Pros:
France Park , a 24 hole course sitting somewhere between I-65 and rt. 31 is a course that gets little buzz , but possibly should .Don't let the primitive online map ( keep the old map , but maybe add a more updated one ) fool you . This course is a scenic as it is fun . After parking off to the side on the park road , ( It is NOT a real parking lot ) you will walk down a path that a bridge splits . The path on your left has a quarry and some great water to actually swim in ( bring your swim trunks), and the bridge ahead is what you will take to get to this course . There is a nice kiosk at the start of the course with a map of the course .
The Equipment : There are 2 turf tees on almost every hole that are level . The baskets are old style yellow Spiderweb ( ? ) baskets with some machs , too , a little rusty but playable . The signage is good , enough , signifying hole#, distance par and flight path .even to the alternate pin position . I don't know how often they change them , but it is great for the locals , or having a tournament , to be able to switch the baskets around . The signs also have a bolt on them that signifies the location the pin is supposed to be in . There are some bridges and steps on the course .
The Landscape : The park and the course were clean mowed and manicured when I played here . France Park's course is flat with some grades for holes 1,2 and 19-24 , which are park style plays , but from 3-18 , which is all in the woods , the elevation can change drastically . Holes that you throw straight up , like 6,11 and straight down , like 5, 8 ,& 12 . The other holes are everything in between . There is some overgrowth in the woods and many chances for rollaways , so you have to keep an eye on your drives . The rough on holes 20-24 can be extreme . Mark your disc with a landmark when it disappears in it , or you will be spending time looking for one . The open holes nice to look at but not as nice as the woods . Some wood benches are set around the course . Bring plenty of water with you . The course won't return close to the beginning ( still a good walk to the car ) until at least hole 22 .
The Highlights : Some of the course has maintained it's original flavor of short technical holes , since it was installed (1994 ) , at least on the short tees . But the course has remained fun in doing it . Hole #2 from the pro tee is an extreme tunnel shot to a basket off to the left . #3 has you throwing blind over a hill to the basket sitting off to the right in a short protected green . #5 is a top of the world shot off a cliff to a basket sitting off slightly left of the path . 11 is an extreme uphill throw to a basket sitting at the top . hit a tree , maybe roll all the way back . Some risk reward shots like #9 , where the left side of the basket is down a steep hill that comes into plays several times . There is a fun downhill right to left blind shot to a basket protects by a lot of fairways trees at about #16 . Don't pay attention to the map where it has A-F holes mixed in with the course . All of the holes are numbered 1-24 . #24 is a great finishing hole . It is an island shot with a large banded circle with wood chips in it , and what looks like a Native American designed motif with large log posts around the circle to further guard the basket .
Signature Hole : Lots of good holes , like #5 off of the rock cliff , but #24 , the island hole , was one of the best looking finishing holes I have played in a long while .
Time : It took me a little over 90 minutes to plays all 24 holes here . A foursome will be here 3 hours + . The course is slow , but it is captivating to look at and this course is retro fun . Couple that with 2 tees , multiple pin positions and 24 holes , and you have a long disc golf morning .
Cons:
#1 Navigation . Some of these holes have paths leading directly to the next tee pads , some do not . More Next Tee signs and an updated course map would help . The park style sections are okay to follow , I wandered around the woods off and on several times . looking for the next tee , especially some of the holes from 8-16 .
#2 . The Elements . If it rains pretty hard in Logansport , you may want to curtail your round here . Some of the spots in the woods will be ridiculous to climb off of / on to if muddy . This could be combined with Safety . Yours .
#3 The rough . Some of the woods floor and fairways could be cleared , and the rough out on holes 20-24 are too high for my tastes . There were 2 groups behind me digging in it to try to find their drives . Wind will be a factor here , whether a plus or a con .
Disc Risk : Combine #3 , The Rough and rollaways from blind shots and you have possibilities of a lost midrange or driver . Use a spotter if you have a group .
It is $3 to play here . I just mention pay to play . The money looks like it goes back into the course . Use your bug spray liberally here . It can be bad in the woods during the summer months .
Other Thoughts:
France Park is a hidden gem of a course , here in Logansport . With the quarry here , in case you feel like wading or relaxing near it after a round , it is something to check out . The course stayed true to it's roots . Not overpowering , but with it's 24 holes , 2 tee pads and multiple pin placements , it is technical but fun . No 2 holes are alike here . Plenty of variety . You may not take everything that the course ( and the park's features ) with you , but I am sure you find something to your liking . You better be in shape before tackling the woods section of this course , because it will give you a workout ( again , bring water ) . The course looks to be popular with campers and the locals . Many were on the course when I left for the day .
My Recommendation . Not a destination course , but something to strongly consider if in the 30 mile general area of Logansport for any reason . Short enough for newbies or the one disc player ( too steep for family play IMO ) , great for locals and campers , Old enough to be nostalgic for the intermediate and may a pro because of the back tees . The weary traveler is going to get a workout here , and is a long play for the course collector , but I was calculating it is about 35 minutes out of the way from I-65 and maybe 25 minutes from rt 31 . Both are close enough to take a side trip and play here . If you want to see beauty and have disc golf experience , PLAY IT !!!