Rock Falls, IL

Nims Park

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1.75(based on 15 reviews)
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8 0
wolfhaley
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.5 years 1165 played 745 reviews
1.50 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 22, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nims park is a very small park that manages to fit 18 (well actually 17) baskets and tee signs in, just barely. There is also a pavilion and a small playground. The baskets are pretty funky. Not sure exactly what they are. It says DISCatchers on the course info page but that's not what they are. At least not DISCatchers that I've ever seen. I'm guessing that they're homemade. They got one row of chains and a shallow, bowl like cage. They don't catch very good at all. The tee areas are just dirt. These aren't the best but you really don't need any kind of run up here. If anything you can just stand off to the side. The signs are wood posts with the hole number, par and distance. The holes range from about 60 up to maybe 170 feet I'd guess. The flow of the course is pretty easy to follow. The course starts and ends by the parking lot. Probably never busy. The course was clean, is free to play, and great for beginners.

Cons:

There just aren't any redeeming qualities about this course for more experienced players. All you'll need here for even moderately experienced players is a putter. I'm not sure how they came up with some of these distances but they're kind of exaggerated on some holes. Not really a big deal since you can see every basket from the tee.

Other Thoughts:

This place would be a good place to take young players or as a warm up before heading over to Sinnissippi. Other than that you're better off skipping this one. If you're a course bagger like myself and have to play it, it won't take you more than 30 minutes.
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2 1
3Throws of the Condor
Experience: 23.5 years 104 played 5 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Most miss the point of this course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 20, 2007 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Ball golfers might remember that most metro areas had "pitch + putt" courses that you played with a wedge a putter and the long hole might require a 7 iron if you had no distance in your shots. That is what this is. So when judging it judge it for the short game practice facility it is and looking at in that light it succeeds quite well. The ideal use of this course would be play this get warmed up then drive the mile and a half and play Sinnissippi which is one of the better courses in the state.

Cons:

Holes are bunched together tightly so be aware of other players. NOT a destination course unless used in conjunction with Sinnissippi and Genseo.

Other Thoughts:

If this was in metro Chicago close to some decent courses it would be used constantly day and night. As is it is out in the middle of IL
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2 2
Pink69
Experience: 11.4 years 2 played 2 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Great for fast play 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 9, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Holes are close together great for practicing short throws.Easy to find the next hole.

Cons:

Can be a little harder near playground equipment.Plus if roles to the right too far will lose Frisbee in the river.

Other Thoughts:

My best there is a 43 par, but haven't played too long.
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9 0
notapro
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 21.3 years 571 played 284 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Beginner 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 8, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

- Course is set in a small piece of land next to a small park. Some of the holes are immediately next to some playground equipment, which could cause some interference. According to the course's sign, no professional discs allowed! Blunt frisbees only, ha!
- About half of the holes have some sort of tree obstacle involved, so there is a decent variety in hyzer, anhyzer, or straight here and there. For the ace run, at the very least.
- This side of the park has some hilliness to it, so there are some uphill and downhill shots throughout. #13 is practically a blind downhill; it is definitely noticeable.
- Teepads are gigantic runs of dirt, but are actually fine when dry. Baskets are old but catch fine. Signs in good shape, and navigation is easy thanks to gigantic spray-painted numbers and arrows on the trees. Ugly but effective.

Cons:

- Layout of this course is absolutely crammed in this small area. If there is anyone else playing at the same time, always keep an eye out for a stray shot.
- Beginners course to the extreme, the short short hole lengths almost require non-professional discs to make it interesting.

Other Thoughts:

- For a pure beginners course, it really is not that bad at all. Plenty of trees on almost every hole to force some short of line, even if it is as simple as hyzer/anny/straight. Minor elevation changes also help to keep things interesting, and provide different looks. Any player with any experience had better bring a putter or slower, though, just to avoid overshooting every hole.
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9 0
mykeg44
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.4 years 72 played 45 reviews
1.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 11, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

It's hard for me to review this place like a normal course. I have never seen anything like it, and I'd be willing to bet there are very few courses like Nims Park in existence.

I give this course a 1.5 purely on the fun factor here. I had as much fun playing this course as some 3-star courses, but if you are looking for a standard 18-holer, hit Sinnissippi like every other reviewer has said.

If you've never played before, broke your throwing arm and need an 18er to play with your off arm, have a 5 year olf daughter you're looking to introduce to the sport, or are too drunk to play a normal course, this place is ideal.

For serious players,see harr0140's review. Playing for a 36 is a challenge, and will really test your short game. And if you're looking to rack up your ace count in a cheap way, this is the place. You'll only need one disc here and it will take you 20 minutes tops.

Cons:

For as much fun as this place was to play, I can't give it anything more than a 1.5, Anybody who shows up here looking for anything other than a gimicky ace race course is going to be sorely, sorely disappointed.

Going through the laundry list of cons would be unnecessary. As other reviewers have mentioned, there is enough room at this park for about 4 legitimate holes. This is like a maniac getting ahold of 18 baskets and just throwing them in the ground at random intervals in a local park. Fairways criss cross, dirt teepads are rutted, and the teepads are dangerously close to the previous basket in a lot of places.

The baskets are pretty old and don't catch well. I had 3 spit outs off the tee.

Other Thoughts:

This is just a weird, weird place. If you make the trip out to play Sinnissippi this place is worth a stop in the same way a sideshow is worth a stop if you go the circus.
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3 0
Nick from Sterling
Experience: 3 played 2 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Ace Race 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 1, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-18 holes
-Chance for ace on every hole
-15min bike ride from Sinnissippi
-Easy to shoot under par. theyhave a 186ft. Par 5
-Good practice for putting
-Only takes about a minute per hole
-Easy to follow
-Almost impossible to lose discs

Cons:

-Waste of time. Don't travel for this course unless you're going to Sinnissippi too.
-Offers absolutely no challenge
-Dirt tee box
-Par is hard to read on the Hole sign. I played all par 3's but i think its like a 60-ish
-Some people play +5 discs a hole for aces, and it takes forever if you get caught behing them
-In a residential area. I threw a disc into someones yard and had to jump the fence to go get it

Other Thoughts:

This course is fun and short, great for ace races, but not worth traveling for. Go 10min. away to Sinnissippi for a real disc golf course
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10 1
harr0140
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 15.8 years 1512 played 480 reviews
2.50 star(s)

VANILLA ACE ACE BABY!! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 30, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

1) Beginner friendly course because of how short it is and there is virtually no way to lose a disc.

2) I thoroughly enjoyed going for a perfect round of 36 but I ended up with two 3's. I know it is a short course and they even call some of their holes par 2'd but to shoot 18 2's in a row on this course would have been impressive.

3) #'s of the baskets are painted on the trees with arrows. Although this detracts from the look of the course it helps identify which basket to throw at. It was so funny when I drove up I parked right behind #1 tee and I could literally get 5 or 6 baskets in one photo. You know it is a tight small course when you can see that many baskets in such a small area.

4) Signs with Hole # and distance on each tee.

5) Just a fun course to play, no it isn't the best but I would play here everyday if I lived nearby. It not only would be fun to see how many aces could be racked up on this course in a year, but also to see if youcould get the perfect round ever of 18 2's. First time playing I got 16 2's and 2 3's for a solid 38. I bet I would struggle to get that score on future visits but I will make sure to stop by anytime I am driving through the area.

6) Course takes about 15-20 minutes to play alone so it won't take up your whole afternoon.

7) Nice mature Oaks and other hardwood trees make this course acceptable.

8) Some of the baskets are perched on a hill and with the hard compact soil underneath rollaways are a real posiblity for those shots that hit the basket or chains but dont stay in. I say hyzer one in and let it slide under the basket on every hole.

Cons:

1) Course is so similar in distances it is all long putts and simple approaches. It gets a little old if you are looking for a true DG challenge, but if you like running for aces or trying to get a 2 on every hole it can be fun.

2) The course is beat up pretty good . . . tees are on grass, but that is all gone and wore down to dirt and gravel and tree roots. There is a lot of compaction and erosion happens everytime it rains I would expect.

3) Some of the baskets seem to be leaning slightly. There is a little bit of rust visible on some of the baskets also but at least the chains seem to be in perfect condition.

4) Short short short, although I enjoy the course for what it is, many people will consider this a garbage horrible course. I value it not for its challenge but for its fun factor, but the shortness of all the holes is still a negative overall. I think the longest hole is like 190' or something like that and the shortest somewhere around 75'. I really wish those distances were on this site because I totally forgot to write them down.

5) Private property on one end of the park should be avoided.

6) Safety would be an issue if more than a couple people are in this park especially if they are also playing DG.

Other Thoughts:

Remember my rating is based on the theory that I rate courses according to how likely I would be to return with all things considered the same. I would be very likely to stop hee and play a round . . . perhaps even moreso than Sinnissippi but it would depend on what I am interested in doing that day. if I wanted a DG challenge and wanted to play like a tourney I would hit Sinnissippi, but if I was just goofing around with some buddies or my wife, I would rather stop here and play. I value all courses for different reasons, so I may give Nima a higher rating than many fo you might, but that is my puogative.

Take it for what it is . . . a short course with 18 ace runs. Dont come here thinking this is a great epic course that forces you to think about every shot and presents PDGA tourney like atmosphere. It can be fun to go for aces only and it can be fun to shoot for the perfect 36.

Just understand what you are getting yourself in to when you come here and you will not be disappointed. This course gets a 4 for its fun factor and ace race charateristics, but on amenities, DG challenge, scenery and maintenance it gets about a 1.5 so I settled on a 2.5. Like I said I likely will return if in the area and I do not feel like championship caliber DG at that moment in time. I wish I lived nearby so I could up my ace total!!!!

VANILLA ACE ACE BABY!
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3 3
Ukeubuuke
Experience: 14.7 years 36 played 3 reviews
0.50 star(s)

Why bother. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 4, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

- A golfer has 18 tries at an ace
- Good putter practice
- Fun one disc round/challenge

Cons:

- No holes over 200'
- Too many holes under 100'
- 18 holes

Other Thoughts:

- They fit 18 holes in an area that really could stand to have 9. Even 9 is crowding the park space
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5 3
Brado
Experience: 31 played 8 reviews
0.00 star(s)

Good course for small chilrren 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 11, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Location is scenic.
This would be a good course for teaching children and beginners.

Cons:

Too small of area for 18 holes.
This course is to be played with a "whamo"-type or ultimate throwing Frisbee.

Other Thoughts:

Coloma park district should make this course 9 holes and put the other 9 in Centennial Park.
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12 0
Countchunkula
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 18.3 years 224 played 75 reviews
0.50 star(s)

Pure Comedy 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 14, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

-You should get a good laugh out of this course, it's kind of a joke.
-Sinnisippi park (a good/great 18 hole course) is only 10 minutes away.
-Would be a good course to introduce small children to the game.
-The course has 18 baskets.
-Ace runs on every hole.
-Basket #'s spray painted on adjacent trees. (I guess this is a pro)
-You only need a putter to play.

Cons:

-Not anywhere near enough land for 9 holes much less 18.
-Take the shortest course you have ever played, cut the distances in half and you have Nims park.
-Dirt tees, but you don't need the traction, every hole is a long aproach or maybe even jump putt.
-From most tees at least 4 baskets are in view.

Other Thoughts:

-This course is just silly. The park is very small, it should probably be a 4 hole course judging by land availablity. I can't believe that there wasn't a better place to put these 18 baskets. They should have put the baskets over a Sinnisippi, that course has multiple pin sleeves per hole and could have 2 baskets in place at all times.
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14 0
mashnut
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.7 years 831 played 777 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Hmmmm.... 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 9, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The course plays through a tiny neighborhood park with nice mature trees, a central hill that most of the holes play on or around, and a nice view of the river from the top of the hill. The river can come into play on a couple holes if you have a terrible shot or a really nasty roll, so there is a little bit of risk here. The tees are all marked with number and distance, and the baskets are numbered on the band and with large markings on adjacent trees that are easy to see from a distance. The course is easy to follow, and flows well from one hole to the next. If the course isn't busy, the number of baskets in a small area makes for a great practice area and safari opportunity, and the lack of underbrush and short holes make this an fun place for night golf.

Cons:

This is the shortest and silliest course I've ever seen. There wasn't even enough room in this park for a pitch n putt 9 holer, and they crammed 18 holes into the space anyway. Not a single hole is longer than 186', and a couple are under 100'. Nearly every hole has an open hyzer line for either hand, so you don't need to shape any different lines to be successful here. The tree markings for basket numbers are necessary because often there are several baskets right in front of the tee, and any one of them could be a hole on this course.

Not only does the length make the course a bit silly and boring, it also leads to some safety hazards. You are often throwing at several other holes and tee pads, and most 5 year olds can overshoot several holes on this course, so keep your eyes out if there are other players on the course. Some holes play very close to the parking lot and playgrounds, on a busy day this could be a real problem.

The tee signs don't have any indication of which direction they face, so there were a couple where the tree markings were less obvious and it took a second to figure out where to shoot. The tees themselves are dirt, and have spread out quite a bit, some up to 20 feet long which is a significant difference on a 90' hole...

Other Thoughts:

Beginners will enjoy the opportunity for ace runs and birdies on the short easy holes here, though they won't develop much of a skill set here. More experienced players will find the course silly and not worth playing, with nothing but short repetitive holes. The only things this course is really good for are really young kids getting into the sport, or something like an ace race or super class event (though all holes are short even with a lid...).

The course is unique enough that I'm glad I stopped by to play a couple quick rounds with a zephyr (and hit metal several times), but unless you want to rack up your ace count or just want to add a course to your list (my excuse) don't bother with this course especially with Sinnissippi not too far away.
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4 1
bisket1978
Experience: 17.3 years 6 played 6 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Small, yet effective! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 10, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Super short, and an aceable basket on each and every hole! A good use of the space provided. Perfect for an Ace Race. Grass was well kept. Hole # on trees with arrows to guide you to the correct basket. (necessary, considering that 17 out of 18 holes are visible from where you park). No hole longer than 186 ft. Can play in 20 minutes w/ 2 people.

Cons:

Tee's are well marked, but dirt is eroded on a few. Swings, and playground toys play a big factor if it's crawling with kids. BE CAREFUL!!
If multiple people are frolfing, it can be difficult NOT to hit someone.

Other Thoughts:

It is a really fun little disc course, and I had a lot of fun playing it, and will play it again. Having said that, they need to make it an all Par 3 course. You would assume with no hole over 186 ft, it would have to be all Par 3's. That 186 footer,however, is a Par 5, that is impossible not to make in 2. There are Par 4's that are less than 130 ft. Granted, there are 2 Par 2's, both under 100 ft.
Overall, I recommend this course to anyone who wants to have fun, or is short on time. Serious players, this course is not for you.
If nothing else, it is one of the funniest things I've ever seen, trying to fit 18 holes in a park no bigger than a Mcdonalds parking lot!!
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9 1
#19325
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 23.4 years 351 played 178 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Miniature Disc Golf 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 14, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is a very tiny neighborhood park. It has 1 small hlll where many of the holes play. There are several large trees scattered throught the course. It's mowed nicely. When you step out of the car all you will see is a park full of yellow baskets. It's funny as heck.

Super beginner friendly.

There are 18 baskets.

Painted yellow arrows on trees to point to baskets.

Cons:

Natural dirt tees.

Sometimes it's hard to tell what basket you are supposed to throw to since there are so many in view.

This is the shortest course I have ever seen. I have seen mini disc golf courses longer than this one. My buddy and I played this course with a putter and mid range. He shot a -18 36 (perfect without an ace) and I shot a -16 38 with an OB penalty on #2 inside the wood frame.

Other Thoughts:

Sinnissippi Park in Sterling is a must play course. It's just across the river.

This course is not worth stopping at if you are looking for a challenge. If you are taking out new players this is a great place to play.

This course was made for an Ace Race!

Do not travel out of your way to play this. If you do stop it won't take you long to play it. 3 of us played it in less than 30 minutes.

Check out my Illinois Top 10.
http://discontinuum.org/index...1486.msg68704#msg68704
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5 2
Tripod2
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.4 years 17 played 17 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Putter = Driver 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 24, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This place will boost your confidence as all the holes are between 150 - 200 ft. You'll need that because you should play Sinnissippi in Sterling after this place.

Leave your drivers in the car. Bring your putter and midrange. Good chance to practice your approaches and longer putts.

You can play this course really quickly.

Cons:

Dirt tees.

This park is in a residential area, which is kind of weird. If you didn't leave your drivers in the car, you very well could hop someone's fence to get your wayward disc from their backyard.

Yes, that's right - people's backyards butt up against this park. Still think it's weird.

Other Thoughts:

Make a day of it and stop here, Sinnissippi, Krape (in Freeport) or head off to the Quad Cities.
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5 3
Robert Scott
Experience: 28.4 years 52 played 28 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Putt Putt in Rock Falls, IL 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 24, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nice little park and short course. The trees have arrows on them telling you which basket it the right one. very easy to follow. Signs for every hole. A quick round of 18 holes

Cons:

Dirt tees, Hole 2 or 3 plays over a playgroud. And Basket 18 is very near the parking area. I was worred about hitting a car.

Other Thoughts:

I know a lot of players will not like this course as it is very short, as a lot don't like the course around here that is 200ft to 325ft.
We only used a putter and had a good time playing here. There is a shelter house here at the front that was getting busy when we were leaving. They were getting ready to have a family reunion so the park maybe busy during the warmer months.
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