Panama City, FL

Joe Moody Harris Park

2.455(based on 21 reviews)
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4 0
wellsbranch250
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 10.2 years 652 played 631 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Ace Runs 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 16, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

(1.603 Rating) A beginners course with several ace runs for skilled players.
- ACEABILITY - If you're hunting for your first ace, I would recommend playing this course. Holes (1-5) are all under 200 feet and hole (6) is an open, mid 200s foot look. I'm sure those that frequent this course have racked up a bunch of aces. I would not be surprised to find out that a local or two have aced every hole on this layout.
- BIGGINER FRIENDLY - Very little overgrowth, little opportunity to lose a disc and five holes under 200 feet in length. I'm sure most would agree that these are good characteristic for a course to take first timers to and also to take those wanting to learn the game.
- TEES AND SIGNS - Adequate concrete tees, good hole signage and a course map.
- CHAINS - All the baskets look nearly new and have heavy chains.
- QUICK PLAY - Probably the quickest nine I've ever played. It was raining during my round so that has something to do with it. I scratched this one off my list in 15 minutes. I think I ran (1-5) in 6 minutes or so.
- NAVIGATION - They don't get much easier. Even though there's a map, this course could be navigated easily without one. The only hic-up would occur between (6 and 7) where the basket and tee are separated by over 100 feet.
- MAINTENANCE - The grounds appear to be constantly mowed, trimmed and manicured. I don't recall seeing any trash on my visit.

Cons:

Course size and available park space are limiting factors.
- SAFETY HAZARDS - Just about all the holes bring other park amenities and roads into play.
- BASKET AND TEE SEPERATION - There are numerous occurrences where the basket and next tee are perilously close. Several times they are separated by less than 40 feet. This is most prevalent around holes (1 thru 6)
- CHARACTER - Only a few extra on this course. As stated in the pro's, there is signage and concrete tees. There is also decent shading at the tees and there's a restroom and a shelter building, but that's where it ends. There is no practice area, no multiple pin placements or multi tees like you'd see at your older established courses.
- UNIQUENESS - Very limited. For many players, (1 thru 5) are pitch shots and the rest are putter or mid range ace runs. I personally ran the course with 2 discs. (Omega Supersoft and Mako3)
- ELEVATION - None. Ok maybe 8 feet on a hole or two, so none.
- DIFFICULTY - Not much of a challenge. Advanced players should be able to bird them all from time to time. Rec players should be able to crack par as well. Course definitely reads entry level course.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - An average city park setting. There are numerous made man elements in view and in play. The tree coverage is nice, but not to same level as nearby Bay Memorial.
- SPACING - Well below average, Several of the fairways feel partially shared. Discs will constantly end in other fairways. Black aces probably happen a lot comparatively. In addition, if the course were full of players, you would be wise to keep your head up and aware of other groups teeing off.

Other Thoughts:

A nice beginners and rec course. Skilled players looking for more of a challenge should check out Bay Memorial or Under the Oaks instead.
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6 0
Mr. Butlertron
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 21.1 years 659 played 131 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Pee-eww-ny Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 11, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

- free to play, plenty of parking
- large concrete tees
- bright, numbered baskets
- high quality tee signs with distances and numbers
- ace runs galore
- low traffic
- bathroom on sight
- shaded fairways
- not too buggy

Cons:

- flat course
- lots of fairway and basket overlap
- short, bland fairway design
- course smelled like was next to a water reclamation site
- children's playground on location, could be a plus for parents I suppose

Other Thoughts:

Joe Moody is a short, simple, pitch'n putt course that rewards control over power. Drives often run the risk of being pinballed by trees. Fortunately, par saves are fairly easy. By the look of it, there was a bit of money put into the course, the large concrete pads and commercially produced tee signs really stand out. The park grass was low and I could clearly see all of the baskets.

The course has a plain arrangement of baskets crammed tight into an area too small for most players to enjoy. Many fairways overlap. If I came here again and that's a pretty big "if", then I'd only bring a putter, a stable/neutral mid. and an overstable utility driver. That's all the average player will likely need to wrestle up some birdies on these fairways.

As it is with most community courses, locals will undoubtedly defend Moody's legitimacy, course baggers with appreciate how fast they can play through it and leave. Make sure you arrive on the correct side of the park or you'll have a longer walk to and from the course. There's a creepy vibe on the other side of the park, stay away.

One more thing, I don't know if it had anything to do with the rain that came before I played the round, but 2 of the 3 courses I played this weekend in Panama City smelled absolutely horrible. What's the deal with that?
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1 4
Bandit 01
Experience: 13.2 years 4 played 3 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 1, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

QUICK 9 HOLE COURSE GREAT AS A TEACHING COURSE TO TEACH CHILDREN.

Cons:

GROUNDS COULD USE A LITTLE ATTENTION. SIGNS NEED UPDATEING AND SIGN FOR HOLE 6 NEEDS REPLACEING COMPLETELY. BASKET FOR 6 DOESNT MATCH SIGN.

Other Thoughts:

WORKING ON ALTERNATE SETTING FOR THIS COURSE AS WELL.
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0 3
robgettys
Experience: 13.8 years 14 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Nice Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 26, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Fun course. Short course which makes each whole a birdie opportunity. In the shade!! Made summertime play more enjoyable.

Cons:

Sketchy neighborhood, but I played it 4 times over the week that I was on summer vacation and felt safe. Actually saw joggers, people picnicking and spoke to them.

Short course, lots of trees.
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1 0
Jurd269
Experience: 9.8 years 4 played 4 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Shady Acres 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 10, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

- Great use of the space, all holes centered around a central hub in the park
- Holes 1-6 offer a variety of finesse opportunities
- The grounds are in good shape and I didn't see a single piece of garbage in sight.
- Good, long, concrete tee pads
- Great beginner course

Cons:

- Holes 7-9 were an afterthought, 7 in particular is ridiculous, there is no path to the basket, creative or otherwise
- The area was shady, see more below
- Short, no opportunity to let it rip

Other Thoughts:

I was in Panama City for vacation with the wife and I ended up visiting this course for a quick 18 riding solo. Trust every review that says this course is in a rough part of town. I met a great group of local players that invited me to join their group; one pulled me aside to advise that he has personally seen people beaten down in gang-related violence at this park. Please, and I say PLEASE, do not visit this park alone. Always in a reasonable sized group.
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0 2
ridestreet84
Experience: 11.9 years 20 played 4 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 11, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

short course in a small park that uses the layout perfectly, great signage and great layout for what it is. Very short course with good lines for control work, easy to find the next hole

Cons:

neighborhood seems shady, no room to really throw a huge throw, no fairway on 7 very full of trees but makes for a interesting challenge, narrow tunnel on 8, didn't look at the map and took a bit to find 7 after 6, went back and looked at the map and found it easily, seems like 7,8,9 where an afterthought

Other Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this course, went during midweek and was the only one out there, seems like some very interesting local lines can be made
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2 1
aclay
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 39.5 years 309 played 234 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Short but fun couse 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 28, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great signs and tee pads for such a small, short course. Only one hole is longer than 250 feet, and five of the nine are under 200 feet. Well-defined flight paths (with some alternatives) except for No. 7.

Cons:

Holes are too close together. My tee shot on No. 1 went through the No. 4 tee pad, and I birdied No. 1 with about a 20-foot putt. All holes are short, so there is not much variety. It's unlikely you'll need a driver.

Other Thoughts:

No. 7 had basically no fairway. Just chuck it and hope. The locals apparently have designed a second 9, playing from dirt (but marked) tee areas to be able to play 18 with just 9 baskets. That might work for now because there doesn't appear to be much traffic. If the course ever got somewhat crowded, playing the 18 would be tough.
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2 0
skottyb
Experience: 24.9 years 54 played 26 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Decent short course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 5, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Good lines to the basket on most holes, very beginner friendly type of course.

Great tee signs, baskets, and tee pads. Seems like overkill for the park but for what it is I can't complain.

Well maintained park, I did not see a piece of trash anywhere. My wife loved it because it was quick and easy to play. Easy navigation and a nice neighborhood.

Cons:

Safety issues, some of the holes almost overlap, the tee pads in question could be trouble for an errant shot from another hole. When I say errant show I mean a 20' errant shot.

No distance shots, I went with a putter and a midrange because I knew what to expect from previous reviews. I pulled the mid (roc) out on one hole, hole 8 I believe and I used a putter for the rest of the round. No room to air it out.

Other Thoughts:

A decent course, I haven't played any other courses in Florida so I wanted to make a quick stop while I was in PC visiting grandma. If I had more time I would play the alternates they have, the locals had seem to create their own back nine using different tee locations to the same baskets.
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4 4
swatso
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.7 years 755 played 414 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Tweety Bird 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 20, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Most holes allow for different lines-of-attack.

Cons:

Hole-7 is more of a random event than a disc golf hole.

Other Thoughts:

Course plays in a clockwise fashion underneath the scattered, mid-diameter trees of a small public park. Navigation is simple, and chance of disc loss is practically nil. The 5'x10' concrete tees and signs are (nice) overkill for such a short and compact course.

With holes ranging from 171'-255', and an average of 212', this course is entirely about control. Other than where-is-the-fairway #7, and hallway #8, only a few trees need to be avoided on each hole, and even being deflected by one will typical allow for a reasonable par-save approach. While the tee signs might suggest a "standard" line to the basket, right-turning holes 1, 4, 7, and 9 also had narrow-but-shorter left-turn options from the tee.

A fun, quick play, quite suitable for beginners, with every hole being a birdy opportunity for experienced players.
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2 5
tonyreynol
Experience: 4 played 4 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Woods 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 17, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Lot's of trees and obstacles. Nice basket and decent cement tee pads

Cons:

This is a heavily wooded course on all holes; so be ready. The challenge was more not hitting a tree than choosing discs and shot shapes.

Other Thoughts:

If you're a true disc golfer, it's the only real decent option in the area.
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2 1
bpartrid
Experience: 12.7 years 81 played 27 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Not Worth the Time 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 31, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Each hole is properly marked and has a layout so you know where to throw. The course is very short, so it is very easy for beginners to play and get some experience. The holes are very much ace-able and I saw many names signed on quite a few of the baskets (even the same person acing the same hole twice). The first 6 holes are very easy to birdie and then the last three are a little more difficult. Pro is you can play this 9 holes and then play Under The Oaks course only three miles away as a full 18 holes. Finally they have pretty good tee boxes and baskets.

Cons:

Unfortunately there are many cons to this course. I am a little unsure why a short, short course was placed in this park as it does not lend to much for course obstacles. The whole course is very short and most players will not need much more than a midrange and/or putter. Also, the whole environment in the park seems pretty sketchy and I would definitely not take my future kid to this park. The course is way too easy and the last few holes are not well planned. The only tough transition in holes is from hole 6 to 7, as you need to continue down the road for at least one hundred yards. I don't want to bash this course too much but I would not come to this course unless you are planning to play both it and Under the Oaks.

Other Thoughts:

The course is set up well, it just does not offer much besides throwing a Buzz disc. Overall I would go to Under the Oaks just a few miles away instead.
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1 4
flyingdisc
Experience: 12.8 years 18 played 17 reviews
3.00 star(s)

A few trees 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 20, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Like previous reviews, plenty of shade.
Signs, baskets, and tee pads look new
Never seen the park crowded or busy
Clean

Cons:

Not where you would expect a disc course
Short course on distance




Other Thoughts:

Nice Par 3 course and really glad to have another course here in PC. The park is in the middle of a neighborhood but you wouldn't really know it from inside the park. The park is small but does have a small play area for kids and a covered picnic table. Holes 1-6 are not very difficult to score pars on, holes 7-9 gave me some problems since there are quite a few trees on the way to the basket. Granted I am not a pro, but for me I scored a 5 on each hole
7-9. IF you are in the area or visting the beach, come into town and give this course, and Under the Oaks, a try.
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3 1
MikeK
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 28.8 years 330 played 128 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Fastest 9 Holes ever 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 10, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

It's nice and shady, very easy to navigate, and in a pretty little park. It has a decent variety of shots for a 9-holer. In fact it is so shady I was able to play it on a 99 degree day in July at 2 PM and didn't even break a sweat on the first go around. There were no bugs and very little brush if any that might cut you up.

Cons:

It's very short, and none of the holes are very memorable. There's no water holes and almost no OB. If you have to choose between this course and the one at Under the Oaks park nearby, play at Under the Oaks.

Other Thoughts:

I played this course one under in less than 13 minutes my first round, then I thought, I can beat that! So I jogged it the second pass and finished 3 under in exactly 9 minutes, which is the fastest I have ever played 9 holes. Then I drove over to the course nearby (Under the Oaks park) and played 9 over there and that didn't take long either, in fact I played 2 rounds here, drove 4 miles, and then played one round at the Oaks in about an hour.
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3 0
S.Cann
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.9 years 156 played 82 reviews
2.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 21, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Great use of land available

-Excellent discatchers and tee pads

-Absolutely amazing use of the space made available.

-Variety in shots to keep it interesting.

-Easily navigable

Cons:

-Not a good area for a disc golf course. The park itself is great, but I saw quite a few shady characters in and around this park. A couple of them were yelling things at us...

-Some areas around baskets could have been more cleared

-Shorter course

Other Thoughts:

Overall, this is an extremely fun 9-hole course in Panama City, FL. If it were in a better area, I would consider it one of the top 3 9-hole courses I've played. Tons of short holes to work on your midrange game and have some ace runs.
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1 4
TheRoc
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Cool Little Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 10, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Amazingly, they got 9 holes in there! Lots of precision shots through the little pine trees. If you need work on your approach game, this is a good place to get it. Tees pads and signage were excellent. With a little playing time on this course I could see someone throwing an 18 (or less!) in 9 Holes.

Cons:

ALL the holes are SHORT. Very easy for an experience player to overthrow every hole.

Other Thoughts:

Lots of "right handed" holes. If you are a side-arm thrower or a lefty, bring something that turns over.
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9 0
ERicJ
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.3 years 286 played 154 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Solid little course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 23, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This is a nice little course in a community park. The baskets are new DISCatchers with excellent condition. The tee pads are concrete and ample size for the mostly short holes. While the holes are on the short side the design is such that the trees present a challenge on every one. There's even some minor elevation in play with +/-10 changes on some holes. The tee signs are top quality Houck brand. Besides all that it's the only game in town (or at least within 60 miles).

Cons:

Short holes, all of them. The longest one is ~250'. For any semi-experienced player there's no need for any driver discs. Several of the holes have posted distances that aren't very accurate, I remember specifically #3 that's closer to 150'.

On hole #7 both the sign and tee pad direction indicate the hole was intended to be played RHBH anny line... but only lefties are probably going to choose that path as the RHBH hyzer lines seem easier.

Other Thoughts:

Most of the holes are relatively straight but offer hyzer or anny lines to approach with the challenge of making a choice as to which one is easier for you. Good players will birdie, i.e. 2, most of the holes out here... but the trees prevent this from being a really "easy" course. Play road and beyond a OB to make the course a bit tougher, I wish that were posted on the signs.

The park also has a playground available to keep the family occupied while you play if that's your thing.
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4 1
sidearmer
Experience: 5 played 5 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Joe Moody Park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 22, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Well, I suppose for beginners, this is a good place to start. The nine holes can be played with a mid-range and a putter...enough said. Any experienced player should birdie every hole out there...enough said on that too. It is a nice park...albeit in a rough location.

Cons:

Way too cramped...just not enough room for a disc golf course. Hopefully no one is going to get hit in the head with a disc...as that is not good for disc golf in general. I find it hard to believe that in all of Bay County, another park was not available to place a course in???

Other Thoughts:

I would be interested in speaking with the POC for this course, to see what the mood of the county is regarding disc golf. What about the land around Frank Brown park? Who is there to speak to in the county parks department? I will help...if there is real interest in doing this; I have helped build three courses. I gave the course a '2' because it is simply a putter course...no offense meant.
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2 4
discgolfnut
Experience: 19.1 years 1 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Good short course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 13, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Good setup for beginners and semi experienced players, Good Quality baskets and launch pads. A real fun short course

Cons:

wooded area a little rough to walk through. 1,2,,8and 9 are sometimes hard to play when the park is busy with little kids. or lots of walkers.

Other Thoughts:

The area is in a somewhat rough Neighborhood but that's part of the reason they put the course there and spent a lot of money fixing the park up. Just like anywhere lock your car and keep your eyes open. score card box would be a Great addition to the main sign. I will try to set one up
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8 2
bilemshious
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.9 years 27 played 17 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Crash course in disc golf 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 19, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Baskets and tee pads are in top notch shape. Brand new Innova Discatcher baskets and cement tee pads. The Tee signs have detailed maps on them. Included is the hole number, distance to the hole, recommended flight path, and location of key trees.

Although this is not the longest course ever, it does offer a variety of shots - tunnel shots, high RHBH hyzer shots, RHFH shots around some trees. This course won't leave you reaching into your bag for different discs every time, but it will make you take different shots.

The designer of this course used the plot of land that the course is designed on very effectively. I feel he/she maximized it's potential in every way. The course avoids the play ground so that there is no danger of hitting kids (unless you're just THAT bad). Even hole #7, where it seems absurd to put a hole there. It's a challenge. I think this just forced me to be even more creative with my throws.

My group was the only ones playing disc golf, but there were families and kids curious as to what in the world we were doing that were walking/riding bikes through the park.

Cons:

The course is played mostly through the woods. The fairways and paths to the next hole consist of leaves, dirt and tree debris. Bring your shoes for sure. It's in a swampy area. While it was fine while we were playing, you should consider how much rain the area has gotten recently. Along with that, how much the bugs will come out to play with you.

The one thing I wished while playing this course was that it was longer. As stated above, the designer maximized the potential of the land. I guess I am just wishing the land was longer. Ha.

What would give this course at least another half star would be an additional 9 holes. The space in this park is not there for this course, but having more holes is always going to make it more fun.

Crazy man dressed in all white and a large cross around his neck yelling at us. Just keep walking and avoid this man. We saw him the first time but not the second, so it may have been a one-time scary occurrence.

Other Thoughts:

This course is located in a small park in what appears to be a rougher neighborhood. Aside from the strange man dressed in white who preached false teachings to us, it wasn't an issue. To put it simply, you're throwing through the woods here. If you don't have a decent mid-range game/disc, you're going to be struggling.

I certainly had a lot of fun. One of my friends aced hole #5. We certainly celebrated! But having played several courses in the last few years, I've had my fair share of frustrating moments. And as much as this course has potential to frustrate (holes 7, 8, 9), it was a lot of fun seeing your disc fly through the trees unscathed. It's possible! You just have to throw it right.

If you're on vacation in Panama City, go play this course. It's not that far away. Go on a cloudy day. Great course to challenge your short game and friendly competition.
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6 1
sstieg
Experience: 16.9 years 122 played 4 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Accuracy 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 22, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

We were the only ones in the park and the course was easy to navigate without much excessive walking between each hole.
The course was clean and the parking lot did not put the cars in jeopardy of bad throws. Good signs and tee boxes!

Cons:

A few holes such as 7 and 9 did not seem to have much of a fairway to get a birdie. The signs way of getting to these two holes was probably the worst way to go but it did face the correct way according to the sign.

Other Thoughts:

This is a putter course and most of the holes offer an anny or hyzer shot getting you to the basket if there was not a straight look at the basket. Hole 8 was my favorite with a straight tunnel shot filled with trees on both sides punishing bad throws.
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