Shank Park reviews
16
0
A "shank" in name only.
Reviewed:
Played on:May 18, 2023
Played the course:once
Pros:
Good concrete tees on every hole, just wide enough and just long enough.
The tee signs have all the necessary information, hole layout and the next tee location.
Yellow DISCatchers in the primary, normally short location. Brand new, red Veteran baskets in the long positions. These appear to be fairly new, most are tucked back into woods, often in a different direction from the primary baskets. Several look like tough greens to get to, so they add more challenge then just added distance.
Very good mix of open and wooded holes, a few more open holes, but nearly all of those have elevation change, some are significant. Most of the wooded holes have a defined fairway, sometimes split, except for #16 (more on that later).
Really nice, clean park, soccer, ballfields, playground, the holes are laid out to stay away from those other activities.
The course starts right at the entrance of the park (often times rare) with a decent sized parking lot and park building (Barn) right there, guessing there are restrooms there.
The tee signs have all the necessary information, hole layout and the next tee location.
Yellow DISCatchers in the primary, normally short location. Brand new, red Veteran baskets in the long positions. These appear to be fairly new, most are tucked back into woods, often in a different direction from the primary baskets. Several look like tough greens to get to, so they add more challenge then just added distance.
Very good mix of open and wooded holes, a few more open holes, but nearly all of those have elevation change, some are significant. Most of the wooded holes have a defined fairway, sometimes split, except for #16 (more on that later).
Really nice, clean park, soccer, ballfields, playground, the holes are laid out to stay away from those other activities.
The course starts right at the entrance of the park (often times rare) with a decent sized parking lot and park building (Barn) right there, guessing there are restrooms there.
Cons:
Not a whole lot to dislike here, a few benches would be handy, especially on the longer, open holes.
#8 plays back in the opposite direction of #9 tee, so after you play #8, you have to walk the distance of that hole, plus a little further. There is a shelter, parking lot and walking trails between the two, but it is an odd transition.
#16 - after a truly awesome hole #15, this one continues through the same pine forest, but uphill without a defined fairway, that I could find. The tee sign showed the hole going straight uphill, then finishing to the left. It took me 3 throws before I could spot the basket, and it was not to the left. Looking back down the fairway, there may have been a narrow fairway, but without being able to see the basket from the tee, that line didn't appear as an option.
#8 plays back in the opposite direction of #9 tee, so after you play #8, you have to walk the distance of that hole, plus a little further. There is a shelter, parking lot and walking trails between the two, but it is an odd transition.
#16 - after a truly awesome hole #15, this one continues through the same pine forest, but uphill without a defined fairway, that I could find. The tee sign showed the hole going straight uphill, then finishing to the left. It took me 3 throws before I could spot the basket, and it was not to the left. Looking back down the fairway, there may have been a narrow fairway, but without being able to see the basket from the tee, that line didn't appear as an option.
Other Thoughts:
Shank Park, certainly not a name you would associate with a Disc Golf or Golf course, and one of the few things in this area not named for Milton S. Hershey, but Shank is a great drive, right down the middle.
By my count, there a 11 open holes and 7 wooded or partially wooded holes. Of those 11, 3 are uphill, 4 downhill and 4 either flat or over a ridgeline. A real good mix to replace the challenge of vegetation.
#12 is probably the best of the downhill holes, essentially a Top of the World shot, nearly 400' feet down 50-60' to the baskets, a short distance in front of a thickly wooded stream valley. (Following that, #13 goes right back up, a little longer, an almost impossible "Par 3" to get.)
#3 - #5 are all short, heavily wooded holes, each with at least one path to the basket. But the best, and prettiest of the wooded holes is #15. The tee is in the open, slightly downhill into a pine forest of large trees, the first part of the fairway is wide but it narrows down, then you need to pick your way through the trees to the basket on the right of the fairway. As normal, the Red basket is beyond the Yellow basket, further into the woods.
Shank Park has only one tee, but the addition of the longer Red baskets on every (?) hole will challenge more advanced players, and add variety. #11 Yellow plays left to right around a hill, but the Red basket is down and to the left. On #13, after getting to the top of the hill, the Red basket is tucked into the woods, a J hook around to the left. But #18 is the big challenge, the hole plays downhill, through thick woods, having to split large, 3' trees and turn left down to the Yellow basket. From that point, the Red basket is a right dogleg, down a narrower path another 100', very tough.
The 2 Nine holers in town are pretty average courses, Shank Park will challenge beginners and intermediate players to the Yellow baskets and more advanced players to the Red baskets. More than happy to raise the course rating with this review.
By my count, there a 11 open holes and 7 wooded or partially wooded holes. Of those 11, 3 are uphill, 4 downhill and 4 either flat or over a ridgeline. A real good mix to replace the challenge of vegetation.
#12 is probably the best of the downhill holes, essentially a Top of the World shot, nearly 400' feet down 50-60' to the baskets, a short distance in front of a thickly wooded stream valley. (Following that, #13 goes right back up, a little longer, an almost impossible "Par 3" to get.)
#3 - #5 are all short, heavily wooded holes, each with at least one path to the basket. But the best, and prettiest of the wooded holes is #15. The tee is in the open, slightly downhill into a pine forest of large trees, the first part of the fairway is wide but it narrows down, then you need to pick your way through the trees to the basket on the right of the fairway. As normal, the Red basket is beyond the Yellow basket, further into the woods.
Shank Park has only one tee, but the addition of the longer Red baskets on every (?) hole will challenge more advanced players, and add variety. #11 Yellow plays left to right around a hill, but the Red basket is down and to the left. On #13, after getting to the top of the hill, the Red basket is tucked into the woods, a J hook around to the left. But #18 is the big challenge, the hole plays downhill, through thick woods, having to split large, 3' trees and turn left down to the Yellow basket. From that point, the Red basket is a right dogleg, down a narrower path another 100', very tough.
The 2 Nine holers in town are pretty average courses, Shank Park will challenge beginners and intermediate players to the Yellow baskets and more advanced players to the Red baskets. More than happy to raise the course rating with this review.
21
0
Solid, and Improving
Reviewed:
Played on:Nov 19, 2022
Played the course:once
Pros:
+ Tees appear to have been recently upgraded to poured concrete throughout. Old DisCatchers that still catch fine
+ Mix of open/wooded with it switching between the two several times during the round. Few completely flat holes: the layout uses elevation changes that range from gentle to pretty dramatic
+ Good navigation; pretty intuitive, directional arrows hanging from baskets (though a little beat, and one is pointing the wrong way)
+ After a run of open holes with significant elevation change, holes 15 and 16 take you into a deep wood of tall pines that are so closely-spaced to block out the sun. The ground is carpeted with pine straw, and you face a downhill-then-uphill challenge finding the baskets placed among the hundreds of trees. Its a completely unexpected change in the environment, similar to the run of holes midway through Herr Park in Lancaster
+ Shank finishes with a narrow wooded downhill with a slight left turn. Short, but a very good hole because it requires touch to make the green from anywhere on the hole
+ Mix of open/wooded with it switching between the two several times during the round. Few completely flat holes: the layout uses elevation changes that range from gentle to pretty dramatic
+ Good navigation; pretty intuitive, directional arrows hanging from baskets (though a little beat, and one is pointing the wrong way)
+ After a run of open holes with significant elevation change, holes 15 and 16 take you into a deep wood of tall pines that are so closely-spaced to block out the sun. The ground is carpeted with pine straw, and you face a downhill-then-uphill challenge finding the baskets placed among the hundreds of trees. Its a completely unexpected change in the environment, similar to the run of holes midway through Herr Park in Lancaster
+ Shank finishes with a narrow wooded downhill with a slight left turn. Short, but a very good hole because it requires touch to make the green from anywhere on the hole
Cons:
- As the amenities are being upgraded along with converting the tees to concrete, I hope they make signs that include hole maps. Unusual for a course this well kitted out - the existing signage includes the hole number and length, but no diagram. There are a few doglegs and blind throws (especially #10, where the basket is hidden off the the side in the woods) where diagrams would help
- Holes 7 and 8 are side by side in opposing directions. Wide open holes - on busy days there will be incoming fire, or delays waiting for others to clear
- I mentioned how remarkable the setting is in the pines for 15 and 16. As beautiful as it is, I could not see a clear line to play #16, an uphill par 3. It seemed like a bit of a plinko hole
- Holes 7 and 8 are side by side in opposing directions. Wide open holes - on busy days there will be incoming fire, or delays waiting for others to clear
- I mentioned how remarkable the setting is in the pines for 15 and 16. As beautiful as it is, I could not see a clear line to play #16, an uphill par 3. It seemed like a bit of a plinko hole
Other Thoughts:
~ When I played in November 2022, it looked like the basket position for #2 had been changed. The tee sign had a handwritten correction with a shorter distance. Now an unremarkable 200 foot open shot across a hillside
~ Shank Park is well-kept. The course itself is a good design that uses the woods and rolling hills, and includes thoughtful touches, like a high flag to mark the unseen basket on #17. On the short side, but varied and solid, and appears to being improved over time
~ Shank Park is well-kept. The course itself is a good design that uses the woods and rolling hills, and includes thoughtful touches, like a high flag to mark the unseen basket on #17. On the short side, but varied and solid, and appears to being improved over time
6
0
nickhead
Experience:
29.4 years
48 played
8 reviews
Oldham Golfer 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Apr 13, 2017
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
This course has opened!!!
Best two holes on this course are 15 and 16. Amazing Pa style holes, deep in the old growth. If you have played since the early 90's or so these two holes make the journey worth it.
Holes 3-6 are new growth and require strategy. Not all throws are power here.
Hole 11 and 14 are also fun holes I really enjoyed them as well.
Best two holes on this course are 15 and 16. Amazing Pa style holes, deep in the old growth. If you have played since the early 90's or so these two holes make the journey worth it.
Holes 3-6 are new growth and require strategy. Not all throws are power here.
Hole 11 and 14 are also fun holes I really enjoyed them as well.
Cons:
The course layout was done with the other play areas in mind such as baseball, soccer, and other fields in mind. So the designers where stuck to the "mans" will here. With that being said the course is still really fun to play, and has the best layout they could negotiate. Thanks for the fight in getting this course set up.
Other Thoughts:
Locals are cool and tons of new players. They are the new age disc golfers family folks. Keep it kind, and throw some knowledge their way.
