As a member of the NBA's Hall of Fame — and arguably the greatest player in it — Michael Jordan is no stranger to exclusive clubs. In 2019, the Chicago Bulls icon opened another: The Grove XXIII, his personal, invite-only golf club in Hobe Sound, Florida. Scroll through the gallery to see more.
As a member of the NBA's Hall of Fame — and arguably the greatest player in it — Michael Jordan is no stranger to exclusive clubs. In 2019, the Chicago Bulls icon opened another: The Grove XXIII, his personal, invite-only golf club in Hobe Sound, Florida. Scroll through the gallery to see more.
Design by Nichols Architects / Photo by Mike Butler
Jordan is a well-known golf enthusiast. He has competed in various celebrity events, including his own Celebrity Invitational at Shadow Creek, Las Vegas, in 2014.
Jordan is a well-known golf enthusiast. He has competed in various celebrity events, including his own Celebrity Invitational at Shadow Creek, Las Vegas, in 2014.
Isaac Brekken/Getty Images
The course was designed and built by renowned course architect Bobby Weed on a flat former citrus grove, with few features except some lagoons and two long drainage ditches along its borders. Weed used earth dug from the lagoons to add elevation to the course, and repurposed the irrigation canals to challenge players with "dead-straight" hazard lines.
The course was designed and built by renowned course architect Bobby Weed on a flat former citrus grove, with few features except some lagoons and two long drainage ditches along its borders. Weed used earth dug from the lagoons to add elevation to the course, and repurposed the irrigation canals to challenge players with "dead-straight" hazard lines.
Bobby Weed Golf Design
The 18-hole course is tailored to its owner, with Jordan's handicap and style of play considered during construction. Playing fast and firm, a "double-helix" route offers golfers the flexibility to navigate the course in looping internal circuits.
The 18-hole course is tailored to its owner, with Jordan's handicap and style of play considered during construction. Playing fast and firm, a "double-helix" route offers golfers the flexibility to navigate the course in looping internal circuits.
Bobby Weed Golf Design
The ninth green was placed immediately in front of the clubhouse, a nod to the close-up style of iconic British links courses like St. Andrews, in Scotland.
The ninth green was placed immediately in front of the clubhouse, a nod to the close-up style of iconic British links courses like St. Andrews, in Scotland.
Bobby Weed Golf Design
The 15,000-square-foot clubhouse -- home to locker rooms, lounge areas, dining and kitchen areas, and even a shop -- was designed and built by Miami-based firm Nichols Architects.
The 15,000-square-foot clubhouse -- home to locker rooms, lounge areas, dining and kitchen areas, and even a shop -- was designed and built by Miami-based firm Nichols Architects.
Design by Nichols Architects / Photo by Mike Butler
The building's shape was inspired by the arcing trajectory of a golf swing, and a bordering slab "hanging" over the ninth green mimics the hang-time that "Air Jordan" was famed for as a player.
The building's shape was inspired by the arcing trajectory of a golf swing, and a bordering slab "hanging" over the ninth green mimics the hang-time that "Air Jordan" was famed for as a player.
Design by Nichols Architects / Photo by Mike Butler
Keen to stamp the owner's identity on the building, the architects included fritted windows which incorporated an elephant print used on some of Jordan's shoes.
Keen to stamp the owner's identity on the building, the architects included fritted windows which incorporated an elephant print used on some of Jordan's shoes.
Nichols Architects
When the sun shines, that pattern is cast across the floor.
When the sun shines, that pattern is cast across the floor.
Design by Nichols Architects / Photo by Mike Butler
Protecting privacy was a key consideration for the main entrance's design. "I don't want to call it a fortress because that's a little bit put-offish," planning and design partner Igor Reyes told CNN. "But it's very secure, and if you're MJ or any of his members, you want to know that you're going to have privacy and that you're going 'on the other side' of the wall.'"
Protecting privacy was a key consideration for the main entrance's design. "I don't want to call it a fortress because that's a little bit put-offish," planning and design partner Igor Reyes told CNN. "But it's very secure, and if you're MJ or any of his members, you want to know that you're going to have privacy and that you're going 'on the other side' of the wall.'"
Design by Nichols Architects / Photo by Mike Butler
Weed also designed a 20-acre, state-of-the-art practice facility for Jordan, with designated areas for driving, chipping and putting. "It's a Tour player's haven to work on their game," Weed said.
Weed also designed a 20-acre, state-of-the-art practice facility for Jordan, with designated areas for driving, chipping and putting. "It's a Tour player's haven to work on their game," Weed said.
Bobby Weed Golf Design
"As the course has matured, the place looks like it's been there for a long time," Weed told CNN. One of the best compliments you could ever get is from somebody that says, 'Hey, this doesn't look brand new.' I think we accomplished that."
"As the course has matured, the place looks like it's been there for a long time," Weed told CNN. One of the best compliments you could ever get is from somebody that says, 'Hey, this doesn't look brand new.' I think we accomplished that."
Bobby Weed Golf Design