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Panama City, FL

Bay Memorial Park

2.385(based on 4 reviews)
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dr.chainslove
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 25.1 years 338 played 42 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Incomplete course but good holes (if you can find them) 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 15, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

The reviewers before me summed up this place nicely. Since it's been a good while since the last review, I'll share my updates. Overall, there is fun to be had here. Most holes have a strong personality and require a good level of control and shot-shaping. I'm happy to report that the wooded sections are cleaned up. There are boardwalk sections over the mushy stuff. Lines are fair. Paths to the next hole (in the wooded section) are pretty clear. I was towing my cart and didn't have any issues. Most holes have adequate concrete tees.

The wooded holes are strong. Some may argue that 1 and 18 suffer from tree randomness/no line but they're short enough to get creative to find a way to the basket without too much punishment.

Love the new Discatchers here.

Hole 8 uses every bit of elevation that this course can offer. The fun water shot on 11 requires about 275-300ft minimum water carry IF you're going for the basket but there's also an island on the left for a layup spot for shorter arms.

In general, I think the designers milked all this park has to offer in terms of hole design.



Cons:

Navigation is currently terrible since the course is still incomplete. It's been about a year since the last review and it doesn't look like there's been progress. No tee signs or navigational aides on the new 9 holes make this a frustrating play for the first time. Make sure to take a hard right after hole 6 to get into the new section.

I know arguing over par is silly but the Par 2s here are silly. A couple of them are over 200 ft. 1 and 18 are not easily parkable. I think labelling these holes as Par 2s actually downplays the challenge they offer.

SAFETY is a big, big issue here. I was out there at 2:00 in the middle of a very hot workday and expected to have the place to myself. Wrong, walkers were everywhere and the walking paths often come directly into play. In fact, several holes require shots where blind corners of the paths are in the fairway. I had to routinely scout holes before teeing off. It's hard to focus on your game when you're worrying about launching your driver at a baby stroller. I worry this course has a good chance to get pulled without measures taken to make it safer (warning signs, re-route some holes, etc).

Other Thoughts:

Let's imagine that Bay Memorial was closed to non-disc golfers and all the tees, navigational aides, and signs were in place. This would be a really fun course that I'd gladly consider a 3.5 rating. I'm sure the improvements will eventually come but I doubt we'll be able to kick out the walkers that are also enjoying this nice park.

For best results, I'd come play here at 5:00AM after carefully studying the course map.
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