Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club in Ormond Beach, FL

Pros

• Plantation Bay is a peaceful and beautiful venue.
• The views of the water and greenery are gorgeous.
• The staff is wonderful to work with and very helpful throughout the day.
• Plantation Bay offers 45 holes of championship golf and impressive practice facilities.
• The new clubhouse is second to none.
• The golf courses are PGA-style and absolutely wonderful.
• The Plantation Bay Golf Instructional Center uses state-of-the-art technology to help golfers improve.
• The restaurants are among the best in the area.

Cons

• The management is incompetent.
• There was zero help for membership inquiries; no one answered the phone and questions were met with dismissiveness.
• The new clubhouse promised for the wedding was not finished on time, despite assurances.
• Upper management was not helpful and treated clients as unimportant, prioritizing money over service.
• The establishment's name is wildly inappropriate in the South.
• The promoted new clubhouse did not reflect what was actually available and remained unfinished.

Review

Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club in Ormond Beach is best suited for golf-focused retirees and active couples who crave a resort-style Florida lifestyle with real substance on the greens. The community centers on 45 holes of championship golf, supported by top-tier practice facilities, Trackman and other modern technology, and a climate-controlled sense of privacy that comes from a gated, 3,600-acre setting. It is a true golf community, yet it offers enough variety, lakes, oaks, and lush landscaping, to appeal to residents who want beautiful vistas, easy walking and biking, and a social environment that can scale from quiet mornings to lively dinners. Importantly, living here does not require golf club membership, which broadens the appeal to non-golfers who still want access to a high-end country club atmosphere.

Those who may want to consider alternatives include buyers who prize consistently seamless customer service and flawless project execution. Several reviews flag uneven management and communication gaps, with instances of unresponsiveness by the front office and reports of staff who can feel dismissive when questions arise. The most salient red flag is not the beauty or the golf, but the impression that upper management may not be fully aligned with resident needs, especially around service delivery and ongoing project timelines. For a family or couple who prioritizes predictable operations, a closer look at current management plans and resident references is essential before committing.

The core strengths, spectacular golf and top-tier amenities, largely offset the notable drawbacks when the decision centers on quality of play and lifestyle versatility. The courses themselves are described as PGA-style, well maintained, and consistently engaging, with practice facilities that include a full-length range and a sophisticated short-game area. Add in a pair of on-site dining options that deliver good food and reliable service, plus a safe, walkable environment, and the appeal becomes clear: residents can pursue a rich social life without leaving the community. An important offset is the flexibility around golf: residents can live there with or without a formal golf membership, paying only initiation costs upfront and enjoying golf access as they choose. Those who value privacy, security, and a refined country-club ambiance will often overlook transient service hiccups when the core lifestyle delivers.

Housing diversity reinforces the practical appeal. The community’s footprint is expansive enough to accommodate golf villas, single-family homes, and luxury estates, with no age minimum to ensure a broad mix of residents, from recent retirees to younger families seeking a serene Florida base. The landscape design and home aesthetics command a pristine, upscale feel, and the social fabric tends to blend quiet, resort-like living with occasional social events. Yet the size of Plantation Bay means varying experiences: some residents praise the seamless integration of clubs, dining, and recreation, while others note slower service or crowded conditions during peak times. Those considering a move should map out preferred neighborhoods, scout the newer clubhouse status, and confirm which facilities will be completed to their satisfaction before finalizing.

For a practical decision framework, prioritize what matters most: golf quality and lifestyle consistency versus construction timelines and management reliability. If golf is a primary driver, this community is among the strongest options in the region, offering multiple courses, expansive practice resources, and the option to live without mandatory golf dues. If a brisk, glossy clubhouse upgrade is essential, or if steady, responsive management is non-negotiable, insist on a current, written delivery schedule for any clubhouse work and a documented resident liaison plan. Engage with current residents to gauge daily experiences, and verify all dues, initiation costs, and any golf-related fees so expectations align with reality. The right fit will feel both luxurious and livable, with a predictable cadence of service and a sense that management genuinely cares about resident satisfaction.

In the final analysis, Plantation Bay is a pragmatic choice for golf enthusiasts and lifestyle-driven buyers who prize beauty, security, and flexible access to premier golfing without mandatory membership. It excels in delivering a quiet, scenic, and secure environment where walking, dining, and social life can flourish amid top-tier golf options. The guaranteed caveats are management consistency and clubhouse timelines; these factors determine whether the experience stays polished or drifts into episodic frustration. Prospective buyers should enter informed, with a clear view of the clubhouse status and a candid line of sight into how resident concerns are addressed. When those conditions align, Plantation Bay offers a compelling, even compellingly refined, Florida living experience.

This part of Ormond Beach, Florida, offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. The proximity to parks such as Old Dixie Community Park and Seminole Woods Playground provides opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. There are also nearby restaurants like High Tides at Snack Jack and Martin's Restaurant & Lounge where residents can enjoy delicious meals. Access to pharmacies like CVS Pharmacy and physicians' offices such as Ardent Family Care ensure that healthcare needs are easily met. Additionally, transportation options like U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer and Enterprise Rent-A-Car make it convenient for seniors to get around the area. Places of worship such as New Way Church offer spiritual support, while theaters like Epic Theatres of Palm Coast provide entertainment options for leisurely activities. Overall, this part of Ormond Beach is a well-rounded community with resources that cater to the diverse needs of seniors seeking a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle.

Parks

• Old Dixie Community Park (1.1 miles)
• Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park (2.1 miles)
• Seminole Woods Playground (2.1 miles)
• Gamble Rogers State Park (3.9 miles)
• Wickline Center Park (5.4 miles)
• Belle Terre Park (9.7 miles)

Restaurants

• High Tides at Snack Jack (4.1 miles)
• Beach Front Grille (4.4 miles)
• Houligan's (4.6 miles)
• Martin's Restaurant & Lounge (4.7 miles)
• Oceanside Beach Bar and Grill (4.8 miles)
• Beach Belly Bob's Sandwich Shop (4.8 miles)
• McDonald's (5.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (5.2 miles)
• Grace Community Pharmacy (5.4 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (6.4 miles)
• Walgreens (6.4 miles)
• A Plus Pharmacy (6.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (9.6 miles)
• Walgreens (9.7 miles)

Physicians

• Ardent Family Care (5.3 miles)
• Peds Care Pinnacles Palm Coast (5.4 miles)
• John J. Cascone, MD, FACS (5.6 miles)
• Palm Coast Women's Center: Brown Steven J MD (5.6 miles)
• Flagler Orthopedics And Sports Medicine (5.6 miles)
• Divya Pingle (5.7 miles)
• Tomoka Eye Associates (5.7 miles)

Cafes

• Hi Tulip Cafe (5.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)
• Java Joint Beachside Grill (7.4 miles)
• Peach Valley Cafe (9.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Florida Hospital HealthCare Partners (5.5 miles)
• AdventHealth Palm Coast (5.7 miles)
• Florida Hospital Ormond Memorial (9.5 miles)
• Florida Hosp Cancer Institute (9.6 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (5.6 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (5.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• New Way Church (6 miles)
• Church Of God E Lec (6.5 miles)
• St Paul Baptist Church (7.5 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (7.7 miles)
• Journey At Palm Coast (8.8 miles)
• Palm Coast Haitian-Mission Group (9.5 miles)

Theaters

• Epic Theatres of Palm Coast (6.2 miles)