-new concrete tees on most of the course (dirt on 8-11)
-baskets in good condition
-pretty good design that takes advantage of some elevation, a creek, and a few ponds
-a nice mix of shorter & longer holes, open & more wooded holes
-a couple memorable holes: the tunnel on 5, over the creek on 7, the island on 9
-many alternate basket locations
-plenty of parking
-another shorter 9 in the same park

-signage is terrible, either no signs or old, outdated ones
-navigation is better with new concrete tees but still tough in a few spots: 2, 4, 12, 13 require some scouting without a map
-course kiosk has an outdated map, use uDisc
-the map here is also outdated, use uDisc
-the new tee pads are too short
-the course generally could use some maintenance but a few holes really need some clearing to make a real fairway: 2 & 14, maybe 6 also
-the end of the course feels like filler, especially the last 2
-the course doesn't cater to a particular skill level

Choctaw Creek Park has two courses, an 18 hole course and a beginner 9 hole course. The bigger course seems like it has been in a state of unfinished purgatory since it was installed but it is getting close to completion. The space it occupies has some cool terrain and the design takes advantage of a few ponds, a creek, some elevation changes, and woods ranging from sparse to very tight.

The course looks to have a reputation for having an unclear layout and difficult navigation. Concrete tees have been poured for most of the holes (all but 8-11, near the ponds) and it makes navigation much easier but there is still work to do. New tee signs and a few next tee signs in some key places would do wonders for the course experience here. Tees 2, 4, 12, and 14 are not obvious from the previous hole and you could easily miss hole 9 and end up at hole 10 if you walk to the right instead of the left after hole 8.

The course has some fun and memorable holes. Hole 5 has a tunnel to throw through about 275' off the tee and hole 9 has an island green; both are signature holes. I also liked the basket just across the creek on hole 7 where a well-placed skip shot could ring up some metal. The layout makes its way through various areas of the park that each have their own character. There are open shots with sparse trees to avoid, there are tight woods, and there are a few holes around the ponds with water in play. Unfortunately, the course runs out of steam at the end. From 15 onward the holes are longer and almost totally wide open and the last two holes are obvious filler.

I played here with some casual beginners and it made me notice that there are some very challenging holes for what is really a red layout. Over half the holes are under 300' but some are very tight for a rec level player. The remainder are between 300'-350' and only 2 are longer than that but still under 400'. The holes around the ponds are very risky for any unexperienced player and they should probably skip 9 and 11.

With very few options on the east side of OKC, this course probably gets a lot of play from a range of golfers. I'm sure that each demographic has its own complaints about the hole designs and challenge level but I'm sure they all have complained about the signage and navigation. Those issues are almost remedied and hopefully the finishing touches get done soon. There are some fun holes and I also noticed alternate sleeves on most holes if I remember correctly, very nice for replay value. I'm sure I'll be back at some point and I look forward to seeing the progress.


**Like this review? Hate it? Message me and let me know why! I want to make them better!**