Palm Beach Gardens, FL

PGA National Park

2.55(based on 18 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

PGA National Park reviews

Filter
12 0
adlacro
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.8 years 149 played 125 reviews
2.00 star(s)

PGA

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 7, 2023 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

18 holes on the "advance/novice" layout (concrete pads), and 20 holes on the red/tiki layout. Course plays around the edge of a spacious city park. Decent mix of forehand/backhand holes with some low ceilings on a few holes and some challenging OB (but also see cons). Baskets are DIScatchers in good condition, and the grass was short and well maintained. Easy to get to, and bathrooms/water fountains are available by the larger parking lot. Tee signs are good, and also there are QR codes to download the course map.

Cons:

The course is bordered by lots of water, which will come into play on a lot of holes. Most of the holes that are not bordered by water are bordered by a pair of baseball/softball fields that have locked up fences and will be hard to retrieve errant throws from, not to mention can be pretty packed. Football teams also like to use the area near 5/14 as a warmup area and that can be unplayable at times. Despite a red/tiki layout (not on the signage at the advanced pads), I would also not call this a beginner friendly course for the water hazards/baseball field hazard).

Other Thoughts:

It's not my cup of tea, but there are enough likeable things about it. The course/park is really busy on the weekends, and you'd be better off if you can come here during the week. Lastly, you can play glow golf here, as the baskets have lights on the top, kind of a plus.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
9 1
thrembo
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 48.9 years 242 played 194 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Conflict Of Interest 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Apr 19, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

Let me begin by saying how absolutely gorgeous the park that the course is set in is. It has a great tree canopy, nice clean water hazards, and manicured fairways. It has nice tee signs and concrete tees. The course has some cool looks. Navigation, although somewhat weird, wasn't too hard to figure out after looking at the course map and getting a feel for the course.

Cons:

OK, in my opinion, a course that plays out 9 holes and back in 9 holes using the same baskets is a bad design. Either way, groups are throwing at each other or waiting for each other. Thankfully in our recent play, this only occurred once during the round. If more groups are on the course wear a helmet and practice yelling "fore"

Other Thoughts:

All kidding aside, I think that this course would be best served as just a rockin' nine-holer.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
14 0
The Valkyrie Kid
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 45.9 years 1563 played 1507 reviews
2.50 star(s)

What’s A Disc Golf Course Doing In The Midst Of All These Golfers? 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 29, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

Everything in this community is about the sport of golf. Every street is named after a famous golfing term or course. It's all about golf here. And then we have this little disc golf course in the middle of it all. Blasphemy! The park is Florida lovely surrounded by glistening blue, lakes. One wonderful note here is much of this course is played under a canopy of shade trees, always welcome in the Florida sun.

The course has a somewhat strange numbering/navigational system. You play the front nine traditional 1 to 9 but then for the back nine you turn around and play these baskets in reverse order. So the # 9 basket is used as # 10, as well. # 8 is also # 11 and so on and so on until you play # 1 as the finishing hole, # 18.

I guess there are two separate entrances to the parking lot as it is blocked with a gate in the middle. The side I entered only had about six parking spaces and I never found out how to get in from from the other entrance. There is a restroom here and a large professional looking course sign and a course rules sign. The pads are concrete and the metal tee signs are great, however, the hole number is quite tiny and doesn't stand out so I always had to walk right up to the sign in order to read the hole #. There is a par for both Pros and Novices. The baskets are DGA models complete with numbers. There are two practice baskets which are actually down the fairway from the start. They have a series of brick set in the ground used as markers for your putting practice.

The water (both the lake and later, a canal) are present on about 1/2 of the holes. # 1 is 234' and actually tees off from out by the street, throwing over a portion of the pretty lake and finishes near the course sign. # 2 plays 365' with the lake on your left. I really thought # 5 was kinda cool. It's 280' and the basket is just over this small hill. #'s 8 and 9 play around the ball field and then you start back with # 10. It's tee pad is way down by the right field foul pole. 11-12 and 13 play back with the small canal on your right the entire way. The # 14 basket which doubles as the # 5 basket has two arrows hanging below, one pointing each way. The navigation is strange and takes a little getting adjusted too. The # 16 pad is atop this small hill and plays to the basket 359' away.

Cons:

There are lots of things that are different about this course. I don't know if I would necessarily call them cons but you probably wouldn't want them at your neighborhood course.

The weird numbering system is different. It would really be a serious con and safety hazard if multiple groups were playing here.

Navigation is seriously tricky and has probably sent more than a few disc golfers home shaking their heads.

The position of both the # 1 tee pad and the two practice baskets is a little unusual.

Other Thoughts:

In spite of all it's idiosyncrasies, the course here at PGA National, is actually an enjoyable round. It's somewhat challenging, has some water to contend with and is very lovely and wonderfully shaded. I can see it attracting players during those hot Florida days. I don't know? Maybe having two groups approach the same basket from two opposite directions could prove to be a most interesting situation?
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 2
GregDailey
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Beautiful Course and Great People 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 6, 2019 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Course is very well taken care of and the little things you will notice like solar lights on every basket and even brooms at some of the tee pads. All the trash was empty and fairways where all cleaned before anyone even showed up. Tee pads are marked and signs. Most of the holes are in the two to two hundred and fifty feet but with a different mixture of trees the mando are challenging, now there is a good deal of long shots as well. The people are truly the best, so friendly and helpful and really make you feel at home when your traveling everybody likes to strike up a conversation about my home courses.

Cons:

With being a shorter course they use the same baskets for multiple holes so you just have to pay attention.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 0
lazrman778
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.1 years 264 played 100 reviews
2.00 star(s)

PGA National Park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 1, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Has concrete tee pads

Has tee signs

More open than wooded fairways

Has next tee signs under baskets

Good use of surrounding water

Well-maintained

Free Parking (very limited if there are any soccer or softball games)

Restrooms

Cons:

Fairways intersect on many holes

Some fairways are way too close to the softball field - not good if there is a game in progress

Course doesn't flow well

More tees than baskets

Park can get very crowded with other parkgoers - had to park in overflow parking on a Sunday afternoon

Other Thoughts:

This is a beautiful course that is unique to me where a basket served two holes. This course really lacks the space of a 18 hole course and it shows that the designers made the best of what space they were afforded. With PGA National Park as the name of the park, I was expecting a lot more in better design. I think it would be better if the designers would trim this down to a 9 hole course.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
8 0
reposado
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.7 years 278 played 273 reviews
1.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 27, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

There are actually a few good holes that offer nice lines to throw. In particular the one that curves around the baseball field. And if you are the only group out here, it could be pretty fun. Somewhere in this design is a solid nine-hole course. Or at least a six. There is some good throws to be had here. But....

Cons:

It's short and unchallenging to the point where only inexperienced players will likely play it. Yet the nearness of the canal and the athletic fields will make it frustrating to those trying to learn the game.
Just about every fairways has multiple tees and baskets along it. The number of fairways that cross each other is countless. I would have hated this if there had been two or three other groups here. There weren't but it is still frustrating because although there is an arrow on each basket point toward the next tee, from any given basket that can be a multitude of tees in that general direction.
There really just isn't the space to make an 18-hole course here. There is barely enough usable terrain for nine. And a lot of what is there is just uneventful.

Other Thoughts:

It's right off the highway so it might be worth a pit-stop.

Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 2
Bd 37
Experience: 12.9 years 66 played 10 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Meh.... 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 15, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Not very long, good for beginners.

Cons:

Multiple holes play to a single basket, can cause quite a lot of confusion
Water in play a lot if your looking for birdies.

Other Thoughts:

If you and your kids are just starting out playing disc golf, this is a good place to start. More seasoned players may not like how short the course if overall.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 2
bigboned
Experience: 13.6 years 3 played 3 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Nice place to play. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 21, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nice course in a nice park. Clean. Very lightly wooded leaves plenty of lines to choose from on most holes. Nothing too long, so nice for newbs. Water is present but doesn't really come into play unless you get wild. Cement tee pads and good signage.

Cons:

A shorter course, so big arms may be frustrated. It's fairly wide open, so you can pretty much pick your line/shot. 9 baskets/18 tees, the course doubles back over itself which could cause congestion issues.

Other Thoughts:

Would love to see a few more trash cans and/or washrooms.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 6
polishedmarvel
Experience: 10.8 years 36 played 9 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Totally reasonable course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 15, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

18 holes (9 baskets) in a local park, free to play, some nice use of trees, nice baskets, nice use of water hazards.

Cons:

Holes are mostly short and flat, would be tough to play with lots of people on the course as many holes cross each other and 18 holes use 9 baskets. Pretty busy park with baseball, grilling, etc. Water hazards ;)

Other Thoughts:

I don't understand why it's marked 9 holes, or why it's rated so low. It's a totally decent course in a public park, be grateful for it!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
6 0
holmslice
Experience: 15.6 years 25 played 14 reviews
1.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 21, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

-short neighborhood course
-Clean and well maintained

Cons:

-No Tee Pads
-No Benches
-Extremely cramped with constant switchbacks
-Course does not loop back to parking lot at turn

Other Thoughts:

This course has 9 targets stuffed into the edges of a small neighborhood park. Two sets of tee markers make it an 18 hole experience. It is a bit impressive that the creator(s) of this course were able to fit this layout into such a small area, however little was included for player enjoyment/comfort and there is nothing particularly challenging or inspiring about any of the hole layouts.

Course is short and easy to follow. We had the fortune of hitting the course right after league finished, so we did not have to contend with cross traffic.

This is a nice neighborhood course to hit if you are in the area and no one else is on it. However, I would not suggest going out of your way to visit this one.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 3
jasonrigler
Experience: 11.4 years 120 played 15 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Nice 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Dec 2, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Only course in North PBC, great wildlife (birds). Enough trees and water to keep you thoughtful. Lots of recent improvements, including tee signs, concrete pads, course map, and mando signs.

Cons:

Can be a lot of cross traffic and park wanderers.
Murky water makes retrieving errant discs challenging. A few tee boxes have challenging footing. Low areas flood.

Other Thoughts:

This is an active course with players there nearly every day. Water on nearly every hole is challenging and frustrating. May not be your favorite course buts its worth a play if you are traveling through. #1 is on the sidewalk on the far west side of the park.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 0
Bocephus_Moonshine
Experience: 13.6 years 5 played 5 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Not my favorite course! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 29, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-I struggle to find anything good to say about this course, other than it is nice to have it as an option for the sake of variety.

Cons:

-This course has 18 holes, but only 9 baskets, which makes for easy crowding. I tried playing a tournament there once and got hit with a disc.

-I dislike dirt tee pads, especially when they get worn down. Someone should move them over (move a marker from one side to the other side) every once in a while.

-There are two holes that pass through a very narrow passage behind two baseball/softball diamonds, and the gates are often locked, making it difficult to retrieve your disc.

-This course is surrounded by water on three sides. On two sides, the water is deep with lily pads. Alligators have been seen in the water, so I don't recommend going in after your disc.

Other Thoughts:

Many disc golf courses are designed as an after-thought, but this one seems like it has the lowest priority of all of this park's features. Softball players park their expensive German cars right next to one of the baskets (instead of in a paved parking space), begging for an accident.

I should be careful to give some credit to the guys who designed and built this course. They didn't have a lot to work with, and they did the best they can to wedge a course into this little park.

If you're sick of playing at FAU and Okeeheelee park, this course makes for a nice change of pace, but if you're like me, you'll get sick of it pretty fast.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 4
sdervan
Experience: 14.7 years 41 played 41 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Great 9 Hole Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 14, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Nice baskets with ease of flow.
-Great course to work on your long mid-range shots or fairway driver practice.
-The 9 actually play like 18 when you turn around to play them back
-Well manicured park with 7 shots with potential water danger.
-Close to town and major roads.
-Great layout for a quick round on a lunch break.

Cons:

-Playing the 9 backwards would probably cause problems should someone be playing the front side.
-Busy park
-Natural tee pads.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
8 0
YawningDrone
Experience: 15 years 55 played 4 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Squeezed In 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 1, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

There are not very many courses in this area at all, so the fact that this one merely exists is a plus. The course is in a beautiful, well manicured park. There are several opportunities for fun shots. Holes 2 and 3 play under low ceilings with a ball park on the left and a dark, reptile infested canal on the right. Both will test your control. Hole 4 again has a canal on the right ( a much large canal, yes..you may lose some plastic on this course, beware of gators) and a mando left about 40 feet in front of the tee area, forcing the RHBH player to throw an anhyzer over an often occupied softball field,or attempt a FH shot. You will need to be accurate on this course as there are a good amount of
trees and water comes into play on several holes.

Cons:

This course has no tee pads. Each tee area is marked by two round stones painted white. These are often moved or set aside (presumably by the grounds crew.) I have tracked them down to replace them more than
once. This course is busy, busy, busy on the weekends. You will be throwing over or near people on several holes if you play during that time. When there are kids sporting events (as there often are) the overflow parking comes onto the fairways of 5, 6 and one of the holes coming back. You will not be able to play any of these holes if that's the case. The back 9 are simply the first 9 played backwards with alternate tee positions. If you are not familiar with the course, you will have trouble navigating this yourself. There are no signs at all. There is the possibility of running into other groups coming back, on the same hole, depending how busy it is. A few of the holes are down right gimmicky. 17 requires that you land your first shot in between the fences of two ball fields (about a 25 foot gap) and throw over the second field toward the basket which is squeezed
in between the murky canal and the fence of the ball field (about a 20 ft. gap.)

Other Thoughts:

This is not a big arm course. It may have been before it was pulled and reinstalled, but not now. There was obviously not much room to work with, so the designer did a good job with what was available.
A more pleasant playing experience is at FAU, about 10 minutes north.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 1
KDencker
Experience: 13.8 years 27 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

I had fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 25, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

It is located in a beautiful small park. The course is open, and there were people working on the fields to maintain it.

The baskets looked new (didn't see the rust).

Cons:

It is located in the middle of the park. If I went on a weekend I don't think I could play. One hole, there was a grill on the direct path from the tee to the basket.

Also, I don't know where they learned to count. I never once saw a marker for 2. But I did find one that went from 1 to 12 to 13 to 4 to 8 and so on. But the baskets were in order. I really tried to find the matching number.

Other Thoughts:

This is my first review, and 3rd course I have played on. I found it really enjoyable, and I will probably go back when I am back on vacation.

Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 0
TiVo713
Experience: 5 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

A nice suprise of a course! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 9, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

I really like this course. Its laid out really nicely with plenty of obstacles and water hazards to keep you on the level. Forces me to throw a variety of shots and the course really does play differently backwards.

Cons:

Technically its only 9 holes, and there might be an issue with running into people wanting to play the same hole but in different directions. Fortunately thats never happened as this course is somewhat of a hidden gem.

Other Thoughts:

If you have a big arm, you're in for some fun. Oh and I've never found the marker for hole 10, so we just play from the tree across the pond.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 0
Dooley
Experience: 30.8 years 102 played 12 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Not that bad 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 20, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is a big gunners paradise. Every hole is crank it as far as you can and maybe you'll park it for a deuce. They planted many trees around the ball park which enhanced the three holes that run back there. There are a couple of tight shots along the back of the ball fields with water on the edge and the fence on the other, but this is a pro because most of the course is wide open.

Cons:

Multiuse park that will sometimes have people in your way, very rarely in the three years I lived down the street did I have to worry about anyone. If you're accurate you won't worry a bit because the course follows the edges of the park.

Other Thoughts:

I think this park has a pretty decent layout and it's pretty fun playing 9 in one direction and than turning around and shooting the same baskets from a different perspective. This sounds ridiculous because most of us play course where other people play. In the 100 times I've played this place, honestly only one time have I come across a group playing the opposite direction. Disc golfers are generally not to uptight to wait a sec for players to get by. Certainly isn't the first or last course to have hole switching back across eachother. Not a problem here because I guess people think it's too hot to play disc in palm beach, maybe it's the wind. That's the other thing! It's always windy in Florida disc golf.

Park near the tennis courts and play either direction from them, either tee up to the west of the court shooting north or cross the road and shoot south along the pond to the basket.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 2
basmith42
Experience: 16 years 14 played 14 reviews
1.50 star(s)

6 good holes. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 17, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

6 good holes circling a multi use park. Holes 4 and 5 are wide open to the left with trees, power poles, and a lake on the right. The way the land lies, these make formidable obstacles. They force some strategy on the hole. Excellent use of water and natural trees to create 6 good recreational holes. Wind in the evening makes this a fun course. It wants to push your disks into the water.

Cons:

- Holes 7 and 8 are blind throws with very narrow (less than 15') landing areas that make a 3 on them virtually impossible. Both punish throws to the right by depositing discs on the other side of a 6' chain link fence.
Some baskets are bent and missing chains. All are rusty. This is an old course. Schule is about ankle length on most of the course. Still- its not bad because of the soil.

Other Thoughts:

6 good holes. Call it a 12 hole course and play the first 6 holes backwards. It will create a completely different "back 6"
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Top