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Sarasota, FL

Payne Park

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2.935(based on 15 reviews)
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13 0
pmay5
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 21 years 483 played 245 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Downtown Niner that's not a Pain to play!

Reviewed: Played on:May 30, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

The Mach 5s are in good shape, showing some age, but still good.
Two concrete tees on each hole, the short tees are a little smaller then the long tees.
Good tee signs on each hole, only one, at the Long tee, but they show both tees.
Nice, mostly open park in downtown Sarasota, with even some (GASP) elevation!
Good place to bring the beginners or kids, mostly open holes, with just some shot shaping. The pond carry on #4 is eliminated when throwing from the short tee. Plus, there is a large playground right near #1, in addition to other facilities.

Cons:

This park may be too popular to enjoy your round. It's a great place to have a course, but with a nice walking path, and plenty of open space, you may have to wait a while, or skip some holes if its busy. 5 holes are on what should be lesser used parts of the park, but you could have some delays on #1,#2,#8 and #9.
The description of this park uses the term "inner city park", that makes me think of a bad part of town where you need to keep looking over your shoulder. I pulled up to Payne Park, right across from the Police station, next to their tennis complex and a large church and some new, high dollar condos across the other street. Yet another reason its OK to bring the kids, I felt very safe playing there.
Since most of the trees were along the walking path, not too many guarded baskets, #5 is the closest to a "wooded hole".

Other Thoughts:

Payne Park's location and openness, while a nice break from wooded, palm bush covered courses, may be its biggest challenge, as mentioned above. The course was laid out pretty well to stay away from the walking path and other activities, so it may not be a huge issue, but something to be aware of.
#1 starts out with a valley shot, then you can open it up on #2 with a "top of the hill" shot to a wide open green. Very fun to throw several shots on that hole.
#3 through #7 play around a couple of ponds on the back side of the course. #5 is the most interesting of these, large old growth trees line the fairway, so this is your tightest drive. #8 plays to a basket half way up the hill that #2 tee is on, then you have a downhill shot to finish the round.
While there are several 18 hole options in the Sarasota/Bradenton area, Payne is a nice quick Niner with very few chances of losing one, or even spend much time looking for one. If I lived in the Condos across the street, I'd probably be on this course most evenings. A good beginner/kids option for this area.
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5 2
prerube
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 17 years 275 played 236 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Quality par 3 open and easy. 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 19, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

2 concrete pads and many holes had decent signage.

Some baskets had yellow arrows on the poles to guide you to the next tee to aid in navigation.

Hole 4 is a properly executed water hole. The closer you get to the basket, the longer the water carry. plenty of choice on how safe you want to be, plus a second tee pad that does not play over the water.

Course makes the most of the land it is on and has some attractive views especially around the fountain.

If you are travelling with family, the playground is one of a kind and will entertain any age kid for the length of your round.

SUN KING Disc Golf store is less than 15 minutes away.

Cons:

The course is not challenging for experienced players. Par on this course would only take a sub-900 rated round. Expect to birdie half the holes if you are an advanced player.

Navigation in some areas gets confusing. The arrow on hole #1 pointed the wrong way. After hole 2 it was difficult to find 3.

Hole 5 was entirely to close to property lines.

Several holes are missing signage

Course has a Hobo infestation. So many homeless people on the course. On hole 5 I took a bogey because I had to play around a homeless man who refused to leave the fairway.

Other Thoughts:

It is a fun quick course once you have played it and understand the flow. I would play it again if it was not such a far trip. It would be a nice add on to any trip to the area.
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3 2
Rich.Carrozza
Experience: 14 years 22 played 8 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Well maintained open course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 16, 2014 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Nice landscape with a few changes in elevation. Nice pads and baskets.

Cons:

Short holes.

Other Thoughts:

My review is short and sweet. This course is good for beginners or just a quick round, being that it's only a nine hole. Holes are short so a putter and midrange is about all you'll need except for a couple other holes. Nice park. Good little course.
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6 1
S.Cann
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15 years 156 played 83 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Beautiful Landscape 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 24, 2014 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-This park is absolutely beautiful!
-Located in Downtown Sarasota it is close to various stores and restaurants.
-DGA Mach Vs are great!
-Dual tees for all holes. All tees are concrete.
-The water hazards add some difficulty and a fun challenge.
-Fountains and hills (despite it being a Florida course).
-Well-manicured!

Cons:

-Way too open!
-Fairly short course
-Shots/holes are somewhat redundant
-Some transitions between holes are a little long.
-No signs by the alternate tee pads.

Other Thoughts:

This course is gorgeous with fountains, Palm trees, Spanish moss, and well-manicured grass. It's worth a play if you're in the area and is a great compliment to North Water Tower Park as it offers a completely different look.
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8 0
heartman
Experience: 14 years 90 played 6 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 30, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

- Very nice multi-use park with concrete sidewalks and gravel multipurpose path. Large playground and skatepark are available as well. Well manicured green spaces and clean for the most part from what I could see.

- Central location

- Baskets are in 'new' condition

- 2 sets of concrete tees: shorts good for beginners/children, longs are not challenging for MA1 and above players but still entertaining

- Course makes good use of limited elevation and water. For a wide open location, the designer managed to use what trees are present to shape some holes very nicely (Hole 5 is somewhat of a tunnel shot, Hole 8 has trees between the pin and tee forcing a RHBH anny, RHFH, or my favorite: thumber)

- I really like the pin location for Hole 1 on the crest of the large hill. Very fun RHBH spike hyzer shot. (also fun to throw from the large hill to any basket you can see for safari holes)

- Felt like a mini Fountain Hills with the two fountains (from what I've seen of FH on videos). Hole 4 is a fun/easy water carry.

Cons:

- Next tee signs would have been nice (could be as indiscreet as an arrow sticker on the pole of the basket). Navigation was pretty straightforward without a map, but knowing exactly where the next tee is located would be nice.

- Lots of people. Obviously have no control of the # of people present but I did have to wait a couple times for people to walk by on the paths. No biggie though

Other Thoughts:

- As a disc golfer, I'd love if the classic gray DGA baskets were brighter/more visible ... HOWEVER ... I like the overall aesthetics of the park with the gray baskets and no garishly bright colors sticking out randomly on the landscape.

Overall a fun, solid little 9-holer. Felt like a 3.25, but as that's not an option, I gave it a 3.

Worth a stop if in the area. Nice contrast to woodiness of North Watertower Park
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9 0
1978
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.8 years 393 played 50 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Go back and update your reviews. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 30, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

(0 rated reviews were removed after I created this review)

Me, my girlfriend, and our 7YO really enjoyed this park. Payne park DGC plays through a multi use urban park that has a lot to do. There is a "large" hill that is used 4 times and 2 ponds that come in to play on 4 holes. There isn't much risk but there is a water carry from the long that could be challenging. I used a fairway driver a few times but a putter and stable/overstable mid are all you need. I reviewed this course based on my enjoyment factor. No, it did not really challenge me, but I really enjoyed relaxing and throwing (with a few pucker water areas) Discs seemed like they could be retrieved from the ponds easily if that is allowed.

Hole 1 throws from between the playround and skate park up a hill, 2 back down then you are in the back of the park. 3 is closer to the pond than you think and 7 is farther. I think this park is open into the night and would make a really neat glow course, however, I am unsure how safe it is at night.
I think any skill level of player can find fun in this course...Safari golf can satisfy people looking for more challenge. Concrete pads are fair, level, and grippy. Signage is great.

Cons:

I can see how this could be a crowded park. There is a really cool red gravel lighted walking path, but this comes into play on a number of holes, 2,3,8,9. Big bombers and tight technitions will find this course a bit bland, multiple tee pads really only add variety for beginners.

Other Thoughts:

This is a really nice multi use park. The playground is top notch and the walking/jogging path was really cool.
With all the amenities...there was a random negative that wouldnt effect the course normally. As we started playing ~6:30 PM. A group of kids was setting up for a rave. They had giant speakers. They set up right at hole 9 and were using the top as a mini raised dance floor/tall seat. They had glow sticks and everything...kind of odd...at the same time the skate park had a death metal music event going. The music was VERY loud and full of cursing. Not suitable music for a multi use park so close to the playground. It might bother some people if they were there at the wrong time. We will play this course every time we are in town. We really enjoyed it.
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15 1
thrembo
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 49 years 242 played 195 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Nice Inner City Nine Holer 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jan 3, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The course plays through a very scenic, multi-use, inner-city park. There is a big hill (big by SW Florida standards), and two ponds that also come into play. Various trees are also used to force some different shot lines. Hole 5 is an interesting tunnel shot on top of a ridge.

Nice, new baskets, and two sets of tees.

Very friendly locals and curious nongolfing park users.

Plenty of benches and trash cans.

Cons:

Not too many cons. The course may be a little short for the big guns, and it can be very windy.

Smoking is banned at this park, but enforcement seems like a low priority.

Other Thoughts:

This course has a very high fun factor and is noob friendly.

I would recommend going down Adams St, past the Main Sarasota police station, and parking across from the parking garage in the street side parking. Hole 1 is behind the skate park.

This is a multi-use park, and heavily used, so one must be watchful of other park users.

Overall this is a fun course, and a nice addition to the Sarasota area disc golf scene!
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8 0
davmer2303
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.6 years 25 played 24 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Great Start 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jan 2, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

* Great usage of available hills and trees.
* Good length variety
* Park is beautiful and well maintained
* There are two sets of tees
* Nice use of water, and a well, thought out tunnel shot
* Ace chances, and a few clever, near water pin positions....

Cons:

There really aren't too many cons here. The teepads aren't in yet, but the tees are clearly marked with flags and paint. Signs aren't here yet, but I'm sure they are coming. There is a proposed layout with lengths between hole nine's basket, and one's tee.

Other Thoughts:

There was a lot of space out here, and at first I thought this would be a lot of wide open shots. But, the course designer did a good job of choosing his/her land features wisely. The pond comes into play on three holes, and there is a lovely tunnel shot. The first and last hole are very "aceable" and all the holes have a nice fun factor. I wasn't sure what to expect when driving out here, but it was a very nice, enjoyable experience. Most holes have birdie potential, and the hazards are interesting. There is an apartment complex with a privacy fence very close to the tunnel shot so be careful there. Because of the openness of the park, the wind really scours the place, so choose your days to play. If you have young kids, there is a fantastic playground to use, and all in all its a wonderful park. I hope to get back soon!
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