Camp Allen DGC reviews
8
0
Review Title: 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Aug 8, 2014
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
This course lets you see the vast majority of the beautiful property of Camp Allen. It's challenging, but not (for the most part) unfair. The red tees are incredibly easy (designed for young campers), and the blue tees are pretty fun. Par is reasonable, and about every hole is birdie-able, even ace-able on many.
I love courses that are more technical without being frustrating. This is one of those. Even if you end up off the fairway, you could still have a shot, or at least an easy out.
Navigation is fairly straightforward with a few signs to help you out on the longer walks.
There's so much variety in the holes, you'll get a chance to work on almost every aspect of your game. From long drives, to spike hyzers, long uphill or downhill, be prepared to flex your whole arsenal.
I love courses that are more technical without being frustrating. This is one of those. Even if you end up off the fairway, you could still have a shot, or at least an easy out.
Navigation is fairly straightforward with a few signs to help you out on the longer walks.
There's so much variety in the holes, you'll get a chance to work on almost every aspect of your game. From long drives, to spike hyzers, long uphill or downhill, be prepared to flex your whole arsenal.
Cons:
Some of the holes through the woods are just congested with trees. Knocking a few out on holes 14, the beginning of 15, 19 and 20, would open up some great shots.
Some of the wooded holes are also just overgrown from lack of traffic.
Hole 12 goes by some private residences, and their cars are pretty close to where you're throwing.
Along the same vein, a couple holes go through a big park. If it's in use, there is an obvious hazard when playing.
Some of the wooded holes are also just overgrown from lack of traffic.
Hole 12 goes by some private residences, and their cars are pretty close to where you're throwing.
Along the same vein, a couple holes go through a big park. If it's in use, there is an obvious hazard when playing.
Other Thoughts:
Camp Allen is a private church camp, that usually has a lot going on. If you go to play the course, check in at the front desk out of courtesy, and you won't have any problems after that. During the summer though, The only time you may get to play is on Saturday afternoon between camp sessions.
I have played this course more times than I have kept track of, and would play it again every day. It helped sharpen my game, and showed me exactly what I had to work on.
UPDATE: After expanding my course repertoire, and playing this course again a few times, it is a lot shorter than I remember, and has really overgrown. The tees are also much worse, as in just soft dirt. Pretty much actual sandboxes. Still love this course, and hold it dear, so I still give it a solid 2.5
I have played this course more times than I have kept track of, and would play it again every day. It helped sharpen my game, and showed me exactly what I had to work on.
UPDATE: After expanding my course repertoire, and playing this course again a few times, it is a lot shorter than I remember, and has really overgrown. The tees are also much worse, as in just soft dirt. Pretty much actual sandboxes. Still love this course, and hold it dear, so I still give it a solid 2.5
8
0
Great camp feature 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Apr 6, 2013
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Primarily a fun course with dual tees to accommodate beginners and advanced players. The baskets are a mix of older, single-chain DISCatcher Sport and newer Lightning DB-5's that have had inner chains added. The course map (available at the conference center) is excellent and you should have no problems navigating with it in hand. The color-coded, wooden post tee markers are easy to spot. Several "next tee" signs aid in navigation. The back of the map includes terms and rules for new players. With the exception of one hole (#11) the distances on the map were all +/- 5' of what I laser measured. Discs are available for rent at the conference center. With a couple exceptions most holes offer realistic lines through moderate to heavy foliage. You'll find more trees here than in most other Houston area courses.
Cons:
Easily the biggest knock on this course are the tees: the course just doesn't get enough play to break in the tee areas and they get overgrown with grass, weeds, small trees, etc.. Some tees do not have sufficient room for a standard three-step run up. With some clearing of tee pads this course easily moves up another half-star on the rating.
The tee posts were not consistent on which side of the teeing area they were located and some even appeared to be in the middle of the box.
Hole #14 needs a couple trees removed to shape a realistic line to the basket, as it is now it's a total throw-and-pray tee shot. Hole #15 long/blue needs a horizontal tree limb removed from the other side of the pond that ruins an otherwise really nice tee shot. Hole #16 long/blue is just plain dangerous throwing over a smallish hill to a blind basket adjacent to a playground... even good RHBH players are going to fade over towards potential unseen kids.
The two holes that play across the road are potentially dangerous, but with a spotter you should be able to avoid issues on the sparsely travelled road. #21 is slightly more dangerous since the road is the fairway on that hole.
The tee posts were not consistent on which side of the teeing area they were located and some even appeared to be in the middle of the box.
Hole #14 needs a couple trees removed to shape a realistic line to the basket, as it is now it's a total throw-and-pray tee shot. Hole #15 long/blue needs a horizontal tree limb removed from the other side of the pond that ruins an otherwise really nice tee shot. Hole #16 long/blue is just plain dangerous throwing over a smallish hill to a blind basket adjacent to a playground... even good RHBH players are going to fade over towards potential unseen kids.
The two holes that play across the road are potentially dangerous, but with a spotter you should be able to avoid issues on the sparsely travelled road. #21 is slightly more dangerous since the road is the fairway on that hole.
Other Thoughts:
This is a private course for the use of overnight Camp visitors.
The short tees average 161' and are well suiting for introducing new players to the game. Decent advanced players won't need a driver for any of the short tees (maybe #21) and will be disappointed at each one on which they don't card a 2.
The long tees average 273' and with moderate to heavy foliage are more what seasoned disc golfers will be used to. The 2's are not abundant but neither are the 4's or 5's.
Local course rule:
Drop Zones
If advanced players (Blue) throw their first shot OB, then the beginner (Red) tee is the drop zone. Shots other than drives that land OB will be played from a point 3 feet in bounds from where the disc went out of bounds. Beginner players may take a penalty stroke for an OB throw from the tee, but can play from the point where the disc went out of bounds. Throws in the lake or on paved surfaces are OB. (Reprinted from the map)
The short tees average 161' and are well suiting for introducing new players to the game. Decent advanced players won't need a driver for any of the short tees (maybe #21) and will be disappointed at each one on which they don't card a 2.
The long tees average 273' and with moderate to heavy foliage are more what seasoned disc golfers will be used to. The 2's are not abundant but neither are the 4's or 5's.
Local course rule:
Drop Zones
If advanced players (Blue) throw their first shot OB, then the beginner (Red) tee is the drop zone. Shots other than drives that land OB will be played from a point 3 feet in bounds from where the disc went out of bounds. Beginner players may take a penalty stroke for an OB throw from the tee, but can play from the point where the disc went out of bounds. Throws in the lake or on paved surfaces are OB. (Reprinted from the map)
