Fort Smith, AR

Ben Geren Park - Yellow

Permanent course
3.735(based on 28 reviews)
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Ben Geren Park - Yellow reviews

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7 0
Pevio
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12 years 189 played 120 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Good, but not quite there

Reviewed: Played on:May 29, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

The Yellow course makes up for its lack of elevation change with some foliage on every hole and a few tight lines. Tees and baskets are in good shape, and the parking lot is shared with that of the Orange course.

Every hole presents a different challenge. Most notably, the first seven holes which are on the southwest of the course have scattered trees that still allow you to throw just about any line, but have some shot shapes more open than others. Some are more open near the tee, while others have a tight tee shot but an open approach. Because these different options are available, it isn't always obvious what the right shot is, regardless of your skill set.

The presence of thick woods on one side of the fairway influences shots a few times. It's not there a lot, but sometimes a conservative shot will end up too short, or an aggressive shot will get punished. I especially like hole 12, which has woods on the right but a low ceiling and a little elevation change.

Alternate pin placements help here more than on a lot of courses. Because there isn't always a specific line you must throw, even a small pin change will change the shot you should be throwing. That tree you're trying to curve around or the extra power you will be putting on the disc can affect strategy, opening gaps, and putting distance. (Having played here only once, I don't know where most of these other pins are, but I can certainly understand how they would help.)

Cons:

Almost no elevation change. It's okay on most holes, but a lot of holes would be much spicier if you had to put a little more or less power on the drive than normal. The holes where there is elevation involved are generally more fun or are at least a little more difficult. Interestingly, those holes are some of the longer ones on the course (12, 13, 14, 18).

No holes with par above 3. A few will play as par 4's for players below advanced level, especially if poor maintenance causes footing to be difficult, but I still would have appreciated some true 2-shot holes. And if you do have a slower arm, the shot across the creek on 11 will be fairly daunting, especially if you think you're likely to smack a guardian tree and fall backward.

The creek is nearby on a few other holes but never truly comes into play. If you have a bad shank, you could be losing a disc for a factor that doesn't affect the challenge of the hole. I would prefer some baskets to be closer to the creek than they are since even if it makes for more lost disc potential (and there are some cliffs on a few holes), there would be a more proper challenge involved.

The basket of 13 is intentionally sunk into the ground, which is a lousy challenge for any place that claims to be a decent course. A few other holes are a little gimmicky or not super fun, such as hole 14, whose green is too hard to access, and even hole 11, the water shot.

The grass was a little long when I played here, though I never had trouble finding discs. It wasn't as bad as it could have been, and not as bad as the Orange course, but it's possible this is how the course normally is.

Other Thoughts:

It looks like there were a few edited holes since the course was originally installed - I think what was originally holes 1 and 2 were moved to the Orange course, and two others were added here. As such, some older reviews and pictures have outdated information.

There are several holes I have mixed feelings about. The tightest line is hole 10, but the basket is quite a ways past the end of the tunnel, so you will very likely hit the tunnel perfectly, but still be far from the basket. Even a lot of the front nine is just a little meh at times, even though nothing there is actively bad.

This is a pretty solid course, but not one I anticipate anyone being overly excited about. But I don't think there are really any big ways to improve the course unless possibly the land to the northeast of hole 10 could be utilized. I think the land was used well, and using the road bridge to cross the creek twice was a good use of resources, even if you do have to walk on the shoulder of the road.
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2 2
Treehousebob
Experience: 13 played 11 reviews
3.00 star(s)

It was okay. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 13, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

The triple mando tunnel shot was fun.
Throwing over the creek was an interesting hole.
18 was well laid out.
Good signage.
Lots of mando to try and add a challenge.
Friendly locals.
Great parking.

Cons:

All the holes where very short. When they are almost all short, it just gets boring.
Flat flat flat flat flat flat.
No benches.
No trash cans.

Other Thoughts:

This course was okay, I'm not sure why it is so highly rated. Maybe a bunch of people who made it came and padded the numbers? Or maybe the people who rated it have never played at any other course? Maybe it is just all about personal opinion. At any rate, I wouldn't say it is worth traveling over 30 minutes to.
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6 0
Dan H.
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.2 years 81 played 24 reviews
3.00 star(s)

It's a decent round of disc golf, 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 11, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Decent amount of hole variety: right/left dog-legs. pretty good amount of trees and a few open holes.

Easy for beginners. I played it on the shorter setting and it was very short. Lots of birdie holes for an advanced player.

some water hazard.

alternate basket positions is cool.

most of the signs were in decent condition.

good tees/baskets

not much litter.

well maintained

Cons:

Very flat.

probably too short. Although when I played most of the holes seemed to be on the shorter setting. It just didn't seem challenging.

No benches to sit on. There were big rocks at every hole but they were close to the front of the tee which would distract your friends while they were teeing off if you were sitting there.

no trash cans.

Other Thoughts:

This course could use some longer holes and some benches. Elevation change makes a course much more interestin and this course has almost none. It's not a bad course, but it's not great either.
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3 1
gravedigger
Experience: 15.9 years 55 played 40 reviews
3.00 star(s)

The Ft. Smith Swamp! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 16, 2008 Played the course:never

Pros:

Very good design. Good flow to the course. It was challenging and unbiased as far as righty/lefty goes. Pretty flat with trees being the obstacle of choice.

Cons:

If it has rained recently there will be standing water everywhere.

Other Thoughts:

We had a good time despite all the water. Try to catch this one dry.
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