I'm friends with the Monster
16 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: This is the best course in the area for pure playing. Some features are missing, but for the golf itself these are the best holes around. Four of them still hold spots in my top 18 and #4 in the long pin is the best disc golf hole I have ever played.
The course is very long (when it was built in 2005 and set long it was the longest 18 holes in the world at 11,047ft), however it's not all "grip and rip" holes. There's a ton of variety here. You'll go uphill, downhill, in the woods, in the open, long and flat or over a valley with a glob of trees in the middle.
The elevation use is superb. You'll never forget launching a bomb down hole 7, and hopefully by then you've forgotten all the uphill climbing on hole 3. Hole 18 comes off an elevated tee, through a set of trees... then up a 5-story hill with the short pin at the top and the long pin 250ft past that.
The tee pads are huge. And yes, some of them are shaped like the fairways (I know one of the guys who designed them).
The signposts have four big bag holders.
There's a long and short course within the same set of pads and baskets. The short course uses shorter baskets on 3, 9, 11, and 12, splits 9 and 11 into two holes, and uses shorter tees on 4, 10, and 13, and with that is able to cut out long course holes 17 and 18 completely (all the numbers I used correspond to the long course holes since I honestly haven't played the short course on purpose). With this in place, the large course can be made into 21 holes if you split 9, 11, and 13 into two holes with corresponding pads.
The tees and baskets are still in excellent condition. There's a few pads that have cracked a corner with age, but they're still totally playable.
Most of the time there's a good variety of short and long pins set up.
Cons: I hold the Mach3s as a slight negative. Just my opinion though.
Hole 13 has a great view, but beyond that it's kind of just 800ft of grass.
I don't prefer the pins that have been made artificially harder by placing a large mound of dirt under them (6 middle and long, 12 short, 13 middle).
The course is in a bit of a shady area (cars slowly driving around, etc) but normally there's nothing all that bad going on.
No practice basket unless you want to walk down to the one by the 9-hole course. However basket 10 is near pad 1 so it can be used.
There are several holes missing their signs. If the signs were updated I would give this course a 5 immediately.
Navigation isn't the best in the world, but once you've played a round or two it's not too bad. The map in Files will get you through just fine.
Other Thoughts: I love playing here. If you're ready to test your arm, your endurance, and your patience, come and play here. The park is never very busy which is unfortunate as this is truly the best course for playing in the whole of the KC metro. It has it's flaws, but you'll be glad you went.
16 of 16 people found this review helpful.
One of the best in KC
12 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: Blue Valley is the most world-class course in the Kansas City area. It features long holes, many par 4's and 5's depending on pin placements, extreme hills to challenge yourself in every way, and just enough trees to provide obstacles on nearly every hole. There's so much elevation that some tee signs list the elevation you gain or lose going from tee to pin.
Nearly every hole is different, and has a variety of opportunities to sail a disc down a hill, thread through trees, or bomb something with nothing in the way. Some highlights: 4 is my favorite hole in KC, 7 is a massive bomber - but don't put it on the road, 9 is a dogleg right par 5 that puts everything else to shame, and the tee shots on 15 and 18 are unique and only possible because of the elevation change.
The par 4's and 5's are my favorite part of the course - 4, 6, 7, 9, and 14 especially. They are all true multi-shot holes, and because they are so long, the placement of your first shot will dictate what you need to do on your second shot. This really helps the replayability of this course.
For those wanting to play the shorter "inner" course, you can split up holes 9 and 11 into two holes, play shorter tees on 4, 10, and 13, and cut holes 17 and 18 entirely. See the course map for details.
This course wears you out like none other! This is a great place to see how much endurance you really have. It loops back to the parking lot a few times, so you can store water or snacks in your car and retrieve them mid-round.
Cons: Navigation is poor. The "inner course" is not marked well at all, leading to confusion when you see baskets and tees that aren't used by the regular course. Several newer pins have been installed that aren't on the tee signs (roughly one pin per hole, actually), so the signs will probably be inaccurate. Because the course is so... big, even a map won't solve everything. Play with someone who's been here before, preferrebly.
The grass gets a little tall at times. This place gets mowed regularly, but not regularly enough. Weeds are an issue on some holes, in parts of the fairways that the mowers can't reach. They don't really create lost disc opportunities, but can lengthen rounds.
Not in a great part of town. There's usually more people chilling on the side of the road than playing Disc Golf.
No practice basket. Hole 10's basket is near the tee of 1, so you can practice there. Pins get moved rarely, though it's not a big deal since this course has so much challenge and variety anyway.
Other Thoughts: THIS IS NOT THE COURSE FOR EVERYONE. Beginners will likely not have a fun time here (though I did when I was a beginner). The long holes and grueling round make this a difficult course to play if you're not already a seasoned player. This isn't a reason for a low rating, but it is a fair warning.
Watch discs going down hills; they will sail for seemingly forever.
This course has the potential to earn 5 stars from me. What it needs is new signs, that mark both the regular and inner course, better fairways and cleaned up rough, and maybe some small alterations to a few holes.
12 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Marathon course that you better be ready for
11 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: Blue Valley Park is the highest point in Kansas City. So the views of the city and skyline are nice. The park was well maintained and in good shape when I was there.
The tees are big concrete pads that are oddly shaped. I can't verify the rumor I heard that each tee pad is in the shape of that hole's green.
There is so much space here that you get a little of everything. Big fairways for long bombs. Many trees with good basket placement so that technical skills are required.There are extreme elevation shots routinely here.
This is a championship level professional course. As I was playing this 11,220 footer and getting physically beat down in the process I was trying to come up with the right description for a title and here's some words that came to mind, which will hopefully give you an indication of what you're in for if you come here: MONSTER, MAMMOTH, MOTHER OF ALL COURSES, and I finally settled on MARATHON. Not just anyone can go run a marathon, so be prepared for a round at Blue Valley Park.
Blue Valley Park is the longest dedicated 18 hole disc golf course in the world. There are three hybrid courses that are longer which share a ball golf course (Danville, VA, Hulbert, OK and Germantown, NC) but hybrids can't compare to dedicated courses since ours only have plastic flying around and not those hard little white balls. And those 3 ball golf courses rent carts, which make monster course more manageable. The course map here says that Blue Valley Park is 10,834 ft, but the long tee distance here says 11,220. Either way those numbers qualify it as the longest dedicated 18 hole disc golf course in the world.
There is a breath taking aspect of Blue Valley Park. It is nice to have SO MUCH SPACE to yourself. And for the few hours I was there alone it was mostly in solitude and serenity. That is a pro, but I also list the size as a con since once your breath is taken away you're exhausted.
The 2016 KC Wide Open pro tournament was here and it's worthwhile to watch Eagle McMahon bomb away on this mega course (
https://youtu.be/Ah-gR1aZ5cc). If you can't get the link to work then go to YouTube and search for the name of the tournament. You can also see for yourself the funny shaped tees the other reviewers comment about.
Cons: Navigation is very frustrating. Many tee signs are vandalised, which is understandable when you see some of the shady characters hanging around the parking lot at the top of the hill by the first tee. But when I got away from the parking lot and into the course I didn't see people again until I got to the bottom of the hill and there were two exhausted disc golfers trying to find the next hole by looking on a course map. They told me four things: 1) the number 3 basket is supposed to by the lake, but it's gone, 2) this place is impossible to navigate, 3) it is way hotter and 4) more exhausting than expected so we are quitting. I did find a basket near the lake, yet not as close as the map shows, but their other three comments were valid, even though I did not quit!
It would have been nice if they used the lake so there would be a water challenge but it does not come into play on three unless you are way off the mark.
Long is not necessarily good. Was an objective of the designers to create the longest dedicated 18 hole disc golf course in the world?
Other Thoughts: Upshawt1979 gave this Blue Valley Park a 5.0 and said, "I loved this terrain, and shot shaping without being aggressively technical due to trees. It is like Water Works, with a lot more real estate." I agree and that's well said, but I can't give it a 5.0 due to navigation problems and more real estate is not necessarily a plus, especially without a golf cart.
The Valkyrie Kid's three Kansas City courses played are of interest when considered in light of Blue Valley Park's championship course. He came to Blue Valley Park and did not play this highly rated course. He only played the short 9 hole course, which he reviewed. I'm not as old as TVK, The DGCR Legend and stats leader in most categories, but I am 60 years old. I haven't communicated with TVK, but I can learn from the number one course bagger in the world and save my energy for other courses when I come face to face with a monster like Blue Valley Park. This time around I'm glad I took the plunge, plus I had not done enough research at that time to even know there was a short course there. I'm sorry I missed it.
By the way, if you're interested in stats check out this link on Mashnut's profile page:
TR STATS
https://docs.google.com/sprea...?usp=drivesdk
If you are up to the challenge then Blue Valley Park is a fun course!
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Flawless... the SECOND time around
6 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: Tee Pads are amazing
Baskets are good
Park and terrain are gorgeous
Design is long, challenging, extremely varied.
Lots of par 4's and 5's
Incredible use of elevation and the varying landscape.
Excellent for advanced players
Unbelievably gorgeous design and layout.
Cons: NOT for beginners, or even low level intermediates.
First time navigation is VERY exhausting.
Signs to not note current pin placements.
Maps and signs and pins do not agree with each other all the time.
Some holes throw close to a park road.
If grass is not mowed, it can be frustrating to find your disc in the fairway.
Other Thoughts: This might very well be the most incredible course I have ever played in my life. It is true par 72 golf, and will challenge your game completely. It is incredible. That said, the first time through this course is nothing short of infuriating. The maps don't always agree with the signs, and a couple signs are missing. There is no way to tell what position the pins are in from the tee, and some of the holes are so long that you literally have to walk hundreds of feet sometimes to find the basket. When you do find the basket, the number on the basket is correct, but the flags have completely different numbers (really? Not one of them is accurate) It is also difficult to tell what par corresponds to what pin. If you are playing the short (red) course, the holes diverge at hole 9, and short 10 becomes 9 longs basket, 11 short throws to 10 long basket, 12 and 13 short throw to the same basket, which is the basket for 11 long. Confused? YOU BET YOU ARE!
Do not try to play short and long courses simultaneously (like with 2 or more people of varying abilities)... you will go crazy.
There are clearly new multiple pin placements on each hole (only one of which is in play at any one time, unless you are playing the short course, in which case some holes have 2... but how are you to know this? You're not) and the maps and signs have not been updated to accommodate them. When and if the signs become PHOTO accurate, and you can CLEARLY see where the pin is from the tee using the signs, this course will be a 5 star, hands down. Unfortunately, I only had a chance to play it once, so I left feeling disappointed that I could not enjoy the course in all it's glory.
If you are a beginner, do not play here. You will get lost and destroyed. This is a blue-gold level course.
All this said, once you know the layout, it is PHENOMENAL.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
Kansas City Star! Yodel O Whoa Whoa La Di Hoo!
11 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: I am really digging the Blue Valley disc golf course. Just played a 18 hole mammoth of a course as the sun went down on a fairly nice late winter day. 53 degrees and sunny, with light to moderate winds.
Very very significant elevation changes, and long. The course charted around this park is beautifully planned, and outfitted with great equipment. The concrete tees are more than large, they are custom fitted on many holes to allow run ups from a number of angles. There are very cool pillars on each tee numbered with foot tall steel stencils, making it easy to identify from 50 feet away or more. Most still have signs, that are good mapping the hole out for you, though much of the time the target will be in sight from near the box. Baskets are good Mach 3 models with flags on most if not all of them. A couple of holes have alternate short tees, and many have concrete benches.
The landscape is ideal for the sport. Huge hills are dominantly open and grassy, but the large trees have just enough density to demand a well executed turn here and there. When it is wide open, the difference will be made up by increased length, and driving and putting on steep inclines and declines. The wind was not terrible today, but may also play a roll in success or failure. Usually footing is good, the grass was in great shape for mid February, barely any mud or water in play.
Good to great on each and every hole. The avenues are relatively wide, but you have to nail it on nearly every shot. Lots of power and accuracy required to have decent chance of par on most holes. I got about 2 or 3 drives that were near to or exactly what I wanted. Several went high, low, or turned over to much. You don't have to be 100%, but the closer the better. Often the second shot required another max power throw to get close to the pin. Clipped a couple of branches also, but didn't take a ton of bad knock downs. The pin positions offered a chance at a 2 birdie in rare instances, and I should have got one on hole 15, but choked on the 15' putt after my perfect drive. Got a bad roll and wound up with a 3 putt bogey instead. Even the bogies are good here, though.
Cons: I saw security concerns in previous reviews, and some of the refuse on the ground looked like it may have been looted from parked cars. Items like a steering wheel cover, a nice looking seat off of a crotch rocket, and clothes. Some other areas with accumulated litter. Saw a few people sitting in cars that gave me some notion of concern, but there were no problems for me this time.
Maybe a little trash, literally and/or figuratively, but not as bad as Kessler in either sense, and with a way better course if you ask me.
Hole 5 was missing the sign, and 13 was missing the sign and the numbers were broken off.
Other Thoughts: It is not as technical as a lot of the 5 star reviews I have written. The trees can be formidable, and so can the distance. If you keep it reasonably in check and make shots without shanking them terribly on a fairly consistent basis, you should be ok. I shot a 71, with a few of the baskets in short positions. Made some good putts, and missed a few. Went OB once on hole 8.
I loved this terrain, and shot shaping without being aggressively technical due to trees. It is like Water Works, with a lot more real estate. And there is a 9 hole course I didn't even get to play yet. Can not wait to return to this one. Championship caliber that a guy like me with average skills can play near par when on point.
There are several great views from certain points on this course. Either in terms of course design or natural landscape of the area. If it isn't perfect, it i close to the goal. I approve of and heavily promote the idea of you playing this course if you have not yet, provided you have the physical ability and privilege to make the trip.
Most disc golf lovers should be able to enjoy this one.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.
World Class Course
1 Helpful / 3 Not
Pros: There are about 12 new placements out there, most were used at the 2016 City of Fountains. The Parks Department is keeping up the grass and rough very well. Majestic fairways and challenging greens throughout the Big course, took our foursome about 3.5 hours. Every hole has options and challenges and is a 'must play' for any serious golfer.
Cons: Plenty of parking, but bring water food and TP . There is some debate over cutting of challenging rough
Other Thoughts: Mixed use public park, so be safe and courteous. Great park for bird watchers
1 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Amazing course
5 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: Best Tee pads of any course I have played. They are very big, which is good because the course is long, and sometimes you need a good run-up. Tees are also shaped the same as the hole's layout (so if the hole curves right, so does the pad)
Nice course design. There are many holes that I want to just empty my bag on. The course is long, but most of the big 500' holes are at least slightly down hill, several are across valleys, so even for intermediate throwers, its not as intimidating as it seems.
The course plays back to the parking lot after hole 10, which is nice, since the course takes a while to play.
Couple of the holes have red baskets, that you can play to for a shorter hole number 9 in particular. So, you can play it as a 300' hole as opposed to the 900' monster that it is, or you can play it as two holes. There is one other hole in addition to 9 that you can play as two holes, then skip 17 and 18, to make it a little shorter course.
They have recently added several shorter pin placements to add some mixture of short and long holes.
Course is mowed pretty regularly greens are almost always in good shape, only once or twice has the rough been really tall when I played
Cons: Signage needs updated. Some are faded really badly, and others are missing.
Couple holes you have to cross a road to next tee (holes 3, 8 and I think 14), which can be confusing if its your first time. (again where signage would help)
Other Thoughts: This in my opinion is a phenomenal course. It takes a while to play, and it will let you know really quickly what kind of shape you are in. As stated in earlier reviews, it is not a beginner friendly course. It doesnt mean you cant try. I played this for the first time after only playing a few months. Course is never super busy, so its a nice venue to practice driving. Water Works may get all of the attention in KC, but if you have a couple hours to play a course (and not get stuck behind other groups) this is a must-play in KC.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Fun, but physical
0 Helpful / 3 Not
Pros: - good tee pads
- well-groomed
- challenging
Cons: - LONG. A buddy and I clocked over 6 miles in one round with LOTS of up-hill/down-hill.
- long shots aren't great for noodle arms like me
Other Thoughts: The views from the hill tops are impressive. It's a great place to take pictures of your buddies throwing from a hilltop with whole vistas ranging out behind them.
0 of 3 people found this review helpful.
A Physically Tiring Course
1 Helpful / 4 Not
Pros:
- Nice teepad setups.
- Elevation changes galore!
- A fair amount of differing shots.
- In a mixed use park, but the course for the most part avoids it.
- Grass is generally mowed.
Cons:
- Navigation can get a little tricky.
- Short course mixed in with long course.
- Baskets need a little TLC.
Other Thoughts: Overall not really a course for beginners due to length more than anything else. If you're good at bombers this is a course for you.
The park is overall nice, but the neighborhood that's around it is sketch. I would not play this course near dusk/after dark, but during the morning/afternoon I felt relatively safe.
1 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Local favorite, great to watch the pros throw when they're in town.
1 Helpful / 1 Not
Pros: Beautiful course. Great variety of throws from huge dog legs to wide open 800'+ downhill bombs. It'll test your ability to transition from a full power rip to more "placement first" mindsets. Bring water, especially if it's warm out.
Cons: Course is slightly interrupted by fallen trees from recent storms but still playable by all means. Definitely recommend tracking pin placements, newer players might struggle with longer course placements but still worth the experience regardless.
Other Thoughts: Tee pad #6 is currently unplayable due to a fallen tree on top of it (as of 6/27/15). Easy enough to tree of a few feet to the side. Otherwise all other holes play as usual. Course takes roughly 2.5-3 hours to play.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Hole #13 (Taken 12/2008) 
4 / 816ft. 
5+ 
4/27/2021 
12/7/2020
Review By: Surge5 
This review was updated on 5/17/2021
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