World Golf Village – The Slammer and the Squire Golf Course

2581

The Slammer & Squire Golf Course is located in the middle of the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, FL, 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.

From the back tees, the course plays 6,939 yards with a course rating of 72.7 and a slope of 127. The Blue tees at 6,132 yards (69.2/121) will give most golfers a fitting challenge. The course opened to the public in May 1998 and features two distinct nines with generous fairways, contoured greens, and plenty of water hazards. There are also some impressive views of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Memorable Holes (All Yardage is From the Blue Tees)

Number 1: Par 4, 358 yards. The wind can actually dictate how hard this hole can be. Keep your tee shot left of the right side fairway bunkers on this opening dogleg right. Make it to the dogleg off the tee and you’ll have a short approach to the slightly crowned green.

Number 4: Par 4, 486 yards. There are many ways to play the opening par 5 hole, but if you want to get there in two, you’ll have to go directly at it. If you plan on laying up, play to an area that gives you the best access to this well protected green.

Number 7: Par 3, 143 yards. This hole is truly a shotmaker’s delight. Fashioned after the famous 15th at North Berwick, The Redan, the flag can be attacked either by carrying the bunkers straightaway, or better yet, by fading a tee shot. This allows the ball to feed down to the hole. Miss the green and you’re most likely staring a big number right in the face. No wonder The Redan is the most copied par 3 in all of golf.

Number 12: Par 4, 373 yards. The water on the left off the tee can easily come into play as can the water on the right up by the green. And, if you can fade your approach shot, you’ll be that much better off. Should you find yourself needing to get up and down from either behind or left of the green, best of luck.

Number 13: Par 3, 161 yards. This challenging par 3 features water running all down the left side and the bunkers between you and the green can be very deceptive. The putting surface is very large, so just because you hit the green off the tee, a par (or better) is no guarantee.

Number 16, Par 5, 527yards. The last three holes are a daunting task and feature the longest par 5 and the longest par 4 on the course. Shot placement off tee is essential on #16. If you’re feeling good about your game thus far, you may want to take an aggressive line over the fairway bunkers in an attempt to get home in two. Should you choose to layup, you must avoid the left hazard as well as the trees on the right side. The green’s false front slopes heavily back towards the fairway.

Number 18, Par 4, 371 yards. The distant bunker is a good line for your tee shot. With water running down the entire left side, there is room right of the green to bailout. The subtle undulations of the green will make your last putts quite memorable and the view of the Hall of Fame across the water is quite spectacular and definitely camera worthy.

Last Word: The Slammer and the Squire provides a challenge regardless of which tees you play from or how good you are. Low handicappers will be challenged by a number of risk/reward opportunities. Successful navigation of these holes will yield a low score. High handicappers will be glad to know that the greens are pretty straight forward with not a lot of hidden breaks and subtle undulations. They are quick, running about 11 or 12 on the stimpmeter. There’s a full length driving range as well as a large practice putting green and short game area to hone your skills. Should you arrive hungry or get so during your round, the Legends Grille is a great place to grab breakfast or lunch. The food is very good as are the portions. You won’t leave hungry.

For more information about the course or to book your next round or golf vacation, visit the website at www.golfwgv.com.

David Theoret

David Theoret has been in the golf and golf travel industry for over 12 years, primarily selling online advertising. For the past seven years, he has also been a golf writer, reviewing golf courses, resorts, destinations, equipment, golf apparel, and training aids – the latter of which never seems to help. What started as a dream years ago, by God’s grace, became a reality in 2015 when The Golfin’ Guy editorial marketing company was founded. Working together with golf course designer Ron Garl; David’s articles and reviews have been posted on many golf travel, equipment, and apparel websites.

Previous articleWilson D-100 Driver and Fairway Wood – Good Things from Wilson Staff
Next articleKing LTD – Driver – The Most Distance and Forgiveness on the Market

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here
Captcha verification failed!
CAPTCHA user score failed. Please contact us!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.