Valdosta, GA

Freedom Park

Permanent course
3.855(based on 30 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

Freedom Park reviews

Filter
9 0
DumfriesLizzie
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 5.6 years 111 played 102 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Varied, challenging tournament course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 19, 2022 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

I only played the original 18 holes, not the alternates. I played during a tournament, so I cannot speak to those alternate holes. However, the main course is a good balance of large, open holes and the wooded holes which take up most of the real estate. Some of the wooded holes have fair fairways so that you can make par (and maybe even birdie, if you are of a higher skill level). Those are holes 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 17. Some woods fairways are very wide: holes 6 and 15 (birdie for long throwers). Number 14 is the best feel-good hole of the bunch; even with its guarded green, I managed to par it each of the 3 times I played it. The disc golf course is also quite separate from the rest of the park, so you only have the occasional walker or runner to interfere with your play.

Cons:

The early woods holes (in particular) can get quite muddy from the creek. And the OB areas of tall grass at numbers 1, 11, and 18 apparently can have alligators (so I was warned). The early holes near the creek also may have snakes. Some of the woods fairways are not fair: 3, 7, 16. Too many early trees to get through.

Other Thoughts:

The overall park is quite large, includes softball/baseball fields, soccer fields, playgrounds, a paved walking loop of some ilk, and open fields. I didn't have any trouble with the power lines, but some people do. I think that would especially be the case if you are trying to go straight down the middle (on no. 18, for example). There's a real restroom at the top of the park and a next-door porta potty when that restroom is locked. Though a very popular park, it is well maintained and a pleasant place to play.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
10 0
reposado
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.8 years 278 played 276 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 1, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

The biggest strength of Freedom Park is definitely variety. The course transitions from wooded holes to wide-open fairways seamlessly. The wooded holes very wooded. There is one hole that would make a Carolina course jealous. It really hugs that line where it's almost to the point of, "this hole is stupid," but it stays on the side of, "this hole is awesome." It's a very narrow fairway between two lines of trees but where many holes like this are straight, this one curves sharply, almost to the point where it would be a nags but this one is just far enough and broad(arc-wise) enough to make you think, "I can do that." Great hole.
About a third of the holes here are across open terrain, mostly using a power corridor to create fairways. The best of those is probably 18, but only when it is in the far position. The far pin is just on the other side of a dry lake. It's a long drive from the tee and then either a layup to the short side of the lake or a risky attack on the pin. In the shorter layout, this hole would be a dud but I loved the decision it forced me to make today.
The rest of the holes fall somewhere in the middle. There are wooded holes with more generous fairways and open holes that force at least some sort of turn in the flight path. If you take variety to mean the most different fairway widths on a course, Freedom Park may be the most varied course around.
Currently, there are three sets of tees. The white and blue are cement and feature tee signs that show the location of all tees and baskets. Frequently bit not always, the blues provide a significantly different challenge. The red tees are often much shorter. They sport rubber mats and do not have signs. I'm sure that they provide a solid option for beginners but I personally did not spend much time investigating them.
There are two basket locations, marked by A and B position on the tee signs. I'm fairly certain that when a basket is in A position it is marked by a yellow flag and when in B position, a black flag.

Cons:

Quite a few NAGS shots. Just some weird angles that force layups at very short distances. Also a few fairways that are essentially throwing down preexisting paths. ( I know that these might be fine holes but they are just features I don't care for.)
For the most part, what keeps this course from the elite is that the wooded holes aren't wooded enough. Even if they aren't traversing service roads, they are frequently too wide and not all that interesting. The open holes, with a few exceptions, don't ask for too much from a player.
It's also true that some of the basket locations are inferior. There are several times where I putted out, looked to see where the other potential pin was and said, "Man, I'd have like to throw to that one.

Other Thoughts:

Spectacular, must-play course? No. Great, everyday, league course? Absolutely. Worth playing for travelers? Very much so. After writing this, and reading some other reviews, it looks like it has improved significantly since 2011.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
13 0
denny ritner
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 26 years 170 played 115 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Good course, look for local guide 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 12, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Freedom park provides a well-rounded challenge for players of all skill levels. There are three sets of tees that do a good job of covering the entire player skill spectrum.

The course favors a player that is accurate and has the ability to shape shots in a variety of ways, but power does help.

There are some very unique looks to the holes as the course weaves through two sections of tall pines and one open section under the power lines.

Throwing off the fairways will certainly challenge a player's ability to scramble and tee shot selection provides many opportunities to think and consider strategy.

The white tees are all cement and provide a borderline white/blue level challenge. Over time, as the course continues to wear in, it'll probably be spot-on for a white level challenge.

Friendly locals and rapidly increasing player base that is tied in with the military base and university indicate that this course will continue to improve and become a 4 rated course in the near future.

Cons:

The course markings are incomplete at present. It is somewhat difficult to navigate without a guide. The course does not yet have tee signs and many of the baskets are blind from the tee, requiring a lot of walking up and walking back. Most of these situations could be improved by cutting sight lines so that the baskets could be viewed from the tees.

The blue tees are presently a mix of rubber and natural surfaces.

There are 3-4 holes that are "poke and pray" types. These could be fixed by a combination of moving the baskets slightly and selective tree removal and trimming.

The rough is thick in places with quite a few thorns. There is a moderate chance of losing plastic.

Other Thoughts:

Freedom Park provides a very attractive natural setting and solid challenge for all player skill levels. It requires focus and execution from start to finish to score well.

The locals are friendly, so it's worth waiting around the practice basket for a while to hook up with a game if you haven't played the course before.

Don't be a dirty discer, leave the course cleaner than how you found it.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
6 0
Upshawt1979
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.9 years 550 played 429 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Val's killer 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 13, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

The disc golf course at Freedom Park in Valdosta is a very good course that has potential to be even better. The holes offer a good variety of distances, left/right, open & wooded, and overall challenge. Power lines create some unique tee shots on a couple of holes. Path through the course is reasonably easy to navigate. The presence of multiple tees on most holes adds versatility. All of the baskets are in good condition.

Cons:

There are few real cons for this course, but there are a few areas where improvement is possible. The addition of tee signs with distances and hole maps would be great. A few garbage cans would be Ok too. I would also like to see concrete tees on the blue boxes. Those upgrades would make this course at least a 4 to me. I think it was hole 8 that really seemed that there were too many trees to have a valid fairway to drive.

Other Thoughts:

I wish I could play this one a few more times. It had a very fun layout, and kind of kicked my butt. Making birdies is very possible. I had 5 my first and only round so far. On the flipside, bad drives and poor shot placement can really cost you. I ended up seven over, and regretting my inconsistent play. Freedom Park is not a stunner, but it is a very solid course that is fun, challenging, and somewhat unique. Given the opportunity, I would love to return there for a shot at a much improved score. I would surely recommend checking it out if you can.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 1
Charboleon Dynamo
Experience: 17.2 years 18 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Great Course, Needs Signs! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 18, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course has a good mix of open fairways, tree lined fairways and trees in the middle of fairways. The rubber teepads are nice on the white tee locations. With most of the trees being large, old growth there doesn't seem to be too much of a chance of losing a disc in low growth and brush.

Cons:

None of the holes have a sign at the tee pad, nor do they give you any idea of where the baskets are. So be prepared to walk most of the holes twice, once to find the basket and once to play the hole.
I think it was hole 8, there was a sharp right out of the woods from the tee pad down a long road. I'm not sure what kind of shot the course designer intended but the way the opening just nearly faces the other tree line on the opposite side of the road makes this hole a tricky one.

Other Thoughts:

Without the guidance of tee signs, some sort of list of par and portable course map would be nice. Though the course does flow pretty well, some kind of guidance would be nice.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 1
Dookie
Experience: 9 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Freedom Golf 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 3, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This was a great course that put everyone of my discs to work. The holes vary widely. You have several open holes and also tons of tight fairways to negotiate.

Cons:

The course doesn't have signs at the tee pads and some of the tee pads were a little confusing to find. Although, they did have signs to help you find your way.

Other Thoughts:

Overall It was a great time and a challenge. I would definitely encourage folks to come out and play. Oh yeah, and i lost a blue starfire on the last hole in the pond
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 2
wesb1898
Experience: 5 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 16, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Lots of different type shots off the tee. Variety of distances as well. Multiple basket locations keep it interesting.

Cons:

Some of these are in the works, but I'll list them out anyway. No tee markers or basket markers. Have to hope you are going for the right one. Some debris in the woods that can be cleaned up. Water hazards are more like thick grass and mud hazards.

Other Thoughts:

This is my home course and I really love playing it. Quite a different type of challenge being heavily wooded. It is not a big open city type park. If you are in the area, give it a try. It is certainly a nice challenge.
Was this review helpful? Yes No

Latest posts

Top