Fort Smith, AR

Ben Geren Park - Yellow

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3.735(based on 28 reviews)
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Ben Geren Park - Yellow reviews

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7 0
Pevio
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.5 years 194 played 122 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Good, but not quite there 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 29, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

The Yellow course makes up for its lack of elevation change with some foliage on every hole and a few tight lines. Tees and baskets are in good shape, and the parking lot is shared with that of the Orange course.

Every hole presents a different challenge. Most notably, the first seven holes which are on the southwest of the course have scattered trees that still allow you to throw just about any line, but have some shot shapes more open than others. Some are more open near the tee, while others have a tight tee shot but an open approach. Because these different options are available, it isn't always obvious what the right shot is, regardless of your skill set.

The presence of thick woods on one side of the fairway influences shots a few times. It's not there a lot, but sometimes a conservative shot will end up too short, or an aggressive shot will get punished. I especially like hole 12, which has woods on the right but a low ceiling and a little elevation change.

Alternate pin placements help here more than on a lot of courses. Because there isn't always a specific line you must throw, even a small pin change will change the shot you should be throwing. That tree you're trying to curve around or the extra power you will be putting on the disc can affect strategy, opening gaps, and putting distance. (Having played here only once, I don't know where most of these other pins are, but I can certainly understand how they would help.)

Cons:

Almost no elevation change. It's okay on most holes, but a lot of holes would be much spicier if you had to put a little more or less power on the drive than normal. The holes where there is elevation involved are generally more fun or are at least a little more difficult. Interestingly, those holes are some of the longer ones on the course (12, 13, 14, 18).

No holes with par above 3. A few will play as par 4's for players below advanced level, especially if poor maintenance causes footing to be difficult, but I still would have appreciated some true 2-shot holes. And if you do have a slower arm, the shot across the creek on 11 will be fairly daunting, especially if you think you're likely to smack a guardian tree and fall backward.

The creek is nearby on a few other holes but never truly comes into play. If you have a bad shank, you could be losing a disc for a factor that doesn't affect the challenge of the hole. I would prefer some baskets to be closer to the creek than they are since even if it makes for more lost disc potential (and there are some cliffs on a few holes), there would be a more proper challenge involved.

The basket of 13 is intentionally sunk into the ground, which is a lousy challenge for any place that claims to be a decent course. A few other holes are a little gimmicky or not super fun, such as hole 14, whose green is too hard to access, and even hole 11, the water shot.

The grass was a little long when I played here, though I never had trouble finding discs. It wasn't as bad as it could have been, and not as bad as the Orange course, but it's possible this is how the course normally is.

Other Thoughts:

It looks like there were a few edited holes since the course was originally installed - I think what was originally holes 1 and 2 were moved to the Orange course, and two others were added here. As such, some older reviews and pictures have outdated information.

There are several holes I have mixed feelings about. The tightest line is hole 10, but the basket is quite a ways past the end of the tunnel, so you will very likely hit the tunnel perfectly, but still be far from the basket. Even a lot of the front nine is just a little meh at times, even though nothing there is actively bad.

This is a pretty solid course, but not one I anticipate anyone being overly excited about. But I don't think there are really any big ways to improve the course unless possibly the land to the northeast of hole 10 could be utilized. I think the land was used well, and using the road bridge to cross the creek twice was a good use of resources, even if you do have to walk on the shoulder of the road.
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2 1
RomServo
Experience: 8.8 years 9 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Ben Geren Park DGC North 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 4, 2016 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Maps, signs and indications as to the direction of next hole. Mowed fairways with low grass in the rough. I can tell they've been keeping up with it since spring because alot of trees and brush have been moved.

Cons:

Lots of traffic lately, it is summer though. Also cant wait for the south course to re-open... hince the traffic maybe. Some tee pads are somewhat different sizes... kind of distracting to switch up your run up every hole... maybe im being too picky.

Other Thoughts:

It wasn't too wet in most spots and it dries out pretty quickly there. The elevation is really well controlled. There is a large creek that snakes through the entire park and it usually a lot closer that you think. They're very good about the irrigation in that area, if the water is high that means that some of the shots are riskier than others which is always a good thing but it's not so hard that you'll have no chance of ever seeing that disc if you do actually do turn over into the water.
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2 2
Treehousebob
Experience: 13 played 11 reviews
3.00 star(s)

It was okay. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 13, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

The triple mando tunnel shot was fun.
Throwing over the creek was an interesting hole.
18 was well laid out.
Good signage.
Lots of mando to try and add a challenge.
Friendly locals.
Great parking.

Cons:

All the holes where very short. When they are almost all short, it just gets boring.
Flat flat flat flat flat flat.
No benches.
No trash cans.

Other Thoughts:

This course was okay, I'm not sure why it is so highly rated. Maybe a bunch of people who made it came and padded the numbers? Or maybe the people who rated it have never played at any other course? Maybe it is just all about personal opinion. At any rate, I wouldn't say it is worth traveling over 30 minutes to.
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3 5
MaxJal
Experience: 11.3 years 121 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Worth the Drive 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 2, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Holes are reachable on drive. Good and technical with plenty of trees.
Finished the course in 1 hr, 15 min.
Nicely manicured
Not a busy course for us playing on a Saturday.

Cons:

Wished I knew to roll hole 14 and needed more beer.
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6 0
Dan H.
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.8 years 81 played 24 reviews
3.00 star(s)

It's a decent round of disc golf, 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 11, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Decent amount of hole variety: right/left dog-legs. pretty good amount of trees and a few open holes.

Easy for beginners. I played it on the shorter setting and it was very short. Lots of birdie holes for an advanced player.

some water hazard.

alternate basket positions is cool.

most of the signs were in decent condition.

good tees/baskets

not much litter.

well maintained

Cons:

Very flat.

probably too short. Although when I played most of the holes seemed to be on the shorter setting. It just didn't seem challenging.

No benches to sit on. There were big rocks at every hole but they were close to the front of the tee which would distract your friends while they were teeing off if you were sitting there.

no trash cans.

Other Thoughts:

This course could use some longer holes and some benches. Elevation change makes a course much more interestin and this course has almost none. It's not a bad course, but it's not great either.
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7 0
Chained Evil
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.4 years 1179 played 232 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Good variety, and peaceful 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 19, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is a quick playing, clean, and secluded course. This course makes you work on a variety of shots and has water threat as well.
Here are my observations of this course:

#1 Open shot, pin is nestled between trees
#2 Short 233 ft hole, ACE Run potential
#3 This hole was really neat. Has several trees right off the box to work around. You have both hyzer and anhyzer lines.
#4 Aim straight because you have a low canopy on your approach.
#5 Straight shot for the most part, cross the road to #6
#6 Short drive
#7 Gonna have to hit your mark from about 100-150 in
#8 Tunnel shot
**Be aware there is a creek to the left of #7 and #8**
#9 Has both a lefty and righty path but you must be accurate. Be aware of a long putt rolling down hill into the run off stream.
#10 For RHBH a hyzer shot around the tree will do nicely
#11 A good placed drive should set you up for a good score here.
#12 A tomahawk shot would work great if the pin is in the short position. A creek is on the far left hand side.
#13 Tee off across the creek. Trees just on the other side of the creek to contend with. Has a stone walking path thru the creek, when the water is low, to save you having to cross the bridge.
#14 Trees protecting the basket on both sides, more so on the left. A bad tee shot on this hole will be punished on the right hand side. Heavy woods and a creek on the right. Getting up and down from there is very difficult, speaking from experience here.
#15 From 14's basket head across the road to #15 tee box. You again have a small window here. The creek is well past the basket, along with thick trees, so don't overshoot on this one.
#16 You have to cross the bridge from 15's basket. Dog leg left with protected pin.
#17 You need a good straight drive that will fade left, RHBH. Basket is out towards the road. This hole plays dog leg left.
#18 When the basket is in the 325 position, you'll need a straight drive toward the big tree on the hill. After you get to the opening, the basket is towards the creek on the right. A well placed 1st shot, and then hitting the gap, will increase your chances on this hole.

Overall this is a good course with all the skills being tested. There are water hazards and there is also open areas as well. Accuracy will be tested here, but not to the point where you will give up and go home.

Cons:

#14 and #17 tee markers are missing. There weren't many trashcans(however, virtually no litter). Ground will get spongey after a good rain.
Upon my visit the rough needed to be mowed, however it is tough to do this when the ground is wet, so.

Other Thoughts:

This course flows logically, and can be played front 9 or back 9 only if you so desire. There are other things to do in the park, such as playgrounds, ball golf, mini golf, and other activities. If you take your family with you, there would be things for them to do if they weren't into disc golf.
I would like to see a map of this course under the links/file section. As an out of towner it would be helpful, however the course is well laid out. Personally I enjoyed this course. It challenged my thinking and wasn't just bombs away, or pitch and putt. There are walking paths from baskets to tee pads, so navigation shouldn't be troublesome for a 1st timer.
If I'm ever in the area again I will play this course again. It is secluded and peaceful, which its cross town counterpart is not.
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1 2
Zfreeman43
Experience: 13.3 years 5 played 4 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Terrific Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 31, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great layout, Challenging, some holes have a good chance for ace if put at the right spot, they move the baskets every month between point a and point b, signs have distance for a and b and are detailed, nice course over all

Cons:

flat and short holes, need more longer holes

Other Thoughts:

great course will play again if in the area
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3 3
dlopez916
Experience: 13.3 years 40 played 16 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Worth the hour drive! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 31, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Very nice and maintained! Holes were clearly marked and laid out well. Tee pads were good, and signs were very helpful. I like the rocks at every hole to place nags on or sit.

Cons:

None really. I cant really complain. Maybe cut the grass a little more often if anything.

Other Thoughts:

Very nice, should be rated higher in the ratings for the state! Will go back again for sure.
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1 2
Sandman01
Experience: 9 played 9 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Fun Round 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 22, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Flow was good. I like the rocks by most of the tee boxes. Clean park. More trash cans would be nice. Friendly locals.

Cons:

This park gets a lot of disc golfers (a pro as well) but parking seems to be limited.

Not a real con but first couple tee pads I threw from I stepped off end edge. Seems to be a little higher then I am used to but a little adjustment to my run up and all was good. First course I played in Arkansas so was hoping for elevation but park seems to be pretty flat. Not the most challenging but fun all the same.

Other Thoughts:

I really enjoyed playing this park and would recamend if in the Fort Smith area. Always a plus when you beat a local at his home course :).
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2 2
dustincade
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Fort Smith's Favorite 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 3, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Concrete tee pads, Multi pin, friendly locals, beginner friendly, Wide open on most holes, good signs,

Cons:

Flat and muddy (I know it's been said in every review), no simple pathways across ditches and streams, trash on course (i know that's players, but a few more trash cans would be nice, could use a restroom/ concession stand, limited parking.

Other Thoughts:

This is a great course. It was the first I played, and I enjoy it a lot. Most holes, I don't have to think much about my shots, I just grip and rip. There are a few places to be really careful, but not many. Experienced players can play many shots w/o much fear of disaster, and beginners have room to learn w/o being too frustrated. Go play this course! Don't litter! Have a great time!
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2 0
WillG
Experience: 17.8 years 4 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 6, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Very nice well laid out course.. This was the first course I played at and have loved it since then. Dual pin positions are great, concrete tee pads, well kept. This course will help some players with there distances due to some long holes.

Cons:

When it rains you may as well be prepared to dodge puddles and insects cause this course is bad about standing water. Sometimes parking can be a pain.. You have joggers, disc golfers, bikers and etc.. that park in a lot that might be big enough for 15-20 cars and it fills up very quick.

Other Thoughts:

Add more parking, of course better drainage somehow would be awesome.

I was told years ago they were in the process of adding additional holes to this course and had a layout already planned and Pitchford commented on it as well here, but since then I have yet to see anything. This is a great area and more holes would be nice!
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2 1
jeffm516
Experience: 16.6 years 12 played 12 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Big arms welcome 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 27, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course is great for long shots. They even have two pin for most holes. Most of the short shots are technical. The layout is done well it flows nicely, no problem finding your way around. Maintained very well trees are trimed and grass is cut with reason.

Cons:

Very flat can flood from time to time. some big distance on some of the holes so it can be hard for amateurs and even Rec players to get par

Other Thoughts:

Love the course over all. If you have any question please send me a message or jump on NWADGC.com for more information.

BE A POSITIVE REVIEWER :)
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2 1
kevinj
Experience: 16.3 years 4 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

a little bit of everything 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 1, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

You have the wooded holes the open holes and then you have everything in between.

concrete teepads.
teesigns.
easy to navigate.
and best of all....multiple pins!!!
discatchers!

Cons:

Flat flat flat out here there is a ton of standing water.
some of the baskets are crooked where you can literaly slip the discs out of the bottom without touching metal
no bathrooms

Other Thoughts:

You have the option to play only the front nine or the back nine....or of course both.
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1 0
EvansD
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Excellent Basic Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 20, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is a very fun, if casual course. I was able to take my 3-year-old with me and take my time (letting other people pass as needed) with no worries as far as sheer drops or overgrown vegetation.

I have played this course many times, and it offers challenging as well as vanilla holes. The fact that the city guys maintain the course so well goes a long way. They also alternate each basket within two locations (I think to avoid too much dead grass for all the traffic) which makes for very different approaches to each hole.

Always a staple, will go again many times. Great course.

Cons:

As the other reviews mention, this is a flat one (with minor exceptions). Most of the holes are very similar, but a few offer real challenges.

It would be nice to have some sort of water fountains (or even freakin bottled water machines)

Other Thoughts:

Also offers some nice secluded areas for... well, you know...
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2 1
C-rad22
Experience: 17 years 84 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

decent course, def. worth taking a look 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 12, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Signs provided path to basket and next tee pads. Absolutely worth taking a look if in town. Im from Texas, where in fact, the holes are bigger and longer. So I had to stop by and I am used to the holes 350+

Cons:

Very flat. Hardly any elevation changes and if you keep it low, its possible to birdie many holes. Thats not to say some are short though. TWO TRASH CANS!!!

Other Thoughts:

Halfway through my first round a guy was going through and changing the baskets, so I got a few different views/throws at some of the holes. Just stopping through town and played it 2 different days/ 5 rounds.
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1 0
dirtydmix
Experience: 3 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

open to opions 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 20, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

I enjoyed seeing a different type of throw on each hole. This place was really pretty. I think they water can get up on the creek, but it wasn't when i was there.

Meet 2 really friendly players there. Seems like its not a course where rift raft comes.

Cons:

Would be diff to know exactly where to go since you have to cross a major road three times. however i don't think that there is much traffic down that road.

no where to pee.

very muddy and had to cross some ditches with mucky water in em.

Other Thoughts:

i think this course would become very difficult if it were windy because it is so open.

If a guy holding 4 discs and two towels offers to play you for $$ dont do it. :)
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1 0
Mayo
Experience: 18.7 years 44 played 7 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Wish I could Move it to Fayetteville 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 7, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great teepads, signage, baskets, trashcans. There are boulders at every hole that can be used as benches or to put your bag on. Multiple pin placements. Well maintained. Can vary in difficulty depending on pin placement.

Cons:

Not much elevation to be had. No restrooms/water fountains. Can flood.

Other Thoughts:

Make sure to bring water because there are no facilities nearby. Easily one of the best courses in the state.
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5 0
mcduffiejc
Experience: 15.8 years 11 played 4 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Pretty Damn Good 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 16, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Well this course definitely changed my mind after playing it. I am originally from Colorado and I ended up going out to Arkansas to see some of my family and so have it I just happened to find a disc golf course close by and of course I had to play it.

This course is great!
1. First off there were signs directing you to the disc golf parking area right as you enter the park.
2. Concrete tee pads for each hole.
3. Signs giving description of each hole.
4. Every type of hole you could ask for (water, distance, short ace hole, trees, hyzer, anhyzers, overhand, etc).
5. Course design is awesome!

Cons:

Honestly the only cons I found was that a few holes could have had better placements but still the placements were good. Also it had rained about a week before and there was still a few crazy mud holes but that only made the shots more interesting.

Other Thoughts:

The course is setup in a figure 8 design. The parking lot sets you up to start off at hole 1 and the course does a full loop and makes hole 9 end up back at the parking lot where you started. Then the other half of the figure 8 starts with hole 10 and loops out and back to the parking lot also ending at 18. The course has a great setup incase you only want to play the front or back 9, it only makes you go in a circle. If you want to do the whole course you can do the figure 8 and you end up back at the car. The other great thing is that you can pack a cooler up in the car, lock it up, and pick up some fresh water after hole 9. One of the best courses ever played.
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1 3
underpar24
Experience: 17.2 years 142 played 14 reviews
3.50 star(s)

nice course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 1, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

concert pads. a little water. partly open partly in trees. good combination. monster hole 18

Cons:

a little too flat, but they did the best possible with the terrain.

Other Thoughts:

bring some water it gets hot out there.
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1 2
silverbullet
Experience: 16.7 years 19 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

ben geren 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 12, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Awesome course! Concrete pads with signs. you meet a ton of great people at this course.

Cons:

the course is completely flat almost but it still has some great shots.

Other Thoughts:

Parking can be a pain on busy days and there are no bathrooms
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