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Archer's Park reviews
16
0
Biased
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Nov 11, 2022
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Archer's Park is the smaller of the two courses at Clinton State Park. What it lacks in variety it makes up for in challenge from the wind and OB.
The layout of the course is fairly intuitive, and the parts that may not be have mown paths to keep it obvious.
For being single-chain baskets, these Lightning DB-5s catch quite well. Didn't have any issues so long as the chains were hit.
Hole 3 is the outlier as a good hole. A small tree-lined tunnel down the right or a big hyzer to the left, and with it approaching 400ft it's a challenging addition to the course.
The layout of the course is fairly intuitive, and the parts that may not be have mown paths to keep it obvious.
For being single-chain baskets, these Lightning DB-5s catch quite well. Didn't have any issues so long as the chains were hit.
Hole 3 is the outlier as a good hole. A small tree-lined tunnel down the right or a big hyzer to the left, and with it approaching 400ft it's a challenging addition to the course.
Cons:
Biggest problem is the roads. Crossing three times on holes 2, 6, and 7 (although 6 is elevated so not as dangerous) and playing next to a road on all the others be it the main road or a parking lot access road. It's not the busiest state park, but it's not an ideal way to set up a course.
The righty forehand is the predominant line on the course. In fact, the only time I woudn't recommend it is on Hole 7 where the only gap is on the right of the fairway 100ft off the tee. Holes 1 and 2 have fair enough lines to the pin for both shots but after that the prairie grass will scare off most righty backhand players. I enjoyed it as a RHFH dominant thrower, but it will be nothing but frustrating for the majority of players.
The tees are two 3x5 foot "wipe your feet as you enter the store" style rugs staked down with tent stakes. They're a step up from dirt but over time some have become warped by the ground underneath or repeated footfalls.
The righty forehand is the predominant line on the course. In fact, the only time I woudn't recommend it is on Hole 7 where the only gap is on the right of the fairway 100ft off the tee. Holes 1 and 2 have fair enough lines to the pin for both shots but after that the prairie grass will scare off most righty backhand players. I enjoyed it as a RHFH dominant thrower, but it will be nothing but frustrating for the majority of players.
The tees are two 3x5 foot "wipe your feet as you enter the store" style rugs staked down with tent stakes. They're a step up from dirt but over time some have become warped by the ground underneath or repeated footfalls.
Other Thoughts:
Either you'll feel able to attack this course with your preferred shot, or hard-pressed to challenge for par. This would be an awful course to have a competition on due to the advantage given to one type of shot on 2/3 of the holes. Between that and risking discs to the tall grass and the road danger this isn't a great course for beginners as it seems to be tailored to. I would recommend most people just go straight to the 18-hole offering.
The hanging basket on 9 is nice, and it is the hole with the most trees to contend with, but again it's a right-finishing line or risk the prairie grass.
The park itself is a $5 entry fee only payable by card at a machine outside the park office. After that it's a mile down to a left turn then the archery range parking lot is on the right.
The hanging basket on 9 is nice, and it is the hole with the most trees to contend with, but again it's a right-finishing line or risk the prairie grass.
The park itself is a $5 entry fee only payable by card at a machine outside the park office. After that it's a mile down to a left turn then the archery range parking lot is on the right.
5
0
Upshawt1979
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
20.9 years
550 played
429 reviews
Waving My Disc in the Wind 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Apr 30, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
Clinton State Park is well maintained and clean, and the shorter of the two disc golf courses is a nice warm up before playing Bob Mowery's Meadows, or good for teaching newer players the fundamentals.
There are 9 holes, and they are marked by rectangular concrete blocks in the grass that are painted white and numbered. The baskets are not perfect, but they get the job done. There is only one row of chains, and each one has a lollipop that is painted black with the hole number stenciled on it.
The layout is circular and fairly easy to negotiate. Hole one is near the archery range, and there is a parking area there. Hole 2 crosses the road to a basket near the edge of the woods. Holes 3, 4, and 5 are parallel to the road, with a few trees to get around on 3 and 4. Hole 6 plays over another road to a pin between a few trees and bushes. Hole 7 may be the toughest drive, offering a narrow gap in a line of trees about halfway down the fairway. You may be able to go over or around it to reach the pin next to the road for the RV dumping station. I never found the marker for hole 8, but it is at the other side of a long stretch of open field, and the grass was rough and uncut unless you stick close to the road. Hole 9 takes you back to the parking lot.
This is a fairly short and simple course with very little elevation change, not many trees, and no water in play. The wind can be brutal, as it was the day I first played it. Cost me a bunch of strokes in the short game. The mid range I threw from the second tee sailed way into the woods and down into the hiking trail area.
There are 9 holes, and they are marked by rectangular concrete blocks in the grass that are painted white and numbered. The baskets are not perfect, but they get the job done. There is only one row of chains, and each one has a lollipop that is painted black with the hole number stenciled on it.
The layout is circular and fairly easy to negotiate. Hole one is near the archery range, and there is a parking area there. Hole 2 crosses the road to a basket near the edge of the woods. Holes 3, 4, and 5 are parallel to the road, with a few trees to get around on 3 and 4. Hole 6 plays over another road to a pin between a few trees and bushes. Hole 7 may be the toughest drive, offering a narrow gap in a line of trees about halfway down the fairway. You may be able to go over or around it to reach the pin next to the road for the RV dumping station. I never found the marker for hole 8, but it is at the other side of a long stretch of open field, and the grass was rough and uncut unless you stick close to the road. Hole 9 takes you back to the parking lot.
This is a fairly short and simple course with very little elevation change, not many trees, and no water in play. The wind can be brutal, as it was the day I first played it. Cost me a bunch of strokes in the short game. The mid range I threw from the second tee sailed way into the woods and down into the hiking trail area.
Cons:
The markers for each tee are flat and it is not always easy to see the next one. Go to the right of the fifth basket to find tee 6. If you see one for hole 8, let me know where it is. I got tired of searching and went safari.
The baskets are not state of the art with only one row of chains, but they're very similar to my practice basket at home. Hole 7 at Mowrey's Meadows had this type of basket as well.
The wind can be strong, and there is no escaping it on this course. Lack of trees means exposure to the sun is also pretty extreme.
The cost to enter the park is $5 per day, or I think you can get an annual pass for $25. It may be worth buying the year access if you live in the Lawrence area, just to play Mowery's Meadows.
The baskets are not state of the art with only one row of chains, but they're very similar to my practice basket at home. Hole 7 at Mowrey's Meadows had this type of basket as well.
The wind can be strong, and there is no escaping it on this course. Lack of trees means exposure to the sun is also pretty extreme.
The cost to enter the park is $5 per day, or I think you can get an annual pass for $25. It may be worth buying the year access if you live in the Lawrence area, just to play Mowery's Meadows.
Other Thoughts:
This is a pretty nice place for practicing with newbies, but far from a challenging round unless the wind is really blowing. The grass was green, plush and nicely trimmed. I saw no litter at all. There are restrooms nearby next to Campground 1.
Most serious players should pass this one by to get on the 18 hole course across the street. It is ok, but kind of a yawner. If you just want to get one more course bagged, it is 2 for the price of 1 when you come to play Bob Mowery's Meadows, which is worth checking out.
Most serious players should pass this one by to get on the 18 hole course across the street. It is ok, but kind of a yawner. If you just want to get one more course bagged, it is 2 for the price of 1 when you come to play Bob Mowery's Meadows, which is worth checking out.
