World Woods PB - is it worth it?

[Bill McKinley]

I'm making the annual trek down to Orlando for the PGA show in about 10 days.  As of now I'm thinking about going over to World Woods on Tuesday to play Pine Barrens.  However, it's a 1 1/2 drive and there are some options that I have in Orlando for that day but I'm wondering is it worth it to make the driver over and play at World Woods?

I have heard good reviews and I have heard that it's not being kept up that well.  Does anyone have any insight that they'd like to share?  Or am I just better off going down to Streamsong even though I've played both Red and Blue a couple times each?

Thanks in advance!

[Criss Titschinger]

Bill, I've played it in Dec. 2004 and April 2011, and it was fine both times I played. I can't speak for recent conditions though. You'd probably have to commit a full day to travel and playing. I also wouldn't recommend walking it, which I found out was a bad idea after 7 holes.


I haven't played Streamsong yet, but I think WW Pine Barrens with worth a look if you haven't seen it before.

[MCirba]

Bill,

I can't vouch for conditions at WW but both drives to WW and SS are well worth it IMHO.  Enjoy!

[Joe Bausch]

Definitely worth seeing both courses at WW. 

[JStewart]

Been about 10 years since I've been out to WW (and I've only played Pine Barrens), but it would be worth a 90-minute drive to me. It's a very fun course.

[BCowan]

Bill,

   You should play WWPB and also you should play Ocala Golf Club.

[Daniel Jones]

It's certainly worth the drive, especially if you've already played both at Streamsong. And if you need another round to fill in, come on up to Ocala Golf Club

[Bill_McBride]

Bill,

   You should play WWPB and also you should play Ocala Golf Club.

You didn't like Rolling Oaks?

[jeffwarne]

I'm making the annual trek down to Orlando for the PGA show in about 10 days.  As of now I'm thinking about going over to World Woods on Tuesday to play Pine Barrens.  However, it's a 1 1/2 drive and there are some options that I have in Orlando for that day but I'm wondering is it worth it to make the driver over and play at World Woods?

I have heard good reviews and I have heard that it's not being kept up that well.  Does anyone have any insight that they'd like to share?  Or am I just better off going down to Streamsong even though I've played both Red and Blue a couple times each?

Thanks in advance!

Play both courses at WW.
there are no golf options in Orlando...
heck it will take you near 45 minutes to get to demo day....

[Wade Whitehead]

Play World Woods.  Pine Barrens is terrific and Rolling Oaks is very good.

Anyone know if Dunes at Seville still open?

WW

[BCowan]

Bill,

   You should play WWPB and also you should play Ocala Golf Club.

You didn't like Rolling Oaks?

Bill,

I think both WW courses are equal in design and are slightly behind Ocala Golf Club

[Tom_Doak]

Play World Woods.  Pine Barrens is terrific and Rolling Oaks is very good.

Anyone know if Dunes at Seville still open?

WW

I stopped through The Dunes a year ago at this time.  They're under new management and have dropped the "Seville" name.  It was in good shape.

[Joe Hellrung]

Hi Bill,


I played it around 2 years ago, and was left feeling meh.  I enjoyed TPC Tampa and Innisbrook Copperhead more.  It wasn't a bad round, and certainly not a bad course.  I just wasn't that impressed. 

I'm making the annual trek down to Orlando for the PGA show in about 10 days.  As of now I'm thinking about going over to World Woods on Tuesday to play Pine Barrens.  However, it's a 1 1/2 drive and there are some options that I have in Orlando for that day but I'm wondering is it worth it to make the driver over and play at World Woods?

I have heard good reviews and I have heard that it's not being kept up that well.  Does anyone have any insight that they'd like to share?  Or am I just better off going down to Streamsong even though I've played both Red and Blue a couple times each?

Thanks in advance!

[Ian Mackenzie]

I have always loved World Woods for the following reasons:


1. From Chicago, direct flight to Tampa, rent car, then drive one hour (on 95% expressway) to WW.
2. Has two fantastic courses, a 36 hole putting green course that is fun to play, a 7 hole "practice course" and one of the best driving range facilities in the country. Circular range that is 0ver 50 acres with teeing grounds tucked into the trees kind of like Shadow Creek.
3. Both times I have been, I paid $100 for 36 holes. Not bad.
4. No houses anywhere near this place. Peaceful golf, love it.


Not many places to stay though. Last time we stayed at a Days Inn in Brookville (?).
It's one of the most cost-effective places to play at a facility that is pretty remarkable. I think I heard it said that it is on 1000 acres, but I could be wrong. Developers from all continents have tried to do something with this place but come up short and I have no clue why. Makes Innisbrook look like a cheap assembly line.

[jeffwarne]

I have always loved World Woods for the following reasons:


1. From Chicago, direct flight to Tampa, rent car, then drive one hour (on 95% expressway) to WW.
2. Has two fantastic courses, a 36 hole putting green course that is fun to play, a 7 hole "practice course" and one of the best driving range facilities in the country. Circular range that is 0ver 50 acres with teeing grounds tucked into the trees kind of like Shadow Creek.
3. Both times I have been, I paid $100 for 36 holes. Not bad.
4. No houses anywhere near this place. Peaceful golf, love it.


Not many places to stay though. Last time we stayed at a Days Inn in Brookville (?).
It's one of the most cost-effective places to play at a facility that is pretty remarkable. I think I heard it said that it is on 1000 acres, but I could be wrong. Developers from all continents have tried to do something with this place but come up short and I have no clue why. Makes Innisbrook look like a cheap assembly line.

[Stephen Northrup]

It's worth the drive. WW-PB doesn't feel very much like Florida -- which is exactly why you should go.

[Ben Kodadek]

Hi Bill,


I played it around 2 years ago, and was left feeling meh.  I enjoyed TPC Tampa and Innisbrook Copperhead more.  It wasn't a bad round, and certainly not a bad course.  I just wasn't that impressed. 

Wow.  TPC Tampa Bay over Pine Barrens?   Please explain.

[Bill McKinley]

Gents,

The tree house comes through once again!  Thanks for the many replies and insight.  I'm gonna make the trip over to WW to see what it's all about.  I like the idea too of having a lot of golf there so if we have the whole day, it could be really fun.

And after looking out my window right now and seeing a bunch of snow cover, it all sounds great to me!!

[Joe Bausch]

You won't regret it, Bill. 


The terrain is pretty good.

[Martin Lehmann]

I have played Pine Barrens at least ten times in the past three years. Very nice golf course. The 4th is great and belongs to the best par 5 holes I know.


Southern Hills Plantation is another nice course and very close to World Woods. It's a relatively new Pete Dye design. Strangely enough the course doesn't get much attention. It's beautiful, very well balanced and an absolute joy to play. Great atmosphere too. I think they had a pre-qualifier for the PGA Tour there a couple of years ago.


   

[Anton]

Take a full day at WW.  Play the whole place if you can and hit some balls on that circular range.  Well worth the hike out there. 

[Tom Ferrell]

I used to go to WW frequently during the PGA Show during the 90s.  Loved it.  Then I embarked on the study of GCA and really began to get around and have a look at courses and their design characteristics, etc. So I returned to WW four years ago to play Pine Barrens and see how my feelings toward it may have evolved.


My recommendation:  ABSOLUTELY go to WW.  Pine Barrens gets deservedly low marks for routing.  It's clearly meant for carts and the sense of unity in the flow of the course is flawed.  Beyond that, however, there is so much to love.  Great elevation changes.  Fantastic angles and shotmaking scenarios, interesting greensites and greens.  A couple of non-descript holes, but the vast majority are fun to play and will command your attention.


I certainly look forward to my next visit there.

[Carl Nichols]

Hi Bill,


I played it around 2 years ago, and was left feeling meh.  I enjoyed TPC Tampa and Innisbrook Copperhead more.  It wasn't a bad round, and certainly not a bad course.  I just wasn't that impressed. 

Wow.  TPC Tampa Bay over Pine Barrens?   Please explain.

I think TPC Tampa Bay is the worst course I've played in the last 3 1/2 years. 

[Joe Hellrung]

[size=78%]I stand by my statement.  [/size]

Hi Bill,


I played it around 2 years ago, and was left feeling meh.  I enjoyed TPC Tampa and Innisbrook Copperhead more.  It wasn't a bad round, and certainly not a bad course.  I just wasn't that impressed. 

Wow.  TPC Tampa Bay over Pine Barrens?   Please explain.

I think TPC Tampa Bay is the worst course I've played in the last 3 1/2 years.

[Carl Nichols]

[size=78%]I stand by my statement.  [/size]

Hi Bill,


I played it around 2 years ago, and was left feeling meh.  I enjoyed TPC Tampa and Innisbrook Copperhead more.  It wasn't a bad round, and certainly not a bad course.  I just wasn't that impressed. 

Wow.  TPC Tampa Bay over Pine Barrens?   Please explain.

I think TPC Tampa Bay is the worst course I've played in the last 3 1/2 years.

I haven't played either WW course, so can't make the comparison.