Oklahoma City, OK

Dolese Youth Park - West

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35(based on 9 reviews)
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Dolese Youth Park - West reviews

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13 0
dreadlock86
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.5 years 388 played 318 reviews
3.00 star(s)

the other half 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 23, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

-tight woods on a majority of holes, something that doesn't exist elsewhere in OKC
-utilizes well the interesting features of the land: slight elevation, pond, ravines, narrow tunnels, low ceilings
-concrete pads, Discatchers, detailed signage
-a handful of open holes on the front 9 that allow you to warm up your arm
-requires BH and FH to get to the green off the tee
-practice basket
-plenty of parking
-tons of other amenities in the park, including 18 more holes

Cons:

-poison ivy
-the rough is pretty rough
-weird tee placement/angle on hole 7
-don't bring your beginner friends here
-can get pretty crowded but not as bad as the East Course

Other Thoughts:

I really enjoyed the new holes here at Dolese. They are short and very wooded with narrow lines, low ceilings, and idiosyncratic lines. Nearly every tee shot had me wanting to throw multiple times and try to solve the puzzle presented. The lines are fair but really particular and the greens are accessible but have plenty of danger.

The front 9 has five holes from the original layout, holes 1-3 and 6-7. These are a nice way to warm up a bit before having to dial in the accuracy in the woods. They are a nice contrast but not particularly interesting or memorable. There are a couple wooded holes I'm tempted to complain about but I really just need to learn a better forehand (like hole 4 that requires a really awkward FH flex). I loved hole 11 with the pond on the left, hole 12 going downhill through a ravine, and hole 15 where the best you can do is get to the window at the bottom of the small hill atop which the basket is perched. You'll have a putt but don't miss and go long into the pond on the other side.

There are good concrete pads, detailed signs, and the discatchers are in good condition. The rough is rough but surely better than it was a handful of years back when the course first opened. The lines are tight and demanding but it's a welcome contrast from every other course in OKC. And if it's really not your cup of tea, you can just scoot over the east side of the park and play the 18 holes on the East Course.

I think Dolese is the premiere stop for throwing discs in OKC. Whether you only have time for one round or you're looking to play the whole day, Dolese should be a top consideration. If you're into wooded courses then you'll definitely want to play the West Course.


**Like this review? Hate it? Message me and let me know why! I want to make them better!**
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5 0
armiller
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 9.5 years 276 played 60 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Didn't know Dolese had all these trees! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 8, 2017 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-new woods holes with tight fairways add even more need for precision; the ever present ceiling prevents most "over the top" lines, and even when the line is there it comes with plenty of risk
-true to the original Dolese feel, you'll need your backhand and forehand, and can use a forehand roller or overhand on occasion
-new Discatcher baskets
-good use of elevated tees/baskets on a couple wooded holes
-very good greens and basket placement on most holes, using trees, bushes, and rough ground

Some favorites: 2-5, 10-12, 15

Cons:

-tees are still dirt and can get muddy; flags that typically mark them are sometimes missing
-on the course navigation is a little tricky for visitors; but the online course map leaves no room for confusion... so download it!
-that pond on 11 is nasty
-a couple holes aren't bad but can be forgettable, in contrast to Dolese East

Other Thoughts:

The new holes are still a bit raw, but I'm grateful to have them and look forward to continued improvements (concrete tees and tee signs).These are fun holes that tend to be quite short, especially west of the parking lot, so it's nice that the old "island" holes are included to give a few slightly open and longer shots.

Overall, the new holes are fun, but I have a couple comments. I'm not a big fan of the early dogleg on hole 4 because it doesn't feel like a natural golf line to me. Hole 8 seems like a bit of a "poke and pray" since the fairway is so crowded, but it's a good test of low power accuracy. Hole 12's early narrow gap struck me as a bit ridiculous at first, but I've gotten it a few times now and have grown to respect the unique line it requires. These issues actually give the holes and course character, but can make a round frustrating. Notice I included several of these on my favorites...

Basically, this course tends to be quite a bit shorter than the original Dolese 18. The shorter holes reward accurate players, and will make you pay if you can't hit good golf lines. It's the kind of course where you can expect some birdies but still experience the frustration of some bogeys or par saves on 200' holes. That said, you can probably expect to score better on West than on the East course.

I still think Dolese is at its best when all 36 holes can be played together. If you're visiting the area, I'd say make sure you eat beforehand and stock up your cooler and snacks so you can spend the extra time to play both East and West. Both are great courses, and thanks to the OKC DGA for putting in so much work and making Dolese a two course site!
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1 0
Lancelot
Experience: 23.5 years 15 played 9 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Dolese 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 1, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

Has some elevation. Mixture of wooded and open holes. The wooded holes make for some technical lines to challenge your ability. Met some awesome locals. Fun course.

Cons:

Natural tee pads. Very difficult to navigate for the first time without the help of someone who has played it. Poison Ivy was out in full force.

Other Thoughts:

Would definetly play again
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3 1
Chained Evil
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.4 years 1179 played 232 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Old school+new school= Fun course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 28, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great short variance on this course with short, moderate, longer holes.
Open park style holes and very technical holes here on this course.
A lot of risk reward shots especially on the wooded holes. You will have to be accurate, and in some cases lucky, in order to score well.
Very challenging lines to be shaped here. You will need a good short game for sure.
Has a ton of potential to beat in nicely and will over time.
Didn't really feel like this course has a lot of "poke and pray" holes and there are lines you just have to be accurate.
Good cover for windy days on about 2/3 of the course.
Good mix of dog leg L/R holes and a couple of holes that used an elevated tee or elevated basket.
A good risk reward type of course depending on how aggressive you want to be.

Cons:

No signage for the wooded holes and the signage that is there is from the old course, and the number don't match.
No tee pads for the wooded holes. Most times of the year this will be fine but they are starting to rut a bit and grip will most likely be difficult when it is wet.
Some holes still have sapling/tree stumps that aren't flush with the ground causing potential tripping hazards. Please pay attention to where you are walking.
No numbers on the baskets, which would help with navigation issues, IMO.
A bit hard to follow at times so I would suggest having access to a map either digitally or old school paper.

Other Thoughts:

Overall this is a fun course that will test all aspects of your game. You will need to have a short memory if you don't execute your shots and hit your lines.
This is a course that will make your short game improve and the quality of golf here is excellent.
With improvements to signage, tees, and general navigation issues this will only improve this course that much more.
As it is, the golfing is still quality and fun so it will get a respectable 3.5 rating from me. This course will only play tougher in the summer months so be prepared. If you like a course that will make you think and help you to improve all aspects of your game then this is a course for you. Good news is there is another course to the south so you can make a day of it and play 2 great OKC metro courses.
Must play if you are in the OKC area.
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0 2
Huber86229
Experience: 12.7 years 3 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Very technical in the city 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 23, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Very technical great use of trees
Nice change from the original layout and relieves course congestion
Multiple shot options
What you do after your tee off will determine your score

Cons:

Tee pads need to be established. Need to be level and consistent
No signage. Impossible to follow without a local
Poison Ivy is insane, my buddies got it so bad from here

Other Thoughts:

This has a ton of potential. Keep the jerks from tearing everything up and this course is gonna elevate everyone's game.
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3 0
hotstang
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.5 years 453 played 59 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Dolese Squared 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 10, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

New Dis-Catcher Baskets.
Brings Technical aspect to OKC.
Mixture of shots.
Thumbers, forhands, and backhands, are welcomed on this course.
5 of 4 Holes from the old course are incorporated to add distance to the layout.
Relieves congestion on the existing course.
Trees basically cover the entire course.Shade for the summer months.
Great complement to the existing course.

Cons:

Natural Tees.
No Signs.
Not an easy flow.
No real established flow / hole numbers.
Poison Ivy everywhere.
Still a work in progress.

Other Thoughts:

Love the new holes.
Adds technical aspect to an open OKC area courses.
Just remember its a work in progress.
Port-a-jon.
Tees aren't set they may be moved.
My rating would increase with the completion on the course.
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4 0
JacobPlava
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Into the woods We go. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 23, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-New baskets
-Technically challenging corridors/tunnels/fairways.
-Lots of tree cover, allows for comfortable play in the hottest of days, avoiding direct sunlight.

Cons:

-Right now, the only real issues for me seem to be the lack of signage/directions, and the lack of concrete tees, or tee markers. There are a few holes that finish up in heavy trees, and while looking around, there isn't anything to tell you which direction to go for the next hole. There was some neon orange spray paint there on grass and some trees, trying to point the way......but it had mostly washed away. The transition from 6 to 7, was a particularly difficult one...as we walked around for a good bit, before figuring it out. Print a Map, and TRY to use it..it should help.

-Small trees and vines in the fairway. This course is very tight as it is, and the margin for error is already slim! There will be many times, you have a great shot right down the middle of an already ridiculously tight tunnel...only to have your disc hit a random vine, hanging down in the middle of the fairway. These, along with some really small trees, could be removed here and there, to open it up "just a bit more."

I am confident, that once this course matures, and the tees, and signage are put into place, that these "cons" will be all but nonexistent.

Other Thoughts:

Well, lets call it what it is..... Its unlike any other course in OKC. And this is a GOOD THING! Its super tight, and super narrow, and requires all sorts of disc skills, as you are throwing to a spot...to set yourself up to actually have a next shot. This course is not for everybody, and wont appeal to everybody...but I loved it. My new favorite OKC spot for sure.

-Who this course will appeal to.... RH Forehand throwers, and BH lefties. 5 of the first 8 holes, are either "dog leg" right in very narrow space, or very long and narrow, with your disc needing to finish up fading right. If you can flick your disc, laser straight about 4-5 feet off the ground, for about 125-150 feet...this course is going to be right in your wheel house.

-Who this course will not appeal to..... The grip it and rip it "Neanderthal types." There aren't any holes, that really allow you to open it up, and chuck one deep. Everything is tight, and methodical. Almost every throw, you are trying to put yourself in a position to just even have a shot.

I have now run through this course 5 times. I have played it with 5 different friends...and the consensus thus far, is a healthy mix. Some hate it, and some love it...obviously depending on style of play. But, I can tell you, that I love it...and am so happy to have a new course to play...expecially one that fits my style of play.

Once they add signage, tees, and clean up the fairways here and there..this course would rate .5 to a full point higher for me.
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2 2
AeroPurt
Experience: 16.3 years 59 played 29 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Throw and Pray 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 16, 2016 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- New baskets.

Cons:

- Course is too technical
- Fairways are littered with trees
- A good hole typically consists of a primary flight line and one or two alternate flight lines that may or may not involve more risk/reward. Most holes on this course do not adhere to this - typically, there was either one obvious flight line or not flight line at all (throw and pray). And a lot of times, the flight line didn't put you in any kind of position to make a decent upshot.
- No tee pads (coming soon I'm sure)
- No trash cans
- Thickets line the fairways so missing your line by mere inches will get you caught in briars and poison ivy.
- Technical courses can be very fun...this one just isn't. It's much more frustrating than fun - especially when you barely miss your line and end of 10-15 feet off the fairway trying to throw out of a tangle of thorns, vines, and branches. You either have to be really good or really lucky to have a good time out here.

Other Thoughts:

http://www.houckdesign.com/dumbholes.php

Everybody check out this article by one of the best disc golf course designers out there, John Houck. He's the designer of both Selah Ranch courses (DGCR Rating - 4.79 and 4.93), both Trey Texas Ranch courses (4.50), and WR Jackson Memorial (4.38). He knows how to design courses. He also knows how one shouldn't design courses and that's what this article is about. Here's an excerpt from that article that perfectly describes this course (13/18 holes are exactly this):

"Good holes allow players to pick up a stroke on the field by making skillful shots. So you decide to make a pro hole. You go into the woods 200' away. You take your chain saw and clear a tunnel 80' long and 3' wide. Now look at the scores from your top pros: 5 (whacked a tree and kicked into the deep woods, took two throws to get back into the fairway, layup, drop-in putt), 4 (whack with a kind kick, layup, layup, drop-in), 3 (missed the window by 6" and kicked across the fairway, sidearm roller to 70', best putt of the day), 2 (missed the window by 10' but kicked out to 30' from the basket, putt), and 2 (nailed the window and tapped in). Now you're seeing a great range of scores, but guess what? Really dumb hole. It's all luck and no skill. Hitting a 3' window with velocity from 80' is not a shot anyone can make consistently. On top of that, shots that are slightly off can get punished big time, while bad shots may get rewarded with lucky kicks."

I will increase my rating if they get out and work on this course some more (I know there are plans to add teepads so that will help). But mainly, what needs to be done clear the fairways a little more so it makes more sense.

UPDATE: I increased my rating a tad because I felt I was being just a bit too harsh. I still feel strongly about "dumb" holes but, all in all, it's still a place you can go play disc golf and that is a plus. Now...if only we could get another course in Edmond to contrast Mitch.
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3 0
okiebullgod
Experience: 15.5 years 90 played 14 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Something new for OKC 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 25, 2016 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The addition of these holes does, and will in the future divide the existing 18 hole course into two 18 hole courses which will alleviate some backups and crowding as people become aware of the changes. OKC DGA installed 18 new discatcher baskets on the new holes. The new holes are tighter, more touch, technical holes. Most are 300' or less, but much more wooded lines.

Cons:

The new holes still have natural tees with plans for concrete. It would be less confusing if all of the innova baskets were on one course and all DGA on the other. As of now, it's a mix of baskets between the old existing holes and the new ones. They've just made these holes playable, so the baskets may be moved eventually. There is a little poison ivy off of the fairways, so if you're sensitive dress accordingly.

Other Thoughts:

11 of the new holes start on the west side of the parking lot. After you play them, play original holes 1, 2, & 16 on the island. After 16, there are two more long, tight holes in the woods behind the porta potty. After you play those two, head back to the island and play origional 17 & 18.
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