Norman, OK

Griffin Park

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3.465(based on 26 reviews)
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4 1
okiebullgod
Experience: 15.5 years 90 played 14 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Just Beginning 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 21, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Keep in mind I'm writing this review as a beginner. I've probably only played a half dozen rounds. The course is less crowded than others in the area (a plus since not as many people can watch you shank one), it's also easier to follow the holes than others in Norman. This course will teach you to throw straight or pay the consequences. Also, there are a couple of well water hydrants on the front 9.

Cons:

There is some dirt work and construction going on, but they have made some fun interim holes. In my mind the only cons are the "stick tights" the little burrs that stick all over you. As long as you stay on the fairway it's not a problem though

Other Thoughts:

This course was much more suitable to me to learn on than Colonial was. It is easier to follow and less crowded.
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6 1
Sports_Fan_Stan
Experience: 19.4 years 36 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Griffin Summer 2012 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 2, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Griffin's original "gold course" caters to experienced players with plenty of holes that can be over-powered with a big arm. Most shots from the "gold" tees feature a well defined fairway line for low-shots as well as lines over the trees. In 2011, the much shorter "red course" was added featuring different angles and tighter lines through the trees. The "red" layout removes a few hikes between holes and takes less time to play. Red #4 and #11 are simple and short ace runs. In contrast, Gold #11's fairway narrows to road width basically requiring a high-line that must carry nearly 300-feet of trees. The 8th hole has two baskets to pick from. During tournament play, the "red course" would play the basket on top of the "Matterhorn." The long 17th hole gets tougher if the tee shot finishes in the lowlands by the creek bed. Both layouts finish up with an elevated tee shot on #18 that is usually downwind to the basket 450-feet away. Most every tee has a place to sit and rest.

Cons:

The city has decided that the hill for #18 tee is a temporary feature. So, this course will undergo yet another change to #18 in the future. The course is regularly mowed but many areas are purposefully allowed to grow in order to support this urban wilderness. Signage is often incorrect and confusing due to the multiple layout changes to accommodate upgrades around the park. Beware; the Red #2 tee is in the middle of the Gold #1 fairway which can cause a delay while golfers clear. With the addition of the lake, #18 will always be a short hike from the parking lot. There are no public bathrooms or drinking water nearby.

Other Thoughts:

This is an update of a 2-year old review. In that time, many changes and upgrades have occurred. The course map here on DGCR is kept as updated as possible. The city is quite helpful and cooperative with the local club and is planning to add concrete tees for the "red course." It is often a tough choice to decide if we are going to play Griffin or the nearby Lions. Griffin being the tougher of the two tends to have fewer players on the course.
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7 2
Roc1Time
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 23.4 years 131 played 118 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Good but not great 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 6, 2008 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Good course for the Adv/Pro player. Lots of shots that challenge your bag, both long and short. Not a big boomer course but that does help, accuracy is more important here. I like the mowed fairways because of the reward of not having to climb in the tall grass and ticks. It is not an easy course and makes you feel better when shooting a good round but ont overly hard for the beginner. Good tees and baskets as well. My favorite of the three courses in Norman, cant wait to get back there again.

Cons:

Talk grass made for some ticks. Hot in the summer time. Hard to navigate first time out, have a little patience, It will be worth it. Long way from the car so bring lots of fluid during the summer.

Other Thoughts:

It cant get thick in areas so keep an eye on your plastic or use a spotter. You will know the holes when you get to them.
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8 1
Innovadude
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 26.4 years 235 played 185 reviews
3.50 star(s)

construction-but still worth it 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 9, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

Challenging design with lots of variety teaches new shots. Even though there is thick rough, I only spotted poison ivy in one spot and it wasn't much. Good length, big arms don't get too many chances (besides #2) to run away with it, but it does help to have some D. Nothing too short either. Plays through new-growth forest and prairie like land, with mowed grass fairways usually clear of trees using turns and branches as obstacles.

Cons:

It claimed to be evenly balanced, but I found it favoring RHBH shots, maybe not too much overall, but definitely on the front 9. Tees can get muddy quick due to the grass being worn out around them. Hard to find #14's tee. No restroom at this part of the park.

Other Thoughts:

Currently, holes #1-2 have large muddy areas (when wet) due to park construction. #14 had water so deep in the fairway it wasn't realistic to walk it, but you can PARK the hole then walk around to the basket. #17 had no basket, but I think there was an alt. basket that was unexplained over to the left. #18 was unplayable due to active heavy equipment.
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6 0
DG_Wizard
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 18.7 years 20 played 20 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Griffin - Too Narrow and Thick 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 11, 2008 Played the course:never

Pros:

This is a convenient place to play. It is a challenging course, and has adequate facilities (trash cans, benches, bathrooms, etc.) It has a nice flow, and the holes are out of the way of joggers, etc. Most of the time there is a copy of the course map at the entrance. Concrete tee pads and signs are nice.

Cons:

This course is long. #2 is about 800+ feet. It is also extremely thick in summer months. It is very easy to lose discs. Some fairways are too narrow in very wooded areas in my opinion. I also don't like the fact that there seem to be a group of vandals that like to come out and trash the baskets. They have been known to be bent, covered in graffiti, missing chains or tops, or even dug up completely. I know of a couple that have been replaced several times. If you aren't going to play, at least don't ruin it for the rest of us! Some parallel fairways are too close together.

Other Thoughts:

I like this course, and I play it occaisionally for a change of scenery. I like Lion's Park better, which is practically across the street. Entrance to the Griffin DGC is right next to the fenced in dog park.
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6 0
theculturedredneck
Experience: 13 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Griffin Park - Jan 08 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 7, 2008 Played the course:never

Pros:

Challenging distance, well-manicured fairways, excellent utilization of the landscape to create a variety of hole layouts, concrete tee boxes, clean/free from trash, signage at both box & pin to indicate # and/or distance.

Cons:

too much emphasis on anhyzer lines off the tee for my taste. 13 cage was unplayable due to a fallen tree (due to a recent ice-storm, i expect it will be repaired soon). though the course usually follows a logical progression, some difficulty findings tees/cages for a first-timer. some tight fairways are almost guaranteed to bar par under windy conditions. No maps on tees or at course entrance (though there is one available at normandiscgolf.com)

Other Thoughts:

It's pleasure to walk the trails in the quiet of Griffin Park. The designer did an excellent job of "isolating" each hole that gives the pacing and feel of a quality ball-golf course. I was pleased to see that several tees are sheltered to disallow tomahawk bombs that preclude playing the course. I was told the grass gets overgrown in the summer, but the fairways were outstanding today (excepting 14 and 17). Some fairways are overly tight in the winter surely making navigation off the tee next-to-impossible when the foliage grows. If true, lost discs and a frustrating day would surely follow.

I don't mind bogey (or double, or triple!) on tough holes, but the margin of error seems to be too narrow on some holes for anything but the top am or pro ranks when weather conditions are less than ideal.
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