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Boundary Waters Park - Falcon reviews
6
0
A Slightly Less Illustrious Younger Sibling 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 27, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
Although not quite living up to the old course, BW-2 still showcases good variety with some very nice technical holes.
-Amenities: Similar to the first course. Good baskets color-coded to avoid confusion. Concrete tees. Signs with hole number, par, and distance. Sufficient bridges and cleared paths for in-hole and between-hole transitions.
-Terrain: Like the other course, good variety. Opens with a downhill shot towards the lake just as BW-1, then dives into the thick and lush woods for a while. A few holes with moderate elevation, especially towards the end. One element BW-2 has that the other doesn't is additional water--a creek comes into play multiple times and there's a pond to throw over.
-Variety: Nice. (1) is open with the water hazard. (2)-(8) are mostly short and technical through the woods, with gentle hyzer shapes, straight shots, and a par-4 with multiple options through the woods (hole (4)). (9)-(12) take you into the open with a little more room to work with, and (13)-(18) delve into the technical again but with better length.
-Shot Shaping/Gameplay: Almost matches the variety. (2)-(8) will please needle-threaders and are achievable by technical rec players. I think many of the holes (13)-(18) will be nice if you're having a good day and able to throw 250+ feet through tight woods. You'll often be able to pick your line on the back half of the course and both FH and BH are in play. The creek also makes a really nice hazard, often creating a small green to force careful approaches. Multiple par 4's in the woods will value smarts over power. Some holes I enjoyed: (1) in the long position is over 700', a par-4 playing down to and around (or I suppose over) the lake. (12) goes from the open down a gentle left downslope over a creek to a hanging basket in the woods. (15) plays dogleg left through the woods, with the long pin position in the open field for a par-4. (18) is a nice finishing uphill mostly through woods with the basket opening up at the top.
-Navigation: Pretty flawless. With clear paths. Some confusion possible from (6) to (7) and (16) to (17).
-Multi-Tees/Pins: One or maybe two holes have a back and front tee. Several holes have multiple pin placements, sometimes changing the par.
-Amenities: Similar to the first course. Good baskets color-coded to avoid confusion. Concrete tees. Signs with hole number, par, and distance. Sufficient bridges and cleared paths for in-hole and between-hole transitions.
-Terrain: Like the other course, good variety. Opens with a downhill shot towards the lake just as BW-1, then dives into the thick and lush woods for a while. A few holes with moderate elevation, especially towards the end. One element BW-2 has that the other doesn't is additional water--a creek comes into play multiple times and there's a pond to throw over.
-Variety: Nice. (1) is open with the water hazard. (2)-(8) are mostly short and technical through the woods, with gentle hyzer shapes, straight shots, and a par-4 with multiple options through the woods (hole (4)). (9)-(12) take you into the open with a little more room to work with, and (13)-(18) delve into the technical again but with better length.
-Shot Shaping/Gameplay: Almost matches the variety. (2)-(8) will please needle-threaders and are achievable by technical rec players. I think many of the holes (13)-(18) will be nice if you're having a good day and able to throw 250+ feet through tight woods. You'll often be able to pick your line on the back half of the course and both FH and BH are in play. The creek also makes a really nice hazard, often creating a small green to force careful approaches. Multiple par 4's in the woods will value smarts over power. Some holes I enjoyed: (1) in the long position is over 700', a par-4 playing down to and around (or I suppose over) the lake. (12) goes from the open down a gentle left downslope over a creek to a hanging basket in the woods. (15) plays dogleg left through the woods, with the long pin position in the open field for a par-4. (18) is a nice finishing uphill mostly through woods with the basket opening up at the top.
-Navigation: Pretty flawless. With clear paths. Some confusion possible from (6) to (7) and (16) to (17).
-Multi-Tees/Pins: One or maybe two holes have a back and front tee. Several holes have multiple pin placements, sometimes changing the par.
Cons:
Not enough variety to be up to snuff with BW-1.
-Over-Technical: Don't get me wrong, I love some good technical holes. But (2)-(8) feel like gimmicks that don't really bring shot choice and risk-reward into the gameplay. Ultimately, I think it was this stretch that made me feel like the course was overall a little closer to 3.0 than 3.5. (13)-(18) are also all technical, this time requiring good distance to succeed, but IMO it is too many holes that looked very similar, some of which didn't have pretty lines.
-Open Holes: Excepting the very good (1), the open holes are pretty bland. This is because they all throw through the same flat field. They aren't terrible by any stretch.
-Beat Down: As with any technical course, if your game slips things can get ugly quickly. I don't take points off for this.
-Rough: Can get rough.
-Signage: Would be nice to have tee maps. I didn't notice their absence as much on BW-2 as on BW-1.
-Goose Droppings: Watch your step on (1).
-Lost Disc Potential: Due to the creek and a few patches of extra tall rough around it (not to mention a possible water carry on (1)), BW-2 presents a higher disc loss risk. I found one in rough on my play and fruitlessly helped another golfer search as well.
-Over-Technical: Don't get me wrong, I love some good technical holes. But (2)-(8) feel like gimmicks that don't really bring shot choice and risk-reward into the gameplay. Ultimately, I think it was this stretch that made me feel like the course was overall a little closer to 3.0 than 3.5. (13)-(18) are also all technical, this time requiring good distance to succeed, but IMO it is too many holes that looked very similar, some of which didn't have pretty lines.
-Open Holes: Excepting the very good (1), the open holes are pretty bland. This is because they all throw through the same flat field. They aren't terrible by any stretch.
-Beat Down: As with any technical course, if your game slips things can get ugly quickly. I don't take points off for this.
-Rough: Can get rough.
-Signage: Would be nice to have tee maps. I didn't notice their absence as much on BW-2 as on BW-1.
-Goose Droppings: Watch your step on (1).
-Lost Disc Potential: Due to the creek and a few patches of extra tall rough around it (not to mention a possible water carry on (1)), BW-2 presents a higher disc loss risk. I found one in rough on my play and fruitlessly helped another golfer search as well.
Other Thoughts:
I'm having trouble rating BW-2. I enjoyed BW-1 much more, but as I reflect on the back nine at BW-2 I feel more favorable towards them than I did playing earlier today. I've decided to award BW-2 an upper end Good--a 3.25 if you will. It falls shorter because it has a little less variety (so many tightly wooded holes) and the underwhelming short shots of (2)-(8). Some holes feel like they've been jammed to fit the remaining park space. My numerical rating is always subject to change as I play more courses and get a better feel for where this course fits into the continuum.
Nonetheless, BW-2 makes a fine addition to the park. Technical players will enjoy this course more than BW-1. The whole complex feels like the 4-star version of the IDGC pairing of Jackson and Warner--both courses hold their own well, I think one presents superior gameplay, and it's always enticing to come play. Check out Boundary Waters and you should have a fun day.
Nonetheless, BW-2 makes a fine addition to the park. Technical players will enjoy this course more than BW-1. The whole complex feels like the 4-star version of the IDGC pairing of Jackson and Warner--both courses hold their own well, I think one presents superior gameplay, and it's always enticing to come play. Check out Boundary Waters and you should have a fun day.
