GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
3.9
431 Reviews (431)
5 Stars
270
4 Stars
104
3 Stars
39
2 Stars
14
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.1
Value
3.2
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
3.7
Amenities
4.1
71.2%
Recommend this course
393 out of 431 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
19 Reviews (19)
5 Stars
11
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
3.9
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.7
89.5%
Recommend this course
17 out of 19 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
28 Reviews (28)
5 Stars
13
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.4
Value
3.5
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.7
75.0%
Recommend this course
21 out of 28 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

3.9
431 Reviews (431)

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 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

nice layout

The course had recently been aerated and I asked at the counter when I checked in and the person told me it was fine and the greens were rolling like normal. In fact he asked me if I played a few weeks ago and I said no. The truth is the fairways and greens still had holes. I was disappointed in that.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Golf Now rate allowed me to enjoy a great course.

I love this course. Its long, wide, and challenging. It was really wet when I played so it wasn't at its best and it played even longer. But the greens were soft and smooth with a reasonable pace. I played Slammer & Squire the day before and its greens have not yet recovered from aeration. Normally, I don't get to play K&B because of the rate. Thank you Golf Now for providing me an affordable rate.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Wonderful Course to Play

I cannot give a high enough rating to the staff of this golf course. Everyone I met was incredibly friendly and eager to assist in any way. The golf course was in beautiful condition even though it was a little wet due to recent rain. It still played beautifully though. The greens rolled very true and the fairways and bunkers were immaculate. I will definitely be returning to this course on my next visit to the Jacksonville area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
oz4
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The best greens I have ever seen!!

Breathtaking and very fun course ton play. Even though the pace of the course was slowed down by weather my friends and I had an unforgettable time playing this course. Superb experience!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Disappointed

Greens were terrible. I was Told they were punch 2 weeks ago

played and looked as if they just completed the job. The reason
for empty holes throughout the greens was from heavy rains
soon after the holes were punched. They could not return to the greens and over sand , they had TWO weeks!!!! . The greens were impossible to putt on.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Course

Enjoyed my round on a well maintained course. The King and Bear was worth the wait.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Well maintained course-excellent greens

Would recommend. Different tees allow various handicaps to play at their level. It is a good value at $89 rate, but not $169. Very cordial staff and good warmup facilities. Enjoyed very much.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Lots of interesting designed holes

We decided to play the White tees which measure just under 6000 yards. The Blues play at just under 6600. That would have been a bit much for some of us. Wish they had a set of tees somewhere in between. Course was in very good shape, but I wouldn't call it "pristine", especially the greens. I thought they were a little bit slow, probably due to a recent aeration. They were playable though. The green fee is steep; however, we got a discounted rate via golfnow.com. Issue is that the number of available discounted tee times is very limited, and the earliest was late morning.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Very nice course.

Course was in excellent condition. Staff from check in to starter to ranger were all very friendly. Pace of play could be improved as we waited at almost every tee. You will have to be able to play your tee shots left-right or right-left depending on the hole. Greens are quick and the breaks are deceiving. A very challenging and humbling course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Nice course but the prestige of being in the World Golf Village makes it an expensive treat.

The course was in good condition and I played with a member and his wife who were the nicest people. In my opinion is not a 169+tax course but more of a 120.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Great Layout

Played the Blue Tees - Appoximately 6300-6500 yds, I believe. Most holes are straight forward with ample landing areas. Great variety of holes, every club in your bag will probably be used. Green complexes outstanding -smooth and fast greens. Nice, well maintained bunkers.

One of the nicer courses that I've played. Good practice putting green, practice hole, and range.

No GPS on carts as advertised. Used my rangefinder. Course is located approximately 3-4 miles away from Golf Hall of Fame - next visit will play Slammer and Squire which is conveniently located right at the World Golf Village/Hall of Fame.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Fast Greens

If your after the challenge of a Professional this would be the course. Only a couple days after very heavy rains the course was in excellent shape. A lot of workers were out making sure the course was in pristine shape. Two cart girls circling so you didn't have to wait for anything.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 30
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Nice course

Both wgv courses are fantastic. Pricey until the summer

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

King & Bear worth it

The course is on phenomenal condition. And the layout is beautiful. It is a great place to treat yourself to an outstanding round of golf.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Loved the course!

If I could have stayed out of the bunkers - a nearly impossible task with the number there are - I would have had a chance to shoot my handicap. It was a fantastic day!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0

Great Course

This course is totally pristine and absolutely beautiful, as well as a challenge to play. If you're lucky, you might see a few of the local residence swimming in the water holes. (alligators).

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 33
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

absolutely fantastic course

Jack Nicklas design...lots of bunkers. Bring your best short game, greens and entire course is in fantastic condition. Bunkers are very deep but sand is soft and fluffy, still a challenge to get out.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 43
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Great condition. Beautiful course!!!!! Loved every minute of it.

See above. Only slight negative was a slower rate of play than I'm accustomed to.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Phenomenal - A MUST

The course lives up to the rep of the names it bears, no pun intended. Played the black tees. Driving the ball is a premium or you will have long approaches or be living in the lakes. The whole experience was top notch.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0

No Bang for the Buck....

Was hoping that the course was BETTER than it's "sister course" the Slammer and Squire, but was definitely wrong. Play was LONG and the course did not manage the pace of play. Extremely slow groups and the only course warden was overloaded. The course was good, but the frustration build up due to slow play made the overall experience negative. Disappointed overall, but any bad day on the course beats a good day at work.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Difficulty Moderate
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
3.361759408
2549
St. Augustine, Florida
Public
3.9503604383
1585
Saint Johns, Florida
Semi-Private
5.0
3
Jacksonville, Florida
Semi-Private
4.1262048909
2924
Saint Augustine, Florida
Private
4.25
4
St. Augustine, Florida
Semi-Private
2.9477742487
1612
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Public
3.6173906796
135
Jacksonville, Florida
Semi-Private
3.6755162242
339
Green Cove Springs, Florida
Semi-Private
3.955816137
1712
Elkton, Florida
Public
4.8181477315
890
Orange Park, Florida
Public
4.6109554333
713
Golf Packages
Slammer & Squire at World Golf Village - Hole 2

World Golf Village Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL | Enjoy accommodations at your choice of several St. Augustine-area hotels and golf at World Golf Village - Slammer & Squire and King & Bear Courses.

World Golf Village Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL | Enjoy accommodations at your choice of several St. Augustine-area hotels and golf at World Golf Village - Slammer & Squire and King & Bear Courses.

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.

Jekyll Island Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
JEKYLL ISLAND, GA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at the Hampton Inn & Suites Jekyll Island or the Home2 Suites by Hilton Jekyll Island and golf at Jekyll Island Golf Club - Pine Lakes, Indian Mound, or Great Dunes courses.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account