Sportsplex reviews
20
0
KillerKoala777
Experience:
5.5 years
190 played
9 reviews
Solid 9, shell of the 18 it once was 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Feb 14, 2022
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
- Equipment: Tee pads are standard size, baskets are in reasonable condition, a few have rusty chains
- Shot variety: Holes require a good arsenal of shots to score well. There are short straight putter shots, flex backhand shots, power forehand shots, and big hyzer shots to name a few.
- Length variety: Holes range from just over 200 to well over 400 depending on the pad and basket you play to.
- Time to Play: To play just 9 takes about 30 mins. I can play both baskets simultaneously to get in "18 holes" in about 40 mins.
- Natural beauty: There are some creeks that come into play on the majority of the holes. There is one big creek that is rather pretty and it plays along 4 of the 9 holes.
- Challenge: Because of the water on most holes, there are plenty of opportunities to take penalty strokes on just about every hole and most shots require some planning to avoid the hazards
- New signs: A new course map and new signs were added in 2021 and they are still in great condition
- Shot variety: Holes require a good arsenal of shots to score well. There are short straight putter shots, flex backhand shots, power forehand shots, and big hyzer shots to name a few.
- Length variety: Holes range from just over 200 to well over 400 depending on the pad and basket you play to.
- Time to Play: To play just 9 takes about 30 mins. I can play both baskets simultaneously to get in "18 holes" in about 40 mins.
- Natural beauty: There are some creeks that come into play on the majority of the holes. There is one big creek that is rather pretty and it plays along 4 of the 9 holes.
- Challenge: Because of the water on most holes, there are plenty of opportunities to take penalty strokes on just about every hole and most shots require some planning to avoid the hazards
- New signs: A new course map and new signs were added in 2021 and they are still in great condition
Cons:
- Shortened Layout: In 2020 the back nine was removed by the parks department and the baskets were put into the front nine's alternate positions permanently to make "18 holes". This is truly a nine hole course with alternate positions to make 18.
- Sidewalks/Roads: This course is in a public park and sidewalks and roads run adjacent to 4 of the 9 holes. This also detracts from the natural beauty of the course. There is also an interstate on the other side of a narrow wall of trees.
- Other people: In the summer, lots of people are out walking, taking pictures, fishing, etc. Thankfully, none of the holes cross any sidewalks, so you just have to make sure not to leak OB when teeing off.
- Holds water: The course drains water really badly and if rain has been falling recently, the fairway of 6 can be a swamp. Waterproof shoes are a must if you want to stay dry.
- Long walk: Between hole 6 and 7 is a bit of a walk, and holes 7, 8 and 9 are on the other side of a bridge that is just slightly out of the way. When playing through twice, it is enough of a walk to be annoying.
- Sidewalks/Roads: This course is in a public park and sidewalks and roads run adjacent to 4 of the 9 holes. This also detracts from the natural beauty of the course. There is also an interstate on the other side of a narrow wall of trees.
- Other people: In the summer, lots of people are out walking, taking pictures, fishing, etc. Thankfully, none of the holes cross any sidewalks, so you just have to make sure not to leak OB when teeing off.
- Holds water: The course drains water really badly and if rain has been falling recently, the fairway of 6 can be a swamp. Waterproof shoes are a must if you want to stay dry.
- Long walk: Between hole 6 and 7 is a bit of a walk, and holes 7, 8 and 9 are on the other side of a bridge that is just slightly out of the way. When playing through twice, it is enough of a walk to be annoying.
Other Thoughts:
Once upon a time, it was an excellent course, the Alabama Flying Disc Championships happened here one year and many top pros even played in it.
Anymore, it is just a shell of what it was. I would say it is a solid 9 holer, and even the "back 9" is different enough to be fun. But as a whole it leaves much to be desired. I only play it because it is my local course, but if it wasn't, I wouldn't go out of my way to play it. If you are headed to Huntsville to play, just keep going unless you need to bag it. Thankfully it is only 30 seconds off the interstate, so it is an easy one to get to if you are on I65.
Anymore, it is just a shell of what it was. I would say it is a solid 9 holer, and even the "back 9" is different enough to be fun. But as a whole it leaves much to be desired. I only play it because it is my local course, but if it wasn't, I wouldn't go out of my way to play it. If you are headed to Huntsville to play, just keep going unless you need to bag it. Thankfully it is only 30 seconds off the interstate, so it is an easy one to get to if you are on I65.
