Bonita Springs, FL

Bonita Springs Rec. Center

Permanent course
2.295(based on 24 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

Bonita Springs Rec. Center reviews

Filter
4 0
ElementZ
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15 years 212 played 200 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 2, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

+ It looks like it's been about five years since this course was last reviewed and a lot has changed since then. It is now 9 holes with dual tees as opposed to 18 holes that were crammed in this area. Based on what I've read in the past, this is a major upgrade, so thank you to whoever led this project!

+ The equipment is in much better condition than the pictures would suggest. There are two sets of concrete tees and brand new DISCatcher baskets.

+ Course flow is intuitive and plays around the pond in the backyard of the recreation area building.

+ Course is welcoming for beginners but challenging for advanced players. There are a couple water holes which add to the challenge.

+ The area was well maintained and clean and exclusive to disc golf.

Cons:

A big con from prior reviewers is that this course felt crammed. I would say this is no longer the case.

Hole signs only had hole #, and they would have benefitted from distance and/or a basic map.

While I love that the took advantage of the trees and the pond, the land isn't big enough to be conducive to longer bomber holes. There's also not much elevation change, except for a cool elevated tee on #5.

Other Thoughts:

It's not a bad 9er, but if you're in the area, I would recommend going to Estero instead. Cool that they majorly enhanced this course since the last review was written!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
9 0
Jaysauls
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.8 years 129 played 71 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Prime example of running out of ideas 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 31, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

Y'know, if they lopped off the back 9, pruned up the front 7 this would be a fun course. As it is, unless you're jonesing to play golf, I'd skip it.

The course is old, baskets rusty and dirty. The palmettos are encroaching everywhere and eating up tons of fairway space. Just didn't give me much desire to play. But front 7 (plus 17 and 18) make a decent loop.

The pond you throw around makes for some fun shots, make you decide just how much you want to run the basket. And the day I played it was really windy which made the round more interesting.

Now they REALLY sandwich the front 5 into a small patch of land. You are almost throwing on top of each other as you make your way around. If the course is busy, you stand a great chance of hitting someone.

Hole 7 is the last good hole. It's a real deuce-or-die shot. You've got to decide just how much of the pond you want to bite off if you want a legit run at the basket. After 7, just play 17 and 18, completely forget 8-16. But if you decide...

Hole 8 is a long freaking walk across the park and not worth the hike. These holes are some of the absolutely worst holes I've ever seen. Imagine a disc golf course on a 2-lane road. Thats how close you are on the fairways. The tees are also hard to fine (even with a map) and fairways and the holes are junk. Some of the tees are just a line on the sidewalk (with traffic running right beside you!) or in the middle of the driveway and one - I believe because it's all I could find - was paint written on the grass.

Cons:

Let's just say 1/2 the course is one big freaking con. Just pull this ridiculous liability-claim-in-wait. It's horrendous.

Other Thoughts:

I think if someone took their time to spruce up the front 9, trim and massage, this could be a great little 9 hole course. Not too many 9 holers have a chance to challenge your throws over water, but this one could. But currently, it's just a hot mess that needs some serious work.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
9 0
wellsbranch250
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 10.2 years 658 played 634 reviews
2.00 star(s)

A Tale Of Two Different Nines That Became One Again.

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 19, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

(2.240 Rating) (RE-Evaluated) A typical south Florida landscape with a very serviceable 9 holer.
- UPDATES - I felt the need to update this review without replay as significant changes had occurred that effected numerous parts of my prior review. My biggest complaint in my original review was holes (8) thru (16), which were generally openish holes with significant safety hazards and spacing issues. All of these holes have been thankfully axed. Old holes (17) and (18) have been relabeled to (8) and (9). The removed holes actually caused more harm than good, ratings wise, on my original review.
- TWO TEES - There are now two tees on each of the remaining 9 holes. The Blue pads are the longs and the Red pads are the shorts. This really expands the skill level set appeal compared to one tee courses. It also increases the play variety and also replayability for the locals.
- CHALLENGING - On paper, the Blue layout looks to be ideal for Intermediate level players. The holes average over 300 feet long from these pads. Holes like (2), (5) and (7) are going to test players mentally as water is lurking and waiting for discs to gobble up. The Red pads average around 250 feet long and look ideal for Rec and Novice level players.
- QUICK PLAY - I flew thru this course in under an hour on my first time and solo when it was an 18er. I can't imagine it taking a solo more than 30 minutes to play 9 here unless its loaded with groups.
- RAW BEAUTY - Way better than before as the ugly portion is gone. I went with 20 percentile originally and I've upped it to almost 50 percentile on my ledger now. The course plays around a pleasant looking lake and there is a lot of the typical south Florida tropical vegetation here. On the flipside, the course is surrounded by urban sprawl.

Cons:

Limited potential.
- HOLE VARIETY - Although I think losing the 9 bad holes helped this course overall, the removal did slightly impact the variety. The removed holes had a lot of open length where some bombs could be launched. The remaining 9 is basically all moderately wooded with a constant tropical vibe to it. There are some nice water play elements, but like most Florida courses, very little elevation impact. No par 4s currently and no open or heavily wooded holes either imo. I'd say the hole variety is above average among niners, but below average when compared to all courses.
- SPACING - Better than before, but less than ideal. The worst spacing offenders have been removed and there are no longer city roads or baseball fields in play. The 3 hole stretch of (3) thru (5) parallel each other with not much buffer. Backyard fences come into play on a couple holes. Factoring out the lake area, there might be only 4 or 5 acres of dry land left over for the course.
- AMENITIES - It's hard for me to grade this aspect without seeing the current make-up. Losing 9 baskets is obviously an amenity loss. However, new DISCatcher baskets is a big plus. There were no benches at the tees went I played it and I have not read any indication that seating is available now. The tee signage is new but simple. I assume that restrooms are still present and that the shelter areas haven't been taken down.

Other Thoughts:

It was sure nice to read on ElementZ's review that they killed off the ill-advised extra nine-hole loop that was strife with issues. I had noted in my original review that I thought this loop actually made the course worse overall. Perhaps the people in charge read my review and made the necessary changes...not. I originally scored the 18 holer a 1.879. With the fat trimming and other noted updates, I've decided to raise the score by well over ¼ point. I would now personally call this one a tweener 2.25 course in my books. Kind-of puts into perspective how bad the removed holes were.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
10 0
reposado
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.8 years 278 played 276 reviews
1.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 8, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

The nine holes that are worth playing here are pretty fun. Nothing too challenging but solid wooded holes that offer a little variety in terms of distances and shapes. You'll have to work your way around tree lines and often to protected baskets. There is a small pond which comes into play on a few of the holes, one of which allows a carry. Another presents danger behind the basket while a third just permits the pond to lurk to the right of the fairway. Really not a bad nine hole course here that would be worth playing every now and them and maybe a stop-by if it isn't too far out of your way.

Cons:

I hope was once a different layout here in which 8-16 occupied the space that some of the athletic fields now do. 8-16 play on the other side of the fields with a long walk to get to and from them. They are atrocious. They occupy a strip of space between the fields and the road. This would be poor design if there was one fairway in this space. Unfortunately, there are typically two fairways running parallel here. Which means they throw at each other. Add a complete lack of signage or navigation and what you have is nine holes that are not worth playing by players of any ability level. You are much better off playing 1-7, 17 and 18 twice.
Those holes do share the same major issues as the problem set. They are two close together, crammed into a space which wasn't meant for this many holes. Navigation is difficult. Neither issue is as problematic as it is in the back stretch and the holes do have redeeming qualities here. Still the equipment is in bad shape and I feel like this course is on its last legs.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
0 3
ChainSmoker32
Experience: 13 years 52 played 4 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Nice, but Congested 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 26, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

Fun and Short, with a few good technical shots. It was very windy, which made the course more challenging than it should be.

Cons:

Very crowded, we had to wait on different groups for several holes. It's laid out close together so it is hard to get any distance between groups
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 0
timbur3
Experience: 16.9 years 101 played 51 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Crazy Layout 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 16, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

- Uses what trees the course has well to add technical shots.
- Has the long open holes at the end to let it rip.
-Part of a very nice rec center
- Most holes have tee pads, and footing is fine for the ones that do not
- has real baskets

Cons:

- Impossible to navigate without the map
- A few holes with risk of water. I am not a fan of water holes where your disc can just get lost and theres nothing you can do about it
- There are not signs throughout the course
- The few holes that have a lake on the right and then a barb wire fence on the left.

Other Thoughts:

This course is a good one if you are in the area. You NEED to have a map from this site or from the rec center to navigate properly in a time efficient manner. The course just plays around the outskirts of the rec center's property.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 1
tylerc
Experience: 13.9 years 81 played 1 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Fun then Dull 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 27, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great fairly fun shots on the first 7 and last 2. the fairways were there but most of the shots were all rhbh straight to fade. great park with a lot to do there. mostly concrete pads.

Cons:

transition between 7 and 8 then 16 and 17 was long and weird but if I hadn't looked at the map before I would've had no idea where to go! holes 10 to 16 were all along the road and most of those teepads were on the sidewalk. we spent probably 15 minutes looking for pads for the holes until we realized they were all on the sidewalk then we had to wait for cars because most shots would be thrown over the road or fading into the road and one hole went over the road.
there were also little or no signs on the holes. some had labels on a post near the pads wit ha number of the hole but no distances. there was a map on 2 holes but one had fallen on the ground a long time ago..

Other Thoughts:

if I play here again I will just play 1-7 then 17-18 twice because that would be way more fun than bothering with the other holes
Was this review helpful? Yes No
12 0
RussMB
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 19.5 years 131 played 110 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Bonita Springs Rec Park 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 25, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

• Plays around a multi-use recreation facility
• Fairly close to the interstate for those that are traveling.
• Old school course style (shorter)
• Concrete Tee Pads, Two sets of tees per hole. Posts with colored numbers tell you which teepad. (Red and Blue)
• Though, it will pass as a course for beginners, the water hazards may prove intimidating to newcomers. It would be easy to install a shorter third tee that wouldn't require a water tee in the future. ...or they could just skip the water holes.
• Maps are available at the rec center.
• Discs for sale in the rec center as well (price 12$-24$) They did have a sharp Bonita Springs Stamp
• 9 holes could be played for a quick round, though it may be a long walk back to the parking lot.
• Shot shaping lines through the trees, water carries, and open field throws.
• For the most part, it was segregated from other activities
• The teepads were very grippy! Some teepads are on risers.
• Other activities here as well, Very nice indoor rec center, ball fields, and plenty of parking

Cons:

• Be mindful of the Cornfield to the left of holes 1 and 2, It's on private property. So I'm not going to suggest going through the opening that is behind basket #4 to retrieve your disc if it goes over the fence. That would be wrong. FYI Fence didn't appear to be electrical, just barbed wire.
• Course didn't have a harmonic flow to it. Felt kind of obnoxious, and doesn't really flow well.
• Course does play behind a baseball field, they don't yell fore in Baseball, so heads up!
• You do have a long walk to 8 and to 17 through the ball fields.
• Baskets play to close to each other on some holes
• Course felt very vanilla, and didn't have a big fun factor for me.

Other Thoughts:

There are a lot of plus and minuses to this course. I drove a long way to play here, and it was okay. I wasn't wow'd, but I wasn't let down either. If I lived in Bonita Springs, then I would probably have a different view. I think that it's a nice place to play for those that live nearby. It does come with its challenges, and you will have some options when it comes to choosing your lines. The short tee's felt more like beginner tees, and the longs felt more like a standard tee. Which is why I still think a beginner could start here, but the water carry on the shorts feels outta place for a beginner. The average player could easily hyzer to safety, but the beginner probably is looking at a daunting task at getting across. Of course, this is coming from someone that threw his disc into the pond on that hole. (Came out of my hand wrong )

In retrospect, I'm glad I got to play here. It's not a bad course by any means, but it may be a little lack luster for those that are traveling or on a road trip. I would say if you are road tripping, plan to hit this course with another course. (i.e. Estero) This way you make the trip worth your time. If you are in the area, then it's worth a stop. It's big enough to host a tournament, but its design could leave one wanting more.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 0
thrembo
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 48.9 years 242 played 195 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Course Needs Some TLC 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 25, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is one of the oldest courses in SW Florida and has seen a myriad of changes since its 1997 debut as a 9-holer, leaving the course very hard to navigate for a long time. Holes 1-8 and 17-18 generally have two sets of tees marked by poles with color coding and hole #. These are lightly wooded and feature water holes and are fun to play.

Cons:

After hole 8 the course takes a nose dive. You have to head through the baseball fields to find holes 9-16 with zero navigation aids to help you get there. Most of these holes have no # on the tees or the baskets and can be difficult to find. I strongly urge first timers and non-regulars to get the map! These holes mostly throw over roads and sidewalks and crisscross back and forth with each other.

Dogs not allowed. Seems silly to me, though.

Other Thoughts:

A fun round of golf can be had here, but I would recommend the nearby newer Estero course for a more modern dg experience (except for new/rec players as there is a lot of water on the Estero course).
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 0
ARIK HANZIN
Experience: 12.9 years 9 played 6 reviews
0.50 star(s)

Not my kind of course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 13, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

First few holes were pretty and fun.

Some of the tee pads were nice - not slippery or dangerously elevated

Cons:

TERRIBLE course flow - This place had me absolutely baffled. I'd finish one hole and have to walk past about 4 holes before I got to the next one. After about hole 7, the holes almost seemed to be randomly placed!

In addition to the confusing order, many of the tee pads and baskets were unmarked, making this course a navigational nightmare.

No shot diversity - I didn't get a chance to use any muscle or any tricky anhyzers or overhands.

No defined fairways/rough - This is what really got me, after the first couple, all the holes were just a tee, a couple of randomly placed trees, and a basket. I could make a better hole out of my back yard!

Other Thoughts:

In my opinion, the first 6 holes were decent, but then the place just totally fell apart. I spent way too much time figuring out which tee corresponded to which basket, or which direction the next hole was, and way too little time deciding which shot or disc to use.

Also, I had been told from other reviews that there were only 9 holes with multiple tee pads to play like 18; this is no longer the case. There are 18 holes, however the back 9 are not even worth playing. Not only are they in no apparent order, but they seem to have been hastily thrown down in a median between the parking lot and the street. None of these back nine have marked tee pads so you got to guess which one to shoot from and all of them are only about 100 ft, boring, and the same.

All in all, I'd say this place would be a nice practice spot if your a local, but this is not where u wanna go to play a scored round with your buddies.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 0
parTake30
Experience: 12.9 years 103 played 13 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 27, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

this course has a good mix of obstructions and obstacles making for a fun but challenging game. from the first tee if you pull your shot right your taking a swim. the second hole you have to have a straight shot finishing with fade to the right (as of last time i played). take a respite at the little pavilion on the way to the third hole. fourth hole has a pretty stagnant drainage ditch to the right and a ton of pepper hedge. the seventh hole you throw over a lake which quite a few discs get lost in, including my starfire. but theres people who go out and retrieve them. make sure you have your info on your disc, cus they will contact you and return your disc. the back 9 plays out past the baseball fields and close to the road. a few tee areas are actually the sidewalk. there are 2 or 3 tee pads per hole, some being for night dg.

Cons:

mosquitos, being south florida, and there being a good sized pond in the middle of the park which the first 9 play around. not much i can complain about though, as far as the course goes, i like it a lot.

Other Thoughts:

the main office by the course sells discs at a pretty good price. they will take your info so if you lose it, it can be returned. when your done, go back to the light, make a left and then go over the train tracks, make a left at the light, which is old 41, and on the left about a block is Buffalo Chips. go treat yourself to the best wings around.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
8 0
RamsFan1
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.6 years 91 played 91 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Surprisingly Mediocre 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 22, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

18 hole course in a decent multi-purpose recreational center/athletic facility. Nice Innova baskets on part of the course with sufficient cement tee pads and nice painted wooden pilings driven into the ground with hole number and distance at each tee. Multiple pin locations at most holes (although I really didn't look closely to verify their existence). An abundance of trees and various other man made barriers and obstacles to challenge you. The course utilizes much of the available land, and water is present near several of the holes.

Cons:

Terrible course flow. After throwing hole one, you're staring straight at hole 11 instead of 2. Tee off areas for holes 9 & 18 are parallel to each other, while tee 17 is directly behind tee 8 (I actually did a double take to make sure I wasn't seeing things- am I missing something here?). Baskets lining Pine Avenue are in horrible shape- rusty and battered, and there are no tee off locations on this side of the course. Some baskets have rudimentary gold magnets with hand cut numbers on them, adding to the confusion. The water on the course is typical Florida scunge- hardly a thing of beauty.

Other Thoughts:

I do not consider myself a stupid individual, but this place left me totally bewildered. I can only surmise that BSRC is under course renovation- what else could explain the schizophrenic layout of this place? Half of it looks OK with good tees, baskets and signs while the other side of the course is a complete disaster with rusty baskets, no markings and no true tee off areas. There is literally a row of about four baskets lining Pine Avenue. Maybe if I'd played with a local, it would have helped, but I only wound up frustrated. After reading the reviews and playing the sub par Bay Oaks course, I expected a lot better. I would also upgrade the informational board located at the beginning of the course and put a real solid directional map on it.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 3
bigflicknick
Experience: 15.9 years 5 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

revamped!! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 20, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

The boys are constantly improving this course!! they added more baskets to eliminate dual holes. extended it through the park.

Cons:

navigation from 7 to 8 is tricky . you need to go through the center of the baseball area, past the concession stand. reverse that to come back for 17 and 18.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 0
zud00
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.8 years 199 played 47 reviews
2.50 star(s)

A Lefty's Nightmare 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 30, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

*Dual tees present a different look at each basket making an 18 hole layout.
*Trash cans and benches throughout the course.
*Risk-reward comes into play on many holes where water comes in play.
*Variety of hole distance and fairways (tightly wooded to mostly open).
*Discatcher baskets and practice basket with markings in the ground at different distances to the practice basket and around different obstacles.
*Tee stations marked with painted posts in the ground made for easy navigation.
*Plenty of shade available throughout the course for those hot days.

Cons:

*Most holes favor righties as they can throw a hyzer over the water (if needed) and use the natural fade of the disc to stay dry.
*Tee signs were only at a few holes, making it a guessing game on distances on most holes.
*No elevation changes.

Other Thoughts:

This course is located at a nice recreation center with many other activities available ranging from a skate park, basketball courts, ball diamonds, playground, and a community swimming pool.

Since the course plays around a pond, water comes into play on many holes. This could be a turn-off to newer players or players who just don't like playing around/over water. In terms of water, this is definitley not a beginner friendly course.

Overall I enjoyed this course. Alternate tees provide for a different feel of the course and the water presents a challenge and will make you think twice before throwing. I really liked hole 7/16 throwing over the water and letting the disc fade towards the basket.

Hit this course up if you don't mind playing around water, if you're a righty, or if you want a challenge. Pass it up if none of those sound appetizing.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 0
raaf13
Experience: 9 played 2 reviews
2.00 star(s)

It's Ok 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 17, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Upkept very well
Staff very friendly
Easy to navigate
Most holes are well designed

Cons:

Only 9 holes (multiple tees for 18)
To much water, fences, etc (to many places to lose discs)
1 of the holes (2 if playing 18) involve a very long shot over deep water.
Signage on each hole is not very detailed, hard to follow

Other Thoughts:

I went to Marco Island for Spring Break and this is the nearest course I could find. Maybe I am spoiled by Michigans courses! But its definitly a solid course and worth playing
Was this review helpful? Yes No
6 0
harr0140
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 15.3 years 1508 played 480 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Furthest South course in USA except Hawaii 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jan 6, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

1) Most playable course in the Fort Myers area. It beats the tight fairways at FGCU and the nasty Palm shrubs at N. Ft. Myers, and the lameness that is Bay Oaks in Ft. Myers Beach. Open enough to throw cleanly, yet enough challenge with the forced water carry holes and some tighter fairways.

2) Shelter is right in the main intersection of 2 basket - 3 tee, and 4 basket - 5 tee, and also a big shelter for vehicles or something is located near 6 basket.

3) Benches are located on a few holes including hole #1 which is always nice to have around the first tee area. Garbage cans are also located on holes #1, 3 and 5 junction, and 8 basket area. I never saw much garbage here except down in the water edge.

4) Nicely visible telephone posts painted white with red #'s on the top. The course also has signs on the long tees with descriptions, distances, and hole layout maps.

5) Challenge is ever present on this course except hole #6 (and 15). When there isn't water there is a tight fairway to thread and plenty of trees to avoid.

6) Course is setup as a front 9 back 9 to create 18 different holes. You can play all shorts, all longs, front or back. The setup starts with a long for #1, short for #2, long for #3, and short for #4 and goes all the way like that through 18. The holes played from short and long definitely change the hazards and the challenge, so this course can handle the front back scenario better than many where the longs are simply an extension of the shorts.

7) Dual concrete tees on all holes (except #14) where the tee is raised up in a retaining area and rubber mat is used. They look rough and brutal so don't fall but they are not slippery at all which is the important thing.

8) Practice basket is available near the 1st tee always a plus for a little warmup putting before a round.

Cons:

1) Baskets are starting to look old and worn out. Rust is visible in many places on chains and baskets. A few of the baskets also seemed to be leaning slightly on the posts.

2) Course has zero elevation change on any hole. There really arent any hollows or slight rises. The only place where there is elevation is down into the water or the slight channel around #2 green.

3)Course is not beginner friendly in my opinion because of the water carries required and the tightness of most fairways. The water channel on the right of 4 I imagine will catch a lot of beginners discs too.

4) Course is still overgrown in my opinion, but only because I am not from Florida. I know this is typical and I also know people do go in to try and thin some of this out. I played with Roller Coasters and he said someone even went into the water in front of #7 (and 16) and trimmed down some of the reeds which I could imagine were troublesome to the tee shot.

5) Course layout can be a little confusing because of the switchback from 3 to 4 and then back again past 2 basket to go to #5 tee. Once played though it isnt that bad.

6) Course really lacks variety in shot shaping. Everything is virtually a simple hyzer or straight shot. This happens because of the layout going clockwise around the pond. They could create a couple anhyzers however with some different basket placements like on hole #6. Now there are 3 basket placements per hole (except 6) so maybe this was just the current setup it is hard to tell.

Other Thoughts:

Bonita Spring Rec. Center is an all around average course. There is certianly a large amount of challenge on this course witht he water and tightness of most fairways. There are plenty of trees to knock you down (and in my case catch your disc too, although after 35 minutes of searching after my round I did find it stuck in the crease of a palm frond, I was determined as I have already lost 1 Wraith on this long trip of mine. It seems to be in good shape and the amenities and facilities are all there in adequate distribution. There is something about the palmetto shrubs that just irk me but it is simply a mainstay in Florida. There may or may not be much that can be done to keep those palmettos from taking over a course (much like Buckthorn in the north). I just hate having to search for discs so often and not even be able to see them easily. The water apparently is normally really low this time of year because it is typically the dry season, and in a few weeks the level may be way down again taking away a lot of the trouble on that course. I had a good time and I always appreciate playing with a local so Thank you Roller Coasters for your guidance. Glad we could also get the travel tags exchanged since I missed my chance with jrawk a few days ago.

I had to lower the overall rating of this course after playing all the other courses now between St. Pete and Naples. I think in the end it is just an average course. I will return, but would more likely go to North Fort Myers, North Port CHarlotte, or Sarasota.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 0
nrohtlaw
Experience: 30.3 years 37 played 9 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Breaking into Bonita 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Sep 27, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

I found many pro's to the course,it has cement tee pads,it is easy to navigate(if you are not a moron),it has a pretty good layout(really uses the natural surroundings),6 of the 9 holes are in the shade,rough is not too thick,and the tee signs are visible and both tee placement signs were recently painted,the tee numbers alternate short to long after every hole so if you play #1 long,short would be #10,#2 long would be #11 tee and so on.

Cons:

The lake and the drainage ditch.They only come into play if you throw your disc into it.I have lost two discs only because I shanked them.Lake comes into play on 2,5,7 and 9 .Comes into play on 7and 9 only if you have a severely short arm.Although the course is only 9 holes it is very fun to play the different tee pads to make it seem like 18,besides there is no room to fit 18 in this park.

Other Thoughts:

Being from Michigan,I found this course to be alot like some of the flatter township parks.Very worth playing,but it is no Flip City.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 0
sonicsbeer
Experience: 15.1 years 5 played 5 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Not A Bad Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 12, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Seems to be one of the better courses in the Fort Myers area. They came up with a good course design for the limited amount of space available. It was a great idea to place two different tees for each pin, giving the illusion of 18 separate holes.

Cons:

Unfortunately, no maps available. It's not a very confusing course at all, but we did spend some time looking around, and a simple map is just nice to have. Also, the signing is somewhat poor. Not terrible, but it could have been more helpful.

Other Thoughts:

The lake really DID NOT come in to play for us, I'm right handed and my friend is left handed so that made no difference. You just need to exercise some control, and yes - perhaps a BIT of restraint. It was nice that the rec center had a small selection of discs for sale, nothing expansive though. You can't go all out on this course by any means, but it was fun. We both had a good time. Oh, and ZERO lost discs, too.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
6 5
Dave242
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 29.9 years 394 played 276 reviews
3.00 star(s)

B for Bonita! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 18, 2007 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

What I like and how this course stacks up:
1) Holes with good risk/reward -- A
2) Holes that have rewarding birdie opportunities -- A
3) More wooded than open - lots of variety of shots required caused by hole shape and topography -- B- (used to be A+ until they took down all the Maleluka (sp?) trees)
4) Natural beauty (Appalachian beauty preferred) and seclusion -- B
5) Multi-shot holes with defined landing zones, good risk/reward and multiple options to play them -- NA

Other Thoughts:

I ranked this course subjectively based on my own personal enjoyment factor...more accurately my "personal addiction factor". Since I have played a decent number of courses (115 18-hole, 50 9-hole as of early 2009), my hope is that players/explorers who have similar tastes will find my ratings list helpful as they chose courses to play and explore.

Over time, I expect to fill some of my reviews in with more descriptive verbiage...if what I say adds anything to what has already been written. For now, my list is more important to me than the verbiage of my reviews.

I fully expect others with different tastes/philosophies to disagree with me. See my profile for my rating philosophy.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
12 0
Roller Coasters
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 19.9 years 39 played 17 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Good Little Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 7, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is my home course and it is a good little course. It has nine holes but, with multiple tee pads, it plays like an 18 hole course. Each pad is clearly marked with which hole it is and the distance for the current set up. Most holes have three pin placements and the placement is marked on each tee pad. The course is set up around a lake, but there is really only danger on hole 2/11 and 7/16. Hole 7/16 plays over a lake, but it is a manageable distance. I am not a long driver, and yet can get it over the lake consistently. There is also the option for shooting to the left and playing it safe onto the road. There is a good mix of tight wooded shots and big open drives. The only other real danger of losing a disc is on hole 4/13 where an errant shot to the right can land on the roof of a house. The tee and fairway are bordered on the right hand side by a dry canal. The canal only has water in it during the rainy season in summer and even then isn't very deep. Hole 5/14 is the hardest hole on the course with a long narrow opening, a lake on the right and woods on the left. I am very happy to walk away with par on it.

Cons:

It is only 9 holes. It can get a little wet during August and September, the rainy season in Southwest Florida.

Other Thoughts:

I have to disagree with some of the other reviews that this course is not worth playing. I think it is the opposite - it is the most playable course in the Fort Myers area. It has challenges and yet is fair. The lake does come into play, however, it is always on the right, so beginners have little chance of having a disc fade into the water. I also love the designation of front and back nine tee pads. The different pads are placed well so that each tee shot is unique through 18 holes.

There is also a good selection of new Innova discs at the Rec Center at the park.

Come on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. to play with the local league.

Don't be afraid of the other reviews of this course and have an enjoyable round of disc golf at Fort Myers' most playable course.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Top