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James Olley Park reviews
12
0
Big Lake and Big Downhills 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Dec 28, 2021
Played the course:once
Pros:
A nice terrain mix with some definite issues.
-Scenery: Holes (5)-(9) play around a long lake, and it's a beauty. Especially frozen in winter, it's a gorgeous setting.
-Elevation: The opening has consistently medium elevation, and a couple on the back have some sharp ups and downs. On an otherwise meh course, this adds a lot of fun.
-Flow: With one giant exception, the holes flow cleanly into each other.
-Shot Shaping/Gameplay: Nice variety and decent length. The first four are basically open and use the hills as the challenge - definitely the more lackluster section of the course. (5) is an open par-4, but this time the lake on the left provides the danger. (6)-(7) are steep hills, and (8)-(9) play through a section of low ceiling trees. The length changes up throughout, providing both birdie opportunities and trickier gets. To me, it's a satisfying short play that has good variety and some fun tee shots.
-Scenery: Holes (5)-(9) play around a long lake, and it's a beauty. Especially frozen in winter, it's a gorgeous setting.
-Elevation: The opening has consistently medium elevation, and a couple on the back have some sharp ups and downs. On an otherwise meh course, this adds a lot of fun.
-Flow: With one giant exception, the holes flow cleanly into each other.
-Shot Shaping/Gameplay: Nice variety and decent length. The first four are basically open and use the hills as the challenge - definitely the more lackluster section of the course. (5) is an open par-4, but this time the lake on the left provides the danger. (6)-(7) are steep hills, and (8)-(9) play through a section of low ceiling trees. The length changes up throughout, providing both birdie opportunities and trickier gets. To me, it's a satisfying short play that has good variety and some fun tee shots.
Cons:
Detractors that weren't big for me but could be sticking points for many.
-Segmentation: Holes (1)-(4) are in a different part of the park than (5)-(9). This results in possibly the longest hole transition I've ever experienced between (4) and (5), and a long walk from (9).
-Amenities: DGA baskets are solid and there are minimal tee signs. However, tees are natural (not eroded as of my play) and the signs don't have any maps. The maps are a bit of an issue on the blind holes (6) and (7). If the tees deteriorated, I could see lowering the rating of the course.
-Mud & Hills: The mud isn't too bad, and the hills aren't too bad. Put together, it's problematic, mainly on the walk from (9) to the parking.
-Disc Loss: Opportunities to splash on (5) and (7), and the chance to throw into private property on (1). None of these are high risks, but should be considered in shot selection.
-Segmentation: Holes (1)-(4) are in a different part of the park than (5)-(9). This results in possibly the longest hole transition I've ever experienced between (4) and (5), and a long walk from (9).
-Amenities: DGA baskets are solid and there are minimal tee signs. However, tees are natural (not eroded as of my play) and the signs don't have any maps. The maps are a bit of an issue on the blind holes (6) and (7). If the tees deteriorated, I could see lowering the rating of the course.
-Mud & Hills: The mud isn't too bad, and the hills aren't too bad. Put together, it's problematic, mainly on the walk from (9) to the parking.
-Disc Loss: Opportunities to splash on (5) and (7), and the chance to throw into private property on (1). None of these are high risks, but should be considered in shot selection.
Other Thoughts:
I really enjoyed Olley. The views and the variety of fun shots won me over. With tees in good condition, I feel that the overly long transition in the middle isn't enough to keep Olley from a Typical rating.
