A recreational course with a mix of completely open thru heavily wooded holes.
PROS:
+ DGC SPACE ONLY + One of my favorite things about this city park course is not having to deal with other park patrons. There are no walking paths or roads that wind through this layout. Also, there are no adjacent ball fields either. This place is a disc golf dedicated space.
+ ACEABILITY + This course is probably the easiest course to ace in the Huntsville area. The first four holes are all sub 225 feet mild technical plays. I could see local rec players having multiple aces a year here.
+ SKILL LEVEL FRIENDLY + This course is going to work really well for beginners threw intermediate level players whom make up a majority of the disc golf community. There are some short technical plays and a few wide open bomber holes for those that max out at 375. No water hazards and the odds of actually losing a disc is really low.
+ QUICK TO PLAY + One of the quicker 18s to play. The course is definitely on the short side and the hole to hole walks are generally less than one hundred feet. I’ve done solo rounds out here in less than 40 minutes and have also done a five person night round in just over two hours. Figure a group of four with daylight should be in and out in 90 minutes.
+ NIGHT GOLF + This is an ideal night golf course. Spacious fairways, only moderate overgrowth, no water hazards in play and lots of locals with glow tape and blacklight flashlights. I personally participate in a night glow league here.
+ TEES + 6 foot by 10 foot concrete tees that are in great condition.
+ CHAINS + DISCatchers that are in great condition.
+ NAVIGATION + A few issues but overall it’s not too bad. New course map on site, but there is lots of missing hole signage. From speaking with the local players I've heard stories that kids have stolen them but also that that they were so poorly made that they fell apart.
CONS:
No major issues with Southside but it won't challenge skilled players like several other area courses.
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - Advanced level players are going to be very underwhelmed by this course. Other than perhaps hole (7), an advanced player should have them all birdied after 4 or 5 rounds. Intermediate players should be 6 to 7 down routinely. There are several woodsy holes, but only hole (8) is over 250 feet.
- ELEVATION - The flattest course in Huntsville. Hole (5) has a basket on a 4 foot high mound and it’s the most notable elevation change here.
- UNIQUENESS - Below average. In addition to being flat, it’s an all par 3 layout that has hole lengths varying from around 150 feet to 450 feet. Just prior to my initial review post, the hole data on DGCR listed hole (7) as a par 4 at 550 feet, but the hole was altered from the initial design along with (6) to help prevent discs from going over the power station fence. Another missing element is water, except for standing casual water, (see cons, drainage.) The course does however have a split mix of open to wooded holes
- CHARACTER - As stated in the pros, the basic are done well with nice tees and baskets. However after these core items there really isn't much else here that helps set it apart from every other smaller city park course. No extra tees or basket placements. No practice basket or community board. Lots of missing tee signs (new tee signs in the works)/ There are a few sporadic seating areas and garbage cans.
- RAW BEAUTY - A well maintained course but overall it lacks the natural grace like that of area courses Monte Sano or Indian Creek. A few too many open holes and there are massive power lines running through the layout. I scored the course a D+ for beauty.
- DRAINAGE - The course does not drain well. I had soaked feet after my first three plays here. Normally I like to point out which holes are the worst offenders, but there are just so many locations that puddle up. (14) and (15) are the only holes that have been dry every time. I recommend bringing waterproof boots during the winter.
OTHER THOUGHTS:
Nothing too special about Southside Park as it grades out as a strong C-. The perfect little course for residents on the southern end of Huntsville. Worth a look see at least once if you live in the Huntsville metro area or perhaps more often for those still hunting for their a first ace. For those outside of the area, the first go to course should be Indian Creek. Redstone Arsenal is another good first choice for those with military access.
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+1 votes 
Todd Price
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February 23, 2016
