Dave Sansom
Overview
Of the public options sprinkled across Naples, Greg Norman's Tiburón courses at the Ritz-Carlton provide the best balance of quality golf and convenience, situated in the heart of North Naples. That ideal combination comes at a cost, though, as green fees can be upwards of $300. The Gold course—ranked on our Best Courses You Can Play in Florida list—features stacked sod wall bunkers and no conventional rough and is home to the LPGA’s CME Group Tour Championship and the PGA Tour’s QBE Shootout.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Best in State: Not previously ranked.
Current ranking: 54th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Tiburon Golf Club – Gold Course Review The Gold Course at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida, is a prestigious and meticulously crafted test of golf, designed by the legendary Greg Norman. Known for hosting professional events like the LPGA’s CME Group Tour Championship and the PGA TOUR’s QBE Shootout, the course embodies both elegance and challenge. The Gold Course isn't merely a round of golf—it's a complete experience for players who value strategic design, beautiful conditions, and an intriguing test of shot-making. Difficulty of the Course: A Demanding Mental and Physical Challenge Tiburon Gold is known for its blend of strategy and precision, requiring players to be at their sharpest mentally and physically. Although not excessively long at 7,382 yards from the championship tees, the course’s difficulty lies in its layout, narrow landing areas, well-placed hazards, and fast, undulating greens. The fairways are lined with dense vegetation, sandy waste areas, and strategically placed bunkers that demand accuracy off the tee. Errant shots are quickly punished, making course management just as important as pure power. Players who take an aggressive approach may find themselves facing challenging recovery shots around greens. The Unique Nature of the Holes: Memorable and Thought-Provoking Norman designed the Gold Course to integrate the natural terrain of Florida’s wetlands and pine forests, creating holes that feel distinct but maintain a harmonious flow. Waste bunkers and coquina shell-lined paths give the course a rugged, coastal character, while water hazards and native vegetation are regularly in play. The signature aspect of Tiburón’s design is its commitment to offering multiple risk-reward opportunities. Players are frequently tempted by tempting carries over water or bunkers, but conservative routes are always available for those willing to take a safer approach. Routing of the Course: Balanced and Strategic The routing of the Gold Course is balanced, with a mix of long, demanding par 4s, risk-reward par 5s, and tricky par 3s. The outward nine introduces players to the strategic nature of the course, with several holes demanding placement over power. The inward nine tightens the screws, featuring tighter fairways and challenging approach shots into well-guarded greens. Water hazards come into play on multiple occasions, particularly on the finishing stretch, making it a dramatic ending to any round. Conditions of the Course: Immaculate and Consistently Maintained The course conditions at Tiburón Golf Club are nothing short of exceptional. Fairways are tightly mown, offering ample roll, and greens are renowned for their speed and smoothness. During tournament season, the greens can easily reach speeds of 12-13 on the Stimpmeter, making them some of the fastest in the region. The Bermuda grass greens are firm, and approach shots must be carefully considered to avoid ending up in penalizing collection areas or bunkers. Around the greens, closely mown run-off areas create a short game challenge, as players often face delicate chips, bump-and-run shots, or the occasional flop shot. The conditions demand precision with wedges and creativity when escaping trouble. Best Holes to Highlight: Memorable Challenges Hole 4 (Par 4, 480 yards) One of the most demanding holes on the front nine, this long par 4 requires a well-struck drive to navigate the narrow fairway guarded by bunkers on both sides. The green is perched atop a slight rise and protected by bunkers in front and run-off areas behind, demanding accuracy on the approach. Hole 6 (Par 5, 615 yards) This is a classic risk-reward par 5. Players must decide whether to lay up safely or attempt a long carry over a waste bunker to set up a short approach shot. The elevated green is narrow and slopes from back to front, making putting a challenge. Hole 12 (Par 3, 190 yards) With water on the right and a large bunker guarding the left, this par 3 is visually intimidating. The green is narrow and slopes severely toward the water, making club selection and spin control critical. Hole 18 (Par 4, 460 yards) The dramatic finishing hole features water running the length of the right side, a generous but intimidating waste bunker to the left, and an approach shot into a narrow green. The setting, with the clubhouse as a backdrop, adds to the pressure. Character of the Course: Rugged Elegance The Gold Course possesses a rugged yet refined character. The use of coquina shell waste areas, dense native vegetation, and natural wetlands gives the course a wild, untamed feel. However, this rugged aesthetic is complemented by pristine turf and well-manicured greens, blending nature with championship-level refinement. The terrain is relatively flat, but clever elevation changes around greens and fairways ensure the course never feels monotonous. Green Complexes and Bunkering: Strategic and Punishing The green complexes are among the most challenging aspects of the course, designed to test every part of a player’s short game. Many greens are raised, with tightly mown run-off areas funneling mishit shots away from the putting surface. The bunkers, filled with soft, white sand, are often deep and strategically positioned to catch errant approaches. Some of the bunkers are sprawling and irregularly shaped, further complicating recovery shots. Final Thoughts: A Course for Thinkers and Shot-Makers The Tiburón Golf Club’s Gold Course is a true test of golf, offering a rewarding experience for players who enjoy thinking their way around a course. With its demanding shot requirements, fast greens, and pristine conditions, it’s no surprise the course regularly hosts professional events. Players will leave with vivid memories of its beautiful yet challenging design, making it a must-play destination for any golf enthusiast. If you’re a golfer seeking a blend of strategy, beauty, and difficulty, Tiburón’s Gold Course delivers in every category."
Read More2025
Review
“Bunkering abounds w/ character, instead of stacking sod they stacked astro turf to save on future maintenance on what seemed like over 100+ turf faced bunkers and pot bunkers throughout the course...did not seem fake looking as well on using stacked astro turf instead of sod. Very challenging off the tee from the championship tees. The objective of this course is to avoid the deep turf faced bunkers from both tee on a few holes and on approaches on most holes. Not a walkable course w/ some of the distances from green to tee...in particular you drive the entire length of the range to get to #1 tee from clubhouse area. Some really great holes strategically that outnumber some of the boring holes. Little to no elevation change throughout the course but would be common to courses in this county. Was in very good to nearly excellent condition despite Hurricane Irma rolling through and creating havoc in the area 3 months prior to my evaluation date."
Read More2022
Review
“A well maintained, tournament style, Florida resort course. Everything done on the grounds is done with class and great service. Tiburon is a great place to take your time, eat at the clubhouse, play a challenging, fun round, and relax at the end of the day looking out on the course."
Read More2019
Review
“Very nice course and greens were terrific. Played in 20+ mph winds and it was all you wanted."
Read More2018
Review
“Gold course is a combination of a good challenge and a enjoyable experience. Large greens that were in good condition."
Read More2018
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