Golf Insider

The St. Johns Golf and Country Club is a sprawling, near-pristine golf course in a ritzy neighborhood in upscale St. Johns County with a clubhouse like a mini-Taj Mahal. That should give you a fair idea of what you're getting into, but hey -- no need to put on airs. What's surprising is that the green fees are so reasonable amidst such opulence.

The club likes to advertise itself as family oriented and that's why they installed a "family tee" to the five sets of tee boxes. This course can stretch out from over 7,200 yards -- you can only play from the very back tees with permission -- down to 2,400 yards for the family.

The course is a hoot from the blue tees at 6,801 yards, or from the middle, white tees at 6,384. Course officials also like to describe St. Johns as a what-you-see-is-what-you-get layout, which is true for the most part, though there are several holes with unseen water hazards off the tee.

"It's a fun course," said General Manager Dan Zimmer. "Any handicap can play any day. At the same time, we can stretch it back to 7,000 yards. A lot of the greens are open and you can roll it up. There are a few where you can't like, Nos. 4 and 13, but even on those you have bail-out areas."

Most of the fairways are mounded, as well as the greens, which accounts for the rather benign slope ratings of 132 from the tips and 128 from the blues. The fact that the course is so well groomed helps, too; good lies on well-cared-for grass almost always help your game.

One of the strengths of the St. Johns Golf and Country Club are the greens. They are large and have just the right amount of slope and undulation to keep you focused, while not being hair-raising. Hit to the right section of the green to score well.