Pros:
Best Course in Tulsa
I had the opportunity to play five Tulsa courses during the 2014 Tim Selinske US Masters Championships. I played this course both in practice and in tournament setting. The course was in excellent condition. I immediately added Blackhawk/Whitehawk disc golf course to my favorites list. This review will focus more on the Whitehawk course layout.
Overview,
First, this is in a park with another 18 hole course called Redhawk. This is in the wooded area of the park and offers a more secluded feel. The Blackhawk course has a second set of tees on 11 holes and these are referred to as the Whitehawk Course . The course plays through some thick woods and offers a challenge for more advanced disc golfers. Even though it is in the woods, it offers fair fairways and offers a variety of shots. There is water in play on several holes adding to the challenge. I used bullet points for those that do not want to read the entire review.
Whitehawk Course
The Par 57 Whitehawk course uses the same fairways as the Blackhawk course. The two courses share 7 tees and both are very technical. The shared tees are on the shorter holes that measure 300 feet or less. The remaining tees are shorter and offer some different challenges from the longer Black tees. Even though tees are shorter, players on Whitehawk still need plenty of skill and control to stay on the narrow fairways and score well. On the three water holes, the Whitehawk tees do not take the water out of play, the tees only offer the ability to not throw directly over the water off the tee. The baskets on Hole 8 and 9 are close enough to water's edge that errant approaches and putts could easily end up in the drink.
Blackhawk Course
The Par 62 Blackhawk course offers additional challenges in case Whitehawk is not enough of a challenge for you. The Black tees all have signs and good sized concrete tees in excellent condition. Some had benches and trash cans. Some holes have doglegs and others require water carries. While Blakhawk shares 7 tees with Whitehawk, the 11 additional tees are longer and more challenging. The longer Par 5 holes do not necessarily require two longer drives. Rather, players need to be able to hit specific landing areas. Strategic thinking and course management skills are required to score well. Of course all strategies require keeping shots in the narrow fairways and not deep into the rough.
Variety of shots
Here is the variety breakdown. 5 holes play right to left, 6 are mostly left to right and 7 are relatively straight or allow both left and right approaches. 3 holes play near or over the water. Players that can throw a wide variety of shots with accuracy can score well. About the only thing not offered here is elevation shots as this is a very flat park.
Customized Basket Wraps.
Every basket had a custom wrap over the traditional yellow bank on the Discatcher target. Each wrap had amazing graphics along with the hole number on the front and back. The wraps honor the Tulsa Disc Sports Association, the 2014 Tim Selinske US Masters and the 2006 Am Worlds. There was no graffiti on the baskets. These are shown in the course photos.
Tees.
Both Black and White tees had large concrete tees. The Black tees were a little wider and longer. The white tees were appropriately sized for the shorter distances. There was mulch around most of the tee areas to keep mud to a minimum.
Signs.
There were well placed signs at each black tee. The graphics were up to date and included OB information as well as directions to the next tee. As long as you can find the first tee, and read the Black tee signs, you do not need a map to play this course. However, none of the White tees had tee signs as all had been vandalized in some form. It is evident the local club, TDSA has tried to keep up, but apparently the vandals are winning.
Course exclusive to disc golfers.
This area is reserved for disc golf. It is only really possible to come in contact with other park users on Hole 2 or if there happens to be a fisherman on the water holes.
Less Wind
When the wind is blowing, this course could provide some relief. The wind will still be in play on a couple of the more open holes, but it is definitely less windy than Redhawk.
Wooded Course
The fairways are long and narrow and the rough is deep and not very forgiving. Players need and accurate drive and the ability to hit specific landing zones to score well. Plus players need the ability to scramble and get back on the fairways for when they do end up in the rough. Water comes into play on three of the holes adding even more challenge. The water holes are more open, so the ever present wind can add difficulty. There are also lots of ticks and mosquitoes.
Not recommended for beginners
As stated before, this is a technical and challenging course. The fairways are narrow and require accuracy. The rough is very deep and not very forgiving. There is also the threat of losing discs on the water holes, even from the Whitehawk tees. Beginners should play the front nine of Redhawk instead where errant shots are not so severely punished.
All 18 in a row
Once you leave the first tee area, you do not return to the parking lot until you play all 18 holes. The course wraps around on itself. It would be possible to skip 8 - 11 if you don't have time to play all 18. This would also take the water holes out of play.
Restrooms
Unlike Redhawk, there is only one full service restroom on Hole 1 and 18 of the Blackhawk/Whitehawk courses. There were no portables on the course. However, there were plenty of opportunities for privacy on the heavily wooded fairways.
Jets
The course is at the north end of an active airport runway. Jets and planes do fly directly overhead on several holes. The jets are flying very low at this point. I thought it was kind of neat and adds another bit of personality to the course.
Kids, pets and strollers
This is not a great place to bring along young children. There are too many ticks and bugs and possibly mud to bring kids and pets along. Strollers are OK as long as the course is dry. If you have babies or toddlers, please go play the Redhawk course instead. There are no other facilities on the course. The only restroom is on Hole 1 and 18.
TDSA
Tulsa Disc Sports Assoc is a hardworking club that is responsible for the new basket wraps and updated tee signs. It is obvious they are helping to improve and maintain these courses. These courses are here as a result of the volunteer efforts of the members the TDSA. If you are a local player, you should check out the events they offer. They welcome players of all ages and abilities.
Possible Fee
In summer, there can be a fee to enter the park. It is well worth the cost for the opportunity to play 36 holes of disc golf.
Cons:
Vandalism
There were no readable tee signs left on any of the White only tees. They have all been vandalized in some way. Luckily there were signs on the Black Tees. (Hole 16 Black and White signs were missing). The volunteers are trying hard to keep up with the vandals but it appears to be a losing battle.
Ticks and bugs.
There are lots of ticks here. Nearly every player at the event saw them. There are also mosquitoes and other biters that one would expect in the deep woods and around ponds. Be sure to use inspect repellent, preferably with DEET.
Lost Discs
It is possible to lose plastic on the water holes 8, 9 & 10 and in the deep rough on some of the fairways if you are unlucky.
Hard to See
The amazing black and white wraps on the baskets for the Blackhawk/Whitehawk theme are an awesome touch of class. However, the baskets were sometimes hard to spot in the shadows. The graphics were free of graffiti
Noisy
The planes and jets landing and taking off at the Tulsa airport fly directly overhead on a few holes. It can get very noisy at times.
Poison Ivy.
There was poison ivy on the course. Be advised if you are sensitive and take proper precautions.
Other Thoughts:
Mohawk Park and the Tulsa Zoo
This is a giant park that offers great options for disc golf in Tulsa. The Blackhawk and Redhawk set of courses offer 36 holes of disc golf and there is something here for every level of player. From the super beginner friendly front nine at Redhawk to the super challenging back nine at Blackhawk there is a challenge for players of all skill levels. The Tulsa Zoo is right next door in the same park.
It's all right here.
You park in the same area as the Redhawk course, so all 36 holes start in the same area. The Redhawk course offers two nine hole loops. You could play Redhawk, Blackhawk and Whitehawk in one day if you are up to the 54 hole challenge.
2014 US Masters
I played the courses while attending this PDGA Major event. The event was hosted by the Tulsa Disc Sports Association. The TDSA did an awesome job preparing all five courses for the event. Tulsa was a friendly and welcoming community. I enjoyed my stay and I was thankful for the opportunity to play disc golf in Tulsa.
Photos
The photos have been updated to include all the Blackhawk tees Whitehawk tees. New photos show how the course has matured, the concrete tees and the new custom Discatcher target wraps.
TDSA Worth Repeating.
Tulsa Disc Sports Association is a hardworking club that is responsible for the new basket wraps and updated tee signs. It is obvious this club is helping to improve and maintain these courses. These courses are here as a direct result of the volunteer efforts of the members the TDSA. In addition to 2014 US Masters, Tulsa has hosted 2006 Am Worlds and 1985 PDGA Pro World Championships. If you are a local player, you should check out the leagues and events they offer. The TDSA welcomes players of all ages and abilities.
Rating
The park and the fact there are two 18 holes courses in one location gets a 5 disc rating. The overall course design, the unique challenges and the variety of shots earns a 5. The work put in by volunteers with the local club a 5. Sadly the vandalism is an unfortunate negative along with the bugs. Since there is some room for improvement I will give it a 4.0.