Vincennes, IN

Hillcrest Park

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2.85(based on 10 reviews)
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8 0
LaserGlide68
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 31.5 years 226 played 24 reviews
3.00 star(s)

The Battle of Vincennes 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 27, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

Shot Selection: will need to utilize Forehand and Backhand.

Pretty park, lots of trees providing shade, and shot shaping. Hilly as well.

Cement Tee Pads, Innova Discatcher baskets-in good shape.

Nice Course map at the start, Tee signs are of the rustic variety, number and distances for the dual Pin positions. No real need for maps at each hole, can spot the Baskets for the most part from the Tees.

Restrooms in middle of the Course. (Suffered some damage, see Other Thoughts)

Cons:

Not much to put as a 'Con' to me. It's a small park, the designer maxed out the space allotted..

Could be some kids running around near the Shelter by Hole # 7/16, otherwise most of the Course plays away from park activity.

Fairly small parking area.

Other Thoughts:

This is a well-executed small town type park Course, offering much more than Tee to Basket straight lines like you'll find at similar style Courses. The hills add challenge, uphill/downhill shots, and a bit of a workout.

Overall, only really one section that would need a bit of weed-eating, #4/13, but late April might not be telling for how it may be in July.

A strong storm came through the area on April 8, 2020, a reportedly 'weak EF1 tornado', which tore down many branches, limbs and a number of trees. Still a good number of trees in place, and none of the Baskets were damaged. #8/17 looked a little bent, but still fine. Restrooms got hit too.

#2 Basket flanked by fallen trees, #3 Tee missing the number, tree down in Fairway of #3/12, #8 Tee covered by fallen tree. Sign escaped damage. Fully playable still.

This area has a ton of history, from Indians and fur traders, to the Revolutionary War, and Indiana's first College, Vincennes University, founded in 1801.
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1 1
dhires1
Experience: 10.4 years 25 played 1 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Not well maintained 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 25, 2017 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Ace and birdie runs on several holes.

Very Easy.

Much more enjoyable in the winter when no leaves are on the trees.

Cons:

A lot of holes have absolutely no line to the pin.

The rough is very thick and can easily lose a disc if you don't know where it went in.

Other Thoughts:

If it was more taken care of it'd be one of the top courses in the area.
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2 0
fountg
Experience: 14.3 years 4 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Needs yardwork. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 24, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

For really only being a 9 hole course, I love the layout.

Cons:

There are 3-4 holes that are almost unplayable because of the overgrowth. Makes you scared to drive as discs can get lost for a long time in some of the overgrowth and brush that lies right inbetween the tee and basket on some holes.

Other Thoughts:

If somebody would weed eat certain areas it would be a 4/5.
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3 1
jobwilson
Experience: 15.4 years 73 played 13 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Fun Beginner's Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 11, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Hillcrest Park is a decent sized city park that is fairly secluded considering its accessibility and distance from US-41.
This course utilizes 9 baskets and 18 teepads and plays mainly in the shade of mature cedar trees.
The 9 Innova Disccatchers are in great shape, free of rust or structural damage.
The tee signs are very large and easy to read. They list the hole number and the distances to the "A" and "B" locations.
The teepads are concrete and measure in length of 5 X 10.
This course has some fun, beginner level shots on it. Hole 5 is a 166' RHBH downhill hyzer. (I hit the basket, just inches from the ace!) Hole 16 is a 251' straight shot with a low ceiling that is greatly rewarded with an accurate drive. Holes 8/17 are sweeping hyzers (230'/190') that will tempt an aggressive run, but will punish the overly aggressive.

Cons:

Calling this an 18 hole course isn't really an accurate description. It's really a 9 hole course with two tee pads. Most of the shots aren't unique enough to call the shared baskets separate holes. Along the same lines, I had no idea which location these pins were in. I just assumed everything was in the A position.
While the tee signs are large and easy to read, they aren't informative enough. There is no map or information showing which pin the holes are in. (The course is short enough that you can see everything, but a couple holes it would have been nice to see some information.) Also, the tee signs are not consistently facing the same direction. You may play a hole with the sign facing the tee pad, and on the next hole it is facing away from the pad.
The concrete are pads are not level. They follow lay of the land as opposed to having an area cut out or dirt built up.
This is a beginner's course, so more advanced players may find it too easy.
The course was littered with down branches, hanging branches. For example, there was a downed tree across the tee pad of 14's tee pad.
I personally felt like the design on several holes didn't make sense. The holes that stick out to me are holes 1, 4/13 & 6/15.
On hole 1, the line to the basket was blocked by a hanging branch. It didn't appear to be a design issue as much as a clean up issue. But the basket location didn't make sense. There is an area with a diameter of about 33' inside of a nice circle of trees that should be the green. Instead, the basket is behind some tree on some weedy area. It took away from aesthetics and playability.
On holes 4/13, there really didn't seem to be a line to the basket. On hole 13 especially, it seems like the line to the basket is to throw down along the road, past the basket and come back to it? There need to be some trees cleaned out and made into a real hole.
The guardian trees on holes 6/15 don't make a hole interesting. It's not smart golf to walk up to a hole, assess the situation, and then make the decision to throw your disc at the leaves/branches so the disc falls, leaving you with a 6' putt. That's the kicker... this wall of trees were no more than 6' in front of the basket.

Other Thoughts:

All in all, I think Hillcrest has the potential to be a fun beginner's level/Saturday evening beer round. There are a lot of neat throws that don't require more than a midrange or putter. The course could greatly benefit from some cleanup and design tweaks. As far as replay value, I'd play it again if I were passing through town, mainly because it plays so quickly.
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2 1
jmsteel
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 22, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

A nice course in a county that previously had none. I liked the inclusion of the natural forest, on only two holes did it look like the natural vegetation had been disturbed. Course can be played very quickly.

Cons:

Wish there were a few more open type holes. Lack of water available for drinks, only one fountain that I saw.

Other Thoughts:

For a beginner I really enjoyed playing this course. Course could benefit from more benches and/or water fountains spread throughout.
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4 0
Float
Experience: 6 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Fun Little Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 17, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

There is a map to the course close to 1 tee. Like new disc catchers. Trees make it a fun course alway have to think before you make your drive. Great if you have a family because your never to far away from play ground picinic area or pavillion restrooms. Lots of short holes which was great for me being a beginner birdie and pared lots of holes good players have got lots of ace shots. Did not take a long time to play 18 holes.

Cons:

Lots of poision ivy/oak luckly it don't bother me. All tees are leaning but not cracked they didn't build tees to level but what ever the ground was when built.

Other Thoughts:

This is a short course paradise and can be played very quickly if wanted. This course has lots of maturing to do but as more time goes by it will turn into a very playable and used course. Seems as people living in the area are new to this. So if your from out of town you shouldn't be bothered by anyone.
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3 0
madman1101
Experience: 13.4 years 8 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Decent Course, Fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 19, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Tricky shots, Especially on hole 5. Down hill holes you must be careful about distance. Not the greatest course for beginners, many trees don't give much room for error. A great course and a good way to bring the sport into the community, first course in the county and excited to see more come soon.

Cons:

Tees are hard to find, an awkward walk from 3 to 4 and 7 to 8. Took me some walking around to find tee's. Some trees should be removed to make better shots. Some tees have already sunk into the ground which makes awkward tee shots.

Other Thoughts:

Other than a few quirks the course is good. Most poison ivy has been removed but bring bug spray. plenty of parking and space to eat. near Restaurants and other amenities, a few minutes from the campus of Vincennes University and should be a hit with students in coming years.
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5 0
absolutdork
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 25.2 years 51 played 28 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Both Sides to Every Issue 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 24, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course was well laid out and easy to follow, even though the tee signs were not in yet, just stakes in the ground to mark where to start. There is a nice map at the beginning of the course to show you where to go as well. The pads, being brand new are excellent, as well as the brand new DiscCatchers. The mature woods made for some cool looking holes, and the hill that it's played on makes for some really nice uphill and downhill shots. Ace and birdie runs galore, but the trees and low canopies don't make them guarantees either. For a brand new course in an area lacking disc golf courses, it is a fun and easy play.

Cons:

The fact that the course is new has it's own drawbacks as the underbrush is still there, tho it is obviously when I was chomping around that there are efforts being made to kill it. I'm not allergic to poison ivy, but if you are, you MUST wear long pants as that itchy stuff is EVERYWHERE on this course. Some of the teepads, even tho they are nice and new, some of them are already tilted with the land and not flat which makes for some awkward tee shots. I'm not sold on this whole, "double teepads and sharing baskets" to make it an 18 hole course. Even though there are some nice holes to be had here, it did seem on several occasions that I was simply replaying the "Front 9" with a slightly different angle. The course is short, so big arms are going to be disappointed here. The walk from hole 3 to hole 4 was not only oddly long for this short course, there is no path to it yet, you have to chomp through the underbrush and poison ivy to get there in a straight shot of any kind.

Other Thoughts:

There is a nice shelter house with restrooms and a few trashcans dotting the course, but only one bench on the course itself. You are never terribly far away from where you parked, but at the same time you do feel secluded which is nice. This course will get better in time, and maybe I will warm-up to the sharing baskets thing, but since I'm an hour away I don't think it's worth the drive to play the course. However, if you live nearby or are in town, I do suggest to stop by and play. It won't take long, and overall it is a fun and decent course.
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10 0
Matthew boals
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 30.5 years 289 played 65 reviews
3.00 star(s)

One of the better "1st in Community" Courses 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 30, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

The whole course plays on the side of a large hill with mature trees and some underbrush. It surrounds the parks other activities,playground and small "open" area,but doesn't interfere with them. Each hole has an alternate tee, pin placement, tee sign and some type of elevation,even if slight. The difference between the "Front 9" vs. "Back 9" is its drastic enough to consider this a true 18 hole course. #1 plays the side of the hill with the decline going right to left. #2 plays slightly uphill. #3,I believe the longest, has a slight decline toward the DISCatcher. #4 plays downhill, fun ace run! #5 also downhill. #6 an uphill shot with the DISCatcher surrounded by 6,or so, mature trees. #7 Slight downhill shot. Cross the park road and left for #8 downhill. #9 shoots back up the hill toward the parking lot,loop design. All holes have Mature Trees and most having a low canopy at some point on the hole.

Cons:

As of the day I played no numbers are on the DISCatchers. No tee signs,the stakes are still in the ground so use them for the correct tee. I've been told the Tee signs will be installed in two weeks. Poison ivy,wear long pants. Until all signage is installed-park on the gravel, on the left as you pull in the park. #1 tee at the end of the lot toward the top of the hill.

Other Thoughts:

5 minutes from exit #61? (SR 41/150 & 50). More secluded than I thought it would be,considering being so close to a major intersection. A full round 18 should take about an hour. Take bug spray.
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3 0
MacDaddy
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 41.3 years 151 played 22 reviews
3.00 star(s)

First Knox County disc golf course! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 29, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Lots of very cool trees of all types. Some nice "cathedral" holes with open fairways covered by tree branches! Terrain change of some type on every hole. Nice new baskets, with good size, 5' x 10' concrete tees. Nice course map/rules sign at the start of the course, tee-signs at every hole. Great recreational - Intermediate level course, will teach newer players the game in a fun way. Fun course for Advanced or Pro level players, with lots of sweet birdie and ace runs! The course uses 9 baskets and 18 tees with the alt tee usually changing the shot from a hyzer to an anny or a straight shot. Course has water and decent restrooms with three small shelters, playground and open area in the center of the park. Some picnic tables nearby.

Cons:

The course itself is still very new, this means there are still some minor areas to watch your footing. They have killed LOTS of poison ivy and there is now only a little growing in spts.. The Parks Dept has done tons of clearing and grading and seeding the fairway areas, so it will get better with time. Bring the bug spray, you will need it.

Other Thoughts:

Great first course for Knox County! Brings a course to an area of the state lacking disc golf courses. You can buy discs at the Knox County parks offices, located nearby the course. Should be a hit with all the VU students in town. Look for a league forming there in Fall 2012.
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