Bobby Jones Golf Club - British Course

lack of irrigation makes for bare fairways and aprons.. ridiculous..re-sodded greens but bumpy..challenging to make birdies from tips but not worth playing..off rotation

I only recommend this course because it is cheap and convenient. I went as a single with a tee time. The starter had no interest in talking with me and seemed a bit overwhelmed. When it was time for me to tee off, I had to go to him and his response was " yeah, go with them " . If I hadn't asked, I'm sure I'd still be standing around waiting.as I finished on number 9, a different starter was yelling from the starters area at a couple on number 1 . Very rude and unprofessional since it seemed the people were confused about when they were up. Not surprised at the confusion.
The course was in rough shape , but still fun. It's hard to run a course with all the expense involved, but poor service is inexcusable.

First off, the layout is terrific. Lots of good holes, and the decision to go with zoysia on the greens is a good one (seen it work successfully on several courses this year). But the greens were rolling about 6 on the Stimpmeter, they were uneven and have a ways to go before they're really puttable. And I don't understand why the fairways were so hairy and the rough so deep and thick. It was difficult to find golf balls at time, much less play shots out of the rough, and considering the type of golfer that usually plays a muni, this certainly doesn't speed up play. As for the dining, if you're just looking for a beer and a snack, it certainly works, but if you want a meal, I suggest you eat somewhere else before or after your round.

11:00 tee time w/ wife for $17.99/ea direct thru course website. Tree lined Municipal course under water the day I played. Made for a long arduous round because cart path only. Except for the greens, when I stepped off the cart path, it was "soupy". Therefore no roll & lost distance from all shots. Had to aim for cart paths, so 2nd shots on certain holes weren't conducive to getting green in regulation. Nice lay out though. Would have enjoyed a lot more if course were better drained. Elevated medium sized greens rolling medium fast but true.Battery powered carts w/ windshield, no rain cover in back.

Heard this was being sold with condos - explains the poor condition of course. Greens are patchy, fairways mowed but uneven. Worse course in the area.

In all my years playing golf I have not seen a course in this bad of shape. They told me it was aerated a week ago so I figured I knew what to expect, was I mistaken. If it wasn't for all the sand on the greens you would be putting on mold and dirt hills. The fairways resembled the median on I75. It is comical they actually charge people to play under these conditions. This course needs to be shut down. You could have the greenskeeper from Augusta National show up and it would take him 6 months to even get it to a playable condition. AVOID THIS PLACE

Have played this course two days in a row. Friendly staff. Good layout. Pace of play was very good - did not wait except briefly on two par 3s. Conditions were just OK - greens were a little uneven. That said, the course is good value for the money. Saw a flock of green parrots during the round which was neat. Will play again.

I wish to chime in following the first review and regarding the general impressions that people seem to have of this course.

The original course here was designed by Donald Ross in 1925, opened June 5, 1926 as Sarasota Municipal Golf Course and Recreation Grounds (Ross' layout included a baseball diamond) and dedicated February 13, 1927 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and exhibition match featuring immortal Bobby Jones with 1500 spectators. On that day the course was renamed "Bobby Jones Golf Club".

The course was NOT a "lower end" Ross design but in fact was heralded in its time as one of the premier golf courses in the South.

In addition to a number of matches featuring "hometown boy" Bobby Jones (he and his parents and new bride wintered here for several seasons), the course hosted the 1935 Sarasota Open won by Johnny Revolta (leading money winner and that year's PGA Championship winner).

In 1940 the Senior PGA Championship was played at BJGC. The first two "Senior PGAs" were played at Augusta National, the only Major other than The Masters ever played at Augusta.

Otto Hackbarth prevailed over previous champion Jock Hutchison in a never-equaled "double playoff": the two tied after regulation play, were tied after an 18-hole playoff, and Jovial Jock won 74-75 in the second 18-hole playoff.

The 1941 Senior PGA was also played at Bobby Jones Golf Club, won by U.S. Open runner-up Jackie Burke, Sr. in a runaway 7-stroke victory. The Senior PGA then moved to Donald Ross designed Dunedin Country Club, headquarters of the PGA of America for the next several decades.

In 1952 nine holes were added to BJGC designed by Chicago golf architect Robert Bruce Harris.

In 1954, the LPGA played its Sarasota Women's Open at BJGC. Betty Jameson won. In 1955, Bob Jones Award-winner Betsy Rawls won the tourney. The fields included every player from the first THREE classes inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

In addition to Bobby Jones and the LPGA Hall of Famers, Sam Snead played at BJGC with the famous Bauer sisters.

We know that at least 10 Hall of Famers played BJGC.

In 1967 a fourth nine holes were added, design by local golf architect Roy Albert Anderson.

With the total number of holes at 36, the City split the Ross course into two nines and assigned the Ross FRONT nine holes 1-9 to the British Course (British 10-18) and the Ross BACK nine holes 10-18 to the American Course (American 10-18).

So when you play either the American or British course at Bobby Jones Golf Club, you'll play a famous and historic Donald Ross back nine.

In 1987, Florida golf architect Ron Garl renovated the American Course, including significant alterations to the original ROSS holes 10-18.

A Sarasota-based not for profit, Friends of Bobby Jones Golf Club (.org) is working to promote sustainable investment to improvements at BJGC including the RESTORATION of the historic DONALD ROSS design. The course could again be one of the best in the South.

Okay, so this course is one of the lower end Donald Ross courses but it's a lot of fun if you're not expecting pristine conditions. The course is not very long but there are lots of holes with big personality--some narrow holes, wide holes, and some risk/reward shots. If you're looking for a day of family fun or fun with friends on a 'homey' golf course and atmosphere, definitely give Bobby Jones G.C a shot.