Unveiling the Unseen: The Untold Narrative of Michael Jordan's Coveted Private Golf Sanctuary

There is a specific place in the world that holds a special place in Michael Jordan's heart - his own personal sanctuary of sports fulfillment. Surprisingly, this cherished haven is not located in Chicago, and one won't find any basketball courts or hoops in sight.

Even while establishing himself as the NBA's greatest player in the 1990s, the iconic Bulls figure frequently enjoyed golfing. However, nowadays, he acts as the host.

Located on the outskirts of Hobe Sound, Florida, The Grove XXIII signifies Jordan's famous No. 23 jersey. This private club serves as Jordan's personal golf paradise. With its ultra-exclusive nature, only a handful of individuals have been able to witness it, and even fewer have had the opportunity to play on its course.

The main clubhouse entrance to The Grove XXIII.

Design by Nichols Architects / Photo by Mike Butler

First contact

Bobby Weed faced both the simplest and most challenging task of his career: "Construct the finest golf course. Construct the finest driving range."

Although he had received numerous assignments in the past, Weed had previously worked closely with renowned course designer Pete Dye and held the role of chief architect for the PGA Tours. Following this experience, he established his own course design company in 1994.

After nearly 30 years, Bobby Weed Golf Design has created over 20 golf courses from scratch, ranging from Stillwater, Minnesota to Mito, Japan. Additionally, they have also successfully renovated numerous courses, including the well-known Hobe Sounds Medalist Golf Club in 2015. With Tiger Woods leading a prestigious membership list that consists of top-notch players, the Medalist is a private club that draws in a remarkable lineup of celebrity visitors. One of these visitors was Jordan, who greatly admired the course renovation and subsequently began searching for a skilled course architect in late 2017.

The Medalist is a popular site for PGA Tour players.

Cliff Hawkins / Getty Images

Later on, the Weeds team was tasked with building a golfing paradise worthy of "His Airness." With Jordan being one of the most renowned athletes in history and having a net worth approaching $2 billion according to Forbes, he was undoubtedly a unique and significant client.

"I knew that it would get a lot of attention because of MJ," Weed, 68, told CNN.

"I knew that there was some fanfare associated with it and I didnt want to let him down."

After securing the land, which consisted of over 200 acres previously used for citrus groves and was located adjacent to Atlantic Ridge State Park, Weed settled on-site. This involved him relocating 265 miles from Ponte Vedra Beach, a commitment he often made for his projects.

With his full dedication, Weed urged Jordan to be as involved as he desired, warmly inviting him to visit once a week to monitor the advancements. In fact, Jordan frequently made multiple visits within a single week.

Jordan, pictured in March 2023, has a well-documented love of golf.

Observing Jordan during one of the initial meetings, Weed drew a comparison between his role as a course architect and that of a quarterback, who calls plays for a team of consultants. He perceived Jordan's interactions with the team as reminiscent of a coach guiding his players.

Weed praised one of his qualities - being an exceptional listener. He would attentively absorb everything discussed without explicitly dictating actions. Instead, he would observe and let Weed perform his duties effectively.

Weed evaluates his plan for the course.

Bobby Weed Golf Design

“Slaughterhouse 23”

Weed had his two pillars for a great golf coursean engaged owner and a good piece of property, though the latter would require some polishing.

Alberto Mier/Getty/CNN

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The biggest task for him and his team was transforming a flat and unremarkable site, which was flanked by two lengthy drainage canals, into a unique blend of Augusta National's well-maintained, picturesque appeal and Pine Valley's rustic charm. To overcome the flat terrain, dirt was extracted from nearby lagoons to construct the course and its distinctive elements. This not only resolved the flatness problem but also resulted in the creation of six expansive lakes. Interestingly, this correlated with the number of NBA Championships that Jordan had won, although it was purely coincidental. However, it perfectly aligned with the course's overarching concept of meticulous fine-tuning to suit the owner's discerning taste.

Jordan sought a course that could exhilarate and test its members, particularly the current stars of the PGA Tour. The course needed to be firm and fast, providing excitement and challenge. With a unique double-helix design, the layout features a "crossover" at the 5th and 14th holes. This configuration allows for flexible gameplay with the option to play continuous internal circuits in three, six, or nine-hole loops. This versatility perfectly caters to Jordan's demanding schedule and preferences.

Two irrigation canals border the site.

Bobby Weed Golf Design

The course not only had to match the owner's playstyle but also had to enhance it.

"Do you really think I would spend this much money without gaining any advantage?" Jordan's words echoed in Weed's memory.

In addition, the golf course has gained a new nickname, "Slaughterhouse 23," due to the well-known fact that the five-time MVP enjoys making bets, as seen in the documentary series "The Last Dance." Rickie Fowler, a former world No. 1, mentioned during a 2020 episode of the Subpar podcast that the course is designed to suit the preferences of its owner.

During construction, Weed also found himself getting involved in the wagers.

"I have fond memories of being out there, hitting shots and engaging in some friendly gambling while we were simply playing in the dirt. It brought a lot of joy and camaraderie," he recalled.

"Its hard not to go out there and play a round with MJ without having a friendly wager."

Jordan and Weed during the course's construction.

Bobby Weed Golf Design

In order to fulfill Jordans' second requirement, Weeds team allocated 20 acres for the construction of an unparalleled practice facility.

The facility boasts two 400-yard, double-sided driving lanes that can be adjusted to meet various conditions, such as those found in US Open or PGA Tour fairways. These lanes feature "target greens" positioned at 25-yard intervals. Additionally, each green is equipped with integrated pods that can collect detailed shot information, incorporating data from the renowned PGA Tour ShotLink system.

The putting green is divided into four sections, each with gradual slopes that range from 0-1% to 3-4% inclines. Even the grass on the tees can be personalized to imitate warm or cool seasons.

"It's a sanctuary for Tour players to refine their skills," Weed commented.

Jordan wanted an elite practice facility.

Bobby Weed Golf Design

Taking a swing

In contrast to Bobby Weed Golf Design, Nichols Architects had less experience in golf course projects. However, they had a significant advantage over other competitors when it came to securing the bid for constructing The Grove XXIII's clubhouse. The firm's expertise in hospitality, residential, and commercial design was exemplified by their successful work on the renowned W South Beach in Miami, a preferred hotel choice for Jordan's wife, Yvette Prieto.

The team made a bold and persuasive pitch to Jordan, emphasizing that their clubhouse stood out from others in the area. Planning and design partner, Igor Reyes, compared the pitching process to the movie "Air," where Nike had to convince rookie Jordan to choose them over Adidas. Reyes explained the importance of creating an architecturally iconic shape that conveyed a sense of movement in the landscape. Ideally, the concept should be self-explanatory without the need for further explanation.

The deal clincheroutlined to Jordan in a pitch videowas that clubhouse shape, inspired by the smooth, "almost machine-like" perfection of a golf swing.

An early concept of the swing-inspired clubhouse shape.

Nichols Architects

Reyes mentioned that his team was aware of Jordan's reported initial difficulties with his swing. In the video, they utilized a column grid to align the architecture of the buildings with Tiger Woods' club path. Jordan was highly interested and immediately awarded the contract to the firm.

"When we initially entered the room with him, it felt a bit awkward and we maintained a certain distance," noted Reyes. "However, as we had subsequent meetings, we treated him like any other esteemed client, with immense respect."

"There was a genuine feeling that this individual wasn't simply a wealthy individual seeking to pursue a passion project. He certainly possessed expertise and a clear understanding of his preferences and how to achieve them."

Nichols Architects was determined to create an iconic design.

Design by Nichols Architects / Photo by Mike Butler

The elephant in the roof

With a spacious area of 15,000 square feet, there is plenty of room available for both men's and women's lockers, indoor and outdoor lounge areas, a kitchen and dining facility, and even a shop. Emphasizing comfort and convenience, the underground level enables all services, including golf cart storage, to be effectively managed from below.

Jordans personal touch was evident throughout the course. The columns were strategically placed beneath an overhanging roof to create a visual representation of his famous hang-time, which inspired the iconic "Air Jordan" brand. Additionally, the fritted-glass roof seamlessly incorporated the elephant print found on his shoes, creating a stunning effect where the print is cast upon the floor when sunlight streams through. The attention to detail even extended to the ice cubes, featuring Air Jordan logos, as PGA Tour pro Jimmy Walker revealed on Instagram following a round at the course in March 2021.

Jimmy Walker shared an image of Jordan's personalized ice cubes.

jimmywalkerpga/Instagram

Like Weed, Reyes believes his job was made easier by an engaged client.

"He was heavily involved in all the decision-making processes... we didn't alter a single color without his knowledge," stated Reyes.

"We have collaborated with other celebrities who simply demand things without any interest in conversing. However, he recognized the abundance of creativity involved and actively sought to contribute."

“No other place Id rather be”

On July 16, 2023, Stephen Curry from the NBA team Golden State Warriors secured victory in the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nevada. Witnessing the final putt, Curry's exuberant reaction was captured in a memorable photograph.

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After the play ended, the architect was embraced tightly in a bear hug measuring 6 feet and 6 inches.

"He glanced at me and expressed his gratitude, mentioning that despite having the freedom to be anywhere in the world, there was no place he preferred to be other than right here," Weed reminisced.

Having his own golf course is the ultimate compliment for him. He takes great pleasure in shaping and molding it to his liking, creating a perfect haven for himself and his friends. It has become a remarkable spot, evolving into something truly fantastic.

As long as he continues playing, he will relish every moment on his golf course. And when the time comes, he will pass it along to the next generation, highlighting one of the enduring qualities of golf that has allowed it to sustain itself throughout centuries.