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Elkahatchee State Park reviews
12
0
Excellent 9 Hole course. 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Feb 6, 2019
Played the course:once
Pros:
(2.268 Rating) A fun city park course that's 45 minutes away from the next closest course.
- RAW BEAUTY - The first hole out of the gates is a fun downhill shot along a mini creek. Hole (3) is a beautiful water clear with large rocks along the water's edge. Hole (8) is an awesome looking twisting wooded up-shot over a massive bolder. The only detractors are a lot of manmade features in view and/or play the entire time. Also note, the park was well maintained on my appearance.
- UNIQUENESS - I've now played over 100 nine holers and Elkahatchee's variety would make my top 10 among these courses. The course has both elevation and water features. The elevation runs both up and down. The water features are in the form of both creeks and ponds. There is a relatively open bomber hole on (6) and a short technical play on (8). The only substantial thing missing is a multi-play hole and another nine holes of similar caliber.
- TEES - Big 5 feet by 12 feet concrete tees and benches at every one of them.
- NAVIGATION - Adequate. Nice course map by tee (1). I'd recommend taking a picture as I don't recall much in the way of cues while out on the layout. The tee signs are so so. They show the general line and distance, but don't include next tee direction. I checked my photo of the course map several times between holes.
- RECREATIONAL FRIENDLY - The course's target audience fits best with those at the Recreational level. A few technical plays and a few times to air them out for those that max out in the upper 300's. There is some water in play that will likely get some Novice level players swimming, but Rec players should finish with all their discs 95 percent of the time.
- QUICK PLAY - I was in and out as a quick solo in 30 minutes. Figure a group of four in about an hour.
- RAW BEAUTY - The first hole out of the gates is a fun downhill shot along a mini creek. Hole (3) is a beautiful water clear with large rocks along the water's edge. Hole (8) is an awesome looking twisting wooded up-shot over a massive bolder. The only detractors are a lot of manmade features in view and/or play the entire time. Also note, the park was well maintained on my appearance.
- UNIQUENESS - I've now played over 100 nine holers and Elkahatchee's variety would make my top 10 among these courses. The course has both elevation and water features. The elevation runs both up and down. The water features are in the form of both creeks and ponds. There is a relatively open bomber hole on (6) and a short technical play on (8). The only substantial thing missing is a multi-play hole and another nine holes of similar caliber.
- TEES - Big 5 feet by 12 feet concrete tees and benches at every one of them.
- NAVIGATION - Adequate. Nice course map by tee (1). I'd recommend taking a picture as I don't recall much in the way of cues while out on the layout. The tee signs are so so. They show the general line and distance, but don't include next tee direction. I checked my photo of the course map several times between holes.
- RECREATIONAL FRIENDLY - The course's target audience fits best with those at the Recreational level. A few technical plays and a few times to air them out for those that max out in the upper 300's. There is some water in play that will likely get some Novice level players swimming, but Rec players should finish with all their discs 95 percent of the time.
- QUICK PLAY - I was in and out as a quick solo in 30 minutes. Figure a group of four in about an hour.
Cons:
A solid nine hole course with only minor issues.
- CHAINS - I took off almost a tenth of a point for the baskets, which are 14 chain DGAs. I was fortunate to not lose any throws to the baskets as my close-up misses would have missed the broad side of a barn. Regardless, players are going to be dissatisfied in these targets. The course is nearly a full throw more difficult than if the course had MachXs or DISCatchers.
- DISCONTINUITY - Traversing the course requires walking over a small park road 3 times, and a 4th time if heading back to tee (1). Not a big deal, but again I'd recommend having the course map in hand or a picture of it on the phone.
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - About average or a touch below. I think the course reads about middle Recreational level where an even par 27 will net a 870ish rated round. Mostly park style shots, with hole (8) being an interesting exception. As an Intermediate level player I finished 2 down, and I think I'd typically be at 1 or 2 down on this layout. Holes (4) and (5) where the only holes where I think I'd average above a 3.
- MULTI USE HAZARDS - Roads come into play a few times and I saw a few walkers straying near fairways. A young teenage kid playing near basket (5) actually ran and picked up my tee shot despite the my yelling, which he then threw to me. He now has his first disc, as I keep a give-away in my bag most times. The multi-use hazards are only a minor issue, as a few extra seconds will clear up most of these temporary issues.
- WATER HAZARD - My personal favorite hole was (3), a 225 foot water clear then up a hill another 100 feet. Any player that throws one in the pond has likely lost their disc. I added more rating score for this feature than took away.
- LOCATION - In BFE.
- CHAINS - I took off almost a tenth of a point for the baskets, which are 14 chain DGAs. I was fortunate to not lose any throws to the baskets as my close-up misses would have missed the broad side of a barn. Regardless, players are going to be dissatisfied in these targets. The course is nearly a full throw more difficult than if the course had MachXs or DISCatchers.
- DISCONTINUITY - Traversing the course requires walking over a small park road 3 times, and a 4th time if heading back to tee (1). Not a big deal, but again I'd recommend having the course map in hand or a picture of it on the phone.
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - About average or a touch below. I think the course reads about middle Recreational level where an even par 27 will net a 870ish rated round. Mostly park style shots, with hole (8) being an interesting exception. As an Intermediate level player I finished 2 down, and I think I'd typically be at 1 or 2 down on this layout. Holes (4) and (5) where the only holes where I think I'd average above a 3.
- MULTI USE HAZARDS - Roads come into play a few times and I saw a few walkers straying near fairways. A young teenage kid playing near basket (5) actually ran and picked up my tee shot despite the my yelling, which he then threw to me. He now has his first disc, as I keep a give-away in my bag most times. The multi-use hazards are only a minor issue, as a few extra seconds will clear up most of these temporary issues.
- WATER HAZARD - My personal favorite hole was (3), a 225 foot water clear then up a hill another 100 feet. Any player that throws one in the pond has likely lost their disc. I added more rating score for this feature than took away.
- LOCATION - In BFE.
Other Thoughts:
A well done course that I'd put at 85 percentile among the nine holers I've scored. If this place magically relocated to my area, it would definitely get a lot of play as well as new donated baskets. If you find yourself out in this part of Alabama you probably took a wrong turn somewhere. Chances are you then need a round of disc golf to clear the mind and the Elkahatchee course will deliver. That stated, it's not worth traveling to here for those more than an hour away unless a players wants to experience every nice course in Alabama. Several Birmingham courses and Tumble Tree near Auburn with run circles around this one.
6
0
RicoX9
Experience:
7.2 years
2 played
2 reviews
More improvements since last year 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Apr 24, 2017
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Nice park. Course is never crowded. It's well laid out and you finish right back by hole 1.
The signage is new and well done. No next hole signs, but they're close enough to not be an issue.
The tee pads sill look brand new. Judging by one of the other reviews, the baskets must be new as there's not a speck of rust on them.
The people I have run into have been friendly.
The signage is new and well done. No next hole signs, but they're close enough to not be an issue.
The tee pads sill look brand new. Judging by one of the other reviews, the baskets must be new as there's not a speck of rust on them.
The people I have run into have been friendly.
Cons:
Only 9 holes.
No long holes. Every one is a par 3. That said, there's a fair amount of variety in elevation and direction.
Hole 3 is a mando over the water. LONG shot for amateurs. There are trees near the waters edge, so it's easy to hit one and have it drop/roll into the pond. This hole is the only bad part.
Hole 5 will be muddy on the right side if it has rained recently.
No long holes. Every one is a par 3. That said, there's a fair amount of variety in elevation and direction.
Hole 3 is a mando over the water. LONG shot for amateurs. There are trees near the waters edge, so it's easy to hit one and have it drop/roll into the pond. This hole is the only bad part.
Hole 5 will be muddy on the right side if it has rained recently.
Other Thoughts:
I feel fortunate to have a course this nice 3/4 mi from my house. I'm new to the sport, but I've played 5 courses, and this one is comparable in quality to the others I've played, just short.
2
4
Marquiskissel
Experience:
1 played
1 reviews
Excellent Course with new pads 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Apr 17, 2016
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Brand new tee pads and signs.
very attractive layout
some interesting hole designs
convenient locations
clear signs and descriptions
very attractive layout
some interesting hole designs
convenient locations
clear signs and descriptions
Cons:
Only 9 holes
one of the holes includes a long throw over a lake---I lost a disc
1 of the holes is muddy
one of the holes includes a long throw over a lake---I lost a disc
1 of the holes is muddy
7
0
murf1087
Experience:
14.1 years
368 played
17 reviews
S.O.S. 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jun 13, 2015
Played the course:once
Pros:
1. Clean park with course set in area not often used by other people
2. Many different types of shots required throughout the nine holes. Good mix of open and wooded holes, anhyzer and hyzer shots, a few moderate doglegs, up and downhill shots, and blind shots on #6 and #9
3. Water hazard on signature hole #3 and #1, OB walking paths on #2, #3, #4, #5, #8 to add more challenge to the course.
4. Water spigot by hole #9 basket
2. Many different types of shots required throughout the nine holes. Good mix of open and wooded holes, anhyzer and hyzer shots, a few moderate doglegs, up and downhill shots, and blind shots on #6 and #9
3. Water hazard on signature hole #3 and #1, OB walking paths on #2, #3, #4, #5, #8 to add more challenge to the course.
4. Water spigot by hole #9 basket
Cons:
DGA M-14 baskets are not designed for permanent outdoor use; these baskets will rust eventually. The bolts holding them together are rusting already. 14 lightweight chains do not catch your disc like most other baskets do.
Other Thoughts:
This course has a ton of potential and can easily be improved upon by a few local disc golfers or a club. There is ample space for an additional 9 baskets in the park.
Hole #3, not sure which came first, the light up cross or the disc golf course, haha.
*EDIT*
since my last review, tee signs and pads are in and change my opinion quite a bit. I miss this course and would love to play it again. Moving my rating from 2.0 to 3.0 thanks to the course improvements.
Hole #3, not sure which came first, the light up cross or the disc golf course, haha.
*EDIT*
since my last review, tee signs and pads are in and change my opinion quite a bit. I miss this course and would love to play it again. Moving my rating from 2.0 to 3.0 thanks to the course improvements.
