University of Central Florida reviews
8
0
Former 9 Holer That Just Got A 9 Hole Booster Shot.
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jul 29, 2017
Played the course:once
Pros:
(2.342 Rating) (RE-EVALUATED) A beginner friendly course with a mix of subtle flavors.
- UPGRADES - My initial review was not very glowing and I gave the course a 1.387. It appears a bunch of good has happened and thus I felt impelled to update my rating, almost an entire point. First, 9 more holes were added. Two holes after old (6), five after old (8) and two after old (9). More holes is almost always a plus. The signs have also been upgraded well beyond a numbered post and the tees are no longer natural.
- NOVICE FRIENDLY - The original nine were perfect for Novice players and it appears the new holes have a similar flavor to them. Several wide open fairways, but also a few obstacles that will encourage newer players to conquer more challenging holes. In addition, the hole distances are very much on the short side averaging at about 240 feet. Hole (4) is the perfect length for a water clear for newer players, as the hole has ample bailout for those not willing to risk it yet. It looks like the clear on (18) is similar to (4), but perhaps even a touch shorter.
- ACEABILITY - If any UCF students are routinely playing this course, they must be racking up the aces. 17 of the 18 holes are listed at 270 feet long or less. Skilled players are going to be hearing chain music more often than normal.
- TEES AND CHAINS - New rubber pads with 4x4s around the edges. Light years better than the natural sand pits from before. DISCatchers baskets as well, but showing their age a bit.
- SIGNAGE & NAVIGATION - Hard to say since I have not played the expanded layout. It's got nice new signs. I read that they were installed only two feet in front of the pad, that's a no no. Overall, I can't imagine that it has gotten worse to traverse and it was decent flow before. The (12) to (13) play gap looks sizable on the map though.
- RESTROOM/SHELTER - A very nice restroom building that doubles as a shelter. It has a drinking fountain and picnic tables as well. It's great to be located next to tee (1) and basket (18) as well.
- UPGRADES - My initial review was not very glowing and I gave the course a 1.387. It appears a bunch of good has happened and thus I felt impelled to update my rating, almost an entire point. First, 9 more holes were added. Two holes after old (6), five after old (8) and two after old (9). More holes is almost always a plus. The signs have also been upgraded well beyond a numbered post and the tees are no longer natural.
- NOVICE FRIENDLY - The original nine were perfect for Novice players and it appears the new holes have a similar flavor to them. Several wide open fairways, but also a few obstacles that will encourage newer players to conquer more challenging holes. In addition, the hole distances are very much on the short side averaging at about 240 feet. Hole (4) is the perfect length for a water clear for newer players, as the hole has ample bailout for those not willing to risk it yet. It looks like the clear on (18) is similar to (4), but perhaps even a touch shorter.
- ACEABILITY - If any UCF students are routinely playing this course, they must be racking up the aces. 17 of the 18 holes are listed at 270 feet long or less. Skilled players are going to be hearing chain music more often than normal.
- TEES AND CHAINS - New rubber pads with 4x4s around the edges. Light years better than the natural sand pits from before. DISCatchers baskets as well, but showing their age a bit.
- SIGNAGE & NAVIGATION - Hard to say since I have not played the expanded layout. It's got nice new signs. I read that they were installed only two feet in front of the pad, that's a no no. Overall, I can't imagine that it has gotten worse to traverse and it was decent flow before. The (12) to (13) play gap looks sizable on the map though.
- RESTROOM/SHELTER - A very nice restroom building that doubles as a shelter. It has a drinking fountain and picnic tables as well. It's great to be located next to tee (1) and basket (18) as well.
Cons:
Basic challenge
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - The original holes were all fairly simple. From looking at the new hole specs, it does not look like the new stuff amped up the game play. I saw that there may be some long tees marked, but I don't believe they have been christened with pads or tee signs yet. Some of these long pads appeared wonky on the map too. Like hole (3) for instance, which has a radio tower and fence in front of the hypothetical tee spot. Anyways, a few holes don't have a tree in play. A few more will feel like they don't have trees in play as well. Only a handful at UCF look to be what I'd define as moderately wooded and the rest are lightly wooded. 850 rated Rec players should be able to break par often (par 55). Advanced players will murder this course.
- HOLE VARIETY - I still believe this aspect is a touch below average. Only one hole is over 270 feet long. A vast majority of the holes could be defined a straight, simple or both. I do like the fact that there is one par 4 play now and that there are two water shots.
- ELEVATION - Like Nada. Figure less than 10 feet of grade change on every hole.
- NO BENCHES - I read that there are still no benches. Boo. It's hot as the dickens out in the sun here. I have no idea what temp the dickens is. Probable between hot as all get-out and hot as a blister bug in a pepper patch.
- LAYOUT - Tee (1) is not located by parking and neither is basket (18). Nearly a 1,000 foot walk to and from the parking lot.
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - The original holes were all fairly simple. From looking at the new hole specs, it does not look like the new stuff amped up the game play. I saw that there may be some long tees marked, but I don't believe they have been christened with pads or tee signs yet. Some of these long pads appeared wonky on the map too. Like hole (3) for instance, which has a radio tower and fence in front of the hypothetical tee spot. Anyways, a few holes don't have a tree in play. A few more will feel like they don't have trees in play as well. Only a handful at UCF look to be what I'd define as moderately wooded and the rest are lightly wooded. 850 rated Rec players should be able to break par often (par 55). Advanced players will murder this course.
- HOLE VARIETY - I still believe this aspect is a touch below average. Only one hole is over 270 feet long. A vast majority of the holes could be defined a straight, simple or both. I do like the fact that there is one par 4 play now and that there are two water shots.
- ELEVATION - Like Nada. Figure less than 10 feet of grade change on every hole.
- NO BENCHES - I read that there are still no benches. Boo. It's hot as the dickens out in the sun here. I have no idea what temp the dickens is. Probable between hot as all get-out and hot as a blister bug in a pepper patch.
- LAYOUT - Tee (1) is not located by parking and neither is basket (18). Nearly a 1,000 foot walk to and from the parking lot.
Other Thoughts:
UCF is a near ideal campus course. It's great for the hordes of Rec and Novice players out there and a bucket full of ace runs for those with seasoned skills. I think most beginners won't be scared away as well. Not destination level worthy and not a good choice for those looking to be challenged. I would recommend the River City and Bill Frederick courses for that aspect.
- PAY TO PARK - A couple of older reviewers mentioned paying for parking. I did not pay or see a place to pay during my summer 2017 round.
- TIME PLAY - About average. It's a short course, but as noted, the layout is far from the parking lot.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - Nothing extraordinarily exotic about the UCF course but also not horrible by any means either. After seeing some new pictures, I upped my beauty score here from a 2.375 to a 2.625.
- PAY TO PARK - A couple of older reviewers mentioned paying for parking. I did not pay or see a place to pay during my summer 2017 round.
- TIME PLAY - About average. It's a short course, but as noted, the layout is far from the parking lot.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - Nothing extraordinarily exotic about the UCF course but also not horrible by any means either. After seeing some new pictures, I upped my beauty score here from a 2.375 to a 2.625.
