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Camp Olympic Park reviews
8
0
Adequate Olympic Park 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 23, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
+ Eye-catching bright yellow next hole signs are off the ground and point the way. I never got lost here.
+ The course is set in a peaceful community park featuring some welcomed hills, open fields and the same Little Lehigh Creek also encountered at Little Lehigh Parkway's disc golf course.
+ Some elevated and suspended baskets add a basting of challenge to the course.
+ Tee pads are tiled stone pavers that show the number hole you're at. They feel level and strong underfoot. But...
+ The course is set in a peaceful community park featuring some welcomed hills, open fields and the same Little Lehigh Creek also encountered at Little Lehigh Parkway's disc golf course.
+ Some elevated and suspended baskets add a basting of challenge to the course.
+ Tee pads are tiled stone pavers that show the number hole you're at. They feel level and strong underfoot. But...
Cons:
- ...Some of those pads are missing at a few holes. In their place are dirt or shredded mats.
- The course started off with some nice handmade wooden tee signs with all the necessary info and a basic diagram, but they pretty much vanish after hole 3.
- No dedicated practice basket or lost disc box.
- Multiple issues with the playing space.
- The course started off with some nice handmade wooden tee signs with all the necessary info and a basic diagram, but they pretty much vanish after hole 3.
- No dedicated practice basket or lost disc box.
- Multiple issues with the playing space.
Other Thoughts:
My least favorite hole here is hole 9 because I feel it's too close to the road, and the fairway flies right over a dense cornfield (in the summer-autumn months). My favorite hole here to play is 16 because I felt like I was playing atop the rim of a forested crater. My favorite hole here to look at is hole 11 because of its stark uphill view that prevented me from seeing what was at the top. It gave the course a sense of mystery.
As for Camp Olympic as a whole, I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. The course is a bit too open for my liking. Even though several holes take place within woods, the fairways themselves are so wide that I forgot the trees were there. The five holes that I would consider truly wooded (4, 7, 8, 15 and 16) are pretty brief and don't necessarily scratch the itch that other wooded courses do. The remainder are definitely open, which can be just fine, but they don't challenge the throw-by-throw tactics with the possible exception of hole 10's encounter with the Little Lehigh Creek.
On the upside, Camp Olympic has its share of natural characteristics. The creek, for one thing, adds a dimension of risk and beauty to the course. There are two or three satisfying hill throws to get the adrenaline flowing. Plus, the wide open fields give newer players an approachable environment with distances that aren't unfair as the longest distance is 383 feet. And some holes are in the low 100-foot range for some tempting birdie and ace runs!
Back on the downside, this course has a major issue with playable space. Holes 2 through 6 (except for 4) have the player zig zag across the same field like a shoelace. It robs the course of a sense of progression and advancement when you're a third of the way done and still able to clearly see the fairways for holes 1 through 6 at the same time. Tee 8 is in hole 7's fairway. And holes 12 through 14 occupy the same corridor. Tee 14 is very close to touching the circle around basket 12! All of this could become a hassle on a crowded day to dodge flying discs, and I wonder how tournaments would play here.
In closing, Camp Olympic is still a nice course to play, despite the cons. Everything that a course absolutely needs (tee areas and baskets) is here. It sometimes feels a bit crammed, bland and forced, but there are some nice fairways to make it worthwhile. Very little will jump out at the player, but it is a relaxing venue and maybe worth playing a round if you're in town.
Gently recommended.
As for Camp Olympic as a whole, I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. The course is a bit too open for my liking. Even though several holes take place within woods, the fairways themselves are so wide that I forgot the trees were there. The five holes that I would consider truly wooded (4, 7, 8, 15 and 16) are pretty brief and don't necessarily scratch the itch that other wooded courses do. The remainder are definitely open, which can be just fine, but they don't challenge the throw-by-throw tactics with the possible exception of hole 10's encounter with the Little Lehigh Creek.
On the upside, Camp Olympic has its share of natural characteristics. The creek, for one thing, adds a dimension of risk and beauty to the course. There are two or three satisfying hill throws to get the adrenaline flowing. Plus, the wide open fields give newer players an approachable environment with distances that aren't unfair as the longest distance is 383 feet. And some holes are in the low 100-foot range for some tempting birdie and ace runs!
Back on the downside, this course has a major issue with playable space. Holes 2 through 6 (except for 4) have the player zig zag across the same field like a shoelace. It robs the course of a sense of progression and advancement when you're a third of the way done and still able to clearly see the fairways for holes 1 through 6 at the same time. Tee 8 is in hole 7's fairway. And holes 12 through 14 occupy the same corridor. Tee 14 is very close to touching the circle around basket 12! All of this could become a hassle on a crowded day to dodge flying discs, and I wonder how tournaments would play here.
In closing, Camp Olympic is still a nice course to play, despite the cons. Everything that a course absolutely needs (tee areas and baskets) is here. It sometimes feels a bit crammed, bland and forced, but there are some nice fairways to make it worthwhile. Very little will jump out at the player, but it is a relaxing venue and maybe worth playing a round if you're in town.
Gently recommended.
7
0
jddicarlo2
Experience:
10 played
2 reviews
Quick fun play, not as interesting as nearby courses 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Apr 20, 2020
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
The course is very quick to play, so it is great if you don't have very much time. My fiancee and I play it in a little over an hour, even when we throw multiple discs. The front 9 and back 9 can each be played as independent loops as well, and you're never that far from the parking lot. It is a very quick walk from one tee pad to the next. It's not a hike like Lehigh Parkway or Jordan Creek is, but it's slightly longer than Covered Bridge.
Most holes are quite short, which is good for beginners or if you want midrange practice.
The baskets are nice and large, which means when you miss a putt you know it was you and not the basket.
On a decent number of the holes the teepads are paved with nice stones.
Most holes are quite short, which is good for beginners or if you want midrange practice.
The baskets are nice and large, which means when you miss a putt you know it was you and not the basket.
On a decent number of the holes the teepads are paved with nice stones.
Cons:
During the COVID-19 pandemic this is one of the courses that is still open, so it can get a little crowded. While it's good for the sport to have more people playing, it can be a little hard with the teepads close by to each other. There are several holes where the teepads are too close to the previous hole and you have to be careful when shooting. Hole 18 is a big downhill hole parallel to hole 11, so an errant throw can easily become dangerous.
Many short holes just aren't very interesting. Hole 14 is a completely open hole, and while the hanging basket above a tiny pond adds some flavor, the hole layout isn't interesting at all.
Some of the teepads are just mats, which is better than just dirt, but not that nice.
The tee signs are just drawings, which is fine if you have a map or have played the course before, but it's not that nice. All baskets except 17 are visible from the tee.
Many short holes just aren't very interesting. Hole 14 is a completely open hole, and while the hanging basket above a tiny pond adds some flavor, the hole layout isn't interesting at all.
Some of the teepads are just mats, which is better than just dirt, but not that nice.
The tee signs are just drawings, which is fine if you have a map or have played the course before, but it's not that nice. All baskets except 17 are visible from the tee.
Other Thoughts:
I only started playing this course this spring, so I haven't seen this course with full green on the trees, but it has the potential to have some portions a little overgrown.
The creek is not far behind the basket on holes 2, 5, and 18, keep that in mind if it's your first time.
There are a few characteristic touches on the baskets on a few holes. Baskets 3, 13, and 14 are hanging, and basket 4 is attached to a tree. As I said above, 14 is over a tiny pond, which is annoying if your disc falls in and gets wet.
I throw mainly RH forehand, but holes 1, 9, 13, and 17 demand RH backhand. Hole 7 is the biggest right turn on the course, but a straight RH backhand gets one within 15 ft of the basket. Holes 5, 8, and 11 are slightly easier with a RH forehand, and holes 6 and 10 are slightly easier with a RH backhand. This course does favor RH backhand.
Here is my short recommendation: If you want a quick round, don't want to walk very much, or are a beginner who can't throw very far, then this is a good course to play. If you have more time and are fine walking between tee pads, then I would recommend Lehigh Parkway or Jordan Creek. This is a good course to play, but it's not as pretty or nice as those two.
The creek is not far behind the basket on holes 2, 5, and 18, keep that in mind if it's your first time.
There are a few characteristic touches on the baskets on a few holes. Baskets 3, 13, and 14 are hanging, and basket 4 is attached to a tree. As I said above, 14 is over a tiny pond, which is annoying if your disc falls in and gets wet.
I throw mainly RH forehand, but holes 1, 9, 13, and 17 demand RH backhand. Hole 7 is the biggest right turn on the course, but a straight RH backhand gets one within 15 ft of the basket. Holes 5, 8, and 11 are slightly easier with a RH forehand, and holes 6 and 10 are slightly easier with a RH backhand. This course does favor RH backhand.
Here is my short recommendation: If you want a quick round, don't want to walk very much, or are a beginner who can't throw very far, then this is a good course to play. If you have more time and are fine walking between tee pads, then I would recommend Lehigh Parkway or Jordan Creek. This is a good course to play, but it's not as pretty or nice as those two.
6
0
Very Good, and Getting Better 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Feb 17, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
A fun park course mixing genuine challenge with quirky personality
+ Great use of elevation: there aren't very many flat holes. Four of the holes on the front 9 throw across the same valley, but basket positions, hill placements and use of the creek really help them from feeling too similar to one another
+ Dramatic uphill throws on #4, #6, #15. Dramatic downhill throws on #5, #9, #11, #18
+ A couple of very tight windows for your teeshots on #4 and #12
+ Hole #10 is great: Wide open 300' par 3 across a raging stream with landing area that's maybe 40' short of the basket. But there's a big overhanging branch that's gonna knock a high throw down. Perfect risk/reward conditions on the tee: throw a controlled low and long shot for a birdie run, or lay up as close as you dare, and shoot for par?
+ Hole #16 is another standout hole: a tricky par 3 that's level with the tee, but the entire hole is a dramatic sidehill sloping down to the left into thick woods. It helps so much if you can focus solely on the landing area and block out all the slant in front of you. If you can do that (and land your disc softly), it's a birdie hole
+ The course gets quirky when it comes to the baskets. It starts innocently enough, with a few metal structures holding the baskets on #3 and #4. Hole #8 features a very cool arch that's wrapped in evergreen laurel with a small artificial Christmas tree up top. But it's on the back 9 where things get weird: #13 is elevated and in a small covered structure that looks like a throne? And #14 is hanging above a small pond with a clawed hand reaching up holding a disc. They're pretty funny - and at the moment they're not too distracting. They add character without going overboard or becoming the main feature of the course - like Flying Armadillo in Texas. But it's a balance
+ Great use of elevation: there aren't very many flat holes. Four of the holes on the front 9 throw across the same valley, but basket positions, hill placements and use of the creek really help them from feeling too similar to one another
+ Dramatic uphill throws on #4, #6, #15. Dramatic downhill throws on #5, #9, #11, #18
+ A couple of very tight windows for your teeshots on #4 and #12
+ Hole #10 is great: Wide open 300' par 3 across a raging stream with landing area that's maybe 40' short of the basket. But there's a big overhanging branch that's gonna knock a high throw down. Perfect risk/reward conditions on the tee: throw a controlled low and long shot for a birdie run, or lay up as close as you dare, and shoot for par?
+ Hole #16 is another standout hole: a tricky par 3 that's level with the tee, but the entire hole is a dramatic sidehill sloping down to the left into thick woods. It helps so much if you can focus solely on the landing area and block out all the slant in front of you. If you can do that (and land your disc softly), it's a birdie hole
+ The course gets quirky when it comes to the baskets. It starts innocently enough, with a few metal structures holding the baskets on #3 and #4. Hole #8 features a very cool arch that's wrapped in evergreen laurel with a small artificial Christmas tree up top. But it's on the back 9 where things get weird: #13 is elevated and in a small covered structure that looks like a throne? And #14 is hanging above a small pond with a clawed hand reaching up holding a disc. They're pretty funny - and at the moment they're not too distracting. They add character without going overboard or becoming the main feature of the course - like Flying Armadillo in Texas. But it's a balance
Cons:
- Some rubber and mat teepads; some temporary signage
- It's clear that a lot of the course can get muddy, because a lot of it plays along the valley surrounding the stream that cuts through much of the course
- There's a long walk between #8 basket and #9 tee (you're walking along the main road entering the park) - but I guess that's the price of tying the old 9 into the new 18 hole course
- Hole #7 is short and feels sort of "stuck in" to the design. Maybe there's some way to reconfigure #7 and #8, with the bonus of getting them closer to #9…
- Hole #9 is a pretty compromised design and it's the only "bad" hole. It's an elevated tee, and the straight and RH hyzer lines throw almost entirely over a cornfield. You're gonna have to deal with the field (tall corn!) for anything that isn't pretty much perfect. The basket itself is placed within 10 feet or a baseball backstop (so you'll not be throwing discs when the field is in use!). You can certainly use the backstop to stop your tee or approach, but the combination of the cornfield and the backstop makes the hole something to just get through (and get to #10, the terrific risk/reward over water)
- As others have noted, a few of the tees are very close to the baskets, and a few of the holes come very close to crossing one another. You have to be especially careful when teeing off #18: it's a very elevated tee, and you can easily find your disc bombing down on players approaching #9 or teeing #10
- It's clear that a lot of the course can get muddy, because a lot of it plays along the valley surrounding the stream that cuts through much of the course
- There's a long walk between #8 basket and #9 tee (you're walking along the main road entering the park) - but I guess that's the price of tying the old 9 into the new 18 hole course
- Hole #7 is short and feels sort of "stuck in" to the design. Maybe there's some way to reconfigure #7 and #8, with the bonus of getting them closer to #9…
- Hole #9 is a pretty compromised design and it's the only "bad" hole. It's an elevated tee, and the straight and RH hyzer lines throw almost entirely over a cornfield. You're gonna have to deal with the field (tall corn!) for anything that isn't pretty much perfect. The basket itself is placed within 10 feet or a baseball backstop (so you'll not be throwing discs when the field is in use!). You can certainly use the backstop to stop your tee or approach, but the combination of the cornfield and the backstop makes the hole something to just get through (and get to #10, the terrific risk/reward over water)
- As others have noted, a few of the tees are very close to the baskets, and a few of the holes come very close to crossing one another. You have to be especially careful when teeing off #18: it's a very elevated tee, and you can easily find your disc bombing down on players approaching #9 or teeing #10
Other Thoughts:
~ Camp Olympic is a very good course - the old carved wood signs on the front 9 show its history as a summer camp recreation spot. The course is evolving and improving, and I'm sure that's due to a lot of hard work by volunteers
~ The true test for me that indicates a very good or excellent course is whether I want to play it again, and I finished my round wishing I had the daylight to get right back out there and play every hole again
~ The true test for me that indicates a very good or excellent course is whether I want to play it again, and I finished my round wishing I had the daylight to get right back out there and play every hole again
8
1
PRC90
Experience:
7.9 years
20 played
18 reviews
Constant Progress and a Maintainable layout spell a bright future for the course. 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Dec 16, 2019
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Very quick to play, solo round can be done in under an hour if you hustle between holes.
Paver tee's where installed are pretty well done.
Baskets are modern and in good shape
Creative usage of obstacles and elevation to create a couple memorable/interesting holes.
Paver tee's where installed are pretty well done.
Baskets are modern and in good shape
Creative usage of obstacles and elevation to create a couple memorable/interesting holes.
Cons:
Not a lot of opportunities for scoring separation as most holes can very easily be scrambled out for par.
Some holes feel same-y or oversimplified: you may find yourself staring down the basket from the tee with little to stop you from parking it assuming you can reach it (and most of you probably can).
The use of hanging baskets has grown to be very gimmicky, when 1 or 2 holes has them its creative design when almost half of them have it loses it's luster.
Tee proximity to basket, in some cases an errant drive may come your way from another hole while on the tee if there are a lot of people playing.
Some holes feel same-y or oversimplified: you may find yourself staring down the basket from the tee with little to stop you from parking it assuming you can reach it (and most of you probably can).
The use of hanging baskets has grown to be very gimmicky, when 1 or 2 holes has them its creative design when almost half of them have it loses it's luster.
Tee proximity to basket, in some cases an errant drive may come your way from another hole while on the tee if there are a lot of people playing.
Other Thoughts:
The redesign of Camp O has been fast and furious and the community has come together to make a neat little course that is both sustainable and enjoyable to play. The Paver pads where installed are a very welcome change and the baskets still catch as well as they used to (for the most part) and I hope to see continued progress on the remaining pads. The additions of the pallet benches are convenient and the commitment to have them on most holes is nice. I enjoy that the more memorable Par 3's from the old layout live on in the new layout and some of the new holes are genuinely fun or tricky (4 can be quite annoying despite being so short). The overall flow is pretty good you will not find yourself walking as far to get to your next tee and the time to play this course is generally pretty quick, making it a great candidate for the "on your lunch" or "after work 9 holes" since hole 9 drops you back at the lot.
On the downside the course has lost most of its teeth and competitive nature as the layout removed all the par 4's and the average difficulty on the new holes is a bit lower overall as most of the holes are single angle and/or single gap holes that seem relatively easy to conquer. This will be a con to some and a pro to others, but for me there plenty of courses that are similar difficulty and that are more memorable. The tee pads often are very close to other holes... if you are on hole 11 you could potentially get hit from a disc in 2 different directions which could easily be fixed by changing the design on hole 11 to move it away from the cross fire. The use of hanging baskets on this course has begun to make it feel very gimmicky especially when you see some of the monstrosities created to move these things. Sometimes less is more and I think early on when they rolled one or two of them out it added a neat flare that made it unique but when I was there last there are roughly around 5 baskets that have been permanently modified (some attached to apparatus crudely bolted to trees others swung out on some kind of welded together arm) and it adds a kind of weird "fun-house" vibe to the course that makes it harder to take it serious.
Overall Camp Olympics' redesign is a step in the right direction and it is worthy of being called an ok course by DGCR standards. I think the added infrastructure has brought a lot of value to the course and as the work finishes up it will be a nice place to play some disc golf and will be for years to come. I think refocusing the design aspects towards tweaking the layout to be more interesting and unique rather than messing with the basket features will help increase the playability and potentially difficulty of the course and make it one that's worth traveling a bit for.
On the downside the course has lost most of its teeth and competitive nature as the layout removed all the par 4's and the average difficulty on the new holes is a bit lower overall as most of the holes are single angle and/or single gap holes that seem relatively easy to conquer. This will be a con to some and a pro to others, but for me there plenty of courses that are similar difficulty and that are more memorable. The tee pads often are very close to other holes... if you are on hole 11 you could potentially get hit from a disc in 2 different directions which could easily be fixed by changing the design on hole 11 to move it away from the cross fire. The use of hanging baskets on this course has begun to make it feel very gimmicky especially when you see some of the monstrosities created to move these things. Sometimes less is more and I think early on when they rolled one or two of them out it added a neat flare that made it unique but when I was there last there are roughly around 5 baskets that have been permanently modified (some attached to apparatus crudely bolted to trees others swung out on some kind of welded together arm) and it adds a kind of weird "fun-house" vibe to the course that makes it harder to take it serious.
Overall Camp Olympics' redesign is a step in the right direction and it is worthy of being called an ok course by DGCR standards. I think the added infrastructure has brought a lot of value to the course and as the work finishes up it will be a nice place to play some disc golf and will be for years to come. I think refocusing the design aspects towards tweaking the layout to be more interesting and unique rather than messing with the basket features will help increase the playability and potentially difficulty of the course and make it one that's worth traveling a bit for.
