Banqiao Xindian reviews
13
0
Great disc golf in Taipei 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Feb 14, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
Banqiao Xindian in New Taipei City is laid out well. Seven of the twelve baskets are strategically placed behind the banyon trees that the course description warns about. I could not, however, picture this until I got there. So check out my pictures, not only to see the low lying branches that force you to shoot a narrow line, but also to see how smartly the baskets are placed, using the trees as guardians.
The tees and baskets are not marked (see CONS), but the course is very easy to follow. The gps coordinates lead you to a raised basket, which is the first tee and the 12th basket.
From this starting point you don't want to go to the open field, which would take you counter clockwise through the park. But you can't see the first basket in the other direction because it's hidden behind a banyon tree. So take a few steps away from the basket toward the pavement and you'll see a nice line under the low canopy of branches and tucked behind a guardian banyon.
The next 2 baskets are easy to see, but 4 is not visible from the tee. I launched my red Champion Katana and when I got to 300 feet from the tee I saw the hidden basket behind a banyon tree cluster. Great placement!
Now you need to cross the asphalt path winding through the park to circle back. The tee is an obvious worn spot in the grass which confirms the original description from 2005 that locals are active here on Saturdays. And why not?!
These large open areas are nearly perfect for bigger arms. At least for me number 5's 471 feet and #7's 462 feet are airing it out. There were many people in the park exercising or walking but none of them interfered with the open grassy areas. The only time I bothered an exerciser was when I grip locked my blue Buzz on #1 and buzzed a guy. I apologized but he kindly said no problem.
The original description said 9 permanent baskets, but there's 12 baskets now. The current baskets 8 and 9 are portable but you don't get any sense they are temporary.
One striking thing about this park is how quiet and serene it is. The creators of the park did a good job making you feel like you left the city so you can have some peaceful time for contemplation and/or exercise, OR DISC GOLF!
The tees and baskets are not marked (see CONS), but the course is very easy to follow. The gps coordinates lead you to a raised basket, which is the first tee and the 12th basket.
From this starting point you don't want to go to the open field, which would take you counter clockwise through the park. But you can't see the first basket in the other direction because it's hidden behind a banyon tree. So take a few steps away from the basket toward the pavement and you'll see a nice line under the low canopy of branches and tucked behind a guardian banyon.
The next 2 baskets are easy to see, but 4 is not visible from the tee. I launched my red Champion Katana and when I got to 300 feet from the tee I saw the hidden basket behind a banyon tree cluster. Great placement!
Now you need to cross the asphalt path winding through the park to circle back. The tee is an obvious worn spot in the grass which confirms the original description from 2005 that locals are active here on Saturdays. And why not?!
These large open areas are nearly perfect for bigger arms. At least for me number 5's 471 feet and #7's 462 feet are airing it out. There were many people in the park exercising or walking but none of them interfered with the open grassy areas. The only time I bothered an exerciser was when I grip locked my blue Buzz on #1 and buzzed a guy. I apologized but he kindly said no problem.
The original description said 9 permanent baskets, but there's 12 baskets now. The current baskets 8 and 9 are portable but you don't get any sense they are temporary.
One striking thing about this park is how quiet and serene it is. The creators of the park did a good job making you feel like you left the city so you can have some peaceful time for contemplation and/or exercise, OR DISC GOLF!
Cons:
There are no marked tee pads or signs.
There are no markings on any of the baskets.
These CONS are really mininal since the overall experience is so positive here.
There are no markings on any of the baskets.
These CONS are really mininal since the overall experience is so positive here.
Other Thoughts:
If you are not used to transportation in Taipei I'll give you a little lesson.
From my hotel to this park Google Maps said was 30 NT (about US$1) using the MRT (a very good subway). But there was about a 20 minute walk. Google Maps also said it would be 175 NT to use Uber. I decided to take a taxi, since they are in abundance, and it was 530 NT. Oh well, lesson learned. MRT and some exercise next time.
If you want to go to the other nearby course Google Maps said it is 1 hour and 6 minutes to walk. I did this, but it took more than 2 hours since it's easy on the city streets to go in circles and Google didn't help much. Although there are no baskets at the other place, as reported here in the 2012 review, it is worth a visit since it's even a bigger nice park with open fields to throw safari and play object disc golf, but that's another review to write.
I would have rated this a 3.5 in the United States, but since it's the only course in Taiwan with permanent baskets I'm giving it a 4.0, which is excellent!
From my hotel to this park Google Maps said was 30 NT (about US$1) using the MRT (a very good subway). But there was about a 20 minute walk. Google Maps also said it would be 175 NT to use Uber. I decided to take a taxi, since they are in abundance, and it was 530 NT. Oh well, lesson learned. MRT and some exercise next time.
If you want to go to the other nearby course Google Maps said it is 1 hour and 6 minutes to walk. I did this, but it took more than 2 hours since it's easy on the city streets to go in circles and Google didn't help much. Although there are no baskets at the other place, as reported here in the 2012 review, it is worth a visit since it's even a bigger nice park with open fields to throw safari and play object disc golf, but that's another review to write.
I would have rated this a 3.5 in the United States, but since it's the only course in Taiwan with permanent baskets I'm giving it a 4.0, which is excellent!
