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Sarasota, FL

Payne Park

Permanent course
2.935(based on 15 reviews)
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Payne Park reviews

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8 1
wellsbranch250
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 10.3 years 659 played 639 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Fountain of Youth 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 2, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

(1.915 Rating) A fun open and beginner friendly course.
- TEES - They are all concrete and are 4 feet wide by 10 feet long. Adequate and in good condition in my opinion. There are also 2 tees for all 9 holes for pros and ams.
- ELEVATION - "Good for a South Florida course that is" about average compared to the 44 Florida courses I've hit. Probably 20 foot of change throughout the course layout, which is about 20 feet more of elevation change when compared to nearby North Water Tower DGC. However, just about all parts of the country would consider this course flat.
- FORGIVENESS - The odds of losing a disc due to an errant shot is low with a few exceptions. Throwing long on (3) and throwing short on (4). This risk only applies to the long tees as the short tee pads offer an angle away from the water thus significantly lowering the odds of throwing one in.
- MAINTENANCE - The grounds appear to be constantly mowed, trimmed and manicured. I don't recall seeing any trash on my visit.
- QUICK PLAY - A single could easily complete a full 9 in under 40 minutes. Groups of 4 probably would finish in under an hour and 15 minutes.
- ACEABILITY - A few of the holes are highly aceable, especially holes (1), (8) and (9), which are each under 250 feet from the back tees.
- CHAINS - The baskets are in great shape. Unfortunately a typical comment when you run out of good things to say about a course.

Cons:

Could use a lot more trees.
- UNIQUENESS - The holes themselves in terms variety are well below average. 6 of the 9 shots are completely open. Trees only come into play on holes (5) and (8) and slightly on (4). There is one water carry, hole 4, which can be a challenge if the wind is howling.
- CHARACTER - Well below average. No tee shading, no seating, no map, no community board, no practice basket. There is hole signage on 6 of the 9 holes. (missing on 4,5 and 6) and there is a picnic table after 9. but that's it.
- NAVIGATION - You will probably need the course map on the DGCR site. I did find navigation to be a minor issue being solo and a first timer. I had check my map after a few hoes. Basket 6 to tee 7 is probably the most challenging navigational issue. Head north along the sidewalk east of basket 6. In all though, you will eventually figure it out without a map. I will add, that it was ideal to have hole 9 basket end at 1 tee so a second loop for 18 holes can occur seamlessly.
- LAYOUT - Hole (1) is not located by parking and neither is (9). It pretty much starts out in the middle of the park.
- WAITING - Lots of park patrons using park for other reasons. On my first round here, I had to stop for walkers, joggers, dog-walkers, kite flyers and other disc golfers.
- SPACING - Slightly below average. If the course was full, there would be a few tees that could be reached by an errant throw because of no tree protection. A few fairways also feel partially shared.
- DIFFICULTY - Not much of a challenge to advanced/pro level players as they should have no problem breaking par. Recreational players may be delighted however as it can be a feel good round. It's a great opportunity for those players to finish a couple above par.
- WIND - Due to the lack of trees, wind will likely be an issue.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - Perhaps it was the time of year I played, but I did not find the course to be vibrant. The grass, for the most part was dead, and for what few trees and shrubs were there, they were not lush green. The fountain was kind of cool until hole 7 when then high winds blew the water droplets all the way to the basket. By all means not the worst course out there, just a bit below the average Florida course I've hit.

Other Thoughts:

A beginners and recreational players course. It's an easy one to check of the list if you feel the need to play every course once. For those in the area looking to play only one course or for one with a more substantial challenge, please consider checking out North Water Tower or Lakeview Park instead.
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