Calusa Pines Golf Club – Played March 2022
- Rankings: Golf Digest #81, Golf Magazine #61
- Location: 2000 Calusa Pines Drive, Naples, Florida
- Year: 2001
- Architects: Dana Fry & Michael Hurdzan
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts & Caddies Available
Score Card Information:
- Gold: 7,320 yards, Par 72, 75.2 Rating/143 Slope
- Black: 6,635 yards, Par 72, 72.8 Rating/139 Slope
- CP: 6,367 yards, Par 72, 72.1 Rating/138 Slope
- Blue: 6,140 yards, Par 72, 70.6 Rating/137 Slope (Men’s), 75.9 Rating/142 Slope (Women’s)
- Orange: 5,952 yards, Par 72, 69.7 Rating/133 Slope (Men’s), 74.9 Rating/139 Slope (Women’s)
- White: 5,454 yards, Par 72, 67.2 Rating/131 Slope (Men’s), 72.1 Rating/134 Slope (Women’s)
Calusa Pines Golf Club has interested me for quite some time. Seeing photos of the rolling topography in a Florida course made it stand out from many other courses in the state. I was lucky enough to sneak away from a busy time at work and play it recently.
Speaking of that topography, Calusa Pines actually houses the highest point in South Florida. The aesthetic let me know I was in Florida, but the terrain was a welcome divergence from traditional Florida golf. The course is certainly not in the minimalist style, as they had to do a lot of earth moving to end up with the finished product. Even so, the course doesn’t feel fabricated.
One interesting part of the construction is the system of lakes throughout the property. They were built so you cannot see the start and finish from any portion of the course. You might see one side, but never the other. I tested this as I walked through the course and it was true!
Many high level private courses have backstories around a wealthy founder. Calusa Pines Golf Club has that, but with a different view. Gary Chensoff received a dire cancer prognosis right around the time the club was breaking ground. He pushed on, beat cancer, and got the course finished. He was an inspiration to the the team throughout the process.
Let’s get into the tour!
Hole 1 – 389 yards – Par 4
With the firm turf conditions at Calusa Pines, the lines you take will affect your next shot more than other courses. You have the option on this tee to take on the left bunkers and shorten the hole. Bailing out right is an option.
We were introduced to the firm conditions on the very first approach shots. Playing to the front of greens is a good strategy here.
Hole 2 – 551 yards – Par 5
Playing up the right is the key to scoring on this hole. Large bunkers guard most of the left side. The hole ends to the right as it goes along.
An approach from short right gives you a clear look at the flag.
Hole 3 – 135 yards – Par 3
Hit the green or pray on this short hole. It makes sense that the challenge is a stiff one since you have a short club in your hand.
Hole 4 – 409 yards – Par 4
You can be as bold or sensible as you like here. The aggressive play is up the right, but that brings the water firmly into play.
This look back up the hole illustrates how the hazard influences the shots.
Hole 5 – 414 yards – Par 4
This hole doglegs to the right before approaching a pushed up green. The deep bunker right of the green is a nearly impossible up and down.
Hole 6 – 513 yards – Par 5
Precision is important on this hole because there is some pinching on the perimeter.
Going for the green can be a risky proposition with the pond sitting close on the right side.
Hole 7 – 226 yards – Par 3
The yardage and plentiful bunkering make this a difficult hole. The firm conditions of Calusa Pines however, let you play for the front yardage. I’d be happy with a par here every time.
With the yardage, the open front encouraging run up shots is well appreciated.
Hole 8 – 280 yards – Par 4
Calusa Pines has a couple short par fours and they are very fun. This one begs you to go for it, but bunkers dot the landscape. It’s easy to make birdie or double here.
The green site is predictably small for a short hole.
Hole 9 – 421 yards – Par 4
You’re treated to a nice view from this elevated tee. It is tempting to hit the driver as hard as you can. Approach shots are best played from the left side of the fairway.
There is no shortage of slope on this green. Being in the right section is imperative.
Hole 10 – 376 yards – Par 4
The hills are utilized throughout this hole along with bunkers to challenge you. If you can carry the bunkers up the right, a short approach awaits.
The green settles back into the hillside with a blowout bunker framing it nicely.
Hole 11 – 171 yards – Par 3
On this tee, you feel like you are on the edge of the property, a bit secluded even. Use that feeling to concentrate, because this is a tough shot. Misses just short are perfectly fine.
Hole 12 – 419 yards – Par 4
Long and straight is what is required here. The green features runoffs and bunkering all around.
Hole 13 – 586 yards – Par 5
Options are always nice. On this hole you can be bold and play up the right side. If you falter there is sand and trees waiting for your ball. The traditional three-shot route is available up the left.
Hole 14 – 293 yards – Par 4
We’ve reached the other short four at Calusa Pines. Driving directly at the green is an option, but there is a deep bunker in front. If you can leave your drive short right the angle is quite good.
Hole 15 – 414 yards – Par 4
Massive bunker complexes and fairway ripples tell the story of the fifteenth. Fitting shots between the sand and making par is quite the accomplishment.
Take a moment to appreciate that bunkering.
Hole 16 – 161 yards – Par 3
I don’t mind the concept of a signature hole as much as some in the golf architecture buff world. The sixteenth certainly qualifies. Once you get past the beauty of the hole, the difficulty of the task at hand becomes clear.
Hazard surrounds most of the green in addition to the bunkers you can see. A sensible shot to the fat part of the green is the way to go here unless you’re firing on all cylinders.
This photo came out blurry, but I at least wanted you to see the contours of the green.
Hole 17 – 390 yards – Par 4
This hole plays to the right around the lake. The green features a bunker right in the front middle. It’s not a lion’s mouth template, but you could see how that might have been an influence.
When reading putts you have to take the ridge below into account.
Hole 18 – 487 yards – Par 5
The final hole at Calusa Pines definitely screams birdie opportunity. But you better avoid the quick hook, trust me. The hole doglegs sharply left before traversing the hill up to the green and clubhouse.
I imagine this can be a rowdy amphitheater during tournaments. Players must make sure they get past the false front.
The story of Calusa Pines is a one of triumph based on the founder’s health battle. What resulted is a course provides plenty of fun and challenge. The firm, fast conditions will keep you on your toes from start to finish. I would imagine playing here multiple times begins to unlock some of the secrets to scoring. It’s probably obvious from the tour, but if you get an invite to play Calusa Pines, do all you can to make it happen.