Bainbridge, OH

Paint Creek State Park

3.855(based on 26 reviews)
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7 0
discNDav
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 38.4 years 453 played 94 reviews
3.00 star(s)

21 holes could easily be a better 18

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 23, 2024 Played the course:once

Pros:

Lovely state park with camping...the office has some discs for sale (not cheap)...free to enter the park and play...good size cement tee pads...great opening and ending fairly open holes...minor elevation on a few holes...DisCatcher baskets were in good shape...some baskets have a green painted spoke in the direction of the next tee...

Cons:

some of the wooded holes had odd turns to them (#2 and #3)...one hole had an unreal tight line (#9) that I skipped since it was so stupid...you can easily miss 6 & 7 across the road since 8's tee is close to basket 5...I might of missed holes A and B after 11 looking at the map now...

Other Thoughts:

This course could easily be a better 18 holer if #9 was removed and a few holes maybe combined. #1 is a very soft par 4 and #21 is a great finishing hole, the 19 holes between them are very wooded. The park is located in a rather remote area but easy drive to get to.
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14 0
Luckj
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 6.8 years 71 played 51 reviews
4.00 star(s)

A bit out of the way, but a lovely course! drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 9, 2023 Played the course:once

Pros:

I played this course on a hot day in late July with my brother. I was pleasantly surprised with such a lovely park and hope to get back someday!
-Great variety of holes, playing in and out of the woodline
-Park is beautiful, with lots of good amenities including a store that sells discs (and ice cream), putt putt, a practice basket, porta-potty near the parking area, hiking, and camping.
-This course emphasizes accuracy over distance, which made me feel like I had a fighting chance at birdie on most holes. A couple pars felt a little generous, but for your average rec player the par seemed right on.
-Course was well maintained
-Hole 9 was particularly lovely, playing between rows of tall trees
-Trash cans and benches spaced out through the course

Cons:

-A few holes play near the park road, with hole 1 heavily incentivizing players to throw over it to cut the corner
-A couple fairways weren't quite wide enough, I think 13 was the worst offender where you basically threw down a deer trail
-The course appeared to hold water, it hadn't rained in awhile but there were still a few muddy spots
-The rough wasn't overly thick but was thorny
-This course could likely be boiled down to 18 holes without losing anything as a few holes felt repetitive

Other Thoughts:

This course was great! It reminded me a bit of Stone Lake in terms of setting and is definitely my favorite course on the drive between Cincy and Columbus. Definitely worth the detour if you have the time!
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10 1
rhelt100
Experience: 15.3 years 64 played 12 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Fun, well marked course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 24, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

Course is very well maintained. Signage is consistently good. Very good test of accuracy and ability to hit a line. A few holes that test your long arm although nothing extreme.

Hole #9 really stuck out for me. (I think it was hole 9...the tee sign is blurry in my picture.). It was a 286 foot par 4 through two rows of pine trees. Two lines, one dead straight with no room for error and a line up the right that was perfect for a Hyzer flip. Should've been a par 3 IMO, but a very cool hole nevertheless.

Cons:

Many of holes in woods felt forced. Not a lot of variety to that part of the course either. Many of the wooded holes are 350-400 foot par 4s simply because there really isn't a well defined fairway or line to the basket.
I eagled #15 simply because I got lucky and put a forehand roller about 40 feet from the basket. The others in my group didn't throw bad shots but they struggled to par due to tree hits. A good number of the wooded holes are more about luck than skill which I'm not a big fan of.

Other Thoughts:

We had a good time playing this course. I think once it gets beat in a bit more, many of the par 4 holes can become long par 3s and this course will be much better. Still a solid 3 in my book. Kudos to whoever is maintaining. It was obvious that there have been many recent tree falls and they were mostly cleaned up or at least moved out of the way.
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1 4
Bub2010
Experience: 151 played 13 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Awesome wooded course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 5, 2017 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great course with about every type of shot needed to master it.

Tons of shade on a lot of the holes.

Cons:

A couple of the long tees are bordering on ridiculous, but just a couple.

Other Thoughts:

I've played the redneck open here every year and look forward to it every year!
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3 1
kohldad
Experience: 8.8 years 53 played 10 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Camping surprise 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 17, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great way to take advantage of the varying terrain and trees. Concrete pads were nice. Bathroom between 7&8 is nice too. Most of the course was easy to navigate and very fun. Signage was very detailed on both hole layout and other info. On other courses my wife would usually scout out the baskets but she didn't need to on most of the holes here. Score cards with map but not pars was readily available in the store.

Cons:

Baskets have color choosing showing direction to next tee, but it is 180 out on 11 basket. Other than that, not much else wrong.

Other Thoughts:

Stopped here to camp for the night and was surprised to see the dg signs and then the baskets right next to the campground. Though it was 4:30 after seeing camp, I was still able to get all 21 holes in before dark. Wife liked 9 so much, we had to go back in the morning just to get a picture of it.
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2 4
gcoghill
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 24.4 years 77 played 68 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Decent but uninspired course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 19, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Very clean and well-maintained park and course. Tee signs, tee pads and usually a bench at every tee. Very easy to navigate. Decent mix of challenges.

Cons:

The biggest con for this course is the blandness. It's a decent course. But there's nothing particularly exceptional about it.

Other Thoughts:

DGCR says that a 2.5 disc rating is for a decent/typical course. That sums up this course. It's very clean and well-maintained. But it's kind of boring. It's obvious that it used to be a really bland 9-hole course that was converted into a 21-hole course.

The first 8 holes are typcial multi-use park asphalt-hugger holes. The new addition is the current 9 to 20 hole section. This takes you into the woods. These holes can be quite technically challenging, and really they should really be called "difficult" rather than "challenging". A challenge is fun, difficult just feels like a chore.

Going from the novice-friendly 8 holes into very narrow tree-lined fairways is a bit jarring. They weren't much fun, nor very interesting.

Hole 21 tees off back along the grass hugging the road, and worse it puts you right behind the trash bins and dump station. Otherwise I really liked the 21st hole. A nice long fairway over some gently rolling terrain.

Not sure what to say about this course. The park and course are very clean and well taken care of. But it was all just a bit bland and unmemorable. Maybe if you're within 15 minutes from here you might consider a round. But considering the seclusion, it's not worth any effort to check it out (as I did).
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3 0
UFM82
Experience: 14.4 years 20 played 20 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Nice course off the beaten path. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 28, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

21 hole course that has its quirks but but was very fun to play. Hole 1 fools you- beautiful fairway, cleanly mowed, basket on s pedestal with a flagpole sticking up from the middle. Then you head into the scrub. Holes 2, 3 and 4 are dog-legs in the low woods and brush. 5 is back out, 6 and 7 need accuracy, 8 is a basic straight shot if you can do that. 9 is where you suddenly find yourself in Michigan in the tall pines. Quiet, peaceful and open to the extent you won't lose a disc but you need to be in control or you will pinball off many trees. #15 as mentioned is an interesting hole for anyone who appreciates multiple approach lines. All back 9 holes plus the added 3 are in the pines with 21 coming out into open area. The baskets are the nicest I have played this year with a couple being brand new. All are plumb and baskets are level. Cool course that takes 2 1/2 hours to enjoy...

Cons:

We couldn't find the tee for 11 but we found the basket. We missed #6 at first and had to scout backwards to find it. Most holes had a next tee sign but some didn't and we had to search for a couple. The front part worked me as 2,3 and 4 were not attractive looking holes but it got much better after that.

Other Thoughts:

I'll play this course again for certain. Nice place.
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5 0
Armus Patheticus
Experience: 16 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Paint Creek 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 2, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The course is well-maintained and very well designed. Of the 21 established holes, none are impossibly difficult or boringly simple. For average players, many holes can provide a three-shot scoring separation. Every hole (even the intimidatingly wooded 15) has its line, but some can take a while to decipher, adding to the challenge and enjoyment of the course.

All of the mundane things like signage and tee pads are in good order. The park store sells discs, and more importantly, ice cream.

Cons:

Of the three new holes, AB&C, A and B are currently a real chore to play.

A was originally an acute dogleg right with the approach thick with small trees. A new tee has been established that eliminates the dogleg but that plays across a wet-weather pond and its small dam. There is currently no "fairway" off the tee. One bending sycamore could be removed to provide a shot at clearing the dam to set up the still congested approach, but as it is now, the only option seems to me to be thumber, thumber, squirrely approach, putt. I'm not a fan of the savagery of an overhand throw through foliage, so I hope there is some pruning planned for this hole.

There are two tees for hole B, one is around 100' from a right angle dogleg left, and the other is about 250' from the dogleg. The approach to the basket is full of small trees that take precision to navigate. Because of the ceiling, it is very difficult to drive to the dogleg from the long tee, meaning the second shot is a little toss to the corner to set up a third that weaves through the saplings. This hole too could be improved by the removal of a few branches.

I'm sure that the intent is to let these holes get worked in for a while and see what else needs to be done to them. The problem is that they are currently so miserable that most everyone I see playing the course skips them. It is also possible that some players are unaware of the new holes, since there is no signage pointing them out.

The road and over is OB right on hole 1, but most RHBH players throw over the road to cut the bend in the fairway. This is fine, except that approaching cars are hidden from view until the last second. I've had some close calls here myself, and have started playing this as a backhand roller hole to avoid the road.

What may have been the most goofily designed hole (18, intended to be a 100' to right angle left then 200' corridor between pines) has been overruled by players, who have cut the corner until a sensible fairway has emerged. The only problem with this is that the teepad is angled diagonally to the line of play, and the tee sign is smack in the way of the run-up. I've got a miniature run-up, so I don't care, but I've seen some players fault off the teepad before releasing so they can get their five steps in.

Other Thoughts:

That looks like a lot of cons, but it isn't. The course is otherwise impossible to rightly complain about. Besides being good golf, it is beautifully set and a real pleasure to play. This is a course that must be learned in order to score well, and that rewards a diverse skill set.

If you do play the new holes, be careful on A&B. There are several large honey-locusts and some of these have dropped branches. I got a nice little jolt today when a massive thorn went through my shoe and well into my foot.
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2 2
RodneyHavens
Experience: 11.2 years 145 played 6 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Paint Creek 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 5, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This course is in the middle of a very nice state park. I love it when you can't hear anything but nature. Its an absolutely beautiful setting with towering pines on holes 9,16,17, 18,and 19. ,

Cons:

Some teepads needs poured, signage needs replaced.

Other Thoughts:

Alternate holes have been placed between 11 and 16
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3 4
Chainchaser
Experience: 16.2 years 41 played 14 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Back again!! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 12, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Tee pads are great!
-Baskets in good shape.
-Layout is not to bad but bring a map just in case.
-Wooded holes.
-Plenty of variety.

Cons:

-2 hours away!!
-1-7 the brush is thick so keep it in the fairways.
-needles from pine tree can cover the teepads in the woods and make them slippery.
Could use more benches and garbage cans

Other Thoughts:

We had played the front 7 of this course a while back but it was extremely hot and we did not finish it. This time we came out only to find a halloween event going on. We were able to find a place to park and since all the cars had the front seven blocked we started at 8 and worked from there. This course takes you into a really neat pine tree area of the park. I really like the setup and the layout. Once past the pine tree you went in to regular forest. All the holes seemed to have good lines if you can hit then. I think if I could change any hole it would be 15. It was like watching plinko on the price is right if you hit a tree. Even though the wooded holes were short they were very technical and required good accuracy. Hole 1-7 are definitely more open and also require accuracy because the rough is tough. All in all though a great course and we had a lot of fun playing. As I put under my cons I just wish it closer to the house.
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8 0
wkelly42
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.4 years 38 played 25 reviews
4.50 star(s)

My New Favorite Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 13, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Variety. Different lengths, different degrees of openness -- you cannot say that two holes were exactly the same on this course.

Challenge. Looking at the Hole Info, I didn't think this would be a tough course. I laugh at myself -- this course is a challenge, at least to me. Got out of here with a +9 my first time out, and was very happy to get that.

Surroundings. This park is beautiful, there are other activities, the lake is great -- this place makes me want to go camping, and my idea of roughing it is no free WiFi when I check in.

Signage/Navigation. Easy to follow, easy to walk. Only time I got messed up was when I didn't pay attention to the sign.

Discs available for sale. Yeah, they only have Innova (that I saw), but at least they are trying.

Cons:

Hole 21 was closed when I played. I walked past it anyway (it was the best way to get back to the parking lot) and could REALLY smell the stink from the dumpsters and other things there. Not sure if it's that way all the time or if that was WHY the hole was closed.

The biggest Con is that it isn't closer to my house. I'd play here every day if I could.

Other Thoughts:

I don't have a big arm, so I figured the biggest challenge here would be on the longer holes. Nope -- the short holes kicked my tail, because they're not just short. They are short and tight. Paint Creek makes you shape shots -- if you only throw one or two shots, you're in for a long day. #7 is an evil little hole, especially.

I've always had grand ideas of buying a large piece of land and building my own dream course. Now I know what that course will look like when it's finished -- it will look almost exactly like Paint Creek.
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2 2
sion
Experience: 35.4 years 33 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

highly recommended 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 19, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

I like everything about this course. Excellent signage, proper concrete tee pads at all holes, good mix of easy vs challenging holes...The back 12 (holes 9-21) being in the pine forest is a rare and cool feature.

Cons:

There are a couple (maybe 4 or 5) trees that I think ought to be removed, but other than that, I have no complaints.

Other Thoughts:

As other reviewers have mentioned, there is a definite RH bias, but since I'm a rightly, I don't mind. I mostly use the RHFH at this course, except for holes 3, 4, 11 and 20, where I throw a RHBH.
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6 0
alex513ninja
Experience: 14.5 years 201 played 4 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Harder than I expected 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 15, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

I'll start with the aesthetics. The grass was perfectly kept and recently mowed. Mature trees well placed in the fairways. Once you enter the woods you play amongst magnificent mature pine pine trees on holes 9, 16-20 (Holes 10-15 are in a young deciduous forest). Well manicured fairways in the woods make you throw through tight tunnels. Now for the course. The beginning open holes force you to through blind shots or through tight gaps between the aforementioned trees in fairways. Once in the forest there are normally a couple routes available on tunnel holes so they don't favor either throwing hand or style. If your accuracy is off even just a little you'll pay dearly in this forest. Baskets are DISCatchers so they are easy to spot in the woods and also the chains catch well. The ground is pretty much covered by pine needles in the forest (Holes 9, 16-20) so the undergrowth is minimal on holes featuring these trees. Holes 10-15 do have minimal undergrowth but nothing compared to some wooded courses. Also a very important thing for me was the big, long concrete teepads. I wish every course had tees like this one.

Cons:

Only a couple for this course and I might just be nitpicking here. The course tends to favor RHBH, especially in the open holes, which happens to be how I throw but for RHFH or LHBH it can pose an issue. The rough was really rough in places, really thick and and lots of thorns. Also brush piles of thorn bushes and other debris seemed to be randomly dumped along a few of the holes.

Other Thoughts:

An instant favorite the first time I played it. I played it after playing Rocky Fork and Pike Lake that same day and it was my favorite of the 3. Next time I'll make sure to play it first so I have fresh arm.
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3 2
natdog14
Experience: 7 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Back to Nature 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 31, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Very well laid out. This was our first time playing the course and we didn't have any trouble finding out way around. It had a very nice flow to it.
Nice mix of challenge - some wide open areas to let loose and some highly technical areas.
Excellent condition - teas, signage, pins, etc. All in great shape. One of the most well maintained course I've played.

Cons:

Trees. Lots of frickin' trees.

Other Thoughts:

Really well thought out and well planned course. Wish more of the parks had courses like this.
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2 0
AceWraith
Experience: 19.3 years 133 played 9 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Photos finally loaded 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Dec 11, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Good length
-Great Layout
-Great mix of holes
-Wonderful setting
-Great tee's
-Extremely accurate tee sign's
-Great concrete tee pads
-nice baskets
-good flow
-Wonderful, Peaceful Walk
-Camp store sells disc and drink and ice cream and bug spray
-Ace Runs - I nailed 18 :) which isnt an ace run but still epic. (tip: throw from 4 o'clock to 10 o'clock from the tee, the back door)
-long bombers
-You will use most disc in your bag

Cons:

Only a fewcomplaints
1. A mostly flat course, he used what he had but everyone loves a long downhill rip.
2. Needs more benches, it has a few picnic table in well placed spots, but a few benches wouldn't hurt.


3. holes 2,3,4 are extremely soggy after a hard rain

Other Thoughts:

Overall I love this course and it is definately worth the drive. Since there isnt much elevation change it doesnt wear you out to much and I have played 4 rounds here in one day. The rough can be rough as most country courses but keep an eye on your drive you'll be just fine. You Will find your disc... maybe not on hole 7 lol play smart. This course is sprinkled with beautiful nature, great lines, and challenge. The front is more open and long and the back is shorter, tight and technical.

Play it, Love it, OWN IT!

Also respect the course, there are trash cans
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13 0
sisyphus
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.2 years 401 played 385 reviews
3.50 star(s)

A great course for an awesome inaugural tourney 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Sep 8, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

*Please see end of Other for 2021 update*

The DG course at the beautiful Paint Creek Park is a new addition to the Hillsboro/Chillicothe, Ohio region, and adds a relatively challenging 21 holes for the recreational to intermediate player's options in the area. Opening near the office/general store parking area with a half dozen predominantly 'open' holes shaped by the foliage, you work your way across the main drive for two holes that start teasing you with tight gaps and turns, before coming back through a pine forest with excellent use of lines and elevation to shape shots of all varieties and a range of distances.

Brand new, generously sized concrete tees are now in place for all 21 holes, most of which range from 220' to 374', with the exception of three under 200', and a couple over 400'. The design does have a tendency toward 'blind' basket positions, so pay attention to the (really nice) tee signs. If you're playing here for the first time, it doesn't take too much extra walking to take the occasional peek ahead (and sometimes, you'll need to do so to be sure the basket area is clear of the group in front of you).

If you're not a fan of the occasional blind hyzer (rhbh) shot, or a wooded anny, you will just have to look for all the other shots available here to make you grin. But if you've got a solid rhfh, and can keep your disc controlled in the woods, you might score quite well here.

As with any newer course, the fairways are decently maintained, while the rough can be a challenge, especially on the holes before the pines. In the woods however, the carpet of pine needles tends to control the undergrowth, so errant shots are not as likely to go missing as in other types of woods.

There are picnic benches and trash cans scattered occasionally throughout the course, and I saw a bathroom off the parking area by the 6th tee. As far as other amenities, this state park has camping, RV spaces, mini-golf, a nice fishing and boating lake, etc., etc.!

Cons:

The current course map is fairly rough, and includes only the original 18 holes, but there are 21 permanent baskets now, so a new map is needed. Only one spot in the course has a traffic challenge, and that is where you cross back from the 7th basket to the 8th tee across the 6th fairway (though you could just as easily walk around, and the sight lines are wide open).

Other Thoughts:

If you live anywhere in southwestern Ohio, or are venturing through the region, there is now a trio of fun courses out here (Paint Creek, Pike Lake, and Rocky Fork).

Since I always play multiple rounds on a course before submitting a review, I was excited to have made my second trip out here this weekend for the inaugural Redneck Open tournament, which probably had one of most generous player's pack and payouts of any C-tier I've experienced. Enthusiastic hosting (thanks, Don!) and fun extra events, including a CTP contest for cabin rentals at Paint Creek and Hocking Hills, made this a memorable inaugural!

*Update 4/2/21: The course at Paint Creek is just as nice as ever, and a totally enjoyable, worth the distance trip. However, since my 2012 review and the map I added in 2015, it's seen letter holes installed and abandoned (baskets pulled, sleeves available), so it's back to 21 really good holes. The locals have lengthened three holes since Sidearm Don moved out of the area: 2 is 50' left of the original, 5 is 60' further toward the park road (and has no trees remaining mid-fairway), and 21 has been moved 70' right and blind over the hill, where it becomes more of a hazard for overthrows to hit a moving car or park patron, but more challenging in terms of OB (I guess...). The old pin position atop the hill on 21 has lost its trees, as well...

The course is decently maintained, and all the equipment is holding up well. Hopefully for years to come!
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1 2
LBC19
Experience: 12.2 years 7 played 6 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Great course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 1, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Just started to play,this was my frist course. Me and a couple friends went to a park demo,and we were all hooked!! Went out the next day and bought my first disc. Love the layout ! will play it again for sure!! Thanks to the parks for putting in these courses for us to enjoy!!!

Cons:

couple of holes were grown up a bit.

Other Thoughts:

I am a regular golfer and now that i have played disc golf im not sure i will be going back to regular golf!!!
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1 2
jessmac
Experience: 18.3 years 32 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 16, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course is in the middle of a very nice state park. I love it when you can't hear anything but nature. Its an absolutly beautiful setting. As others have mentioned the signage must get done soon because it can be hard to find holes. Some holes concrete, some holes gravel, some holes two flags and dirt, one hole had only one flag. I tee'd off on 17 thinking it was 10. There is a nice black bench on hole 10. After 18 I could not find 19 so i quit after 18. I will definantly go back and may even camp there.
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2 1
catchermccord
Experience: 13.8 years 24 played 10 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Almost 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 9, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Concrete tee pads on most holes
-Good blind holes throughout
-Many challenging shots on the back 9
-Front 9 is pretty basic, but still very fun

Cons:

-Like the previous review, this course is not quite there yet.
-Signage is a definite need.
-Not all holes have concrete tee pads, a few in the woods do, but not all.

Other Thoughts:

Fun, newly built course. Front 9 is pretty open, with a few long holes. Tight tunnel shots on the back 9. Can be hard to find the next hole if you dont have a course map with you. The pine forest hole when you first go int othe woods is the signature hole, in my opinion. All in all a very fun course that will test all types of shots. Campstore located near the 1st hole with course maps located outside. Like I stated, still being groomed out. The course is almost finished and has excellent potential.
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5 0
culinarywiz
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 36.2 years 316 played 67 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Not quite there yet...(as of 8/30/13, it has arrived) 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Apr 13, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Park has a nice mix of rustic and groomed grounds. The foliage is coming to life and the the tree lines were quite diverse.

High on the challenge scale. To play this as a par 3 course (which it should be) will provide more often than not, a plus score.

Multiple hazards/obstacles. Expect plenty of low ceiling shots. Expect very tight lines. Expect not just hyzers and annys...but shaping flex lines and perhaps some touch sidearms, especially while carving the back nine.

Diverse front and back nine. The front is relatively open and the back is tight, tight, tight.

Clearly new baskets. The tee pads that are present are well laid and nicely sized. The "next tee" signs are very helpful.

Cons:

This course still needs tee signs in a big way. They are coming, no doubt, but as the course stands today, it was difficult to navigate (even with the "next tee" signs in place).

The first 5 holes are blind, then many more blind holes are sporatically positioned. Some may not consider this a con. The point is this...without the tee signs, I had to walk many of the holes to locate the pin before I could tee off. This grew old quickly.

Even though the back nine winds through diverse foliage, the layout grew somewhat monotonous to me. It was thread the needle, over and over. IMO, a course can be wooded and technical, without feeling constricted. The distances for these holes were very much in accord with the density, however.

Other Thoughts:

All in all, this is a nice effort with plenty of upside.

It's obvious, a lot of work has gone into this course. Paint Creek has the potential to be very good. I would rate it higher if the things that I expect are on the way were actually in place today...namely, the remaining tee pads (or permanent tee's of any kind), the much needed signage, allowing the course to season/beat-in, and perhaps a thining of the fairways in the back nine. However, I can only rate it in the condition it is in when I play it.

I will absolutely be back to this course to see how it progresses...and I will edit the rating accordingly.

*UPDATE* 8/30/13
All of the cons experienced last year have been addressed and improved.

The tee pads and signage are in excellent condition and very helpful.

The course has thinned out a bit in the back. Many of the renegade branches that got in the way of clean, tight lines have gone away. Make no mistake, it is still tight and technical once you step into the pines. I felt the lines were more diverse as well.

This course has certainly arrived. It is a must play in the area and worthy of a road trip.
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