Live Oak, FL

Maggie

4.125(based on 46 reviews)
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9 0
MrFrosty
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 31.6 years 764 played 387 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Magnolia Live ! Music To My Ears 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 17, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

Driving down I-75 , Magnolia Disc Golf Course is the first course you come to , not far off the interstate . Best of all , it is your
" Welcome To Florida , This Is A Great Course " . The most important thing to remember if wanting to play this course , make sure you check the Homepage or call the office before coming here ( 800-224-5656 ) . The course is located on the grounds of the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and they may not allow disc golfers on the grounds during music festivals and concerts , or when setting up prior . Pleas check into the first office you see when arriving . I think that the charge is still a nominal $2 per person or $5 per carload . The first tee is behind the Outpost store , just down and to the slight left of the office . There are bathrooms in the store , as well as drinks . Parking could be an issue , so ask in the office where best to park . The people here were very nice . Since I was here on a Friday morning , they let me park behind the Outpost store . The online map/scorecard that I printed off was kind of primitive , but the course itself is easily navigable . This is a woods course that sits off to itself , so you shouldn't have to share it with anyone but disc golfers . I think I was the only player out here during my play . The baskets are yellow Discatchers that hold putts well , but have are starting to show some wear . There are 2 pads per hole , signified by red marked shorter and blue for pro tees The tee pads are fantastic ,cement and grippy , level with the ground , with the blues being longer and wider than the reds , even though the reds have plenty to throw from . The signage is good from both tees , with the hole # , distance par , flight path to both hole placements ( yes , there are multiple pin positions on almost every hole ) and a music title for each hole , to keep with the music venue motif .Holes 9 and 18 both will bring you back to the start of the course . Benches or picnic tables throughout You will be in shade for more than 90% of the time . There is camping allowed on the grounds , in case you want to stay the night . This course was clean and well taken care of the morning that I was here . The course itself is very challenging . If not for the shorter tees , I would have told the less than average player to stay away . A woods course that , from the Blue tees , has 6 holes at 500' + , with a 7th at 495' . Bring your A game here . Besides the distance , the lines can be tight . Lots of tunnel shots here . #1 can introduce you to a tree or 2 right away . #3 , #5 and #8 on the front 9 could have the same effect . You will have to be precise with your drives and approaches, keeping them lower than normal . A ricochet from the many trees can put you in high weeds or thorny bushes just off the fairway . There are a few shorter holes , like #3 , #7 and #10 that will give you a slight break , but even these have tight lines . Many very good holes throughout this course .#1 is a good starter hole that forces kind of an S throw 320' . #2 wraps around a clump of trees , where you can throw righty or lefty . #8 is a tough right to eventually left dogleg shot at 666' ( 425' from the reds ) . 18 is a great finishing hole that fades you into a fairway with a clump of trees in the middle , to a midrange/drive slight uphill . My signature hole would probably be #6 A hole that fades left to right into a larger fairway , then becomes tighter at the end . The basket is protected by several trees , including one bent . If either vacationing or driving to Florida on business , this course is well worth the stop . A very scenic woods course .

Cons:

For what it is , the park may not be able to help improve the course . #1 Parking . Parking here can be confusing , as there are no directions or lined spots for you to be close to the course . Ask the Outpost for ideas . #2 Access . This course could be a hit or miss for you if planning to play on a weekend , especially since several weekends are booked for concerts . Call ahead . #3 The Rough . Some of the many trees that you hit will put you in thick weeds or these thorny bushes . It was not bad for me , but it was because I was playing in mid-January . I heard it was way worse in the late spring to late fall . Check for ticks after playing . #4 since this is a lightly rolling and woods course , there will be places that hold water on this course . Expect some standing water and mud after a hard rain .Disc Risk is at least an average possibility , since the holes can play long and a drive off a tree can put you in some nasty brush . Bring bug spray if you are playing this course near or during the summer , and watch for poison ivy and thorns off the fairways .

Other Thoughts:

Rated the 4th highest course in the recent Florida rankings , this course is a can't miss opportunity . Flat to lightly rolling holes , Well thought out course design ( Denny Ritner ) an ultra competitive course , good amenities . If coming in late , or early to Florida from I-75 , this would be a nice 2 hour stop to play a quality course in a concert theatre with a music themed disc golf course . Pretty cool . Play early and enjoy going in and out of the several stores on this location . Thank You , Magnolia and Spirit Of Suwanee Music Park , for letting me play here ... . My Recommendation : This might be a little tough for the family or newbies to try , even from the short tees , because of it's tight lines , But from the casual player to the pro , the course junkie to the course bagger , this is a course for you to enjoy , and to see what you're made of . You will be forced to make a lot of decisions for your lines on this course . I can't imagine going to a concert or camping overnight and having a course like this at my disposal . Play It !!!!
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2 3
SkinDvr
Experience: 39.4 years 18 played 6 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Nice enough if free 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 2, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

- Free when I asked at office.
- Quiet, I was the only one on the course
- Good signage, did not need the map on my phone.
- Not much water to worry about.
- Good shade

Cons:

- Rather high weeds, they do not mow or pick up tree debris.
- Some litter around.

Other Thoughts:

We hope to visit again via RV since an RV park is right there. Could be buggy early or late in the day.
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4 4
epicrat
Experience: 9.1 years 14 played 7 reviews
3.50 star(s)

It's decent but really hard 2+ years drive by

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

Pros:

- Clean (little to no litter present)
- Quiet (we were the only two players on the course. Played mid-day on a Thursday)
- Locals are nice enough.
- Good signage, easy to navigate.

Cons:

- Really hard. Learn to throw a putter shot and RHFH before coming here.
- Sort of in the middle of nowhere.
- Trees, literally everywhere. If you can't control the shape of your shot to some degree, don't bother coming here. Not a single open hole. 18 holes of trees 30 feet from the tee pad.
- Pay to play. At least the course was clean. If we paid $2 a person and found beer cans everywhere, it'd be a 3.0 rather than 3.5.

Other Thoughts:

It's a good course, but not my cup of tea. It'd be a 4.5 if it wasn't disgustingly hard and had some degree of variation. As a Tallahassee dweller, I definitely prefer Tom Brown over this park. If you're reading this from Tallahassee, this course felt a lot like Jack McLean. Keep in mind I haven't played Jack in a couple years, but if my memory serves me correctly, it's very similar.
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9 0
thrembo
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 49.5 years 245 played 198 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Legendary Florida Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jan 19, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

Wonderful rustic wooded course with a couple of signature holes. A technical charmer, with most holes featuring tight lines and even some nice (for Florida) elevation changes. Two sets of very nice concrete tees, informative tee signs, two pin placements and plenty of benches and picnic tables. Very helpful and informative staff. The course is pretty isolated and has a very chill atmosphere. The course is set in a very cool private event facility that hosts concerts and has camping and other activities. The course is pay-to-play, but it is only $2.00 per person or $5.00 a carload. Well worth it for a course of this caliber. The trash and most of the damage from Irma is almost all cleaned up now.

Cons:

Not too many cons here. There is some nasty rough right off of the sides of most fairways. Dense in places and almost all of it full of sharp thorny plants. I strongly encourage long pants and hiking shoes for this course. There are no garbage cans on the course. I'm not sure if they were blown away by Irma, or if they are trying to keep it as rustic as possible. Pack it in/Pack it out. Your discs will hit trees here. Bring sturdy plastic!

Other Thoughts:

This course has taken on an almost mythological status in the state of Florida. At one time it was considered to be the best/highest rated course in the state, but newer more modern courses are challenging that assumption now. My home course is tight and technical also (NPC) so the tight wooded holes here didn't scare me off. I would still call this course a must play and it is easy to get too from I-75 or I-10, just make sure you call ahead before planning your stop, as the course will be closed if there is a major event going on. Also, This course, like most Florida courses plays much better in the winter part of the calendar than in the rainy season. This course can add water hazards to the list when the heavy rains come and the insect population will also increase during the summer months. (Florida: nine months of summer three months of winterish).
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9 1
Mr. Butlertron
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 21.7 years 684 played 131 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Rustic Nature Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 7, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

- dual concrete tees
- dual pins
- great directional signage between holes
- challenging, punitive layout
- #1, #9, #18 all meet up at the same spot
- practice baskets
- baskets are numbered, good chain count
- camping, cafe, general store on location
- restrooms
- tranquility

Cons:

- tee signs are made from laminated sheets of paper, don't have pin indicators
- mostly flat fairways
- long and short tees are fairly similar
- many holes are heavily laden with fairway trees
- some doglegs have angles that were unreasonably sharp
- course kind of dumpy: garbage, run down tee signs, seasoned baskets, gross bathrooms
- cramped parking

Other Thoughts:

Magnolia is a technical woods course located within a multi venue recreation area. The course works itself clockwise through a mildly flat trail of challenging fairways that start, meet half way through, and end at the same spot. For the most part, the fairways feature some sort of dogleg, with the exception of a couple double doglegs, or shorter straight forward fairways. They provide tons of technicality, involved decision making, and the thick thorn filled rough will punish players that fail to stay within the fairways. This, combined with a longer than average wooded hole lengths, multiple tees / pins, and relative tranquility makes Magnolia sought after location for advance player and up despite its somewhat remote location.

That being said, there are a few details that held back my rating. Overly obstructed fairway lines to the baskets, the lack of elevation, the inability to accommodate a wider range of skill levels, the absence of fairway themes, and the overall run down condition of the location took away from my experience. Throwing the same tight shots over and over again, paper tee signs, and trash all over the place are things that my personal top courses don't have.

The location services like camping, lodging, a general store, restrooms, and even a cafe are a nicety that most courses lack. The gate only accepts cash, you can use a credit card at the stores. Contrary to the location website, there is no military discount for disc golf, fyi
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8 0
wellsbranch250
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 10.8 years 694 played 680 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Enchanting 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 23, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

(4.002 Rating) Beautifully carved fairways and a Shrine to the Disc Gods. Magnolia, AKA Suwannee, is among the best courses in the State of Florida.
- SHOT SHAPING - The fairways that are cut thru this majestic forest, are among the purest lines I've ever played. Most of the holes have a well defined ideal angle to attack. In addition, several of these holes also offer secondary tighter lines with better looks at the basket. You will definitely have to release at the right speed and angle, and make sure the ending curves correctly to avoid the thousands of trees in play. Players with good technique and precision will love this course.
- CHALLENGING - The back tees at Magnolia is one of the more challenging layouts you'll see in Florida, which is why I played the front tees. This course is stacked with tight but fair drives to hit. Your average 950 rated advanced player will probably struggle to maintain course par from the back tees. Intermediate players should play the reds. Some newer rec players will be overwhelmed by this course.
- TEES - Among the better tees I've played on. Long and at least 6 feet wide.
- CHARACTER - In addition to the tees, there's a bunch of other course extras on this course. There are tee signs at both the blue and red tees describing the layout of the hole and the distance. There are multiple basket placements at just about every hole. You'll also find benches at every hole. Hole (3) has some sort of eclectic disc golf shrine, among the oddest things I've ever seen on a disc golf course. I didn't see a practice basket and the baskets are starting to show their age a bit.
- RAW BEAUTY - Stunning. Among my top 5 most beautiful courses I've played in Florida (97 Florida courses played as of this review) Fully wooded, vibrant vegetation and superb natural fauna. In addition, some of the fairway designs are picture book material .
- NAVIGATION - Near flawless. I was pretty nervous showing up here solo, first timer and only with a very diagrammatic map. I left very surprised by how effortless it was to follow this layout. Lots of well-placed directional cues between holes. Still however, it would be nice to get an updated course map and post it on site. Hole signage could also use an updating and include next tee directions within them.
- CHILL AREAS - The entire course is secluded and has an overall Zen feel. There is shaded seating at all of the tee areas.
- LOCATION - located on music festival grounds. Come for the music or come for the disc golf, its win win with this place.

Cons:

I don't have any complaints of substance other than the availably to play it.
- AVAILIBILTY - Magnolia can be hard to get into. It shuts down for only festival goers during the larger events, and will also close the gates at around 5pm on other days. I showed up at 5:05 on a Friday and the gate employee was kind enough to let me in anyways. Thank you again kind sir.
- FORGIVENESS - Don't miss your line, this place with rough you up when stray from the beaten path. I may have scored a few birdies here and there, but I still hit a tree on over half of the holes. Ricochets in the wrong direction can be quite punishing, and will sometimes result in a shot without a look anywhere near the basket.
- SKILL LEVEL FRIENDLY - Way too difficult for beginners and many recreational players. I could also see higher skill leveled players not preferring this course if they don't like heavily wooded technical courses. Heritage Park located 8 miles farther south in Live Oak, is a much more forgiving course.
- OVERGROWTH - I played in late June and the overgrowth was extremely heavy in areas but not unbearable. I seemed to me that the overgrowth must get beat back from time to time because a few holes looked really thinned out on the perimeters.
- BUGS/TICKS - Wow were they bad. I must say however I probably played at a bad time. The course had gotten 20 inches of rain over a 2 week time period just prior to my visit.
- POISON IVY - I saw it a couple times when I strayed well off fairway. My guess is that it's in several locations all along the layout.
- UNIQUENESS - Above average, However for courses I've rated this high, its less than you'd think. To start, 18 very technical wooded shots. There is no water along the course to force a line. The most elevation on any one hole is about 15 feet on (9). No par 5s. There is however a plethora of tunnel shots, like 18 of them. Baskets pocket left, right and straight and there are a few dogleg 4s as well.
- SIGNATURE HOLE - Lots of really good holes and also a few great holes. However, nothing here blew me away like the holes at nearby Tom Brown in Tally or New World in Jacksonville.
- PARKING - It takes awhile to find parking as it seems that everyplace near the courset, is a tow away zone. I parked by the outpost store a good 500 foot walk away from (1).

Other Thoughts:

I showed up at Magnolia after a string of massive downpours and had to deal with 3 flooded fairways (2, 9 and 10). Fortunately I was able to make some navigational magic happen and I played all 18 despite making 1,000 foot detours to avoid a foot of standing water in some cases. In conclusion, Magnolia is just a wonderful place. I would not call myself a fan of courses with 18 heavily wooded holes, but Magnolia has done it right. I may just take up camping, so I can enjoy this gem a few more times over a weekend.
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9 0
Rockyraccoon
Experience: 24.5 years 9 played 3 reviews
4.50 star(s)

A must play! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 11, 2016 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-Practice basket.
-Two concrete tees.
-Multiple pin placements.
-Benches at every tee.
-Trash cans throughout course.
-Great signage and trails are easy to follow.
-Lot's of variety in every hole, requiring a good repertoire of shots.
-A lot of shade due to the beautiful live oaks.
-Clean restroom beside course.
-General store (with some discs) beside course.

Cons:

-Parking. The parking situation is very confusing if you're new to the park. There are literally "No Parking" or "Towed at owners expense" signs everywhere around the course. I was told by staff that the best place to park is beside the cart storage building near hole #1.

-Bugs. This is an unfortunate fact of life in north Florida. So it's not really a knock on the course.....just be prepared with spray and appropriate clothing.

-The "Rough" is punishing if you get in it. Especially in the summer. Thorns are a main concern and are present almost everywhere that's not well worn by foot traffic.

Other Thoughts:

This course is pure disc golf magic. Tough and challenging, full of risk/reward shots and a joy to play. I wish it were closer to Tennessee. Luckily, it's along the way to my fathers in north Florida and I visit it every time I drive though. North Florida isn't blessed with a lot of courses....in fact, the west coast between Tallahassee and Gainesville has ZERO. This course is incredible and is a MUST STOP for any disc golfers in the area.
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4 3
matt13f85
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Disc Jam #12 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 22, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Minor elevation change of North Florida is incorporated in the course design really well.
The course really is technically challenging and has 8 par 4 holes that will make you beat up discs.

I highly recommend the course and Disc Jam(all of them) to everyone and anyone looking for a guaranteed great time playing disc golf, listening to music and camping.

Cons:

Not all the baskets are the same.
Some flooding can occur so bag an extra towel just in case you need it.
Not close enough to my house.
..the disc jams aren't held often enough.....?

Other Thoughts:

Go to Disc Jam at Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park on Magnolia field. Wahoo and Patty are amazing hosts and put together and awesome event 3 times a year. It is a cheap unsanctioned 2 day tournament that is a lot of fun.
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5 4
soft focus
Experience: 24.4 years 82 played 4 reviews
4.50 star(s)

The course we knew Florida had.....we just had to find it. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 5, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

It feels like this course was designed by a good golfer....always a plus...Each hole is different and fun. The long tees are placed at what felt like perfect lengths to test your game. Great tees and signage...got here a little before dark and navigated it without issue.

Cons:

It's not closer to my house.

Other Thoughts:

If this place was near me I wouldn't play half the courses I do now. I only got to make it through 1time but the course is still in my thoughts.. It's a gem.. You have to play it!
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6 0
mega_man_madden
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 24, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is my home course and I'm probably a little biased here, but I fell in love with this course the moment I stepped foot on the first tee pad. I started playing disc golf a little over a year ago and I learned how to play on this course. Which I find to be a great thing since I feel like I can play any course with confidence since I started at the Maggie.

Very beautiful course. Lots of trees and lots of local routes to find, which adds a certain degree of fun. It is the only course that I've played where there can be players throwing on every hole but you feel like you have the entire course to yourself.

Beautiful scenery, laid-back atmosphere, and occasional wild life. The back 9 homes several owls that are local in the area, so you will hear some hooting going on from time to time, which I find very cool.

Every hole is a challenge whether you're playing from the red or blue pads. No hole is a gimme out here and Maggie will make you work hard for you birds and pars.

Country store, bathrooms, cafe are all right there by the course if you need a break after you finish the front 9.

Very nice continuity to the course, it flows very wonderfully. You're never pondering how to get to the next hole. They're all one right after another.

Very accurate tee signs and maps and if you're a fan of The Greattful Dead, then you will be pleased to find some song lyrics on the tee signs as well.

Cons:

Playing the Maggie during summer time can be a bit of a pain. It gets very hot and humid here in north Fla, so make sure you bring plenty of water and bug spray. Mosquitos are very bad here and you will get swarmed.

The foliage during the summer time can be troublesome as well. It gets very thick and dense, so paying attention to where your disc lands in the rough is very important!

North Fla is home to several poisonous snakes and they do tend to find themselves on the course occasionally. Don't be brave and try to kill, harm the snakes or try to move them. Don't pose a threat to them and they won't pose a threat to you. They are a part of nature and the course is built around their home, so please be mindful of that. The Maggie is home to many golden silk orb weavers (Banana spiders). They are a non-poisonous species of spiders and they pose no threat to anyone! Granted they are large in size and look very menacing, but they are completely harmless. They do keep the mosquito population at a minimum, so they serve a purpose to the course. PLEASE DO NOT HARM THEM AT ALL!!!!

You do have to pay to enter the park but it is a very small fee for the tremendous amount of fun you will have playing the Maggie.

One last "con" and this is a big one for me. The Festivals. If you want to play a round during festival time, then you need to make sure you are a ticket holder for said festival, if not , then you would have to pay an entrance fee of somewhere between $70-$90 just to get in to play for a day pass. During some festivals, the park allows camping on the course itself and the festival goers tend to trash the course afterwards. It doesn't happen often, so not that big of a concern.

Other Thoughts:

This is a very tough course for newbies and will get very frustrating at times, but there is a lot of risk/reward factored into the course and getting that first bird of the day is well worth the effort you will put in.

I am proud to call Maggie my home course and you will be proud to say you threw this course after surviving the 18 holes it has to offer.

Do yourself the favor and check this place out. WELL WORTH IT!!!!!
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13 1
reposado
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.3 years 278 played 276 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 21, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Incredible design that makes more out of Florida terrain than I would have imagined anyone could. The problem with making wooded courses in Florida is that wooded areas tend to be very swampy. And judging from other reviews, it does get swampy here but based on my own experience, they either found a gold mine of a location or this course gets a ton of maintenance to keep the wilderness from creeping back. Looking at the rough, I'd be likely to guess the latter. These fairways are nicely carved with identifiable flight paths that while not overly tight, are narrow enough and long enough to provide significant challenge to almost anybody. Especially from the long pad. Man, those require some beastly throws.
The flow and navigation are perfect. One whole blends seamlessly into the next. Pathways from basket to tee are obvious and usually lined with branches to keep players throwing and not searching for tees. This is especially important for a course like this. It's not near a major population center but it is fairly close to the crossroads of I-10 and I-75, I'm guessing a lot of the traffic comes from discers passing through. While long, it's a fairly quick play from the red tees and as long as you don't end up in the shule, you should be back on the highway relatively quickly having experienced a high-quality round of golf.
While there is a constant look and feel, throughout the design, there is a wide variety of distances, with a bunch of par fours that really stretch the course. These holes are supplemented with shorter par threes that offer birdie ops but require technical drive to allow players a reasonable putt.
Magnolia is really my type of course. For those that like to see fairways rigidly defined, this course will bring out the best in you. When the tree line bends with the shape of the required flight-line, it helps me visualize what I want the disc to do. After a stretch of time playing park-style courses in Florida, this one is a panacea. Incredible vision. Massive achievement.

Cons:

Still, while this course is very unique to the geographical region, to those that have played in North Carolina, it's not going to stand out much. I've played others like it and with more elevation, or more signature holes. This is one of those courses where everyone hole is good, but none are truly memorable. Overall a great experience, but not one that leaves you wanting to play it again immediately.
Shuletastic. Some courses have shule that is difficult to pitch out of. Others have shule that makes it hard to even find a disc. This one has shule that you don't really want to step into. That's a big part of what makes this course unfriendly to new players. There are tough courses that create a lot of scoring separation for top players but would still accommodate new throwers who want to slowly make their way through the course. I imagine newbs being miserable here, constantly high stepping through the underbrush as it gets really nasty within inches of the fairway in many places.

Other Thoughts:

A course that calls for a 3.75 from me. It was a tough decision, but in the end I find it unfair to raise a course to an elite level without more elevation than is present here. Or a few carries. Or something that makes it standout. But it's one of my favorite courses in Florida, it's unique in the area and it's well worth playing for anyone that's remotely close to it.
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6 2
Peter S
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 30.4 years 165 played 32 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Magnolia DGC 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 5, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Fun woods course. Plays mostly in the shade through a mix of open trees and tight trees. Long and short cement tees with good signs. Country store with restroom, snacks, drinks and discs by parking area. Baskets are in good shape. Considered by many to be one of the better courses in Florida due to the challenge and slight elevation on some holes.

Cons:

Holds water in a few low spots and you never know what the conditions may be like. Watch out for the disc eating bog on hole 2 and 8 during rainy season. Lots of rough with thorns just off most fairways.

Other Thoughts:

Plays very different in summer and winter. Grass gets very high in summer & rough is very rough. Also tends to be wet in summer. A real treat in winter.
Rating: I call it a 3.5 in summer as it often gets to rough to a 4 or 4.5 in winter.
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9 0
craigd
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.3 years 182 played 120 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Magnolia DGC 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Dec 23, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

As disc golfers, most of us are always on a quest to play as many courses as possible. Some are good and some are not so good. But occasionally we'll run across a real gem and it keeps the quest alive. And so it was at the Magnolia course at The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. What a treat. From the minute I pulled through the gate until the time I left, I just felt like this was a very special place.

Upon entering the park we were greeted by friendly staff who happily pointed the way to the course. There's a fee to play the course but it's small enough to be affordable for those with even the most modest means. The kiosk with the Magnolia course logo welcomed us near hole one as our anticipation built. We made a quick pre-round decision to play the long pads and we were off.

Hole one's tight shot through the trees with a tough line was a pretty good introduction to what proved to be a challenging woods course. A steady dose of relentless, tight and long fairways punctuate the course with only a few shorter breather holes. There's a thoughtful design throughout the course with strait, left and right turning, and even some "S" fairways. There's not a lot of elevation changes along the course but with the challenge it presents you'll hardly notice. Precise shot selection and execution are a must to score well and halfhearted shots will surely be punished. Although at times luck can help, don't count on it. Bad choices will add to your score quickly.

Tee signs are on every hole with a map of the hole and distances. Obviously a Grateful Dead fan had something to do with them as each hole is fittingly named for a Dead tune. Duel pads, both being concrete, lend themselves to the diversity to the course as far as difficulty goes. Although I've only played the long pads, looking at the shorter tees gave me the impression that they could certainly shave off some strokes as opposed the longer choice. Multiple pin placements will also keep things fresh. Trash cans and benches were plentiful and were a welcomed addition. Probably one of the biggest treats is just the beauty of the course and the atmosphere of the park. It's just one of those things you can't really describe. It's just a great place to be and a great place to play.

Just off the course you'll find bathrooms, an eatery, a pro shop and even a convenience shop. You'll have everything on site that you'll need to round out your visit.

Cons:

I'd have to really struggle to come up with any major cons here. I played this course in December so I didn't have any issues but evidently insects are a problem in the summer.

If wooded courses aren't your thing you may leave disappointed by not having any wide open bomber shots.

Other Thoughts:

I had a higher expectation than normal coming to this course based on some stories from others along with some good reviews and I was not disappointed. It's a quick stop right off the interstate if you are passing through and makes a great place to take a breather if you are traveling. Similarly, The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park & Campground makes a great overnight stop or even a weekend trip. The Park has lots to offer to keep you busy while not playing golf.

As others have mentioned the music festivals could close the park if you are not a ticket holder. It'd be worth a call to make sure the course is open before making a long trip to play the course.
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2 5
koak1958
Experience: 5 played 3 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Gotta visit this one 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 16, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Every other review was right. If you have never been go spend a couple days. Quite a place. Great Disc Golf -Laid Back atmosphere.

Cons:

Naturally your in the south, very hot even in mid September. Lots of bugs

Other Thoughts:

Great job of keeping under growth down so you can find a disc.
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8 0
holmslice
Experience: 16.2 years 25 played 14 reviews
4.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 30, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-Two tee pads, two pin locations
-benches at every tee pad
-plenty of trash cans
-Accurate hole signage and helpful directional signage
-Pro Shop, Camp store, and Cafe located at turn
-Beautiful course in a beautiful park
-Clean and Well Maintained
-Challenging

Cons:

-Admission to park required
-Parts of course prone to flooding
-Heavily wooded (bugs)

Other Thoughts:

This is an absolute gem of a course. Everything about it is a display of excellent design. There is a camp store which has discs for sale (among other essentials) and a cafe that sells excellent food with a full bar.

The course is pretty technical with not many wide open shots, yet the fairways are well maintained and easily identifiable. Good variety of left and right dog legs, some slight and some sharp turns. You will need a full bag of shots, flicks and hammers prove useful in many situations.

Hard to find anything to criticize about this course. The terrain can prove to be frustrating if you are having a bad day and are finding it difficult to stay on the fairway. However, the challenges provide a great sense of accomplishment when taken on. Bugs can be a problem, if mosquitos tend to really like you, take the appropriate measures. Admission to the park is required, so this is not a 'free' course.

The wooded nature also provides a unique experience. Course provides plenty of privacy, you can feel like you have the course to yourself even when there is another group on the next hole. The tree canopy also makes this course tolerable to play even on a sunny summer day, or in light rain.

There are a few low-lying areas that are prone to flooding, however most of the course stays dry even during the rainy season.

This course is a shining example of excellent design and is managed and maintained by a group who takes pride in providing an excellent experience for all those who visit. SOSMP is one of the most beautiful places in the world, a champion level disc golf course is an added bonus. If you haven't been here, check it out!
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8 0
Snailpowered
Experience: 13.8 years 23 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Suwanee Open 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 15, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

I played at the Suwanee Open in 2013 and I have to say that this is a Fantastic Course! In my opinion one of the top 5 in Florida. The course was extremely well kept (tho this was during a tournament) and the signs were well marked. As previously posted I would load your bad with Mids and maybe two drivers.
The park that the course is located in was great; clean, friendly, and easy to find. I would recommend taking a couple of days and spending some time in the park camping. Play the short pads the first day and longs the second so that you become familiar with the hole layouts.

Cons:

Course calls for a Par 62, but a fair portion of the par 4's could and probably should be played as 3's; at least from the short pads. Distance on Pin placement seemed a bit off.

Other Thoughts:

This was a great course and I hope to return here next year for the 2014 Suwanee Open. A word of advice for RHBH throwers... have a solid Anhyzer shot, good flick, or stellar turnover shot. If there is a type of shot that youre not comfortable with this course will exploit it... which I believe will make you a better rounded player.

There is also a dog memorial on hole .....3? I believe. So if your coming in from out of town a little gift would be cool, I know next time im leaving a home course mini marker.
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4 5
Barenakedreterd
Experience: 14.7 years 60 played 1 reviews
4.50 star(s)

PLAY THIS COURSE 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 26, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great park! not just the disc golf park but the entire place. A great mix of shots. you can go out there and have a good time shooting under par from the am pads or you can go test every shot in your bag from the blues. so many Beautiful shots everywhere you look.

Cons:

Cant think of many. some of the tee boxes seem to be facing in the wrong direction for the way the fairways go but other then that its all gravy
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2 5
MaxUFC
Experience: 16.4 years 128 played 3 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Still beautiful course during wintertime. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jan 27, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

I enjoyed there....not hard to fellow hole to hole. There are plenty of benches and baskets and 2 sets of tee pads per hole. The course is very wooded and the front pads are relatively tough with a number of shorter finesse holes that will give the average player a shot at some birdies. The back pads are much tougher and should challenge even the best players

Cons:

In the summer months ticks and huge banana spiders are in abundance. It can be oppressively hot in the summer when the air's still. The course gets overgrown in the summer. The optimal playing season is October through June.

Other Thoughts:

Will going there again....to check them out during summertime.
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3 5
Chuck6995
Experience: 43.6 years 314 played 10 reviews
3.50 star(s)

This is a fine discination 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 19, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

this course is very fun to play from either set of tee pads, the signage is is clear and very accurate. two sets of tees on each hole with trash cans and benches. The front nine you get the mach 3 baskets as targets then on the back nine are innova disc catcher. Both front and back have a good mix of left to right and right to left doglegs thru-out the course,very enjoyable!!

Cons:

no real real cons here, the people are friendly and willing to help in every way

Other Thoughts:

I cant imagine how bad the bugs are in the summer but being from south east Georgia with sand nats and mosquitoes i would recommend bug spray here
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7 3
larrod25
Experience: 16.4 years 113 played 7 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Technical! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 14, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nice property with previously mentioned store, bathrooms, and restaurant. The store has discs, but not really a selection. More like souvenirs with the course stamp.

Two good size concrete pads, tee signs, benches, and trash cans on every hole.

When I played there was no water or mosquitoes on the course. Overall it was in excellent condition, and navigation was very easy. Almost impossible to lose a disc.

Holes 2 and 18 are fantastic golf holes! If there were more holes like these, this would be an amazing course.

Cons:

Distances on tee signs not correct for many holes, and the distances listed here are not correct. I think this is due to baskets being moved around, but it was difficult to judge the distances on several holes.

The red tees were way too short - at least 4 holes under 200 feet, and about half the holes were under 230. The real issue is that there was almost no line to the basket on several of these short holes.

I originally intended to play the blue tees, as the distance listed seemed more challenging. However, after standing on the first pad, I passed. The gaps (if you can call them that) are NARROW! Look at the picture of the teebox for hole 1. That is a 10 ft. gap at 75ft, on a 315ft. hole that turns right at the end. RHBH is impossible, maybe a RHFH if you have incredible control. It does not get easier from there.

Other Thoughts:

This is an incredibly technical course. Leave your drivers in the car. You will need your driving putter and mid-range discs. There are maybe 4 or 5 holes that are long/open enough for a Teebird.

Overall, this was enjoyable round. I would not rank this course as high as many previous reviewers, and I would not drive from far away to play here. If you are passing through the area it is worth a stop. I think the locals must have all given this one some great reviews, as I can't imagine that passers through are rating this course over 4 stars.
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