
Sound/River Course
Pelican Sound Golf Club
About this course
Pelican Sound Golf Club in Estero, Florida, features two eighteen-hole courses designed by Chip Powell and Mike Hill. The Sound and River courses serve a residential community in Southwest Florida, situated between Fort Myers and Naples along the Estero River corridor. The courses opened in the mid-1990s as part of a master-planned development that emphasizes integration with the natural wetland and river landscape characteristic of this coastal region. Both courses navigate relatively flat terrain typical of Southwest Florida golf, incorporating the area's native vegetation, water features, and preserved wetland areas into their routing. The design takes advantage of the site's proximity to the Estero River system, with several holes playing alongside or near tidal creeks and marshlands that provide both scenic backdrops and strategic hazards. The courses feature Bermuda grass playing surfaces suited to the subtropical climate and accommodate a range of skill levels through multiple tee options. Pelican Sound operates as a private equity club within a gated community. The facility includes practice areas and clubhouse amenities typical of Florida residential golf developments. The courses reflect the design sensibilities of the 1990s Florida golf boom, when many communities in the Naples-Fort Myers corridor were developed to serve seasonal residents and retirees. The layout emphasizes playability and scenic variety while working within the environmental constraints and opportunities of the coastal Southwest Florida landscape.
Quick facts
- Location
- Estero, FL, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1998
- Designer(s)
- Chip Powell, Mike Hill
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,939 yards
- Difficulty
- 74.2/137
Getting there
The journey to Pelican Sound Golf Club begins at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, a convenient twenty-minute drive to the northwest. The route traces the coastal plain south along I-75 before slipping west into Estero, where the suburban sprawl softens into gated enclaves and preserves edging the tidal waters of Estero Bay. The final approach winds through stands of sabal palms and cypress, delivering members and guests to a discreet entrance where Southwest Florida's residential golf culture reveals one of its most polished expressions.

FAQ
Common questions about Sound/River at Pelican Sound Golf Club
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Sound/River was designed by Chip Powell and Mike Hill.
Sound/River at Pelican Sound Golf Club is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Sound/River is 72.
Sound/River plays 6,939 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Sound/River is 137.
Sound/River is a 18-hole course.





