Danville, VA

Ballou Park DGC - Course #2

3.465(based on 27 reviews)
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Ballou Park DGC - Course #2 reviews

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2 0
chrissauls
Experience: 30.2 years 119 played 9 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Frustrated 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Apr 26, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Beautiful park
-Elevation changes on most holes
-Subway near by
-Easy
-Family park with a hugh playground for the kids.

Cons:

-Dirt tee spots. Dirt pads would be an improvement.
-Trees in the middle of fairways
-Lazy course design
-Short...Very short. agonizing short..

Other Thoughts:

When I drove into the park, my excitement level was at an all time high. Rolling hills, mature hardwoods, creeks. What a gem. Those thoughts quickly evaporated after the 5th hole. After playing the 1st few short holes, I was really looking for a challenge and it never came. There were so many missed opportunities with this course design, I couldn't help but think what could have been. In my assessment, it has to be one of the following:
1. The designer's hands were tied by parks and rec. He must have been on a short leash
2. The design is to accommodate children, families, and grand parents.
3. The intent was to design an intermediate course.

There are some very cool holes but far too many poor ones. Some tweaking to the pin positions and lengthening some holes would really make a difference. The club seems to be really active with concrete pads on 5 holes and more to come. While playing, someone approached me about a kids event they had planned so it's good to see someone is trying to make a difference.

Hole 1 is right past the playground on left.

Worth the visit once..
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8 0
BrotherDave
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.8 years 192 played 189 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Dantastic! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 8, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Well elevated, moderately wooded and open. Most holes had no trees in fairway or very few. Fairways well defined. Pretty fun, lots of birdie and ace opportunities. Average hole length probably around 250-275. Decent signage listing distance and hole location.

Cons:

No variety. All holes virtually straight ahead with very few blind tees. Dirt tees but were not ruddy. Dubious pars listed, (hole 15 definitely a par 3, not a 5). Confusing to follow from hole to tee. Not clear where it starts. Hole 18 puts you nowhere near hole 1 (head toward the big brick building with smoke stacks in the distance and veer to the right). More than a few briers and poison ivy. Some disc eating monsters on the left of hole 12. No benches which stunk b/c it is hilly.

Other Thoughts:

Signature/Favorite Hole: #15, a pleasant hole with the tee more or less level with the hole but a gully and creek in between.
A fairly fun course that has decent length but it is really repetitive. The park is nice but seemed fairly old. I played left-handed (I'm a righty) for the 2nd time ever and finished this course a nice 4+ including 3 birdies. Wouldn't plan a huge road trip to play it but it is worth playing for sure. I'd rate it a 2.75 if I could.
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