Hattiesburg, MS

Paul B. Johnson SP - Desert Fox

2.965(based on 14 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

Paul B. Johnson SP - Desert Fox reviews

Filter
5 1
WSP420
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 21.9 years 51 played 48 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Not a weekend destination. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 26, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-Well maintained course that sees heavy to moderate play, regularly
-Water hazards and/or road O.B.'s are in play on most holes; this limits your options and makes you play the course as intended
-Maps, scorecards, bathrooms and vending machines at office near parking.

Cons:

-People, people everywhere. If you play on a weekend during the warmer months be prepared to explain to park-goers why they shouldn't use the baskets as clothes lines, drink holders, etc.
-Holes that have water in play (almost 50%) will likely have someone fishing in the exact spot you need to throw
-For a State Park it had surprisingly few benches and/or trash cans on the course (plenty of seats and trash cans nearby just not convenient to disc golfers)

Other Thoughts:

The park office no longer sells discs... :(

Don't forget to play the "Little Fox DGC" while you're there.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
10 0
MiketheGoalie
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.2 years 87 played 43 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Newer, Better 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 1, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

I haven't played this course in years and the new layout was radically different than the original. Where the original followed the lake but didn't really put it in play (especially for RHBH throwers), this layout makes you constantly be aware of the water hazards on about half of the course. In addition the course features some tightly wooded tunnels and plays very evenly for righty's and lefty's. Multiple tees on most of the holes, though the "blue" tees are currently marked with wooden stakes with a paint strip on top. Course navigation was easy with the park-provided map and several small next tee signs scattered throughout the course.

I really did use a healthy variety of shot types and the swing in thinking after being in the open for 8 holes and then moving into three tightly-wooded holes, then back into the open for a few holes, then woods, then lightly-wooded and then finish in the open. Very little repetition, even on the first eight as you have to be aware of the water and its effect on the chosen flightline.

Some features of the course are the signature peninsula shot on 4, the over-water shot on 7, the short right-turn ace run on 9, the putting mound on 13, and I really enjoyed the variety of shot required for the am and pro tees on 15.

Amenities abound as the park office has discs, maps, restrooms, drink machines, etc. The lake is a favorite area destination in summer so you have ample opportunity to cool off, go fishing, camp (primitive and cabins), or just relax on the beach. The new splash pad within walking distance of hole 2 is a major draw for the kiddos.

Right around the end of hole 8 is another, newer 9-hole course (Little Fox) with all new baskets. We didn't play that course during my last visit but you could easily walk from 8's basket to the 9-hole course, play it, and walk right back to the 18-hole course since the Little Fox course ends pretty close to hole 9 on the main course. This presents a pretty good opportunity to play 27 holes. The 9-hole course appeared to have more elevation in play as that was the high side of the lake.

Cons:

You have to pay at the gate ($3) and that might turn off some people. A few natural tees might annoy some golfers. The layout plays much more along the park roads than the original so the road is in play on a few more holes (maybe 4 total). The rough is ROUGH. Stickers, thorns, etc. especially on 9-11 and 14-16. Stay in the fairway or prepare to bleed. The walk from 13 to 14 was a little tricky as the next-tee sign was partially covered by a vine and the path needed some weed-eating.

One thing that bugged me personally was the difference in the yardage on the park-provided score card (which matches this site) and the yardage on the tee signs. Speaking of tee signs (large diameter PVC pipe), the majority of the holes have multiple tees and many have been re-used from the previous layout and haven't been updated with new flightlines or yardage. No big deal, maybe I'm just too OCD.

Other Thoughts:

Having played the original layout, it's really hard not to compare the current layout to the old. I much prefer the current course. It's more challenging, has more variety (both hole layout and shot variety), uses more of the park, and is overall more fun. The amenities added to the park (namely the splash pad) are a bonus as well since golfers can bring their families or camp on the park grounds while having access to a pretty good course. The Park Office has some discs and in general is extremely DG friendly.

Note: The course map shown on the webpage linked here is the old layout, not the current. The park office has scorecards with the new layout, however.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 2
ChainSmoker8
Experience: 18 years 13 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Scary for good reason 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 10, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

The elevation was good practice and a challenge. If you don't play much water this course definitely gets you thinking. No hole looks like the other. Want to work on a certain shot then I'm sure that you can do it on one of these holes.

Cons:

Course is better for left handed throwers. All the discs on hole 3 through 8 curve toward the lake.

Other Thoughts:

Love being able to wake up in the morning and go play disc golf. Good to camp and play. Had fun camping and playing.
Was this review helpful? Yes No

Latest posts

Top