The Colony, TX

Bill Allen Memorial Park

3.785(based on 48 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

Bill Allen Memorial Park reviews

Filter
10 0
aclay
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 39.5 years 309 played 231 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Bill Allen

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 24, 2023 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-- Excellent land for disc golf, and it's well used. You've got a creek to play along (and throw over once). You've also got a 200-250 foot water carry over a pond. You've got plenty of mature trees, and you've got elevation.
-- Two tee pads per hole. The reds are concrete and plenty long; the blue are natural and marked by blue stones in the ground. Some are difficult to find.
-- Maintenance is good.
-- Good Innova baskets.
-- Excellent map at parking lot.
-- Port-o-potty.
-- Practice basket. It's old and not in great shape, but it is there.
-- Best holes are 4, 6, 11, 14 and 17. Four is 237 feet. You've got a big bush 50-60 feet in front of the tee, so you're basically forced to go right or left. The RHBH line likely takes you over an 8-foot tall OB fence and a creek in a deep ravine. Most of the fairway is open, but the basket is tucked into trees, so the approach line is tricky. Six is 367 feet slightly downhill over a pond and then uphill to the basket. The water carry is about 250 feet. The blue tee shortens those distances by about 75 feet. Eleven is a 376-foot tunnel shot. The fairway has a couple of gentle turns and a creek right of the fairway about 150 feet from the tee. Fourteen is a 177-foot ace run that requires you to hit a tight gap. Seventeen is 471 feet, downhill off the tee and fairly open. It flattens out, and about 100 feet from the basket you either hit a narrow gap to cross a creek or go a little deeper and take a hard right turn around trees.

Cons:

-- No water.
-- Navigation is iffy. The creek crossing on 3 is sketchy if you don't take a long walk around. Then the walk from 3 to 4 is long. After 9, you've got a long walk to 10. When you finish 11, you see a tee directly in front of you; that's No. 13. After 12, you've got a long walk to 13.
-- This is in no way a perfect course, but I have trouble coming up with cons.

Other Thoughts:

-- About half of the holes have new pin positions. Those are not alternate positions; the city apparently dug up the old poles and moved them. However, many of those positions only moved a few feet. Seems like a waste of effort.
-- Overall, this is a short course with three holes less than 200 feet and 10 shorter than 300. However, three holes are longer than 400 feet and one is longer than 500 feet, so you get some chances to show off a big arm.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 2
SillyPeddy
Experience: 2.8 years 15 played 14 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Not as crazy as ppl make it out to be! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 16, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

Concrete tee pads
Bench and trash cans at every tee
Shade! Not many courses around here have it

Cons:

Chains are flimsy on the baskets
A few tee signs are missing
Mostly short straight holes (still wooded tho)
Signs showed Blue pads also? Did not see one or even a dirt spot where one could be.

Other Thoughts:

Many of the reviews talk about the creek and problems with it but I had 0 trouble, the water was about a foot deep anyway. Also many of the shots are dead straight so a Buzz or similar would be perfect on them.

Cool course but if you want woods I would say Heritage is the better choice.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 1
YNPveteran
Experience: 40.9 years 68 played 5 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 4, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

Good variety of long, short, left, right, up, down, narrow, open holes. Not crowded for a Sunday afternoon. Didn't catch up to group ahead until #15. No group caught us until #16. We had no map, nor someone in front of us to follow, yet navigation was very easy. There were signs on most holes with distance and par.

Cons:

Course runs through busy public park, look before you throw on some holes. 10, 11, 12, & 18 were muddy.

Other Thoughts:

We only had time for one round of golf while in the area, and we decided on this course from the many to choose from. We had a rookie playing his first round, and I'm from Michigan and hadn't gotten out yet this year. This course was perfect for us over 50 guys. With the variety of holes, I used every one of my 10 discs I brought. Not a real difficult course, we played every hole as a par 3, we didn't break par, but didn't hit double digits over either(rookie didn't keep score). During the rainy season I could see some of the holes being unplayable, the mosquitoes getting real bad when the nights warm up, and some of the rough on the back becoming a problem. At a leisurely pace, play time was less than 2 hours.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 0
RedbirdinTX
Experience: 18 played 9 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great course. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 19, 2019 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

A well laid out course that incorporates every throw. Make sure you bring every type of disc with you, you will probably need use them all. Concrete pads at every hole. Carts are easy enough to use unless it is really wet. Well maintained by the excellent parks service.

Cons:

The baskets are functional but old, with some chain detachment. The course stays muddy for a week or so after moderate rains, and it can be quite cumbersome in the wooded area of the course, especially at hole 11.

Other Thoughts:

This course is definitely worth driving out of your way to play. Bring some sandals or something to drive home in as your shoes will likely be muddy at the end of the day.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 0
DonJuanDeLaNooch
Experience: 22.6 years 37 played 9 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Gooshy but GREAT. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 14, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great variety of shots
Well maintained beautiful park
Awesome tunnel shots
Great air it outs as well
Right turns
Left turns
It's all here.

Cons:

I really could t find any. It was wet when I played but that's just the way it goes sometimes.

Other Thoughts:

I would up at this course as a plan B from Lewisville. There was a tourney going on at Lewisville.
I turned out to be thankful for that because this course was really cool and I wouldn't have likely played it otherwise. If you are out that way in the Colony it is worth a round or two for sure. Excellent course. LOVED the elevated tee box air outs!!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 4
Superpolski
Experience: 13.8 years 235 played 4 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Course in excellent condition 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 11, 2017 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Bill Allen has 18 concrete tee pads and clear well defined fairways. It will challenge all skill level players with tight lines, tunnel shots and a few big arm holes. Accuracy is a must to score well here. Hole 11 is the signature hole but hole 6 also has that signature hole appeal.

Cons:

The rough is full and thick around holes 15, 16 and 17. The baskets are old DGA baskets and the tee signs could be better.

Other Thoughts:

The course is in excellent condition. Most of the water has dried up in all the normal low spots and it has been mowed recently.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 6
34blast
Experience: 26.8 years 50 played 30 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 11, 2017 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great Variety
Lot's of great challenge
Lot's of shade

Cons:

A bit difficult if you are a beginner
Can be really muddy after a big rain

Other Thoughts:

This is one of my favorite courses. There is alot of variety of long and short holes along with some very tight and challenging holes.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 0
jamminbales
Experience: 7.4 years 46 played 15 reviews
3.50 star(s)

You'll need every disc, and watch out for water 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 10, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Crazy variety
-Emphasizes accuracy over distance

Cons:

-Lots of water to lose a disc in
-Poor tee signs
-Tough to navigate without a map

Other Thoughts:

Difficulty (4.5/5): This is a fairly short but very tight course. It was more difficult than my skills could support in many places. Accuracy is definitely at a premium for the majority of this course with lots of tree tunnels and gaps you have to hit.

Maintenance (2.5/5): The grass was kept sort and there wasn't really any brush off to the side of the fairways, just trees. I played the weekend after a pretty heavy rain and there was a few flooded/swampy areas in the fairways, which wasn't idea. The tee signs weren't great but the tee boxes were in good shape.

Variability (5/5): The true strength of this course. Off the tee you'll throw hyzers, anhyzers, tunnel ace runs, tunnel placement shots, long bombs where you have to aim for a specific side of the fairway. On hole six you'll have to decide if you want to risk carrying the lake or if you'll play it safe and layup. There's really only one hole that is open enough to where you can throw it as far as you want and not really worry about where you'll land. And even better, there's probably 5 holes that you could play different strategies with so I could foresee this course being extremely replayable.

Flow/Experience (2.5/5): I used the UDisc gps map to help me get around, otherwise I think I would have had a problem. The teepad for 3 was originally confusing because we could see baskets for 3, 18, 17, and 10. Getting between 3 - 4 would have been tough, as well as 9 - 10 and 12 - 13. Because of the poor condition of the tee signs, there isn't much help on the course of how to navigate, so bring a map! I definitely walked away happy from this course though, and I plan on coming back to play it once I have gotten a little better.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 1
tankmlee
Experience: 8.6 years 19 played 6 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Very good course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 20, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

Well laid out
Good variety of holes
Very nice neighborhood
well maintained
good views
not many other people in park

Cons:

Tee signs are not good
course map needs to be updated
Layout can be confusing if you have never played it.

Other Thoughts:

overall a wonderful course, i will play it again soon.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 0
sommelier73
Experience: 12 years 34 played 6 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 25, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Well designed, technical course with some arm-stretching holes thrown in for balance. Tee pads and baskets are all in good shape, and the park seems fairly popular. The creative layout of the course forced me to use all the shots in my bag, which I like. There are also three holes that are marked as par 4 which seem generous.

Cons:

There are some low spots that collect water after a heavy rain, so parts of the course turn into a shoe sucking mud pit. Also, hole 6 plays across a pond that forces you to carry 300' from the tee, or go swimming.

Other Thoughts:

We came out on Christmas and there were a bunch of people out using the park. We had some folks stroll down the fairway of 11, just enjoying the views. There were a couple of guys using hole 18 for putting practice, and a family using the 15th fairway for batting practice. All in all, I would recommend this course for anybody, but beginners should bring diving equipment.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 1
Elimster
Experience: 15 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

A good bit of water 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 21, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

It's a nice, challenging course. Has technical shots, with some long easier shots. Good layout, you can find the next hole fairly easily, and a nice park.

Cons:

The signs have either worn away or the papers are no longer there on many of the holes. Many you cannot see from the tee, this in and of itself is not a bad thing just makes you scout if you don't know the course.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 0
alpha_dave
Experience: 120 played 6 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Bill Allen 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 17, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Tee Boxes= Nice concrete pads on holes 1-3 and 10-18, most of which still have the crushed granite surrounding the concrete.
Baskets= mostly in good shape, practice basket on top hill next to parking lot.
Signs & Stuff= Playground near parking lot and holes 1-3, picnic table at hole 8, porta-potty between holes 13 & 14 (usually)
Design= Varied shot design, has a little bit of elevation, some technical holes, a couple of bombers and several ace runs. Once you go "into the woods" on holes 10-13 your score can change drastically. Overall a very fun but still challenging course to play.
Dave's Point= one of my first courses I played, it will always be special to me, so it gets a little extra love.

Cons:

Tee Boxes= holes 4-9 still have crushed granite pads, not a fan. Only one set of permanent tees.

Baskets= Mostly in good shape, basket 9 is installed incorrectly, so be sure to check the chains before you putt

Design=I'm not a big fan of hole 18...many players dislike hole 11(I'm not one of them)

Signs&Stuff= several of the signs (9&12) are missing or unreliable.

Dave's Point=I really dislike the granite pads, TC Parks and Rec keeps promising to add concrete to 4-9.....that'll be nice.

Other Thoughts:

Ratings Breakdown:

Tee Boxes= .25
Baskets= .75
Signs & Stuff=..75
Design= .75
Dave's Point= 1.0
total= 3.5
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 1
FarFromPar
Experience: 10.9 years 25 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 22, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-good mix of open and wooded, short and long
-no two holes feel the same
-good signage
-can use a variety of throws

Cons:

-dirt and gravel teepads are worn in on a few holes
-snakes in summer
-a few holes will really punish you for throwing poorly
-can get crowded at times

Other Thoughts:

One of my favorite courses to play. Concrete teepads or alt pin placement would really make this a 4 star or higher course for me. Played many rounds here and it still challenges me. One of the few courses where i feel a good sidearm really helps to have.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 1
OB Four
Experience: 43 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Feb 22, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Good variety of shots required
-Good flow b/t holes
-Grounds are well kept
-Challenging, but not overly so

Cons:

-Stickers in the summer like crazy
-Does not drain well

Other Thoughts:

Probably one of my favorite courses to play on a regular basis. Has a really great mix of shots required. Has some really good wooded shots that require accuracy, hyzer/anhyzer shots, distance, elevation changes, and a few aceable holes.

Hole by hole breakdown:
1. Depending on the weather, the green can be fast. So, you'll want to adjust your shot accordingly for the skip or lack thereof. I've seen this hole played successfully with everything from a midrange to a 12 speed driver. Just a pure hyzer shot.
2. The most conventional way to play this shot is the forehand hyzer through the gap, and let the skip get you close to the pin. The easier route if you have the shot, is the thumber.
3. Ace run hole. Just a straight shot to the pin, putter or mid depending on your playing style.
4. There is the gorge on the right side of the fairway that many of discs have been thrown into. The only true risk is is you misjudge the wind and your putter/mid turns over. Can usually play the straight shot with a putter/mid or a fairway driver for more of a hyzer route.
5. Typically, unless you have over 500ft of power, just trying to blast out your first shot as far as possible to make for the easiest upshot for a 3. The green is on a hill and makes for a fast green if you hit the left side of the green. Not too many 2's taken here.
6. The wind comes into play a lot on this hole. Not a long shot over the water, but the wind can change that in a hurry. Depending on your power, it's a very two-able hole. I've seen the hole successfully played for the birdie with anything from a fairway driver to a distance driver, just depends on your line preference and playing style.
7. Feels like this should be an easy birdie hole, but the wind can make things a little rough, esp for the backhand thrower. The easiest play is the right hand forehand hyzer if you have the throw and let it skip into the green for the 2. Otherwise for the RHBH player, it's downhill and not a hard throw to get a putter or mid down there. The wind is usually in play though and can turn over the slower molds more easily into the rough.
8. Not the easiest of two's, but not the hardest either. Can be had with either the backhand mid turnover shot or a pure forehand hyzer. Usually trying to play a little right and high of the tree off the tee.
9. Just a straight to fade shot with a putter or mid.
10. I've seen this shot played many of ways. None really a guaranteed two. But pick your favorite gap shot, and let it rip.
11. Typically, most ppl want to play to the placement shot off the tee and get about halfway down the fairway for a more manageable three. Not too many ppl are two-ing this hole without an amazing throw in. Personally I prefer the putter or mid shot off the tee and then another putter shot for the upshot.
12. Playing a hyzer skip with something overstable just trying to get yourself an easy upshot. Can be a crapshoot as to where you land though.
13. I've seen this two parked with a thumber, but if you don't have that shot, you're typically putting out a placement shot with an overstable mold hoping to get as much skip towards the green as possible for an easy upshot for three.
14. Simple hyzer shot.
15. I've seen a two look on this hole a handful of times, but it's rare. Best shots I've seen were flex shots or hyzerflips down the fairway. Typically just trying to get yourself in position for the easiest second shot for a par though.
16. Seemingly a simple shot here. Usually taking a fairway here and just trying to hit the right gap and allow the disc to settle in near the basket. Can be a fast green depending on weather.
17. I've seen this hole 2'ed once in person, very rare. Typically just aiming for the gap at the bottom of the fairway trying to allow for an open upshot. Really want to avoid sawing off your drive and going into the rough on the left or landing short right, as the trees will make for a hard upshot.
18. I've seen this played a number of ways. None of which seems to be any better than the other. Hyzerflip to straight or a flat shot with a straight disc through the gap will work, there's a backdrop that can help, so you can use pretty much any speed of disc you'd like, as it'll stop you from going too far if you come in hot.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 1
jrrttmrgn
Experience: 19.8 years 128 played 13 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Big Ballin’ Bill 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 19, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Bill Allen has many of the things that make a course go from adequate to great. A sense of mystery as to what adventure the next hole will have waiting for you. Big bombs from off hilltops, tight tunnel shots over flowing creeks, technical short drives followed by carefully placed long approaches, Risk/ Reward birdies and holes with multiple lines off the tee pad all make for a round of golf that makes you want to start over and play it again. Baskets are in good shape and course foliage and fairways are conscientiously maintained. There are adequate tables and trash cans which also aid in creating a good experience.

Cons:

The cons of the course are few but need mentioning. The tee pads in the middle portion of the course are gravel and can cause slips or falls. Also, a few holes come dangerously close to parking lots and streets. Signs could use some updating as well.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 1
JeremyKShort
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.2 years 80 played 33 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Bill Allen 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 19, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Lots of unique shots. Holes are all a challenging distance without becoming overly long. Good flow and navigation. Easy to traverse. Nice 30' circles around the baskets. Holes are separated from each other, so you never seem to be throwing onto other players.

Cons:

The gravel tee pads are a bit troublesome for players with a big run up. Hole 13 is very close to a parking lot. You don't throw directly over it, but it's fairly easy for a bh shot to get pushed by the wind into it.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 5
BigGAC1
Experience: 14.6 years 39 played 29 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Bill Allen 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 24, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

wide variety of shots
good baskets
challenging placements
utilizes existing terrain well

Cons:

lack of concrete pads
I ended up with poison ivy from here

Other Thoughts:

I really enjoyed playing this course, its layed out well, and is fun to play. Definitely worth playing if you're in the area.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 2
chalos13
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.8 years 35 played 34 reviews
4.00 star(s)

great variety 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 21, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Impressive variety of shots. This course is the definition of using everything you have to work with. Long shots, short shots, tight approaches, this one will test your game.

Cons:

Weaves in and out of the park, so there a few places that can get crowded. Some areas that look like they could be very bad for anyone alergic to poison ivy. The pond was almost dry when we played, but it looks like it could be a real swamp.

Other Thoughts:

Great course, play it at an off time. People complain about no concrete tees but I can live without them at a park this great. Play this one for sure if you're in the area.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 1
jumbo
Experience: 12.8 years 39 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Variety on the course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 27, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

I really like this course because it does give you the opportunity to try alot of different shots as most of the holes have pretty interesting lines.

-Good Variety
-A few challenging holes.
-Side-arm Friendly

Cons:

-11 is a really tight hole that can backup..
-Some of the water is no-mans land if your disc gets wet.
-The course can get crowded if the weather is nice.

Other Thoughts:

Great course that will always stay pretty high on my list.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 5
Pond-diver
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Great course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 5, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Shots that will test your accuracy
Long shots
Short tricky shots
Good fun walk
Hole 2 3 6 8 and basically all of back 9 will require some thought
One of my favs in DFW!

Cons:

Poison ivy
Snakes

Other Thoughts:

Being my home course I will be biased but if you want go test your skills come play here
Very hard pars
I'm always diving In the pond on hole 6 looking for lost disc since I still can't make it over
Was this review helpful? Yes No

Latest posts

Top