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Paradise Pointe - Woodhenge reviews
12
0
Daily Dose of Doglegs 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 3, 2021
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
(For my overall thoughts about Paradise Pointe as a whole, and the strengths and weaknesses of all three courses, see the bottom of this review).
Woodhenge offers the longest holes, some of the tightest lines, several low ceilings, and overall the most challenge of all three course at Paradise Pointe. With trapezoidal tees, bright baskets, a practice basket (albeit a small practice "green"), drinking fountains and bathrooms, a parking lot that will never fill up unless it's with boaters around the 4th of July, and good signage, your round is sure to get off to a good start.
A good start, that is, until you throw your first shot. Hole 1 sets the pace for an epic round with an intense double dogleg that after three rounds I haven't figured out. It's easy to see how to birdie it, but it will require two very precise, very different shots to get to the green. The other dogleg par 4's here are nearly as good - hole 7 is a sharp turn to the right, and 13 is shaped like a giant S with the approach near water. Some of the others (8, 18) can't be reached with a straight shot either, meaning you'll have to get at least a little creative on those holes.
Many holes have multiple distinct options available to them. Some have a specifically placed tree or clump of bushes in the fairway that you can go to either side of, but you will certainly be punished if you hit them. Holes 1, 3, 5, and 13 are all examples of this, and hole 1 has about four of these, making for an abundance of options. Hole 2 has two completely different routes you can take, each of which are roughly equally accessible.
Several holes, especially the par 4's, play into or out of the woods, or have an initial gap to hit. Hole 3 has a tight gap which I think is rather fair but opens up after. Hole 7 has the first half of the fairway in the open, but the second half playing downhill through a tunnel. Hole 13 plays through, then out of, then near, some woods.
On a few holes that don't have a whole lot of trees, they're used well to produce some good holes. I like the basket placement on 10, which is surrounded by a handful of trees that aren't too close to the basket, and if the tall grass is OB it'll be really interesting. Hole 17 uses a tree on the left side and its overhanging limb to force shots closer to the path, but the tee pad is placed in such a way that it's hard to throw under the tree, but even harder to go over. This course clearly had the best design of the three on the property.
The "filter holes", namely, holes 9-12, manage to provide some challenge and distance while not being utterly dumb. Unlike many other courses, they don't exist simply to produce 18 holes, they exist to get you from one epic part of the course to another. It's unfortunate there's no way for better holes to be put here without having a literal half mile between holes, but I'm just glad they're at least okay.
Woodhenge offers the longest holes, some of the tightest lines, several low ceilings, and overall the most challenge of all three course at Paradise Pointe. With trapezoidal tees, bright baskets, a practice basket (albeit a small practice "green"), drinking fountains and bathrooms, a parking lot that will never fill up unless it's with boaters around the 4th of July, and good signage, your round is sure to get off to a good start.
A good start, that is, until you throw your first shot. Hole 1 sets the pace for an epic round with an intense double dogleg that after three rounds I haven't figured out. It's easy to see how to birdie it, but it will require two very precise, very different shots to get to the green. The other dogleg par 4's here are nearly as good - hole 7 is a sharp turn to the right, and 13 is shaped like a giant S with the approach near water. Some of the others (8, 18) can't be reached with a straight shot either, meaning you'll have to get at least a little creative on those holes.
Many holes have multiple distinct options available to them. Some have a specifically placed tree or clump of bushes in the fairway that you can go to either side of, but you will certainly be punished if you hit them. Holes 1, 3, 5, and 13 are all examples of this, and hole 1 has about four of these, making for an abundance of options. Hole 2 has two completely different routes you can take, each of which are roughly equally accessible.
Several holes, especially the par 4's, play into or out of the woods, or have an initial gap to hit. Hole 3 has a tight gap which I think is rather fair but opens up after. Hole 7 has the first half of the fairway in the open, but the second half playing downhill through a tunnel. Hole 13 plays through, then out of, then near, some woods.
On a few holes that don't have a whole lot of trees, they're used well to produce some good holes. I like the basket placement on 10, which is surrounded by a handful of trees that aren't too close to the basket, and if the tall grass is OB it'll be really interesting. Hole 17 uses a tree on the left side and its overhanging limb to force shots closer to the path, but the tee pad is placed in such a way that it's hard to throw under the tree, but even harder to go over. This course clearly had the best design of the three on the property.
The "filter holes", namely, holes 9-12, manage to provide some challenge and distance while not being utterly dumb. Unlike many other courses, they don't exist simply to produce 18 holes, they exist to get you from one epic part of the course to another. It's unfortunate there's no way for better holes to be put here without having a literal half mile between holes, but I'm just glad they're at least okay.
Cons:
Because this course seems to be designed for the upper level of players, there are some gripes here that won't apply to some other courses. Namely, a lot of holes won't provide much challenge to even advanced players. Holes 6, 8, 9, 12, and 14 should be easy birdies once you've practiced them once or twice, or at least if you have the right shot in your bag (for example, a right-fading shot for 12). Holes 11 and 18 will probably be tweener par 3/4 holes, which means without editing them somehow, even they won't be much of score separators for some players.
This course really needs some longer pin placements, on holes like 6, 9, 11, and 12, or those holes need to be redesigned to be a little fairer to all players while still providing the most challenge for the top level. Even hole 4 might be on the easier side for an ordinary midrange shot, though I haven't mastered it yet, and its hills are used well to make the shot tricky. I would also like to see hole 3's tee be pushed back a bit; I think the current position makes it too easy to make the gap, giving you a fairly easy upshot, but a tee shot that's 50 feet longer would put more people scrambling for par.
Hole 8 is total garbage. If you have something that goes straight, then finishes left, it's an easy birdie, but there's an enormous dropoff on the right side that punishes errant shots without making the hole any harder. It's sad that some of the woods in this area had to be wasted on this hole.
There's rather a lot of walking, from 18 back to the northwest side of the parking lot, and getting to the tees of 6, 13, and 15. Given how much woods there is in the area of holes 5 and 6, a redesign of the holes in that area would help out this course quite a bit.
This course really needs some longer pin placements, on holes like 6, 9, 11, and 12, or those holes need to be redesigned to be a little fairer to all players while still providing the most challenge for the top level. Even hole 4 might be on the easier side for an ordinary midrange shot, though I haven't mastered it yet, and its hills are used well to make the shot tricky. I would also like to see hole 3's tee be pushed back a bit; I think the current position makes it too easy to make the gap, giving you a fairly easy upshot, but a tee shot that's 50 feet longer would put more people scrambling for par.
Hole 8 is total garbage. If you have something that goes straight, then finishes left, it's an easy birdie, but there's an enormous dropoff on the right side that punishes errant shots without making the hole any harder. It's sad that some of the woods in this area had to be wasted on this hole.
There's rather a lot of walking, from 18 back to the northwest side of the parking lot, and getting to the tees of 6, 13, and 15. Given how much woods there is in the area of holes 5 and 6, a redesign of the holes in that area would help out this course quite a bit.
Other Thoughts:
Parts of this course can get flooded, especially the walk from 3 to 4. I'll admit that I didn't want wet shoes, and I also didn't want to bust through the woods, so I took a half-mile detour through the fairway of 7 to backtrack to hole 4's tee.
I have mixed feelings about hole 15, the Woodhenge hole. It's the only par 5 on the property but will really play as a par 4 for professionals. You also cross the path twice on it, which is not ideal. However, it is a good example of a good, long hole with a lot of risk-reward potential, especially if the path, tall grass, and/or Woodhenge are OB. Feel free to pay homage to the disc gods on the summer solstice there, though, as long as you don't intentionally chuck plastic into the lake.
This is clearly the best course on the property, and I wish a little more attention could be given to it to make it even better, to make sure the lousy holes here are improved a bit. But it's still a lot of fun to play and has some really fantastic holes, namely the par 4's I mentioned multiple times in the pros. If paths or tall grass is OB, some more challenge will be added, though it will make holes like 11 and 17 a little too oppressive. That said, while this course has room to grow and improve, it is close to its theoretical best, and that shows how well it was designed. I may have been a little critical on this course's ability to challenge the higher level of players, but while those cons are valid, they still allow a pretty good rating for this course.
My thoughts on all three Paradise Pointe courses together:
Overall, Paradise Pointe is a great place to come play some Disc Golf. All three courses fell into some of the same pitfalls (potential flooding, narrow fairways with tall grass that were obviously filler holes, walking paths nearby, some holes feeling a little same-y), but in all honesty, Dick Parker managed to design three really solid courses on land that was only sometimes excellent for Disc Golf, and that's rather difficult. I also know things like the narrow fairways between tall prairie grass was unavoidable. And the courses share some of the same strengths (risky water shots, dogleg par 4's, good signage, drinking fountains and bathrooms). Even with only a little elevation change to work with, I managed to not miss it much, which I normally would on other courses. Also, if you like seeing deer while you play, this is the perfect place to be. The $6 per car entry fee is well worth it, especially if you're playing multiple of the courses (at least, it was $6 when I was there - I think the cost sometimes fluctuates). You can even jump from BC 5 to BT 1, and from BT 10 to WH 11, to make an epic 54-hole course, filling up on water around hole 1 at WH and BT. There are some improvements I would like to see made, namely, some new pin placements, especially at WH, which has the potential be a world-class course. I may have been a little harsh on the three courses because there were some flooding issues when I was there most recently, but I know that won't be the case most of the time. Anyway, I highly recommend coming here if you get a chance.
I have mixed feelings about hole 15, the Woodhenge hole. It's the only par 5 on the property but will really play as a par 4 for professionals. You also cross the path twice on it, which is not ideal. However, it is a good example of a good, long hole with a lot of risk-reward potential, especially if the path, tall grass, and/or Woodhenge are OB. Feel free to pay homage to the disc gods on the summer solstice there, though, as long as you don't intentionally chuck plastic into the lake.
This is clearly the best course on the property, and I wish a little more attention could be given to it to make it even better, to make sure the lousy holes here are improved a bit. But it's still a lot of fun to play and has some really fantastic holes, namely the par 4's I mentioned multiple times in the pros. If paths or tall grass is OB, some more challenge will be added, though it will make holes like 11 and 17 a little too oppressive. That said, while this course has room to grow and improve, it is close to its theoretical best, and that shows how well it was designed. I may have been a little critical on this course's ability to challenge the higher level of players, but while those cons are valid, they still allow a pretty good rating for this course.
My thoughts on all three Paradise Pointe courses together:
Overall, Paradise Pointe is a great place to come play some Disc Golf. All three courses fell into some of the same pitfalls (potential flooding, narrow fairways with tall grass that were obviously filler holes, walking paths nearby, some holes feeling a little same-y), but in all honesty, Dick Parker managed to design three really solid courses on land that was only sometimes excellent for Disc Golf, and that's rather difficult. I also know things like the narrow fairways between tall prairie grass was unavoidable. And the courses share some of the same strengths (risky water shots, dogleg par 4's, good signage, drinking fountains and bathrooms). Even with only a little elevation change to work with, I managed to not miss it much, which I normally would on other courses. Also, if you like seeing deer while you play, this is the perfect place to be. The $6 per car entry fee is well worth it, especially if you're playing multiple of the courses (at least, it was $6 when I was there - I think the cost sometimes fluctuates). You can even jump from BC 5 to BT 1, and from BT 10 to WH 11, to make an epic 54-hole course, filling up on water around hole 1 at WH and BT. There are some improvements I would like to see made, namely, some new pin placements, especially at WH, which has the potential be a world-class course. I may have been a little harsh on the three courses because there were some flooding issues when I was there most recently, but I know that won't be the case most of the time. Anyway, I highly recommend coming here if you get a chance.
5
0
JParkIII
Experience:
1 played
1 reviews
2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 20, 2014
Played the course:once
Pros:
not crowded. Baskets yellow. Most inportant You X-step from wide to narrow off tee pad. well signed. Clean & well maintained.Front 9 technical. Back 9 requires long arm
Cons:
I have a short arm and do not belong on Woodhenge. Who cares I had fun. Stay on fairway. We lost two in woods one in lake
Other Thoughts:
If you live in KC metro put Smithville on your list. Carpool and make it a day trip playing each course. Smithville is beautiful and not crowded
Designer response by dickparker
Thanks JP3, I appreciate your comments.
5
0
joots
Experience:
38 played
4 reviews
Worth the $5 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:May 25, 2014
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
-Great use of land
-I'm not all that good, I believe that even if I was, I would have to stop and think on almost every hole. Definitely challenging from hole to hole.
-Great start on hole one with an uphill hyzer shot followed by a slight anni fade into the basket. Horrible way to start a round, but the 4 is nice when you get it.
-Pretty view of the lake
-nearby camping
-not played often, so the only delay you might have from hole to hole is having to look for your disc.
-Great combo of tough, technical shots, along with chances to air it out.
-Big fairways. Sure, the grass is long, but it's your own fault for throwing it in there.
-Great layout with good signage to show you exactly where the next hole is.
-I'm not all that good, I believe that even if I was, I would have to stop and think on almost every hole. Definitely challenging from hole to hole.
-Great start on hole one with an uphill hyzer shot followed by a slight anni fade into the basket. Horrible way to start a round, but the 4 is nice when you get it.
-Pretty view of the lake
-nearby camping
-not played often, so the only delay you might have from hole to hole is having to look for your disc.
-Great combo of tough, technical shots, along with chances to air it out.
-Big fairways. Sure, the grass is long, but it's your own fault for throwing it in there.
-Great layout with good signage to show you exactly where the next hole is.
Cons:
-Long/Natural Grass (holes 10 & 11 especially)
-Wish it were closer, and not so much of a destination course
-TICKS! (can be said for all three courses at Paradise Pointe).
-Hole 13. It's a great hole, but I have never been able to beat it, so I hate it until later.
-Wish it were closer, and not so much of a destination course
-TICKS! (can be said for all three courses at Paradise Pointe).
-Hole 13. It's a great hole, but I have never been able to beat it, so I hate it until later.
Other Thoughts:
Okay, so you pay $5 to play, but you gotta figure that it is for the development of the course. It's well worth it. Challenging, well maintained and something for everybody. I would like to say that it is a champion style course, but not being great at this sport, many courses are champion style. Go play it for yourself. I know I take people there often, and their reaction is the same as mine the first time; WOW!
3
1
hnosaj
Experience:
10.1 years
16 played
7 reviews
Tough 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 7, 2014
Played the course:once
Pros:
Diverse mix of holes, lot of tough shots, mix of long and short, perfectly maintained fairways, extrememly clean, beautiful setting
Cons:
Chest high rough and some of the most dense undergrowth in the wooded areas I've ever seen. We spent a ton of time looking for discs.
Other Thoughts:
We'll play this again in the future but probably stick with early spring, late fall or winter. It would probably be better in the summer after they cut down the rough for hay.
8
0
lammogn
Experience:
12.9 years
12 played
1 reviews
2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 16, 2013
Played the course:once
Pros:
-Mixture of different types of scenery and shots> some wide open holes, some tight tunnels.
-Parking lot sits perfectly between 18th basket and 1st tee.
-Bathrooms present
-Well kept, grass is mowed, trees aren't laying all over the place, trashcans aren't overflowing.
-Trashcans on almost every hole.
-Covers a lot of area making no chance of flying your disc in front of other golfers.
-Forces you to think out the hole in its entirety before making your tee shot.
-Parking lot sits perfectly between 18th basket and 1st tee.
-Bathrooms present
-Well kept, grass is mowed, trees aren't laying all over the place, trashcans aren't overflowing.
-Trashcans on almost every hole.
-Covers a lot of area making no chance of flying your disc in front of other golfers.
-Forces you to think out the hole in its entirety before making your tee shot.
Cons:
-Some holes have some trees in somewhat suspect locations making some shots too pinpoint.
-A couple holes run parallel with the street which shouldn't be a problem but may want to keep your eyes open anyway.
-A couple holes run parallel with the street which shouldn't be a problem but may want to keep your eyes open anyway.
Other Thoughts:
-The native grasses are brutal. My buddy lost a disc in the grasses and we looked for thirty minutes for it with no luck. In fact, while we were looking, I was walking and about two feet in front of me, a massive doe jumped up and ran away. Crazy deep stuff.
-When I got to the car, I had to pull off about 25 ticks, which is expected when you're in nature.
-Though its closeness to the lake ensures cooler temps, it also ensures humidity>>Bring water to drink.
-Hole 15 is a great photo-op. I took a pretty nice panoramic shot from mid fairway.
-When I got to the car, I had to pull off about 25 ticks, which is expected when you're in nature.
-Though its closeness to the lake ensures cooler temps, it also ensures humidity>>Bring water to drink.
-Hole 15 is a great photo-op. I took a pretty nice panoramic shot from mid fairway.
Designer response by dickparker
I'm glad you enjoyed the course. As for your suspect trees, I'm sure you are referring to hole 5 in particular. At some point I will be modifying this hole to take some of the luck out. The fact is, Smithville sees a lot of high winds and extreme weather. I left many trees in place due to the fact that if I started taking out trees, one day mother nature might take a few more and be left with a lackluster hole. But I get what you are saying.
As far as the grass is concerned, Smithville Lake has a hay lease with farmers. So that tall grass needs to grow for them to turn into hay bales at the end of the season. I look at the tall grass as OB. Make it a lynx style course if you will. But in all honesty... I hate the ticks and sorry your buddy lost his disc.
Thank you for the review.
As far as the grass is concerned, Smithville Lake has a hay lease with farmers. So that tall grass needs to grow for them to turn into hay bales at the end of the season. I look at the tall grass as OB. Make it a lynx style course if you will. But in all honesty... I hate the ticks and sorry your buddy lost his disc.
Thank you for the review.
2
4
astomps
Experience:
12.8 years
76 played
42 reviews
2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jan 5, 2013
Played the course:once
Pros:
+ Top notch piece of land
+ Brand new baskets
+ Navigation is super easy because of all the signs
+ Good balance of short/wooded/long holes
+ everything is new and it's not one of the workhorse KC courses, so it should stay nice
+ Brand new baskets
+ Navigation is super easy because of all the signs
+ Good balance of short/wooded/long holes
+ everything is new and it's not one of the workhorse KC courses, so it should stay nice
Cons:
- windy
- somewhat repetitive
- somewhat repetitive
Other Thoughts:
lots of wildlife running around. Saw 4 deers when I played. Worth 5 dollars just to play this course.
