Pros:
(2.331 Rating) I was expecting between a 1 or a 2 when I drove out to Trinity but came away somewhat surprised.
- MULTIPLE TEES - With the exception of holes (3,14,16,17,18), there was a pair of tee boxes for Pros and Ams. The Pro tees had 2 holes in access of 400 feet in length.
- MAINTENANCE - The grounds were being mowed during my round. The course appears to be constantly trimmed and manicured. The was very little trash spotted despite a lack of garbage cans.
- FORGIVENESS - The odds of losing a disc due to an errant shot is low. There is some marshy water on #15 that kind of comes into play from the pro tees, but a pro player would have shank it 20 degrees left and make it though a strip of trees and shrubs. There are a few areas of tall glass and moderate overgrowth on holes (1,4,5,6,13,14,15) but overgrowth really only comes into play on (5,13,15) The tree canopy is mostly pine and mixed Deciduous trees and shrubs. There are only a couple of disc robbing palms.
- UNIQUENESS - The holes themselves in terms variety is about average. There are a two gimme holes (4,14), 5 or 6 open holes including a long open bomb it hole (12), a few blind baskets (1,5,6,12,15), 5 or 6 sweeping left benders, some holes play threw a moderately spaced pine canopy. The course definitely favors backhand righties over lefties. There were zero right bender holes.
- LAYOUT FLOW - If you have a map, (also see navigation cons) the flow of the course works pretty good. Very few holes require a walk over a couple hundred feet between basket and next tee.
- ACEABILITY - several of holes are highly aceable, especially #14 at a dead on aim of about 150 feet. Playing Ams is even more so with every hole under 300 feet.
- TIME WAITING - I spent zero seconds waiting to throw. there are only a couple of paths crossing threw the course but I saw zero runners and walkers on them.
Cons:
This young course is missing a bunch of things, but many of which are fixable.
- TEE SURFACE - Its Carpet... Which is better than dirt but just doesn't seem right. Several of the pads are already tearing apart in its first year of use. I will add that there are hole distances painted on all of the pads, but a few are already fading away. I figure by Summer 2017, only a couple will be readable. Several of the pads have lumps underneath them as well.
- NAVIGATION - Hole directional ques were non-existence. I spent a good 15 to 20 minutes after arrival trying to find my bearings. (Note, I have added a crude course map @ the course File/Links tab) Hole 1 is located 150 feet northeast of the northernmost campus building.
- CHARACTER - The course is really just baskets and tees and is void of all course character items. No tee shading, no seating, no map, no community board, no trash cans, no tee signs, no tables, no practice basket, no extra pin placements (except hole 5) It was stated on facebook that scorecards are available in one of buildings. As a non-student, i did not check.
- CHAINS - the weight of the chains are below average. Not entirely sure what type of basket they are but definitely was not a fan.
- SPACING - Slightly below average, if the course was full "highly unlikely" there would be a few tees in close proximity of other baskets. there are also a few fairways that feel partially shared.
- ELEVATION - Really none to speak of. I know that this is typically for Florida, but this course is flat for even Florida standards. no more than 10' in total elevation change throughout the entire course.
- LOCATION - Course is a trek to get to from most parts of the Tampa metro area with no major roads nearby. Course is about 10 miles West from the Suncoast Toll Way. 45 minutes to and hour drive from downtown Tampa and St. Pete.
- DIFFICULTY - Advanced players should have no problem breaking par from the pro tees. Most Rec players should be able to break par from the Ams.
Other Thoughts:
A good course for those attending Trinity College or those living within 5 miles. Probably worth a look see if you've already hit a majority of the area courses or if you're like me and feel the need to play every course once. Not recommended to out of area players looking to play one or two area courses. In that scenario, consider these area courses instead (Cliff Stevens, Taylor, Picnic or Cypress)