After some morning sightseeing at a nature preserve (Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive – which I’d recommend if you are into nature) I headed up to Ocala to try to play Baseline Golf Course.

I say “try” because the course doesn’t take tee times. That is a bit odd for sure, however I guess the course stays busy enough and things work fine this way for them. I got there in the afternoon and it was packed!

Personally, I didn’t have a problem getting out right away but I was golfing as a single. The starter offered to let me join a threesome on the 2nd hole so he drove me out there to join up. Then I came back around and played the 1st. Ultimately, I think that saved me about 30 minutes.

No tee times is the only negative thing that anyone should say about Baseline. Everything else about my experience here was top-notch! The highlight of the round was all the beautiful landscaping (palm trees, flower beds, blooming azaleas, and water features). Baseline is the best landscaped course that I can ever remember playing.

The course is an executive course and features mostly short holes. It is a par-64 with eleven par-3’s and seven short par-4’s. The par-4’s are all between 240 and 320 yards so some of the bigger hitters can probably drive each one. You’ll likely test your short and mid irons when playing here.

There are two sets of tees at Baseline and I played the blues, which are 3,604 yards. I’m not sure on the rating and slope as nothing is listed on the scorecard and I couldn’t find the course in the GHIN system either.

The par-3’s mix up the distances with the shortest playing 90 yards and the longest playing 173 yards. There is actually a bonus par-3, so you end up playing nineteen holes during the round. The bonus hole is called “Lucky 13” and is the fifth hole that you play. It is 115 yards and has an island green, so it would be a great one to use to settle some bets, if needed.

The par-3 15th is Baseline’s signature hole, as it features a waterfall and plenty of the course’s signature flowers. The 7th hole is on the opposite side of the water fall and gives you an idea of what to expect later in the round.

The conditions were fantastic and on par with plenty of $100 courses that I’ve played over the years. However, I only paid $30 to walk! The turf was as lush as can be and everything was completely overseeded. Not a blade of grass was out of place. The greens rolled smooth and at a medium speed.

I’m not lying when I say that Baseline will probably be one of my favorite courses I’ll play all year! It was pleasing to the eye, pleasing to play and it was in mint shape. I think it is a complete hidden gem.

Course Pictures (click any picture to scroll through the gallery):