North Branch, MN

Harder Park

2.825(based on 11 reviews)
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wolfhaley
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.5 years 1165 played 745 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 30, 2024 Played the course:once

Pros:

Harder Park DGC is a mostly wooded and technical 19 hole course currently. There's 18 regular numbered holes along with a 7C between holes 7 and 8. I was confused why it was 7C with no A or B but they built a new baseball field over what used to be those holes. There's even a pretty new looking tee pad in the outfield corner of the new field. Kind of hilarious looking honestly. The course feature some slight elevation throughout making for an interesting set of holes out here.

The baskets are all red Prodigy's. There's a mix of newer ones with the thicker chain assemblies along with a bunch of the older single chain models. All are in good shape and catch well though. These all have next tee signs hanging from the bottom of the cage too. One basket and pin position per hole.

Nice looking tee signs. These look just like the ones up the road at Rush City which are great. 4x4 posts with wood framed boxes around the signs. The signs themselves feature a basic hole map which shows both tees and has next tee arrows. additionally there's the hole # and nickname, par and distances to the pin from either tee. All the info you'll need. There's also a bunch of next tee arrows scattered around the course. Between these and the ones on the bottom of the cages this is probably the best marked course I've played as far as navigation goes.

There's all different types of holes out here as far as shot shapes. It leans more toward a RHBH like most courses do but there's plenty of FH friendly holes and even few two shot par 4's where placement is more important than distance. Just a great variety of different holes out here.

The tees are all concrete for the longs. You can tell which ones were left from the original layout with them being slightly smaller it seemed. Regardless they were all in good shape and gripped nicely. There's shorter turf tees for all the short holes too. So two tees for every hole from what I remember.

The course is free to play, permanent and steers clear of all the other park activities for the most part.

Cons:

The number one con is that the course feels kind of crammed in there. It works but is pretty tight. Lots of fairways playing very close together. They have some nets up by a few of the tee pads it's so tight in spots.

A couple of the holes could use a tree or two removed to avoid making it play like a poke and hope hole. Hole 10 was already a weird shape but then there's just a wall of trees for the second half of the hole. There was one other one that felt similar. Hole 13 I believe it was.

The course is pretty easy for anyone who's played for a bit. Lots of very short, even for me, holes. Not a bad thing but it'll be pretty bland if you're an above average player.

The distances seemed to be quite a bit off on a number of the signs. Not all of them but enough to notice.

Other Thoughts:

This course was very fun. I'd play here again no problem. It's not a destination course or anything but is only a few minutes off the highway and is the best in the immediate area. Well worth a visit if you find yourself in the area. Good, technical woods golf. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
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1 3
JIM0NE
Experience: 4.7 years 73 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Don't let the name fool ya.. 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 13, 2020 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Has a little of everything except water. Excellent signage, great parking with the layout of the holes.

Cons:

Hole 8 is kinda a nightmare due to the down trees but the fairway is open. Mid summer Bugs as all wooded area have this issue.

Other Thoughts:

This little gem might surprise you.
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1 3
Axx3d
Experience: 26.5 years 50 played 6 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Fun little course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 20, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

I drove out here to meet a buddy, i had poor expectations and i must admit i was pleasantly surprised by this course. You tend to not expect much from a small town 9 hole but i was surprised. Some fun technical holes and a couple of long shots. I enjoyed this course and would play it again.

Cons:

No tee pads and the sign-age was poor.. Easy to get around though.
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