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 !!!!