The Slammer and Squire Golf Course is immediately adjacent to the World Golf Village complex in St. Augustine, Florida. The course was designed by architect Bobby Weed in collaboration with Sam Snead (the Slammer) and Gene Sarazen (the Squire).
A second course at the World Golf Village is the King & Bear located six miles away winding among the residential communities of the Village. The Slammer & Squire opened in 1998.
The Slammer and Squire Course
Compared to the King and Bear, the Slammer and Squire course is about 400 yards shorter from all tee grounds. The fairways are more generous, and the water hazards are less intrusive. The two nines are entirely different. The links-style front nine cuts through the forest and swampland while the back nine is more open. It’s uncomplicated and enjoyable with nary a house nearby. Conditions were excellent.
Diagonal hazards can be imposing since the carry distance varies setting up great risk/reward options. The tee shot at the Par5 Hole #4 encourages aiming right for the best chance of getting on in two on this 486-yard hole, resulting in the longest distance over the hazard.
The contrast between the green Ryegrass in the fairway, the dormant brown Bermuda grass in the rough and the blue of the water is striking. Bunkers are shallow with short lips surrounding reasonably large greens and usually not in imposing locations. Fresh apples on ice are kept in barrels on both the first and tenth tees. The course over-seeds in winter with Rye on the fairways, and greens as the Bermuda grass in the rough goes dormant and turns brown.
Three of the four Par3s are of medium length. Hole #13 uses bunkers far from the green to disturb depth perception. Likewise, one short Par4 exists, Hole #14, only 284 yards from the middle tees but well guarded with green-side bunkers.
With moderate length, little rough, wide fairways and less penal bunkering, the Slammer and Squire is fun and very playable. The sister course, King and Bear nearby, is longer, tighter and more challenging.
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