The Preserve at Turnbull Bay

We have been playing the preserve 2-6 times a year for the last 10 years or so. Everything yesterday was great! Plenty of grass in fairways, and nice hard packed ground to give an extra 20-30 yards of roll. What really stood out was the condition of the greens, a couple of blemishes here and there, but the greens were green, no weeds, and rolled true. Yes they were hard, never made a ballmark, but adjusted after a couple of holes. Given the hot, dry weather we have been having, and the condition of my "home" course in Tavares (dreadful), i was very pleasantly surprised. We had course to ourselves and the turtles, so no issue w pace of play. Got a warm greeting from the guy who checked us in. Look forward to retirning soon! Thank you for a great experience!

On the 9th hole we had people trying to pass us, they came off nice at first so my mom tried to talk to them and he completely ignored her. Afterwards my mom and brother were at the snack shop and an elderly man and wife were in a pink golf cart and he made a slick comment saying to his wife “ I wonder if the kids ever gave it up” very condescending. If your a newer golfer I do not recommend coming here, you will be rushed and may need to hold your tounge here and there

Course layout is fine, but the horrible conditions from the burrowing subterranean animals on t boxes and fairways, to greens where there is no change to keep

A putt on line, to fairways with not enough grass to graze cattle. This place is neglected ! Way better courses in area for same or similar price in far better condition (Cypress Head, Venetian Bay, NSB Golf club)

The conditions of the course are not the greatest, but the layout is very nice. A little tight at points with undulating greens. The greens are not exactly grass, but rolled true throughout my round. The fairways are a bit patchy but I always got good lies. Good bunkers and cart GPS. Similar to the closed Riverbend in Ormond. Few houses on the course and no bad holes. A fun course to play if you are in the area.

It is unfortunate that such a nice layout is in such terrible condition. The front nine is worst than the back, however the whole course is not in good condition. The greens are terrible, it’s like putting on a Berber carpet, very rough and uneven. Some fairways are very brown and dried out, tee boxes are very sparse, sand traps not raked. There are much better conditioned courses on the area for the same greens fees, of $39.00.

Our tee time was delayed due to a shotgun start which went off the back nine.

Don’t waste your time and money here. I would not recommend, and will not return.

We have driven over to this course a half dozen times or so over the years, during our frequent visits to nsb, but never played, for whatever reason. our great loss!! We played today and cant wait to play tomorrow. Great course, beautiful and challenging layout! The greens were in great shape (except for #9), fast and so undulating! You really want to make sure you are under and close to the pin, or you will pay mightilly. The holes are wonderfully laid out with lots of danger but lots of reward, if you think about your plan of attack. So much fun! The cart gps was the best i have seen. and finally, the staff was super nice and welcoming. I have played 100s of rounds this year, and this was the #1 experience!

Friendly. Accommodating. Good shape. And GPS worked most of the time.

Everything was great (weather, pace, even my ball striking)... then when I made the turn to #10, it all came to a screeching halt. They did not appear to have a starter, so I suppose the clubhouse must have been sending groups off both sides... because I had to wait over 10 minutes to tee off on 10 — after not waiting more than 30 seconds for any shot on the front side. The afternoon was not as relaxing, but I did resign to putting in earbuds and chipping around the fairways and tees as I waited on virtually every shot.

We had not been to Turnbull in awhile because it tends to get crowded during the winter months, but the online tee sheet showed it was wide open so we went for a round at a course we've always enjoyed. After we teed off we were immediately disappointed as the fairway was punched with large holes and had not been mowed in a week. The first 3 greens were almost unplayable due to the sparse grass and weed combination. The greens got better, but were inconsistent in condition and speed throughout the front 9. We never got to play the back 9 because they started sending people off the back at 5 pm and when we made the turn there were 3 groups waiting and not enough time in the day to get through the back. When we asked the pro shop attendant "why they were sending people off the back when groups are making the turn?" They told us to "go ask the guy on the tractor, he's the boss" ....as he drove away as fast as he could...Go anyplace else in the area and you will be happier with the course and the staff.

I have played this bourse any number of times do fix not expect it to be in as good condition as it is.

The course winds through a development but also through the hammock areas. Some water, especially on 12 and 1&.

The conditions were very good, better than some of the higher priced courses in the area. Teeing areas get a B. Fairways a B, and greens am A+.

The staff is quite friendly and helpful. It has a small and very basic eating area. The carts are very new with a very good GPS on board.

Great value for price and I will play again soon.

Were good though not great. They couldn’t make up for the lack of turf grass the rest of the way. The back 9 fairways were much better than the from side. We played winter rules but even that we as hard to find grass. Especially on the green surrounds

The best new is that it is an interesting layout. Although difficult it was still fun to play. Much of the course is house free in the wilderness which I prefer.

I want to come back in a few months and play after the Bermuda pops

Too bad about this course. The layout has potential, but the playing conditions were poor,, even for the price. Hardly any grass on the fairways, and bumpy, burnt out greens. Surprising, as the staff was great, carts had GPS, and other resort amenities. I'd go back only if the conditiions were demonstrably imrpoved.

I first played Turnbull in 2014 when I couldn't get a tee time at a more well-known course. I then proceeded to play it four times in five days because I enjoyed it so much! Fast forward three years, and I finally made it down to NSB again. I immediately headed back to the Preserve, cautiously optimistic that my nostalgia wasn't due to rose-tinted glasses.

I'm happy to report that my nostalgia was well-earned. This course is fantastic! From tee-to-green, I'm confident that there isn't a better value in New Smyrna.

With regards to the big picture stuff: the tee boxes are all excellent-to-fair; the par 3 boxes can be a bit worn, but the markers are moved every day, so it's no issue. Par 4's and 5's all have boxes that are well-mowed.

Fairways and bunkers are very good. No weeds in the bunkers, and the fairways exceed what you would expect for the price range - all are mowed and green!

The greens are plush and oh-so-green. Be prepared for wedges to hop and stop, and putts to move slow; the putting surface is thick and very well maintained.

As glowing as this review is with regards to the tangible assets that this course possesses, it's really the course design that I love the most. Nearly every par 4 and 5 invites the player to hit driver; likewise, nearly every par 4 and 5 rewards the accurate and punishes the wayward! A fairway drive will set you up to attack every pin position. A drive off-course will result in a scramble par...at best. Par 3s are challenging, with most guarded by both sand and water...a player who can move the ball in both directions will get the chance to showcase that skill. Overall, the course plays tight, but fair: if you find yourself in a hazard, it's because you picked the wrong club or made a bad swing; Turnbull isn't trying to blow up anyone's score card, it leaves that to the player!

Finally, the seclusion of a course that is smack dab in the middle of a gated community is remarkable. There is only one hole on the course that features a fairway that is visible from another hole. Unless you have a group behind you (very rare, in my experience!), you can literally go an entire round without seeing anyone else. With as hot as the Florida sun can be, the winding, shady cart paths are a welcome respite.

In sum, playing Turnbull Bay is my favorite part about visiting NSB. The staff is friendly, the course is a blast...it's just great vacation golf

Great track. Very TIGHT Lots of water. Seashore Paspalum Greens.

Great friendly staff

Wonderful golf course and an even better staff. Very welcoming. Very dry in NSB this year but the course played true. The ownership is putting money back into the golf which is refreshing based on other courses I've played in and around NSB.

Highly recommend a visit. You won't be disappointed

Don Damon

Daily fee was reasonable at $30-40 depending on tee time selected. Was very surprised by $30 rental club fee. Other courses in area charge $10-15. For $30 one should get nicer clubs that are better cared for.

The started Bob was great. We unsuspectedly played with a tee time following the weekly ladies group that was running a bit late. Bob got us out right before the large group which we really appreciated.

Fairways were very brown but we were told this was done on purpose for turn maintenance purposes.

Nice track, a little short but fun to play. Was nice that houses did not line every hole and homes were not backed up to both sides of the fairway but often set back a bit (don't want to buy someone a new window with a sliced ball).

Bathrooms on course were nice to see. Take advantage of the water fountains at those spots because the water coolers scattered throughout were bone dry.

Would not play again because of cost. This cost us double compared to a course nearby that was just as nice. 2 players with 1 renting clubs was $100. We payed half that at the other comparable course. Fix that pricing on rental clubs and we would play here again.

17 of 18 holes have water hazards. Therefore, the prevailing design is water on one side of the fairway and natural landscape on the other side. Wide fairways. Greens were in good condition except one that had a bad patch. Greens were sloped and hilly. I can't remember any being flat. Condition of fairways was average to good considering this time of year has a lot of brown dormant grass. Limited food & drink serviced over a counter.

The Preserve is an awesome course. Each hole stands on its own. Don't let the yardage fool you. Errant tee shots will be swallowed up. Wonderful Florida swamp golf. Front nine gives you some opportunity to score, back nine the wind kicks up you have to strike your ball well. Greens are in great shape.

The course has really gotten good in the last 2 years. I love the paspalum greens, as they hold your shot and putt true without the grainy effect you get on Bermuda. The course is tight, with water and trees on almost every hole. A very good value for your money.

The course has a decent design and is affordable however the course conditions were well below average. The greens were spotty and bumpy and made for a frustrating day of putting. The fairways were also very spotty. On more than one occasion I found myself in the middle of the fairway hitting off dirt. Simply put, too many other options in the area to waste your time here.

Played 3 courses in the area while on vacation and this was by far the best not only in layout but after some heavy rain the condition was by far the best. Each hole different from the last and the next made fo an enjoyable round, so much so we played 3 times in a week. The course is tight'ish but playable for different abilities from different tees. We first went onto the putting green and I noticed a grass type I had not played before which looked corse and a bit bumpy but which putted fine. Not the fastest greens you will play on but after a couple of holes you got used to it and it wasn't an issue. Good carts, good value and friendly staff. If we are ever back in NSB we would certainly play the Preserve again.