Uploaded By: Tabor-MN
Hole #3 (Taken 8/2012)
Hole #3 (Taken 8/2012) 
-- / -- 3 / 265ft. 3 / 355ft. 3 / 355ft.
Par / Distance:
Hole #3 Basket
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Reviews: 3
Avg. Rating:
Details
Avg. Rating:
Details
No Joke Island
Pros: 1) Discatchers with #'d flags on them made it easier to see the baskets.
2) Nice large grippy concrete is always appreciated.
3) Directionals are used in key spots to move you through the course and from hole to hole which is always helpful for the travelling or first time disc golfer.
4) Temporary corrugated plastic signs have Hole and distance. I appreciated the effort even if for just a temporary basis.
5) #6 is an awesome hole, it is long, fairly open with some key trees to avoid and it finishes into the woods and down the hill with a backdrop of the water. Picturesque, challenging, and requires strategy. What more can you ask for won a hole.
6) Excellent use of the elevation changes on this rolling property. Nothing is overly dramatic but the subtleness of the rolling terrain really makes you think out your shot beforehand.
7) This course is suitable for all skill levels. It has 3 sets of tees (although only one is concrete) which allows beginners to throw a wonderful course along with top pros.
8) Distance variation is tremendous . . . for the beginners there are holes from the 100's, 200's, 300's and even a 400' or two. The lines get a little tougher and a little longer for the intermediate tees and then again for the pro tees. It was fairly seamless how all three sets of tees were usable. Some of the walks to the short tees might be longer or awkward but there is almost no way to design for this given property restrictions and safety. This was done very well at this course however.
9) The use of the water with forced carries or difficult safe layup shots is awesome. This really brings into play strategy and risk/reward, something I think disc golf needs a lot more of.
10) I imagine the gold level players that can throw a long long distance might try to do a big bomb up and over the trees because the open green area is huge at the top of the hill. Either way this is a great risk/reward challenge.
2) Nice large grippy concrete is always appreciated.
3) Directionals are used in key spots to move you through the course and from hole to hole which is always helpful for the travelling or first time disc golfer.
4) Temporary corrugated plastic signs have Hole and distance. I appreciated the effort even if for just a temporary basis.
5) #6 is an awesome hole, it is long, fairly open with some key trees to avoid and it finishes into the woods and down the hill with a backdrop of the water. Picturesque, challenging, and requires strategy. What more can you ask for won a hole.
6) Excellent use of the elevation changes on this rolling property. Nothing is overly dramatic but the subtleness of the rolling terrain really makes you think out your shot beforehand.
7) This course is suitable for all skill levels. It has 3 sets of tees (although only one is concrete) which allows beginners to throw a wonderful course along with top pros.
8) Distance variation is tremendous . . . for the beginners there are holes from the 100's, 200's, 300's and even a 400' or two. The lines get a little tougher and a little longer for the intermediate tees and then again for the pro tees. It was fairly seamless how all three sets of tees were usable. Some of the walks to the short tees might be longer or awkward but there is almost no way to design for this given property restrictions and safety. This was done very well at this course however.
9) The use of the water with forced carries or difficult safe layup shots is awesome. This really brings into play strategy and risk/reward, something I think disc golf needs a lot more of.
10) I imagine the gold level players that can throw a long long distance might try to do a big bomb up and over the trees because the open green area is huge at the top of the hill. Either way this is a great risk/reward challenge.
Cons: 1) I know this is going to sound terrible . . . but with 3 water shots . . . I really wish one of them required an anhyzer. Most courses do not get 1 water shot, and with this course having 3 shots over water, I wish one of them could have gone the other way to force people to display all skills under all circumstances.
2) There were some dangerous spots on the course. The most egregious location of this was where #13 fairway passes #15. Discs that hyzer out on #13 would end up right where people walk out and around the water on #15. Fortunately the people on #13 can see people on #15 so hopefully they are patient and let them clear first.
3) This course is still a little bit rough. I know it is not very old so work is still being done. I respect that but I always rate and review courses as I played them not necessarily as I expect them to be. There are a lot of trippers and small stumps along with vines and brush that still could use some clearing. It doesn't affect play much but it does affect the beauty and enjoyability of the course.
4) #11 is a little bit dangerous for the vehicles as anything grip-locked or turned over will go right in to the end of the parking lot.
2) There were some dangerous spots on the course. The most egregious location of this was where #13 fairway passes #15. Discs that hyzer out on #13 would end up right where people walk out and around the water on #15. Fortunately the people on #13 can see people on #15 so hopefully they are patient and let them clear first.
3) This course is still a little bit rough. I know it is not very old so work is still being done. I respect that but I always rate and review courses as I played them not necessarily as I expect them to be. There are a lot of trippers and small stumps along with vines and brush that still could use some clearing. It doesn't affect play much but it does affect the beauty and enjoyability of the course.
4) #11 is a little bit dangerous for the vehicles as anything grip-locked or turned over will go right in to the end of the parking lot.
Other Thoughts: Hole #1 is close to another copy of Blue Ribbon Pines #4. . . this is not necessarily a bad thing, but it seems to be a popular thing to do is to find a row of evergreens and make that a fairway. Riverland Community College also had the recreational version of #4 at BRP. This does not make them bad holes, but it made me think.
This is a great course, the design is good, the property is great, and it is challenging but still fun. I typically do not expect much more than that. It doesn't really feel like a gold level course because I didn't find it to be overwhelmingly difficult. Sure it has its challenges but overall it was not unplayable. Layup and play smart and you should do just fine, or if you have a bomb of a drive you might be able to play a little more risk/reward shots.
This is a great course, the design is good, the property is great, and it is challenging but still fun. I typically do not expect much more than that. It doesn't really feel like a gold level course because I didn't find it to be overwhelmingly difficult. Sure it has its challenges but overall it was not unplayable. Layup and play smart and you should do just fine, or if you have a bomb of a drive you might be able to play a little more risk/reward shots.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Pros: First of all this is in a nice park, land well used to make the most of the distance. There are nice arrows pointing where the next teepad is so navigation was very simple being I am not from around the area. Elevation changes, holes with throws going over the water as well as lots of wooded holes.
Cons: As previously said, the layout is somewhat boring going from holes playing downhill to uphill and back and forth. A couple holes mainly #11 are somewhat dangerous such as if someone wanted a hyzer would play over cars. There were many people in this park with dogs today and almost seemed like they were trying to get in our way on hole #11 as well. This course is one of those where you can hit the line dead center and get screwed over and take a 4 when you think your on your way to an ace run.
Other Thoughts: I commend Ross Brandt for his efforts as well as fighting the locals and not backlashing. He did a good job with what he was given for land. I feel that hole #11 should be taken out or move the basket left more and move the basket to hole 18.
1 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Mostly Good, but I Expected Better...
1 
8/19/2012 
8/24/2012
Review By: jmhoekst Played: 54 Reviewed: 4 Exp: 6.1 Years
This review was updated on 9/11/2012
Pros: What I Liked:
- Long & Short Tee Pads
The long tee pads will be poured concrete (in process as of this review). I'm unsure if the short tees will be concrete, but at least they will exist. UPDATE 9/11/12 - All 18 holes have a concrete long tee pad. The short tees are targeted to be poured in 2013.
- Technically Very Difficult - Lots of Risk/Reward
There are a number of tight lines to hit as with any difficult course. Oak Island also makes good use of difficult putting greens. Many of the baskets are on steep hills, requiring the player to properly land approach shots to avoid roll-aways. The same goes for putting, where an errant downhill putt can easily lead to a difficult comeback.
- Innova 28-chain Baskets
These things catch everything. No worries about spit-outs or slip-throughs. Pure awesome.
- Some Beautiful Views
Thought the water isn't a bright-blue ocean, some of the views are simply breathtaking. The putting green on hole 16 is easily the best in the state in terms of the view.
- Long & Short Tee Pads
The long tee pads will be poured concrete (in process as of this review). I'm unsure if the short tees will be concrete, but at least they will exist. UPDATE 9/11/12 - All 18 holes have a concrete long tee pad. The short tees are targeted to be poured in 2013.
- Technically Very Difficult - Lots of Risk/Reward
There are a number of tight lines to hit as with any difficult course. Oak Island also makes good use of difficult putting greens. Many of the baskets are on steep hills, requiring the player to properly land approach shots to avoid roll-aways. The same goes for putting, where an errant downhill putt can easily lead to a difficult comeback.
- Innova 28-chain Baskets
These things catch everything. No worries about spit-outs or slip-throughs. Pure awesome.
- Some Beautiful Views
Thought the water isn't a bright-blue ocean, some of the views are simply breathtaking. The putting green on hole 16 is easily the best in the state in terms of the view.
Cons: What I Disliked:
- Several "Almost" Signature Holes
#1, maybe, but it'll always be a little-brother to #4 at BRP. #15, maybe, due to being able to see the basket. I feel like #12 (RHBH hyzer 300' over water) should be the signature hole, but the basket is too far inland. If it were moved to where the old basket is, it would be great, IMHO.
- Mostly Repetitive
There are some holes that are awesome, but as the round went on, there was a definite pattern. Tee from the open area on top and throw downhill into the woods. Then, tee from the woods and throw uphill into the open area. Overall, a little boring in that regard.
- Long Holes But Short Throws
There are legit par 4's on this course, but there wasn't a single Nuke Bomb that I found. The long holes require short, strategic throws to score well. This itself isn't a con, but not having a single open or mostly-open bomber was a disappointment.
- Deja Vu
When I ended my round on #18, I stepped up and thought "Wow, yet another uphill hyzer hole. I've done exactly this twice already so I better be good at it!"
- You Will Lose a Disc Eventually
I suggest bringing a couple drivers, a mid and a throwing putter that you aren't too fond of.
- Several "Almost" Signature Holes
#1, maybe, but it'll always be a little-brother to #4 at BRP. #15, maybe, due to being able to see the basket. I feel like #12 (RHBH hyzer 300' over water) should be the signature hole, but the basket is too far inland. If it were moved to where the old basket is, it would be great, IMHO.
- Mostly Repetitive
There are some holes that are awesome, but as the round went on, there was a definite pattern. Tee from the open area on top and throw downhill into the woods. Then, tee from the woods and throw uphill into the open area. Overall, a little boring in that regard.
- Long Holes But Short Throws
There are legit par 4's on this course, but there wasn't a single Nuke Bomb that I found. The long holes require short, strategic throws to score well. This itself isn't a con, but not having a single open or mostly-open bomber was a disappointment.
- Deja Vu
When I ended my round on #18, I stepped up and thought "Wow, yet another uphill hyzer hole. I've done exactly this twice already so I better be good at it!"
- You Will Lose a Disc Eventually
I suggest bringing a couple drivers, a mid and a throwing putter that you aren't too fond of.
Other Thoughts: What I Must Tell You:
I need to start by saying that when I played the course, there were no concrete tee pads yet. There were also several piles of brush in the woods from recent bush-clearing outings. And there were some parts of the course that needed to still be cleared a little bit. None of these things were considered in my rating as it would be very unfair to count these against the course. I also understand that there are parts of the park that were off-limits when putting in this course. I can't count that against the course, either.
There's no doubt this is the most difficult (relative to Par) course in Southern MN. It's probably by far the most scenic, too. But in terms of hole variety, I thought it was very lacking. Way too many RHBH hyzer shots as I only threw FH twice. And like I said in the "Cons" section, there was a lot of deja vu. I don't mean to come across as if I disliked the course, but I expected more. Southern MN lacks in courses that can compete with Oak Island, but that doesn't mean it automatically warrants a perfect rating. In fact...
To summarize, the course is mostly-excellent but lacks variety. The "cool" holes are few and far between, so there are very forgettable stretches of play. It's a long course that forces short throws. I'll certainly be back to play again and will re-consider my rating after that time. But for now, I'm feeling a 3.75. Round it up to a 4.0.
I need to start by saying that when I played the course, there were no concrete tee pads yet. There were also several piles of brush in the woods from recent bush-clearing outings. And there were some parts of the course that needed to still be cleared a little bit. None of these things were considered in my rating as it would be very unfair to count these against the course. I also understand that there are parts of the park that were off-limits when putting in this course. I can't count that against the course, either.
There's no doubt this is the most difficult (relative to Par) course in Southern MN. It's probably by far the most scenic, too. But in terms of hole variety, I thought it was very lacking. Way too many RHBH hyzer shots as I only threw FH twice. And like I said in the "Cons" section, there was a lot of deja vu. I don't mean to come across as if I disliked the course, but I expected more. Southern MN lacks in courses that can compete with Oak Island, but that doesn't mean it automatically warrants a perfect rating. In fact...
To summarize, the course is mostly-excellent but lacks variety. The "cool" holes are few and far between, so there are very forgettable stretches of play. It's a long course that forces short throws. I'll certainly be back to play again and will re-consider my rating after that time. But for now, I'm feeling a 3.75. Round it up to a 4.0.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
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