Pinson, AL

Pinson Bicentennial Park

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3.175(based on 3 reviews)
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Pinson Bicentennial Park reviews

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wellsbranch250
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 10.8 years 694 played 680 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Easy Breezy 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 3, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

(1.788 Rating) (RE-EVALUATED) A short beginner's course with 6 new holes.
- UPGRADES - I re-evaluated this review because I read on a recent review that more benches were added and that there are now 18 holes. I had the course just shy of the 1.75 threshold and these new upgrades bumped it to a 2. Hence this revision.
- ACEABILITY - A bucket full of ace potential. Veteran players throwing this course will throw them in chains quite routinely. There are numerous sub 200 light obstacle plays. There are a couple obstacle free shots at around 260 feet. A rec player running thirty to fifty rounds out here should and a notch.
- CHAINS - Not my favorite type, Mach 3s, but they're in great shape.
- FORGIVENESS - The odds of losing a disc due to an errant shot is low with one exception. In the event that a player throws 30 feet deep on (1), then it's possible that Beaver Creek will take the disc away.
- TEES - Really nice 4 foot by 12 foot concrete tees for the original 12 holes. Nothing yet poured for the newer six holes.
- NAVIGATION - Despite no course map on site or online and no directional cues, I had little to no trouble navigating the old twelve hole layout. The tee markers were the standard three foot high 4x4 wood posts. I would stand at the basket and turn until I saw a marker. The only tricky spot IMO was between (3) and (4), were (4) tee was a bit of a double back. The tee signs only show number, distance and par, but for this shorty, its adequate.
- QUICK PLAY - With revised 18 hole layout, I estimate that a single could easily complete a full round in under 45 minutes. Groups of 4 should probably finish in under an hour and a half.
- MAINTENANCE - The grass was about eight inches high in the woods portion. The rest of grounds appear to be mowed weekly. The park is very clean despite just the one garbage can I saw along the layout at tee (1). There are no areas of overgrowth along the layout.

Cons:

No major issues with Pinson, it just doesn't scream excellence in any key course aspects
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - The hole length at Pinson almost exactly matches that of nearby Magnolia Links at an average of 240 feet. However with this course being even more open than Magnolia, all rec players will be able to be under par on a routine basis.
- CHARACTER - Other than nice baskets and tees, the comfort items and extras are mostly absent. No multi tees or alternate basket placements. As noted in my new upgrades pro, more seating appear to have been installed. Tee shading was light on the original 12. There is however a shelter, practice basket and from what I read, restrooms as well.
- ELEVATION - Really none to speak of. I've played every Birmingham area courses as of this revision and this is the second flattest. No more than 10 feet of elevation change throughout the entire course layout.
- UNIQUENESS - In addition to no elevation, the overall hole variety here is very much sub-par. Every hole here is sub 350. A handful are without any obstacles. The woodsy portion is not going to please veteran players. The wooded holes are on the short side and often have throwing lanes of twenty feet or more. Water is in fridge play once on hole (1). None of the holes twist more than a couple degree.
- SPACING - Slightly below average. If the course were full, there would be a few tees that could be reached by an errant throw because of little tree protection. Also, a few fairways feel fringe shared.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - Typical city park looks. It's nice but it won't have anyone reaching for a camera. Basically just flat meadows and a moderately spaced wooded area with a few building in the backdrop. I scored the course a bit below average.
- TIME WAITING - A walking path kind of circles the entire course layout. The path is generally only in fringe play, but its close enough that the correct option will be to wait a few extra moments for the walkers to clear.
- WIND - Due to the lack of trees in many areas on this layout, wind will likely be a moderate issue. I played moderately wooded Civitan just prior to this one and it was noticeably windier at Pinson.
- VANDELISM - Minor damage to several of the tee signs.
- NO NIGHT GOLF - This would have been an ideal night golf course. Spacious fairways, few trees, no overgrowth and only one fringe water hazard in play. A sign at the gate says the park closes at dusk.

Other Thoughts:

I liked it. After not scoring one frigg'n birdie at Civitan, I walked away with 8 birdies over 12 holes at Pinson. So it put a smile on my face. I had the course grading out as a high 1.5 during my play. With the new upgrades I decided up it to a low 2. This course should definitely be very appealing to beginners, novice level players and families. There really isn't enough here to warrant a return visit from myself but I could see recreational players living within a twenty minutes driving over here from time to time as they may really like this welcoming layout.
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