Patience is Paramount
17 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: Concrete tees and quality Chainstar baskets are a big plus. The tees are a bit short but nowhere near useless. The baskets have the hole number on an orange sticker inside the chains.
The basket of hole 5 can be used as a practice basket as it's right next to the parking lot and hole 1, and the hill that green is on makes it a prime spot for practice. The basket of 18 is also nearby, bringing the course to a nice, complete loop.
Lots of tough hills around the whole park create several tough greens and fairways. Holes 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, and 18 all have dangerous slopes on the greens that could realistically put you over 100ft away on a bad rollaway. 3 and 10 are blind RHBH hyzers that both have OB risk to the right, and the dramatic downhill of hole 6 wraps up most of the elevation changes this park has to offer. The amount of elevation used and the challenges it presents is worth a half point on its own.
Navigation is helped by a few "Next Tee" signs and a huge set of concrete stairs from hole 10 to 11. The signs are posted when needed and avoided when not. Mandos are used tastefully as well. Not too may, but enough to keep away from the roads winding around the park.
There are a few extra options throughout the park. Between holes 7 and 8 there is another hole! 7A is a flat par 3, around 300'. Nothing that exciting, but an additional hole is always worth mentioning. Hole 12 has two baskets that look like they are in play at all times. The shorter pin is mounted on a stump about 8' off the ground at maybe 250', and the long pin stretches the hole to around 425'. This pin can also be used as a long pin for 16.
I saved the best for last. Hole 8 is a thin, technical challenge. With the pin just over 500' away, the fairway thins out in the middle (like an hourglass) to about 12' wide at its thinnest. The woods on either side aren't that thick and both sides slope toward the fairway, so the chance of a lucky roll is higher than normal. There is a concrete path going down the middle of the fairway, but it's hardly ever used. This hole presents a tough but fair par 4 and kicks off the better half of the course.
Cons: I'm going to come down hard here. Holes 1-7 are not that great. Nothing over 275, no real challenge except a little elevation, and hole 4 is... not good. The tee is stuck behind some bushes I can only hope weren't part of the original design and the pin is very out in the open, and is fairly close to the tee of 7. The difficulty ramps up as you progress through the course which is good but the opening 7 holes are very weak.
There is a lot of other stuff going on at this park. A gravel road borders seven holes and a walking path bothers a further four. As I mentioned earlier, the mandos are used well, but there is a lot of non-disc golf activity right near the course. Play carefully.
Some new pins have been added since the tees were put in. It's not a huge issue, but it is a little confusing to walk up to a tee that says 332 and yet end up throwing a putter.
A few spots of danger. Basket 4 is close to tee 7, and tee 1 and baskets 5 and 18 are all fairly close (I may or may not have thrown to hole 18 thinking 5 was just a practice basket). The fairways of 11 and 12 run right alongside each other, and hole 15's forehand line plays straight toward hole 16. None of these are extremely close together, but still close enough to mention.
Other Thoughts: I don't have much to whine about after the first seven holes. If they matched the quality of the following eleven, the course would easily get another half disc from me. The course shows it's age a fair bit, but it's definitely worth a visit.
Don't go too far past the disc golf parking lot since that road becomes one-way traffic. That is however the way to access the well-hidden and surprisingly high quality 9-hole compliment to this course.
17 of 17 people found this review helpful.
No one expected it to be this good
15 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: The 18 hole course at Jackson part is a fantastic course that utilizes hills and trees excellently. The park is well-maintained, with bathrooms on site, concrete stairs leading to hole 11, and consistent mowing of fairways. Navigation is pretty good, but you might want a map handy for your first time. There's a raised pin on 12, a bonus hole between 7 and 8, and fun to be had on every hole.
Nearly every hole has some elevation change. Some of the most notable ones are the valley holes, such as 1, 14, 15, and 18, where an aggressive line can be punished majorly by an early tree hit, or the disc can go sailing the wrong way on an errant shot. The hills prevent your view of the basket, make the holes seem deceptively long or short, and help encourage certain shots. Holes 13 and 14 have dropoffs behind the pin, and because holes 8 and 9 play through a ravine with woods on either side, you can play pretty aggressively (if you want to) and not worry about you disc going more than a few feet into the woods.
Even the holes that look straightforward have danger lurking. An OB road is behind the basket on hole 2 and nearby on some others. Many holes have a slightly awkward fairway shape that makes accessing the basket difficult (7, 10, 17), but not to the point of being gimmicky. Hole 6 requires very little power to reach the green, being short and super downhill, but makes distance control essential.
The trees are used excellently to provide multiple lines but have some play more aggressively than others, and the variance is there from hole to hole. On 14, the widest gap puts you in danger of going on the road, you have to pick your gap on 11, and hole 4 gives you choices of how aggressive you want your drive to be. Hole 3 is really interesting - the most open line plays over the road, but you have to throw your disc a little too high to do so, and you risk going long or right.
A lot of holes reward specific shot selection. In addition to the examples I've already listed with risk/reward, the danger of OB on so many holes means you really need a good assessment of your skill if you want to shoot well. It's very easy to come and throw a bunch of hyper-aggressive shots that don't fit your skill set, and end up seeing your scores rise quickly. On some holes, it's all about finishing on one side of the fairway or missing a certain tree; on others, avoiding the immediate danger could leave you with a difficult upshot. If you're not playing well, be prepared to have a long day - but it'll sure help you improve your game.
Cons: I honestly think no one realized how good this course was when it was put in. As such, the amenities are just okay. While the park is nice, the teepads are a little on the small side, and signage isn't great. There are some alternate pins (I think on 1, 12, but I think they get moved rarely. At least, they're not marked on the signs, so for pins that are in their newer positions now the signs are inaccurate for distances. There may be a few benches and trash cans, but not many.
A few holes stand out as being worse than the rest. Hole 5 doesn't have much going for it, and hole 9 only has a left-to-right line, and that line has nothing in the way. Hole 17 has an odd shape that has a bit of poke-and-hope feel to it, though if you have the accuracy to not hit the first line of trees, you're looking great.
Hole 8 is the only par 4, and several holes are a little on the short side, even though they certainly have plenty of challenge. For the upper level of players, this course won't be very difficult, although it still can be a good test of skill. There's possibly some room for holes on the hillsides behind holes 3 and 8, but it would involve a lot of work to make it happen.
If the park is busy, it's possible to see some non-DGers on the fairways. The playground and picnic shelter are away from the course, but that doesn't always solve everything. There's a trail that runs... somewhere - there's a sign saying so on hole 4. The many roads, while they don't get many cars, could certainly have some walkers on them.
Other Thoughts: There's no practice basket, but the baskets of 5 and 18 are near the start and can be practiced on. The only spots with tall grass that I've seen help protect the fairways from the road, as well as an unneeded hillside between 10 and 11, and if you go down that hill on 11, you're in trouble anyway.
There's not a ton of potential for lost discs here, but when there is, it could be real bad. There are dropoffs to the right on 3 and 4, and if you go across the road on the back nine, you could be in trouble. Other than that though, there's not much.
I don't have any problem with the roads than run around the course. They pretty much lead nowhere, so they get little traffic, and add an OB element to over half the holes on the course. I call the road in bounds on hole 8 because it basically is the fairway, and the hole would be really dumb otherwise. However, it makes it a comparatively easy par 4.
This is a really good course. I really want to give it a 4.5, but it doesn't have the wow factor on quite enough holes to justify such a rating. I don't think there's quite enough motivation for this course to get the love it needs to be a truly phenomenal course, but I'm sure happy with it the way it is.
15 of 15 people found this review helpful.
Elevation Amelia Earhart Would Appreciate
10 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: +lots of hills and valleys and good use of elevation
+concrete tee pads
+tee signs with maps and bag hooks
+intuitive design to get to next hole
+hole 1 starts near end of hole 18
+well maintained park with bridges, stairs, and pathways
+disc golf course is relatively separated from other course activities
+27 total holes in the same park makes for longer play
Cons: -some holes & tee pads located too close to each other
-tee pads are very short (too short for my game)
-no trash cans available on the course (only located near the pavilions)
Other Thoughts: This is a fun course that offers nice views. I found the short tee pads problematic for my style of drive. The longest hole (hole 8) is one of my favorite holes with a nice winding valley but the short tee pad length is also the most visibly problematic on this hole. A few of the holes felt placed out of convenience as opposed to well thought out disc golf holes. I still enjoyed the course and will probably be back to experience all 27 holes (I only played the 18 hole course).
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.
Wooded and Hilly Course with a Variety of Shots
5 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: -Lots of various shot types. Right to left shots, tunnel shots, left to right shots, some OB and Mandos (if playing fairly seriously), uphill, downhill, across valleys, and some Ace run potential.
-Excellent course to learn how to hit lines. If you can hit your lines here, you can score well. If you are off, then the birdies will be few.
-There are several holes that are good beginner holes. Holes 2, 3, 6, 7, and 12/16 (in the short positions) are very manageable distance for beginners, but still have some skill required to get a birdie.
-There have been some recent updates to some of the course. 8's tee pad has some new landscaping that lets you use the full tee pad; There is a new tee pad for the extra hole between 7 and 17 (called 7A) and a new, longer tee position for hole 5.
Cons: -Like most wooded courses, if you get off of the fairway/main route, it can get pretty dicey. There are some decently thick woods around the majority of the course, and if you're playing during the time of year where everything is nice and green, finding a stray disc can be an unwanted adventure. Also, summer=bugs.
-Most holes only have 1 tee pad and 1 basket location. And those that do have more than 1 basket location, the tee signs are not updated to show both spots.
-A majority of the tee pads (except for the two new ones) are not very long, so if you like to get a big run up, it can be tricky. 10 and 12's tee's have a slight drop off from the back part of the tee to the ground, so trying a longer run up on them requires a step-up.
-If you are a fan of flat, wide open courses where you can grip it and rip it, you may not like this course as much. There are only a handful of tee shots where you can really let loose (10, 11, 12 in the long position, 15, 17, and 18. However, you still have to hit a line on most of those holes, so be cautious. Also, on a hot, humid day, walking that hilly terrain can wear you down if you're not ready for it.
Other Thoughts: Overall, this course has a lot of good things going for it. Atchison is about an hour or less from the Kansas City Metro, so other quality courses aren't terribly far away. This course has hosted some B/C Tier tournaments, but probably doesn't have the overall distance to host larger, A Tier ones.
This is the course I learned how to play on, and is about 5-6 minutes from my house. The city keeps the grassy areas mowed fairly regularly, so the course usually looks pretty nice. There are a decent amount of fun shots to make me want to come back for more.
I would say improvements could be made by updating the signs, replacing the short tee pads with some longer ones, and putting in a few accessories near some more holes (trash cans, benches, etc.).
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Great Park Course
5 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: Elevation 10/10. This course is situated on the bluffs over the river and there are a lot of pretty steep elevation changes. The holes have great variety with the elevation as well, and a lot of them aren't just up/down/side, but have more complex terrain.
Use of obstacles 10/10. This course does a great job of using the mix of wooded areas and isolated mature trees, along with some roads for OB risk.
Decisionmaking 10/10. With all of the mature trees, there are a lot of potential lines to throw and this course will really make you think about your shot
Course maintenance 9/10. Grass has always been well mowed, course in good condition. The only knock I have is there was a fallen tree for quite awhile that was in the fairway for hole 7. It has since been cleared along with some brush on 17
Navigation 9/10. Course layout is mostly intuitive with signs pointing to the next hole in tricky spots. You can see the basket from the tee on most holes and there are serviceable tee signs
Disc finding 9/10. The woods can be thick in a couple spots, especially hole 8 where it is hard to stay out of them, but for the most part discs are easy to find.
Comfort 8/10. Grass is short, lots of shade from mature trees. Restrooms and water available at start of course. Could use a couple more benches or a place for water in the middle
Tees/Baskets 8/10. The tee pads feel a little small on the longer holes but they're good quality. Baskets are solid
Variety of shot paths 8/10. You'll have to be able to throw a bunch of different shot paths to do well on this course. Holes 3, 6, 10, and 17 require right to left, 7, 9, 13, and 15 require left to right, and 1, 4, 8 require you to throw something straight.
Variety of distance 7/10. There is pretty good variety of distance. The front nine is mainly short with a couple longer holes, and the back 9 is the opposite. Could use a couple of bomber holes.
Challenging all levels 7/10. The front 9 will be on the easy side for experienced players, but they should find the back more challenging. The first time I played this course I was definitely a beginner and I wasn't frustrated at any point. There are two holes with alternate tees to help here (5 and 18).
Variety of openness 7/10. Most of the holes are what I would classify as "moderately wooded". There are a couple more open (2, 5, 9, 18) and a couple that are more technical (1, 8, and 14).
Cons: Alternate hole positions 1/10. I don't play this course a ton, but I have only seen alternate positions on holes 10 and 12, and I'm not convinced that they aren't just changed. I'll give it 1/10 for the benefit of the doubt there. There isn't a ton of extra room but a lot of holes could have some pretty cool alternate positions.
Other Thoughts: Overall challenge 7/10. The primary challenge this course presents is forcing you to carve a variety of shots through the hills.
I really have a hard time finding anything bad to say about this course. It's not like it's world class, and there are certainly things that could be better, but it is a solid park setting course and I'm surprised it isn't busier. I head up to Atchison for the Amelia Earhart festival at the end of July every year and I always make sure to play this course while I'm there. The 9 hole in the back of the park is a good warm-up as well.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Fun Runs at Jackson
5 Helpful / 0 Not
Pros: I think Jackson Park offers a lot if you want a course that rewards and encourages fundamentally sound disc golf shots. It isn't a championship layout, but has plenty of elevation change, and enough trees to create a need for controlled flight. There is also limited heavy rough, a few mandos, and a very tall basket on 12.
The concrete tees at each hole have wooden headers with the distance to the pin routed in them, as well as signs with rudimentary illustrations. The baskets are nice Mach V models. The park is well maintained, not crowded, and has another 9 hole course on the opposite end.
Many of the holes are short enough to reach from the tee, and birdie putts can be numerous. Vertical rise and fall, mature trees and some brushy rough, and possibly wind is all that stands in your way. Even the two par 4's are not to long to get under par.
Hole 1 and 2 are both short, fun downhill runs that can be reached with a putter or midrange disc. The basket on 2 is backed by the road that winds through the park, and poses an OB challenge if you're scoring strictly. 4 plays through a tricky tunnel, across a couple of bridges with plenty of branches in play. 6 is another shorter hole, that is pretty steep downhill, and has a basket protected by trees. 7 offers a nice left to right, downhill and is good practice for a RHFH drive. 8 is the first par four and the longest hole, above the walking path and slightly downhill.
The back 9 begins with the other par 4, on the side of a grassy hill weaving between large trees. 12 is not long but the pin is planted atop a stump, a raised target that adds interest. 13 is a longish, slightly downhill drive with interesting contours. 14 may be my favorite hole. It is a large drop in elevation, and has a pretty long drive through a nice hyzer RHBH window. Don't miss to the right of the road, it drops off steeply into heavy woods. 18 is a decent finisher, where you can mostly grip it and rip it. Not totally flat, and not totally open, but lots of open air and within range of a driver.
Cons: The layout is kind of condensed. Roads, walking trails, and other holes can be nearby in the peripheral. Sidewalks on 8 and 9 are right in the line. A couple of picnic tables are also near fairways.
Signs do a decent job guiding through hole transitions, but you may want to snap a pic of the map if you aren't familiar with the layout.
Some sign maps are kind of vague, and the distance seems questionable on a couple of holes as well. Tees are not huge, but most of the holes are not long enough to require a big run up. Wind can be stiff, and add some degree of difficulty.
Other Thoughts: After getting familiar with the course, I shot a 51, bogey free. The chance to shoot under 50 is not unrealistic. I live about and hour away, and will definitely return to play this one now and again.
While Jackson park is not a disc golf wonderland, it has a lot fun holes with good variety. It is a bit confined on a few holes, but the park doesn't seem to have enough traffic most of the time to make the layout a problem.
With another 9 hole course on the premises, that is of similar quality, I would say most players would find it worthwhile to make the trip. Professionals will likely find it to be easy, but good opportunities to practice different throws for the rest of us, while still enjoying the round. Kind of reminds me of Rosedale Down Under in Overland Park, with more grassy park than brushy rough.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Great Hilly and Slightly Technical Course
3 Helpful / 1 Not
Pros: - Good Variety of L->R and R->L, elevation, trees
- Great scenery and use of property
- Signs at each tee
- Multiple basket position on most holes
- Local parks department involved in park up keep, mowed frequently
- Bathrooms and pinic/playground area near by
- bag hooks
-trash and recycling on the front 6
Cons: - short Tee pads, < 12 feet
- sings at tee only show 1 tee position and distance
- Few trash cans back 9
- Only one true par 4s
- Only 1-2 wide open drives
Other Thoughts: Great elevation and variety for a small down course. Some describe it as a mini waterworks with elevation. I would agree and say it adds some more technical shots with the density of trees. This is my home course over the last year. Great course for me to run for speed disc golf. Good variety of shoots. Worth coming up from KC to play the 18 and 9 hole course on the same property.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Where's the fairway?
1 Helpful / 13 Not
Pros: Beautiful park. Holes 1, 5, 18 are good. 18 is my favorite. Restrooms available. Nice pavilion on the hill. Good parking.
Cons: Not many fairways. Trees and hills, but not much sense of fairways here. Tall grass, thick leaves, short teepads, lack of benches. Mando trees in the wrong places. Road in the middle of a fairway on three holes. Thick woods and tall grass where you cannot find your disc.
Other Thoughts: The design suffers from a lack of knowledge of how discs fly because of the random location of trees between the teepad and the basket. However, some people like this. I don't.
1 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Jackson Park
2 Helpful / 3 Not
Pros: Beautiful park and great for kids with a nice playground
Family pavilion
Concrete tee pads
Ace and birdie potential on holes 1-7 &9
Cons: Very short and boring front 9 except holes 4&8
No benches or trash cans
Lots of poison ivy
Back 9 signage difficult to navigate esp finding hole 10
Distance and lines aren't correct on the back 9 signage
Mostly throwing blind shots on the back 9, hard to find discs with leaves all over
Other Thoughts: There's a lot of posion ivy throughout the course so be careful if you lose a disc in the woods or thick brush. This course will be difficult to navigate for someone new to the park.
2 of 5 people found this review helpful.
2 Helpful / 4 Not
Pros: Concrete tee pads, good signage, mix of short and long with plenty of hills and trees. Directions to the next hole when its not obvious.
Cons: A little rough on the back 9, fairways were nonexistent, tee pads are a little short, no benches or trashcans.
2 of 6 people found this review helpful.
Join Disc Golf Course Review for free to add your review. Have an account already?
Sign In to add a review.
3 / 330ft.
Par / Distance:
Hole #18 (Taken 3/2009) 
1 
8/20/2021 
8/24/2021
Report this Review