Richmond, KY

Camp Catalpa DGC - Old Layout

3.095(based on 16 reviews)
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6 0
sisyphus
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.6 years 397 played 383 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Apparently Seasonal Fun 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 18, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

Located in a hilltop park beside a beautiful lake, the 18 Discatcher baskets and 9 concrete tees at Camp Catalpa represent a really nice application of an unusual choice in configuration. Most 'Dual Nines' go in with ('only') the expense of nine baskets each with two tees, so it's impressive when they've invested in twice the baskets to double the fun. Given the limitations of park space, it was probably the best choice: they've created some distinctly different lines, depending on whether you're playing the yellow front nine loop or the red back nine.

Excellent use of elevation and the park trees (toward the front), and the woodsy glade lanes carved in the back mean that over half the baskets are 'blind' off the tee, but once you've completed your first loop, you'll have a feel for the layout. The flow is relatively intuitive, even for first timers, particularly when you pay attention to the signage at the course and hole tips on here. Otherwise, there are a couple of times where you might stray down the wrong path.

Highlights for me included the beautiful valley crosser from a recessed tee on holes 4/13 and the demanding, S-curving fairway on hole 15. I also thought it was unique to see the VERY different lines off the trapezoidal tee pad on 9/18, where the former leads on back to the beginning, while the 'finisher' is a blind hyzer (rhbh) ace/deuce opportunity (where most folks try to find some excuse to bomb the finishing hole.

There are amenities, such as good signage with posts that had bag hooks, (mostly) level concrete for tee pads (see below, though), trash cans, and bridges or paving stones where needed. Finally, the course seems to stand independent from the other activities in the park (a big plus in the safety factor).

Cons:

The concrete tees are just a tad small, and not always flush with the ground, and the 8/17 tee is sloping noticeably down forward (which means it can stay a little slick in the shade there). The course has a few areas where wet conditions can get a little too sloppy and treacherous. They've tried to address this with pavers, but watch your footing on the paths to 7 and 8 when muddy. The course map needs to be upgraded from the tee signs.

No one has mentioned this yet, but for you winter course baggers: this turns out to be a 'seasonal' course. When I arrived the gate was closed. Because I saw someone parked there and exercising his dog in the park, I found a safe place to park and walk in. When the ranger drove by a couple of times and didn't say anything, I assumed it was OK. As I was leaving, I noted the gate was open, but then I saw him stop and lock it back up. Turns out it has a sign that says 'park closed for the season'. Oops

Other Thoughts:

Probably the most challenging of the three courses within a short drive of Richmond, KY, I enjoyed Catalpa, along with Berea College and Aldersgate Camp on a sunny calm January day. Camp Catalpa has enough technicality and medium/short distances to interest a Rec to Int level player. There aren't a lot of 'Big-D' holes, if you're looking for that sort of thing.
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1 1
chainbang
Experience: 18.2 years 5 played 5 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Castaway 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 14, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Really tight fairways on most holes. Close to were I was staying.

Cons:

Totally screwed if you land in the bush. Very overgrown. Some kind of HAM radio group camping in the middle of 2 holes....Sweet!

Other Thoughts:

Rough to play at times but still fun
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4 0
AdamE
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 20.5 years 264 played 143 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 23, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course has 9 concrete tee pads and 18 baskets. The Discatcher Pro baskets are in good condition and the yellow and red bands help you easily differentiate between the front and back 9. There is a course map and practice basket near the parking area.

There are many small elevation changes and rolling hills through the course. It is completely wooded with scattered trees or dense woods lining the fairways.

There is a great shot variety with plenty of left and right curving shots required. Considering there are only 9 tee pads, many of the holes feel completely different because of such different basket placement.

There's an excellent variety of hole length for such a wooded course with holes ranging from about 170 to 440. Despite how short some of the holes are, I don't consider any of them gimmie birdies because of all the trees. Hole 6 and15 are my favorite holes here with the big S curved fairway and hole 15 is definitely a pro par 4.

Cons:

Navigating the course can be a bit tough in a few places.

Some of the tee signs are missing making it tough to locate baskets on a few holes.

Some of the tee pads are very narrow and not very long.

The rough was very dense when I was here.

Due to all the trees, the fairways on one or two holes seemed a little on the lucky side without a very well defined route to the basket.

Other Thoughts:

Less experienced players could be frustrated by the many trees, dense rough and possibility to loose a disc, but more advanced players who can keep it on or near the fairway should enjoy the challenge this course presents.

Overall the is a very fun course that uses the land well and does a good job feeling more like an 18 hole course than a 9 hole course.
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4 0
kinger
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14 years 101 played 101 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Camp Wanderer 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 4, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

~Accessible park with good amenities
~Nice baskets (red and yellow for hole distinction)
~Concrete tee pads
~Pleasant setting
~Wooded ambiance

Cons:

~Tee pads were finished too smooth, can be slippery
~Navigation issues after hole No. 4
~Somewhat repetitive
~Numerous signs are missing
~More directional "next tee" indicators are needed

Other Thoughts:

Played on a brisk Autumn morning while driving down to Tennessee. Easy to find with ample parking and a respectable restroom facility. Park kiosk has some helpful information. Two baskets per hole creating an 18 hole layout utilizing 9 tees. Tee pads are on the small side and need a heavier broom finish as they were slippery when I played. Entire course is a lightly wooded technical layout focusing on mostly midrange tee shots. Errant throws will be costly and the underbrush is extremely thick in places. Navigation after Hole No. 4 is very tricky and confusing even with the course map I brought.
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3 0
EspressoPatronum
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 18.6 years 232 played 223 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Excellent Course for only having 9 tees- especially if you like catalpas 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 8, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

-lots of wooded shots that require the right path
-excellent signs
-concrete tees
-great job of making a pseudo-18 hole course with limited space
-well-maintained grass, etc.
-good variety of hole lengths

Cons:

-tees are very narrow
-really only 9 tees/fairways
-brush and growth off fairways can be pretty crazy in places
-navigation can be confusing

Other Thoughts:

This is a very fun course. Do watch out to make sure you don't get hit in the head with a nut or an osage orange. This course requires a lot of shots and allows for birdies in places while challening in others. I don't think this is quite as varied as a true 18 hole course, since it uses 9 tees which each shoot at 2 baskets. However, the placement of the baskets makes the 2 fairways for each tee rather different. I think this was done very well given the space available. The tees could be a bit wider, but oh well. There are a LOT of other random trails on this course so make sure you bring a map, I had one and still managed to waste a bunch of time getting lost at one point. Seeing all the catalpas is cool too, and there are a lot of birds in the area as well. If you're nearby it's definitely worth playing.
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3 0
Chainrattler
Experience: 13.6 years 129 played 16 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Pleasantly Surprised 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 18, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

The pros of this course begins with the fact it's unique having two baskets per hole. I expected it to feel like a 9 hole course, but it absolutely feels like 18. I enjoyed the uniqueness.

I usually play courses that have a long range drive from, the tee. This course really challenged me because the fairways were narrow, and shot selection was meticulous. I played the course surprisingly well. The second shot is more important than your first one. I shot mostly 3's. I had a couple 4's. I also had 3 birdies. I shot a 47 first time around. I expected to play worse. Elavation change is nice. The course flows well.

Cons:

The only con i see is the teepads are narrow, and a couple are short with no run up space.

Other Thoughts:

The overall condition is excellent. I will stop to play this course anytime I pass through.
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3 1
richardmmill
Experience: 21.8 years 48 played 17 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Camp Catalpa 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 3, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The signs that are there are very helpful since there is two holes per fairway. Nice baskets in great condition. Set up well good use of the area, two holes per fairway. Good elevation changes. good variety of distances, never gets all that long. Variety of shots need, forehand and backhand is very helpful to have here. A little challenging because of some tighter fairways.

Cons:

Some signs are missing. Some tee pads are short or really narrow(holes 1 and 10) Rough is very thick you do not want to get in it, and there is tons of poison, be careful. With the double hole a fairway there is a small design flaw in my opinion. Almost all holes on front 9 trail off or dog leg to the right, and almost all the back 9 trail off or dog leg to the right. So if your right handed like me you are throwing almost all forehand drives on the front and then backhand on the back.

Other Thoughts:

Bird sanctuary pretty cool.
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7 0
ibekent
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.7 years 25 played 25 reviews
3.00 star(s)

De gustibus non est disputandum 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 29, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

My personal rating for this course might be higher than a 3; It's just to my taste: tight fairways, all woods, lots of short-to-medium, quirky holes mixed in with a few long tunnel shots, ubiquitous steep hills that demand cautious landings, major punishment for getting off the fairway. Every shot is a risk-reward decision, and a wide variety of shots are required. I think it's great, but I know it's not for everyone.

The course is well mowed and kept. It's easy to navigate for the most part. The signs are accurate and helpful, though a few more wouldn't hurt. The tees are grippy concrete. Trash cans and benches are at almost every tee. And there are nice gazebos to chill in when you're done.

You might think that 9 tees with 18 pins would get boring, but the alternate placements are so thouroughly different that it's not even like you're throwing the same fairways on most holes.

Cons:

The tees tend to be narrow and a few are too short. Navigating from the yellow baskets can be tricky in a few places; signs from the red baskets are more helpful. I saw no water or restrooms. At least one hole (11) throws across a walking path, and other paths criss-cross the paths between holes, which can be confusing. The walks between 5-6/14-15 and 9-10 are unusually long.

Some might consider 9 tees for 18 pins a con. The course has no open shots, zero; that might be a con for some, as might the very thick schule. And particularly on the front nine (yellow) there are a number of shots that some might regard as too short and/or gimmicky (though I liked them.)

Other Thoughts:

The front nine (yellow) is significantly shorter and easier than the back nine (red). Also the yellows favor the forehand while the reds favor the backhand. I suggest alternating colors as you play to mix up the challenge a bit: throw even numbers red and odd numbers yellow.

Did I mention the hills? It's very hilly; not a stroll in the park.
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4 3
hipster
Experience: 42.8 years 86 played 9 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Demanding Little Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 2, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is the first course I've played with this particular design. Basically you have a 9 tee pads and 18 baskets. One loop of the course shooting for the red baskets and a 2nd loop for shooting for the yellow baskets. The course is short and places a premium on accuracy. The rough on this course is some of the toughest I've encountered. You do not need many drivers on this course due to the shorter length. I dumped most of my drivers before I started loop 2. The terrain is hilly and rough in areas so wear sturdy shoes.

Cons:

The tee pads were a bit short. Course flow is confusing in spots. #8 pad and rough need improvement.

Other Thoughts:

I've enjoyed this course and look forward to playing it again sometime. Wear some sturdy shoes. Do not throw your disc into the rough. I wouldn't play this course if it's wet.
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3 6
Airick
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Catalpa 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 16, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Short Semi tight course. Nice easy walk. All types of shots required to maximize success. Not alot of traffic on course.

Cons:

Sticker bushes. 9 tee pads. 18 baskets. Tee pads are a bit on the skinny side on some holes.

Other Thoughts:

Course is different and most importantly fun.
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6 1
swatso
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.6 years 755 played 414 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Bird Facts 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 8, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

The tee areas are great! Benches and trash cans at each teepad. Excellent tee signs showing the location of the two baskets relative to the trees, distance information, hooks for your bag, and a picture/facts about a local bird. Easy navigation - next tee signs, simply follow the obvious path, Plays in a counter-clockwise direction - didn't even need the map.

Cons:

The teepads, while concrete, were narrow, short, not always level, and had ankle-twisting drop-offs at the end.

Other Thoughts:

Course plays on the undulating land of a public park next to a lake. There are some moderately-sized trees on some holes, but most fairways are defined by smaller trees and thick bushes. The fairways are challenging for the intermediate/advanced player, but nothing ridiculous.. Very nice blend of flat, cross-slope, up-n-over, across-valley holes, but no elevation change would be considered extreme. Good range of distance variation, too - a couple just below 200', a few approaching 400', but most following around 275', give-or-take 50'.

Nine tees but eighteen baskets. For the most part, the baskets on the front nine are shorter and right-turn oriented, while the, back nine are longer and left-turning. The turns tend to be subtle and occur near the basket. By the way, too far right on #2, and you'll find water!

Not very far from the food/petrol options on I75. One shelter and one small play area for kids, so the land seem "dedicated" to disc golf. A very solid course, and certainly worth a short diversion if on a long roadtrip.
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5 0
Switters213
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 21.7 years 77 played 21 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Great in Spring 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 24, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- Good basket placements. To do well on this course you're going to need a good mix of left and right shots.
- Good hole maps. There doesn't seem to be any maps of the whole course that i can find, but each tee pad has a signpost with a pretty good map of the hole.
- Great use of elevation. The couple long holes make use of those great "over the valley" drives we all love.
- Rest stops. Almost every tee has a garbage can and a bench.

Cons:

- Thorns. The rough here is completely filled with a dozen different kinds of thorny vines and bushes, and if you've got to go in after your disc..well...i hope you're wearing long pants.
- Mud. Even though this course is set in rolling hills, it still gets awful soupy out there after it rains.
- Some of the tee pads are rather small. If you like to use a big x-step when you drive, you might feel a little boxed in.

Other Thoughts:

- This course doesn't offer a lot of opportunities to throw long drives. If you only play disc golf to launch those long bombs, then this course may not be for you. But if you can appreciate that long drives are only one part of a greater game, then Catalpa is a nice place to be.
- If you're going to bring alcohol to the course, keep it out of sight when you're in view of the parking lot. The park is regularly patrolled and Richmond cops are notoriously heavy-handed with college kids and non-residents.
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5 9
Dave242
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 29.8 years 393 played 271 reviews
3.00 star(s)

B = Better Than Average 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 20, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

What I personally like and how this course stacks up:
1) Holes with good risk/reward -- B-
2) Holes that have rewarding birdie opportunities -- B+
3) More wooded than open - lots of variety of shots required caused by hole shape and topography -- B+
4) Natural beauty (Appalachian beauty preferred) and seclusion -- A
5) Multi-shot holes with defined landing zones, good risk/reward and multiple options to play them -- NA

Other Thoughts:

I ranked this course subjectively based on my own personal enjoyment factor...more accurately my "personal addiction factor". Since I have played a decent number of courses (115 18-hole, 50 9-hole as of early 2009), my hope is that players/explorers who have similar tastes will find my ratings list helpful as they chose courses to play and explore.

Over time, I expect to fill some of my reviews in with more descriptive verbiage...if what I say adds anything to what has already been written. For now, my list is more important to me than the verbiage of my reviews.

I fully expect others with different tastes/philosophies to disagree with me. See my profile for my rating philosophy.
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9 1
adam423
Experience: 15.7 years 29 played 10 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Cool concept 2+ years drive by

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

Pros:

Holes are short and wooded, favoring controlled shots over big arms. The fairways are cleared well enough that you don't have to thread the needle on every shot. Does a great job of using 2 baskets per fairway, and not making it seem like you're playing the same hole twice. I liked the tee signs, they had info on different species of bird, at least it would give you something to do if you were behind a slow group.

Cons:

Stay in the fairway, or else... the course is in a bird sanctuary, so I wouldn't expect the rough to be cleared much. With having 18 holes on 9 fairways, I could see backups being a problem if many people were playing.

Other Thoughts:

If you stay in the fairway this course is pretty easy, lots of 2 and 3 opportunities. I land way left on 8 every time, home to the thickest brush pile in the world. Be warned.

It looks like the club is trying to remedy the mud problem by placing stepping stones along certain areas of the path, but I've never played after a rain so I can't say for sure if it works or not.

Since there are multiple paths going everywhere, it could be confusing on which one to take, look for the white signs with arrows on them.

If I had to choose a wooded course around Lexington, I'd play Veteran's over Catalpa, its longer and more challenging I think, but this is still a fun course.

I saw a turkey there last time I played...
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6 2
broken_star
Experience: 20.1 years 21 played 12 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Short and heavily wooded 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 23, 2008 Played the course:never

Pros:

Nice mix of shots, very tight woods, nice "in the woods" beginner course, great utilization of land

Cons:

horrible walk from 5 to 6 (i used a cut through instead of walking the quarter mile around the park), many stumps still in fairway, lots of debris on a few of the fairways, course gets very muddy, many fairways lined with briars

Other Thoughts:

I really liked the idea of the dual baskets on a small piece of land but i would honestly like to see a little bit of a redesign due the long walk from 5 to 6 (15-16).
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7 0
dwain
Experience: 16.8 years 14 played 11 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 9, 2008 Played the course:never

Pros:

Despite only having 9 tees, this course does a remarkable job of changing up the alternate holes to keep it from feeling like a repeat. The first 9 are mostly sidearm holes while the back 9 are better for backhand throwers. The course has been cleared fairly well, so although it's a wooded course, there are straight shots to the holes and plenty of birdie possibilities.

Cons:

Horribly muddy. Hole 7/17 (or 6/16?) is nasty to walk. Also beware of the house ruins (former meth lab?) and rusty nails. Hole 2 is right next to a lake, and if you sidearm over the fence, you probably won't be getting your disc back.

Other Thoughts:

Definitely worth the 30 minute drive from Lexington if you're up for a fairly fast round.
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