-
Discover new ways to elevate your game with the updated DGCourseReview app!
It's entirely free and enhanced with features shaped by user feedback to ensure your best experience on the course. (App Store or Google Play)
Lewis Lake DGC reviews
5
0
Worth the extra effort. 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Dec 30, 2013
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Full-time dual tees (Red & Blue) and dual baskets (Red & Gold), which provides 4 options for each fairway, at ANY given time! 48 options total.
This provides 4 different levels of challenge for the prospective player. Choose your tee and basket wisely. Holes 5, 6, 7, 9 & 10 will force you to be realistic about your playing abilities, especially from the Blue tees.
Grippy tee pads and color coded Innova DISCatchers, each with a yellow flag for easier viewing and wind monitoring.
Water! And lots of it.
The flow is fairly intuitive from 1 thru 4, with arrows under each basket to point you in the right direction toward the next tee. There's a walk through the woods to #5, but the rest of the course is easy to navigate with plenty of signage to direct you.
A nice, large covered pavilion sits between holes 1 and 12, with a view of #8 and others.
Although the course free of charge and open to all on base, chances are, you will have the course all to yourself, other than the occasional dog walker, picnicker or camper.
This provides 4 different levels of challenge for the prospective player. Choose your tee and basket wisely. Holes 5, 6, 7, 9 & 10 will force you to be realistic about your playing abilities, especially from the Blue tees.
Grippy tee pads and color coded Innova DISCatchers, each with a yellow flag for easier viewing and wind monitoring.
Water! And lots of it.
The flow is fairly intuitive from 1 thru 4, with arrows under each basket to point you in the right direction toward the next tee. There's a walk through the woods to #5, but the rest of the course is easy to navigate with plenty of signage to direct you.
A nice, large covered pavilion sits between holes 1 and 12, with a view of #8 and others.
Although the course free of charge and open to all on base, chances are, you will have the course all to yourself, other than the occasional dog walker, picnicker or camper.
Cons:
12 of the 18 planned holes were installed.
Water! And lots of it. Possibly too much for the new player. But, our mandate was to circle Lewis Lake, so some areas simply do not allow recreational fairways that don't bring water into play.
Lewis Lake was restored and literally reshaped just prior to the design and installation of the disc golf course. O.B. lines were to be clearly marked on holes 5 & 6 in order to protect the new plantings in the low areas. However I do not believe this has been done.
Since the Outdoor Recreation department has not done any clinics, demos or grand opening events to bring attention to the course, most people on base are not aware of the course. Many people like to park under a tree, particularly on hole #11, for a break in the shade. Surprisingly, even a woman who works on base and plays the PRO division in tournaments has yet to play the course, as of this posting.
Mosquitos!! As this is an Air Force Base, it might be easy to overlook these large flying, blood-sucking objects. But, do NOT be caught without some serious deet or other extremely effective bug spray in prime-time bug-activity times! Lemon grass is also very effective.
The biggest of all cons is that only those with a current military I.D. can access this course, unless they can find someone to escort or sponsor them on to the base. A background check will be performed at the main gate Visitor's Center. Prepare to spend at least an extra 30 minutes for this process. Do not bring ANYTHING on to base that you don't want to be caught with.
Water! And lots of it. Possibly too much for the new player. But, our mandate was to circle Lewis Lake, so some areas simply do not allow recreational fairways that don't bring water into play.
Lewis Lake was restored and literally reshaped just prior to the design and installation of the disc golf course. O.B. lines were to be clearly marked on holes 5 & 6 in order to protect the new plantings in the low areas. However I do not believe this has been done.
Since the Outdoor Recreation department has not done any clinics, demos or grand opening events to bring attention to the course, most people on base are not aware of the course. Many people like to park under a tree, particularly on hole #11, for a break in the shade. Surprisingly, even a woman who works on base and plays the PRO division in tournaments has yet to play the course, as of this posting.
Mosquitos!! As this is an Air Force Base, it might be easy to overlook these large flying, blood-sucking objects. But, do NOT be caught without some serious deet or other extremely effective bug spray in prime-time bug-activity times! Lemon grass is also very effective.
The biggest of all cons is that only those with a current military I.D. can access this course, unless they can find someone to escort or sponsor them on to the base. A background check will be performed at the main gate Visitor's Center. Prepare to spend at least an extra 30 minutes for this process. Do not bring ANYTHING on to base that you don't want to be caught with.
Other Thoughts:
I had not set foot on base for nearly two years, but recently got on to play. I've quite pleased to see that Outdoor Rec has managed to tame the course quite nicely. In particular, the landing zone & fairway of the par 4 hole #6.
As with many of WCDGD's projects, it was to be an 18-hole design, but a 9-hole installation around Lewis Lake recreation area. 9 holes would have been too spread out and wouldn't take advantage of some nice features, including TWO island greens! So, I talked them into 12-holes that would include these dynamic features. Immediately after I submitted the 1st draft of the layout, the ecological group that restored the area denied the use of one of the islands. So, I used another fairway that had been reserved for phase 2.
I let them know that, with dual full time baskets, it DOUBLES the versatility of the course and they would NEVER have to devote man-hours to moving baskets at regular intervals.
That said, the dual/dual set up cost quite a bit more up front, but offers so much more on a continuing basis. The 12-hole layout is part of an 18-hole plan that will probably never come to fruition, based on what I'm seeing for follow-up. Pity. A couple more island tees and woodsy holes that would have been fun.
I also wanted to do a hanging basket and a submerged basket, but couldn't incur any extra expenses, due to some contract issues.
All in all, I feel that the Lewis Lake disc golf course is a pretty versatile track that has something for everyone. If a hole is too short, you can go to the long tee. If there's too much water, you can move to the short. Mix & Match... pick your poison.
The 1st 3 holes are fairly short and may give the wrong overall impression of the course.
#4's Blue to Gold will challenge all but the elite.
The par 4 holes require placement shots to landing zones or moderately restricted fairways. The advanced player can bite off more of the fairway if they wish to take a greater risk. "Grip & Rip" may get you in trouble. But, "safer" drives mean riskier upshots.
Easily the most under-utilized quality course in Florida! I feel that, if this exact layout were in a public park, it would be absolutely over-run with players. As it sits, most of you will never lay eyes on it. And, for that, I am sorry.
For access to the course, contact Doren Kempher. For personal and professional reasons, his contact info must be withheld on this public forum. Try reaching the Tampa Bay Disc Sports Club or contact WCDGD.
As with many of WCDGD's projects, it was to be an 18-hole design, but a 9-hole installation around Lewis Lake recreation area. 9 holes would have been too spread out and wouldn't take advantage of some nice features, including TWO island greens! So, I talked them into 12-holes that would include these dynamic features. Immediately after I submitted the 1st draft of the layout, the ecological group that restored the area denied the use of one of the islands. So, I used another fairway that had been reserved for phase 2.
I let them know that, with dual full time baskets, it DOUBLES the versatility of the course and they would NEVER have to devote man-hours to moving baskets at regular intervals.
That said, the dual/dual set up cost quite a bit more up front, but offers so much more on a continuing basis. The 12-hole layout is part of an 18-hole plan that will probably never come to fruition, based on what I'm seeing for follow-up. Pity. A couple more island tees and woodsy holes that would have been fun.
I also wanted to do a hanging basket and a submerged basket, but couldn't incur any extra expenses, due to some contract issues.
All in all, I feel that the Lewis Lake disc golf course is a pretty versatile track that has something for everyone. If a hole is too short, you can go to the long tee. If there's too much water, you can move to the short. Mix & Match... pick your poison.
The 1st 3 holes are fairly short and may give the wrong overall impression of the course.
#4's Blue to Gold will challenge all but the elite.
The par 4 holes require placement shots to landing zones or moderately restricted fairways. The advanced player can bite off more of the fairway if they wish to take a greater risk. "Grip & Rip" may get you in trouble. But, "safer" drives mean riskier upshots.
Easily the most under-utilized quality course in Florida! I feel that, if this exact layout were in a public park, it would be absolutely over-run with players. As it sits, most of you will never lay eyes on it. And, for that, I am sorry.
For access to the course, contact Doren Kempher. For personal and professional reasons, his contact info must be withheld on this public forum. Try reaching the Tampa Bay Disc Sports Club or contact WCDGD.
