Michael Jordan’s Passion for Golf: Building a $20 Million Course and Embracing Daily Play on His Own Terms
When Michael Jordan isn’t making deals to build his fortune, he retreats to his sanctuary.
No, it’s not his $80 million superyacht, but his sporting haven.
In the 1990s, when Michael Jordan established himself as the greatest player in the NBA, the Bulls icon was a regular on the golf course.
Today, he is an animator.
But Jordan still enjoys playing golf, and his course has earned a nickname: “Slaughterhouse 23.”
It gets its name because it was designed by Jordan, for Jordan, with the goal of maximizing Jordan’s playing style against opponents, particularly when playing for money against professional golfers.
And it was at Grove XIII that Michael Jordan took delivery of a $3.5 million hypercar for his collection.
Nestled on the outskirts of Hobe Sound, Florida, the ultra-exclusive Jordan Golf Course offers a range of delights for casual golfers, enthusiasts and professionals alike.
But not just anyone can show up at the departure time.
In May 2020, Masters + PGA + Open champion Phil Mickelson revealed that even someone of his profile was forced to join the waiting list.
What is the total number of club members? According to the latest reports, it has less than 100 invitation-only members, which is incredible when you consider that it cost between $15 million and $20 million to build.
Taking inspiration from Shinnecock Hills, the state-of-the-art 18-hole golf course was designed by internationally renowned specialist architect Bobby Weed.
It features a double helix layout, meaning the course can be played in four nine+nine combinations or in shorter loops of three to six holes.
The extremely contemporary clubhouse was designed by Nicholas Brosch Wurst Wolfe & Associates.
This 15,000 m² structure includes locker rooms for men and women, an indoor and outdoor relaxation area, kitchens and dining rooms, as well as a sporting goods store.
Storage space for golf carts and space for the back of the house can also be found underground.
There’s even a gatehouse, driving range and learning center on site, not to mention drones responsible for delivering beers and snacks to golfers on the course.
You could say that Grove XIII is a slam dunk, a hole-in-one, and any other sporting metaphor of your choosing combined.
