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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
6 Reviews (6)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.7
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
5.0
83.3%
Recommend this course
5 out of 6 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 32
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great Layout

this course is absolutely amazing. the design by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus was so beautiful. every hole is a new adventure. water on most holes and lots of sneaky bunkers. overall it was an amazing experience and a course i will defiantly play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Average weather
Used cart

One of the Best

Outstanding golf course in very good condition especially considering the time of year. Excellent, courteous staff. Will play it again on next time down

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Great course

I was paired up with two guys both a pleasure to play with. Hadn't played here in 15 years-better than I remembered. Challenging but playable. Played while my wife shopped turn into a great day !

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 20
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

It's a Bear!!!

This is the only course in the world that Nicklaus and Palmer designed together. It is extremely difficult but very enjoyable. It's also a Five-Star gem from a design point of view. They have scattered the fairways with deep fingered bunkers that occasionally slope into water like a beach. Greens were slicker than rat snot on a water slide and most putts will slide through the perceived break. Bring your A Game for this one! Tough but a lot of fun!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

A must play golf course

Excellent layout - has everything to test your game, i.e. side hill lies, down hill lies, uphill lies, lightning fast greens. Great condition.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Average weather
Used cart

overated

good course but not what we were lead to believe have played many better courses that were at least as good but cost much less.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful Course

There is something about playing a course designed by both Palmer and Nicklaus. Layout was good and the course was in great shape. Lots of water and bunkers. Greens were in great shape. My only complaint would be the cost. Not a lot of people playing this course or the Slammer & Squire the entire week we stayed at WGV. If they lowered the price to under $100 for the K&B and under $75 for the S&S, I suspect they would fill both courses. Worth playing at least once though!!

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 142
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

very very nice course

we got paired up with two other players that were very nice and made a great day. as in all top courses range balls are there. it is a high end course but golf now rewards took the sting out of green fees. thank you!!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Based on where the course is located at World Golf Village, I was disppointed.

I was very excited to play this course after hearing so much about the World Golf Village and the Hall of Fame. This was my first visit to the area. I booked my tee time with GolfNow and when I got to the pro shop to check in the person there said I owed a different amount then what was on my confirmation. She said Gold Now had not included the "resort fee" of $5.00. I thought it odd that Golf Now would not have known about this an included. I paid the fee and went to the carts. I would have thought that a world class course like this would have had GPS on the cart but none on board. Would have been important to have since I did not know the course at all. The staff didn't seem to care much about the non members like me. Not very friendly or customer oriented except for the members. I was a bit insulted when I finished the round and got an email from the course with a $20.00 lower green fee then I had just paid to play. I probably won't play this course again if ever in the area. There are too many other choices.

On a positive note, the course was in great shape and I was paired with two gentlemen who were very gracious and fun to play with.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Great Course Good Value

I was very impressed with the staff and their efforts to make everything go very smoothly from arrival until the round was finished. Course was in excellent condition and the pace of play was just under four hours.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

The King and the Bear delivers an amazing golf experience

Everything about our experience at the King and the Bear was excellent. In short, it was an epic golf day! The service provided by the entire staff starting with the cart attendants and especially the starter was top notch. They even had a gentlemen from the pro shop come around repeatedly to check on you and make sure that you were enjoying yourself. The beverage cart was always around as well.

We played 18 in 3:45 and still never felt pushed or rushed because they did a great job of managing the tee sheet. The course was in great shape and the greens were rolling to around 10 on the stimp but they held shots well. Putting was true. Fairways and tee boxes were in great shape as was the sand.

Every time I get down to the Jacksonville area I will be sure to play this course. If you are thinking about playing here and are not sure if you should, I strongly encourage you to make a tee time today and enjoy a truly great golf course and a truly great golf experience.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Great Course!

I was a bit apprehensive going to this course since the name and reputation was a little daunting, being an average golfer. I expected a snooty country club crowd. However, when I got there and found the staff and other golfers very friendly and accommodating, I was put at ease.

The course itself is beautiful and in excellent shape. The fairways and greens are close to flawless. The full price would have probably not been worth it but using a Hot Deal on GolfNow.com, I was able to get a reasonable rate.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
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
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

FrankP

Weather was pretty cool for FLA. Course was in great shape. Played with a member who was a delight to play with & really knew the course. Would play again ant time.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Greens Keeper Had a Bad Night!

I am normally a big fan of this course and have played it many times, however, this round was the most frustrating round in recently memory. This was due to the fact that in my 25 years of playing golf, I have never played a course with such ridiculous pin placements on 16 of 18 holes. The course was not set up for enjoyment and was unplayable with the wind conditions. Congratulations to the staff for making this a memorable (a.k.a. miserable) experience!

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Hall of fame course

Had a good experience. Saw the hall of fame and played the king and bear course. Very good course, challenging yet fair. Would recommend to my friends.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

a masterpiece

Awesome golf course...immaculate conditions...worth every penny.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course was set up for ALL golfers

Played the tips and at 7200+ yards it was all the couse I wanted, played with others who played the whites and it offered an awesome look for them too. Would play again. Was in awesome shape with fast contoured greens.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

The Greatest course that I have played.

For the middle of December, the course was in great shape. Just thinking about who designed it and the way it played took my breath away.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 22
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great Course

Got last minutes Hot Deal from GolfNow ... Course condition was lush ... green was not lightning fast ... somewhat forgiving even for high handicappers ... highly recommended.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Brilliant mix of Palmer and Nicholas

My wife and I got a great to play the King and Bear from Golf Now and thoroughly enjoyed every part of our experience. This course is beautiful to look at and very playable. Pace of play was great ,greens and fairwAys in excellent condition and support staff very friendly. We couldn't have enjoyed ourselves more.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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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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