NAPLES GRANDE GOLF CLUB 239-659-3710
Florida Golf Course Review
Note: This course is available to play by members, reciprocal members and guests of members only.
Naples Grande is a 4star (Golf Digest Places to Play) golf course available to members and guests of The Naples Grande Beach Resort. While a contemporary upscale
clubhouse is planned, the current facility offers golfers all they need including a golf 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 Nike golf balls, a short game area with bunker, and putting and chipping greens.
Guests at the Naples Grande Resort 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, Gulf-front beaches, fitness centers, tennis
complex, steam rooms, saunas and whirlpools, and numerous dining and shopping options are available. The Naples Grande Beach Resort (part of the Waldorf Astoria
Collection) provides a variety of world-class accommodations, with all rooms spacious and with upscale appointments. For more information, visit our web page for Naples
Grande Resort by clicking here.
Keep in mind - if you want to play at the gorgeous Naples Grande Golf Club - you must be a guest at Naples Grande Resort. 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),
2008 South Florida PGA Teacher of the Year Mark Durland, Director of Instruction. 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 7078/142 slope,
6620/136 slope, 6134/129 slope (recommended for average golfers and mid handicappers), 5484 (121 slope and 5209/128 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 Beach Resort.
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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