Frankfort, IL

Commissioner Park

Permanent course
1.185(based on 14 reviews)
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9 0
wolfhaley
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 19.9 years 970 played 542 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 26, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

I decided to bag this course today instead of tomorrow on a long day of course bagging in the general area. It's definitely a quick play. It won't take much more than 30 minutes for most players, and most certainly any players reading this.

The baskets are Discatchers. These have the yellow top band, though while pretty faded, still popped out enough for the 3 "wooded" holes. One pin position per hole.

The tee signs here are very tall, probably 7 foot 4'x4' posts with a very basic hole map, hole #, distance and par etched into them. More than servicable as most baskets are from the tee, well 2/3's of them at least. Definitely useful in helping located the tees though.

Tee pads are natural. They appear to have had gravel in them at some point.

The course is free, permanent and starts and ends right by the parking lot. The flow of the course is pretty intuitive for the most park. Highly doubtful that this course is ever too busy, so a good place to practice multiple shots and approaches.


Cons:

The baskets are pretty terrible. These are really old Discatchers, with the single set of chains. These do not catch well. At all. It was extremely windy the day we were here. Good luck getting much of anything to stick. They are also not level, have bent cages, are mounted comically low to the ground, etc.

The holes with the baskets tucked into the pine trees are good in theory, but are just awful in reality. This constitutes a third of the course. Hole 4 is the best of the 3. Holes 1 and 9 I'm not really sure what the play is supposed to be.

The tee areas are starting to show their age a bit. They're servicable when dry but are starting to get rutted out and would certainly be muddy after any rain and most of the spring, which just exasperates this issue.

The hole maps don't really help at all if the basket isn't visible from the tee. So any of the holes with the pines.


Other Thoughts:

I wouldn't go any amount out of my way to play this one again. If you're in the area there are many, much superior options than this one just to the north. I've played worse course for sure, but this one just doesn't have too many redeeming qualities.
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8 0
EspressoPatronum
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 18.6 years 232 played 223 reviews
1.00 star(s)

About As Basic As A 9 Hole Gets 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 1, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

- it's a disc golf course, i guess
- park is mowed and otherwise looks nice
- nice kids playground area nearby

Cons:

- tee signs have laughable maps and are very worn down
- baskets are in various states of disrepair
- very small gravel tees (no way to run up on tee)
- virtually no challenge except drive strength on a few holes
- heavy duty overhead power lines are continuously buzzing
- navigation very unclear and confusing despite small size of course due to no defined fairways
- no elevation change
- pars are way too generous

Other Thoughts:

I didn't really enjoy the course at Commissioner Park. It is a disc golf course and that's about all I can say. There are virtually no obstacles/challenge except for a few baskets sheltered by trees right at the end. It's generally unsightly with the overhead power lines and while some of the holes have a bit of length, it's all drive power with no particular finesse to it. The tee signs have the most basic "maps" which are very worn at this point. Several of the baskets are mounted at weird heights (too high and too low) and some have baskets wobbling all over the place. This course needs a little TLC, although it would still be pretty boring. The tees are so small it's almost laughable. The pars will make you feel good but only if you want to lie to yourself. I got an easy eagle on the par 5 and I wouldn't be surprised if a fair number of players could make it in 2. Besides the par 3s every other hole has eagle potential by the stated pars.

This course is only worthwhile for the newest players or practice. It is very worn down and probably wasn't much better when it was new. I'd keep on driving right by, there are tons of great courses in the area (The Oaks in Mokena, and a little further on, The Canyons in Lockport, West Park in Joliet, etc.).
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6 0
Jukeshoe
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.6 years 315 played 266 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Frank(fort)ly, A Pretty Average 9er 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 4, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

- Commissioner Park's set in a mostly open, mostly flat multi-use suburban park. A scattering of pines near hole #'s 1, 4, and 9 keep the disc golf section of the park from being entirely open. Very little elevation comes into play; mostly on #7's pin that's atop a small grassy bump.
- The moderately rutted gravel affairs that comprise the short boxed-in tee pads, while not ideal, are sufficient enough for a short open course such as this.
- Signage is basic. Hole number and length, but not much else in the way of descriptiveness.
- While not in the best shape, all the baskets, signs and pads were present and accounted for. While it's obvious the baskets have seen some abuse, someone's made the attempt at fixing them (twisty ties held at least one basket up by attaching it to the chains). Others leaned a bit, but they caught reasonably well.
- Hole #7 seems to me the best-designed hole. Average length, with two smallish landscaping trees about eighty to a hundred feet apart from each other, in line with the tee and basket. The basket, as previously noted, is ever so slightly elevated, and an OB road and sidewalk run the length of the fairway to the right.

Cons:

- I've never quite been a fan of playing underneath high voltage power lines, but that's what one gets at Commissioner Park. The constant, very audible, crackling of electricity overhead, while ambient enough, made me feel as though brain tumors would sprout out my ears before long if this were my home course. Compounding the power line vibe were the massive arrays of sharp metal spikes one tower sported, I suppose to keep people from climbing them. With hole #6's basket dead center under this tower, these Show No Mercy -era Slayer-esque spikes make you fear gruesome disc impalement on high or wayward shots approaching the pin.
- While finding #1's tee is easy enough, I immediately could NOT find the basket. Signage was no help. I basically had to walk the length of the fairway to find the blind tee tucked directly behind a pine. The line off of #1's tee is a bit suspect, without a real good line for beginners to hit, but nothing an experienced player can't just go up and over on. The "walk the entire fairway to find a pin tucked behind a pine" also describes holes 4 and 9. Nothing egregious, just slightly annoying the first time through.

Other Thoughts:

- Restrooms at the playground/splash park near the parking lot.
- The grass looked to be cut regularly and the rest of the park seemed well maintained.
- I've definitely seen worse; no reason not to hit this little guy up if you're passing through, for beginners to check out the game, or to just get in some practice.
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3 0
SirSchizzy
Experience: 11 played 5 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Good for practice/beginners 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 4, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

Almost never anyone there. Like your own private course
Except for holes 1,4 and 9 the course is WIDE open with little O.B.
Good to get those springtime practice rounds in.
If you are working on a new technique as your game advances you can do it here and have 0% risk of losing discs.

Cons:

Tee boxes are small and in terrible shape. I don't use them.
Not challenging
Nothing memorable about a round here

Other Thoughts:

To address old reviews, all holes have baskets. Most are straight and plumb, but not all. Not all are in perfect shape but they do the trick. If you are just getting back in the swing of things, trying out a new driving technique or just want to play alone, this is a good place. No really long holes but if you want really long holes, your game is likely too good to play this course. I live 10 minutes from it so I play it at the beginning of the season when I am trying to get my game in shape.
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5 0
The Valkyrie Kid
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 45.8 years 1563 played 1507 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Won't Soon Be Hosting Any NIT Events! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 26, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Commissioner's Park is a large sprawling county (I think) park. It has many ball fields, picnic areas, a cool looking children's play area called Fort Frankfort and a large open area under the power lines where the disc golf course is. This area has some elevation and two holes play into a small recently planted grove of pine trees.

There is no course sign. The # 1 tee pad is just across the parking lot from the fort. The tee pads are small, crushed rock with a border of wooden boards. They are too small for any run-up. I ended up just teeing off next to them. The tee signs are very simple posts with the hole number, distance and par. The pars listed on the post signs is probably designed for elementary kids. The baskets are Discatchers with the yellow bands and small numbers.

Most holes just play across wide expanse of grass with slight elevation gain or loss. None have much personality.

Cons:

Perhaps because of it's close vicinity to Chelsea Intermediate School or perhaps because of it's semi-remote location, the baskets have been hit pretty hard by the vandals. # 2 basket is bent and leaning, the # 3 basket has been jumped up and down on hard enough so as to be damaged, and the # 4 basket is gone.

Mostly, this course is blah and boring.

Other Thoughts:

If you're a course bagger, then this course is an easy bag. Maybe if you want to work on your drives. Personally, I would avoid this course and take my disc golfing elsewhere.
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1 1
TDGSTONE
Experience: 8.6 years 52 played 2 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Missing basket 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 26, 2015 Played the course:once

Cons:

Basket on hole 3 was broken. Basket on hole 4 not even there.

Other Thoughts:

Shots are not very challenging. All in an open field with nothing hard to maneuver around. Shots are all very similar but may just vary with length. Almost all par 4s even though a lot of them should not be.
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1 1
DiscGolfMurf
Experience: 120 played 4 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Do not waste your time unless you are looking for field work location 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 20, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Good for field work and practice with wind (on certain days). 7 good baskets.

Cons:

Everything else. "Tee pads" are 4 x 4 sand filled elevated boxes. 1 basket is missing and 1 is broken. There are no real obstacles on the course. Wide open and boring.

Other Thoughts:

I work directly across the street and do not go here. That should tell you what you need to know. My opinion is it's a waste of 7 nice baskets.
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10 0
cefire
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 24.8 years 1123 played 136 reviews
0.50 star(s)

Yup, there is a course here... 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 1, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

The disc golf course at Comissioner Park is a pretty average NW Illinois course that plays over open grassy areas and has just a tiny bit of elevation. The park itself seems fairly well kept up and is clean with short mown grass when I visited. The tee signs are also pretty nice (see pictures in the media section) and give you all of the information you need to know (hole distance!). Perhaps the only interesting feature of the course for the experienced player is the "Impaler" hole where a large electric line tower is in play.

Cons:

Take a quick look at the 'Media' section here and you'll probably immediately know if this course is what you are looking for! The place is wide open with only very, very small pine trees and young plantings which really don't offer any challenge, yet anyway. On any hole with trees, you'll be able to easily launch up and over with big hyzers or tomahawk shots. As other reviewers have mentioned, the con that is not apparent from the pictures are the tees which are nearly unusable for any sort of runup.

Other Thoughts:

The beginner and family crowd will probably enjoy playing in a park which has obstacles that aren't very menacing (small pines and the "impaler") and course-baggers will likely also enjoy the impaler just because it is a bit of a unique touch. Those looking for quality or a challenge really will not be satisfied with this 'typical' NW Illinois course.
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9 0
notapro
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.6 years 568 played 281 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Beginner 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 26, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

- Course is set away from other park activities, for the most part. Good space available, and the layout makes great use of it to have some longer holes. Almost half are over 300', and only one is under 240'. Some longer walks between holes, but it really helped to spread the course out nicely.
- Interesting obstacles like a small grove of pine trees and some power towers. A few baskets were in the pine grove and another was directly underneath one of the towers. #5 is a long dogleg right with a mando around a large truss. A small sliver of water is in #3's fairway as well.
- Some subtle elevation changes on some holes, which do make them play longer or shorter. Good mix throughout.
- Nice tee signs!

Cons:

- Large majority of the holes have little to no obstacles. Just you, the basket, and the grass. And, the holes with obstacles are still a piece of cake, with distance being the biggest factor in difficulty.
- Horrible tee pads, sunken rubber in wood frames with overgrown grass. Some targets also in sorry shape, #3's basket was on the ground and #2's top was leaning drastically.

Other Thoughts:

- Not much to this course, other than some longer tosses. One place where line-shaping is needed thanks to a mando, and some mildly sloping fairways. Anyone throwing over 300' will find it unbearable at times, beginners will enjoy the wide open terrain.
- Definitely susceptible to flooding. Another throwaway piece of land with power lines.
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11 0
mashnut
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.1 years 831 played 767 reviews
1.00 star(s)

A little too open 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 14, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

The course plays on open rolling fields, with a few small trees and a couple power line towers for obstacles. These towers come into play on two holes, one where the basket is directly underneath the tower, so you have to avoid the legs on your way to the basket, and one where you have to throw around the tower shortly off the tee, and there are metal spikes waiting to catch your disc if you cut it too close. There are also two holes where the baskets are in among small pine trees, which punish drives or approaches that aren't placed well.

There are a few holes with some good length, and especially with the wind provide a place to challenge your shot placement on longer drives. There are decent wooden signs with the hole layout and distance, and the course is easy to follow.

Cons:

The course is basically wide open, the few holes with minor obstacles notwithstanding. There just isn't a whole lot of variety or interest here. There is a nice sled hill that would have been a good place for a couple fun holes in non-snowy season, it would have been cool to see that elevation incorporated into the course.

The tees were some of the worst I've ever seen. They are framed boxes filled with sand and weeds, and are barely large enough to stand in to drive, let alone take any steps. They, and the ground around them, are sloped on a few holes, adding to the awkwardness of the tee area. You're a whole lot better picking a spot next to the tee in the grass to throw from.

Other Thoughts:

This course is an ok place for beginners, with not a whole lot of obstacles, and no chance of losing discs. The distance that makes it just a little interesting for more experienced players might discourage throwers new to the sport.

Don't drive out of your way to play this one, there's nothing here worth a trip. If you want practice throwing open shots with some wind, this is an ok place to do it, otherwise don't bother.

There is a small private course with odd baskets at Camp Manitoqua just on the other side of Sauk Trail, might as well play it if you're here anyway.
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6 0
ForehandMAN36
Experience: 21.6 years 192 played 12 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Two & Out 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 20, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

* Nice quality baskets
* No risk of losing a disk
* Ample parking/bathrooms
* Clean park
* "The Impaler" hole, no that's a sideshow obstacle.

Cons:

* Boring course design & no flow
* Signs don't seem to tell the truth on distances
* Worst tee boxes I've ever seen. Literally children sized sandbox like tees. No room to run up and you risk tripping yourself forwards or backwards the tee boxes are that small.
* Baskets too close to each other

Other Thoughts:

I played here once on a weekend trip hitting the courses in this area and this one was my least favorite and the only one I didn't really enjoy. I decided to try it out again today after hitting Orland Park & Frankfort Square and relived that unenjoyable experience once again. Play this once while youre in the area to get it under your belt. Hey maybe you'll like it maybe you won't.
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10 3
Dave242
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 29.8 years 393 played 271 reviews
1.00 star(s)

C- = a little below average for a 9 holer 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 31, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

What I personally like and how this course stacks up in my list of 9 hole courses:

1) Holes with good risk/reward. Fair, but harsh punishment for bad decisions or execution. == C- (The baskets for 1 and 9 are nestled in some 8' tall christmas trees. As the trees grow these will be better holes. Other than that it is wide open and maybe only the wind provides a challenge. There is really no way to get a 4, since there is no punishment out there)

2) Holes that have rewarding birdie opportunities for me. I throw 300' accurately, 360' max. == C (There are several holes in the challenging distance range for me. Other than that, it is pretty monotonous)

3) More wooded than open - lots of variety of shots required caused by hole shape and topography == D (Very open course, mild terrain.)

4) Natural beauty (Appalachian beauty preferred) and seclusion. == C- (Scruffy field under power lines....no beauty in the eyes of this beholder.)

5) Bonus points for multi-throw holes with defined landing zones, good risk/reward and multiple options to play them. == N/A

Other Thoughts:

It's all about feeding the addiction, so I ranked this course subjectively based on my own "personal addiction factor". The grades above tell how well the course will draw me back to itself again and again and again. Since I have played a decent number of courses (125 18-hole, 64 9-hole as of mid 2009), my hope is that players/explorers who have similar addiction tastes will find my ratings list helpful as they choose courses to play and explore.

I fully expect others with different tastes/philosophies to disagree with me....that's the fun of things here. See my profile for my rating philosophy.
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4 1
WindyCityROCer
Experience: 19 years 27 played 13 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Practice Course ar best 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 5, 2008 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Easy to find, good amenities, ample parking.
Course is well marked, easy to follow, all signs and baskets in place.
Course does NOT conflict with the rest of the park.

Cons:

Lack of variety and obstacles... aside from 2 holes w/small pines (say 5ft high) and a basket under a power line, the course is wide open. Wind is the only challenge.

Other Thoughts:

Another 9 hole course in a field.. aside from practice, I can't see anyone other than novice or youth actually using the course. Worst part is to ANY side of the park is some wooded land that could make for a MUCH better course.
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4 1
blong
Experience: 20.9 years 79 played 4 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Not impressed. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 16, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Course is easy to find, parking is ample. Ok practice course. Not too hard to follow. Baskets are fairly new. (basket 3 is bent; vandalism most likely, very few trees on the course). Most holes are wide open. Tee signs are ok; appear to be accurate on distance.

Cons:

Holes are uninteresting. Virtually no obstacles. Longer holes are too generous. Tee boxes are crushed gravel; too small--not worth having.

Other Thoughts:

No shade, bathrooms and water fountain available. No garbage cans on the course. Baseball diamond on site; doesn't interfere with play.
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