-
Discover new ways to elevate your game with the updated DGCourseReview app!
It's entirely free and enhanced with features shaped by user feedback to ensure your best experience on the course. (App Store or Google Play)
Bob Mowery's Meadows DGC reviews
11
0
Meadows? More Like Forest.
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Nov 11, 2022
Played the course:once
Pros:
The larger course at Clinton State Park, Bob Mowery's offers memorable wooded holes in the heart of the course and solid amenities and upkeep all around.
18 large concrete tees with blocks marking the hole number on the first 11, though they disappear after that.
All kinds of hole shapes in the woods of Holes 3 to 14. Hole 3 starts the wooded section off well. A par 4 with 325ft to a dogleg right. A grove of trees guards the dogleg, and then a further 150 around the corner to the pin. It's possible to eagle, but you'll have to have a lot of power and some nice tree luck. Holes 4 and 5 are hard doglegs left, while 10 is a hard right and 14 a softer right. Others have elevation, 11's basket is set halfway up a steep hill, 7 is a short but very steep jump up to a shelf with a hanging basket 30ft back from the crest, and hole 6 is my favorite. A 280ft downhill to a green sloping to the left with a low ceiling and a tunnel thinning out as you get closer to the green. Accuracy and power control is a huge part of this hole.
The more open holes in the woods are still formidable. 13 is a 30ft wide cleared strip, 320ft wide, and the trees are just open enough for the Kansas winds to remind you of their presence if you got comfortable in the deep woods. The two trees on the fairway are wide and placed in just a way that any line to the pin is going to be far more than a straightforward 320. Hole 9 is pocketed in a direct line from the tee with four or five trees right in the way, leaving a left and right line to choose from.
The creek looming on 8, 9, and 10 is an excellent addition to an already great section of the course. Turning tree kicks into tough par saves and normal putts into risky runs. Hole 5 also has a death putt if you come up short of the pin.
15 has two tees, and there is a practice basket across the parking lot from the first tee.
18 large concrete tees with blocks marking the hole number on the first 11, though they disappear after that.
All kinds of hole shapes in the woods of Holes 3 to 14. Hole 3 starts the wooded section off well. A par 4 with 325ft to a dogleg right. A grove of trees guards the dogleg, and then a further 150 around the corner to the pin. It's possible to eagle, but you'll have to have a lot of power and some nice tree luck. Holes 4 and 5 are hard doglegs left, while 10 is a hard right and 14 a softer right. Others have elevation, 11's basket is set halfway up a steep hill, 7 is a short but very steep jump up to a shelf with a hanging basket 30ft back from the crest, and hole 6 is my favorite. A 280ft downhill to a green sloping to the left with a low ceiling and a tunnel thinning out as you get closer to the green. Accuracy and power control is a huge part of this hole.
The more open holes in the woods are still formidable. 13 is a 30ft wide cleared strip, 320ft wide, and the trees are just open enough for the Kansas winds to remind you of their presence if you got comfortable in the deep woods. The two trees on the fairway are wide and placed in just a way that any line to the pin is going to be far more than a straightforward 320. Hole 9 is pocketed in a direct line from the tee with four or five trees right in the way, leaving a left and right line to choose from.
The creek looming on 8, 9, and 10 is an excellent addition to an already great section of the course. Turning tree kicks into tough par saves and normal putts into risky runs. Hole 5 also has a death putt if you come up short of the pin.
15 has two tees, and there is a practice basket across the parking lot from the first tee.
Cons:
The holes outside of 3-14 are subpar. Hole 1 is a standard downhill hole that any old city park could pull off, 2's tee is pointed at the tree group you want to avoid, 15 is a lost disc risk with prairie grass, 16's pin is in a clump of six trees nicely guarded, but otherwise open and straight. 17 is bad. An open hole which "doglegs" left to the pin across a gravel road, with prairie grass if you go short or long of the green across the road. 18 is a nice tunnel shot, but the road to get to the parking lot crosses about 50ft in front of the basket. A third of the holes with a noticeable drop in quality is a dour note to start and end on.
Some of the routing is a bit odd. The path to 6 is halfway back around the dogleg of 5, and the path to 7 is a way back up 6's fairway. There's a path leading from 11's basket which doesn't go to the tee, it's off to the left once you get to the top of that shelf. A lot of the paths are intuitive, and the less so ones are mowed well, but some are just glaringly off.
The Mach7 baskets are some of the worst top-end baskets I've played on. The actual catching pocket is far smaller than even a Mach5. Left and right are going to be spit out. I don't like to complain about the baskets, but these felt like they were trying to kick your putt out instead of collecting it and dropping it in the basket.
The parking lot was exceedingly small. Four cars including mine was filling it. It also encroaches on the early fairway of 1. I believe when the construction is finished there will be more spots available.
Some of the routing is a bit odd. The path to 6 is halfway back around the dogleg of 5, and the path to 7 is a way back up 6's fairway. There's a path leading from 11's basket which doesn't go to the tee, it's off to the left once you get to the top of that shelf. A lot of the paths are intuitive, and the less so ones are mowed well, but some are just glaringly off.
The Mach7 baskets are some of the worst top-end baskets I've played on. The actual catching pocket is far smaller than even a Mach5. Left and right are going to be spit out. I don't like to complain about the baskets, but these felt like they were trying to kick your putt out instead of collecting it and dropping it in the basket.
The parking lot was exceedingly small. Four cars including mine was filling it. It also encroaches on the early fairway of 1. I believe when the construction is finished there will be more spots available.
Other Thoughts:
Bob Mowery's is well taken care of and has extremely high highs, and its lows, while bad, aren't enough to kill off the fun. This is a solid 18-hole in the Lawrence area. There are better options nearby but this is one to either add to a long day or one to play after you've been to the others a few times.
The park itself is a $5 entry fee only payable by card at a machine outside the park office. After that it's a mile down to a right turn then the second right is the course. There's a sign reading "Bob Mowery's Meadows" so you know you're in the right place.
The park itself is a $5 entry fee only payable by card at a machine outside the park office. After that it's a mile down to a right turn then the second right is the course. There's a sign reading "Bob Mowery's Meadows" so you know you're in the right place.
6
0
Decent challenge and good variety 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Oct 21, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
Lots of different shots required here. Starts off flat in the cedars, with interesting lower lines or over-the-top options. Then to the deciduous woods, with low ceilings, elevation changes, and more technical challenge. Lastly, there are 3 open prairie holes returning to the cedars for a straight tunnel shot to hole 18. Practice basket.
There's also a separate 9-hole beginner course on-site. It's a lot less challenging but still worth a play if you're looking for some warm-up. It's flat and mostly open with a couple fun holes.
There's also a separate 9-hole beginner course on-site. It's a lot less challenging but still worth a play if you're looking for some warm-up. It's flat and mostly open with a couple fun holes.
Cons:
Baskets could use an upgrade but are OK. Natural tees, although I saw some concrete forms near some tees so it looks like concrete is coming soon. I'd bump it up another 0.5 if it had concrete tees.
Other Thoughts:
About half the holes on this course probably get pounded by heavy wind on a lot of days. It wasn't bad when I was playing.
[Update: just noticed the pictures on here need to be re-done, there has been a redesign from 11 to 18 holes, and some of the pics are of holes that aren't part of the current course.]
[Update: just noticed the pictures on here need to be re-done, there has been a redesign from 11 to 18 holes, and some of the pics are of holes that aren't part of the current course.]
4
0
robothehobo
Experience:
11.1 years
32 played
2 reviews
Nice Course in a Beautiful Park 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Dec 9, 2015
Played the course:once
Pros:
Very nice and well kept course that has a few challenging holes. Hole #5 is the signature hole with a pond shot and sharp left turn after.
Tees are gravel but very level, elevated, and held together with concrete. Each is clearly numbered.
Baskets clearly marked with hole number and fairways are nicely separated. No confusion in the course flow
Not the prettiest part of the park but still nice scenery to play through.
What little elevation that exists is used well and trees provide some difficulty to an otherwise open course.
Tees are gravel but very level, elevated, and held together with concrete. Each is clearly numbered.
Baskets clearly marked with hole number and fairways are nicely separated. No confusion in the course flow
Not the prettiest part of the park but still nice scenery to play through.
What little elevation that exists is used well and trees provide some difficulty to an otherwise open course.
Cons:
No trash cans on the course, except in the parking lot.
Baskets are old and chains are not in the best condition.
Tee signs have no info about the hole other than what number it is (grab a course map at the park headquarters when you get your pass).
Could have done with a little more challenge for the course.
Baskets are old and chains are not in the best condition.
Tee signs have no info about the hole other than what number it is (grab a course map at the park headquarters when you get your pass).
Could have done with a little more challenge for the course.
Other Thoughts:
Solid course in an awesome state park. Not the hardest course but still enjoyable. Was surprised to find it on my drive through Lawrence, definitely worth a stop!
