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Jones Park - Supreme reviews
25
0
Useful Upgrades? Undoubtedly. Far Fiercer? For Sure. Championship Challenge? Check.
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Sep 3, 2022
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
A co-host of the 2022 PDGA World Championship, the reimagining of Jones Park is a monster. The FPO layout comes in at just under 9,500ft with a par of 67, and the MPO layout tops 10,700ft, with a par of 65 (my review will be based on the MPO layout). At the cost of removing the three original courses from Jones Park (the old baskets have been dug up and the holes covered up), the new course has set a grueling challenge for all players. Elevation is used well, trees have been re-worked into a new level of challenge, and the placement of tees and baskets are all an upgrade over the past layouts here. Oh, and there's enough OB to run the nearest Lowes out of spray paint before a tournament.
Three practice baskets by the parking lot. Benches at almost every tee. A professional sign, large tee pad, and at least one new Veteran basket on each hole. Shorter baskets on Holes 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, and 17, alternate tees on 14 and 18, and adjusted pars on 13 and 16 make a more forgiving layout if you aren't feeling like taking the full beating, but don't let that make it sound easy, it isn't.
Breaking in, you're greeted with the first of three island greens. Hole 1 is the shortest, but also has the smallest island, which is marked with large stones and has rubber mulch around the pin, the basket is elevated about 5 feet off the ground. The rubber mulch should help stop any skips, which is good with an island this small. Hole 6 is a true water island with the pin about 20ft from the water. The water carry is about 300 total feet with trees pinching off the wide rhbh hyzer line. And finally, Hole 12 is played uphill, requiring about 340-350ft of power to reach the island, and the longer basket has some short trees in its way if you go too long. I am going to not-at-all-humble-brag that, yes, I did birdie all three on my first playthrough.
The distance bomber holes are set with pars appropriate for the professional level of disc golf to be played here. Only one par 5 on the MPO course, and it plays like it for all 1,087ft. Hole 2 starts wide open and the pros will be shooting to get to the mouth of the tree tunnel about 550ft up the fairway. After that, the lane is about 35ft wide with branches hanging low, and a few more guardian trees around the pin. Not even ashamed of my 7. Each of the par 4s are going to challenge a recreational player, as all are 650ft or more, but they are at the right level for the pros (with one exception). Changing the multiple old holes by the cemetery into one long, tough par 4 was one of the best upgrades made here. The other ones all hole some tree challenge, water challenge, elevation challenge, or a combination of all of those in the case of Hole 7.
The par 3s that aren't islands are all littered with trees to force a certain shot. 9 needs a drive that goes on a frozen rope for 490' downhill, 13 just needs a nice flex forehand, and 15 just needs to not go in the water.
The water challenges are all foreboding, but none are unbeatable. The longest one is on hole 3, a little over 350ft long, but there's a bailout zone to the left, and the same goes for the right side of hole 6. Hole 14 is only about 275 feet of water carry but you're wanting to get over the longest possible part to get as close as you can for the second shot cause the guardian trees at the green are not forgiving. Don't let the far side of the pond intimidate you.
Tough to access greens are just another challenging feature of this supreme course. 7 and 10 are some of the toughest. The pin of 7 is surrounded by three 40ft tall evergreens with unforgiving branches, and 10's pin is set about 8ft back into a wall of evergreens... oh and that's a 724ft par 4.
OB all over. Three islands, par 4's bordered by fences, roads, and with tall grass in the middle. Not too much danger over the water besides hole 6, but it still looms large.
Oh, by the way, there's a whole shorter course incorporated around the Supreme 18 for those not ready to get beat down score-wise. It's still being finished up amenities-wise, but with a map on Udisc and online it's ready for play.
Three practice baskets by the parking lot. Benches at almost every tee. A professional sign, large tee pad, and at least one new Veteran basket on each hole. Shorter baskets on Holes 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, and 17, alternate tees on 14 and 18, and adjusted pars on 13 and 16 make a more forgiving layout if you aren't feeling like taking the full beating, but don't let that make it sound easy, it isn't.
Breaking in, you're greeted with the first of three island greens. Hole 1 is the shortest, but also has the smallest island, which is marked with large stones and has rubber mulch around the pin, the basket is elevated about 5 feet off the ground. The rubber mulch should help stop any skips, which is good with an island this small. Hole 6 is a true water island with the pin about 20ft from the water. The water carry is about 300 total feet with trees pinching off the wide rhbh hyzer line. And finally, Hole 12 is played uphill, requiring about 340-350ft of power to reach the island, and the longer basket has some short trees in its way if you go too long. I am going to not-at-all-humble-brag that, yes, I did birdie all three on my first playthrough.
The distance bomber holes are set with pars appropriate for the professional level of disc golf to be played here. Only one par 5 on the MPO course, and it plays like it for all 1,087ft. Hole 2 starts wide open and the pros will be shooting to get to the mouth of the tree tunnel about 550ft up the fairway. After that, the lane is about 35ft wide with branches hanging low, and a few more guardian trees around the pin. Not even ashamed of my 7. Each of the par 4s are going to challenge a recreational player, as all are 650ft or more, but they are at the right level for the pros (with one exception). Changing the multiple old holes by the cemetery into one long, tough par 4 was one of the best upgrades made here. The other ones all hole some tree challenge, water challenge, elevation challenge, or a combination of all of those in the case of Hole 7.
The par 3s that aren't islands are all littered with trees to force a certain shot. 9 needs a drive that goes on a frozen rope for 490' downhill, 13 just needs a nice flex forehand, and 15 just needs to not go in the water.
The water challenges are all foreboding, but none are unbeatable. The longest one is on hole 3, a little over 350ft long, but there's a bailout zone to the left, and the same goes for the right side of hole 6. Hole 14 is only about 275 feet of water carry but you're wanting to get over the longest possible part to get as close as you can for the second shot cause the guardian trees at the green are not forgiving. Don't let the far side of the pond intimidate you.
Tough to access greens are just another challenging feature of this supreme course. 7 and 10 are some of the toughest. The pin of 7 is surrounded by three 40ft tall evergreens with unforgiving branches, and 10's pin is set about 8ft back into a wall of evergreens... oh and that's a 724ft par 4.
OB all over. Three islands, par 4's bordered by fences, roads, and with tall grass in the middle. Not too much danger over the water besides hole 6, but it still looms large.
Oh, by the way, there's a whole shorter course incorporated around the Supreme 18 for those not ready to get beat down score-wise. It's still being finished up amenities-wise, but with a map on Udisc and online it's ready for play.
Cons:
Uh... there's some drainage issues on the walk from 2 to 3? I'm really stretching to find any cons even worth mentioning. Maybe the gaps on Hole 5 are too small? I'm trying, I swear.
The walk from hole 9 to hole 10 is a bit daunting.
The 12ft wide gap in the treeline on Hole 18 is pretty small. Makes for more challenge, sure, but this is almost unfair.
The walk from hole 9 to hole 10 is a bit daunting.
The 12ft wide gap in the treeline on Hole 18 is pretty small. Makes for more challenge, sure, but this is almost unfair.
Other Thoughts:
Much care was put into designing a course to challenge the top end of professionals, yet keeping it playable for sub-900-rated jokers like me.
This course will take a lot of time. Totally worth it, but if you're with a group budget 3-4 hours and bring a lot of water. You'll cover at least 3 miles of walking (probably 4 or 5 if you throw like me) and have arms and legs that feel like noodles by the end of the round.
Yes, this is a destination course. Don't shoot the messenger, but this probably going to become the new best course in Emporia. I enjoyed Country Club but the excellent use of trees seals the deal here. Get out here and experience this new level of championship course as soon as you can.
This course will take a lot of time. Totally worth it, but if you're with a group budget 3-4 hours and bring a lot of water. You'll cover at least 3 miles of walking (probably 4 or 5 if you throw like me) and have arms and legs that feel like noodles by the end of the round.
Yes, this is a destination course. Don't shoot the messenger, but this probably going to become the new best course in Emporia. I enjoyed Country Club but the excellent use of trees seals the deal here. Get out here and experience this new level of championship course as soon as you can.
