Flaherty Park reviews
10
1
Ajaxv2
Experience:
15 played
1 reviews
St Jo's Best 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 15, 2013
Played the course:once
Pros:
+ Course designer(s) have done a yeoman job with the available acreage. Thick brush has been cleared to create (tight) fairways.
+ Variety of shots, including (an)hyzers, straight, blind, and a short dogleg.
+ Signs are up for both Rec and Intermediate tees
+ Concrete tee pads and Chainstar baskets gave the course a professional feel
+Cheeky water hazard on #7. For us RHBH players, it's tempting risk/reward. For others, huck a hyzer bomb to complete the 300' test.
+ Variety of shots, including (an)hyzers, straight, blind, and a short dogleg.
+ Signs are up for both Rec and Intermediate tees
+ Concrete tee pads and Chainstar baskets gave the course a professional feel
+Cheeky water hazard on #7. For us RHBH players, it's tempting risk/reward. For others, huck a hyzer bomb to complete the 300' test.
Cons:
- First hole is difficult to find from the main parking lot.
-Turning right at the fork after #2 leads to #6, which is a little confusing. (So turn left!) This was the only example I could find of less-than-obvious course flow. Perhaps signs to direct players to the next hole are on the way?
-Rough feel: I didn't factor this into my rating, but be forewarned -> ticks/poison ivy/NATURE are all present here.
-Turning right at the fork after #2 leads to #6, which is a little confusing. (So turn left!) This was the only example I could find of less-than-obvious course flow. Perhaps signs to direct players to the next hole are on the way?
-Rough feel: I didn't factor this into my rating, but be forewarned -> ticks/poison ivy/NATURE are all present here.
Other Thoughts:
I know this course isn't in St. Jo, but of the three courses w/i 20 miles of StJo, I liked this one the best. Andrews was a flat pitch-n-putt, leaving something to be desired. Lake Township was poorly maintained and apparently is part of a multi-use park (dgolf plays second fiddle, making for a crummy experience). While still under development, Flaherty offers a technical course with a variety of shots, and the continued improvements to the course can only increase the playing experience over time.
9
1
Tight & challenging 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Dec 8, 2012
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Concrete tee pads - both long and short a.k.a. white and red. These are finished as a typical sidewalk is finished - just enough roughness to maintain traction but not so much that it traps water.
Shiny new DC Chainstar Baskets - I know all about these. I should, I helped put them in.
Toughness - What the course lacks in distance it makes up for in challenge. No real favoritism here for RHBH or LHBH. Tight fairways and challenging up shots to the basket on the first 6 holes and then more open holes on the last 3. Each with their own unique set of challenges.
Water hazard - Hard to believe that a tiny little course like this has such an epic water hazard as hole number seven. There are essentially two choices from the long; throw over the water or around the clump of trees. LHBH players with a decent 300' drive and a sense of adventure are going to love this hole.
Finish - The way this course finishes is great. A nice 300'+ wide open bomb shot hole with a challenging pin placement behind some trees on a slope.
Flow - makes complete sense.
Elevation - While there really are no mountains per se here in this part of Michigan, the course makes excellent use of elevation changes.
Multiple pads - Each hole has a long and a short pad. The placement of each pad is well thought out because in most cases there is a completely different look from each pad. Hole #3 is a great example. The pad distances are almost identical but the look from each pad to the basket is completley different.
Hey, it even has a practice basket!
Shiny new DC Chainstar Baskets - I know all about these. I should, I helped put them in.
Toughness - What the course lacks in distance it makes up for in challenge. No real favoritism here for RHBH or LHBH. Tight fairways and challenging up shots to the basket on the first 6 holes and then more open holes on the last 3. Each with their own unique set of challenges.
Water hazard - Hard to believe that a tiny little course like this has such an epic water hazard as hole number seven. There are essentially two choices from the long; throw over the water or around the clump of trees. LHBH players with a decent 300' drive and a sense of adventure are going to love this hole.
Finish - The way this course finishes is great. A nice 300'+ wide open bomb shot hole with a challenging pin placement behind some trees on a slope.
Flow - makes complete sense.
Elevation - While there really are no mountains per se here in this part of Michigan, the course makes excellent use of elevation changes.
Multiple pads - Each hole has a long and a short pad. The placement of each pad is well thought out because in most cases there is a completely different look from each pad. Hole #3 is a great example. The pad distances are almost identical but the look from each pad to the basket is completley different.
Hey, it even has a practice basket!
Cons:
Navigation - Not much of an issue but some next tee signs are in the works. A new course map is in place right by the practice basket. Yay!
Length - while this is a con that I am sure everyone is going to put in these reviews understand that there is VERY little room to work with here. Etching out 9 holes in this limited space without creating hazards and issues with flow is tough so length was sacrificed.
Nature - This isn't going to really affect my over-all score of this course but still feel that this is worth noting. Just like every other course in Michigan, mother nature can be a real pain here. Poison ivy, ticks, mosquitoes and your typical assortment of irritants can be found just like on any other wooded course. Come prepared.
Length - while this is a con that I am sure everyone is going to put in these reviews understand that there is VERY little room to work with here. Etching out 9 holes in this limited space without creating hazards and issues with flow is tough so length was sacrificed.
Nature - This isn't going to really affect my over-all score of this course but still feel that this is worth noting. Just like every other course in Michigan, mother nature can be a real pain here. Poison ivy, ticks, mosquitoes and your typical assortment of irritants can be found just like on any other wooded course. Come prepared.
Other Thoughts:
What Andrew has created in this limited amount of space is a real gem.
I love this course even though it isn't 18 and if you are in the area definitely check it out!
I love this course even though it isn't 18 and if you are in the area definitely check it out!
