Disc Golf Course Review
Recent course reviews
Resurrection Park
Hope Mills, NC
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Pros:
Even by church standards, Resurrection Park is an interesting course.
- Once you drive around the church building, the first thing you notice is there's a house right there. As you walk to the first tee, you're essentially teeing off from the pastor's front yard.
- First hole has you teeing off around a shipping container for a blind tee shot. Throw long as there's a small pond short and left of the basket. Once you're to the basket, the pond serves as a nice view.
- #2 tees off alongside the road. By default, one of the better views.
- #6 is a dogleg left around the edge of a tree line. Unfortunately, the area around the basket is extremely overgrown that you don't want to be too aggressive here. Picked up my disc after my tee shot and gave myself a 3 rather than messing with this.
- #7 is the 'fun' hole with the basket up on a mound, 10 feet off the ground. Could have a potential issue if you sail long past the mound on your tee or approach shot. Underbrush on mound is thick, even in Winter, that you should be prepared for a couple scratches on it.
- #9's basket is between one of the shipping containers and the fence around the pond. Blind tee shot. Take a 3, don't mess with trouble here, and call it a day.
- Each hole has a long tee. Some give slightly different looks rather than simply being 50 feet behind the original tee.
- There are tee signs here that are decent.
- Once you drive around the church building, the first thing you notice is there's a house right there. As you walk to the first tee, you're essentially teeing off from the pastor's front yard.
- First hole has you teeing off around a shipping container for a blind tee shot. Throw long as there's a small pond short and left of the basket. Once you're to the basket, the pond serves as a nice view.
- #2 tees off alongside the road. By default, one of the better views.
- #6 is a dogleg left around the edge of a tree line. Unfortunately, the area around the basket is extremely overgrown that you don't want to be too aggressive here. Picked up my disc after my tee shot and gave myself a 3 rather than messing with this.
- #7 is the 'fun' hole with the basket up on a mound, 10 feet off the ground. Could have a potential issue if you sail long past the mound on your tee or approach shot. Underbrush on mound is thick, even in Winter, that you should be prepared for a couple scratches on it.
- #9's basket is between one of the shipping containers and the fence around the pond. Blind tee shot. Take a 3, don't mess with trouble here, and call it a day.
- Each hole has a long tee. Some give slightly different looks rather than simply being 50 feet behind the original tee.
- There are tee signs here that are decent.
Cons:
Course feels like an afterthought. With it built on, or along the edges of a field, it's very low maintenance.
- Holes #4 & 5 are no more. Baskets have been pulled. Fairways are so overgrown that if you didn't know they were supposed to be fairways, you wouldn't be able to tell. That let's me know this isn't a new thing.
- I couldn't find #9's tee. Based on the UDisc map, I'm glad I didn't. It appears that you're throwing over, or around, the pastor's house.
- #8's basket was much shorter/closer than the listed length.
- No amenities here. If you're coming from I-95/NC-87, there are gas stations, 5-10 away. If you're coming from other back roads, well, I didn't see a gas station for a long time when I left.
- Too many open layouts. #4 & 5 would have given this course much needed variety.
- Holes #4 & 5 are no more. Baskets have been pulled. Fairways are so overgrown that if you didn't know they were supposed to be fairways, you wouldn't be able to tell. That let's me know this isn't a new thing.
- I couldn't find #9's tee. Based on the UDisc map, I'm glad I didn't. It appears that you're throwing over, or around, the pastor's house.
- #8's basket was much shorter/closer than the listed length.
- No amenities here. If you're coming from I-95/NC-87, there are gas stations, 5-10 away. If you're coming from other back roads, well, I didn't see a gas station for a long time when I left.
- Too many open layouts. #4 & 5 would have given this course much needed variety.
Other Thoughts:
Resurrection Park is an interesting layout for sure. From starting and finishing your round in somebody's yard to walking around a large field, there's no doubt you're in a rural area.
- I didn't bother throwing the long tees. I didn't see a reason to walk around this place a second time. I figured standing on the long tees gave me enough sense that the second time around, my tee shots would be 50 feet shorter than the first time.
- The church offers this area as a community park. There's also a ¼ mile walking trail and playground. On a Saturday afternoon in the end of December, two guys showed up to simply run a couple laps on the trail. Maybe there isn't anywhere else close by to get your mile in.
- The church building itself looks like a big-top tent. I first thought I was driving around the rec building until realizing that it's the main, sanctuary building.
- A little bit of small cacti and sandspurs in the field here. So, just be aware if you're wearing open-toed/soft shoes.
- As of 4/24, the church's website lists the lead pastor as Elijah Lovejoy. His profile says he's a disc golfer. He's one of us!
- I'm not going to knock a small, church course in the middle of nowhere. It's clear most people bypass this course. Now I see why. A one-time play for me and for most others too.
- I didn't bother throwing the long tees. I didn't see a reason to walk around this place a second time. I figured standing on the long tees gave me enough sense that the second time around, my tee shots would be 50 feet shorter than the first time.
- The church offers this area as a community park. There's also a ¼ mile walking trail and playground. On a Saturday afternoon in the end of December, two guys showed up to simply run a couple laps on the trail. Maybe there isn't anywhere else close by to get your mile in.
- The church building itself looks like a big-top tent. I first thought I was driving around the rec building until realizing that it's the main, sanctuary building.
- A little bit of small cacti and sandspurs in the field here. So, just be aware if you're wearing open-toed/soft shoes.
- As of 4/24, the church's website lists the lead pastor as Elijah Lovejoy. His profile says he's a disc golfer. He's one of us!
- I'm not going to knock a small, church course in the middle of nowhere. It's clear most people bypass this course. Now I see why. A one-time play for me and for most others too.
Wilderness DGC
Montello, WI
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Pros:
The amount of difficulty can be varied so much. Short tee to short pin for beginners, short to long or long to short for intermediate players, then long to long for the top end of players... and you will need to be a top-end player to break par. Some holes the tees/baskets are only 50 feet apart, and sometimes they add 250+ feet to the hole. Having now played the short-short layout, the difficulty isn't all gone as there are still some difficult shot shapes required. With this, all skill levels can have a great, challenging round at Wilderness.
No hole can be considered boring. Sure, 16 and 17 are short and 1 and 6 are pretty dead straight, but there is always something to keep the hole interesting whether it be a fast green or a cage of trees around the pin.
True two-shot par 4s abound. 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, and 15 all do this well. The par 5s (3 and 18) are true par 5s. 3 is possibly an eagle opportunity, but it would take two superhuman shots, and 18 we'll talk about later.
For being an all wooded course, the shot variety is second to none. Being forced low was the main challenge here, as holes 6, 7, 11, and the green of 8 had some serious low-hanging branches to avoid. Obviously the left-to-right and right-to-left and uphill/downhill mix was just about perfect, too.
The maintenance is just about as good as it can be for a heavily wooded course like this. The upkeep around the tee pads is superb and the baskets are in excellent condition.
The tee signs are very helpful. There is one at each pad listing the distances to both baskets from both tees, and the overhead illustration is really quality, except it doesn't really show all the trees...
Scary greens all over the place. The first one is the long pin of 3, set just before the top of the hill with plenty of opportunity to roll back down the fairway, 11 short is similar but less extreme. 5, 12, 15, and 18 long are set with sheer drops behind them, as is 14 short. Hole 7 is just one big hillside. There are also plenty of holes where the foliage is close behind the pin making a comebacker difficult (4, 8, and 17 long being the most blatant).
There are so many unique features, I will share just a highlight reel here:
- Hole 3 long is absolutely unreal. A 30-ft wide tunnel for the first 450'. then a sharp 45° left, and a 5 story rise in elevation over a further 300'. This is one of the most impressive holes I've ever played and I was lucky enough to grab the par.
- Hole 7 is a short hole, but plays onto a hillside about 30 feet high. The short pin is to the left and the long is to the right. The rollaway danger is high here.
- Hole 10's long pin is tucked behind a tight 90° right mando which could (nee, will) force some creative shots unless you beat it in one.
- Hole 14 plays 150' through a tunnel of trees, then comes blasting out over a two story drop in elevation, culminating in a short uphill to the green.
It's time to talk about it. Hole 18. It is the best hole I have ever played. I have never been so wowed by the sheer look of a hole. Sure, I've seen some great views from certain tee pads, but this was purely the hole. Staring at a 30' drop in elevation off the tee and then a slow right turn about 300' down the fairway, followed by 550 more feet of trees to play through (over a rise in the ground) to get to the green, which has plenty of trees itself... the breathtaking view followed by the challenging hole was unreal.
No hole can be considered boring. Sure, 16 and 17 are short and 1 and 6 are pretty dead straight, but there is always something to keep the hole interesting whether it be a fast green or a cage of trees around the pin.
True two-shot par 4s abound. 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, and 15 all do this well. The par 5s (3 and 18) are true par 5s. 3 is possibly an eagle opportunity, but it would take two superhuman shots, and 18 we'll talk about later.
For being an all wooded course, the shot variety is second to none. Being forced low was the main challenge here, as holes 6, 7, 11, and the green of 8 had some serious low-hanging branches to avoid. Obviously the left-to-right and right-to-left and uphill/downhill mix was just about perfect, too.
The maintenance is just about as good as it can be for a heavily wooded course like this. The upkeep around the tee pads is superb and the baskets are in excellent condition.
The tee signs are very helpful. There is one at each pad listing the distances to both baskets from both tees, and the overhead illustration is really quality, except it doesn't really show all the trees...
Scary greens all over the place. The first one is the long pin of 3, set just before the top of the hill with plenty of opportunity to roll back down the fairway, 11 short is similar but less extreme. 5, 12, 15, and 18 long are set with sheer drops behind them, as is 14 short. Hole 7 is just one big hillside. There are also plenty of holes where the foliage is close behind the pin making a comebacker difficult (4, 8, and 17 long being the most blatant).
There are so many unique features, I will share just a highlight reel here:
- Hole 3 long is absolutely unreal. A 30-ft wide tunnel for the first 450'. then a sharp 45° left, and a 5 story rise in elevation over a further 300'. This is one of the most impressive holes I've ever played and I was lucky enough to grab the par.
- Hole 7 is a short hole, but plays onto a hillside about 30 feet high. The short pin is to the left and the long is to the right. The rollaway danger is high here.
- Hole 10's long pin is tucked behind a tight 90° right mando which could (nee, will) force some creative shots unless you beat it in one.
- Hole 14 plays 150' through a tunnel of trees, then comes blasting out over a two story drop in elevation, culminating in a short uphill to the green.
It's time to talk about it. Hole 18. It is the best hole I have ever played. I have never been so wowed by the sheer look of a hole. Sure, I've seen some great views from certain tee pads, but this was purely the hole. Staring at a 30' drop in elevation off the tee and then a slow right turn about 300' down the fairway, followed by 550 more feet of trees to play through (over a rise in the ground) to get to the green, which has plenty of trees itself... the breathtaking view followed by the challenging hole was unreal.
Cons:
The first tee can be hard to find from the parking lot since there are two practice baskets. It's just past the yellow one.
There is a risk of going into the campground/RV area if you get a bad kick on hole 1.
The rough is appropriate for a place called "Wilderness," but the thorns can get nasty and recovery shots from off the fairway can be both overly difficult and uncomfortable.
There are a few spots where I feel there are just a few too many trees. Hole 1, and the approaches to 5 and 6's long greens. Some may consider hole 12 in this as well, but once you beat the first tree it becomes considerably easier.
There is a risk of going into the campground/RV area if you get a bad kick on hole 1.
The rough is appropriate for a place called "Wilderness," but the thorns can get nasty and recovery shots from off the fairway can be both overly difficult and uncomfortable.
There are a few spots where I feel there are just a few too many trees. Hole 1, and the approaches to 5 and 6's long greens. Some may consider hole 12 in this as well, but once you beat the first tree it becomes considerably easier.
Other Thoughts:
If you're used to bombers then there will be some frustration as it is a technical challenge, but it's a style you probably need to learn *wink*
Take your time as it seems like a pretty low traffic course. Throw 2-3 shots per hole and see what works best. The lines you'll learn (*cough* hole 12 *cough*) are ones you can take with you to other wooded courses.
Go play this course. The most unfortunate thing about this course is that it's so far away from major cities. I came from the Dells about 40 minutes away, and it's about an hour from Madison... but I can't say enough good about this course. If you happen to be anywhere near here, stop and play it. No excuses.
Take your time as it seems like a pretty low traffic course. Throw 2-3 shots per hole and see what works best. The lines you'll learn (*cough* hole 12 *cough*) are ones you can take with you to other wooded courses.
Go play this course. The most unfortunate thing about this course is that it's so far away from major cities. I came from the Dells about 40 minutes away, and it's about an hour from Madison... but I can't say enough good about this course. If you happen to be anywhere near here, stop and play it. No excuses.
Bonavista Downs
Calgary, AB
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Pros:
A variety of distances, a lot of gentle slopes to make things interesting, and a handful of trees.
Cons:
There are basically 2 fields that 16 of the holes play across, so when there are more than a handful of people on the course, you're constantly having to wait for other players and be aware of discs coming in from all directions. It's all that could ever be done with this park, but this course is a victim of disc golfs growing popularity, and a lack of public courses in the south of the city.
Basically a wide open course. The few trees that are available to the designer are all very close to the extremities of the park, and so only partially used to obscure the baskets. So to get a bogie here, you have to make at least 2 mistakes. Trees are only ever around the baskets so you'll never have to shape a shot.
Basically a wide open course. The few trees that are available to the designer are all very close to the extremities of the park, and so only partially used to obscure the baskets. So to get a bogie here, you have to make at least 2 mistakes. Trees are only ever around the baskets so you'll never have to shape a shot.
Other Thoughts:
A very average course, you play this because you need some variety or you happen to be in the southern part of the city and don't want to have to travel farther.
Soden's Grove DGC
Emporia, KS
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Pros:
Old Shaded Park
Cement tee pads
New baskets
Cement tee pads
New baskets
Cons:
No tee signs
not going to be installed in summer months.
not going to be installed in summer months.
Other Thoughts:
In the past this course has only been set up for tournaments. Apparently the locals got the city to have the course be installed for the winter months when the park is not so busy.
This is my kind of course. Nice, very large, old growth trees. Old park next to the Emporia Zoo. The course is not that long, most of the holes are reachable for most players.
You will have to have a map to find your way around. It gets confusing in spots. The park is actually very small with 9 holes crowded into it. There is no way this course could be open in the summer months, the park would be too busy.
Most of the holes can be played with a righty hyzer, but some of the better lines are turnovers or straight shots. For this the course is pretty good.
I enjoyed my round and there were several other golfers out when I was playing on a Thursday evening.
Would I play here again? Actually I would. It's a fun little course to play. Would be good to bring new players out because there really isn't any spots to get into too much trouble and the holes are not too long. Keep an eye out for if and when the course is back in the ground next winter, it's worth a stop.
This is my kind of course. Nice, very large, old growth trees. Old park next to the Emporia Zoo. The course is not that long, most of the holes are reachable for most players.
You will have to have a map to find your way around. It gets confusing in spots. The park is actually very small with 9 holes crowded into it. There is no way this course could be open in the summer months, the park would be too busy.
Most of the holes can be played with a righty hyzer, but some of the better lines are turnovers or straight shots. For this the course is pretty good.
I enjoyed my round and there were several other golfers out when I was playing on a Thursday evening.
Would I play here again? Actually I would. It's a fun little course to play. Would be good to bring new players out because there really isn't any spots to get into too much trouble and the holes are not too long. Keep an eye out for if and when the course is back in the ground next winter, it's worth a stop.
Sunset DGC
Gulf Breeze, FL
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Pros:
For a smallish park and moderate rating I wasn't expecting a ton, but this is a fun little beginner friendly(mostly) play just up the road from the beach. Perfect spot to cool off in the shady trees after a day by the water. Or working as I was doing.
The first 10 holes are really pretty with tons of palm and palmetto trees and a decent amount of water. Especially hole 2 that is an island green and the one not very beginner friendly hole on the front.
The final 8 holes are under pine trees and more typically southern park style, and though it's a bit longer than the 180-220 ft holes from the front for the most part they are not harder.
There is a fun mildly elevated pin in 14 though and a couple of low ceiling shots so some skill is required.
Most holes have a bench, almost all hooks to hang your bag and basic signs with course info.
It's kind of pretty and would be a good glow league course if nothing big lives in the pond.
The first 10 holes are really pretty with tons of palm and palmetto trees and a decent amount of water. Especially hole 2 that is an island green and the one not very beginner friendly hole on the front.
The final 8 holes are under pine trees and more typically southern park style, and though it's a bit longer than the 180-220 ft holes from the front for the most part they are not harder.
There is a fun mildly elevated pin in 14 though and a couple of low ceiling shots so some skill is required.
Most holes have a bench, almost all hooks to hang your bag and basic signs with course info.
It's kind of pretty and would be a good glow league course if nothing big lives in the pond.
Cons:
The cons unfortunately are not few. The plot of land isn't big which leads to two issues; a lot of short holes, and holes that are too close to one another. On many holes you could go long into the next fairway and on the final 8 holes a mild tree kick could take you near other players.
There are also mandos in place to keep you away for other park facilities, but it's a little tight for my taste. One of the volleyball kids gets hit by a disc and it's bye bye course.
The signs are fine, but I think the course has undergone a redesign and the new distances are just sharpie on duct tape. Some of which has fallen off and left some very inaccurate distances.
It's not a bad course, but it's not perfect and I doubt it handles heavy traffic well.
There are also mandos in place to keep you away for other park facilities, but it's a little tight for my taste. One of the volleyball kids gets hit by a disc and it's bye bye course.
The signs are fine, but I think the course has undergone a redesign and the new distances are just sharpie on duct tape. Some of which has fallen off and left some very inaccurate distances.
It's not a bad course, but it's not perfect and I doubt it handles heavy traffic well.
Other Thoughts:
It's a fun and quick play, and I would consider hitting it again. If only to get revenge for my lost Stego on hole 2.
B. Baumgardner Memorial DGC - Junior
Cottonwood Falls, KS
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Pros:
- great for beginners or kids
- lots of fun if you don't take yourself too seriously
- easy holes for the target audience
- solid equipment with nice new baskets, full color tee signs with maps, and stone tees
- well cared for park
- longer course on site for those that want a different experience
- lots of fun if you don't take yourself too seriously
- easy holes for the target audience
- solid equipment with nice new baskets, full color tee signs with maps, and stone tees
- well cared for park
- longer course on site for those that want a different experience
Cons:
- safety hazards near playground
- tiny tees
- nothing breaks 200 ft
- not going to hold the interest of anyone looking for an actual challenge
- some may find the holes gimmicky
- tiny tees
- nothing breaks 200 ft
- not going to hold the interest of anyone looking for an actual challenge
- some may find the holes gimmicky
Other Thoughts:
I decided to stop by this park on my way from Clover Cliff Ranch (phenomenal, must play) up to Omaha. It's right on the route, and a super short 9 holes so why not bag it?
Generally, I despise gimmicky holes, but it's all about intent. This course is clearly designed for children and beginners and for that, it's so fun. Every hole is unique, and while they are super short, a few of them are actually surprisingly hard! Ok, I recorded 2s on a lot of these, but the hole with the mando through the tractor tire got me. That one is brutal. I wouldn't have minded one hole breaking 200 ft to have a more "challenging" kids hole, but it's fine as is.
I also think this would be a good place for special needs kids to try out disc golf - fun, mostly open, not overly complicated, and in a well-developed park.
This course is relatively plain and shouldn't take you longer than 20 minutes to complete. There is a full 18 hole course on the property that didn't look particularly impressive, but I was here for the kiddie course and kept it lighthearted. The Stonehenge hole was also funny. Some of these holes are a bit close to the playground for my liking but given who the course is for and how short the throws are, the safety hazards aren't quite as notable as usual.
Overall, the hardest thing here was how to rate this one. Almost entirely flat but for this course, not sure it matters. As kids/beginner courses go, I'd rate this 4+, but compared to other courses, it's obviously nowhere near there. I settled on a 3 which is probably generous but I don't think you can really compare this course objectively to most others.
If you're in the vicinity, stop by, try it out, and don't take yourself too seriously. This will be a putter/midrange only round. Play alone, or bring your kids, or whatever - it's a ton of fun!
Generally, I despise gimmicky holes, but it's all about intent. This course is clearly designed for children and beginners and for that, it's so fun. Every hole is unique, and while they are super short, a few of them are actually surprisingly hard! Ok, I recorded 2s on a lot of these, but the hole with the mando through the tractor tire got me. That one is brutal. I wouldn't have minded one hole breaking 200 ft to have a more "challenging" kids hole, but it's fine as is.
I also think this would be a good place for special needs kids to try out disc golf - fun, mostly open, not overly complicated, and in a well-developed park.
This course is relatively plain and shouldn't take you longer than 20 minutes to complete. There is a full 18 hole course on the property that didn't look particularly impressive, but I was here for the kiddie course and kept it lighthearted. The Stonehenge hole was also funny. Some of these holes are a bit close to the playground for my liking but given who the course is for and how short the throws are, the safety hazards aren't quite as notable as usual.
Overall, the hardest thing here was how to rate this one. Almost entirely flat but for this course, not sure it matters. As kids/beginner courses go, I'd rate this 4+, but compared to other courses, it's obviously nowhere near there. I settled on a 3 which is probably generous but I don't think you can really compare this course objectively to most others.
If you're in the vicinity, stop by, try it out, and don't take yourself too seriously. This will be a putter/midrange only round. Play alone, or bring your kids, or whatever - it's a ton of fun!
Lexington Lake DGC
De Soto, KS
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Pros:
- brand new tee signs with full color maps
- two pin positions per hole, color coded, both populated
- brand new Dynamic Discs baskets, a Kansas staple
- single concrete tee per hole
- different looks and hole lengths for red or blue baskets
- trash cans on course
- cool tunnel shot through woods on hole 3
- loops back to start nicely
- navigation is pretty intuitive with well defined fairways
- some holes are a bit more wooded
- blue baskets add some challenge to the course
- two pin positions per hole, color coded, both populated
- brand new Dynamic Discs baskets, a Kansas staple
- single concrete tee per hole
- different looks and hole lengths for red or blue baskets
- trash cans on course
- cool tunnel shot through woods on hole 3
- loops back to start nicely
- navigation is pretty intuitive with well defined fairways
- some holes are a bit more wooded
- blue baskets add some challenge to the course
Cons:
- both layouts are relatively short
- fairways are newly cleared and still quite rough
- terrible flow from hole 1 to hole 2
- mostly flat
- no navigation aids; next tee indicators are always nice
- level of challenge is fairly limited
- fairways are newly cleared and still quite rough
- terrible flow from hole 1 to hole 2
- mostly flat
- no navigation aids; next tee indicators are always nice
- level of challenge is fairly limited
Other Thoughts:
Well, there certainly is a big lake in this park but it's going to have to overflow its banks something fierce for it to ever factor into the course. The first challenge is finding the course, as you have to find the newer lot near the entrance to the park away from the lake and other activities.
Lexington Lake Park is a large, well maintained park sporting a large fishing lake and other activities. The disc golf area is quite isolated and quiet and you won't see anybody else besides disc golfers - though I didn't even see any of these. This is a fairly typical nine hole round that should take you 35-45 minutes solo.
Clearly a newer course, the fairways are a bit rough and weedy and should improve with time. The equipment here is all brand new and top notch, but that's about where the high points of this course end. It's fun enough, but mostly flat, at times a bit open, and has no water hazards. There's nothing about the course design that blew me away, although a few of the wooded holes are pretty cool as noted above.
Navigation was very intuitive except for having to backtrack between holes 1 and 2. The level of challenge is a bit low; the red baskets are short and the blue baskets are... less short. The blue baskets are frequently tucked around corners and force some dogleg shots to increase the level of challenge. I played the reds, but could see how these make for a slightly more technical/advanced course.
Another reviewer mentioned a creek that was criminally underutilized... well, I'd say so, as I have zero recollection of ever seeing a creek, nor did I take any notes on it. I looked back through the course photos and see no evidence of it - so if there, it indeed is felony-level neglected in the course layout.
Typically on my road trips I try to break up the brutal, highly rated 18+ hole courses with some shorter niners. This was one of the higher rated 9-holes in the KC metro, and while it is ok, it's nothing to go out of your way for. It is slightly off the beaten path and just average overall.
Lexington Lake Park is a large, well maintained park sporting a large fishing lake and other activities. The disc golf area is quite isolated and quiet and you won't see anybody else besides disc golfers - though I didn't even see any of these. This is a fairly typical nine hole round that should take you 35-45 minutes solo.
Clearly a newer course, the fairways are a bit rough and weedy and should improve with time. The equipment here is all brand new and top notch, but that's about where the high points of this course end. It's fun enough, but mostly flat, at times a bit open, and has no water hazards. There's nothing about the course design that blew me away, although a few of the wooded holes are pretty cool as noted above.
Navigation was very intuitive except for having to backtrack between holes 1 and 2. The level of challenge is a bit low; the red baskets are short and the blue baskets are... less short. The blue baskets are frequently tucked around corners and force some dogleg shots to increase the level of challenge. I played the reds, but could see how these make for a slightly more technical/advanced course.
Another reviewer mentioned a creek that was criminally underutilized... well, I'd say so, as I have zero recollection of ever seeing a creek, nor did I take any notes on it. I looked back through the course photos and see no evidence of it - so if there, it indeed is felony-level neglected in the course layout.
Typically on my road trips I try to break up the brutal, highly rated 18+ hole courses with some shorter niners. This was one of the higher rated 9-holes in the KC metro, and while it is ok, it's nothing to go out of your way for. It is slightly off the beaten path and just average overall.
Holler In The Hills
Brownsville, KY
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Pros:
Holler in the Hills is legendary course that's fallen on some rough times. I've only ever played it once but was encouraged by what I saw out there. It looks like someone is starting to reclaim the course from mother nature, which will not be an easy task. There was some brush clearing and apparently the trash situation was much better than it had been even a year or so ago. I'm going to base my rating entirely off of what I experienced out there on my lone visit.
The design is pretty fantastic. The first 8 holes start out pretty ho hum before you head up the hill. That's where things get good. That said, there's still some good holes at the beginning. There's a creek that runs right next to holes 1, 2 and 3. Hole is a par 4 695 brute that plays mostly open for the first 80 percent or so. The basket is tucked into some trees and precariously close to the creek. Very hard par 4 for the majority of players. Hole 5 has a water carry over the small pond and there's the classic school bus hole 6.
The real stuff is on the back half though. Extreme elevation on almost every hole and many holes with what are basically cliffsides just off the fairways. Accuracy is paramount on these holes. The rough is extremely thick if you end off of the fairway, not to mention the drop offs. Hole 15 is one of the most beautiful holes you'll see anywhere in the country with the basket tucked behind a massive rock wall. Then there's the tee pad perched atop a boulder essentially. Hole 17 is also fantastic with the cross valley shot. Words don't even do any of these holes justice.
The baskets are blue Prodigy's. These are very old models but they all catch great and are pretty easy to spot. I actually like these models better than the newer Prodigy baskets. One basket and pin position per hole.
The tee signs are basic but functional. And in surprisingly good condition still. They feature a generic hole map, hole #, par and distance. The maps show any present OB. There's also all kinds of wooden next tee arrows too. These are actually more helpful than the actual tee signs to be honest.
The flow of the course is pretty straightforward in most spots. With all the next tee signs it's actually fairly easy to navigate once you get oriented. I'd still absolutely recommend having a map available but you probably won't need it as much as you'd think.
Beautiful surroundings all around you once you can really see them up the hill. The course is so remote that you won't hear any other human activity most of the time it seems. Very peaceful place.
The design is pretty fantastic. The first 8 holes start out pretty ho hum before you head up the hill. That's where things get good. That said, there's still some good holes at the beginning. There's a creek that runs right next to holes 1, 2 and 3. Hole is a par 4 695 brute that plays mostly open for the first 80 percent or so. The basket is tucked into some trees and precariously close to the creek. Very hard par 4 for the majority of players. Hole 5 has a water carry over the small pond and there's the classic school bus hole 6.
The real stuff is on the back half though. Extreme elevation on almost every hole and many holes with what are basically cliffsides just off the fairways. Accuracy is paramount on these holes. The rough is extremely thick if you end off of the fairway, not to mention the drop offs. Hole 15 is one of the most beautiful holes you'll see anywhere in the country with the basket tucked behind a massive rock wall. Then there's the tee pad perched atop a boulder essentially. Hole 17 is also fantastic with the cross valley shot. Words don't even do any of these holes justice.
The baskets are blue Prodigy's. These are very old models but they all catch great and are pretty easy to spot. I actually like these models better than the newer Prodigy baskets. One basket and pin position per hole.
The tee signs are basic but functional. And in surprisingly good condition still. They feature a generic hole map, hole #, par and distance. The maps show any present OB. There's also all kinds of wooden next tee arrows too. These are actually more helpful than the actual tee signs to be honest.
The flow of the course is pretty straightforward in most spots. With all the next tee signs it's actually fairly easy to navigate once you get oriented. I'd still absolutely recommend having a map available but you probably won't need it as much as you'd think.
Beautiful surroundings all around you once you can really see them up the hill. The course is so remote that you won't hear any other human activity most of the time it seems. Very peaceful place.
Cons:
The elephant in the room. The course hadn't been maintained in years it seems. That's the main issue out here. Despite it apparently being cleaner than it has been recently, there's still trash laying around throughout the course.
The stairs and bridges and basically anything made out of wood are rotting away and pretty sketchy. The stairs especially are in very bad shape. If you play here be very, very cautious when using any of them.
The grass was starting to get pretty long in the pasture on the first few holes. Playable for sure, but if it's not mowed soon and often it'll become unplayable in short order.
As I mentioned above, the rough is extremely gnarly off the fairway. I'm borderline shocked that none of our group of three lost a single disc, and it's not for a lack of trying.
The course is a hike. You need to be a good physical condition to take this one on. There's no turning back once you decide to go that hill on 9. In fact, once you finish hole 1 you will not be back near your vehicle until the round is over. Make sure you bring everything you are going to need from the start.
The stairs and bridges and basically anything made out of wood are rotting away and pretty sketchy. The stairs especially are in very bad shape. If you play here be very, very cautious when using any of them.
The grass was starting to get pretty long in the pasture on the first few holes. Playable for sure, but if it's not mowed soon and often it'll become unplayable in short order.
As I mentioned above, the rough is extremely gnarly off the fairway. I'm borderline shocked that none of our group of three lost a single disc, and it's not for a lack of trying.
The course is a hike. You need to be a good physical condition to take this one on. There's no turning back once you decide to go that hill on 9. In fact, once you finish hole 1 you will not be back near your vehicle until the round is over. Make sure you bring everything you are going to need from the start.
Other Thoughts:
I'm glad I got to play this course. I thought I'd missed my chance. Thankfully it appears that someone is taking it upon themselves to try and maintain this once great course. It's a huge task but from the way it was looking they're making some headway. How long this continues? Who knows. But the course is still open and can still be played. If this one has been on your bucket list I'd recommend getting there soon. Well worth a trip even in it's current condition. Not quite a must play anymore, but damn close based on a few of those still iconic holes alone.
Mesker Woods
Evansville, IN
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Pros:
Mesker Woods is the newer and much more wooded of the two courses in the park. This one is a great counterpart to the original offering just as much, if not a bit more elevation but being heavily wooded for almost every hole.
The baskets out here are bright green Prodigy's. These are all in good shape and catch alright. There's one basket and pin placement per hole.
Concrete tees on all holes. These look to be the same size as the original course's pads. Plenty long enough and not the widest but wide enough for most players. One tee per hole.
Great design out here for this one. There's all the different shots you can imagine out here. With it being so tightly wooded it's much harder to get by with only having a single type of throw off the tee. Hell, even some of the clearly RHBH holes are tough to hit throwing RHBH. Not that they're not fair, they all are, they're just very specific on some holes. There's also a pretty even mix of up and downhill throws.
The tee signs are much more basic on this course. Very simple hole map along with hole #, par and distance. The signs do have a hole elevation chart on each. I've never found any use out of these but some people probably do.
The course was very clean and there were numerous benches and even a couple of chairs by the tees. The course is permanent and free to play. This course will probably be the less busy of the two if I had to guess too.
The baskets out here are bright green Prodigy's. These are all in good shape and catch alright. There's one basket and pin placement per hole.
Concrete tees on all holes. These look to be the same size as the original course's pads. Plenty long enough and not the widest but wide enough for most players. One tee per hole.
Great design out here for this one. There's all the different shots you can imagine out here. With it being so tightly wooded it's much harder to get by with only having a single type of throw off the tee. Hell, even some of the clearly RHBH holes are tough to hit throwing RHBH. Not that they're not fair, they all are, they're just very specific on some holes. There's also a pretty even mix of up and downhill throws.
The tee signs are much more basic on this course. Very simple hole map along with hole #, par and distance. The signs do have a hole elevation chart on each. I've never found any use out of these but some people probably do.
The course was very clean and there were numerous benches and even a couple of chairs by the tees. The course is permanent and free to play. This course will probably be the less busy of the two if I had to guess too.
Cons:
These tee signs are not very good. Especially compared to the one on the original course. The hole map is basically useless. Some of them are legit useless. Hole 13's just looked like a squiggle line. The hole does have a few bends to it but also goes to the right. It'd be much nicer to have a better map than the elevation loss or gain on each hole.
I never understood the idea behind having green baskets for a woods course. But that's what they have here. Not the easiest things to spot with a green background everywhere.
There's a few spots where I looks like it'll get pretty nasty off the fairway in the summer. We spent a good twenty minutes looking for a disc before finding it and the underbrush is still very thin in April.
There's a couple spots where it helps to have a map. Nothing crazy but we did get turned around a couple times. A couple next tee signs would help with this in certain spots.
I never understood the idea behind having green baskets for a woods course. But that's what they have here. Not the easiest things to spot with a green background everywhere.
There's a few spots where I looks like it'll get pretty nasty off the fairway in the summer. We spent a good twenty minutes looking for a disc before finding it and the underbrush is still very thin in April.
There's a couple spots where it helps to have a map. Nothing crazy but we did get turned around a couple times. A couple next tee signs would help with this in certain spots.
Other Thoughts:
This course was a blast. I'm partial to tight wooded courses and this one does that fantastically. I'd absolutely recommend this one to anyone in this area. Combined with the original course this is one of the better one two punches at the same park as I've ever seen. I'd play this one again without a doubt.
Mesker Park
Evansville, IN
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Pros:
Mesker park DGC is a really fun and nicely designed 18 hole course. This is one of two 18 hole courses in the park, the other being Mesker Woods just to the west. Mesker park is the more standard, park style of the two. The two courses compliment each as other nicely by offering contrasting styles.
The course weaves through moderately wooded and hilly terrain for the entire round. There's a good mixture of different shots off the tee. Left, right and straight shots going both up and downhill. There's not really any flat holes out here.
The baskets are white Dynamic Veteran's. These are all in great shape and caught nicely. There's a single basket and pin placement per hole.
Concrete tees on every hole. These are decent sized and get the job done. There's two tee pads on some of the holes but not all of them.
The design is well done out here. The flow of the course works well. There's not much for longer transitions from hole to hole. I didn't have to spend any time searching out there today. They also did a great job of incorporating trees into play on every hole. There's not a single wide open hole out here. You're going to need to shape a shot for every drive, even if it's only a couple trees to miss. The park road runs through the course and plays as OB too.
The tee signs are really solid. The feature a nice looking hole map which shows both tee locations and even the next or nearby tees in spots. I kind of like the idea of showing the next tees actual location on the signs rather than arrows. I understand it isn't always possible but it gives you a better sense of where to go next. In addition to that they have the hole #, Par and distances from both tees and a description of any OB that could come into play.
The park was very clean and there were numerous benches by the tees which is awesome for a hilly course like this. Just a pretty park in general. Free to play and permanent as well.
The course weaves through moderately wooded and hilly terrain for the entire round. There's a good mixture of different shots off the tee. Left, right and straight shots going both up and downhill. There's not really any flat holes out here.
The baskets are white Dynamic Veteran's. These are all in great shape and caught nicely. There's a single basket and pin placement per hole.
Concrete tees on every hole. These are decent sized and get the job done. There's two tee pads on some of the holes but not all of them.
The design is well done out here. The flow of the course works well. There's not much for longer transitions from hole to hole. I didn't have to spend any time searching out there today. They also did a great job of incorporating trees into play on every hole. There's not a single wide open hole out here. You're going to need to shape a shot for every drive, even if it's only a couple trees to miss. The park road runs through the course and plays as OB too.
The tee signs are really solid. The feature a nice looking hole map which shows both tee locations and even the next or nearby tees in spots. I kind of like the idea of showing the next tees actual location on the signs rather than arrows. I understand it isn't always possible but it gives you a better sense of where to go next. In addition to that they have the hole #, Par and distances from both tees and a description of any OB that could come into play.
The park was very clean and there were numerous benches by the tees which is awesome for a hilly course like this. Just a pretty park in general. Free to play and permanent as well.
Cons:
Lots of erosion out here. It's understandable as I'm sure this places gets a lot of traffic. But it's worth noting since there'll be some trip hazards and super unpredictable ground play.
Lots of OB with the park road winding through a over the place. This kind of pinches off some of the fairways.
There's potential for a lost disc out here but it'd be pretty tough to do besides throwing one over the barbed wire fence that runs along the right side of hole 16. There are a couple blind from the tee baskets but the brush wasn't real thick and doesn't look to ever be. I haven't seen it in the summer though.
Hole 9 is a beautiful looking hole with the stone bridge. The problem is that the bridge is in use by walkers. The pin is tucked on the other side of the creek only about 15 feet from the bridge. Terrible idea to put a basket there.
Lots of OB with the park road winding through a over the place. This kind of pinches off some of the fairways.
There's potential for a lost disc out here but it'd be pretty tough to do besides throwing one over the barbed wire fence that runs along the right side of hole 16. There are a couple blind from the tee baskets but the brush wasn't real thick and doesn't look to ever be. I haven't seen it in the summer though.
Hole 9 is a beautiful looking hole with the stone bridge. The problem is that the bridge is in use by walkers. The pin is tucked on the other side of the creek only about 15 feet from the bridge. Terrible idea to put a basket there.
Other Thoughts:
I'm glad we took the 30 minute drive down here to play these two courses before heading north. This was less up my alley than the other more wooded courses but was still a very fun round. This place is definitely worth a visit if you're ever down this way. Very good course with the extra benefit of having another one onsite.
