World Woods; Pine Barrens—Brooksville, FL
Rankings as of the last time I played it…November 13, 2009
Ranked the 33rd best Modern Course; 2nd best public course in Florida (Golfweek)
Ranked the 74th best course in the U.S.; 18th best public course in U.S. (Golf Magazine)
Ranked the 46th best public course in the U.S.; 13th best course in Florida (Golf Digest)
The World Woods complex of courses in Florida is a unique place. For starters it is located in the boonies of
Florida. Once you pull of the interstate it seems as if you are transported into another world. It is very rural with a
backwoods feel to it. And another interesting fact concerning this complex is that there is no hotel or resort area
associated with it. You’ve got two championship courses (Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks), a short course, a putting
complex, multiple driving ranges, but nowhere for guests to stay. It is a little weird. And then the clubhouse is very
small and non-descript with a no-frills feeling to it. Once again, a bit strange when compared to most of the other
“world class” resort/public golf courses I’ve been to.
Nevertheless, it is all about the golf, right? And let me say the golf doesn’t disappoint. Especially in light of the $60
greens fees that the Pine Barrens course charges. For the quality of golf provided and the price charged, World
Woods ranks near the very top of my value list.
Once on the course you recognize right away that this will be a very interesting round of golf. There are many,
many sand hazards…whether they be waste bunkers, or traditional fairway bunkers and greenside bunkers. They
are everywhere and they are quite beautiful.
Many of the holes seem to favor a fade/slice, so I have to believe the course is set up for the high handicap golfer.
And the greens are not to severe. They have some speed to them, but the undulations are not abundant. Once
again, this seems to set up for the higher handicapped golfer.
However, don’t be misled. There are some very difficult golf holes, perhaps none more difficult than the 12th hole.
It is a 470 yard (from the tips) par 5. Which in and of itself doesn’t seem overly difficult, but if you get to play the
green which turns the hole into a dogleg right it is a real challenge. You’ve got get your drive out there a good bit
and then you are forced to try to carry a massive bunker complex which guard an uphill green or play it safe and
lay up. This hole will require power and precision.
One of my favorite holes was the 15th. It is a short par 4, and admittedly I have an affinity for the short par 4. The
hole is 330 yards from the tips (and 315 from the tees I played). It has a massive bunker surrounding a big nasty
looking pond which directly blocks the approach to the green from the tee. So, you can elect to try to carry this
nastiness or play around the left hand side fairway. If you elect to carry, you’ve got to hit a 200 yard short to carry
the water and a 230 yard shot to carry the bunkers (from the back, but not championship tees). Of course, the
green itself is surrounded by even more bunkers. So a long but wild drive will also be punished. The hole is
beautiful and challenging with multiple options to choose from regarding how to play it.
Both of the championship courses at World Woods were desgined by Tom Fazio. The Pine Barrens course
measures 6,458 yards from the back tees and has a course rating/slope of 71.4/123.
Rankings as of the last time I played it…November 13, 2009
Ranked the 33rd best Modern Course; 2nd best public course in Florida (Golfweek)
Ranked the 74th best course in the U.S.; 18th best public course in U.S. (Golf Magazine)
Ranked the 46th best public course in the U.S.; 13th best course in Florida (Golf Digest)
The World Woods complex of courses in Florida is a unique place. For starters it is located in the boonies of
Florida. Once you pull of the interstate it seems as if you are transported into another world. It is very rural with a
backwoods feel to it. And another interesting fact concerning this complex is that there is no hotel or resort area
associated with it. You’ve got two championship courses (Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks), a short course, a putting
complex, multiple driving ranges, but nowhere for guests to stay. It is a little weird. And then the clubhouse is very
small and non-descript with a no-frills feeling to it. Once again, a bit strange when compared to most of the other
“world class” resort/public golf courses I’ve been to.
Nevertheless, it is all about the golf, right? And let me say the golf doesn’t disappoint. Especially in light of the $60
greens fees that the Pine Barrens course charges. For the quality of golf provided and the price charged, World
Woods ranks near the very top of my value list.
Once on the course you recognize right away that this will be a very interesting round of golf. There are many,
many sand hazards…whether they be waste bunkers, or traditional fairway bunkers and greenside bunkers. They
are everywhere and they are quite beautiful.
Many of the holes seem to favor a fade/slice, so I have to believe the course is set up for the high handicap golfer.
And the greens are not to severe. They have some speed to them, but the undulations are not abundant. Once
again, this seems to set up for the higher handicapped golfer.
However, don’t be misled. There are some very difficult golf holes, perhaps none more difficult than the 12th hole.
It is a 470 yard (from the tips) par 5. Which in and of itself doesn’t seem overly difficult, but if you get to play the
green which turns the hole into a dogleg right it is a real challenge. You’ve got get your drive out there a good bit
and then you are forced to try to carry a massive bunker complex which guard an uphill green or play it safe and
lay up. This hole will require power and precision.
One of my favorite holes was the 15th. It is a short par 4, and admittedly I have an affinity for the short par 4. The
hole is 330 yards from the tips (and 315 from the tees I played). It has a massive bunker surrounding a big nasty
looking pond which directly blocks the approach to the green from the tee. So, you can elect to try to carry this
nastiness or play around the left hand side fairway. If you elect to carry, you’ve got to hit a 200 yard short to carry
the water and a 230 yard shot to carry the bunkers (from the back, but not championship tees). Of course, the
green itself is surrounded by even more bunkers. So a long but wild drive will also be punished. The hole is
beautiful and challenging with multiple options to choose from regarding how to play it.
Both of the championship courses at World Woods were desgined by Tom Fazio. The Pine Barrens course
measures 6,458 yards from the back tees and has a course rating/slope of 71.4/123.
Looking down the fairway at the par 5 4th at Pine Barrens
