many Florida private clubs saw increased demand and growing waitlists. That can affect timing and how you structure a home purchase in a club community.
- Transferability: ask if memberships are deeded with a home or issued as non-assignable licenses.
- Mandatory vs optional: confirm whether membership is required with a home purchase.
- Waitlist mechanics: current wait time, whether residents have priority, and options while you wait.
- Resale implications: how transferability or waitlists affect marketability and pricing for homes.
- HOA and club alignment: ensure rules mesh, and confirm who governs parking, exterior modifications, and assessments.
Touring checklist for both clubs
Bring this list on your next tour so you leave with clear notes.
- Arrival: entry signage, landscaping, and parking availability.
- Welcome: front-desk greeting, staff professionalism, and tour flow.
- Locker rooms: cleanliness, towel service, storage availability.
- Dining rooms: noise level, member attire, reservation flow, service pace.
- Pro shop: inventory depth, staff engagement, club repair services.
- Practice areas: tee turf quality, target visibility, short-game realism, green speeds.
- On-course rhythm: if possible, ride a few holes to note pace, routing clarity, and hazard definition.
- Social signals: member bulletin boards, upcoming event flyers, and turnout during your visit.
10 smart questions to ask
Use these on your membership call or during a tour.
- Can you share the current membership brochure and agreement, including refundability of initiation fees?
- What are the tee time reservation windows by category, and are there blackout days in peak season?
- What is the typical pace of play on busy winter weekends, and how is it enforced?
- What practice facilities are open daily, and which teaching pros and technology are on site?
- How would you describe the dress code and day-to-day enforcement across dining and golf areas?
- What does a typical peak-season weekend look like on the social calendar?
- Are there planned capital projects or assessments in the next 2–5 years?
- Is membership transferable with a home purchase, and what are the steps and fees to transfer?
- Is there a current waitlist for golf or full memberships? What are the average wait times?
- Who owns and operates the club, who sits on the board, and how are major decisions voted on?
Culture fit signals to notice
These small cues tell you how life will feel after you join.
- Member interactions with staff and other members during busy hours.
- Mix of competitive versus casual play on the tee sheet and event flyers.
- Age range and family presence at the pool, fitness center, and evening dining.
- Apparel styles, signage tone, and how rules are communicated.
- Turnout at member-driven groups such as couples golf, card games, or clinics.
Red flags to slow down
If you see these, ask for more clarity before you commit.
- No written membership agreement or brochure on request.
- Initiation fees promoted as limited-time without a written end date.
- Frequent or high capital assessments with no published reserve study.
- Unclear answers about whether memberships transfer with a home resale.
- Imminent owner or governance transition without a clear timeline or member vote.
- Conflicts between HOA rules and club rules that impact everyday living.
Next steps and how I can help
Your perfect fit might be obvious after one tour, or it might take a second visit at a different time of day. I can coordinate side-by-side tours, request the latest membership materials, and align your home search with the membership path that fits your timing and budget. If you are weighing membership transfer with a home purchase, I will help you get everything in writing and connect you with the right club contacts.
Ready to compare Fiddlesticks and Renaissance with a clear plan? Reach out to Rich Morea for a consultative, low-pressure walkthrough and a tailored list of homes that match your club preferences.
FAQs
What’s the biggest difference between Fiddlesticks and Renaissance for golfers?
- Focus on tee time access, event intensity, and practice depth in peak season, then confirm course style and difficulty during your tour.
How do waitlists affect a Fort Myers club home purchase?
- Waitlists can delay full golf access, so confirm transfer options, resident priority, and interim privileges before you write an offer.
Are memberships in these communities transferable when a home sells?
- Policies vary by club; ask if memberships are deeded or license-based, what the transfer fee is, and whether transfer is mandatory or optional.
What membership costs should I verify beyond initiation and dues?
- Check food and beverage minimums, guest fees, cart or storage fees, assessment history, and any planned capital projects.
How can I compare clubhouse culture before joining?
- Visit at a busy time, dine on site, observe dress code norms, review the event calendar, and talk with current members about newcomer onboarding.
