If you've ever driven along Butler Blvd. near the St. Johns Town Center and noticed a golf course just off the road you're likely looking at Windsor Parke Golf Club. The golf course, located at 13823 Sutton Park Drive North in Jacksonville, is one of our favorite courses in the area. Windsor Parke is a semi-private course that anyone can get on with a tee time. There are 18 holes designed by Arthur Hills and has hosted qualifiers for the US Open, US Amateur, US Publinks, and US Senior Amateur. Also, the course was awarded a 4-star ranking by Golf Digest and was included in the Top 100 golf courses in Florida by Golf News.
In order to play this course well, you need to be relatively straight and willing to take less than a driver off some holes. Here are our thoughts on the front nine specifically:
Hole #1: This short par 5 may be the easiest hole on the course. The hole is very straight and easily reachable by most in two. The green however, is relatively small and can be tricky.
Hole #2: A very nice and straightforward par 4. There are houses and OB on the right so you miss is left.
Hole #3: This is a relatively short par 3 with a mult-tiered green. You definitely want to hit it on the right tier because otherwise you could have a very difficult putt.
Hole #4: A difficult par 4, this hole has OB on the left and water on the right. We only started having success on this hole when we dropped back to an iron or fairway wood off the tee to keep it in play.
Hole #5: This is a short par 4 and long hitters may be able to get very close to the green. The drive has to be pretty accurate though so if you're not confident in your straightness off the tee then try and iron and you will still have a low iron into the green.
Hole #6: This is a part 5 that can be difficult to reach in two unless you have a lot of length. There is water guarding the front of the green so you have to carry it all the way there if you want to hit it in two.
Hole #7: A long and challenging par 3, this hole requires a long iron or fairway wood approach and it needs to be straight.
Hole #8: A reasonable but relatively long par 4 that plays straight away.
Hole #9: The last hole on the front at Windsor Parke has water on the right and runs alongside the first hole. Hit it on the left side of the fairway for a clear approach to the green.
In sum, Windsor Parke is a course we enjoy playing and would recommend it strongly for those in the Jacksonville area. The course can be a challenge but there are several holes that are very scoreable. Overall, Windsor Parke is a solid course for everyday play.
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