St. Johns Golf and Country Club a great play for the price

I love good golf courses that could charge high green fees but don’t, and always try to highlight them.

Such is the case with the St. Johns Golf and Country Club.

It’s a sprawling, near-pristine golf course in a ritzy neighborhood in upscale St. Johns County, in Florida, with a clubhouse like a mini-Taj Mahal.

What’s surprising is that the green fees are so reasonable amidst such opulence: $39 to $79 in peak season for this upscale, semi-private club.

The course is a hoot from the blue tees at 6,801 yards.

The course has water hazards on 12 of the 18 holes, but you won’t face any daunting forced carries off the tee, other than a couple of par-3s over water. There are also a fair amount of fairway and greenside bunkers. Some are nasty, but following the theme, they are all immaculately trimmed, edged and raked.

One of the strengths of the St. Johns Golf and Country Club are the greens. They are large and have just the right amount of slope and undulation to keep you focused, while not being hair-raising. There are some two-tiered greens and some that slope off the back, as well as some challenging drop-offs. The savvy golfer will hit to the right section of the green to score well.

The only aesthetic blight on this course is the numerous homes lining most of the fairways.

Still, it’s more than worth the price.

Look for the full review coming soon.