The Wild One's Watery Welcome
The first six holes at Cimarrone set the tone immediately—water in play, nerves tested, and conservative club choices the smart path. It's not a stretch to say that slicers earn their scars early here.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Cimarrone Golf Club
Jacksonville, Florida
Established
1988
Architect
David Postlethwait
Access
Public
Par
Par 72
Length
5,207 – 6,891 yds
The verdict
A Watery Jacksonville Test
Cimarrone Golf Club delivers an engaging local experience with water guarding shot after shot and plenty of risk/reward moments. It's a Florida public course with real bite—approach it with focus or the wild hazards will pile up fast.
Course DNA
Difficulty
78
Scenery66
Conditioning62
Shot Variety74
Walkability54
Green Complexity68
Wow Factor64
Design Quality62
Don't miss
Pay attention to the unforgettable water views behind the 2nd green before you walk off—locals say it's the best intimidation photo spot on the course.
At a glance
Quick facts
Nickname
"The Wild One"
Most daunting trio
2nd, 3rd, and 6th holes
Water hazards
Present on nearly every hole
Public access
Bookable tee times online
Championship tees
Up to 6,891 yards
Best birdie chance
5th hole, par 5
Location
15 minutes from World Golf Village
The design
The architecture
Cimarrone Golf Club is a classic North Florida design that leans hard into the natural wetlands, with water hazards factoring into the risk/reward calculus on nearly every hole. Architect David Postlethwait traced winding corridors through semi-wooded terrain, shaping fairways that press nerves and reward smart, conservative play. Rather than relying on tricked-up greens or manufactured features, the layout’s defenses are nature-driven: visible water, angled carries, and target-golf lines are front and center. While not packed with architectural quirks, Cimarrone delivers an honest, strategic challenge that keeps you engaged and alert from the opening tee shot to the pressure-packed finish.
Postlethwait’s design signature here is pressing for precision without resorting to unfair trickery: it’s the ever-present water that both intimidates and rewards clear-eyed decision making.
Defining features
- Water hazards loom on almost every hole
- Multiple demanding forced carries
- Playable but subtle green complexes
- Classic Florida routing through wetlands
- Wide variety of hole lengths and shapes
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 2
Intimidation Point
PAR
3
YARDAGE
199 yds
Stretching to 199 yards with water looming, this par 3 is as much a test of composure as it is of skill. Wind can swirl and club selection is everything, making it a daunting early exam for all players.
Play it smart
Err to the fat side of the green and resist attacking a tight pin unless you have the right club and confidence.
Where it bites
Water awaits any pulled or nervously mishit shot—over-aggression is round-ending.
Course management
Shots to think about
Facing a forced water carry on the par-3 2nd
Club up and favor the safer left side; don’t chase a tucked pin.
Navigating the tight 3rd fairway
Use hybrid or long iron—aim left to avoid all water-right danger.
Teeing off on the short par-4 6th
Leave driver in the bag and lay up to your best wedge yardage center-left.
Second shot on the 5th par 5 after average drive
Lay up intentionally short of the water lip; go for green only with the perfect lie.
Approaching the closing par-4 18th
Aim for the fat side on your approach to avoid the water fronting the green.
Wind picking up over water holes
Club up and favor the side away from trouble.
Late-round nerves on the 17th par 3
Trust your swing—center green is better than hunting a risky flag.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Conditioning can vary seasonally; expect well-kept fairways but sometimes aerated or slow greens.
Pace
Pace is typical for a challenge-oriented public course; can be moderate to slow on weekends.
Vibe
Local, casual, with a clear focus on challenging golf amid classic Florida scenery.
Dress code
Standard public course dress code—collared shirt, golf shorts or pants.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Dial in wedges
Several forced layups mean you’ll need crisp wedge approaches into target greens.
02
Carry enough balls
With water in play nearly everywhere, bring extras for a wild round.
03
Check wind forecasts
Exposed holes amplify breezy Florida days, making club selection tricky.
04
Book early for best times
Prime weekend mornings fill up; late-day rounds can be quieter but risk slower pace.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1988
Course opens, original design by David Postlethwait
Stories & legends
What makes it special
A Daily-Fee Test with Bite
Locals appreciate a course that asks real strategic questions at public-golf prices. From forced layups to nervy approaches, golfers here get an affordable but thoroughly challenging round.
Intimidation Point: The Par-3 Second
The par-3 2nd hole stands out in local lore as a must-hit. Club selection and nerves matter most with water looming and wind often in play—many a round has derailed right here.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Nicknamed 'The Wild One' for its unforgiving water hazards.
2
Nearly every hole features water—bring spare balls even if you’re accurate.
3
No two par 3s play the same — wind and angle always shift.
4
Course sits just 15 minutes from golf’s Hall of Fame at World Golf Village.
5
Course architect David Postlethwait designed several Jacksonville-area layouts.
Build the trip
If you're building a Jacksonville golf adventure
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course
Resort
A Tour stop and one of golf's temples—test your nerve on the famed island green.
World Golf Village King & Bear
Resort
Powerful public-access test by two legends—ideal pairing for higher-end rounds.
World Golf Village Slammer & Squire
Resort
Fun, approachable, and just down the road—perfect for weekend warriors.
The Yards
Public
Unique modern layout with a flexible 9-12 hole setup in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Timuquana Country Club
Private
Historic, beautifully conditioned—go if you get the member invite.
South Jacksonville (Baymeadows/St. Johns Town Center) for best access to both city and coastal venues.
Course DNA
If You Like Cimarrone Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.5
Legends Resort – Parkland Course
Myrtle Beach, South CarolinaDifficulty
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Legends Resort – Parkland Course asks for the same disciplined decision-making, making it a compelling counterpart to Cimarrone Golf Club.
Strong DNA Match7.8
Persimmon Ridge Golf Club
Louisville, KentuckyDifficulty
Why it matches: If Cimarrone Golf Club is your kind of course, Persimmon Ridge Golf Club is worth a look because it brings a comparable level of challenge.
Strong DNA Match8.3
Royal New Kent Golf Club
Providence Forge, VirginiaDifficulty
Why it matches: What links these two? Brings a comparable level of challenge — a familiar feeling, expressed in Royal New Kent Golf Club's own setting.
Community Sentiment
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