Central Illinois to Idlewild Roadtrip

[ElementZ]

Hey guys,
I'm driving from Central Illinois to Idlewild in two weeks or so and have a few questions.

Are there any courses that I should drop by on the way to Ohio in Indianapolis that are not too far off the highway?

Is it even worth going because of the snow and/or coldness to get the full experience? Does Idlewild plow their fairways and what not?

What courses do I hit when I'm in that general area? I definitely want to hit Idlewild and Lincoln Ridge just based solely on their reviews.

Thanks!

[zud00]

I'd check to make sure Idlewild is open before you go. I know they close the course for a little bit in the winter, not sure on dates.

The two courses in Indy worth chekcing out are George Washington Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=871) and Brookside Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=349). If you play Brookside, I'd strongly reccomend a map or a course guide as it is tough to navigate.

[Matthew boals]

May I suggest playing if camp cullom in Frankfort,In if it's open. Last I looked it's was closed for the winter. It's about 10 minutes off the highway, give yourself 2 hours to play. If Idlewild and camp cullom is closed I would delay this trip until summer. Head south for better weather!

[Jay Dub]

Idlewild's baskets are not in the ground.

[ElementZ]

Do you have any idea when they will be?
Are Lincoln Ridges baskets in?
And any other recommendations for that general area?

[Jay Dub]

Lincoln Ridge is still in and worth the trip, imo. Mt Airy is another course in the area, it's in Cincinnati. Those baskets were out but should be back now, they were getting re-galvanized. Boone Woods has just been redesigned, it's in between Lincoln Ridge and Idlewild, closer to Idlewild. But the back nine is very short.
IMO, Lincoln Ridge and Mt Airy is still worth the trip. I'm always looking to play, maybe we can meet at the course for a round of golf?

ETA: Sorry, not sure when Idlewild will be back in the ground. I would think not in another month at least.

[ElementZ]

I wonder why Idlewild won't put their baskets in...is there like a club house number or rec place I could call and ask if they could put them in a little early this year? But yeah, having a tour guide on a course would be sweet! I'll be traveling with 3 other teenage guys and we're pretty terrible as we've only been playing for like 6 months. We're thinking of doing most of our DG on March 10th, so hopefully there's not a snowstorm or anything then.
I'd at least like to walk through Idlewild, is that possible? Or are there gates or something preventing people from getting in?

[Jay Dub]

I doubt they'd put the baskets back in because someone wants to play there. lol They take them out so no one can play there during the winter, that way the grounds are not torn up. There is a walking path in the park, I've never been there this time of year (I live 30 miles north). I don't think just walking the park will satisfy anyone. It's not like it's the best, most scenic area around, it's just a good course.

[ElementZ]

Fair enough...

but doesn't Spring techinically start in March anyway? So closed for the winter is kinda silly. But we'll see.

as a complete aside, do you know what the best Laser Tag place is in that area?

[Jay Dub]

I thought young people knew how to use the internet. :doh: :p

I googled lazer tag for you and found this http://www.lazerkraze.com/kyindex.asp

[Matthew boals]

I just got an email back from GCDGC (local club in cincy). they gave me an contact name and email he informed me idlewild basket ARE still in the ground. They usually do take them out but for some reason they did not this year!?

[Matthew boals]

The persons name is Fred Salaz his email is salazf@fuse.net...... If you check and he confirms they are in update the course page.?

[NatiBuckeye]

... Im from the area and would be glad to guide, do you have a travel tag? Im gonna double check with our club that they are in

[Matthew boals]

They pull them to keep erosion down.

[NatiBuckeye]

Ok they are for sure up

[STSgoalie]

\do you know what the best Laser Tag place is in that area?

I know lazerweb is about 20 min. from mt. airy and there is a place by my house called scallywag tag but its kinda small, about 20-25 min. from lincoln ridge. Have fun playing idlewild.

[ElementZ]

So far I got that

Idlewild - Yes
Lincoln Ridge - Yes
Camp Cullom - No
Mt. Airy - Yes

and I should avoid Scallywag Tag. Is this pretty accurate then? It's supposed to be like 50 degrees next week so I'm stoked.

[tbird888]

As far as options along the way, it depends on how much of a scenic route you'd like to take. I know that I-74 connects Indy and Cincy and makes the commute very easy and relatively short. If you don't mind the drive, I know that heading east on I-70 opens up a lot more options (Dayton and Columbus) for great courses.

You can take I-70E - I-75S and play Belmont Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=1002) in Dayton. It's a little over an hour north of Mt. Airy (add 30 minutes to Idle and LR).

If you're really looking to rack up some miles, you could take I-70E - I-71S and hit Brent Hambrick (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=131) (Hoover Dam) in Columbus. There's a bonus here if you're a motorcycle rider. Iron Pony's superstore is about fifteen minutes away. Hambrick's about two hours from Mt. Airy (add 30 minutes to Idle and LR).

Airy, Idle, and LR are all three great choices and are close enough to throw all in one day depending upon your speed and skill level. I would recommend you throw Idlewild first. It was be the most punishing of the three. Playing Lincoln Ridge after Idlewild should help boost your spirits some as it's still tough but a lot more fair.

[Jay Dub]

I love Belmont also. If it was me I'd play Belmont then Mt Airy then Lincoln Ridge then Idlewild, in that order.
I hope we get 50 degrees soon.

[tbird888]

I love Belmont also. If it was me I'd play Belmont then Mt Airy then Lincoln Ridge then Idlewild, in that order.
I hope we get 50 degrees soon.

I played there for the Ice Bowl doubles this year and fell in love. It has me itching for Spring so I can head north for a day trip to sample more of what Dayton has to offer.

[ElementZ]

So I think on Day one I'll hit Avon Town Hall on the way there and Mt. Airy if time permits.
On day two, I'll hit Idlewild, Boone Woods Park, and Lincoln Ridge.

[Jay Dub]

I played there for the Ice Bowl doubles this year and fell in love. It has me itching for Spring so I can head north for a day trip to sample more of what Dayton has to offer.

There are a couple up by the Dayton airport also, one was alright but the other was pretty sweet. Check them out too.

[NatiBuckeye]

if you play that order then Idle your arm might fall off... I know it makes sense based on the route, but i wouldnt do that for your arms sake

[mashnut]

So I think on Day one I'll hit Avon Town Hall on the way there and Mt. Airy if time permits.
On day two, I'll hit Idlewild, Boone Woods Park, and Lincoln Ridge.

Avon is ok, but if it looks like you won't have time for Mt. Airy you're not missing much if you go on and get to Cincy in time to play Airy.

[NatiBuckeye]

Have you found many people with to guide you around the courses? Also i think i asked this but do you have a travel tag?

[ElementZ]

I don't have a travel tag, but I think I should be okay without course guides. I'll have maps printed out so it should be okay. I've hit 20+ new courses without a guide and I was usually okay. Thanks though. :)

[NatiBuckeye]

ha its cool just looking to get out and play

[Jay Dub]

So I think on Day one I'll hit Avon Town Hall on the way there and Mt. Airy if time permits.
On day two, I'll hit Idlewild, Boone Woods Park, and Lincoln Ridge.

I don't know about Avon, I'd play My Airy and Lincoln Ridge the first day and Idlewild as your first course the second day. If you still want to play Boone after that you'll have time if not you won't miss much.

[tbird888]

If you still want to play Boone after that you'll have time if not you won't miss much.

Seriously. It's in pretty rough shape still so if it's warm, you'll be covered in mud. If it's cold, you'll be covered in mud. It's nowhere near the same caliber either as the other three. I would seriously consider giving it some time to heal from the redesign.

If you want a fourth option for Cincy:

Turtlecreek (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=228) is close enough to the northwest part of I-275 (I-74 is close) that it makes a better option. The front 9 is admittedly pretty open and boring, but once you get back in the woods it's a blast. It's just another option.
If you're tired but not completely spent, Mason Sports Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=2628) is a surprisingly fun 9 holer that would also suffice as a fourth option. They play Lacrosse there, so there are some great potential practice fields too. It's also on the northern part of the I-275 loop. It's farther east but less north.


I don't mean to keep throwing courses at you, I just think people need to know we have more than three courses, and they're all within ~30 minutes of each other. I'd do Idlewild/LR the first day and Airy/Turtlecreek (or Mason) the second. Just my .12 :D

[Jay Dub]

Don't forget Oxford, but you'll need a guide the first time you play that course. It's a nice course and the co-eds aren't bad either. ;)
Good point about letting Boone heal first.

[tbird888]

Excellent point. It's tricky to get to 74 from there, but it's also a great option. Better than Turtlecreek and Mason. You can stop for lunch at Bagel and Deli on High St. for a Terrapin bagel. Just try and drive through the campus between :50 & :00 on Mon/Wed/Fri and :45 & :00 on Tue/Thur. :D Just make sure the driver can remember to keep his eyes on the road. Trust me. Sorry Apoth, not a lot of BBW floating around.

[Jay Dub]

I found this map of Oxford, it's accurate and the current layout. It's too wide to post as a jpg.

http://www.cincinnatidiscgolf.com/Portals/0/pages/Courses/coursemaps/Oxford_map.jpg

[Matthew boals]

My .02....play Brookside in Indy instead of Avon town hall,all round better course. Next time you plan a trip to the Indy area play Avon,Washington (just north of Brookside), Dillon in Noblesville then Camp Cullom. That would be a nice over night DG road trip. If you go with playing Brookside MAKE SURE you print the map off the course page, you WILL need it! I think you may be able to play Idlewild and LR, no third course after playing them. Since you will have a group of four plan on Idlewild taking atleast 3 hours. Keep us updated on your trip and I hope you get good weather!

[mashnut]

I think you may be able to play Idlewild and LR, no third course after playing them. Since you will have a group of four plan on Idlewild taking atleast 3 hours. Keep us updated on your trip and I hope you get good weather!

Depends on how fast you play. My gf and I played 2 rounds at Idlewild, Banklick, and Mt. Airy one day with a couple hours driving at each end. Definitely doable if you play at a reasonable pace.

[ElementZ]

So my updated plan is George Washington park then Mt. Airy on day 1
and then Idlewild and Lincoln Ridge on day 2
and hitting Avon Town Hall on the way back.

Just to keep you guys posted. :)

[Jay Dub]

Mt Airy has a nice clubhouse, Fred Salaz runs it, he'll be very helpful if he's there.
IMO, you'll really enjoy the courses you picked. Idlewild and LR the same day will give you a hell of a work out along with some great golf.

[mashnut]

So my updated plan is George Washington park then Mt. Airy on day 1
and then Idlewild and Lincoln Ridge on day 2
and hitting Avon Town Hall on the way back.

Just to keep you guys posted. :)

If on that first day you're running ahead and have time for another course, Brookside is only a couple minutes south of Washington, and is a longer course with some fun holes over an empty retention pond.

[Matthew boals]

I just talked to someone in the office at Camp Cullom they are thinking opening in mid march,weather permitting. Since your playing Washington,not brookside,wear your boots! It has standing water around the first few pole holes. The layout is not as confusing as brookside but a map will help on a few holes. The map on links/files I made is pretty good, I believe it's still up on the course info board.

[discin311]

this sound like a nice planned out trip. how much snow is at all the courses?

[Jay Dub]

The snow should be melted in 2 weeks but it'll still be sloppy. Bring extra socks and shoes.

[Matthew boals]

The weather Saturday is sunny and 50 degrees! First great day in a long time! ALOT of snow this year,I'm seeing grass for the first time in atleast a month!!! courses wil be muddy and busy! "Tis the DG season"!

[ElementZ]

Awesome! This is great news!
Although they're expecting rain on Monday and Tuesday when I will be there.
But I'll take a little bit of rain over subzero temperatures anyday! I'm actually playing my first game of disc golf this year today. I'm stoked. :)

[Matthew boals]

I just looked Monday partly cloudy and 50! Tuesday mostly coudy 40% chance of rain 50! I hope for once they can forecast? I only trust the forecast for the next 36 hours.

[Jay Dub]

I drove to My Airy yesterday, the tee pads still had snow but that'll be gone in a day. The baskets are back in and looking brand spankin' new. They had them re-galvanized.

[ElementZ]

And I'm off! Wish me luck!

[bikinjack]

And I'm off! Wish me luck!

Drive fast, take chances. If something gets in your way, swerve.

[Jay Dub]

I hope you brought extra shoes and socks.

[ElementZ]

Best roadtrip ever!
Thanks everyone for all the advice!
I only ended up playing Mt. Airy, Idlewild, and Avon Town Hall.

Idlewild was unbelievable! It was like a dream come true! I was so tired after playing it there was no way I could do the 20+ hole Lincoln Ridge course.
Mt. Airy was reeeeeeeally muddy but a lot of fun. The Nati pro shop was sweet!

[Jay Dub]

I played Mt Airy yesterday and Monday. The grounds were much better than I expected Tuesday after the slop I played in Monday.

Glad you enjoyed it and bummer you missed Lincoln Ridge. Idlewild does kick your ass. lol