City: Jacksonville, FL

Category: Golf

Telephone: (904) 762-1971

Address: 4012 University Blvd. North

Description: Blue Cypress is Jacksonville’s newest golf course and winner of Jax Hot List’s Best Public Golf Course category. Opened in November 2003, the nine-hole, par-36 course bills itself as the closest golf course to Downtown Jacksonville. Situated on part of the former University Country Club course on property now owned by the City of Jacksonville, Blue Cypress is just a 15-minute drive from the city’s business district. The course has a driving range and a snack bar that serves sandwiches, beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Greens fees (with cart) for 18 holes are $27.50 Monday through Thursday and $34 on weekends and holidays. Ask about the discounts for seniors, active military, firefighters, and police officers. The hole of interest: No. 5. It’s a par-5, 475 yards. However, the green is 60 yards long and slopes away. The distance from tee to hole isn’t tough, but the putting is a bear.