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Nichols Park - South reviews
6
0
Fun course with novel, well-designed targets 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 23, 2017
Played the course:once
Pros:
-the tone pole targets
-nice "disc golf land" with some water obstacles (no real carries, but plenty of risk), trees, and elevation
-that combination makes for overall good disc golf holes that are often very challenging (e.g. late double mando on #2)
-some of these holes are particularly awesome (#18 is the signature, I'd say. Definitely a great disc golf hole)
-more than 18 holes to the course; I wish more courses would do this, as the "18 hole course" seems like an unnecessary tradition inherited from ball golf
-nice park, which seems well-maintained, void of excessive garbage, not overly busy, and easy to access from I-40
-has potential to be even better than the "North" course, except for...
-nice "disc golf land" with some water obstacles (no real carries, but plenty of risk), trees, and elevation
-that combination makes for overall good disc golf holes that are often very challenging (e.g. late double mando on #2)
-some of these holes are particularly awesome (#18 is the signature, I'd say. Definitely a great disc golf hole)
-more than 18 holes to the course; I wish more courses would do this, as the "18 hole course" seems like an unnecessary tradition inherited from ball golf
-nice park, which seems well-maintained, void of excessive garbage, not overly busy, and easy to access from I-40
-has potential to be even better than the "North" course, except for...
Cons:
-no clear tee space/boxes or tee signs (yet) - there were at least two holes with yellow flags that I assumed were tees, but I either didn't find the rest of them or they were gone
-as of the date I played, there were no images up yet (also no course map) on DGCR - these images were key to successfully navigating the North course
-as the course gets the tees/signs, there will still be a couple issues with park traffic (e.g. the playground, picnic tables, and park road; the road comes into play on about half the course)
-as of the date I played, there were no images up yet (also no course map) on DGCR - these images were key to successfully navigating the North course
-as the course gets the tees/signs, there will still be a couple issues with park traffic (e.g. the playground, picnic tables, and park road; the road comes into play on about half the course)
Other Thoughts:
I can't wait to get back here. First off, the tube tone targets are unique, well-designed, well-made, and functional from a disc golf perspective. I'd love to see Paul McBeth or Ricky Wysocki banging these from 100' out. Chain outs? Nope. DONG! Hole out. Period. I haven't played many object courses, but I'd have no complaint playing more of these. If you're designing a course and can't decide between basket manufacturers, get in touch with these folks and see if they can hook you up. They might be even better a little higher off the ground or cemented better into it, but they are fine as they are.
Playing here (especially North and South) was a little frustrating but very enjoyable. First off, a note on the park. I got confused right off the bat because I saw targets/tube-tones on the north side of the park (toward the rodeo arena and dirt bike trail). I assumed this was the "North" course but was wrong. These were actually the beginning and ending holes of the "South" course. In the end, this made sense because the South course travels close to the park's south entrance, south of Nichols Lake, after going over the dam and overflow bridge close to the west side of the park (and both entrances off of Lake Road). This brings me to another point, which is that one small thing that could make all the courses easier to play is a simple overlay onto a Google Maps terrain map. Arrows from tee to target and general orientation with respect to parking lots, park entrances, park roads, and other features would make the course much easier to navigate. Next time I make it out, it will be a piece of cake. But first time navigation is tough.
The vast majority of the holes were good to excellent, and some of the holes were awesome. As I mentioned above, #18 was as cool of a signature hole as just about any course's I've played. I'm guessing it's around 450' or longer, but there's a serious drop-off for the entire fairway before a steep climb back up to the target. Stall out early with a RHBH (or only throw 300'), and you're stuck throwing a steep uphill shot from the bottom of what's basically a ravine. I threw a RHFH which wasn't particularly good, but faded into the hillside so that I didn't have quite as bad of an uphill shot. Fun hole.
As far as tees go, it would be nice to have some kind of stones or definite markers on the ground. I kinda just picked tee locations based on joshua323's hole info in his review. This sort of worked, though I probably missed some of the exact spots the designers wanted me to play from, and therefore didn't know which lines they wanted me to attempt. I'm sure I threw to some incorrect baskets toward the South end of the course. Tee signs similar to the North course (with the hole number and a general direction to throw) would be a tremendous help, so that would be a good start. I believe signs are already in the works, but didn't see them during my visit. Again, both North and South courses would be easier to navigate with a Google Maps overlay.
Rating: I can't go above 3.0 yet, and that's entirely due to navigation frustration and lack of clear tee areas. Thanks to joshua323 for the great targets, and again to him and others for the hard work setting up these courses. I could easily see it getting up to a 4.0, but probably wouldn't go higher just because the park road comes into play on so many holes and because of throwing so close to the playground. I'd love to get back out here and would easily improve this rating based on some small improvements.
Playing here (especially North and South) was a little frustrating but very enjoyable. First off, a note on the park. I got confused right off the bat because I saw targets/tube-tones on the north side of the park (toward the rodeo arena and dirt bike trail). I assumed this was the "North" course but was wrong. These were actually the beginning and ending holes of the "South" course. In the end, this made sense because the South course travels close to the park's south entrance, south of Nichols Lake, after going over the dam and overflow bridge close to the west side of the park (and both entrances off of Lake Road). This brings me to another point, which is that one small thing that could make all the courses easier to play is a simple overlay onto a Google Maps terrain map. Arrows from tee to target and general orientation with respect to parking lots, park entrances, park roads, and other features would make the course much easier to navigate. Next time I make it out, it will be a piece of cake. But first time navigation is tough.
The vast majority of the holes were good to excellent, and some of the holes were awesome. As I mentioned above, #18 was as cool of a signature hole as just about any course's I've played. I'm guessing it's around 450' or longer, but there's a serious drop-off for the entire fairway before a steep climb back up to the target. Stall out early with a RHBH (or only throw 300'), and you're stuck throwing a steep uphill shot from the bottom of what's basically a ravine. I threw a RHFH which wasn't particularly good, but faded into the hillside so that I didn't have quite as bad of an uphill shot. Fun hole.
As far as tees go, it would be nice to have some kind of stones or definite markers on the ground. I kinda just picked tee locations based on joshua323's hole info in his review. This sort of worked, though I probably missed some of the exact spots the designers wanted me to play from, and therefore didn't know which lines they wanted me to attempt. I'm sure I threw to some incorrect baskets toward the South end of the course. Tee signs similar to the North course (with the hole number and a general direction to throw) would be a tremendous help, so that would be a good start. I believe signs are already in the works, but didn't see them during my visit. Again, both North and South courses would be easier to navigate with a Google Maps overlay.
Rating: I can't go above 3.0 yet, and that's entirely due to navigation frustration and lack of clear tee areas. Thanks to joshua323 for the great targets, and again to him and others for the hard work setting up these courses. I could easily see it getting up to a 4.0, but probably wouldn't go higher just because the park road comes into play on so many holes and because of throwing so close to the playground. I'd love to get back out here and would easily improve this rating based on some small improvements.
6
0
joshua323
Experience:
19 years
174 played
5 reviews
Nichols Park , South Course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Mar 19, 2017
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Shots of every kind, great views, technical shots where placement is key. you can play both courses from same parking lot. OB is on or across all roads or beyond boulders lining fairways. Nice Beach to chill and cool off after round
Cons:
Natural Tees, tone poles, which turns some people off ( I happen to love throwing at them), signage is lacking. ( I am working on this)
Other Thoughts:
Hole 1: this hole starts at the NW corner of the parking lot just across from the concession stand. OB is on or across any road. Two lines are available.
Hole 2: tee is across the street and target is to the left of a double Mando between the two double trees in the middle of the fairway. Water comes into play long left.
Hole 3: Plays along side the road with the target tucked hard left on the edge of the lake. Be careful going to long and left water is in play.
Hole 4: Tee is close to the entrance to the old dock. Placement is key on this shot. Target is located in a small area between the damn road and the gorge. Water and OB (gorge) is in play Very tough par on this hole.
Hole 5: Tee is at the edge of the bridge crossing the lake overflow. target is to the left with the target mounted in an old tree stump, to far left and water is in play.
Hole 6: Tee is just to the east of #5 target. It plays uphill with the target close to the road. Beyond the outer edge of the large boulders is considered OB
Hole 7: Tee is just east of target 6 it plays alongside the large boulders towards the pavilion.
Hole 8: Tee is to the Southeast of the playground. it plays south. Anything outside of the boulders on the right is OB.
Hole 9: Continues south with the target tucked left of the big tree down in the small gorge. again across boulders to the right is OB
Hole 10: Tee is at the curve in the road and plays west towards and opening in the trees to the left ( South of 2nd electric pole. Target is tucked into tree line about 40'
Hole 11: Cross to the south side of the park road, Tee box is by gravel road. Target is back to the east on same side of road across from electric pole.
Hole 12: Tee is tucked into trees to the east of 11 target. hole is a tight line back north to a target just out of tree line. (tight hole with thumber route available)
Hole 13: Shortest hole on course. plays straight south
Hole 14: Huge hyzer needed here . Target is behind old stone restroom
Hole 15: plays back west LOW and straight is key
Hole 16: still headed west. LONG and tucked back behind tree line close to southern entrance to park
Hole 17: tee across park road, Target is straight south , across Boulders is OB, in the overflow behind the target is OB
Hole 18: THE GORGE Cross the bridge to the tee on the left, target is on the other side of the gorge, across gaurdrail or on /across road to the left is OB.Be ready for a large uphill walk to the target
Hole 19: Tee is beside power pole. basket is straight ahead with two routes to it . Road beyond is OB
Hole 20: Tee is across the road to the north( sorry for the long walk to this tee) Plays uphill (east) with double dogleg
Hole 21: plays back down slight hill with a right curve
Hole 22: (another walk to tee box) head back south to large power pole Target is located downhill to the right close to cedar tree.
Hole 23: Tee is beside the park road and heads due East along side row of trees. on or across road is OB
Hole 24: Final hole Tee box is to the south of hole 1 target. plays due east to target on side of slope..
If you have anything left after this head to Tee #1 of NIchols North just uphill to your Right on the stone path to the beach
Hole 2: tee is across the street and target is to the left of a double Mando between the two double trees in the middle of the fairway. Water comes into play long left.
Hole 3: Plays along side the road with the target tucked hard left on the edge of the lake. Be careful going to long and left water is in play.
Hole 4: Tee is close to the entrance to the old dock. Placement is key on this shot. Target is located in a small area between the damn road and the gorge. Water and OB (gorge) is in play Very tough par on this hole.
Hole 5: Tee is at the edge of the bridge crossing the lake overflow. target is to the left with the target mounted in an old tree stump, to far left and water is in play.
Hole 6: Tee is just to the east of #5 target. It plays uphill with the target close to the road. Beyond the outer edge of the large boulders is considered OB
Hole 7: Tee is just east of target 6 it plays alongside the large boulders towards the pavilion.
Hole 8: Tee is to the Southeast of the playground. it plays south. Anything outside of the boulders on the right is OB.
Hole 9: Continues south with the target tucked left of the big tree down in the small gorge. again across boulders to the right is OB
Hole 10: Tee is at the curve in the road and plays west towards and opening in the trees to the left ( South of 2nd electric pole. Target is tucked into tree line about 40'
Hole 11: Cross to the south side of the park road, Tee box is by gravel road. Target is back to the east on same side of road across from electric pole.
Hole 12: Tee is tucked into trees to the east of 11 target. hole is a tight line back north to a target just out of tree line. (tight hole with thumber route available)
Hole 13: Shortest hole on course. plays straight south
Hole 14: Huge hyzer needed here . Target is behind old stone restroom
Hole 15: plays back west LOW and straight is key
Hole 16: still headed west. LONG and tucked back behind tree line close to southern entrance to park
Hole 17: tee across park road, Target is straight south , across Boulders is OB, in the overflow behind the target is OB
Hole 18: THE GORGE Cross the bridge to the tee on the left, target is on the other side of the gorge, across gaurdrail or on /across road to the left is OB.Be ready for a large uphill walk to the target
Hole 19: Tee is beside power pole. basket is straight ahead with two routes to it . Road beyond is OB
Hole 20: Tee is across the road to the north( sorry for the long walk to this tee) Plays uphill (east) with double dogleg
Hole 21: plays back down slight hill with a right curve
Hole 22: (another walk to tee box) head back south to large power pole Target is located downhill to the right close to cedar tree.
Hole 23: Tee is beside the park road and heads due East along side row of trees. on or across road is OB
Hole 24: Final hole Tee box is to the south of hole 1 target. plays due east to target on side of slope..
If you have anything left after this head to Tee #1 of NIchols North just uphill to your Right on the stone path to the beach
