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Rating Index Rating
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2.9
565 Reviews (565)
5 Stars
103
4 Stars
240
3 Stars
146
2 Stars
40
1 Stars
36
Conditions
2.3
Value
3.2
Layout
3.8
Friendliness
4.1
Pace
3.6
Amenities
3.2
54.8%
Recommend this course
442 out of 565 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
2.7
15 Reviews (15)
5 Stars
0
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
2
Conditions
2.4
Value
3.3
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.7
Amenities
2.6
StaffFriendliness
4.1
53.3%
Recommend this course
8 out of 15 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
2.5
46 Reviews (46)
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
15
2 Stars
11
1 Stars
11
Conditions
1.9
Value
2.9
Layout
3.7
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.2
StaffFriendliness
3.9
41.3%
Recommend this course
19 out of 46 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
The staff at Ironwood consistently earns high praise for their welcoming and professional attitude throughout the round. The course layout rewards strategic shot-making, and rounds move along at a smooth, enjoyable pace.

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Municipal
Par 72
Length 6607 yards
Slope 127
Rating 72.4

Ironwood Golf Club has the distinction of being named one of Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play." Owned by the city of Gainesville, this popular course hosts more than 50 tournaments year. The course winds through a scenic landscape covered with century-old pines and sparkling lakes. Don't be surprised if you're joined by the wildlife that calls the course home, which includes deer and wild turkeys. The layout will keep you guessing with interesting twists and turns. The elevated greens have dramatic drops from front to back, making them a challenge to read. There are strategically placed bunkers throughout Ironwood Golf Club, as well as thick rough along the fairways. The obstacles combined with some tricky doglegs will make you think twice about swinging the driver too freely. Strategy, not strength, is the key to doing well on this course.

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Ironwood Golf Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1964
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect David Wallace (1964) Mike Beebe (2010) MacCurrach Golf (2010)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Pull-carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Appropriate golf attire.

Food & Beverage

Snacks, Beverage Carts

Available Facilities

Banquet Facilities
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Reviews

2.9
565 Reviews (565)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 20
Watching the Game 12
Patio Dining 6
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 20
Undulating Greens 15
Water Hazards 13
This course/club is great for:
Locals 21
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 21
Advanced Golfers 9
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 19
Near the Airport 19
Worth the Drive 10

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 Beginner
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Terrible Experience

The course was by far the worst I have ever played on. The “greens” on the back nine were completely sand and had no grass on them whatsoever. I rented a set of women’s clubs for $15, and the bag had a lefty iron, and no wedges. Very poor experience and definitely would not come back.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens

Most of the greens on the back nine are half sod, half dirt.

Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Previously Played

The greens are the worst part. Most of them are unplayable.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Response from on 08/18/2025:
Thanks for your review. We know there’s room to improve, and we’re already working to enhance things. We’d love a second chance to give you a better experience.
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Previously Played

Not worth the money

It’s crazy that the course can be in its current condition and still charge around $50 for a tee time. I’ve seen cow pastures with better playing conditions. There’s more sand on the dead spots of the greens than there is in the dirt/water holes that they call sand traps, and I’m barely exaggerating. Ocala National is usually half the cost of a tee time here, and in far better condition. The staff is pretty nice, and it’s not generally overcrowded; that’s the only positive takeaway I have from Ironwood. If you have to pay full price to golf here, I’d recommend just take a weekend off from golfing, or drive down to Ocala

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Response from on 08/11/2025:
Thanks for your review. We know there’s room to improve, and we’re already working to enhance things. We’d love a second chance to give you a better experience.
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Ironwood

Course is great for a mighty with a fade. Greens need a lot of work. Actually greens are more sand than grass. Very bumpy

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens not green

An apparent irrigation issue has most of the greens in very rough shape.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Response from on 07/14/2025:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We understand this visit didn’t meet expectations and will use your comments to make improvements. We hope your next visit is more enjoyable.
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens are gone

I’ve always loved the layout. Ranger told us the irrigation system is broken. All the greens are dead and dirt. It’s going to be a long time until this place is okay

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Great course

Just need to redo the practice green and basically all of the greens

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 23
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Previously Played

Fix the Greens

Horrible greens. The rest of the course is in good shape. Fix the Greens.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Walked

Pro Shop Staff Great

Young man in the pro shop, Sutton, was very welcoming and professional.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 3
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

.....and I thought Turkey Creek's greens were bad!

Decided to try the course after playing Turkey Creek a few times. Ironwood had probably the worst greens I've ever played on. The course is challenging enough with water, trees, and snakes. But, with greens that are mostly dirt, it was impossible putting. I'm never playing the course again. Oh, so as not to sound like a serial complainer, they had good electric carts.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Response from on 06/04/2025:
Thank you for posting a review. We’re sorry it didn’t fully meet expectations and appreciate knowing where we can improve. We value every opportunity to enhance our offerings and hope to do better next time.
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Difficulty Moderate
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