– A Golf Lover’s Paradise
If you’re into golf, The World Golf Village in St. Augustine FL has everything your heart desires. From world class golf on their two championship courses designed by four Golf Hall of Fame members, to the World Golf Hall of Fame and the acclaimed Renaissance World Golf Village Hotel, golf enthusiasts will leave thoroughly impressed and content. Need to improve your game? The PGA Tour Academy is also on site and ready to put the latest technology to work to help cure your swing woes.
The Renaissance World Village Resort has received a AAA Four-Diamond rating and is located next to the extraordinary World Golf Hall of Fame. The resort offers 301 Colonial Asian-designed guest rooms which feature spacious spa-inspirited bathrooms complete with granite countertops. In the sleeping area you will find comfortable beds, a mini refrigerator, coffee maker, sink and a 37-inch, flat panel TV. Each room provides a great view of the property, whether it’s the Hall of Fame or the golf course.
Also on property is the PGA TOUR Golf Academy, a one-of-a-kind, full-service game improvement facility. Their goal is to improve your golf game and exceed your expectations in every facet of their work. Since opening in 2000, the PGA TOUR Golf Academy has become one of the most recognized instructional academy locations in the country and serves as a training headquarters for all certified PGA TOUR Academy instructors. They use all of the latest technology, including Trackman, Flightscope and V1 Digital Sports Coach.
No trip to World Golf Village is complete without a visit to The World Golf Hall of Fame. Golf Historian Dr. Tony Parker and his staff do a wonderful job of keeping the exhibits fresh and interesting. The World Golf Hall of Fame keeps visitors engaged with interactive storytelling and exhibitions featuring artifacts, works of art, audio, video and photography that are meaningful and memorable to the history of golf and beyond. You’ll find genuine artifacts that have been sought out by Dr. Parker and donated or are on loan to the museum in a variety of constantly changing exhibits. The journey through the Hall of Fame starts with a history of the game and how different cultures may have had an influence on the origin of golf and ends with a trip through the Member Locker Room. The Member Locker Room features a locker for every inductee into the Hall of Fame and provides some insight into their personal lives and interests outside of the game of golf.
Your ticket price includes all-day admission, a round on the 18-hole natural grass putting course and a shot on the Challenge Hole; a 132 –yard island green reminiscent of the 17th at TPC Sawgrass. You can also take in a movie at their IMAX theater. Group pricing is also available. It’s best to allow yourself at least half the day to wander through and take in all the exhibits.
The Slammer & Squire Golf Course is located on the World Golf Village property, just a wedge shot away from the World Golf Hall of Fame. It’s an 18-hole championship course that was designed by Bobby Weed, with considerable input from its namesakes: Sam "The Slammer" Snead and Gene "The Squire" Sarazen.
The King and Bear meanders around pristine lakes and ponds with beautiful loblolly pines and stately oak trees throughout. These trees are spectacular to look at; that is until they impede your shot! The emphasis here is on a part of the game that both men were famous for – driving the golf ball. Regardless of which tees you play, you will be challenged. A good game from the tee boxes goes a long way in shooting a good score here.