World Woods Golf Club - Pine Barrens

Tampa, Florida

Public Course · 18 Holes · Par 71 · 6,902 yds · $45–$90 · 4.5

Often called the "Pine Valley of Florida," World Woods' Pine Barrens course is a Tom Fazio design that brings a Pine Barrens New Jersey aesthetic to Central Florida. Sandy waste areas, pine straw-covered ground, and strategic design make this a bucket-list public course.

History & Heritage

World Woods Golf Club opened in 1993 in Brooksville, Florida, north of Tampa. Developer Yoshiho Nishikawa commissioned Tom Fazio to design two distinct 18-hole courses on a 1,300-acre property with rolling sandy terrain, dense pine forests, and natural waste areas virtually unknown in the Florida flatlands.

Fazio modeled Pine Barrens after Pine Valley Golf Club, letting the sandy soil and natural topography dictate the routing. Golf Week ranked Pine Barrens No. 26 on its list of America's Best Modern Courses, and Golf Magazine placed it among the top 20 in America. Today the property operates as Cabot Citrus Farms, further enhancing the facility while honoring Fazio's original vision.

Signature Holes

Hole 4 Par 4 · 443 yards

Considered one of the finest par 4s in the Southeast, the 4th plays through a dramatic corridor of sand waste and towering pines. The bold, contoured green is defended by deep waste bunkers on both sides.

Hole 15 Par 4 · 462 yards

The other signature hole at Pine Barrens is a long, demanding par 4 among the most visually striking in Florida. Towering pines frame a sandy waste area left of the fairway.

What to Expect

Pine Barrens at World Woods delivers a uniquely un-Florida experience. The sandy waste areas, rolling terrain, and dense pine corridors are reminiscent of Pine Valley and Pinehurst rather than the typical flat Florida track. Tom Fazio's artistic best is on full display and the course plays firm and fast, rewarding thoughtful shot-making over power.

Playing Tips

Resist the urge to lay up from the sandy waste areas — Fazio designed them to be played from. The firm, fast conditions mean bump-and-run shots often work better than high approach shots. The back nine builds dramatically in difficulty.

Highlights

✓ "Pine Valley of Florida" reputation
✓ Tom Fazio sandy waste areas
✓ Among Florida's best public values

Frequently Asked Questions

Is World Woods still open?

The property now operates as Cabot Citrus Farms, which has preserved and enhanced Fazio's original courses while adding resort accommodations.

How does Pine Barrens compare to Rolling Oaks?

Pine Barrens is the more celebrated layout, ranked among the top courses in America for its bold, waste-area-laden design. Rolling Oaks is a gentler Fazio design offering a contrasting style on the same property.