Located in a hilltop park beside a beautiful lake, the 18 Discatcher baskets and 9 concrete tees at Camp Catalpa represent a really nice application of an unusual choice in configuration. Most 'Dual Nines' go in with ('only') the expense of nine baskets each with two tees, so it's impressive when they've invested in twice the baskets to double the fun. Given the limitations of park space, it was probably the best choice: they've created some distinctly different lines, depending on whether you're playing the yellow front nine loop or the red back nine.

Excellent use of elevation and the park trees (toward the front), and the woodsy glade lanes carved in the back mean that over half the baskets are 'blind' off the tee, but once you've completed your first loop, you'll have a feel for the layout. The flow is relatively intuitive, even for first timers, particularly when you pay attention to the signage at the course and hole tips on here. Otherwise, there are a couple of times where you might stray down the wrong path.

Highlights for me included the beautiful valley crosser from a recessed tee on holes 4/13 and the demanding, S-curving fairway on hole 15. I also thought it was unique to see the VERY different lines off the trapezoidal tee pad on 9/18, where the former leads on back to the beginning, while the 'finisher' is a blind hyzer (rhbh) ace/deuce opportunity (where most folks try to find some excuse to bomb the finishing hole.

There are amenities, such as good signage with posts that had bag hooks, (mostly) level concrete for tee pads (see below, though), trash cans, and bridges or paving stones where needed. Finally, the course seems to stand independent from the other activities in the park (a big plus in the safety factor).

The concrete tees are just a tad small, and not always flush with the ground, and the 8/17 tee is sloping noticeably down forward (which means it can stay a little slick in the shade there). The course has a few areas where wet conditions can get a little too sloppy and treacherous. They've tried to address this with pavers, but watch your footing on the paths to 7 and 8 when muddy. The course map needs to be upgraded from the tee signs.

No one has mentioned this yet, but for you winter course baggers: this turns out to be a 'seasonal' course. When I arrived the gate was closed. Because I saw someone parked there and exercising his dog in the park, I found a safe place to park and walk in. When the ranger drove by a couple of times and didn't say anything, I assumed it was OK. As I was leaving, I noted the gate was open, but then I saw him stop and lock it back up. Turns out it has a sign that says 'park closed for the season'. Oops

Probably the most challenging of the three courses within a short drive of Richmond, KY, I enjoyed Catalpa, along with Berea College and Aldersgate Camp on a sunny calm January day. Camp Catalpa has enough technicality and medium/short distances to interest a Rec to Int level player. There aren't a lot of 'Big-D' holes, if you're looking for that sort of thing.

-lots of wooded shots that require the right path
-excellent signs
-concrete tees
-great job of making a pseudo-18 hole course with limited space
-well-maintained grass, etc.
-good variety of hole lengths

-tees are very narrow
-really only 9 tees/fairways
-brush and growth off fairways can be pretty crazy in places
-navigation can be confusing

This is a very fun course. Do watch out to make sure you don't get hit in the head with a nut or an osage orange. This course requires a lot of shots and allows for birdies in places while challening in others. I don't think this is quite as varied as a true 18 hole course, since it uses 9 tees which each shoot at 2 baskets. However, the placement of the baskets makes the 2 fairways for each tee rather different. I think this was done very well given the space available. The tees could be a bit wider, but oh well. There are a LOT of other random trails on this course so make sure you bring a map, I had one and still managed to waste a bunch of time getting lost at one point. Seeing all the catalpas is cool too, and there are a lot of birds in the area as well. If you're nearby it's definitely worth playing.

The pros of this course begins with the fact it's unique having two baskets per hole. I expected it to feel like a 9 hole course, but it absolutely feels like 18. I enjoyed the uniqueness.

I usually play courses that have a long range drive from, the tee. This course really challenged me because the fairways were narrow, and shot selection was meticulous. I played the course surprisingly well. The second shot is more important than your first one. I shot mostly 3's. I had a couple 4's. I also had 3 birdies. I shot a 47 first time around. I expected to play worse. Elavation change is nice. The course flows well.

The only con i see is the teepads are narrow, and a couple are short with no run up space.

The overall condition is excellent. I will stop to play this course anytime I pass through.

This is the first course I've played with this particular design. Basically you have a 9 tee pads and 18 baskets. One loop of the course shooting for the red baskets and a 2nd loop for shooting for the yellow baskets. The course is short and places a premium on accuracy. The rough on this course is some of the toughest I've encountered. You do not need many drivers on this course due to the shorter length. I dumped most of my drivers before I started loop 2. The terrain is hilly and rough in areas so wear sturdy shoes.

The tee pads were a bit short. Course flow is confusing in spots. #8 pad and rough need improvement.

I've enjoyed this course and look forward to playing it again sometime. Wear some sturdy shoes. Do not throw your disc into the rough. I wouldn't play this course if it's wet.

Nice mix of shots, very tight woods, nice "in the woods" beginner course, great utilization of land

horrible walk from 5 to 6 (i used a cut through instead of walking the quarter mile around the park), many stumps still in fairway, lots of debris on a few of the fairways, course gets very muddy, many fairways lined with briars

I really liked the idea of the dual baskets on a small piece of land but i would honestly like to see a little bit of a redesign due the long walk from 5 to 6 (15-16).