Mokena, IL

The Oaks

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3.675(based on 48 reviews)
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6 0
EspressoPatronum
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 19.3 years 316 played 298 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Beautiful Slice of Nature in the Far Burbs 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 1, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

- course info sign/map
- 2 practice baskets
- baskets in good shape
- course is expertly maintained
- fantastic full color tee signs
- 2 tees per hole
- huge variety of open/wooded holes with lots of technical challenge
- great length and variety for 27 holes
- abundance of wildlife
- woodchips in muddy areas
- great amenities (garbage cans, sitting areas, etc.)
- next tee arrows on all baskets

Cons:

- limited elevation change
- could be challenging from long tees for less experienced players
- bugs can be a bit of a pain

Other Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this course. It might be a 3.75 for me, but based on how fun this round was, I decided to round up. It is a rare course that can actually justify 27 holes. The Oaks has the space and length to put in 27 truly unique fairways. This course wasn't as secluded as the name and pictures suggested, as there is a Mokena Park District fitness building at the beginning. However, this is a beautiful piece of land with the namesake towering oak trees very noticeable on the front half of the course.

There biggest con here is limited elevation change, but the course designers worked with what they had. There are a few more open shots, a few heavily wooded shots, and many sparsely wooded shots. Very few holes are without challenge. I found these challenges very appropriate - par is achievable on every hole, but birdies will be difficult to come by from the long tees (I only managed 1 in 27 holes).

The course is beautifully maintained, with excellent full color tee signs, 2 tees per hole, decent baskets that appear painted neon (perhaps for glow rounds?), and garbage cans/picnic tables/benches on several holes. The short tees are rubber, but the long tees are spacious concrete pads in great shape.

Hole 14 was probably my favorite due to the elevation change - a downhill shot with an uphill ending that heads into the woods. Wherever necessary, there are nice wooden bridges that cross the creek running through the course, including on this hole. Wooden stairs are also built in on especially steep sections. The rough is very reasonable throughout the course and risk of losing discs is minimal. It's easy to see the care that goes into this course.

Other highlights are 2 different practice baskets and woodchips put down in muddy areas, including around baskets. Navigation would be pretty confusing without a map, but the next tee arrows under each basket are a huge aid and made it quite straightforward. This is a great touch I wish more courses would incorporate. I also really enjoyed the variety of wildlife. A hawk was circling the course most of the time I was there and other birds can be heard. I saw frogs and toads, squirrels, etc. It might not appeal to everyone but I love seeing wildlife on the course, and it helps me feel like I've gotten away from the city a bit.

The holes weren't quite as wooded as I had expected, but the mature oak trees are no joke and are beautiful (as well as large targets for your plastic). Even the semi-open holes forced you to hit lines to be successful. I really enjoyed the challenge of this course. Less experienced players will probably want to go with the short tees.

I would highly recommend making the drive out here. It's not quite on the level of The Canyons in nearby Lockport, but this is another course in the general Joliet area that is fantastic and worth playing.
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4 2
cloud
Experience: 69 played 8 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Really liked it 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 11, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great balance of fairway, obstacles and a couple of woods/weeds (but not annoying). Great length (27 holes; not to long between holes)

Cons:

To be the perfect course it would need a some more elevation changes and slightly more variation in hole length and left and right - but it has some of everything.... not a huge problem...

Other Thoughts:

They've just redone it: So most reviews are from before that. New cement tees and a (slightly) different layout, which is all for the better.... I wish this were my home course. I like dodging oak trees instead of tunnel shots or artificial obstacles. I think there are plenty of challenges and opportunities. I like a course that you could eventually average 3 per hole but not the first time out - i can see this being that course.
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3 1
SirSchizzy
Experience: 3 months 11 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Good course for most amateur players 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 29, 2018 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Some longer holes but no par 5 length. Baskets are all in good shape. Course is undergoing changes. Hole 9 is now two par threes and no longer the longish dogleg left hole is was and hole 19 which I used to love and have nearly aced twice is gone. :( Most holes are par 4 and should be par 3 but that doesn't detract from the nice variety of holes on the course. Some holes are now much easier as very obstructive trees/shrubs near the baskets have been removed (#2 & 26) which makes them quite a bit more accessible. The dead pine tree in front of #2 tee has been removed as well. #7 is still very difficult to reach in one shot as getting through the trees is nearly all luck. If you are in the area you should try it. It is 10 minutes from my house so I play there often. Some other reviews state no practice basket but they have added one east of the pond.

Cons:

Can be a bit easier if you are a well above average player. Can get crowded. It is called The Oaks for a reason, look out when walking for acorns so you don't twist an ankle and in the fall, the leaves blanket the ground in areas (#3 especially) and you can look for your disc for a LONG time in the leaves.

Other Thoughts:

Park is clean save for a few beer cans here and there (please get your trash in the MANY cans on the course). I have never run into anyone other than disc golfers on the course but others state they have.
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1 3
SublimeStyle
Experience: 13 played 6 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Pleasent Day 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 5, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Full Disclosure:
This will be a relatively short review as I am not intimately familiar with the course. + I am writing this review months after I played it. So Keep that in mind!

I wanted to do this review because whenever mention of the course comes up I remember it being a very pleasant experience. I WOULD recommend.

27 holes available, park seemed well maintained.

If you live close to the city of Chicago and are looking for a day trip this is worth it! At least once.

Personally it is a 45 minute one way drive for me, and I will most likely not make a return trip. That being said, I do not regret playing it once. It was worth it.

Cons:

Encountered quite a few people, some were disc golfers some were not. Nice enough people, but not a pure disc golf experience if that's what you're looking for.

I did not lose a disc, but my fellow players spent some time searching. Particularity on holes 19-27.

Not clear directions on where next tee pad is.

Other Thoughts:

There are markers on the basket indicating the direction of the next tee pad. Not pinpoint accurate as the basket shifts overtime. Sometimes pointed in the dead wrong direction.

Overall 3.5/5 fun course. Fun summer day!
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3 0
Front Row
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 34.6 years 64 played 24 reviews
4.00 star(s)

A pleasant park good for all. 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 23, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Old growth trees are the primary feature in a well planned and idyllic disc golf course. Three rubber tees on most drives that are suitable for various levels of play. 27 drives with average distances between 250 feet to beyond 400 feet make this course worth while to drive to. Most drives are on a level surface but the hill to the south comes in to play halfway through. A few minor ravines are also featured. Despite most drives a straight forward, about a third will require a skill shot.
The white tees have the distance and layout of drives. Baskets are in good shape often with signs pointing to next drive. The course is well taken care of despite all the traffic.

Cons:

A few baskets can be hard to find the first time through, most notable, 2, 19 and 22. No warm up basket available despite there is plenty of room. Some of the drives are packed in a tight space and players should be wary of others who might throw an errant shot. There are a lot people at the course and some younger players might not be sure of etiquette. Patience and guidance might helpful.

Other Thoughts:

Although this course is free. Mokena wants first time players to register and you are given a card to carry on the course. I have never heard of this being enforced, but I registered anyway. The field house has excellent facilities and discs can be bought there. Some drives have been moved to accommodate recent construction. It might be a good idea to extend the course to 36 drives and have two 18 drive courses rather than one long course, This could help with traffic.
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4 0
SneakyJedi
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.4 years 152 played 84 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Simple, but Well Executed 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Sep 19, 2020 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- 27 holes with multiple pads per hole
- Large, clean, well landscaped course is dedicated to disc golf
- Mature trees do a decent job of forcing a variety of lines
- Benches at a large number of holes
- Good tee signs with hole geometry and distances for all pads

Cons:

- Mostly flat terrain with limited variety in type of holes, feels repetitive by the end
- Navigation is occasionally confusing
- Footing on the rubber tee pads can be less than ideal

Other Thoughts:

I had put off playing The Oaks for about two years, not because I hadn't heard good things, but because it was just a bit farther than all the other Joliet area courses I enjoy playing when I get the chance. Playing through this course on a beautiful fall day made me sorry for putting it off for so long. The Oaks is not overly challenging or varied, but it is still a fun, well-kept course in a wonderful park with more holes (and tees) than you will find anywhere else in the area.

The golf here is generally fairly straightforward. There is minimal elevation, though what there is is used well, and most of the baskets are straight ahead of you from the tee pad. The challenge comes from having to bend your discs around the large mature trees. Many times there will be multiple routes, including backhand and forehand friendly lines, but frequently there is really only one good option, or one line that is much easier to hit. This helps keep the round from getting too boring. It would be nice if there were some more "dog-leg" type holes, as throwing to a basket more or less right in front of you gets repetitive.

The 3 holes in the tightly wooded section of the park (19-21) are a welcome change of pace, and I wish there were a couple more of them spaced throughout. Hole 13 was a standout for me. A longer, open hole at the start leads slightly downhill, where you then have to play up, across a small creek and through guardian trees to the basket which is up on a small terrace.

The equipment here is generally very good, with the baskets, signs, tee pads, and many benches all in good condition. I am not a big fan of the rubber pads however, and frequently found them a bit too short, and with less than ideal footing, especially when the gravel used to border the rubber pad is covering the surface.

My partner and I got turned around 3 or 4 times during our first trip (especially between holes 2 and 3 and 21 and 22) despite most of the baskets having tines taped in the direction to the next hole. However, both times we were truly stumped, we were quickly able to ask one of the many other friendly groups on the course the way to the next tee. After through once, navigation shouldn't be an issue.

This is a great course with the multiple tee pads providing great variety of looks off the tee, and a layout for many skill levels. The Oaks is well worth a play through, particularly if you are a fan of more open, parks style courses, and would rather stay away from tight, wooded fairways where bad drives are severely punished.

***Update 9/2020
I recently played The Oaks for the first time in a couple of years and wanted to give my impression of some of the updates to the course since my original review in 2015. The work done on this course recently is quite impressive: around 10 new baskets, new concrete pads for the white tees, a few completely new holes, new directional signage, and a bunch of new landscaping. There are a huge number of distinct holes on this course, and while a few are still repetitive, non are truly boring. The new Hole A playing over the pond from the parking lot is an impressive challenge that added something I always wished was there.

My only critique of the new additions are that many of the new X pin positions are overly protected by small trees and bushes. So much so that there almost isn't a green on some holes like 2X. I get the intent, but I think it was taken too far and hopefully these greens are broken in and opened up a bit over time. This course has never been in better shape, and I am more than ever interested in playing here more frequently.
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1 1
DiscraftGuy27
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Good for all type of players 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 16, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great course layout that utilizes all the terrain provided. While playing this course you will run into all different types of throws that are needed. Regardless if you are a seasoned vet or a first timer this course is a blast to play. Its upkeep is very good and has recently had work done all around the whole course making it even better than it was before.

Cons:

Sometimes it can get a bit too crowded but thats okay! Love to see so many people playing the sport!

Other Thoughts:

I recommend anyone to go and play this course whether your trying to have a fun relaxing game or even a little competition between your friends.
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3 1
DrewbieDoobieDoo
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.4 years 253 played 19 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Solid course in the southwest suburbs 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Sep 14, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The Oaks is a nice 27 hole course located in the field and light woods behind a park district building. Generally no interference from other activities. There is a huge open field next to the parking lot that can be used for practicing even long drives as long as there is no soccer at the time.

Most holes have at least 2 rubber tee pads, and some holes even have 3! (There are a couple holes that there is only one teepad as well). Each hole has a basic sign with hole number, distance, and simple map. These are located at each white tee, but give info for the reds and blues as well. For an advanced player, the long tees will not add much challenge other than adding a tiny bit of distance. However, for the beginning or Rec players, changing tee boxes will help cater to skill levels and keep all players interested.

The course mainly plays through a large grove of big old oak trees, with a few wide open bombers mixed in and three tightly wooded holes as well. Most holes offer several lines to the basket off the tee.

The land is mostly all flat with the exception of a few small slopes. Wherever available, elevation is used to create one hillside basket (hole 13 I think? I would also consider this my favorite hole in the course. Guarded and elevated basket requiring a lengthy and accurate drive to set yourself up in prime position. Neat hole), and a couple baskets with rollaway potential on missed putts.

Many ace chances to run after.

benches and garbage cans at many tee boxes

Cons:

Im not a fan of the rubber tee pads. They get very slippery when a little wet. Some have depressions that collect water/mud. I think they are a bit too short, and because of the wooden frames, a longer run up is not an option on most holes.

Dead and dangerous trees all over! Be very careful especially on windy days. Keep your eyes peeled for the huge dead tree limbs that could fall at any moment. It's a shame, but IMO a lot of the trees here need to be removed!

Many of the holes playing through the Oaks are simple and repetitive. Many holes have similar distances and you will probably throw the same disc and shots often. The Oaks will offer little challenge for intermediate to advanced players, but should still provide a good deal of fun.

The layout can be confusing. After finishing a hole you'll look around and generally see several tee boxes that could conceivably be the next tee- just check the baskets to see red white and blue tape on the spokes pointing you to the next tee. After hole 21, you will pass 18's tee and walk around 17's basket- be careful to watch for people throwing from the tee on 17 here.

Other Thoughts:

Nothing here make this course an absolute must play, but there is nothing to make me say don't play here. If you're looking for a challenge to test your skills, keep driving to Highland or the Canyons, but if you want to have a nice, fun, enjoyable round with lots of "good shot dude"s, then play the Oaks. I'd say it's a perfect course for groups with players of mixed skills.
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1 1
Eschenky
Experience: 10.6 years 44 played 3 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Wonderfull Improvments 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 2, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Huge improvements this year.

Recent improvements include little things like replacing basket top signs and clearing fallen tree branches.

Bigger improvements in brush removal and tree trimming in "The Forest" 19-20-21and adding new mulch around many baskets and along walkways.

Huge improvements in water management and drainage, especially at 4, 7, 13 and 16.

Cons:

I suppose if I could have everything in my perfect world I would add a practice basket to the course.

Other Thoughts:

I'm a 52 year old who just started playing 3 years ago.

Of course I am biased because this is my home course, but having played in twelve or so states, east and west, north and south, for overall playability and beauty this course stands out to this day as one of the best.
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1 3
Andrewcho
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 20, 2014 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Good use of land
Very well maintained
Mix of wooded holes with semi-wooded holes
27 holes
Great tee pads

Cons:

There is a lot of people
Holes repeat shots

Other Thoughts:

A great course to play to warm up for more challenging courses. Some things I would change about this course is having more variety on holes and more holes with distance. The clubhouse is nice with a small selection of only Innova discs.
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6 0
River_love
Experience: 21.4 years 34 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

This course deserves a visit 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 8, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Long 27 hole course. I especially consider this a good thing considering the lack of good, long courses around Chicagoland. From the moment I pulled into the driveway and saw the gym/clubhouse building, I knew this was going to be a rewarding course to play. The facilities here are top notch, in all sincerity. The clubhouse has a full gym ( I assume for members only?), nice bathrooms, a small disc shop, and scorecards/maps. There are some nice peaceful looking ponds and a bridge leading to the disc course.

If you enjoy having multiple tees to mix up the play/add more challenge or make the course easier then this course delivers; they have three tees for most of the 27 holes.

Great variety throughout the holes. Some of the holes are shaped very well with trees, bushes, and water hazards being used strategically to create nice lines. However, there isn't necessarily a TON of diversity on hole shapes. The true variety comes in the length of the holes as well as terrain. The distances range from 210 ft to 490 ft (I played white tees). The terrain varies from shaping around big trees, to wide open bombers, to very tight wooded fairways. Elevation even comes into play on a few holes.

Cons:

Being that most of the holes are fairly open, meaning no OOB or strict fairway, you don't need to be very precise on the majority of the holes. This makes it a fun play with little stress, but some more risk/reward would be nice. A lot of the holes are very straightforward holes, not very long, and with no obstacles in the way.

I hate to complain about extra holes, but the last 9 holes feel like they were added on at the last minute and rushed. I like these holes since they introduce a few tightly wooded fairways not seen on the rest of the course, but they just don't seem finished.

The pars on this course seem kinda lame honestly. Ex. there are 15 holes under 300ft with a par 4? I scored a 91 on this course, nothing terribly impressive about that, and it was a -14? Just seems like most of these holes should be par 3 to me.

Other Thoughts:

Everything was mowed, there were plenty of trash cans, and benches by most tees. The signs were pretty nice too. If you judge this course relative to other Chicago courses, it would be at least a 4/5, maybe 4.5/5 in my opinion. I had a blast playing here, and will not hesitate to make the 50 min. drive to play again.
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1 6
depauw
Experience: 6 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 7, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

course is well designed
offer 27 holes
has nice run ups compared to other places I've been
offers different styles of play ex. woods, hills, open field

Cons:

heavy foot traffic will do a lot of sitting on benches waiting for other players
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5 0
sthomas128
Experience: 16.3 years 54 played 16 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Nice Course, Too Many Holes For This Property 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 3, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

**Well maintained, clean park
**Nice benches throughout the park.
**Nice recreation center with scorecards, course maps, Discs for sale and inside restrooms.
**27 holes with 3 teepads for most of the holes.
**Nice Mach 5 baskets, yellow number plates on top with LARGE numbers on them which really helps the first time you play here.
**Very well constructed, compacted-crushed limestone, grippy rubber tee pads. These tee pads rival concrete...
**Nice graphic tee signs at the White tee pad so you know where to throw

**Mostly shady shooting through large mature oak trees was a plus on the 105+ heat index day that my wife and I played.

Cons:

Navigation, especially after hole 21, a little more signage would remedy this situation. Help from the locals kept us pointed in the right direction...
Need -more- trashcans!!!

Other Thoughts:

I am 900+ rated player and shot -11 while leaving quite a few out there which I suppose could be a pro and a con, Still a VERY "fun" round though and I would play this course again.

1. Check in at the recreation center building and get a free registration card, without one, there is a fine. They also have free Maps and Score Cards...
2. no smoking in the park, there is a fine
3. No dogs. There is a fine.
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1 13
jomomo
Experience: 11 played 3 reviews
5.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 24, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

holes are placed great. Accuracy is most important and some holes power. tee signs are marked well. 3 wooded holes are great.

Cons:

dislike how you have so register to play at the building. never have never will and still play. they say you will get a ticket if you dont register. nonsence

Other Thoughts:

one of the best courses ive ever played.
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4 2
chrisbek
Experience: 16.4 years 22 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 4, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

*27 holes is awesome for when you feel like 18 isn't enough. I consider this course my home course and I rarely don't do all 27.
*The tee pads are great, and they also have 3 pads for most holes (blue, white, red). Baskets are the best I've played on.
*Pars are a little inflated, good course for an ego booster. There are a couple par 3's, mostly 4's, and one 5.
*Course is very well kept, with garbage cans at most holes so there's not cans everywhere.

Cons:

*On a nice day, and even average days, it's very crowded. This is by far the best course in the area, which is a pro as well as a con.
*After it rains it can be very wet, but what course doesn't.
*For some reason trees fall over a lot here, which can get in the way. But they usually clean them up pretty fast.
*Like I said, the pars are a bit inflated. I've shot a -20 using signs from the champion tees, and I've been with a guy who's hit -28. Not too challenging.

Other Thoughts:

I absolutely love this course. I came here about 4 times a week during the summer of 2011. Definitely my favorite course. Highly recommended.
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7 3
danhyzer
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 36.6 years 2481 played 134 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Oak leafs left me scrambling and double tracking to find the next tee 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 4, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

27 HOLES X multiple tee pads on many of the holes equalls a very lucky community to have this DGC to play.

Only a few grip and rip holes. I played this DGC from the red tees (Because I didn't have a lot of time to complete this DGC if I had played the long <BLUE> tees)

hole # 13 had a well constructed terrace for the basket. Both getting to the basket area and leaving the basket area

plenty of well constructed benches.

very little liter (and considering I didn't see very many trash recepticles this was very impressive)

Cons:

I had a lot of trouble locating the next hole, without a map or a guide you will to for your first few times playing this DGC (This could of been easily corrected by either painting a area on the basket well pointing the player in the area of the next tee or by using a strip of colored duct tape on the basket well pointing the player in the direction of the next tee) I did see one marker/ brick pointing me in a certain direction at one hole. But the day I played this DGC was covered with leaves and you just couldn't easily find this marker unless you kicked or raked the leaves away (and I don't normally carry a rake with me while I play)

course was pretty flat, and I prefer cement tees instead of the rubber mats, but still a good DGC

Other Thoughts:

I didn't check in with the clubhose at the DGC but did check in sort of... at the park department office one exit before the DGC exit. I would reccomend following the policy of checking in to avoid a possible fine, but I didn't and got lucky not only by not getting fined but enjoying this nice DGC.

Mokena is a very nice community, watch your speed!!
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16 0
Jukeshoe
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.2 years 316 played 268 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Oak-tastic! 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 21, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- The Oaks is a sprawling twenty-seven hole course that winds and weaves deftly through the neatly manicured multi-purpose park property. With the exception of three heavily wooded holes towards the end, it's basically a gigantic grassy lawn with huge oaks scattered throughout. Small patches of schule and other vegetation appear in a few places. Mostly flat, but with some minimal elevation coming into play, the main obstacle here is avoiding (duhn duhn duh!) The Oaks.
- Outstanding rubber tees that remain grippy in the rain. Easily the best rubber tees I've played on. Good tee signage shows accurate
maps of each hole with all pertinent obstacles, roads, bridges, tees, pins, etc. Distances listed for white, blue and red tees. Trashcans and benches located throughout. Next tee signage.
- Most holes have separate white, blue, and red tees. This gives players in a range of skill levels interesting and compelling shots throughout. Each hole's tees often give entirely different looks or add a significant amount of distance to make things challenging.

Cons:

- Although the design does its most to maintain variety, there is only so much they can do to disguise the fact that the course is moderately treed and flat. Many holes are "good," but a few seem kind of "stock" or squeezed in for the sake of getting in another hole. Some tees and baskets are crammed-in, making navigation just a touch tricky even with the "next hole" brick markers. On a busy day, keep your eyes peeled for errant discs from nearby holes.

Other Thoughts:

- A fair hike to complete with all the zig-zag-back-and-forthing across the park, especially playing the longs. A solid course worth the visit if you're in the area, and among the better courses in Chicagoland.
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5 0
mykeg44
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.4 years 72 played 45 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 3, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The Oaks is a very good course with a feel that sets itself apart from other Chicago area courses.

The most obvious pro this course has is its 27 holes, the most for any single course in the area. For such a beautiful and sprawling area to be dedicated solely to disc golf is pretty impressive.

There is enough here to appeal to a wide range of players. The difficulty is definitely on the easier side, but there are some unique looks and enough distance to keep experienced players interested for the round.

The three wooded shots come at a good spot in the course and give accurate/low power players a chance to make a comeback on big armed players who have an advantage in the early/middle part of the course.

Multiple tee pads on every hole, and decent tee signs.

Cons:

While the land itself is scenic and enjoyable to play, it does not lend itself to a wide variety of shot types. There is minimal elevation, no water, and three truly wooded holes.

About 60% of the course requires you to hit fairly straight lines through large trees, but in many instances there are easy hyzer lines that will put you close to the pin. I played with a newer player who was tossing hyzers on most shots because he couldn't hit the straight line through the trees, and in most instances he ended up with a similar upshot to myself.

The flow coming out of the woods after #21 is really confusing, and the course would benefit from a sign at this spot. Coming out of the woods its about a 75 yard walk where you pass some of the earlier part of the course, and its easy to become disoriented.

Somehow this is one of the most crowded courses I've played in the suburbs despite all the space and the number of holes.

Other Thoughts:

The Oaks is definitely worth a stop if you live in the burbs, but not a place I would go back to on a regular basis unless I lived close by. If you're from out of town and only have time for a couple courses, skip this one and hit the two courses in Joliet.
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5 0
gkeberhart
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.2 years 36 played 31 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 16, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

27 holes, not too many courses deviate from the standard 9 or 18 so this is always fun in my mind. Another great feature at this course is it is well maintained and is well used by many people. The tees here are exactly the way I like them; rubber, well secured and absolutely solid and level. Not to mention there were two sets of tees on all the holes and even three sets on some (or at least that is what I noticed). Good mixture of distance, there were no really obnoxious long holes. A few would require two shots for some people but most all of them were reachable from the tees. Incorporated the option of a hyzer or anhyzer on most holes. It did force you to throw a straight throw on a few holes (means that the park made you work at being a well rounded player). It was easy to find from I-80, just head south on LaGrange to Laporte heading west, it takes maybe 5 min.

Cons:

While it is a well-used park, you will find that you may be waiting a lot as it can get packed in the warmer weather. There were a few holes where there were no true "golf" shots. Basically you lie up of the tee, and lay up again with your approach. They are easy par holes but what I call a dumb luck birdie hole. The general flow here was really weird at times, it seemed as though you were walking all over the course from one hole to the next, made for a much longer walk in my mind. There were a few holes that were in a wide-open field that really didn't match the rest of the course in my opinion.

Other Thoughts:

This course is beautiful, I think they made a really nice place to play some disc golf. Something I really enjoyed about this park was there were a lot of non-traditional disc golfers playing (women and masters aged players). It was surprisingly very dry considering how wet the area has been lately; there were only a few holes where it was a little muddy. You may have to fight for parking spots depending on the kind of day you show up. Make sure you are ready to play the park because it is a hike to play the full 27, eat a meal before you play or bring a snack bag for the course.
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Mbagnola1
Experience: 18.6 years 42 played 6 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Great way to spend the afternoon 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 30, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Large oak trees make for good obsticles without being overbearing
- Few signature holes to keep things interesting
-Pro, Am,and Beginner tees at almost every hole
-Good combination of open field, light and densly wooded holes.
- Mostly flat with the exception of #14 which is up about 25 feet and hidden from view
- mostly short holes(under 300) #9 is for the big arms.
-Signs at every tee box
-Holes ranging from 300 to 600 feet
- Very well maintained tees and fairways
-Many throwing lanes on most holes

Cons:

- Rain tears up the ground on certain holes
- No water fountain
- Can be very crowded at times
-A few holes are lined with dense woods,so keep an eye on that disc
-Closed on certain holidays
-I've been at the Oaks while they had a cross country race going on. Without any notice hundreds of people where running through the course.
- Standing water can make it very buggy in the summer
- Par system is all messed up. 310 ft par 4s and 450 ft par 5s. Best if played at all 3s and maybe a 4 thrown in there

Other Thoughts:

My favorite course hands down. Good for everyone. Worth the drive for 27 holes. Ive never heard of any one needing to register or have ever seen cops out on the course. I play this course at least once a week in the summer and have never run into any problem. Ive even purchased disc from the "pro shop" with no mention of checking in to play the course
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