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I’ve played Pine Barrens many times and honestly have to say I’ve never seen conditions this poor. The greens are in sad shape, having been afflicted with some kind of blight, fairways aren’t in their typically excellent condition, and the general feel is just not what it was just a couple years ago. It’s still an amazing layout, of course, but this course as well as Rolling Oaks used to be well-manicured works of golf art. The lack of attention is visible. Weeds are popping up in areas that were previously kept clear. The cart paths do, by now, need some serious attention, and management needs to put effort into details to keep World Woods a worthy golf destination. One simple thing that would immediately improve appearances is removing the dilapidated stage for photo shoots on the cart path aside the clubhouse; it can’t possibly be in use, and it looks like a pitiful remnant of a bygone time. They’re still two beautiful courses, but in present condition it’s becoming hard to say they’re a great step up in playing experience from other local courses. And that’s a pity, because these two courses were not very long ago vastly better than local competitors.

This round was the first time I’ve seen Pine Barrens in what I would judge as mediocre condition. Not bad, but not its usually well-groomed condition. Greens spotty, traps needed maintenance badly, and generally not the experience I’m accustomed to here. Obviously, the layout remains gorgeous, but whether it’s due to the rainy summer we’ve had or changes in maintenance, it just seemed lacking the typically excellent grooming of past seasons. This opinion may be flavored by the fact it was a ridiculously hot/humid afternoon round that was really just too uncomfortable to be truly enjoyable. Pace of play was no issue as the afternoon heat meant the course was fairly empty.

Rolling Oaks is a pleasure that never really disappoints. Yes, the greens are still recovering, and there are a couple that aren’t going to give a good roll. But the turf is in good shape, tee boxes are fine, and it’s every bit the challenge as ever. I can understand some of the comments earlier this year where paying winter fees for dead greens would’ve been upsetting. New carts are a nice update, as the prior generation were definitely on their last legs. Started the round cart path only due to weekend storms, but as it was later in afternoon the course had dried and ranger permitted 90 degree cart use. Little over 3 hours to get around.

I always enjoy the layout here. Conditions were typical of winter; fairways and tee boxes are dry and hard, due to long period without rain. Greens were mostly fine. Traps have little loose sand with hardpan just underneath, and straying off fairway is severely punishing here. The likelihood of finding a badly struck ball is poor and a sea of bad lies if you do. 4 hour pace.

The Groves is an enjoyable short course that’s laid out to provide a few good challenges, with some of the best groundskeeping in the area. My sole complaint in recent visits is a slow pace of play due to some groups of very slow, perhaps novice players who either don’t have the courtesy, care, or the awareness of their sluggish play to allow others to play through. This should be a 2.5 hour course at maximum. It’s painful to watch people hit a ball 20 yards, chat around the cart, then hit another 20 yards while having their social time - while seeing other players stacked up behind them. Staff is friendly and helpful, and course conditions are excellent for this dry time of year.

Fairway turf in beautiful condition. Recent heavy rains have yielded lush grass with no wet areas. A few traps that need attention post-rain and a couple that were let go during covid need weed removal and sand replenishment. Greens have largely recovered from the winter freeze with very few, small areas left requiring repair. Greens rolled well despite recent aeration. 2:05 tee time on a fairly hot weekday meant having the course to myself; was around 18 in under 3 hours. I did have a couple perplexing lost balls where you’d swear it’d be impossible, but the rough does hide balls very well - and there’s generous rough bracketing the greens. Overall one of the most enjoyable rounds I’ve played in years. Rolling Oaks is a real delight.

Greens finally have some grass. Rest of the course has returned to nature. Unplayable by any normal standard for a golf course; it’s just sand dotted with a few clumps of weeds. Unbearably rough ride even with new carts. Gave up after 5 holes due to condition of course and looming thunderstorms. The worst overall conditions I’ve ever seen on a golf course.

Given the incredibly dry weather so far this spring, I expected the course to be parched. There are some dry areas, to be sure, and a couple greens have patches of repair, but surprisingly the course is in very playable condition with few tight lies. Pace of play, 3.5 hours on a nearly perfect day. Hopefully our summer weather pattern will soon start bringing much needed rain to replenish the turf.

Course is in fairly good condition as the dry season is about to end. Greens are a bit thin but fairways are reasonably good - spotty in areas you’d expect, because it’s been dry, but entirely playable. The course has some nice vistas.

Given the amount of rain we had last week I expected the course to have a lot of wet areas. Pleasantly surprised to see only a few spots that remained a bit soggy. Traps are hit or miss; some have been maintained while others have been let go due to covid restrictions. Greens in very good condition and rolling true. Layout on back nine is one of the most enjoyable in the area, with no housing, beautiful views, and some nice elevation changes.

Course is in great shape considering the heat and lack of rain we’ve been having. Greens a little slower than usual post-aeration. Tee boxes have seen excellent recovery. Fairway turf is generally excellent. Bunkers, however, have been a bit neglected since Covid arrived. The courses here are getting a lot of play this summer, and Rolling Oaks had just been aerated as well, so don’t expect a 3 hour round; I was behind a pair of groups moving at a snail’s pace on the front despite it being a very uncomfortably hot/humid afternoon.

First time on this course, and enjoyed the layout. Course maintenance is good; greens were fast and rolled true. Traps do need some replenishment. Clubhouse staff welcoming and professional. Nice layout with some great views, and while the course winds through a development, the housing isn’t intrusive as is so often the case.

Pace of play was best I’ve yet encountered here, 2.5 hours. Playing as a single, I had two courteous threesomes ahead wave me through, after which I didn’t have anyone in front or behind after the 3rd hole. Conditions are good except that recent heavy rains have filled the bunkers, and some cart paths have standing water. However, the rain has been a much needed relief for the turf throughout the course. While the course does have several holes adjacent to housing, the back nine is much more a standalone track that’s scenic, has some memorable and very enjoyable holes. Carts are equipped with USB charging ports which is a nice touch.

Played Pine Barrens a couple weeks ago and the severely dry spring had affected the turf and greens. Whether by rain or irrigation, it’s back to its more typical lushness. A couple greens in recovery with sanded spots. Tee time after 2pm gave a 3 hour round with no waiting at any hole. Always a delightful play.

I’d played here twice last year, and both times came away feeling that it’s a competent course as far as offering 18 well-maintained golf holes - the groundskeeping is good, fairways are generally good, mowed to a height that doesn’t have you perpetually on a tight lie, greens well maintained. That’s still the case. It’s the kind of course you really want to find a reason to love, but there’s just no memorable or challenging terrain, views, or layout that say “wow”. It’s completely fine for the day where you just want to get out and practice, and not have 10 traps between tee and cup - “utilitarian” is the word that comes to mind. Pace of play was just over 2.5 hours on a early afternoon tee time, as I had no one ahead or behind for the entirety of the round and played 2 balls most of the round. A big plus is not a lot of housing close to fairways as is so common on Florida courses; it’s only at the perimeter of the course and rarely near enough to be intrusive. Allow extra time if coming from the south due to construction on Rt 19.

As a first time on this course I was fortunate to pair up with someone who knew the course and the hazards to avoid. Larger groups ahead were courteous about waving us through, making the round just over 2.5 hours. It’s a challenging track with traps that gave birth to more traps, so accuracy is important. Greens were fast and had plenty of slopes, ridges, and turns to keep putting interesting. Fairways generally have lush turf, with a few wet areas. Lots of elevation changes. Clubhouse staff very friendly and helpful. The only detraction keeping this from being a five-star course - and it’s entirely a personal preference - is the housing development setting, albeit a very upscale and beautifully landscaped setting.. That detracts from having the kinds of truly scenic, memorable holes that make the difference between very good and excellent.

Noon tee time, wrapped up at 2:45. All play ahead of me kept a fast pace. Lack of rain seems to have meant going easy on mowing the fairways, which has allowed small clusters of crabgrass (or whatever the fat-bladed stuff may be) to grow tall on some fairways. But, the fairways have recovered considerably over the last week or so since my last round where they were really getting parched. Mowers were out cleaning some of these up. Greens in generally good condition. Again, it’s been very dry for weeks, and with rain hopefully all will be lush again.

Hernando Oaks is a very enjoyable course, especially the back nine which isn’t constrained by housing, and has some really beautiful holes. It’s in good condition; greens were fast and mostly in good shape given that it’s been dry lately. Fairways are getting a bit dry, and a stinger will roll forever as the turf is very hard. But there’s adequate grass to usually have a good lie. Traps need some sand replenishment as several are down to dirt in some areas.

The problem I’ve encountered here repeatedly is groups of players who are not only excruciatingly slow, but who also seem utterly oblivious to singles/doubles behind them and don’t know or care that they’re holding up other players - even when you’re behind them at a tee box. You’re left abandoning a hole to go around them, or waiting 15 minutes between strokes. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a ranger on the course, and one is needed to keep play moving at a reasonable pace.

I have to retract a statement from a prior review of this course, unfortunately. I finally had one of the carts that other reviewers have complained about. Two of them, actually, because I changed carts at the turn after literally holding the roof in place through 9 holes on the first cart - it wasn’t attached to the plastic rear supports due to a broken-off bracket. Cart #2, not much better. The roof supports had been repaired at their base with numerous drywall screws, which meant the roof weeble-wobbled around wildly unless constantly held in place manually while driving. I’d seen a couple broken windshields on prior rounds, and thought it was a trivial thing to mention in reviews, but this wasn’t trivial. It did detract from the otherwise great pleasure of playing here. I’ve no idea what it costs to replace parts on these carts, but it’s something that needs attention, given that there’s an actual safety issue involved if one of those things were to let go while a player is driving. Course conditions were very good, though a couple greens are starting to see some brown patches. 3 hour round.

Be aware that due to Covid-19 the water jugs and ball washer towels have been pulled, so make sure you have enough water with you before starting play. Seem to be trying to accommodate one player/one cart where possible. The recent dry, sunny spell predictably means some brown spots emerging, and very dry turf. Course was busy but pace of play was good.