Written by Michael VanDerLaan
Picture this: you plan a whole Naples winter vacation for you and your family. There are going to be beach days and all kinds of amazing adventures. And then someone decides they want to play golf. "That's a great idea!" You say, while silently wondering how the heck you're going to get a tee time in the land of the private clubs. It's at that point you remember the Hibiscus Golf Club Review you read on Golf Gear Advisor, and it's off to Golf Now!
Hidden away on Rattlesnake Hammock Road in South Naples, Hibiscus - affectionately known as "The Biscuit" by some of the more experienced locals - is a modest sight when you roll into the parking lot.
There is no ornate bag drop, the parking lot is very average, and the clubhouse looks a bit dated. But fear not, the golf course is one of the most enjoyable, casual experiences we have had in all of Southwest Florida.
The course is in fine shape. You won't get a premium playing experience, however everything is well taken care of and consistent throughout the golf course.
You will find the first tee nestled in between the putting green and the cart staging area. The first hole eases you in with a modest, straight away par 4 featuring a wide fairway and large green. With the exception of a couple of bunkers, there is not much trouble to speak of. A perfect start to a fun family round of golf.
The second hole of this Dave Wallace design is the first scoring opportunity. A short-ish dogleg right par 5 gives you enough room to hit 3 good shots and leave a make-able birdie or par look. I was green side in, but my dad made a great birdie up and down to win the hole with his handicap stroke!
The front 9 presents a lot of open tee shots and short holes, making it the perfect course for a fun round with friends or family.
We were getting used to having all the room in the world until we came to the 8th hole. While it wasn't the longest par 3 in the world at 197 yards from the back tee, hitting through that chute made us feel like we were standing on the 18th tee at Augusta National!
13 and 14 present another set of tighter shots that will challenge players of all skill levels. You will weave between buildings and a small water hazard on 13 - a short par 4.
Then you come to 14. While it is not a long par 5, at only 495 yards from the back tee, the layup and approach are protected by a water hazard that covers the front, right, and back portions of the green, and a large bunker catching balls to the left. Talk about a well designed hole!
Believe it or not, this is the best spot to miss on 14. Left of the green, there is a large area of grass that gives you a good angle for your next shot, even if you have to hit it over a tree!
I was able to get my second shot into the left green side bunker, and make up and down to win the hole. My dad and I were in a tight match at this point, with him being 2 up with 4 to play.
Dad stroked on 15 and made par, putting him to dormie 3 before I rolled in a long birdie putt on 16 to stay alive, and then made a 5 footer for par on the par 3 17th to extend the match again.
We stood on the 18th, dad was 1 up and we faced a short par 4. At only 340 yards dog legging to the left, I knew I could get pretty close to the green, giving myself a chance at birdie and tying the match. And that's exactly what happened!
I needed 66 to take dad down, but more importantly, we had a blast. It's days like this that we are going to remember for a long time, and a golf course that we will certainly be back to when we're looking for a fun place to play!
Hibiscus Golf Club Practice Areas
The putting green at Hibiscus may not be huge, but the designer used the space well. Featuring multiple undulation changes, you can practice any putt you want with ease.
Some days, the driving range is on mats, but the width of the practice tee ensures that there will always be a spot for you to hit. The balls are in good shape and there are plenty of targets to hit at.
My favorite part of the practice setup at Hibiscus Golf Club is the short game area. It's not the biggest you've ever seen, but it is one of the coolest.
Partly hidden by a beautiful banyon tree, you can work on your chip, pitch, and bunker shots in the shade and removed from the crowds. Since all of us need a little work on our short game to get better at golf without taking lessons, this is the perfect place to post up!
All in all, these practice areas are everything you need to impress whoever you play with the next time you tee it up!
Wrapping Up The Hibiscus Golf Club Review
While you won't be blown away by the course conditions, and it may not be the most memorable course you ever play, Hibiscus Golf Club is the perfect place for your casual and friendly rounds of golf.
Lots of open fairways, shorter holes, and 5 different tees to choose from make it the perfect golf course to share a round with your loved ones on a perfect Naples afternoon.
I've played hundreds of golf courses throughout the United States in my life and career. Some are bland and easy to forget. Others are manicured and impressive, but hard to access. Hibiscus falls right in the middle.
It's fairly easy to get a tee time, there are lots of fun shots and different looks than your average Florida golf course, and you will leave with new memories to last a lifetime.
Oh, and the food at the clubhouse is delicious!
If you're looking for that perfect last minute tee time while you're in Naples, check with Hibiscus first.
