Pros:
(2.718 Rating) A one-dimensional course where length off the tee will be the primary factor to score low.
- CHALLENGING - This course can be pro level at times, but I didn't give the course credit for that because the baskets have to be in all longs, and the Gold tees are generally not paved. I rated the challenge from the paved Blue tees, with a mixed configuration. In this configuration, and IMO, this is in fact Blue level, or Advanced level will have you. Both the A and B Blue tee configurations average over 300 feet long for the par 3s. Players are going to need at least 375 foot power to rack up birdies from these tees. There are a few par 3 placements, (like hole 4 long placement), that just don't seem reachable without having a 1035 player rating. In addition, there is definitely a lacking technical element to the layout as most misfires off the tee are often easy clean-up pars.
- BLUE TEES - Big concrete tees that are all in good to perfect condition.
- SIGNAGE AND NAVIGATION - Adequate, but slipping. I'm sure the tee signs were excellent when there were first installed. They are color coded for skill level designation. They have all the info one would need such as an artistic description of the line, hole distances, hole number and next tee direction. The reason I say its slipping is due to the age and the quality. Other than the post, the frame wood is not pressure treated. Numerous signs are fading to the point of illegibility due to likely not using UV protection. At least a handful of signs are missing now as well. As for navigation, its passable. I liked the marker at the community board noting the basket configuration. I could tell there used to be a map on it as there was a large rectangle on the board with an un-weathered wood stain. Transitions on the course are satisfactory to good. The one exception is (15) to (16), see cons, flow gap
- SKILL LEVEL FRIENDLY - For those ok with teeing from natural grass surfaces, there are marked tee layouts for Recs, Intermediates, Advanced and Pros. Athletic Beginners might enjoy the red layout, although it may even be a bit long for them.
- LENGTH - For those that like to bomb shots, this one tally-ups to 10,572 feet from the gold pads in the all-long configuration. That's an average of 587 feet per hole, which is a higher average than courses like Mahr Park, IDGC Jackson and Idlewild. Obviously this length is also a con to many players as well.
Cons:
Endless trolly and the infinite blandness.
- HOLE VARIETY - A lot of holes have a similar feel to them. Bomb it down a generally wide fairway either one or two times. There is very little technical prowess to this course. I want to say I only hit three trees during the entire round. The elevation available to use is minimal, and what was there was not really used in the basket protection. The few higher slopes seemed to be regulated to raised tees. Hole 3 has an extended high pole. No major water elements to game plan around either.
- LENGTH - The added length on many holes doesn't make the course more appealable imo. Several times during my round I just grabbed a disc while walking up, dropped my bag and seamlessly threw. I get little enjoyment on courses that throw just the one dynamic at me. What good is a 600 foot hole without an obstacle? (referencing hole 8).
- MULTI USE HAZARDS - The course layout interacts and crosses paved walking paths numerous times. Parking sort-of comes into play a couple times. Be wise and don't throw when other park users are nearby. I personally had to pause my game a couple times to let people pass by. The overall spacing between the holes themselves is adequate for most of the course, but there are times to be aware of other players.
- LAYOUT FLOW - Big course flow gap between (15) and (16). You will need a map to find (16) or be lost for ten minutes.
- TEES OTHER THAN THE BLUES - The white and red layout is almost entirely natural tees with no line markings or leveling. The golds have a handful of hard surfaces. I appreciate the thought to provide multiple tee layouts.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - The Red layout is all par 3s and averages over 300 feet per hole. A couple are even plus 400 feet. Seems a little long for your average Rec player and thus it will be way too long for most beginners.
- TIME PLAY - 79 minutes for this quick solo on an empty course.
- WIND - Likely a miserable course on windy days.
Other Thoughts:
Palmore felt like a tweener 2.75 to me. The best aspect is the multitude of tee layouts so that most skill levels can have an appropriate challenge. On the flipside, the landscape here is too dull and uninspiring for me to score much higher. Whomever laid it out did a fine job, there just wasn't anything to work with like that of the terrain on nearby Bowers. So I think words like decent, typical and average define this course appropriately when every aspect is accounted for. I will say however, that bombers may score this one higher than I have. Woods players with weak arms will likely only be dragged here against their will on the second go around.