What is Northside Park like?
Northside Park is one of 182 PDGA-listed courses in Florida, and one of 2 in Gainesville itself. The layout runs 18 holes to a par of 54 over 6,228 ft, averaging roughly 346 feet per hole. That is long enough that you will want a driver you can actually control off the tee.
The terrain is wooded — tight tree-lined fairways, which puts the emphasis on accuracy over raw distance. Tunnel shots and gaps define the lines here, so controlled mid-ranges and fairway drivers matter more than a big arm.
ThrowSpot rates the course moderately demanding overall, making it players who have their form mostly sorted. Expect a genuine test without being punished for every miss. This is the level most recreational players score best on. Most groups finish in about 110 minutes, though a busy weekend morning can add half an hour of waiting on the tee.
What discs should you bring to Northside Park?
For a course like this, a putter and one or two mid-ranges covers the majority of shots. Leave the high-speed drivers in the car. There is rarely room to use them, and a controlled mid-range will out-score a driver you cannot place.
If you are not sure what matches your arm speed, the disc selector converts your throwing distance into a speed ceiling and specific mold recommendations. It is also worth reading the wind calculator before you play on a breezy day.
Cost and access
This course is free to play, like the majority of the 7,008 courses in the ThrowSpot directory. There is no booking system and no check-in — turn up and play. Most park courses are open dawn to dusk; hours can change seasonally, so it is worth checking locally before a very early or late round.
Amenities at Northside Park
Amenity information comes from PDGA course records and may not reflect recent changes. If something here is out of date, the local club is usually the fastest way to confirm.
Other disc golf courses near Northside Park
More disc golf in Gainesville
Gainesville has 2 PDGA-listed courses. Others worth a round:
| Course | Holes | Difficulty | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesville Park | 18 | Beginner | Free |
Frequently asked questions
How many holes is Northside Park?
Northside Park has 18 holes with a total par of 54. The course measures 6,228 ft, averaging about 346 feet per hole.
Is Northside Park free to play?
Yes. Northside Park is free to play, with no booking or check-in required.
Is Northside Park good for beginners?
It is rated intermediate difficulty, so newer players should expect a challenging round. Expect a genuine test without being punished for every miss. This is the level most recreational players score best on.
How long does it take to play Northside Park?
About 110 minutes for a typical group on 18 holes. Solo players move faster; busy weekend mornings can add 20 to 30 minutes of waiting.
Where is Northside Park located?
Northside Park is in Gainesville, Florida, at coordinates 29.70802, -82.35212. Directions are linked on this page.
What discs should I bring to Northside Park?
For this layout, a putter and one or two mid-ranges covers most shots. Leave the high-speed drivers in the car. There is rarely room to use them, and a controlled mid-range will out-score a driver you cannot place.