Bobby Jones Golf Complex, British Course, CLOSED 2020

$21 (cart included), played on Friday, December 2015 at 1:00 PM

The British Course plays a little over 6700 yards from the back tees, making it a lot longer than its American counterpart; it's also more wide open. From the back tees, the course rating is 72.1 and the slope is 123.

The British Course is an old school golf course with small dome-shaped greens, a Donald Ross trademark. Many large live oaks, pine stands and palm trees give shape to and define the long straight fairways. Water comes into play on several holes and in places that long ball hitters need to be aware of.

The British Course also features a set of hybrid tees playing 5,971 yards. Over the years Head Professional Christian Martin and the grounds crew have changed a few holes around, adding length on a few holes by stretching out the back tees, while shortening a few holes for the seniors and women.

Martin and his staff also oversaw the redevelopment of all of the greens on the British Course, and redid them with Diamond Zoysia, a grass that stands up to just about anything Mother Nature can throw at it. To me, it's one of the best grasses out there; to golf courses, it requires less maintenance.

The par 3, number 4 hole is one of the holes Martin added some length to, making it now play about 174 yards. Your tee shot requires good distance control with sand on either side of the green just waiting to catch errant shots. Even if you're playing the hybrid tees, you'll play from back here.

Number 13 was also stretched out. Originally, it was a short par 5, playing around 470 yards. After listening to players talk about how the course needed to be lengthened, Martin and his staff moved the blue tees back and the hole now plays 540 yards, although the original length is still played from the White tees. This extra length gives the hole a totally different look and requires three well struck shots to reach the green.

Number 18 is a good finishing hole. Out of bounds abounds - the driving range that runs adjacent to the hole is out of bounds as is anything long and left of the green. Be sure to take enough club on your approach shot as bunkers on either side of the front of the green await short shots. A two putt is no sure thing here as the slope of the green is the most interesting on the course.

In the near future, I think you'll see big changes at The Bobby Jones Golf Club. I can foresee them building a new clubhouse and working out of a trailer for a year or so while a new one is built. The golf courses themselves are in good condition and a great value for the price.

According to a recent article in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, a city-appointed study committee recommended $14.5 million in capital improvements, including a do-over of both courses, a new clubhouse and a player development/teaching center. The task force also suggested that greens fees be increased by an average of $7.50 a round, a small price for golfers to pay for such big improvements.

Both regulation courses at the Bobby Jones Golf club offer golfers of all levels and abilities a fair test of golf. Granted, they may not be the toughest courses around, but no one here is looking to win the US Open either. What Bobby Jones offers is a well-kept municipal course, with a very friendly staff and reasonable rates. The food at the snack bar is good and the beer is cold. If you're showing up to play for the first time, there are a number of hospitable groups for both men and women and someone's bound to invite you to play.

For more information, visit them online at www.BobbyJonesGolfClub.com or give them a call at (941) 365-GOLF (4653).

$36 (cart included), played on Friday, April 2006 at noon

This course is in major need of renovation.

The greens just are not there and outside of replacing them there is no way to recover them. The course is tired after the season and I understand that, but it would be best to close it for a month rebuild the greens and return this place to its former prominence worthy if carrying its name.

Had absolutely the most unedible hot dog I've ever tried to eat, the crow on #10 didn't even want it.

$46 (cart included), played on Thursday, October 2010 at noon

a busy course, with walking foursomes ahead, pace was slow

$16 (cart included), played on Wednesday, July 2009 at 10am

superior conditions and layout for a municipal course. Built in 1927, Donald Ross design, with smallish greens. Very challenging

$10 (cart not included), played on Friday, June 2007 at 6am