Golf Course Review & Scouting Report

Glen Kernan Golf Club

Jacksonville, Florida

FL #60

Established

1999

Architect

Ed Seay (original), Arnold Palmer (1986 redesign), Jim Furyk (2024-25 reimagination)

Access

Private

Par

Par 72

Length

5,384 – 6,929 yds

The verdict

Jacksonville's Private Powerhouse Reborn

Glen Kernan Golf Club has been reinvented for the modern era, blending its rich local tournament pedigree with a bold 2025 reimagination by Jim Furyk. Expect demanding parkland golf, sharp conditioning, and a palpable sense of member history.

Course DNA

Difficulty

Scenery

Conditioning

Shot Variety

Walkability

Green Complexity

Wow Factor

Design Quality

At a glance

Quick facts

Most recent renovation

2024–25, Jim Furyk

Club atmosphere

Upscale private, family-friendly

Classic hole sequence

Out-and-back nines, risk/reward mix

Longest par 5

11th hole – 565 yards

Toughest stretch

13–15: length and water in play

Local tournament lore

Former Greater Jacksonville Open site

Signature hazards

Lakes, pines, strategic bunkering

The design

The architecture

Glen Kernan’s 2025 reimagination delivers classic Northeast Florida parkland golf set amid winding lakes, stately pines and oaks, and master-planned corridors. Jim Furyk’s redesign elevated fairway movement, rebuilt bunkering with strategic purpose, and created a member-friendly but championship-tested routing. Each nine offers a balanced rhythm of tough par 4s and scoring chances, anchored by modern green complexes that ask more than just solid wedge play.

The reimagined course reflects Jim Furyk’s classic, strategy-driven style, favoring position over brute force while offering modern challenges throughout.

Defining features

Dynamic water features and forced carries
Stately pine corridors with native lowcountry accents
Redesigned bunkering with bold, modern edges
Multi-tee routing for all levels
Gentle but purposeful elevation shifts
Greens rebuilt with nuanced slopes and runoffs

Hole by hole

Signature holes

Hole 2

Twin Lakes Gambit

PAR

YARDAGE

530

Early in the round, this par 5 presents a strong scoring chance with water guarding each side and a subtle rise near the green. The risk-reward route tempts long hitters to get aggressive on the second shot.

Play it smart

Find the fairway, then decide if the approach risk is worth the eagle look—position trumps distance.

Where it bites

Sloppy layups drift into water or awkward rough, punishing overconfidence.

Course management

Shots to think about

Taking on par 5s

Lay up smart on holes 7 and 11 if you’re not 100% on your second—forced carries make aggression a gamble.

Long iron approaches

Trust your yardage—on holes like 13 and 17, aim for the wider/safer side of the green rather than chasing back pins.

Hugging fairway bunkers

Give yourself room—most fairway bunkers dictate the only good angle, so aim for a miss that leaves you a play.

Approaching water-protected greens

Take an extra club and play for the center; avoid the high-spin shot that can spin back into trouble.

Playing into the wind

Swing smoothly—especially on long par 3s, a choked down club is better than overswinging into breezes off the lakes.

Managing nerve on the closing stretch

Stick to your routine; don’t get seduced into aiming at every flag—par saves win club championships here.

On the day

What to expect

Conditions

Elite, recently renovated private-club turf quality; firm but fair greens with strategically placed runoff areas.

Pace

Efficient member pace—expect 4 to 4.5 hours, depending on group and tee time.

Vibe

Friendly, traditional private club with strong community roots and a modern, unpretentious twist.

Dress code

Collared shirts, tailored shorts/pants—standard private-club golf attire expected.

Before you tee off

Your game plan

Dial in Long Irons

Practice 180–210 yard shots; Glen Kernan’s long par 3s and several approach shots will demand precision.

Lag Putting Readiness

The new green complexes reward touch—spend time on distance control with your putter before teeing off.

Flexible Tee Club Selection

Map out yardage gaps and commit to tee clubs that play well into wind and between bunkers—par-5 risk angles are key.

Hydration Plan

North Florida summer rounds are humid and physically demanding—be sure to hydrate before and during play.

The lore

How it came to be

1971
Hosted the Greater Jacksonville Open, key regional PGA Tour event
1986
Arnold Palmer completed full redesign of prior property
1999
Glen Kernan Golf Club founded in current form
1999
Hosted Florida State Mid-Amateur Championship
2002
Hosted the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship
2024
Major golf course and facilities renovation led by Jim Furyk
2025
Course officially reopens, debuting Furyk's reimagined layout

Stories & legends

What makes it special

Renovation

Furyk's Vision, Jacksonville Roots

Few pro golfers get to shape a hometown club, but Jim Furyk returned to Glen Kernan to head its 2024–25 reimagining. The new routing blends his precision-first ethos with classic member-club walkability.

Tournament History

Birthplace of Tour Prestige

Before the annual trek to TPC Sawgrass, Glen Kernan hosted the region’s earliest PGA Tour events. Its Greater Jacksonville Open days helped build the First Coast’s golf identity.

Course Challenge

Members' Standout Stretch

Veterans know that the 13th through 15th at Glen Kernan can end a round early—or make your day. This daunting sequence, bracketed by water and long par 4s, is the club’s true test and badge of honor.

Modern Era

The Reopening Party

After a year closed for renovation, Glen Kernan’s 2025 reopening was a city-wide ceremony. Members, past champions, and Furyk himself teed it up to christen the reinvigorated fairways.

For the group chat

Fun facts

Once hosted the regional precursor to The Players Championship

Jim Furyk personally oversaw the 2024–25 redesign

Members held a ceremonial reopening in 2025 after the yearlong closure

Site features native pines, lowcountry water, and sculpted bunkering

Club DNA blends private community feel with serious competitive test

Build the trip

If you're building a First Coast trip, make it count

CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip

World Golf Village – King & Bear

Public

High-caliber resort course co-designed by Palmer & Nicklaus—excellent public-access championship option

World Golf Village – Slammer & Squire

Public

Playable, creative layout with Hall of Fame proximity and scenic charm

TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course

Resort

Home of THE PLAYERS, true bucket-list championship test (advance booking and premium fees required)

Amelia River Club

Public

Popular, affordable Northeast Florida choice with a strong local following

Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Ocean Course

Resort/Private

Classic Northeast Florida beach-side club with resort guest access

Ponte Vedra or Jacksonville Beach area—for best access to elite clubs, beaches, and dining

Course DNA

If You Like Glen Kernan Golf Club

Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.

Strong DNA Match8.1

Spring Hill Golf Club

Wayzata, Minnesota

Conditioning

Why it matches: If Glen Kernan Golf Club is your kind of course, Spring Hill Golf Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.

Strong DNA Match7.6

Annandale Golf Club

Madison, Mississippi

Conditioning

Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Annandale Golf Club's own setting.

Strong DNA Match7.9

Old Chatham Golf Club

Durham, North Carolina

Conditioning

Why it matches: Old Chatham Golf Club is a natural next stop after Glen Kernan Golf Club: it offers similarly polished playing surfaces.

From the community

Community Sentiment

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