Vinemont Park reviews
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0
wellsbranch250
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
11 years
712 played
693 reviews
Disc'n Down The Highway
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:May 23, 2024
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
(1.768 Rating) (REVISED - replayed May 2024) A very open park style course with a family friendly atmosphere.
- UPGRADES - I thought I had perhaps under-rated this course when I first played it, so I decided to give it another go 3 years later. The course gameplay is unchanged unfortunately, but the amenities have been upgraded significantly. New Veteran red white and blue baskets. These are much better than the portable $150 MVP Portal baskets from prior. Artistic tee signs are also installed at all 18 pads and they clearly indicate all the absurd gimmicks. One of the old MVP baskets was left as a practice basket. The amenity upgrades alone added about 2/10th of a point to my prior score.
- QUICK PLAY - For a bagger like me, the quick play aspect is the course's best quality. I spent less than 25 minutes on the layout for both of my appearances and I took pictures. Super quick solos might be able to run 3 loops in an hour.
- AMENITIES AND EXTRAS - Probably below average among all courses, but good for a nine holer. As noted in my upgrades pro, the baskets and tee signs are both pros now. The tees are concrete and measure 4ft by 10ft or are sidewalks. Tee (4) even has a poured extension along the sidewalk edge. The park also features shelters, restrooms and a few playground items.
- NAVIGATION AND SIGNAGE - Adequate course map posted by tee (1) in addition to the upgraded tee signs. Hole numbers at the baskets are ginormous. I had no issue getting around despite the wonky layout flow.
- DUAL TEES - I appreciated the dual tee option. I played layout A on my first appearance, and it seemed ideal for players between an 800 to 850 rating. I played layout B on my second go around and it seemed a hair easier than layout A, and is over 300 feet shorter. I would say both layouts are beginner friendly.
- NIGHT GOLF - Perfect for moonlit rounds if the park is open.
- UPGRADES - I thought I had perhaps under-rated this course when I first played it, so I decided to give it another go 3 years later. The course gameplay is unchanged unfortunately, but the amenities have been upgraded significantly. New Veteran red white and blue baskets. These are much better than the portable $150 MVP Portal baskets from prior. Artistic tee signs are also installed at all 18 pads and they clearly indicate all the absurd gimmicks. One of the old MVP baskets was left as a practice basket. The amenity upgrades alone added about 2/10th of a point to my prior score.
- QUICK PLAY - For a bagger like me, the quick play aspect is the course's best quality. I spent less than 25 minutes on the layout for both of my appearances and I took pictures. Super quick solos might be able to run 3 loops in an hour.
- AMENITIES AND EXTRAS - Probably below average among all courses, but good for a nine holer. As noted in my upgrades pro, the baskets and tee signs are both pros now. The tees are concrete and measure 4ft by 10ft or are sidewalks. Tee (4) even has a poured extension along the sidewalk edge. The park also features shelters, restrooms and a few playground items.
- NAVIGATION AND SIGNAGE - Adequate course map posted by tee (1) in addition to the upgraded tee signs. Hole numbers at the baskets are ginormous. I had no issue getting around despite the wonky layout flow.
- DUAL TEES - I appreciated the dual tee option. I played layout A on my first appearance, and it seemed ideal for players between an 800 to 850 rating. I played layout B on my second go around and it seemed a hair easier than layout A, and is over 300 feet shorter. I would say both layouts are beginner friendly.
- NIGHT GOLF - Perfect for moonlit rounds if the park is open.
Cons:
Meh land
- MULTI USE HAZARDS - Sidewalks come into play on a majority of the holes. I was not a fan of holes (2/11) and (5/14) which requires play along a path. Rounds may not be possible if the park is very active.
- LAYOUT FLOW - The course does not flow well. There are double backs after baskets (1/10) and (4/13). The gap after baskets (2/11), (5/14) and (7/16) are all plus 200 feet as well. It felt like I almost walked more between holes compared to the actual hole fairways.
- HOLE VARIETY - The area used for the layout is only 7.5 acres. It's also relatively flat and has very few trees. The landscape reminds me of the Calhoun course 30 miles further up on I65. Really not much for the designers to work with on this bland parcel of land. Much of the variety here is derived from gimmicks. I personally don't like fake island holes, unnecessary mandos and unnecessary OB, but I gave much of this a pass (not all), due to the site's natural limitations. The fake island hole on (3) is strangely my favorite hole, although perhaps that was because I birdied it twice with two almost aces.
- GIMMICKY - Briefly noted above under variety, but there are several holes that have unnecessary OB or unnecessary mandos. Mandos and OB are clearly indicated on the new tee signs. Thankfully the ridiculous mando on (2) was shifted left and the triple mando on (4) never got built. Some of the mandos are positioned in a way where a great shot that's gunning for the chains and misses, will result in OB, thus ruining the fun of the hole. I don't have any issues with OB or mandos when used for safety reasons or to keep discs out of the street, it's just way overused here and it ruins the experience.
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - Considering I always score this category ignoring unnecessary OB and mandos, I found the challenge to be upper MA4 level. Wind is going to be the most challenging aspect. There is some modest power required on the 300-foot holes and right handed players will need a forehand to keep out of the street. As noted in the pros, the course is very beginner friendly and is appropriate for families with small kids.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - I originally scored the landscape at 10 percentile among all courses I've played to date. I upped it to 20 percentile after my second visit. Again, not much for the designers to work with. It is what it is.
- MULTI USE HAZARDS - Sidewalks come into play on a majority of the holes. I was not a fan of holes (2/11) and (5/14) which requires play along a path. Rounds may not be possible if the park is very active.
- LAYOUT FLOW - The course does not flow well. There are double backs after baskets (1/10) and (4/13). The gap after baskets (2/11), (5/14) and (7/16) are all plus 200 feet as well. It felt like I almost walked more between holes compared to the actual hole fairways.
- HOLE VARIETY - The area used for the layout is only 7.5 acres. It's also relatively flat and has very few trees. The landscape reminds me of the Calhoun course 30 miles further up on I65. Really not much for the designers to work with on this bland parcel of land. Much of the variety here is derived from gimmicks. I personally don't like fake island holes, unnecessary mandos and unnecessary OB, but I gave much of this a pass (not all), due to the site's natural limitations. The fake island hole on (3) is strangely my favorite hole, although perhaps that was because I birdied it twice with two almost aces.
- GIMMICKY - Briefly noted above under variety, but there are several holes that have unnecessary OB or unnecessary mandos. Mandos and OB are clearly indicated on the new tee signs. Thankfully the ridiculous mando on (2) was shifted left and the triple mando on (4) never got built. Some of the mandos are positioned in a way where a great shot that's gunning for the chains and misses, will result in OB, thus ruining the fun of the hole. I don't have any issues with OB or mandos when used for safety reasons or to keep discs out of the street, it's just way overused here and it ruins the experience.
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - Considering I always score this category ignoring unnecessary OB and mandos, I found the challenge to be upper MA4 level. Wind is going to be the most challenging aspect. There is some modest power required on the 300-foot holes and right handed players will need a forehand to keep out of the street. As noted in the pros, the course is very beginner friendly and is appropriate for families with small kids.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - I originally scored the landscape at 10 percentile among all courses I've played to date. I upped it to 20 percentile after my second visit. Again, not much for the designers to work with. It is what it is.
Other Thoughts:
Vinemont offers all the basic elements of the game in a fun beginner friendly format. This is also a very easy get for course baggers traveling along I65. Ignoring the gimmick nature of it, it feels like disc golf and the course will work perfect for those within a couple miles to get quickie rounds in when time is short. Also perfect for families and one-disc beginners. If I lived across the street, I'd probably be here all the time. Definitely not a destination course, but if in town, it's worth a spin for numbers padding, but only after tackling the other course in town first, Heritage. Regionally, it sorta reminds me of a blend of Warhalk, Riverside and The Outback, all in or near Decatur. Overall a 1.75 level course to me, which is a quarter point higher than my initial evaluation.