GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.1
443 Reviews (443)
5 Stars
279
4 Stars
105
3 Stars
40
2 Stars
14
1 Stars
5
Conditions
4.2
Value
3.4
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.2
75.8%
Recommend this course
403 out of 443 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
31 Reviews (31)
5 Stars
20
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.5
Value
3.9
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.8
87.1%
Recommend this course
27 out of 31 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
37 Reviews (37)
5 Stars
22
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.4
Value
3.8
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.8
81.1%
Recommend this course
30 out of 37 reviews
Read Reviews
frame.svg
AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
circle-star.svg
Course Highlights
The staff consistently earns top marks for being genuinely friendly, helpful, and attentive from the clubhouse to the course. The layout impresses with a challenging, water-featured design that rewards big hitters and strategic play.

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.

Book a Tee Time at
World Golf Village - King & Bear Golf Course
Powered by GolfNow.com

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
GPS Yes
Caddies Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker 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

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
golf ball.svg
$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
waivedfees
12 rounds of waived fees
redeemtrophy
GolfPass Member Pricing
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection

Reviews

4.1
443 Reviews (443)

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.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course

Staff from the start was awesome. Very welcoming environment for non-members. Practice area was in great shape. Great open fairways and challenging greens.will definetly be back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Beautiful Layout in Great Shape

This course is a beautiful, challenging layout with water in play on most of the holes. Course was in immaculate condition and greens were perfect.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Bear and Grinning

Awesome course. Wish it was a little less money but i do see why they get the rate.

Will be playing in a tourney here in June hope it is as nice then as it was today.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Golf At Its Best

KIng and Bear is awesome. Fairways are lush and the greens are as good as they get. Great service from arrival to departure. Range balls, apples at tee boxes are added bonus. #16 is Mr Palmer's favorite hole and it is beautiful expecially the green surrounded by large rock wall. A must play course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
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

Amazing experience

This is a bucket list course. My barometer as far as top notch courses to compare it to is Harbor Town ,with wider fairways.I actually prefer the King and The Bear.From start to finish the people there cater to you. practice range was great. Fairways were plush and greens were smooth and fast. The clubhouse was quite an experience also.If you have the opportunity to play here,, you wont be disappointed.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Overpriced

I have played it multiple time . I'm hoping this was a transition time between the overseed and Bermuda grass coming in . Fairways where thin and greens where not good! Very disappointed for the price we paid!

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A wonderful and hospital place to play golf

A visit to this course was a 'blow out' treat at the end of a holiday that included a trip to The Masters.

The whole experience was excellent from the bag drop to the farewell after a very good value lunch. This is a well-oiled machine manned by delightful people who are well trained and make the experience excellent.

The golf course was in wonderful condition and amongst the best I have played (including the Brabazon at The Belfry and The PGA at Gleneagles). The whole environment was superb and we had such a good day my son encouraged me to go on and play the sister course!

This was the most expensive round of golf I have ever paid for myself but it is a course I shall definitely play again. If you are the area you MUST play this course, if only once as a treat!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Good Golf Experience

Enjoyed the layout of this golf course. Front nine is different topography then back nine. Front has elevation changes approaching the green - down and up, deep bunkers are a result (one is over your head). Back is playing golf in a flat open parkland.

Bunkers, front & back 9s, have steep, deep lips to them. Sand ok but best to 'really' avoid them. There are 'middle of the fairway' bunkers.

Back tees encounter side water on most holes. Some holes have sandy areas where the carts use in lieu of a cart path.

Fairway grass is green, no weeds. Tee boxes excellent shape. Greens good. Asked about grass collar on Hole #17 (read prior GAdv review - different type of grass & color) but didn't get any answer. Could put thru with no issue.

Putting fast and affected by subtle changes greens. Long rangers can be thru 2 - 3 changes. Putting can add 10 strokes if your not careful.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun and Challenging

Pace of play was slow. My group was behind 2 walkers and 1 cart. The whole day. Course has lots of water so every shot is a challenge. Greens are hard to read but very fast and very smooth. Had a good time and would love to play again. Every one there was very nice and did a good job. Every hole was so nice to look at.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 28
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great Experience

It is a great course. It is in excellent condition. The layout is terrific, providing golfers of all levels with a fair test.. It has a good mix of holes that that were both in and out of my comfort zone. If you are visiting the St Augustine area, don't miss the chance to play The King & the Bear. The course, the club house, the pro shop and the staff provide for a great experience.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

I'll Be Back

K and B is a fun course and multiple tee options allow you to make it as challenging as you want. The greens were true and quick. My one question is why ring every green with a collar of grass that a) doesn't match, b) is three times greener than any other grass on the curse, and c) is a new kind of hazard I've never encountered before. Putting from off the green was next to impossible as the collar was a different height than either side of it. Hopefully it will grow in and blend in as the other grasses grow this summer.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Bucket List, and worth the visit

Ok so played the sister/brother course in the morning. Had the proshop book us for their double play. Both courses for one price. They booked us two tee times and gave us time for lunch. We were fine in the morning pace was great, in the afternoon at King and Bear, it was obviously overbooked..the group in front of us was two 4-somes that played as an 8 some. They slowed the course down a lot, over a 5 hr round. No course rangers to keep pace of play, called pro shop, and seemed very unconcerned about pace of play. We asked for cart girl to come out and she did met up with us by the next hole. We saw her a ton on front 9. Just be prepared to play a slow round here, especially if it's afternoon. They have a lot of groups play both courses. Worth the wait great layout, lots of water, challenging. but not too hard. Put it on your bucket list you will not be disappointed. I PROMISE

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great Layout

The King and the Bear bring the creative course designs of Nicklaus and Palmer together. If enjoy challenging length and strategic shot making this course will deliver! Excellent staff, facilities, course conditions

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 20
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great resort course

The wind was steady at 30 and gusts to 45 made for a tough day. The course was still in good condition and the greens were receptive. The course is on the expensive side, but worth it, if only once.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 56
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

King and Bear

Good course. typical Nicholas design. greens hard to read at first.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing

Top Shelf - Under Construction Florida Resort Course

Tee to Green, well designed...some memorable holes...greens/tees in great condition...fairways pretty good....rough penal as it should be. Only turf issue was fringe...with greens rolling pretty well, should be able to putt or chip from fringe...not the case today...fringe thick...nearly impossible to putt with any speed control from even 1foot off.

Under Construction: Where this course really falls short of the $179 asking and even the $89 golf now deals is the environment surrounding the course. I have played great golf across the country and what stands out to me is premiere golf in a natural setting. I could only recall 2-3 holes tops that were not lined with houses/condos/thru roads. Too be clear; the homes are not right on top of you...and are nice...but they are present at every turn. What makes the setting even less appealing is the ongoing construction of new houses/condos on several of the holes.

It's too bad...this course on a natural Florida wilderness setting would command the current rates. Hope this review helps your decision to spend your golf dollars. I would play Slammer and Squire if deciding between the two.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Fair weather
Used cart

What a Gem!

This golf course was in tremendous condition-best greens in Jacksonville area....I highly recommend that you play this course No rating on food as we did not eat at course

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 140
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

I battled the bear!

I love this course. I paid only 8$ with my 75$ voucher how sweet is that? course is well maintained and in excellent shape. challenging for any level golfer because it has multiple tee boxes.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Pricy but worth it.

The course is designed by Arnold and jack so it is very amazing to play. Mostly challenging with some water but the layout does include some easier holes.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

King & bear

Great course. fairways needed cut and bunkers needed work. A little pricey but worth the afternoon deal on "golf now" $89 after 1:00. Would not advise paying full price.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Request A Vacation Quote From Florida's First Coast of Golf
Please provide your information below and a staff member at Florida's First Coast of Golf will be in contact to help you start planning your travel.
Nearby Courses
Saint Augustine, Florida
Semi-Private
3.4570963191
2554
St. Augustine, Florida
Public
4.3398746043
1604
Saint Johns, Florida
Semi-Private
5.0
3
Jacksonville, Florida
Semi-Private
3.9944531953
2936
Saint Augustine, Florida
Private
4.25
4
St. Augustine, Florida
Semi-Private
3.1401397759
1636
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Public
3.6536764706
141
Green Cove Springs, Florida
Semi-Private
3.8314858929
1722
Jacksonville, Florida
Public
3.6755162242
339
Elkton, Florida
Public
4.8181477315
890
Orange Park, Florida
Public
4.355251757
744
Golf Packages

Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $357 (USD)
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of TPC Sawgrass - PLAYERS Stadium Course, TPC Sawgrass – Dye's Valley Course, South Hampton Golf Course, and St. John’s Golf Course.

Omni Amelia Island Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $427 (USD)
FERNANDINA BEACH, FL | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Omni Amelia Island Resort and up to 4 rounds of golf at OMNI Amelia Island - Oak Marsh Course.

Mission Resort + Club Stay & Play Package

FROM $167 (USD)
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, FL | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at Mission Resort + Club and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Mission Resort - El Campeón Course, Mission Resort - Las Colinas Course, Orange County National - Crooked Cat Course, and Orange County National - Panther Lake Course.

Rosen Inn At Pointe Orlando Stay & Play Package

FROM $117 (USD)
ORLANDO, FL | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Orange County National - Crooked Cat Course, Orange County National - Panther Lake Course, Shingle Creek Golf Course, Celebration Golf Course, Disney's Magnolia Golf Course, Disney's Palm Golf Course, and Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.

Melia Orlando Celebration Stay & Play Package

FROM $187 (USD)
CELEBRATION, FL | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Melia Orlando Hotel at Celebration and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Celebration Golf Course, Eagle Creek Golf Club, Mystic Dunes Golf Club, and Shingle Creek Golf Course.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account