(3.074 Rating) (RE-EVALUATED) UWF continues to get upgrades since my last re-evaluation, so I took a third look at the numbers based on the last review I read from Surge5 and the updated course map.
- UPGRADES - The amenities and extras at UWF keeps vastly improving. It was bare bones in the equipment department when I first played it in 2017. Tees were dirt and hard to spot, chains were low quality and there was no tee signage. Fast forward to today. Concrete pads, multiple tee pads, 3 bonus holes, extra baskets, upgraded chains, new sheik hole signage and a posted course map on site. There were a couple benches when I played it, so I hope they've added to that number as well. UWF is starting to max out in the amenities category. Well done UWF.
- ELEVATION FOR FLORIDA - Compared to the 121 Florida courses that I've played as of this review revision, UWF is well above average for Florida in elevation usage. Hole (1) right out of the gates is at least 30 feet up and the finishing hole is about 25 feet down. A good 3 or 4 more holes introduce at least a 15-foot grade difference. Still however, a few parts of the country would consider this course flat.
- CHALLENGING - The Red layout felt like a solid MA2 level challenge to me. Several holes towards the end of the layout offer some really interesting lines. The stretch of holes (16-20) is by far the best grouping in these terms IMO. (18) is an up and down blind shot through heavy woods and it twists down and right at the end of the fairway. Not quite as cerebral as nearby Gator Links or Blue Angel Park, but the mental game will be tested in portions of the course.
- SKILL LEVEL FRIENDLY - Thirteen holes have three sets of tees and another four offer two tees. This element will very much allow beginners through MA2s to enjoy a fair challenge. I wish more courses had multiple tee layout options.
- RAW BEAUTY - I left my beauty rating for this one alone, which was a touch above average. From reviewing the latest map, it looks like the 18 I played are the same. Perhaps there are some minor tweaks. I can't speak for the newly inserted 3 holes (9-11). There were some bland holes here, but starting at about (16) there's a run a very appealing tee shots ending with a nice wooded down shot on (21).
- NAVIGATION - As noted, there is new signage, which is a huge upgrade from the painted flush-to-ground stones I had to try and find during my round. I saw some pictures with additional navigational cues as well. I read in Surge's review that there are even two course maps posted on site. One at tee (1) and one at (6). That's a nice bonus. Hopefully the maps are updated for the new 21 hole configuration. If not, please note that three holes were added after hole (8) and old hole (9) is now (12), and so on.

Some issues I'd label as "it is, what it is."
- SAFETY ISSUES - Several holes bring other university amenities and roads into play. I'll mention (12) specifically, which plays across a soccer field, and I doubt it can be played if the field is in use. In addition, lots of sidewalks between buildings in play. This will make playing the full course during school hours very difficult. Probably best played during winter or summer breaks, or on weekends.
- OVERGROWTH - I recall six or seven holes being in pretty bad condition during my summer visit, especially (17-20). Coupled with uneven terrain on these holes making mowing difficult, you can expect some tall grass in the fairways, if volunteers aren't keeping it in check. The rest of the course was well cut with little overgrowth.
- BITTING FLYS - I must have showed up on the wrong day. Swarms of large biting flies made it unplayable for me on several of the woods holes. I would stand at the tee, disc in hand, swat the first couple, then give up and run down fairway. "S**t, I forgot my bag." This did not affect my score of the course, just don't show up in late July if that's when this awful bug swarms.
- DISCONTINUITY - Two major gaps along this layout. The walk between (5) and (6) is 850 feet and the pathway is far from straight. The walk between (14) and (15) is even longer at 1150 feet. I used googlemaps to measure the walks.
- TIME PLAY - The only downside to more holes is that one will need to spend more time out at the golf course... oh darn. As a quick solo, I don't see how I could run it all in under 75 minutes.

My first thought here, "Wow! what a great first hole." To only then see a slow deterioration in the quality of the holes. It finishes well in-the-end however and there have been enough upgrades to it that I felt inclined to update my review without replay. I originally had this course rated at 2.234 and then bumped it up to a 2.5 in 2018 when they installed concrete pads and improved navigation. I still visually remember several holes here, both the good ones and bad ones. It reminds me of other university courses such as University of Mobile, but with vastly better amenities. I think it's without question in the top 6 in Pensacola and it will depend on personal preferences on how high it ranks among the 6 best locally. For me personally, I didn't find the hole quality to be up to the same caliber as the Blue Angels trio or Gator Links. The closeness of the University setting was a significant drawback to me as well. Note, I haven't thrown the new nearby Pat Lunsford course that's been getting noticeable high praise. The amenities here however appear to be superior to all the noted courses. Anyways, my recommendation is to play this one to those that find themselves on vacation here for the week.
- PARKING - As long as it's still labeled the same, during the summer or weekends I'd suggest parking in lot 'Y'. Lot 'Y' is located right by tee (1) and basket (21).