Michael Jordan’s Most Golf-Obsessed Moment Came During the 1992 Olympics
Sport Bilder des Tages Michael Jordan watching the action 2025 Ryder Cup, Day One, Afternoon Four-Balls, Golf, Bethpage Black Golf Course, New York, USA - 26 Sep 2025New York Bethpage Black Golf Course New York NY United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROUxBULxUAExKSAxCHNxDENxINDxITAxPORxESPxSWExTURxMEXxCOLxVENxPERxECUxBRAxARGxCHIxURUxPARxPANxONLY Copyright: xJamesxMarsh/Shutterstockx 15500200cu
Sport Bilder des Tages Michael Jordan watching the action 2025 Ryder Cup, Day One, Afternoon Four-Balls, Golf, Bethpage Black Golf Course, New York, USA - 26 Sep 2025New York Bethpage Black Golf Course New York NY United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROUxBULxUAExKSAxCHNxDENxINDxITAxPORxESPxSWExTURxMEXxCOLxVENxPERxECUxBRAxARGxCHIxURUxPARxPANxONLY Copyright: xJamesxMarsh/Shutterstockx 15500200cu
Michael Jordan fell in love with golf when he first got into the sport in 1984. However, the moment that proved his love for golf came at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
As a member of the iconic 'Dream Team,' Jordan reportedly played double-digit holes of golf just hours before a scheduled game.
Charles Barkley recalled an occasion when he, Jordan, David Robinson, and Chuck Daly played 18 holes on a day the team was scheduled to face Puerto Rico. After the round, Jordan asked to play another 18.
“So we go play, we play 18,” Charles Barkley recalled the incident as per a 2024 PGA article. “Chuck [Daly] says, ‘OK, that was a great time,’ and Michael says, ‘nah, I’m going to play another 18.’ I’m like Michael, we got a game tonight. He says ‘Chuck, I’ll be fine, blah blah blah.”
Bildnummer: 08171839 Datum: 13.07.2011 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI 13 July 2011: Basketball Hall of Fame Player Michael Jordan during the practice round of the American Century Championship at the Edgewood Country Club in Lake Tahoe, NV. GOLF: JUL 13 American Century Championship - Practice Round PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon269110713027; Golf Hobby Hobbygolf privat xmk x0x 2011 quer
Bildnummer: 08171839 Datum: 13.07.2011 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI 13 July 2011: Basketball Hall of Fame Player Michael Jordan during the practice round of the American Century Championship at the Edgewood Country Club in Lake Tahoe, NV. GOLF: JUL 13 American Century Championship - Practice Round PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon269110713027; Golf Hobby Hobbygolf privat xmk x0x 2011 quer
Barkley said that in the same account, Daly again reminded Michael Jordan about the game, and Jordan replied: “I’ll be good.”
During the game, Chuck Daly assigned defensive matchups before the tip-off, but Jordan disagreed with Daly’s plan. Barkley later said, “It’s just amazing how he played 36 holes of golf, and he was guarding that dude like it was game 7.”
Barkley said that the story was not the final golf episode from Barcelona. Michael Jordan may have come out ahead in the matchup with the Puerto Rico guard, but he later lost a golf round to Daly.
Since then, Jordan’s love for the sport has grown even more, and today he has his own course.
Michael Jordan built the Invite-Only Grove XXIII
The Grove XXIII is a private golf club in Hobe Sound, Florida, founded by Michael Jordan. The club opened in 2019 and was designed to reflect Jordan’s preferences for fast play and competitive formats.
Grove XXIII began when Michael Jordan said, “Build me the best golf course. Build me the best driving range.” And Bobby Weed, with input from Jordan, delivered.
The club does not have a formal application process. Membership is granted only through a personal invitation from Michael Jordan.
The membership consists primarily of professional athletes, public figures, and business leaders who share Jordan’s interest in golf.
Members and frequent guests include Barack Obama, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Wayne Gretzky, Denny Hamlin, and other prominent athletes and public figures.
Written by
Aditi Singh
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi