Herrin Park DGC reviews
10
0
PastorofMuppets
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
5.3 years
184 played
131 reviews
Well Executed Park Golf
Reviewed:
Played on:Apr 1, 2023
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
1) Initial impression as you pull into the park are an immaculately manicured park complex with a pond as its center point with a nice fountain, multiple nice pavilions, a bathroom house centrally located, well built and maintained tennis and pickle ball courts, and just an all around wonderful to look at park. Parking is spacious (though gravel) and the course begins with hole #1 and ends with hole #18 within a few steps of the parking lot.
2) Course design is short, semi technical with multiple gaps, mildly wooded that utilizes the trees, elevation and pond to its advantage. Relatively soft par 4's on the back side of the property that are mediocre holes, but some pretty memorable and fun to throw par 3's on the rest of the course.
3) Tee pads are textured 4'x8' concrete in great shape and never felt too small as big run ups aren't need for alot of the 250 feet average holes. Course signage is in great shape and provides all the pertinent information. Baskets are newer Prodigy ones and caught well.
4) Despite the short distances this course makes excellent use of the property giving multiple shot shapes, tight natural OB, Elevated baskets and shots over water. Outside of the mundane par 4's on the more open back side of the property, this course forces you to throw a controlled distance committed shot from the tee.
5) While there isn't much in terms of elevation change, as this course is very flat, the course designer integrates a vast number of traditional forced lines while providing a risky "local route" over OB and places most basket locations within circle one distance of OB on one or more sides. Lots of areas of the course where the "preferred" hyzer route is purposefully blocked with low ceiling limbs or park ammenities, while still existing but forcing a much more well executed shot.
6) This course plays extremely fast mostly due to its short hole distances but also the close proximity from basket to next tee. The only real long walk on the course is from (I believe it was hole #6 to hole #7) where you transition from short par 3's into the first set of open par 4's.
7) Friendly for all skill levels, tons of ace runs, and outside of a small pond in the center of the course, there is very minimal risk of losing a disc here. This course is pretty open and exposed so wind is it's only real defense (The day I played we have 25 mph wind sustained with gusts in the 40's) and I still felt like most holes were getable even in those conditions.
8) Not really a big arm course as even the Par 4's are in the 400-450 range, and while certainly an eagle is possible, they are protected by Mandos or doglegs to try and force the two shot approach. I put this in the Pros section because it makes this course more even for those without tons of power, makes the course more beginner friendly, and like the Par 3's on the course, stays with overall theme of the course which is well placed accurate shots.
9) This is a great family environment park with multiple activities outside of disc golf. I would feel comfortable bringing a new player or a seasoned vet along with me knowing both would have a fun time.
2) Course design is short, semi technical with multiple gaps, mildly wooded that utilizes the trees, elevation and pond to its advantage. Relatively soft par 4's on the back side of the property that are mediocre holes, but some pretty memorable and fun to throw par 3's on the rest of the course.
3) Tee pads are textured 4'x8' concrete in great shape and never felt too small as big run ups aren't need for alot of the 250 feet average holes. Course signage is in great shape and provides all the pertinent information. Baskets are newer Prodigy ones and caught well.
4) Despite the short distances this course makes excellent use of the property giving multiple shot shapes, tight natural OB, Elevated baskets and shots over water. Outside of the mundane par 4's on the more open back side of the property, this course forces you to throw a controlled distance committed shot from the tee.
5) While there isn't much in terms of elevation change, as this course is very flat, the course designer integrates a vast number of traditional forced lines while providing a risky "local route" over OB and places most basket locations within circle one distance of OB on one or more sides. Lots of areas of the course where the "preferred" hyzer route is purposefully blocked with low ceiling limbs or park ammenities, while still existing but forcing a much more well executed shot.
6) This course plays extremely fast mostly due to its short hole distances but also the close proximity from basket to next tee. The only real long walk on the course is from (I believe it was hole #6 to hole #7) where you transition from short par 3's into the first set of open par 4's.
7) Friendly for all skill levels, tons of ace runs, and outside of a small pond in the center of the course, there is very minimal risk of losing a disc here. This course is pretty open and exposed so wind is it's only real defense (The day I played we have 25 mph wind sustained with gusts in the 40's) and I still felt like most holes were getable even in those conditions.
8) Not really a big arm course as even the Par 4's are in the 400-450 range, and while certainly an eagle is possible, they are protected by Mandos or doglegs to try and force the two shot approach. I put this in the Pros section because it makes this course more even for those without tons of power, makes the course more beginner friendly, and like the Par 3's on the course, stays with overall theme of the course which is well placed accurate shots.
9) This is a great family environment park with multiple activities outside of disc golf. I would feel comfortable bringing a new player or a seasoned vet along with me knowing both would have a fun time.
Cons:
1) The Par 4's are pretty bland and feel out of place visually compared to the rest of the course, but are necessary to get to certain locations. They will be forgettable to most players, not bad holes, just nothing memorable.
2) Heavy use park with walking trails, lots of pavilions, pedestrian traffic (especially around the pond area) so be cautious before throwing.
3) Very low on the skill level required to score well here with a lot of birdie or die holes. Every hole (except one) feels like a must get.
4) There is one random Par 3 on the back 9 (hole 16 I believe) which is an uphill 400 foot hole that seems extremely out of place. And while not difficult to par, the distance to par ratio seems rather odd compared to the rest of the course. That said, it's still a visually pleasing hole, and due to property boundaries can't really be made longer to be a true par 4, and shortening the hole would lose the frame up gap and well protected by trees green. This is just nitpicking but this is the only hole that really felt odd for the newer players with us.
5) Very little score separation possible for tournament play. It is truly a birdie or die course and I can see the potential for it being a ratings killer if your game is even the slightest bit off that day.
2) Heavy use park with walking trails, lots of pavilions, pedestrian traffic (especially around the pond area) so be cautious before throwing.
3) Very low on the skill level required to score well here with a lot of birdie or die holes. Every hole (except one) feels like a must get.
4) There is one random Par 3 on the back 9 (hole 16 I believe) which is an uphill 400 foot hole that seems extremely out of place. And while not difficult to par, the distance to par ratio seems rather odd compared to the rest of the course. That said, it's still a visually pleasing hole, and due to property boundaries can't really be made longer to be a true par 4, and shortening the hole would lose the frame up gap and well protected by trees green. This is just nitpicking but this is the only hole that really felt odd for the newer players with us.
5) Very little score separation possible for tournament play. It is truly a birdie or die course and I can see the potential for it being a ratings killer if your game is even the slightest bit off that day.
Other Thoughts:
Herrin is a VERY good course for Novice, Rec skill level players and I'd say for most Females as well. It is beautiful, well kept, and offers plenty of other activities while in the area. It is close enough to McCleansboro and other area top rated courses that if you are traveling through the area and want to get in a relaxing round after playing something more skill intensive, give this a try. Not a solo destination trip location, but definitely a bonus course when passing through.