Hancock, IA

Botna Bend Park

2.255(based on 4 reviews)
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12 0
knobby325
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 8.8 years 325 played 248 reviews
0.50 star(s)

No longer taken care of 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 6, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

-It has baskets
-9 Holes exist

Cons:

-$3 park entrance fee (I didn't get $3 worth...)
-No mowing of course outside other park uses mowed for (See Aug 2021 Tee 1 Pic)
-Disc loss potential is high
-Long walk back from #9
-Wild shot on #6, #7 or #8 could go in wildlife pen (and you are out of luck)
-#1, #3, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9 all have the park roads in play
-Natural tee pads

Other Thoughts:

Botna Bend Park is a big game (elk and buffalo), camping and canoe access area. What was once a nice looking addition of disc golf (according to 2018 pics here) has fallen by the wayside. A run in with the city park manager (city park right next door) finds that those running the county park really don't care (see the difference in the Tee 1 pics from 2018 and 2021). Hole #2 is just as bad as is the start for #3, the end of #5, and portions of the 687' and 498' fairways of #7 and #8. The design really could have stopped at 6 or worked within the city park for the last 3 and made a nicer 9 hole course. #6 ends near the start, but #7-9 send you on a spur to the north and do not loop. Over 1/3 mile walk back to the start. There is an annoying entrance fee of $3, which I can see for the "big game". While the exhibit is mildly interesting, I was here for disc golf. I did not get $3 worth out of it. I suppose you could park at the city park and walk over to get around that. The wooden signs at the tees were OK, but weathering poorly (and #7 was missing). A telling sign was the #1 basket, just 5 feet out of the mowed area around the park sign, but being taken over by growth from weeds. It this playable? Barely. Disc loss potential is high with the lack of mowing. Maybe playing in the spring is better. Seeing the pics from just 3 years ago made it all the more sad to see the state it is in now. How to resurrect? #1-Mow! #2 Consider re-design into the city park #3-Better Signage #4-Concrete Pads. For now, save the $3, and drive right on by, not even really worth it for a bagger. I will not be back.
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2 0
BlackberryGirl
Experience: 15 played 15 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Nice place to stop! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 14, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

Tough to rate course as we enjoyed the animals tremendously. Must have been 15 Bison and 20 Elk behind fence that you can walk up to.

We found signs and baskets but were focused on the animals.

Worth a stop to stretch and play a few holes.

Map would be needed to find all holes

Cons:

Could not find holes easily.

Other Thoughts:

Wanted to add some comments since no reviews since 2015.
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2 0
Npieken
Experience: 8.8 years 6 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Home Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 25, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

It is close to where i live
Fun and challenging.
Buffalo and elk
Very long course

Cons:

New so just have post with no tee boxes.
Assuming they are going to add another 9 since hole 9 ends a ways away from the start.
Sometimes their are campers or river floaters in the way on hole 3 tee box.
Need to trim up some trees.
it would be nice to have a hole that you could have a chance to ace. 311 feet is the shortest hole.
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1 0
Wax Maniacal
Experience: 14.9 years 2 played 1 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Camp and Throw 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 28, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

Good distance for a 9 hole course from start to finish. Good baskets and there is some really good course design.

Cons:

Needs concrete tee pads

Other Thoughts:

Had a great time at botna bend

I got to play the disc golf course and it is really well done. I want to compliment the designer of it. I expected a short 9 hole course with few long holes and was pleasantly surprised. Each of the holes is a fun throw away, I guess 300 ft or more for all of them. I never felt worried about hitting a campground or the Elk and Buffalo pens. I really enjoyed it. I would love to come back again and play a night round with glowing discs.
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