- very well manicured park in great shape
- Innova DISCatcher baskets with visible light blue rims in good shape
- full color tee signs at both sets of tees with maps
- dual turf tee pads are mostly color coded based on tee, and generally flat/level
- general park amenities including real bathrooms, garbage cans, benches, picnic tables, and for the disc golfers, a practice basket
- varied lengths between red and white tees
- excellent, straightfoward navigation with lots of next tee signs
- good incorporation of water hazards
- some decent elevation change worked in on many holes
- good built-in bridges/walkways over creeks and steps on steep slopes
- some moderate challenge with mature tree obstacles

- multi-use park means there are some major safety hazards, particularly with walking paths and somewhat clueless pedestrians
- some may consider red tees too short/easy
- turf tee pads are just ok and could get wet/slippery
- park can get VERY busy during sporting events and overflow parking blocks practice basket
- some areas with heavy rough that can eat discs

Valley Park is a different kind of multi-use park course than I am used to. In the Chicago area, most of these are 9 holes, and they are exceptionally flat and mostly very open. Valley Park may have nothing on some of the more intense terrain in Pennsylvania/West Virginia (Moraine, Deer Lakes, Whippin' Post, etc.) but it sure has some varied terrain for a city park course. Holes are mostly moderately wooded and still pretty open, but mature trees present some obstacles and force shot shaping. There are a number of wide open holes, some with longer distances, though on the red tees I played this course is pretty short overall.

I played on a Saturday, and it was a very busy Saturday with baseball tournaments, etc. going on. I parked in the grass like dozens of other people and the practice basket was fully surrounded by cars. There were all sorts of pedestrian hazards - on walking paths, walking through the middle of the course, taking NEWBORN PHOTOS in the middle of the course - that's a first for me! Thankfully, I didn't hit anyone (including children), but there were an insane number of unaware people dawdling around the course. I'd recommend trying to play on weekdays or if you must come on a Saturday, perhaps early morning.

There are two tees per hole and while the turf is just ok, it's plenty serviceable. A lot of the holes, particularly on the red tees, are quite short, and in the middle of the course do a fair amount of back and forth playing a bit close to each other, but nothing too bad, and nothing near the walking path hazards.

This course has some technical challenge but is really one of the more fun, casual 18 hole rounds you will play while not getting bored. As another reviewer pointed out, the pro tip is that you can access the course from the I-64 rest stop if you want to for whatever reason - kind of funny, and if you overthrow your shot on hole 6, you could throw right into the rest stop parking lot. There's no fence or anything.

For me, this course was cool and enjoyable, but seems a bit higher rated than I'd expect. I'd say this is on the low end of 3.5 for me, but is definitely superior to some of the 3s I have rated. This is also one of the only courses I've ever compared to Idlewild in any way - the water play on hole 12 crisscrossing the creek reminded me of one of the world's best courses. Admittedly, Valley Park has one hole like this - Idlewild probably has more like 6.

Additional water hazards were incorporated with 2 lakes, one on hole 1, and one on the later holes of the course. These add some challenge and the water carry on hole 1 is not trivial, you'll need some power and accuracy.

Holes 13, 15, and 18 in particular threw directly over walking paths and I don't love the safety hazard it introduced. Some people will also cut from one walking path to another, taking the steps up the hill of the 13 fairway and essentially walking the whole hole while you are trying to play - we have to share the park, of course, but some of these holes could have been designed to avoid interference or safety issues. On 15, you throw around a corner and can have a blind landing in the walking path area which is perhaps the largest offender. The mando on 18 also forces a throw closer to the walking path.

Overall, you can see my big gripes here are largely "safety". It's hard to find many other issues with the course. It has some technical challenge, but isn't particularly difficult - come here expecting a fun, laid back round and you won't be disappointed. It has good elevation change, but in this part of the country, I'd hesitate to call it great. If you can come when the park isn't too busy, it's definitely worth your time, and as the rest stop indicates - is very close to the Interstate if you are on the road like I was. Plus, who doesn't want to stop in Hurricane, WV? Between that and my stop in Accident, MD, my trip is complete!

Beautiful park and disc golf course through and through. There were a variety of shots......wooded, water hazards, mandos, island and elevation. The course has short and long tees which adds even more to the variety of shots to be thrown. The course is a lot of fun while still being technical.

Non

+ Course designed by 4X World Champion Johnny Sias.

+ Lots of variety in terms of difficulty, distance, elevation, and open versus wooded holes.

+ Two practice baskets adjacent to lower parking area.

+ Two sets of turf tee pads for a short and long layout.

+ Dedicated park staff and local volunteers that help with upkeep.

+ Well-marked with detailed signage to help with navigation, distance, and rules of play.

+ Multiple pin placements on several holes.

+ Excellent facilities including conference center, rest rooms, baseball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, walking trails, shelters, fishing ponds, dog park, wave pool, and marketplace.

+ Close to shopping, hotels, gas stations, restaurants, etc for the traveling player.

+ Friendly locals with well-run club events and tournaments.

- Popular park: There can be backups on holes or a need to wait for other visitors. Please be courteous and share the space with others.

- Water hazards: Chances to loose plastic on holes #1 & #14.

- Rough: Can be very punishing if you leave certain fairways.

- Poison Ivy: Be cautious in the middle section of the course if you are allergic.

Most-popular course in the state according to 2020 U-Disc statistics.

Par from short tees is roughly 900-rated golf.

Par from long tees is roughly 950-rated golf.

If you're traveling on I-64 East you can stop off at the Hurricane rest area and walk onto the course near hole #4's basket. This is a good access point if you only want to play a few holes or are visiting the course during peak traffic hours.

Several "Signature" holes with unique features including...
#1 - An immediate water shot straight out of the car.
#2 - A blind shot with a twisting fairway
#12 - Plays along a meandering creek
#14 - Downhill bomber hole with water hazard
#15 - Island hole in the shape of Putnam County
#16 - Triple Mando doorway homage to USDGC
#17 - Elevated pyramid basket
#18 - Great finishing hole - Long downhill placement shot off the tee followed by a tricky mandatory (Par 4)

Valley Park , located just off of I-64 , is a new ( 2018 ) 18 hole course that is loaded with everything . Plenty of parking here , even though there is a lot going on here . The equipment is top notch . 2 tees per hole . Many color coded , with brown turf on its' large tee pads for the beginner/intermediate and green turf on the pro tees . The signage on both are informative , with hole numbers , distance and par and flight path . The baskets are blue banded top of the line Discatchers . The park is clean and maintained and can be very busy during the weekends . Bathrooms are located near the first hole . Course designer Johnny Sias is given a lot of area to work with and does a great job with shot variety . You will have open , lightly wooded , a little heavier wooded , then open again . The course also utilizes several mandos during the round , features a creek , 2 small lakes , an island hole , landing zones . The course has some elevation to it , and there are stairs , and nicely maintained paths and a couple of bridges also help . All of this is top of the line . Hole #1 starts you off with an over the lake shot to a hillside between buildings . A board at the bottom keeps rolling discs from going into the lake . We threw from the side as we didn't want to lose a disc on the first hole . You then turn hard left from the basket to a hole that enters the woods section and drifts a descending right ( tough hole ) . After this hole , navigation becomes a little easier . You may still want to print a map so you don't have to wander a path or 2 to figure out the break to the pin or save a few minutes looking for the next tee . The course flows well with distinct lines to the basket without it being too easy to negotiate . Holes 7-10 are the most heavily wooded holes , then it becomes lighter , where you descend on hole 11 , a right to left drive to a green sitting on a flat slightly uphill . The walk from 11 to 12 ( signs in the park try to point you the way ) is a little behind you and puts you in the lowest point on the course . This is a flat hole , slight left to right with a creek in play in the fairway to a well placed basket 504' away . #13 is a short but straight uphill shot with trees on either side . 14 has a lake on your far left and a bush line on your immediate right . There are obstructions in the fairway . You can take the lake out of the equation by keeping your drive and approach straight or just slightly left . #15 is the island hole which sits behind the lake but the lake is really out of play . It sits up close to a fence behind it . The wood boards that make up the island make a weird shape , but I think it adds to the fun of it . #16 has a triple mando from the longs which end with you throwing through a wood entrance about the size of a wide and little higher garage door . 17 is a straighaway shot to a nice wooded base and elevated basket . 18 ( 501' ) is a drive that breaks a little left to a mando . After the mando , you make a right and you are finished . Allow yourself a good 90 minutes solo , at least 2 1/2 hours for a foursome . There is a lot of fun factor here , because of all of the shot selection . Disc Risk : low . Even though the course plays long and there are a few hidden baskets , the course is manicured and the rough is low . I could see maybe a bad drive going into the second lake , but if you can get past hole #1's lake , you probably won't lose one .

#1 . Safety . The walking trails run in and out of this course . Please be tolerant of the fellow park users . I saw a woman's dog get hit a disc on 15 and the foursome even saw her before throwing . They apologized , but don't be like these knuckleheads . This just adds to the reasons to pull a disc golf course . I also saw a light pole casualty on #18 where a 2nd shot left glass next to a path ( since cleaned up ) . Be careful . #2 Some of the better players may not like the short holes on 7-10 , or think some of the course is too gimmicky, but very few .

Valley Park as far as course care and amenities has more going for it than all of the western WV courses combined . I didn't know whether to leave after my round , or stay and picnic and walk the trails for the rest of the day . If this course was within an hour of my house , I would play it every week . So much money and effort was put into this course . The course boasts some hills , but nothing ever as drastic as West Virginia can throw at you , and here , you don't have to play on sides of hills . Thank You , Valley Park , for the privilege of playing your course . My Recommendation : This course is for EVERYONE . PLAY IT !!!!

Valley Park is one of the newest courses in the I-64 corridor, and also one of the best. Situated in a large park with tons of other activities and facilities, the best compliment I can give this course is that it is one of the best maintained courses I have ever played with unmatched amenities. Each hole has two sets of turf tees, most with dual tee signs. There are so many gravel paths, bridges, stairs, and raised tee areas throughout the course. The blue DISCatchers were very nice as well. The design of the signs was very good, often showing distances to important landmarks. There is also a very nice bathroom just beside the short tee for hole 1.

As for the course design itself, there is plenty of variety in the types of holes. It honestly feels like you are playing three different courses during a single round, with about six open park-style holes and two very unique styles of wooded holes on the rest. Some of the highlights are #1, which provides a fantastic risk-reward shot from the long tee, #3, #6, and #12. The park also has a full time shop on site named Valley Sports for those who want to check their hours.

There are two major flaws in this course that prevent it from being among the best in the state. The first issue is the design of some holes. There are two stretches of holes that just really feel bland and detract from the experience. These stretches are 8-10 and 14-17. 8-10 are all very short even from the back tees, and often have gradual turns with some late fairway trees to prevent shots from getting very close. 14-17 exit the woods and play as more traditional park-style holes. 14 is not a bad hole, but I feel that it falls into the tweener category from either tee for some of the bigger arms. 15 and 16 are the real killers for me, especially 15. 15 is a very short island hole with hazard rules applied, but the shape of the island has a very large area of inbounds above the pin with a very narrow pinch point at the basket. On multiple occasions I have had my disc land OB within five feet of the basket, or hit on the fat part of the green and skip or roll right over the boards defining the island. 16 has a very late, albeit very impressively built triple mandatory that really discourages aggressive play from the long tees. The frustrating part about these two holes is that they play just far enough away from the pond to remove the water from play almost entirely. The staff at the park are incredible, and I feel that these holes may be changed in the future, but currently ruin an otherwise good layout by being artificial and gimmicky. They feel as though the holes were just too easy, and needed some sort of caveat to make them difficult. If these stretches of holes were spread out more they would be much more tolerable, but these streaks kill any momentum the course builds with good holes right before.

The second issue with the course is safety. This is one of the busiest parks in the area, and you are likely to see someone every time you are there, even if it is pouring the rain. Because the running and jogging paths are intertwined with the course everywhere, I am often afraid to throw some blind shots in fear of hitting someone and jeopardizing the course. The busiest part of the course is definitely the ending. During the last time I was there I had to wait on every single one of the last five holes for many different reasons. On 14 there was a family fishing on the edge of the fairway. On 15, 17, and 18 there were at least 30-40 people walking the trail, which often leads to long and frustrating waits. 16 plays dangerously close to a pavilion that I have never seen empty. A shank here could really ruin someone's day. The layout of this course is begging for a lawsuit with how busy the park is all the time.

Valley Park is a great course and definitely worth a pit stop if you are driving through. One could even get to the course by stopping at the rest area on the east-bound side of the interstate, as hole 5's tee is really close to the parking lot. The course is unmatched in its maintenance, and is a great park-style course, which is relatively uncommon to this part of WV. Instead of crazy elevation changes and brutal woods, this course provides a nice change of pace, and can be played in around an hour during a solo round if you are moving fast. Don't expect to be able to play fast on pretty days, however, as the park and the course itself are always crowded. The difficulty is just right to expose new players to the game, but not to bore those who have played for a while. Definitely go check out the store if you stop by.

Great mix of open & wooded, long and short, left and right hooks, tight narrows, and mandos.

It's a really good challenge course. Mostly forgiving and is kept in great shape by the county.

Great parking and nice clean bathrooms. Most reviews leave this out. I think it's a huge plus.

The signs are very nice; that being said, they can be confusing. OB's are a big deal on this course. But the signs can be confusing as to "boundaries" or "OB areas". I think some more specific RED LINE boundaries marked on the sign could help your group from arguing 12 holes in about what the rules are.

I've played this course a few times and I really like it. It's definitely one of the better, cleaner, and most fun courses around. You can even play it directly off I-64 East at the rest area. Give it a shot!

Great use of the land including two ponds.
Great tee pads and trails between holes.
Good variety of hole type.

Can still tell this is a new course so there is quite a bit of brush piled up and freshly turned up ground.

I played this course just before official opening and it is already one of my favorite courses. Good variety of hole and great tee pads. The hanging basket on hole 8 is a great feature as well as the triple mando on 16. Can not wait to see how this course develops in the future!