Pros:
(3.690 Rating) A unique combination of challenge and beauty.
- CHALLENGING - One of the more challenging layouts I've played and that was with playing the front tees. Lots of tight, but fair drives to hit, which the exception of hole (2), which is a long poke and hope shot in need of a few more palms removed. Your average advanced player should be at course par from the front tees or perhaps a few down and they should struggle to reach par from the backs. Right hand players will need a precise backhand shot perfected or be severely handicapped on this course.
- RAW BEAUTY - Best way to describe this course in two words is "Tropical Paradise" My personal favorite hole for beauty is hole (4) which plays along a lengthy limestone outcrop. A few holes also bring wonderful water views into play and the vegetation on my visit was vivid and vibrant. The course ranks right up there with the most beautiful courses in my backyard, Taylor Park an Picnic Island. The raw beauty definitely makes the round here that much more enjoyable to play.
- CHARACTER - Well above average. The concrete tee pads are above average in size and are generally shaded. There is a bunch of seating and there are trash cans located at appropriate spots. There is a good course map that will aid in navigation as well. As for the lacking items, unsatisfactory hole signage (see cons), no practice area, no bag hangers and no nearby parking (see cons)
- EXTRA BASKETS - Adding onto course character, I specifically need to call attention to the number of added baskets down fairway. I think there are at least 9 or 10 alternate baskets along the layout that with lengthen a hole. Great for the upper advanced or even pro player to hone in their skills.
- CHILL AREAS - There are lots of secluded nooks with seating to take a break at. Great decision to locate a picnic table by (14) tee.
- NAVIGATION - Other than finding tee (1) navigation should be fairly easy with a picture of the course map. There are a bunch of directional arrows along the layout to guide you to the next hole as well.
- SPACING - Well spaced out holes with no chance of running one into another fairway. The walk to the next hole is generally not too far with the exceptions of Parking to (1) and also (18) to the parking.
- UNIQUENESS - Variety is above average in general, although when I compare it to other courses I've rated this high, it falls below average among those courses. First I'll point out that there's a number of 300 foot plus technical plays with fairways pocketing both ways and also those that dog-leg left. Fairway widths vary from poke and hope shots, hole (2) as noted above, to narrow, to moderate, to wide open, such as hole (14). The majority are narrow to moderate. There is water in play on a few holes, most notable is hole (16). However the number of water holes will vary depending on the season, with winter generally being the driest. As for the missing hole variety items, there is no elevation (see cons) no par 4's or 5's, no dog leg right and no forced overtop plays. I'll also tack on that this course vary much favors RHBH players.
Cons:
The cons I've listed are generally minor to non factors in my course rating equation, with the exception of layout and hole signage. I will say however, with a fix of these two items, the Preserve could possibly bump up to 4 stars.
- LAYOUT - The first thing one will notice is that the location of hole (1) is nowhere near the parking area. In addition, hole (18) is also located a ways from both the parking and hole (1) as well. Word is, is that many players start on hole (16) which is adjacent to some parking. If you attempt this strategy on first play however, you'll either need a guide or good map and direction sense to get back to (1) from (18).
- HOLE SIGNAGE - Adequate for a smaller or open course, but definitely sub-par for this type of course and also for the region it's in. Currently just a # on a post with hole distance. If you took a picture of the course map on (1), it really won't help to read into how the details of a hole plays.
- ELEVATION - Sorry, you won't find it here or at really any of the surrounding courses either. On the Preserve, it's probably even below average for a Florida course. There are a couple holes here and there that bring in a 5 foot high mound or so, but that's about it. I did like the use of a flood control mound on (13) which defines the center of the fairway.
- FORGIVENESS - I was fortunate to play this course in the Winter when much of the overgrowth was either dead or trimmed up. There are a bunch of palmetto fields in play and if you were to find one of these during the summer, you can expect some extended time searching for your disc. In addition, when the rainy season hits, figure more water will come into play.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - This is really not a beginners course. The course requires the skills of an accurate shot possessed by seasoned players.
- TIME PLAY - Don't come here figuring you can get in a quick round being that its only a par 54 at 5000 feet in length. My group of 3 spent over two and a half hours here. Figure a single, on an open course, will take at least 90 minutes.
Other Thoughts:
I had the pleasure of playing the Preserve my first time with two DGCR members, Thrembo and R2sandman. Be sure and reach out to these gentleman if you're visiting from outside the area and if you want to enjoy a laid back round with a couple dudes that you'll think you've known forever.