Iron Spike reviews
20
0
An improved downgrade
Reviewed:
Played on:Feb 15, 2023
Played the course:once
Pros:
The pros of this 18 hole layout are the exact same as the 9 hole layout in terms of hills, slopes, elevation, whatever you want to call it. For a what seems like a small park, it makes great use of the rise and fall of the land.
The park has trees, but no bushes or undergrowth, which is my favorite disc golf environment. Miss your shot? It's ok! There's no rough, so just make your next shot! The only real hazard is a small creek, but is in a DEEP trench. To be clear: the water is not deep, but it has carved out an unproportionally deep ravine. Quite steep to traverse ina few places.
The course offers some pretty standard lengths in what feels like the 250-450 range. No par 4's, no straight up gimme par 3's, but definitely a few aceable runs for those who want them and have an intermediate arm.
I primarily throw forehands, and was able to on most of these holes, but never felt like the backhand line was unplayable. There was definite preference given to some of the fairway shapes, but the openness of the park gives you the flexibility to really choose how to navigate in terms of flex, big hyzer, or even just to consider how you want to hit the slope.
The teepads were plenty big enough for this course, and the signs were nice but usually unnecessary. Navigation was a little trepidatious until I realized the baskets had a painted spoke to the next tee. They also had the numbers on them, but the numbers were on the pole so they are unreadable from the tee. But obviously I am not putting this in the con section so it's not a big deal.
The park has trees, but no bushes or undergrowth, which is my favorite disc golf environment. Miss your shot? It's ok! There's no rough, so just make your next shot! The only real hazard is a small creek, but is in a DEEP trench. To be clear: the water is not deep, but it has carved out an unproportionally deep ravine. Quite steep to traverse ina few places.
The course offers some pretty standard lengths in what feels like the 250-450 range. No par 4's, no straight up gimme par 3's, but definitely a few aceable runs for those who want them and have an intermediate arm.
I primarily throw forehands, and was able to on most of these holes, but never felt like the backhand line was unplayable. There was definite preference given to some of the fairway shapes, but the openness of the park gives you the flexibility to really choose how to navigate in terms of flex, big hyzer, or even just to consider how you want to hit the slope.
The teepads were plenty big enough for this course, and the signs were nice but usually unnecessary. Navigation was a little trepidatious until I realized the baskets had a painted spoke to the next tee. They also had the numbers on them, but the numbers were on the pole so they are unreadable from the tee. But obviously I am not putting this in the con section so it's not a big deal.
Cons:
The cons for me were mainly things like, the distances on the tee signs and the distances on the dgcr app were widely discrepant. Usually the app seemed closer, with the exception of Hole 10 I believe. It was much longer, I'd say a little over 300, and the basket only 6' from a 12' cliff edge down to the creek on several sides. Even laying up, if you touch that edge you're rolling or falling down.
There are a few unused tees from the old 9 holer still around, so it could be easy to throw from the wrong tee if you're not careful.
The parking lot, with the huge "Iron Spike Disc Golf" sculpture/sign, is by hole 18 and hole 2 tee's. Why on earth they didn't make hole 2 be the first hole, and hole 1 hole 18, is beyond me. You have to walk up the hole, to the corner of Cherokee and Conrad I think, then play back to the parking lot. Then when you're done with your round, walk back up hole 18. It's not a long walk, but it's such a simple fix!
This is a con not about the course as it is now, but about what has changed: The course used to be a 9 holer, with 3 tees per hole. But those 3 tees were quite various in length and difficulty, so there really were 27 unique ways to play the course (though I am glad it wasn't listed as a 27-holer). The tees were beginner/intermediate to championship level difficulty (sometimes as much as 500 feet or so could separate the short tee from the long tee). With only one tee per hole, there isn't the championship level factor, or really a good beginner tee. The new design is no longer flexible, and I just felt that should be noted.
Smaller things: The course can be a little crowded, but I don't think this park will ever be too crowded. There's a playground near one basket but you'd have to be pretty wild to get close. the pic-nic tables though- there are a few you could easily hit around the park.
There are a few unused tees from the old 9 holer still around, so it could be easy to throw from the wrong tee if you're not careful.
The parking lot, with the huge "Iron Spike Disc Golf" sculpture/sign, is by hole 18 and hole 2 tee's. Why on earth they didn't make hole 2 be the first hole, and hole 1 hole 18, is beyond me. You have to walk up the hole, to the corner of Cherokee and Conrad I think, then play back to the parking lot. Then when you're done with your round, walk back up hole 18. It's not a long walk, but it's such a simple fix!
This is a con not about the course as it is now, but about what has changed: The course used to be a 9 holer, with 3 tees per hole. But those 3 tees were quite various in length and difficulty, so there really were 27 unique ways to play the course (though I am glad it wasn't listed as a 27-holer). The tees were beginner/intermediate to championship level difficulty (sometimes as much as 500 feet or so could separate the short tee from the long tee). With only one tee per hole, there isn't the championship level factor, or really a good beginner tee. The new design is no longer flexible, and I just felt that should be noted.
Smaller things: The course can be a little crowded, but I don't think this park will ever be too crowded. There's a playground near one basket but you'd have to be pretty wild to get close. the pic-nic tables though- there are a few you could easily hit around the park.
Other Thoughts:
NOTE: The course map and pics from this page, and at the park (as of the posting of this review) are still based on the OLD NINE HOLE LAYOUT. DO NOT TRUST THE MAP, OR THE PICTURES.
This park previously was one of the best 9 holers in Texas. Now it's a really fun 18 holer, with no real risk of losing a disc, some shots that will elate you if you can hit them, and a great chance for some strategic play if you can't get all the way there in one.
I really enjoyed the previous iteration, and it looks like they upgraded all 18 baskets, in the 9 original locations (approaching from new angles), with 9 more baskets added in. I don't think the overall quality of the course, or the enjoyment has really changed that much. I lowered the rating on the new design because 9 hole courses are just judged differently from 18's in my book. BUT I think I would still rather play the 9 holer twice than the 18th holer in my book. BUT BUT I will still always play this course when I'm in town. I love the elevation, I love the open space, and I just enjoy this quick round.
This park previously was one of the best 9 holers in Texas. Now it's a really fun 18 holer, with no real risk of losing a disc, some shots that will elate you if you can hit them, and a great chance for some strategic play if you can't get all the way there in one.
I really enjoyed the previous iteration, and it looks like they upgraded all 18 baskets, in the 9 original locations (approaching from new angles), with 9 more baskets added in. I don't think the overall quality of the course, or the enjoyment has really changed that much. I lowered the rating on the new design because 9 hole courses are just judged differently from 18's in my book. BUT I think I would still rather play the 9 holer twice than the 18th holer in my book. BUT BUT I will still always play this course when I'm in town. I love the elevation, I love the open space, and I just enjoy this quick round.
6
1
Elevation change
Reviewed:
Played on:Nov 17, 2022
Played the course:once
Pros:
If you love hills and elevation change this is a course for you. Great teaE pads signs and brand new baskets. Everything's a good distance but still able to par. It's a beautiful old park with rolling hills and lots of old trees. The paint on the basket will tell you where to go
Cons:
Where the parking lot is it seems like number 18 or number two should be number one. It's hard to see the numbers on the basket. The other 18 whole course in town is all trees this course feels like it avoids the trees on purpose.
Other Thoughts:
If you don't like hills avoid this