Polk City, IA

Big Creek State Park

Permanent course
3.745(based on 23 reviews)
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6 0
mashnut
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.2 years 831 played 777 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Nice technical course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 24, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

The course is cut through dense forest with cedars and nice brush. It's thick enough off the fairways that you'll pay for missing your line but there are some opportunities for creative recovery shots. There is a pretty good mix of hole shapes, the layout forces a balance of left and right turning shots.

From the longs, there's a nice mix of shorter reachable holes and a few that allow you to throw a longer drive. A couple are open enough to let you rip one, the rest will punish you for trying to bite off too much at once. The shorts are a nice alternative for newer players, and still have some nice variety without quite as much challenge. The concrete tees are in nice shape, and the tee signs have hole length for all tee and pin combinations.

Cons:

The alternate pin positions are a nice touch to add variety, but the signs don't indicate which position is in use. There are a handful of blind shots, so not knowing where to throw can add some extra walking to scout the course. The walk back to the car after the last hole, and without the course map you might not immediately figure out where to go. There are a couple holes that feel a little repetitive, the shorter holes all run together a little with similar lengths and basic hole shapes.

Other Thoughts:

Beginners will find the short tees approachable, with reasonable lengths but tough rough. More experienced players will find nice challenges from many of the long tees, you'll need a pretty good mix of skills to score well and shaping 250-300' lines is key. I would definitely recommend a stop here if you're in the area.
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1 3
DjKilliQuik
Experience: 21.8 years 57 played 17 reviews
3.50 star(s)

tough! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 26, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Very challenging course. Lots elevation changes on the back 9. Very manageable on the back 9 short and very hilly. I like that they switch up the long and short tee pads and catchers.

Cons:

The beast was a little rediculous. Could have cleared out alot of the holes a little more. There is a lot of really low ceilings. Too low.

Other Thoughts:

Be prepared to throw a lot of straight tunnel shots. You will use your buzz a lot
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1 5
HYPNO-TOAD
Experience: 18 years 80 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

ALL HAIL HYPNO-TOAD 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 27, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

course is very technical, i think the worlds were partly held here in whatever year it was. couple bombs from the longs, shorts were 8-10 strokes easier, some very nice holes on the back nine along the lake

Cons:

the rough is very young and treacherous- dumpster shots may be necessary - rude cross country skiers are common

Other Thoughts:

its pretty nice
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2 2
dustbuster232000
Experience: 23.9 years 30 played 10 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Amazing Frustration 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 22, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Both beginner and advanced player friendly. Offers a good mix of long and short with left, right and straight shots to challenge your game.

Cons:

Easy to loose a disc in the underbrush in the wooded sections, a good cleaning of that would greatly improve playability. Possibly changing the last few holes to get you closer to your starting point.

Other Thoughts:

This is a good course but recently we have had bad experiences playing, slow play or multiple disc play as well as not so friendly " Read Drunk" players. While patience is a virtue mine was wearing very thin on those days.
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2 3
arowan21
Experience: 21.9 years 62 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Big Creek 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 1, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Tight fairways, really challenging, Multiple tees

Cons:

Really tight fairways, DENSE brush just off of fairways, lots of poison ivy, winter ski trails

Other Thoughts:

Lay up and don't go for the pin, your score will thank you. Learn to chuck your understable mids and putter before playing.
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5 1
cydisc
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 28 years 257 played 85 reviews
3.50 star(s)

A gem in the spring and fall 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 20, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Good baskets. Multiple large concrete tees on most holes. Good balance of throws. Decent elevation. A logical flow and very easy to find the next hole. A challenging course for most players.

Cons:

Tee signs have the minimum amount of info. Can be quite difficult to find discs that wander even a little ways off the fairway. Poison Ivy. No garbage cans.

Other Thoughts:

The bulk of the course is carved out of cedars and brush. The final 6 holes are in a more manicured portion of the park with lawn and mature oaks and walnuts bordering Big Creek Lake. As mentioned in the title, due to the profusion of poison ivy, it's often best to play the course before and after the normal growing season for Toxicodendron radicans. The course has a good flow to it and it's nearly impossible to get lost. 1-9 and 10-18 loop back to the parking lot. It's a challenging course for most players, but if you are able to throw a good UD, you can do quite well by going over the top of the short trees and brush.
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