Pros:
The Original Course at Bill Frederick Park (or "Turkey Lake" or "T1") is located at the back of the park, right next to T2. I think the ratings for all three courses are about right. I have the Woods Course at 2.5, the T1 at 3.5, and T2 at 4.0. But that has more to do with challenge than anything else. All three are well-designed and very fun. I actually thought T1 was the highest on the Fun Factor scale of the three courses, slightly ahead of T2. It's also at least as pretty as T2. Intermediate players (like me) will find something to like at each course. Advanced players will gravitate to T1 and T2. I think only upper Advanced to Pro players will have anything to quibble about at T1.
+ I'm discovering that this is a personal pet peeve of mine: I hate it when courses label their layouts with color schemes that contradict the PDGA guidelines for Novice, Rec, Intermediate, Advanced, and Pro. Bill Frederick nails it with proper labeling for layouts on all three courses. There is a White (Intermediate) layout on each of the three courses. That's the layout I played. The Woods Course is the easiest of the three, T2 was the hardest, and T1 was in between, each one was appropriately labeled White/Intermediate and fell into the 880-930 rating range for a par round. To me, this is very helpful in comparing courses across the country and finding the best tracks to challenge you.
Here are the layouts for each of the Bill Frederick courses:
> Woods Course: Red/Rec, White/Intermediate
> T1: Original Course: White/Intermediate, Blue/Advanced
> T2: The Turkeynator: Green/Novice, Red/Rec, White/Intermediate, Blue/Advanced, Gold/Pro
+ Of the three tracks, T1 generally stays the closest to Turkey Lake. Wind is a big factor coming in off the lake. The rolling hills, palm and pine trees, and even "Beware of Alligators" signs make the Turkey Lake Course -- at least in my mind -- the realization of ideal Florida disc golf.
+ As mentioned above, I think T1 is the most fun at Bill Frederick (at least at my skill level, even when playing the Intermediate layout on each course).
+ I picked up maps to all three courses at the front gate. They are helpful for navigating the courses. Without maps, there are places you can get lost. But I will say that navigation at T1 is the most intuitive and easiest without a map of the three courses.
+ Good tee pads and signs marking the two layouts, with the layouts pictured and correct yardage listed.
+ Fun and challenging mix of holes and risk/reward factors. The lake comes into play on a few holes. There's also some artificial OB paths to add to the challenge. There are two elevated baskets on hills, making for terrific death putts and fast greens. While T1 is the most open, accuracy is required and there are trees, water, and rough areas to contend with. It's not a hyzer fest. Great course design.
Cons:
I struggle with where to rate and rank Turkey Lake. As mentioned above, it's on par with T2 in terms of the Fun Factor and aesthetics. T2 certainly far outpaces T1 in terms of challenge. I almost rated both courses 4.0, but settled on a 3.5 for the Original Course. If 3.75 were an option, that would be my rating for this course.
- Of the three courses, the grass was by far the longest and most in need of being mowed at T1. I imagine T2, as the headliner course here, comes first in the maintenance pecking order.
- Being a Florida course, there's not much elevation to speak of, although they made a good run at creating some elevation with the few rolling hills they have and a couple elevated baskets.
- Watch out for ants and alligators!
Other Thoughts:
I would have no problems paying $5 just to play one round at Turkey Lake. Lucky for all of us, $5 gets you in to all three courses! If you only have time for a couple rounds here, make sure Turkey Lake, the Original, is one of them.