BROOKSVILLE, Fla. -- Tom Fazio designed the 36 holes at World Woods Golf Club, and the least Fazio-like course, it would seem, is Pine Barrens. Unlike the majority of his work, Pine Barrens, which was somewhat modeled after Pine Valley, has a rugged look with waste bunkers throughout, rolling landscape and a great variety of holes.
While the golf course measures 7,237 yards from the back set of five tees, it plays even longer, mainly because there are several very long par 4s that balance out a couple of short ones. One of those short par 4s, the 15th (339 yards from the tips), has two fairways -- the one on the right beckons those who want to try to drive the green.
Located about 45 minutes north of Tampa, Florida, the course is a peaceful getaway. With no homes, plenty of fox squirrels and hawks, it's a walk through nature, albeit a difficult one at times. Besides Pine Barrens, Fazio also designed World Woods Golf Club's Rolling Oaks Course, which is more of a traditional target layout, almost reminiscent of Augusta National. There's also a nine-hole, par-3 course and outstanding practice facilities, which include practice holes.
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Often ranked among the top 100 courses you can play, Pine Barrens at World Woods Golf Club is a Tom Fazio design meant to pay tribute to the famous Pine Valley. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
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The first hole on the Pine Barrens Course at World Woods Golf Club is a straightforward par 4 that eases you into the round. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
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The par-3 third hole on the Pine Barrens Course at World Woods Golf Club has its challenges. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
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The fourth hole, the first par 5 on the Pine Barrens golf course at World Woods, is a good scoring opportunity at just 526 yards from the back tee. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
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Like much of the Pine Barrens Course at World Woods Golf Club, sand is a big part of the story on the par-3 seventh hole. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
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The par-4 eighth hole on the Pine Barrens golf course at World Woods, which doglegs right, has treacherous bunkering right of the hole. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
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The back nine on the Pine Barrens golf course at World Woods begins with a par 3 that can play as long as 228 yards. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
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The par-5 14th on the Pine Barrens Course at World Woods Golf Club has a few twists and turns. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
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The short par-4 15th on the Pine Barrens Course at World Woods Golf Club actually has two fairways. Choose the one on the right if you're going to try to drive the green. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
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The 16th hole on the Pine Barrens Course at World Woods Golf Club is another tough par 3, this one 227 yards from the tips. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
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The finishing hole on the Pine Barrens golf course at World Woods G.C. is a 473-yard par 4. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
