Pros:
St. Lucie Village DGC is a compact little course set in a family friendly park. In fact it's so compact it may remind you of a putt-putt course for disc golf. Its short layout uses every square inch of the somewhat passive park with only an occasional walker, parking lot, and an old forgotten volleyball court to distract you during your round.
Surprisingly, to spite it's short layout, it's a pretty fun course. The designers did a pretty good job incorporating some of the park's features into the layout bringing in some challenge. From hole one's double mando forcing a rope off the tee all the way to nine's OB parking lot path and an OB street looming behind the basket, there's plenty of trouble. Even the volleyball net comes into play. As you play through, you'll notice baskets thoughtfully tucked in places requiring accurate tee shots to get those seemingly easy 2's.
A nice surprise is what most will consider the signature hole, number 4. It feels like a mile long compared to the rest of this short course. It probably rings up at about the 450' mark and flirts with becoming a par 4. It plays along thick shule on the right all the way down posing danger for those who try to power a big hyzer over it (which is a temping option). It also has some protection approaching on the left for those who try that option. There's a late low ceiling and the basket is dangerously close to an OB fence near the road should your upshot come in a little too hot.
Contrary to the current info for the course (images and other reviews at the time this review was written) there are actual baskets in place now. I'm told they are hand-me-downs from the neighboring Gordy Road course after its upgrade to 18 new baskets. That is certainly an improvement over the homemade PVC targets previously mentioned. Not only that, but they've also tweaked the former layout into this new and improved layout adding some length and new design elements.
Natural tee pads are easily found and marked with the labeled 4x4 posts. Navigation is a cinch as often the next tee is merely feet from the last basket played so bringing a map is really not necessary.
This course offers several things that some of the lengthier courses don't. One, it's a great place to introduce new players to the sport. Though it's short, there's plenty of trouble to make it challenging for a new player without being too frustrating. Second, it is a great family course for those with smaller kids who sometimes get worn out or disinterested after several long holes on a "normal" course. Lastly, if you are a local and just looking for a quick round to brush up on your touch game this is perfect place. You can literally run through this course in about 20 minutes.
Cons:
While a nice design was employed by squeezing in all 9 holes on this property, it didn't come without penalty. Tee pads too close to baskets are usually never a good idea as far a safety is concerned. I guess the conciliation is that maybe the course doesn't get too crowded. And if there are more than a few groups on this course watch your back for sure.
Number 7 plays across (or at least there's a clear route to the basket) the main parking lot. Again, if the park is empty, no biggie but any day that may draw a crowd is probably going to bring cars into play if nothing else by newer players that are still learning to control drives (which this course caters to).
There's a glaring lack of challenge or interest for advanced players.
Other Thoughts:
For the more experienced players the "short hole blues" may be here, especially for you big arms who like to "air it out". But I think with a little creativity a decent little safari course could be made up to add something a little different. I can imagine locals creating some alt tee areas to mix things up.
Even for it shortness I think it made up for it by being a really fun little course. It's worth a quick round if you are in town or trying to add to your "played" list.
Note that as of 12/30/13 the attached DGCR map and hole lengths are inaccurate. The course has been redesigned.
A local guide mentioned that concrete pads are in the plan for the near future. While probably not necessary on this course it'll be a nice addition. He also mentioned that the locals put in the aluminum can recycle bin near the kiosk as a fund raiser for the course. Try to drop your empties off while you're there if you think of it. Enjoy!