Top Jacksonville Gated Communities With a Golf Course

The idea of living inside a gated community is highly attractive for so many of today’s Jacksonville home buyers. For some, the appeal is directly tied to the extra  privacy and security gated communities provide, and for others, it's the common amenities and community events and social gatherings that make it the ideal setting for a forever home. 

In a city like Jacksonville, however, where lush tropical landscaping and year-round sunshine make for the perfect golf conditions, the idea of being able to hit the links from the comfort and convenience of your own neighborhood is truly what makes so many of Jacksonville’s gated golf course communities that ultimate place to live. And if you’re a golf junkie or someone who loves to spend an afternoon out on the course, these Jacksonville gated communities with a golf course are a great place to begin a new home search. 

Jacksonville Golf & Country Club

The Jacksonville Golf and Country Club was originally developed between 1989 and 2000, consequently giving home buyers lots of different options when it comes to finding the right gated golf course home in Jacksonville. Today, the community features over 1,000 homes that vary in size and style; but most have between 2 and 6 bedrooms with anywhere from 2,400 to 4,500 square feet of total living area. Given the age of some Jacksonville Golf and Country Club homes for sale, it’s not uncommon to see listings that need at least a little updating here and there on the interior. But that also gives prospective buyers a unique opportunity to buy at a slightly lower purchase price and put immediate equity into the property after a little TLC—something that’s not always easy to find when it comes to gated homes throughout the Jacksonville area. 

For anyone who has already played the course, it’s hardly surprising to hear the Jacksonville Golf & Country Club Course took home the title of the ‘Finest Private Country Club Course Layout in the state of Florida’ in both 2019 and 2020. And many also feel its one of the most properly maintained courses you’ll find anywhere as well. 

Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club 

Uniquely positioned along the Intracoastal Waterway, the Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club continues to be among Jacksonville’s most sought-after gated golf course communities. Consisting of 350 custom built homes, the Glen Kernan community still maintains a rather intimate feel despite its size, and many attribute this to each home’s pristinely landscaped yard, as well as all the mature trees hovering over its winding, unassuming streets. Additionally, Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club also features over 80 acres of lakes and world-class social and recreational facilities, creating a tight-knit community vibe that home owners continuously rave about. 

The golf course at Glen Kernan is a traditional 18-hole course that definitely has some modern elements. Originally designed by Robert C. Walker and officially opening back in 1999,  the fairway dimensions are generous and the greens are large at Glen Kernan, ensuring a fun day out on the links even for the average golfer. But deep rough and strategically placed bunkers also pose unique challenges along the way as well, so even longtime home owners shouldn’t get too comfortable at this one-of-a-kind golf course gated community in Jacksonville. 

Deerwood Country Club 

Conveniently located on Jacksonville’s southeast side just off Interstate 95, Deerwood represents Jacksonville’s very first gated golf course community. Consisting of around 900 residences, homes for sale in Deerwood Country Club range for sprawling 5-acre estate-style homes to smaller garden-style homes and townhomes that are perfect for downsizing. Towering trees and mature landscaping make for a rather tranquil and serene setting throughout Deerwood Country Club and residents here also have access to a 3-acre playground and park, as well as a number of country club amenities that include a fitness center, swimming pool, and tennis facility. 

As for the golf course itself, Deerwood is a spectacularly scenic 18-hole course that was designed by Brian Silva. Golfers of all ages and skill levels are welcome and you’ll also find a pro shop at the course that is always fully stocked with top-of-the-line equipment, clothing, and other golf-related merchandise. 

Queens Harbour Yacht & Country Club 

Queens Harbour Yacht and Country Club is one of Jacksonville’s finest residential communities that combines a waterfront location with premier golf course living. With soaring Oak trees and Spanish moss dotting the community landscape, some say its ambiance depicts “old Florida” in a way you just can’t capture in newer construction communities, making it that much more attractive and desirable for prospective home buyers looking for the perfect new place to call home.

For boaters and sailing enthusiasts, the community marina and harbor help make Queens Habour Yacht and Country Club the perfect lifestyle choice. But for golfers, it’s also a community that features a scenic Mark McCumber-designed golf course that brushes right up against Jacksonville’s gleaming inner-coastal waterway. Other amenities associated with the course include a putting/chipping green, a driving range, and a full-service clubhouse with private dining areas, and even a 19th hole that overlooks the community’s stunning freshwater marina.