Cabot Citrus Farms, Brooksville, FL

Sounds like the other reviewers are spoiled golfers who expect an upscale country club experience every time they play. Pine Barrens was about golf - great value, very good condition, friendly rangers, not a fancy clubhouse - but what do I know? Have only played 125 rounds so far this year, and only about 625 courses in all fifty states during my golfing life.

What a complete disappointment! While the course itself is very nice the staff, clubhouse, policies, and equipment were terrible. I had been looking forward to playing this course for sometime. My first shock upon arriving was the poor quality of the carts, they are outdated and in poor condition. Next was the fact they will not allow you to drive the cart into the parking lot, so when its busy be ready for a long walk, and if its raining which it was your getting soaked. Then upon finally reaching the first tee we were treated to a lecture from the golf Nazi on proper play and course no, no’s. Then on the course the rangers watched over you during the round like SS guards. What a total waist of money we left after the 8th hole. I’ve been to municipal courses that treated you with more respect.

If your looking for a "club" experience...beautiful grand clubhouse..valet...hotel..fine dining...do not go world woods. If you want pure golf....hidden in the wilderness...challenge...and to get away from the typical Florida golf scene its the place for you.

I was in the Tampa area and wanted to play here as a result of the Golf Digest review it got. It has a distinctive design with pronounced waste bunkers throughout the course. It has small greens that ran true. When I played in February the course was dry and the rough was short. In the end, while I enjoyed the day, I did not think that it merited the $100 price tag nor it's ranking in Golf Digest as one of the top public courses in the country.

It has been years (probably 10) since I played both courses, so take that into consideration. I am writing a review now because I am so shocked that this course is not rated higher than it is. Maybe the condition has changed considerably since I played, but I am sure the layout has not changed much. This was one of the better courses I have ever played and, for the money, was an absolute steal when you compare it to other highly rated courses. The layout of both courses was fantastic with great risk/reward options on many holes. Much more scenic than your typical FL course with many more elevation changes and rolling hills. I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone. For the money, I would challenge one to find a better course. The one downside I do remember is that it's not that close to anything.

card, a hat, and lunch. The greens are in excellent condition and the fairways are in good shape. If you stay out of the big waste areas Played 10/28/10 - We payed $33 for green fees, cart, a hat, and lunch. The greens are in excellent shap and the fairways in good shape. You can score if you keep out of the waste areas. . The staff was obnoxious and the course is no where near as good as the LPGA International, Champions Gate, or Shingle Creek.

Played Pine Barrens June 22nd. The course is in excellent condition and is by far the best public course in the Brooksville area. The greens are fast and roll true, got to keep the ball under the hole to avoid 3 putting. The management runs a tight ship and all of the staff were very professional. At $40 it is well worth the money. It is in the middle of nowhere, but worth a trip.

Way over-rated, unless you enjoy 6 hour rounds! We say the ranger 1 time all day (2nd hole). His comment, "it's really slow up there, try to enjoy the weather." Can't believe this course was ranked in anyones top 100. The club house was no better than your local muni. Practice ranges are impressive, but course was not that well maintained.
I will never play this course again, there are much better deals and courses in the area.