Just got back from a golf trip there. Played 36 the first day and 18 every day for the next 4 days.

I played at TPC Sawgrass... Dye's Valley Course and Stadium Course. Obviously if you can get on, the Stadium Course is worth the experience. Even took the drive down to Orlando and teed it up at Bay Hill with a friend who is a member.

At WGV, I would play the King and Bear. It was in fantastic shape and has a great layout. Greens were in great shape and rolled fast. The only drawback was the restaurant didn't open until 11am... so if you are playing early and want a quick breakfast, pick it up in the way to the course. Staff is incredible and very helpful.

I did get to see Slammer and Squire at WGV. It looked equally in good shape, but they were having a women's member tournament that day and getting ready for Bill Murray's big annual Caddyshack tournament later in the week... so I didn't get to play there.

Make sure you have some time to go through the World Golf Hall of Fame. It didn't disappoint with the all the history of the game and the memorabilia. Some awesome stuff to see and experience in there. Definitely worth a few hours of your day.

Take the drive about 25 minutes south of St. Augustine to Palm Coast and play at Hammock Beach's The Ocean Course. A Nicklaus design that has 6 holes along the Atlantic Ocean or influenced by the winds coming off the ocean. The course was in perfect shape. There wasn't a blade of grass out of place on The Ocean Course.

Also, there is St. John's Golf and Country Club. It was in good shape also... with a few areas that were still recovering. Should be a healed up by the time you are saying you will be there. Wide fairways, but still a challenging course. Greens were pure and rolled fantastic. Only issue where was pace of play was little slower than I like... but it is what it is sometimes. Took about 4:45 to play 18.

Hope this helps.

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Posted by 904

Forever under I-10

Member since Dec 2009

791 posts

Posted on 5/16/22 at 2:21 pm to Tiltinallin

Grew up playing in St. Johns County/Jacksonville and my dad is a current member at King and Bear, so echoing the responses above.

Obviously Sawgrass Stadium is iconic if you can swing it. Sawgrass Valley is often forgotten about thanks to the Stadium course but really nice.

Both King and Bear and Slammer and Squire are great for different reasons. I actually prefer the layout of Slammer and Squire slightly more, but King and Bear offers a more private and well-rounded experience. Both are fantastic courses and it's rare that one or both of them aren't in great shape, so play each of them if you can. While you're there, World Golf Hall of Fame museum is a must for anyone who loves the game.

St. Johns Golf and Country Club is probably best bang for your buck. Just a great golf course that's usually in premium condition.

Next door to SJGCC is South Hampton which is a more open and basic layout but also usually in great condition.

Nearby, Julington Creek Golf Club (formerly Champions Club) is my home course and has a wonderful layout but is in poor shape while preparing to go under major renovations, so skip it this trip but stop by on your next one.

Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is some fun beach golf but is pretty pricey and if I recall.

Haven't heard to many good things about Royal St. Augustine in the last few years, but maybe they're getting it together.

If you want to head up the coast towards Jacksonville a little more, book Jax Beach Golf Club early for a fun public track that was completely renovated and reinvigorated in the last 5 years or so.

All that being said, if I were planning a trip where money wasn't really a hindrance..
1) Sawgrass Stadium
2a) King & Bear
2b) Slammer & Squire
4) Sawgrass Valley
5) Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
6) St. Johns Golf & Country Club
7) Jax Beach Golf Club
8) South Hampton
9) Cimarrone
10) Royal St. Augustine

with 1-8 being quality courses and having Julington Creek Golf Club somewhere around 7 or 8 once renovations are complete

Maybe the thing I miss most about Jacksonville/St. Augustine is all of the quality golf, so I'm very jealous. Enjoy

This post was edited on 5/16/22 at 2:42 pm

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Posted by eatboudin

Austin, TX

Member since Sep 2005

228 posts

Posted on 5/17/22 at 6:25 pm to Tiltinallin

Check out The Yards in Ponte Vedra. Played it as a warm-up for our bigger ticket courses.

It was extremely fun and in great shape. Several pros practice there before The Masters because of the quality and structure of the greens. It is a 9-hole track with a side course of 6 par threes. You won’t regret it.

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Posted by BasilFawlty