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Hippodrome Complex - Old Glory reviews
6
0
DiscGolfCraig
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
20 years
603 played
546 reviews
Old Glory. New Fun. 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Aug 6, 2014
Played the course:once
Pros:
Hippodrome is solid, two course, 40-hole complex. Old Glory is the signature layout, offering plenty of excitement.
- There is a lot to like at this course. Plenty of challenge. Plenty of fun. Plenty of great layouts and creativity. All that said, this course offers up plenty of chances for low scores if you're on your game.
- Solid variety of hole layouts. The first four holes are all open with different challenges: #1 has an island green, without everything outside the circle OB. #2 has a large mando marker (the Totem Pole hole), which you have to stay left of. #3 has a basket on a slight mound. And #4 has OB along the left side of the fairway and around the green area.
- From there, you start getting into the woods, more elevations, three holes with water in play (#16, 17 & 20), along with more returns out in the open.
- There are some holes that really test your nerves and mettle. If you're a gambler, you're going for the pin. If you're cautious, you're playing the hole for a safe par.
- #7 is one of the best layouts on the course. It's a 309 foot, downhill, dogleg right to a basket at the edge of the trees. Oh yeah, and the best angle to the basket requires you starting your disc over, or beyond, the tall OB fence, to get a sweeping shot to turn back towards the basket. At least the wind should usually be working in your favor.
- #16 & 20 have a pond right behind both baskets. How aggressive do you want to be with your approach shot on #16 (the only par 4 at the complex) or your tee shot #20, an otherwise very birdie-able hole?
- The course is actually very easy to navigate. Make sure you get a map from the shop because the one online on this site is outdated. The way the course winds back and forth you feel like your shuttling through a maze. Yet, somehow it all makes sense.
- There are a couple of interesting props/gimmicks on the course, but they all seem to fit. I already mentioned the totem pole on #2. I like the sign markers to random locales on hole #4. There's a fence on #18 (the Bull Pen hole) and a bell tower on #19, yes, the Bell Tower hole. And next to #20 is the giant Innova scoreboard. And, did I mention there's a driving range on the grounds?
- There is a lot to like at this course. Plenty of challenge. Plenty of fun. Plenty of great layouts and creativity. All that said, this course offers up plenty of chances for low scores if you're on your game.
- Solid variety of hole layouts. The first four holes are all open with different challenges: #1 has an island green, without everything outside the circle OB. #2 has a large mando marker (the Totem Pole hole), which you have to stay left of. #3 has a basket on a slight mound. And #4 has OB along the left side of the fairway and around the green area.
- From there, you start getting into the woods, more elevations, three holes with water in play (#16, 17 & 20), along with more returns out in the open.
- There are some holes that really test your nerves and mettle. If you're a gambler, you're going for the pin. If you're cautious, you're playing the hole for a safe par.
- #7 is one of the best layouts on the course. It's a 309 foot, downhill, dogleg right to a basket at the edge of the trees. Oh yeah, and the best angle to the basket requires you starting your disc over, or beyond, the tall OB fence, to get a sweeping shot to turn back towards the basket. At least the wind should usually be working in your favor.
- #16 & 20 have a pond right behind both baskets. How aggressive do you want to be with your approach shot on #16 (the only par 4 at the complex) or your tee shot #20, an otherwise very birdie-able hole?
- The course is actually very easy to navigate. Make sure you get a map from the shop because the one online on this site is outdated. The way the course winds back and forth you feel like your shuttling through a maze. Yet, somehow it all makes sense.
- There are a couple of interesting props/gimmicks on the course, but they all seem to fit. I already mentioned the totem pole on #2. I like the sign markers to random locales on hole #4. There's a fence on #18 (the Bull Pen hole) and a bell tower on #19, yes, the Bell Tower hole. And next to #20 is the giant Innova scoreboard. And, did I mention there's a driving range on the grounds?
Cons:
Some people may feel this course gets a little too 'gimmicky' at times. There are a lot of artificial mandos throughout the course - island greens on #1 & 11, along with a basket in the ground (#6) and a hanging basket (#8). Plus the designs I mentioned above, especially the bull pen and bell tower.
- For as solid as this course is, there aren't any long, brutal holes. #16 is the only par 4, and it's very manageable at 432 feet. Besides that, there's nothing longer than 350 feet. So yes, this course is all about accuracy and making your birdie putts. The long, black tees had recently been removed prior to my visit here. I don't know if that's permanent, temporary or whether they'll be reinstalled for tourneys.
- The course does play next to I-520. Because of that, you don't get the seclusion feel much. The bigger issue, however, is that you're hearing the sounds of cars flying by almost the entire round.
- I'll list this as a con, even though it's not necessarily a negative for everyone. When I played, and what John, the owner of Killer B Golf Shop says, there's very often a cross breeze playing from I-520. That does add an extra challenge, but could get frustrating.
- For as solid as this course is, there aren't any long, brutal holes. #16 is the only par 4, and it's very manageable at 432 feet. Besides that, there's nothing longer than 350 feet. So yes, this course is all about accuracy and making your birdie putts. The long, black tees had recently been removed prior to my visit here. I don't know if that's permanent, temporary or whether they'll be reinstalled for tourneys.
- The course does play next to I-520. Because of that, you don't get the seclusion feel much. The bigger issue, however, is that you're hearing the sounds of cars flying by almost the entire round.
- I'll list this as a con, even though it's not necessarily a negative for everyone. When I played, and what John, the owner of Killer B Golf Shop says, there's very often a cross breeze playing from I-520. That does add an extra challenge, but could get frustrating.
Other Thoughts:
Hippodrome has two solid courses. I did like enjoy Old Glory much more simply because it's more of a complete course with much more variety.
- I have no idea how this property ever had additional courses on this land. 40 holes seemed pretty packed in, and part of the reason there aren't any big layouts. So how they ever squeezed in 54 (or more) holes is beyond me.
- The Killer B shop has an awesome selection of discs. They're almost all Innova, but there is a huge selection of that make. The disc shop is a very impressive place to check. If you're not a local, the shop alone would be worth ensuring that you visit while it's open.
- Without much distance, it is nice knowing you can leave some of your longer discs in the car. I played with a packed bag, but really ended up throwing mostly mid-ranges off the tee.
- I could easily see spending all day at Hippodrome. Play both courses, head out for some food, and come back for two more rounds in the afternoon. For $5, it's well worth the cost.
- This is a solid course. It's very comparable in terms of overall quality to Hogback, which is why I've given both 3.5 ratings. Both are worth checking out for a quality afternoon of disc golf.
- I have no idea how this property ever had additional courses on this land. 40 holes seemed pretty packed in, and part of the reason there aren't any big layouts. So how they ever squeezed in 54 (or more) holes is beyond me.
- The Killer B shop has an awesome selection of discs. They're almost all Innova, but there is a huge selection of that make. The disc shop is a very impressive place to check. If you're not a local, the shop alone would be worth ensuring that you visit while it's open.
- Without much distance, it is nice knowing you can leave some of your longer discs in the car. I played with a packed bag, but really ended up throwing mostly mid-ranges off the tee.
- I could easily see spending all day at Hippodrome. Play both courses, head out for some food, and come back for two more rounds in the afternoon. For $5, it's well worth the cost.
- This is a solid course. It's very comparable in terms of overall quality to Hogback, which is why I've given both 3.5 ratings. Both are worth checking out for a quality afternoon of disc golf.
2
3
diehardgamecock
Experience:
17 years
18 played
2 reviews
2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:May 24, 2013
Played the course:once
Pros:
- very original hole design. there are elevated baskets, baskets over water, hanging baskets, and a buried basket.
- a good challenge for intermediate and beginning players, but also not intimidating.
- nice variation in hole design: long, short, wooded, open, doglegs, etc.
- friendly staff
- nice "hole map" on every tee box
- a good challenge for intermediate and beginning players, but also not intimidating.
- nice variation in hole design: long, short, wooded, open, doglegs, etc.
- friendly staff
- nice "hole map" on every tee box
Cons:
- some of the tee boxes are overgrown
- actually finding some of the tee boxes proved difficult, even with signs showing initial direction
- actually finding some of the tee boxes proved difficult, even with signs showing initial direction
Other Thoughts:
it's a pay-to-play course, which i'm fine with, but others may not be. $5 gets you all the disc golf you can handle for the day.
