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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 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Wet weather
Used cart

WGV - King and Bear Fun Course

Had a wonderful time playing the King and Bear course today with some first timers. Overcast and sprinkled on the front 9 but cleared up on the back. We played the blended white and blue tees and recommend them for 15-18 handicap players. (I shot a 48-40) The course greens were punched about 13 days prior so they were not at their best. I also played this course 3 weeks prior and the greens were fantastic. I agree with a prior reviewer's comments about the fun of guessing who designed each hole. I love the two par 3s on the back nine and I scored much better on the back also. (40) Par 5s are not that challenging but several of the par 4s' like number 2, 8, 9, 12, 15, and 16 are a good challenge for mid handicappers. I will be back.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great course, scenic and playable

This is the 8th course I have played in the greater St. Augustine / Ponte Vedra area and really enjoyed it. There is a lot of water which makes is very scenic, but felt it was still very manageable with out losing many golf balls. MY only complaint is that the green were quite slow. A course like this should be rolling at an 11 or 12 on stimp and they certainly were not.

I was fortunate to play a twilight round, for 65 bucks which I am sure helped in really enjoying the round, but would regularly play this course and be okay paying $150. If you are paying more than that, my guess is that you will make it a one and done type of thing.

If you are trying to choose between Slammer & Squire, TPC Dyes Valley and King and Bear (which are roughly around the same cost). King and Bear takes it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 179
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
4.0
Top 50 Contributor
First Time Playing

Fun course to play

Played the King and the Bear today and really enjoyed my round even though it rained throughout the front 9. The course was extremely wet but that is not the fault of the course. Other than that the course was in excellent shape. Fairways and tees were nicely over seeded and the greens were in good shape and rolled smooth. I thought there were several interesting holes with a good amount of water in play. However the fairways are generally pretty wide. I enjoyed this round much more than it’s neighbor the Slammer and the Squire. Both were in good shape but this one was more interesting and fun to play to me.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Had the Place to Myself | Twilight 9 Hole Round

Played a twilight round - 9 holes (front 9) and the course was in superb shape. The course was a little wet, but only due to a full day of rain the day before. Cart path only, but couldn't complain since the weather was perfect and I had the course to myself. So glad they overseeded - course looked beautiful! The staff was friendly and had fresh cold apples on the first tee. Nice touch!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/24/2020

Played again this summer and the back 9 was even better than the front 9. Great courses. Wish they were on GolfNow.com though

Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Awesome Track

Played in early December. Course was in excellent, overseeded shape. Would recommend to anyone playing in NE Florida.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Nice Course but nothing special

Played the King and Bear a few weeks ago, after 3 days of playing at Streamsong. Course is nice and fair. Having played many Nicklaus and Palmer course in Michigan, I didn't find this one to be anything special. The staff was great and very friendly and the pace of play was excellent but there is nothing about the course that really wowed any of us. No comparison to Streamsong. Nice course just not sure if it's worth $109.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 95
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 250 Contributor
First Time Playing

Good course, overpriced?

Solid course design (though 15 and 16 were weak holes near the end). Generally good conditions. Half the fun was trying to decide whether Arnie or Jack designed a particular hole (that would be a nice addition to the scorecard).
Do think the course is a bit overpriced for the area. Would recommend for those who had never played it, but unlikely to play again due to price/value.
Recommend the restaurant for breakfast and lunch - good food and very friendly staff.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
5.0
First Time Playing

Met Expectations

Had high expectations for the WGV course and it met all of them. Greens were firm but fair. Lots of shot options from the tee boxes. Great round of golf.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 255
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 25 Contributor
Georgia Advisor
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Awesome Course - Fantastic Conditions

This was my first time playing the King and Bear course. I loved the course, the conditions, and everything associated with the course.

The practice area (range, putting green, chipping area, practice bunkers, etc.) was great. I love the fact there are balls on the range included in the price of the greens fee.

I was a single today and when I got to the first tee there were two other groups of 4 waiting on the first tee box. The started asked me if I wanted to tee off the 10th tee. I told him absolutely. He said that would be great as there was nobody yet on the back nine. I had a great time and did not run into any groups on the back nine at all. Fantastic.

The golf course is awesome, with some of the best conditions you will see at any public course in the area. It is very challenging with lots of bunkers and large greens. The bunkers are strategically placed to penalize any bombers off the tee (Nicklaus trademark). I loved the conditions (greens, tee boxes, fairways). All were in excellent condition.

If you have the opportunity, go play the King and Bear. You will not regret.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 47
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

She's a Beauty

This is a fantastic golf course with some of the best conditions you will see at any public course. It is very challenging with a wide variety of bunker placement and big greens. The bunkers are strategically placed to penalize any bombers off the tee. If you can take the Florida humidity, I suggest trying it out in the summer as it will be significantly cheaper.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 38
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Not in great shape.

Was really looking forward to this round and willing to splurge a little on a round since I was on vacation. The course conditions were no where close to what I was expecting, Some tee boxes were burnt out. Greens were still healing from aeration holes. Burnt out spots no the course. I was disappointed in what I got for a $90 round of golf. Definitely not worth the price.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 77
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 500 Contributor
Previously Played

Love it

Second time playing this course and it couldn’t be any better. The conditions were great and the sight lines were phenomenal. Jack and Arnie designed a gem and the upkeep has been great. If you’re in the area it’s a must play, as well as slammer. Not too much water in play, but just enough to make you think twice on certain shots

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Worth every penny

If you’re like me and search for deals and try to get the best bang for your buck, you can be pretty critical of courses you pay over $100. But this course is worth it. Play this course if you have the chance. If you’re making a golf trip to St. Augustine this has to be in it. We played TPC dye’s Valley, St. John’s, Slammer and Squire as well. And this was everyone in our group’s number one. Hole 15 was one of my favorite courses I’ve ever played. Conditions are immaculate

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Used cart

Great day on a great course! Conditions, as usual, were terrific. Friendly and professional staff. Very good lunch after the round. Looking forward to playing it again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Course Perfection

Course conditions were perfect. Everything about it was first class.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
oz4
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

No place like home

Right now I am on assignment at Palm Beach and have the opportunity to play truly beautiful courses at Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, and Vero Beach. However, whenever I have a chance, I drive home to spend time with the family and to enjoy the incomparable experience to play King and the Bear. Beautiful lay out, panoramic views, and a truly unique experience. A bit windy of a day, but pace of play was perfect and the putting greens were very true! A most enjoyable experience!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
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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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