Pros:
Parc Des Familles is a beautiful multi use park set just under New Orleans . A feature is the 18 hole disc golf course , which sits away from the other park . There is ample parking near the beginning of the course , and a nice bathroom near the start and close to #16s basket on the left .
THE EQUIPMENT - Everything here is first rate . picnic tables under shelters near the parking lots , benches and trash cans throughout the course . There are 2 kiosks with full maps before you get to hole #1 . There is a putting basket close to the start of the course . The tee pads are a spacious 10' X 5' , cement and level with the ground . There are 3 pads at almost every hole . The signs are among the best , with Hole number , par , distance and flight path . They are featured on posts that are red tipped for the short pads , white tipped for the medium pads and blue tipped for the pro pads . The baskets are the Pro28 yellow Discatchers that are numbered .
THE TERRAIN - I'll get this out of the way early . The course is flat . I am not dinging this because unless you truck tons of dirt to build hills , there isn't going to be any elevation this close to the water . Aesthetically , the course is gorgeous , mostly playing through woods , with cypress , cedars and some Spanish moss hanging from them . The trees can be low hanging to force tunnel shots and low drives . They are also strategically placed in fairways to force choices . Nice use of doglegs and length . 9 of the holes from the longs are 500' + , with 2 of them being 852' and 888' . Most of the fairways are narrow but fair . The rough can be very rough . There can be standing water off to the sides ( or even in the middle , more in cons ) ., some of it being controlled by the drainage grates here ( ? ) .There are water carries on the last 2 holes of the course . with a couple of open spots . The course area was landscaped and grass cut when I was here .
THE HIGHLIGHTS - This course is solid and pro caliber . There are many strong holes here . #2 was a 564' hole that first bends to the left , then turns to the right . There are lots of trees in play to make you have to bend your drives and approaches . #9 ( 515' from the shorts , to the 615' longs ) is a long dogleg to the right , though sections of alleyways . #15 is a long par 5 ( 603' , 780' , 888' ) that's fairway gets narrower , and slopes down and to the left to the green . This is also the hole with any type of elevation . #17 is a tunnel shot to a landing zone in from of the deep pond .your 2nd shot is over the water to a open area green . #18 is a water carry back towards the #17 fairway . The green is just on the other side of the pond ( 151' , 437' , 561' ) There are some higher growths sprouting up from the ground to create doorways to the green .
SIGNATURE HOLE - I might have had to go with #9 . It just never let you catch a breath of relief until you hit the green .
NICE WALK - The course was quiet when I played , with the only sounds being the surrounding wildlife . You will have the opportunity to see some of it . This is where you might walk around , even if there weren't baskets and tee pads .
THE TIME - It took me the better part of 90 minutes to play the course , mostly from the white tees ( couple of blues ) ., but I was taking my time . You want to soak it all in , too . A group of focused fours could play this in 2 1/2 hours + depending on driving from the whites or the blues .
Cons:
Very little is wrong with the course itself .
Maybe a few of the pad placements seemed to just make the length a little longer but not much else ?
Water Retention - The park went above and beyond by developing drainage for the course . However , I came and played it a few days after an enormous amount of rain was dumped on Eastern Louisiana . I was in water up over my toes on many of the fairways . Carry waterproof shoes in your trunk , just in case .
Bugs - Real bad as it gets warmers . Spray generous amounts of Deet on your body .
Other Critters - You possibly could come up on an alligator , or one of several poisonous snakes . Be aware and watch when you reach for your discs .
DISC RISK - Moderate . Longer holes = harder drives . A good ricochet off a tree could put you deep in a marsh . Some of the fairways tighten on certain holes . Use a spotter when possible .
Other Thoughts:
I can't imagine how much money was poured into this course . I heard that they put a sand base on the fairways to elevate the fairways . Combining that with the drainage system . Who Does That ?!? Course designer John Houck did an incredible job designing this course .
This was a tough course to grade . I had to get all of the trudging through fairway water out of my mind . I graded it out at about 4.25 , but rounded it up , because of the care and interior features of the course . Thank You , Jefferson Parish Parks Dept. and N O Team DGC for making this happen , and allowing me to enjoy a round while on a visit to New Orleans .
MY RECOMMENDATION - The course has a 3 tee system on most holes , but still competitive even with the short ( red ) tees . Other than maybe the newbie , this course is a must for the local , the 1 discer , maybe disc playing family , the out of towner for sure , intermediates and pros . This is a high level course . You have to come here just to appreciate what a city and parks department can do , even with area surrounded by swampland . It's much too good a place to pass up . PLAY IT !!!!