Kansas Disc Golf Association

Maybe this could start a thread where players give their impressions on a course they have played for the first time. Lots of different opinions on what a good format for reviewing a course is. Could be some good discussion.

Today, I got a chance to play 2 courses that were new to me.


Branson, MO
Sunset Park

Directions were absolutely terrible for finding this place. The park was in a low area of town close to the river and right next to some bluffs. The park was narrow and just big enough for 9 holes. Hearty grass everywhere. For trees, lots of cypresses and tall sycamores. I played the course twice and shot -3 both rounds. I birdied the 3 shortest holes both rounds and parred the rest both rounds. The only hole with serious trouble to contend with was hole 9, but shule next to the bluffs to stay out of.While the holes were fun, the lengths could have been longer or shorter to make the scoring variation better. Perhaps this course would be better for an 850-900 rated player. Certainly worth playing if you are in the area.



Morse Park North
Neosho, MO

The directions were again terrible for finding the course. This one was 18 holes. The description is misleading, saying that the course crosses a creek many times. While you walk over a creek only twice, you never play over it. This course is also listed at 6300 ft. That would mean 350' per hole average. It cannot be over 5800 ft. The tees were uneven piles of woodchips that were not the best tees. While the tees weren't too tough to find, why couldn't they take the time to number their tee flags? There were some really creative holes though. I liked hole 3, which was only about 220', but with some trees in front of the basket, a wooden fence and walking path to the left and a big creek running right along the right side of the basket. Good mix of lefty and righty holes. Good mix of lengths also. I shot -5 on the front and all pars on the back. The front played through the main park and the back played across the street with a dense tree perimeter on a few of the holes. For this area's top course, I'd probably give the nod to McClelland in Joplin. This course was fun though, and worth at least a round.

This sounds like a good idea, as long as people realize that one man's trash is another man's treasure.

Yes. There are many good things and things that could be improved with any course. I enjoy hearing what people observe about disc courses.

The course evaluation programs has been mulling over what is and isn't improtant info for evaluating a course. While that is a really detailed question, I think it's safe to say that description and discussion are very valuable to anyone considering playing a course.

Got to play a couple of other courses on the way back from Arkansas.

Lake Bella Vista in Bentonville Arkansas:

This course is in the far NW corner. Awesome course with 3 sweet water shots on the front 9. Number 3 is a peninsula/island green where you can play a fairly safe hyzer or go straight at it. You can get the bird with the hyzer, so the go for it route isn't very appealing because there is a steep bank both before and after the pin. Lots of cool wooded holes. Par 60, with some cool par 4's. I threw a 60 with some dumb scores on the easier holes, but it was at least a 950 rated round. During the winter, this course would play easier. After significant rain, this course would be a muddy mess. Only dumb holes were hole 1, 17, 18. 17 and 18 were long open shots. 18 was 1100 foot wide open that got tricky only at the end, but enough to create a safety hazard with a nearby bridge and heavily used walking path.

McClelland Park, Joplin MO

They have added 9 holes to this course, again. It now has 27. Here, you will see some 350' par 5's. Only the distance is over by 20% on all the holes, so it is actually around 280' par 5. Kinda funna getting a double eagle. The second 9 they added is a lot tougher, but most holes are still very 2-able. The third and most recent 9 added uses a lot of elevation and played through some mean oaks. Pretty fun shots. This course has some of the craziest baskets. Big chains and small diameter basket at the bottom makes for a ton of spit outs. And no nubs. For tee signs and on top of each basket, they have a street sign saying "hole XX"!

Branson is kinda cool. The new Riverfront area is really nice down there.

Derby, KS

I got to play this course for the first time, it BLOWS!!!

Played Bella Vista before, I liked it. It does have some pretty nice shots, it has a few more where a tree or 2 could be missing.

I didn't think that the water shots were that great. I liked the last one before you crossed the bridge the best.

Derby doesn't blow. There are a few good holes. My biggest compaint is the back to back hyzers beside the water. I am sure Bill has plans to take care of that.

Hole 3 was pretty cool when I played it. Long anhyzer hole.

I just meant that it was windy.

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Treasure Cove at Iowa Western CC is a pretty cool course. Some tunnel shots, big open bombs, and you get to throw off a couple cliffs.

smitty wrote:Derby doesn't blow. There are a few good holes. My biggest compaint is the back to back hyzers beside the water. I am sure Bill has plans to take care of that. Hole 3 was pretty cool when I played it. Long anhyzer hole.

Those water shots are righty holes,that`s why I`ve never played Derby, eventhough it`s only 5 miles from home.