NAPLES GRANDE GOLF CLUB 239-659-3710
Florida Golf Course Review 1/17/04
Naples Grande is a 4star (Golf Digest Places to Play) golf course available to members and guests of the
Edgewater Beach Hotel & Club and The Registry Resort and Club. While a contemporary upscale clubhouse is
planned, the current facility offers golfers all they need including a pro shop and day lockers, plus restaurant and
lounge that is open for lunch daily, with a scenic outdoor patio. The practice facility includes a complimentary
grass range with pyramids of Titleist golf balls, a short game area with bunker, and putting and chipping greens.
Guests at The Registry and Edgewater resorts enjoy spectacular views and wonderful accommodations in
standard rooms and suites, with a variety of amenities available. During our 5 night stay at both resorts, we found
the rooms to be incredibly comfortable and service left nothing to be desired. Swimming pools, Gulffront
beaches, fitness centers, tennis complex, steam rooms, saunas and whirlpools, and numerous dining and
shopping options are available. The Edgewater is the only all-suite property on the beach in Naples, and The
Registry provides a variety of world-class accommodations, with all rooms spacious and with upscale appointments.
Keep in mind - if you want to play at the gorgeous Naples Grande Golf Club - you must be a guest at either the
Edgewater Beach or Registry Resorts. You won't regret it! Naples Grande is a spectacular golf course and
certainly one of the best in southwest Florida - and certainly gets our vote as the best in Naples. Some of the
awards bestowed upon the course include: Top 50 Courses in Florida (Golf Magazine), Top 50 Facilities in
Service in USA, Canada, Mexico & the Islands plus Top 100 Courses in Pace of Play (Golf Digest & Fodor's
Places to Play), Top 100 Teachers in America - Tom Patri, Director of Instruction (Golf Magazine). The layout is
punctuated by scenic and challenging water features, as it plays through wooded terrain that is home to
abundant wildlife. There are no residential buildings anywhere near the course. The conditioning is what you
would expect from a private country club, and the service matches it. The bottom line - this is one incredible golfing environment - and one which we would be happy to enjoy every day!
On course golfers will find the Kirby Marking System in place with yardages posted on fairway discs and with
sprinkler heads measured to the center of the green. Each tee box is also marked, and pin placements are
indicated by color coded flags from front, middle or back hole locations. Five sets of tee boxes are in place -
measuring 7078/143 slope, 6620/135 slope, 6134/128 slope (recommended for average golfers and mid handicappers), 5484 (124 slope and 5209/119 slope.
After a nice warm up on the complimentary practice facilities, a round at Naples Grande begins with a narrow
par four with fairway defined by tropical vegetation on both sides, and with rolling mounds around the green. The
par three second is challenging with a water hazard far right and also behind the green. Long is trouble, as the
slope behind the putting surface drops off rapidly. The third is a tight, tree lined par four with a very narrow
approach to a perched green with 3 bunkers right and a grass depression left. Long is gone on the par 3 fourth,
which is nearly identical in length to hole number two. A gorgeous brook babbles immediately behind the green.
A shot aimed between the two trees bordering the fairway will provide a clear approach to the well bunkered,
elevated putting complex on five. Anything right or left may be blocked by cypress trees on either side. The
fairway is generous on six, with the right side presenting the most advantageous approach to the beautifully
sculpted green complex. A water hazard right and fairway bunker complex left define the fairway on number 7,
which presents a tight approach to a green dropping off on all sides except short left. The eighth is a beautiful
dogleg left par four, with a fairway that drops off into a collection area of bermuda rough along the left side. A
shot placed in front of the bunkers on that side will leave a simple wedge to the hole. The closing hole on the
front is a true risk/reward par five, that bends to the right along a lake. Cut off as much as your distance will allow
off the tee. Long hitters may have a shot at reaching in two - though the approach is a treacherous one, with
water fronting and just a bit of room long. If laying up, be sure to hit long or short of the tree that blocks the path to the green near the 100 yard marker.
The back side is nearly identical in length, and opens with a simple par four with an ample fairway that slopes
right to left. Number 11 presents a narrow fairway bordered by trees and traps right and water left. The hazard
juts in towards the fairway about 130 yards from the green, and the approach here is demanding. The par five
12th is tight off the tee, opens up on both sides in the landing area, and squeezes the fairway once again about
200 yards from the green. The putting complex is a narrow one, with a bunker right and grass swale left awaiting
miss hit shots. The pond on the left should not be in play on 13, on the approach to an elevated green with a
steep drop off on the left. Bunkers on both sides are all that is in the way of a good score on the par three 14th -
pictured here. Fifteen doglegs right over a 100 yard long bunker complex. Lay up to the left to avoid this mess,
as the second shot from that area is a simple one. Really...don't play around here or you may drop a couple of
needless strokes! Sixteen presents one of two peninsula greens in this group of finishing holes. This long par
hole is a true 3-shot par five, that invites a tee shot (and second shot) to the right center. The approach is scary,
especially if you are playing along the left side that is guarded by a long row of bunkers, leaving a third shot that
must navigate the rock wall left of the green. Play it safe and smart here. The 17th is a score-able par three that
plays 1 club uphill, and is followed by a beautiful closing hole. You will need a great tee shot to the right center of
the fairway that slopes right to left. There is a large bunker right and a water hazard defined by a rock retaining wall on the left - tough shot here!
This is one of those rounds that you do not want to see end...regardless of the numbers you may have put up. This course is truly a gem - and our favorite in SW Florida. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !
Click here to visit the Two Guys Who Golf resort page for The Naples Grande including The Registry Resort &
Club and the Edgewater Beach Hotel & Club.
Click here to visit the Two Guys Who Golf detailed information page for the Naples Grande Golf Club including a
link to its website (if available).
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