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Prickly Pines reviews
12
0
Overthehillsntrails
Experience:
27 played
1 reviews
Lemme tell ya about a special place! A place, called Prickly Pines drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Sep 9, 2023
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Terrain - I think Prickly has the best disc golf terrain in all of Colorado. Elevation change is constantly present, to varying degrees, on every throw and putt. Sometimes it's obvious, other times it will creep up on you. It forces you to make adjustments to aim, touch, and disc selection, and can cause some to second-guess their lines. And it's never so steep to the point that it's gimmicky.
Prickly is also fortunate to have many pine trees that require you to pick a good line and execute the shot. Holes #1-5, #7, #13-14, you have to hit gaps. The course has many spots where a tree branch and an uphill slope meet in the same spot, making it an even tighter gap. Some of these pines thoughtfully guard the basket, with trunks and overhangs that encourage landing the previous shot in a certain area.
Decision making (intermediate) - When I first played this course, I thought it was purely an 'execution' course -- hit the line, execute the shot. But as I continue to log more rounds here, I keep seeing more spots and that require someone of my skill and distance to make a decision. More than enough to label Prickly as a 'decision-making' course--for intermediates.
For example, holes #9, #12, #17 -- intermediate distance throwers have to choose to either lay up for par, or risk going for it, where a short throw lands you in thick, tall, natural area jail.
There are less obvious spots as well. #15 in the short position, playing the natural area below as OB. #5, back position. #4 and #6 with OB to the right. Do you take the more aggressive line for birdie/bogie, or play it safe for par?
Prickly is also fortunate to have many pine trees that require you to pick a good line and execute the shot. Holes #1-5, #7, #13-14, you have to hit gaps. The course has many spots where a tree branch and an uphill slope meet in the same spot, making it an even tighter gap. Some of these pines thoughtfully guard the basket, with trunks and overhangs that encourage landing the previous shot in a certain area.
Decision making (intermediate) - When I first played this course, I thought it was purely an 'execution' course -- hit the line, execute the shot. But as I continue to log more rounds here, I keep seeing more spots and that require someone of my skill and distance to make a decision. More than enough to label Prickly as a 'decision-making' course--for intermediates.
For example, holes #9, #12, #17 -- intermediate distance throwers have to choose to either lay up for par, or risk going for it, where a short throw lands you in thick, tall, natural area jail.
There are less obvious spots as well. #15 in the short position, playing the natural area below as OB. #5, back position. #4 and #6 with OB to the right. Do you take the more aggressive line for birdie/bogie, or play it safe for par?
Cons:
Lack of a practice basket, practice area - Some will warm up on 18 pad/basket, or throw a bunch of shots off #1 tee. This is not as feasable during afternoons or weekends.
Decision making (advanced/pro level) - While Prickly is an excellent decision-making course for intermediates, it translates into an 'execution' course on the advanced level. Players with strong distance can simply power through most of the decision-making spots that intermediates and shorter distance players will face.
Decision making (advanced/pro level) - While Prickly is an excellent decision-making course for intermediates, it translates into an 'execution' course on the advanced level. Players with strong distance can simply power through most of the decision-making spots that intermediates and shorter distance players will face.
Other Thoughts:
Some additional course notes:
#17 - it's complicated.
On one hand, the tall, wet natural area immediately beyond and below the ridge is an absolute, disc-eating pain from May-October. On the other hand, it forces someone with my limited distance off the tee to make a decision: do I lay it up before the natural area, leaving myself with a blind 2nd shot with uphill footing? Or do I try and throw a max effort shot over the natural area into a very small landing area, that punishes me with a lost disc, but rewards me with a great chance to make birdie?
In a perfect world, I'd recommend a 2nd, small teepad on top of the ridge, and keep the basket in the back position. Original teepad would play it as a par 4, teepad on the ridge would play it as a par 3.
#10 - future expansion?
In my opinion, #10 is one of the weaker holes on the course. While the trees to the right of the basket do give it some protection, it's a pure execution hole that's easy to execute--no real decision making required. There is a quite a bit of available land beyond the basket, with pine trees and rolling hills. Putting a basket back there would add a nice increase in challenge.
Prickly Pines course maintenance- 5 stars
The locals here treat and maintain this course with so much TLC! There have been steady course improvements throughout the course's short existence. They stood out more than ever in this summer of abnormal rains. While most of our local courses were overwhelmed with wetness and overgrowth, Prickly was very proactive in keeping the weeds and growth to a minimum. Fantastic course, fantastic community!
#17 - it's complicated.
On one hand, the tall, wet natural area immediately beyond and below the ridge is an absolute, disc-eating pain from May-October. On the other hand, it forces someone with my limited distance off the tee to make a decision: do I lay it up before the natural area, leaving myself with a blind 2nd shot with uphill footing? Or do I try and throw a max effort shot over the natural area into a very small landing area, that punishes me with a lost disc, but rewards me with a great chance to make birdie?
In a perfect world, I'd recommend a 2nd, small teepad on top of the ridge, and keep the basket in the back position. Original teepad would play it as a par 4, teepad on the ridge would play it as a par 3.
#10 - future expansion?
In my opinion, #10 is one of the weaker holes on the course. While the trees to the right of the basket do give it some protection, it's a pure execution hole that's easy to execute--no real decision making required. There is a quite a bit of available land beyond the basket, with pine trees and rolling hills. Putting a basket back there would add a nice increase in challenge.
Prickly Pines course maintenance- 5 stars
The locals here treat and maintain this course with so much TLC! There have been steady course improvements throughout the course's short existence. They stood out more than ever in this summer of abnormal rains. While most of our local courses were overwhelmed with wetness and overgrowth, Prickly was very proactive in keeping the weeds and growth to a minimum. Fantastic course, fantastic community!
7
1
CBDeMiller
Experience:
45.4 years
36 played
5 reviews
Not too prickly 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Apr 21, 2019
Played the course:once
Pros:
Really nice technical shots that take imagination, correct vectors and angles.
Many baskets were reachable for intermediate players IF they hit their lines.
Great use of elevation and danger zones
No out of bounds, but MANY area that you definitely didn't want to land in. Had to make good decisions or take you bogies
Fairly easy to find tee pads even without signs
Many baskets were reachable for intermediate players IF they hit their lines.
Great use of elevation and danger zones
No out of bounds, but MANY area that you definitely didn't want to land in. Had to make good decisions or take you bogies
Fairly easy to find tee pads even without signs
Cons:
Tee pads a little lumpy still, but good grip
A couple of super tight lines could have a few more limbs pruned to open up angles
Had a few chain outs on Patriots basket that probably would have held with better baskets
A couple of super tight lines could have a few more limbs pruned to open up angles
Had a few chain outs on Patriots basket that probably would have held with better baskets
Other Thoughts:
We had a ton of fun on this course figuring out optimal lines. Really need a balanced game with tight forehand and backhand shots. A few bombers made it fun too. This is a real remote gem f a new course!
5
3
Priest
Experience:
1 played
1 reviews
Prickly Pines 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Dec 23, 2018
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Good mix of tight tree line technical shots, elevation changes, and a couple bomber gap shots. Some elevated baskets and one hanging basket. Great turf tees.
Cons:
No signage as of yet, but the funds are there and navigating is not a problem. Some tees still need leveling. The dirt parking lot fills quickly, please park by the skate park.
Other Thoughts:
Big thank yous to parks and rec and the Evans family for blessing us plastic chuckers with this beautiful piece of land.
