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4.1
222 Reviews (222)
5 Stars
137
4 Stars
60
3 Stars
15
2 Stars
6
1 Stars
4
Conditions
3.7
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.2
89.2%
Recommend this course
203 out of 222 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.7
3 Reviews (3)
5 Stars
0
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
2.7
Value
3.7
Layout
4.0
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.0
66.7%
Recommend this course
2 out of 3 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
6 Reviews (6)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.4
Value
4.2
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.5
83.3%
Recommend this course
5 out of 6 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Resort
Par 72
Length 6601 yards
Slope 139
Rating 72.0
Book a Tee Time at
St. James Bay Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.com

Course Details

Year Built 2003
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Robert Walker (2003)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Caddies No
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes
Dress code Appropriate golf attire.

Food & Beverage

Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Meeting Facilities

Available Activities

Swimming, Billiards

Available Sports

Fitness, Tennis

Accolades

Reviews

4.1
222 Reviews (222)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 18
Brunch 12
Dinner 10
Course Challenges Include:
Forced Carries 28
Water Hazards 28
Bunkers 19
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 25
A Weekend Splurge 19
Advanced Golfers 17
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 29
At a Resort 8

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Excellent Golf For This Area

This is a rare find for golf in the Panhandle. I have played this course since it opened some 10 plus years ago. It has always been in excellent condition. It is somewhat challenging until you learn how to play it. Several forced carries and numerous bunkers. GPS on carts is very useful. It is a must play if opportunity is available.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Pro Shop Scam

This course is part of Golf Now, and we booked a few rounds, at GN pricing. Each time we went in the shop to check in we were told they did not get the GN reservation even though it went through on our end….instead we were charged $20 - $25 more per person than the GN price. It appears to be a scam they are running so beware.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Not a scam

The previous review was posted in haste. Pro shop is not running a scam, was simply human error. The staff is VERY nice and accommodating.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Course, Great Atmosphere

The course conditions were fantastic! The greens were mint and the fairways were plush. It's a fairly tricky layout, kinda tight, but very rewarding when you put the ball where it needs to be. Overall a very fun course to play. The restaurant (Crooked River Grill) was delicious after our round. They had some great items that our whole group enjoyed and the service was awesome. Will definitely be back to play again soon!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 37
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Friendly staff, great layout and value

Always enjoy the challenge of this course. Some of the tee boxes and greens could use some detailing but doesn't detract from the game at all. Especially if you're scrambling a lot. Might have to keep the driver in the bag if you're having trouble keeping it straight!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 37
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Great design

Our league played here today and it is in much better condition than the previous reviews mentioned. The tee boxes could use some new sod, but everything else was in good condition. Very cool design, shot making strategy is required on many holes. The GPS system in the carts really helps navigate this track. The staff was amazing too! This course is a must play on the “Forgotten Coast”!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played

They destroyed a gem of a course

My group has played this course every year for about 15 years. Two years ago ownership changed. So did course maintenance. This year the major downturn only worsened. 75% of the tee boxes are now crab grass and/or barren. 50% of the fairways are have major dirt patches with crabgrass clippings affecting roll and lies. The greens are in good shape. Even during the recession, this course was in great shape. I fear it will never come back.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Terrible golf course

Visiting St George Island and wanted to golf near by and there not many options. Most holes have forced carries over wetland from tee box. Tee boxes and fairways in terrible shape. Hitting off hard pan on many holes. Greens were pretty good. Won’t go back. Not enjoyable. Nice GPS on carts doesn’t make up for the course.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Previously Played

Woof

Dog track...This place has really gone down hill and not sure what happened. Might be because of hurricane a few years ago but it’s overgrown and overpriced. Payed $65.00 and should be about half that. Tee boxes Crab grass, bare spots, matted grass. Fairways look like they were flooded awhile back, lots of ground under repair but no repairs happening. Bright side is golf carts were really nice with great GPS and Bluetooth but money should have been put into maintenance. Not much choice to play in area and not sure I’ll play it again. Super disappointed

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 38
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Conditions are headed downhill...

I play this course several times a year. Lately, the conditions have really gone downhill. This course used to always be in pristine shape, from tee to green. The past year or so the tee boxes and fairways have developed bare spots, and I have yet to see any maintenance staff working to improve. Also, I guess they gave up on cutting down the brush in the forced carries. There are several holes where you can barely see the pin anymore looking over. They used to keep this trimmed down and looking nice. Now it looks like they just don't want to bother going in the swamp to cut anything.
Course is still in a beautiful setting. However, they removed themselves from GolfNow and no longer offer any deal times. At $70 on the weekend, this course is overpriced for the condition it is in currently.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Natural setting.

Very good course in a beautiful natural setting. Lots of water and marshland so bring extra balls. Greens are in excellent condition. Some fairways could use some work. Several natural areas you are hitting over have bushes and trees which have grown and make the entire landing area not visible from the fairway. Really needs some maintenance in those areas. It wasn’t like that 3 years ago and it detracts from the experience. That said it’s a good course I would recommend.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Back again after a couple of years

We have not played here in 2 years. Course is having some rough times now from what i remember previously. The fairways are having some issues with loss of grass and weeds. The course is very overgrown on the sides and in areas that you have to hit over. This creates blind shots and you cannot judge distance now. Greens are pretty nice but slow. The course needs a big time grooming and thinning out so it will open up the course and give longer views. It is in a very pretty setting. I hope that they will spend the money soon to get the course cleared up.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Not so good

Last time I played St. James Bay was 8 years ago and it has gone downhill.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Course marking

You have to play position golf, and that's as advertised. What makes it so unfair is there are no course diagrams to show you where and how far to hit. There are many blind shots. And unless you have played it, you can't know how to hit. They need guidelines, course layouts, with distances, signs, maps or gps. Something! Some Tee boxes in poor shape. Fairways somewhat rough, but greens were superb! I will play it again, with some foreknowledge. Not many other choices in the area.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Best course in the area for the money.

They are trying hard to restore this course to it's former glory. So far a success. Can't beat the value.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

St James Bay

St. James Bay is a great layout whose difficulty lies in a number of forced carries over environmentally sensitive areas off the tee. Unfortunately the plant growth in most of the areas now obscures any view of the landing area in the fairway. The fairways and tee boxes have suffered from CoVid related lack of maintenance while the condition of the greens remains very good. The staff was great everywhere on the property.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

good but not what it used to be

For the Tallahassee area its a really good course. It was once one of the best in FLA but it doesn't stack up to its previous version The carries over the "roughs" i are fine but have not been trimmed in awhile Its fun to play and that's what matters

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Better have some Top-Flites!

About a 1 hour drive from Tallahassee. Beautiful area, course is beautiful but extremely challenging. No margin for error - particularly on tee shots. A golf app on your phone is a must to understand what you need to hit off the tee. Fairways were in average shape (at best) but greens were fantastic. VERY high potential for lost balls so stock up on some Top-Flites before you play here.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/23/2020

Thank you for playing our course! You are right to suggest extra golf balls. We are an Audubon Certified Signature Course- one of less than 60 in the world, which is why there are so many hazards. Our fairways are improving every day so we would love to see you back soon.

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