Tiburón GC - Gold: #9The Gold Course at Tiburón Golf Club

The Gold Course at Tiburón Golf Club
2620 Tiburón Dr
Naples, Florida 34109
Collier County

Phone(s): (239) 593-2201, (239) 593-2200
Fax: (239) 593-1205
Website: www.tiburonnaples.com


Tiburón Golf Club is home to two championship courses designed by Greg Norman. The two courses, the Black and the Gold, share similar characteristics but they each offer a different set of challenges. The Gold Course is slightly less demanding than the Black, the club's original layout, but that is not to say it'll be an easy round. Golfers will face a variety of hazards including towering pines and a combination of stacked sod wall bunkers and coquina waste areas. Water also comes into play on several holes. The golf course opens with a risk-reward par 5 that is nestled amongst tall trees. The hole flows to the right then bends back to the left, winding around a large lake. Long hitters may be tempted to go for the green in two, but beware because it's surrounded by trouble on all sides.

The Gold Course at Tiburón Golf Club
4.5 stars out of 5 (based on 1 reviews)
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View of the 9th tee from the Gold Course at Tiburón Golf ClubAerial view of the 9th and 18th holes from The Gold Course at Tiburón Golf ClubView of the 14th hole from the Black Course at Tiburón Golf ClubView of the 13th hole from the Gold Course at Tiburón Golf ClubView of the 12th hole from the Gold Course at Tiburón Golf ClubView of the 8th hole from the Gold Course at Tiburón Golf ClubView of the 5th hole from the Gold Course at Tiburón Golf ClubView of the 4th hole from the Gold Course at Tiburón Golf ClubView of the 18th hole from the Gold Course at Tiburón Golf ClubView of the 17th hole from the Gold Course at Tiburón Golf ClubView of the 16th hole from the Gold Course at Tiburón Golf ClubView of the 9th hole from the Gold Course at Tiburón Golf ClubGold Course at Tiburón Golf Club: #18 with the clubhouse in background#11 on the Gold course at Tiburón is another challenging par 4 hole with all of the Tiburón ingredient which plays for 421 yards from the Champion tees #9 from Gold Course at Tiburón: avoid the water on the second shot and enjoy the spectacular view of the Tiburón Clubhouse and The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples.Adjacent to a beautiful lake on the left, the par-4 #4 on the Gold course at Tiburón hugs the water the entire length of the hole providing a spectacular view#3 on the Gold Course at Tiburón: rolling fairway, coquina waste areas, water and an elevated green with collection areas on all sides

Golf course details

  • Holes: 18
  • Designed by: Greg Norman, Tad Burnett
  • Public/Private: Resort
  • Year opened: 1998
  • Golf Season: Year round
  • Guest Policy: Open
  • Tee times welcomed: Yes
  • Fairways:
  • Greens: Bermuda Grass

Facilities

  • Pro in house: Yes
  • Driving range: Yes
  • Rental clubs: Yes
  • Rental carts: Yes

Green fees price ranges

Course policies

  • Metal spikes allowed: No
  • Dress code: Men: Shirts with collars & sleeves, slacks or Bermuda length shorts; Women: Dresses, skirts, slacks or Bermuda length shorts
  • Credit cards accepted: VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed

Length, slope and rating for each tee

Tee Par Yardage Slope Rating
Championship 72 7382 137 76
Back 72 6790 132 73.1
Tiburón 72 6121 121 69.6
Middle 72 5711 115 67.5
Forward 72 5112 108 64.6
Middle (W) 72 5711 130 73.2
Forward (W) 72 5112 119 69.6

Reader Ratings / Reviews

  • The Gold Course at Tiburón Golf Club
    4.5 stars out of 5
    by The Golfin' Guy
    on March 23rd, 2020 11:43
    I lived in Fort Myers, FL for a few years and had the opportunity to play the Tiburón Golf Club on several occasions. There were several memorable holes; the finishing holes on each side and the first hole on the Gold Course, a reachable par five. More on that in a bit. Another memory that stood out in my mind about the course was the rough, or lack thereof. As I recall, the grass was the same length, whether you were in the middle of the fairway or rolling off the side into a palmetto bush. Any type of hook or slice – which was my game at the time – usually meant reaching into the bag for another ball. It also led to long rounds of golf; sometimes 4 ½ - 5 hours. Trust me, you didn’t want to be the group behind us!

    That was about 7 or 8 years and several sets of clubs ago. A few months ago I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days at Tiburón and play both courses and my, how things have changed! There’s now a cut of rough which defines the fairways as well as areas around several greens where deeper Bahia rough has been recently planted and should fill in nicely before the 2020 season officially kicks off. For my money, both courses are a lot more playable and enjoyable.

    In case you’re not familiar with the property, Tiburón Golf Resort is located in Naples, FL and features two 18-hole, Greg Norman-designed golf courses that are consistently rated among the top 20 golf facilities in Florida by Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine. Each year The Gold and The Black Courses play host to the LPGA Tour's CME Group Tour Championship and the PGA TOUR's QBE Shootout (formerly the Shark Shootout). Tiburón – which by the way is Spanish for shark - Golf Club has been designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International.

    As you play your way around either course, you’ll encounter numerous and various hazards. Towering pines form the boundaries on several holes and are often surrounded by coquina shell waste areas. You’ll also need to play around or over water on at least 13 holes depending on how bad you spray it. Many of the greenside bunkers have stacked sod walls which look great and can be very penal, although I hit into one on the 9th hole of the Gold Course and it shot around and out the other side like the high banked ovals at Daytona!

    The Gold Course opened in 1998 and the Black Course in 2001. Both courses follow Norman's philosophy of blending the course in with the natural allure of the land. Tiburón is a semi-private golf club meaning memberships are available and guests of the hotel and the general public are welcome to play. Although Tiburón’s average age is probably in the mid-60s - low for this part of the country - they do cater to a younger crowd by offering Golfboards – a motorized type of skateboard with a golf bag attachment - as an alternative to golf carts.

    Of the two courses, the Gold Course is a little over 400 yards longer and can play a masochistic 7,382 yards, compared to 6,949 yards on the Black. However, the slope rating on the Gold is 137 vs 147 for the Black, making it considerably easier. There are enough sets of tees on each course that you’ll find a comfortable yardage regardless of your ability.

    The Gold Course opens with a short risk-reward par 5 with towering pines in play the entire hole. The hole doglegs slightly to the right before bending back to the left as it winds around a large lake. A good drive down the right half of the fairway will leave a manageable distance to the green but be warned, the green is surrounded by trouble.

    The closing holes on each nine are the most photographed on the course and evidenced by the signage near the tee boxes; the clubhouse and Ritz Carlton are in full view. They are both par 4s, with water in play off the tee on Number 9 and in play on your approach shot to the green on 18. There are also several sod walled bunkers around the green on 18. Par both of these and you’re probably shooting a pretty good round.


    Within Tiburón's 27,000 square-foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse you’ll find private locker rooms for members with lounge areas and an award-winning golf shop. There are also three dining rooms including Sydney’s Pub, which has a full liquor bar and features daily drink and happy hour specials. They also offer a rotating selection of local draft beers. The non-member dinner menu includes a wide variety of items including meatloaf, chicken pot pie, and braised short ribs. The Ritz Carlton Golf Resort is located on the property as well. As a Tiburon Club Member, you’ll have access to the tennis courts at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort as well as the fitness center, pool, and spa.

    Becoming a member at Tiburon is easy; they offer several options that will meet anyone’s needs and budget. Medallion, Associate Club and Signature Memberships are available to both residents and non-residents of Tiburón communities and also include the use of Tiburón Golf Club's Member Concierge Program. The Medallion Membership is by invitation only. There’s also a Preview Membership if you’re not 100% sure, but with everything Tiburón has to offer how can there be any doubt?
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