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Rating Index Rating
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4.5
392 Reviews (392)
5 Stars
254
4 Stars
94
3 Stars
29
2 Stars
13
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.5
Value
3.9
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.4
84.5%
Recommend this course
365 out of 392 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
2 Reviews (2)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
3.0
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
5.0
50.0%
Recommend this course
1 out of 2 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
5 Reviews (5)
5 Stars
4
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.2
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.8
StaffFriendliness
5.0
80.0%
Recommend this course
4 out of 5 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 72
Length 7279 yards
Slope 141
Rating 74.6

The King & Bear Course at World Golf Village is named for its designers, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. It is the first and only collaboration between the two legendary golfers. Combining the contrasting styles of the two designers created a challenging course that incorporates features from both traditional Scottish-links courses and new traditions in American golf. The course is known for the numerous lakes bordered by large coquina rock that come into play throughout. The front nine is dotted with loblolly pines while decades-old oak trees provide shade for the back nine. In addition to King & Bear, World Golf Village also offers another excellent 18-hole course, Slammer & Squire.

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World Golf Village - King & Bear Golf Course
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Course Details

Year Built 2000
Fairways 419 Bermuda Grass
Greens 419 Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round. Peak Season: Mid-February - May
Architect Arnold Palmer (2000) Jack Nicklaus (2000) Ed Seay (2000) MacCurrach Golf (2017) Nicklaus (2017) Bruce Borland Jim Lipe

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fee
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Caddies Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Golf Simulator Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Indoor Practice Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Jacuzzi

Available Activities

Swimming, Billiards

Available Sports

Tennis

Accolades

Reviews

4.5
392 Reviews (392)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 37
Brunch 19
Dinner 15
Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 74
Bunkers 71
Undulating Greens 47
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 54
A Weekend Splurge 44
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 43
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 42
At a Resort 35
Near Local Attractions 35

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Challenging without tight fairways

The design of the King & Bear is spot on. With so many Florida courses controlled by tight fairways lined with trees and water, the King & Bear is refreshing. It had trees and water, but they were well enough off the fairway to afford some off-line hits. Its challenge came from sloping fairways and protected greens. Very well kept and the exceptional service is not typical.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

King and Bear

The course was in great condition, even with punched greens. They had a tournament earlier in the day so I had to wait for a cart. Otherwise a pleasant experience, and will go back.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 32
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

King and Bear Nice Layout and Great Condition

Enjoyed playing the King and Bear and personally believe the layout is more interesting than the Squire and Slammer course with water coming into play on many of the holes. I've played both courses and believe paying a little more to play the King and Bear is definitely worth it. The apples on ice on 1st and 10th holes is a nice treat in the hot summer weather as well. The only thing I experienced that could not be considered positive was the fact I bought a hat in the clubhouse and found an additional charge on the receipt for resort fee that I thought was kind of cheesy.
Just figured it would be better for the consumer to show that in the original price rather than including it as a surprise. Course is maintained at a high level with consistent fast greens throughout. The staff is very accommodating and the cart service around the course is timely.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

short duration between tee times

Made the trip out for a Tuesday hoping for a smooth round. Being a hot Florida day, there were several groups getting out early, I was shocked at the short duration between tee times, i believe 9 min. Given the price, i would have expected more.
Course was in great shape, fairways and greens. Landing areas were friendly, then tightening up with few run up opportunities as i expected from a Nicklaus design.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

The Bar has been set here

Have stayed at the Marriott nearby on several occassions and this was my first time playing here. The course was extremely fair as if you hit the fairway, you had great lies, but if you hit it into the rough, you did get penalized, but not too exteme. The course was marked extremely well and the cold apple at the turn was very good!! The people at the course were extrmely frfiendly, including a guy from High Point that had retired from military. I would play here again and suggest it to anyone without blinking an eye. Tough but fair and very scenic if you like seeing gators..but not too close.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Super Golf Course

Everything is in great shape. Would definitely play here again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Excellent Day at King and Bear

We were made very welcome on arrival, despite our booking overlapping with their Ladies Member Guest tournament. Course was in great shape from tee to green. We had to skip one hole to by pass the Ladies shoot out - Very politely explained and we were invited to complete the hole later - complimentary drinks and sandwiches were provided for us - a really excellent day
Thank you we will be back soon

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

World Class

Everything you would expect from a world-class golf venue. What a great day of golf!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Worth it!

Nice course. Awesome staff from pro shop to maintenance staff....great greens!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 22
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Spring break bucket list course

Golf Now deal $89 is $102 after fees and taxes and worth it!!
Course is immaculate
Staff a bit businesslike and could be friendlier
Play it you won't regret it
Bill

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 26
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Bucket List Course

Course is in beautiful condition.
Loved apple on 1st hole. There were suppose to be some on the tenth hole also but there were none!
If you are an average golfer do not challenge some of the water carries.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 37
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Excellent driving range

For a resort course, I've played better. The fairways were excellent but the green speed was a little slow for my liking, probably around 9 on the stimp. Never saw a ranger or a beverage cart on the front nine. Took almost 5 hours to play. Our foursome waited on nearly all the tee boxes.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 241
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 25 Contributor
Florida Advisor
First Time Playing
Fair weather
Used cart

Just good, but nothing really outstanding

We wanted to play it, as we have heard a lot about it. It is a nice course in mostly very good condition, but to me it is not worth the two hours drive from Orlando. The place is overall in very good condition, T-boxes, fairways, bunkers and greens very mostly very good. But somehow it did not convince me a something very special. The layout is just – well – just a golf course – no hole was really breathtaking. The service was very good out there. As it was rather cold, the beverage cart girl was clever enough to offer hot coffee…

Service and condition wise a nice place, but to me it is not worth this high rate they ask…

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Average weather
Used cart

Somewhat disappointing

It appeared that most of the players on the course were average handicappers. Most were playing from the White tees. Possibly for the lower handicappers with the extended tee boxes, the course would be more interesting. I found it sadly lacking any real creative design or challenge. Did not ever see a "signature" type hole. Greens were pretty average in design and difficulty. I just recently played all the courses at Grand Cypress. This lay-out was pretty tame compared to those lay-outs and greens.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 46
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Place for Golf

Played King & Bear and Slammer & Squire. After paying over $400 to play TPC Sawgrass, it makes World Golf Village a great value. The course layout, conditions, staff and facility are all fantastic.
I highly recommend.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 85
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 500 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

"Close the gap"

We had a blast at King and Bear. It was a perfect day for golf. The course was in great shape, fun and challenging. Most of the staff was wonderful.
My only issue was with the course ranger, who kept harping on us to "close the gap" between us and the group in front of us. They were two holes ahead of us and the group behind us was two holes back pretty consistently. We were a foursome (three low handicappers) playing "ready golf". This guy just wouldn't let up. He approached us three times, the last being on 13th green. We just drove by him. BTW, we got around in 4:05. Other than him...it was an excellent day and I'll definitely be back there soon. It's a little overpriced, but worth the experience. All in all, loved it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great Golf Course

We found the golf course to be in excellent condition and challenging. Great golf course; good value!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

March golf

The sand traps were terrible. An inch of sand then hard packed mud. F airways had lots of unfixed divots. Many very nice golf holes, though. Generally I feel it was overpriced.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Arnold and Jack

Great course, I'm sure the course would be more pristine in summer or spring, fairways, tee boxes and green in great shape. Some of the bunkers could do with being a little bit better maintained.
Overall a must play

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

This Course is a "Must Play"

Any avid golfer should play this course simply because it is a collaboration between Nicklaus and Palmer. When I played, the weather was basically perfect and the course was in excellent condition, which I understand it basically always is. Very challenging but not to the point that you feel "beat up" after the round. It's pricey, but it's a bucket list course. so worth the hefty expenditure, at least on an occasional basis.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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Golf Packages

World Golf Village Stay & Play Package

FROM $227 (USD)
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Slammer & Squire, and King & Bear at World Golf Village.

St. John’s River Stay & Play Package

FROM $187 (USD)
JACKSONVILLE, FL | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at Residence Inn by Marriott South Jacksonville/Bartram Park and 3 rounds of golf at Cimarrone Golf Club, The Golf Club of South Hampton, and St. John’s Golf & Country Club.

Sawgrass Marriott Stay & Play Package

FROM $487 (USD)
JACKSONVILLE, FL | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa and 2 rounds of golf at TPC Sawgrass - PLAYERS Stadium & Dye's Valley Courses.

Jacksonville Golf Around Package

FROM $147 (USD)
JACKSONVILLE, FL | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at the Doubletree Jacksonville Riverfront and 3 rounds of golf at Bent Creek Golf Club, Eagle Landing Golf Club, and Hidden Hills Golf Club.

Hammock Beach Stay & Play Golf Package

FROM $227 (USD)
PALM COAST, FL | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa and 2 rounds of golf at The Club at Hammock Beach (Troon Privé).
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