Atchison, KS

Jackson Park - 18

3.385(based on 20 reviews)
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Jackson Park - 18 reviews

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15 0
Pevio
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12 years 189 played 120 reviews
4.00 star(s)

No one expected it to be this good 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 5, 2021 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The 18 hole course at Jackson part is a fantastic course that utilizes hills and trees excellently. The park is well-maintained, with bathrooms on site, concrete stairs leading to hole 11, and consistent mowing of fairways. Navigation is pretty good, but you might want a map handy for your first time. There's a raised pin on 12, a bonus hole between 7 and 8, and fun to be had on every hole.

Nearly every hole has some elevation change. Some of the most notable ones are the valley holes, such as 1, 14, 15, and 18, where an aggressive line can be punished majorly by an early tree hit, or the disc can go sailing the wrong way on an errant shot. The hills prevent your view of the basket, make the holes seem deceptively long or short, and help encourage certain shots. Holes 13 and 14 have dropoffs behind the pin, and because holes 8 and 9 play through a ravine with woods on either side, you can play pretty aggressively (if you want to) and not worry about you disc going more than a few feet into the woods.

Even the holes that look straightforward have danger lurking. An OB road is behind the basket on hole 2 and nearby on some others. Many holes have a slightly awkward fairway shape that makes accessing the basket difficult (7, 10, 17), but not to the point of being gimmicky. Hole 6 requires very little power to reach the green, being short and super downhill, but makes distance control essential.

The trees are used excellently to provide multiple lines but have some play more aggressively than others, and the variance is there from hole to hole. On 14, the widest gap puts you in danger of going on the road, you have to pick your gap on 11, and hole 4 gives you choices of how aggressive you want your drive to be. Hole 3 is really interesting - the most open line plays over the road, but you have to throw your disc a little too high to do so, and you risk going long or right.

A lot of holes reward specific shot selection. In addition to the examples I've already listed with risk/reward, the danger of OB on so many holes means you really need a good assessment of your skill if you want to shoot well. It's very easy to come and throw a bunch of hyper-aggressive shots that don't fit your skill set, and end up seeing your scores rise quickly. On some holes, it's all about finishing on one side of the fairway or missing a certain tree; on others, avoiding the immediate danger could leave you with a difficult upshot. If you're not playing well, be prepared to have a long day - but it'll sure help you improve your game.

Cons:

I honestly think no one realized how good this course was when it was put in. As such, the amenities are just okay. While the park is nice, the teepads are a little on the small side, and signage isn't great. There are some alternate pins (I think on 1, 12, but I think they get moved rarely. At least, they're not marked on the signs, so for pins that are in their newer positions now the signs are inaccurate for distances. There may be a few benches and trash cans, but not many.

A few holes stand out as being worse than the rest. Hole 5 doesn't have much going for it, and hole 9 only has a left-to-right line, and that line has nothing in the way. Hole 17 has an odd shape that has a bit of poke-and-hope feel to it, though if you have the accuracy to not hit the first line of trees, you're looking great.

Hole 8 is the only par 4, and several holes are a little on the short side, even though they certainly have plenty of challenge. For the upper level of players, this course won't be very difficult, although it still can be a good test of skill. There's possibly some room for holes on the hillsides behind holes 3 and 8, but it would involve a lot of work to make it happen.

If the park is busy, it's possible to see some non-DGers on the fairways. The playground and picnic shelter are away from the course, but that doesn't always solve everything. There's a trail that runs... somewhere - there's a sign saying so on hole 4. The many roads, while they don't get many cars, could certainly have some walkers on them.

Other Thoughts:

There's no practice basket, but the baskets of 5 and 18 are near the start and can be practiced on. The only spots with tall grass that I've seen help protect the fairways from the road, as well as an unneeded hillside between 10 and 11, and if you go down that hill on 11, you're in trouble anyway.

There's not a ton of potential for lost discs here, but when there is, it could be real bad. There are dropoffs to the right on 3 and 4, and if you go across the road on the back nine, you could be in trouble. Other than that though, there's not much.

I don't have any problem with the roads than run around the course. They pretty much lead nowhere, so they get little traffic, and add an OB element to over half the holes on the course. I call the road in bounds on hole 8 because it basically is the fairway, and the hole would be really dumb otherwise. However, it makes it a comparatively easy par 4.

This is a really good course. I really want to give it a 4.5, but it doesn't have the wow factor on quite enough holes to justify such a rating. I don't think there's quite enough motivation for this course to get the love it needs to be a truly phenomenal course, but I'm sure happy with it the way it is.
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5 0
bigreddog
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.2 years 195 played 63 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great Park Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 21, 2018 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Elevation 10/10. This course is situated on the bluffs over the river and there are a lot of pretty steep elevation changes. The holes have great variety with the elevation as well, and a lot of them aren't just up/down/side, but have more complex terrain.
Use of obstacles 10/10. This course does a great job of using the mix of wooded areas and isolated mature trees, along with some roads for OB risk.
Decisionmaking 10/10. With all of the mature trees, there are a lot of potential lines to throw and this course will really make you think about your shot
Course maintenance 9/10. Grass has always been well mowed, course in good condition. The only knock I have is there was a fallen tree for quite awhile that was in the fairway for hole 7. It has since been cleared along with some brush on 17
Navigation 9/10. Course layout is mostly intuitive with signs pointing to the next hole in tricky spots. You can see the basket from the tee on most holes and there are serviceable tee signs
Disc finding 9/10. The woods can be thick in a couple spots, especially hole 8 where it is hard to stay out of them, but for the most part discs are easy to find.
Comfort 8/10. Grass is short, lots of shade from mature trees. Restrooms and water available at start of course. Could use a couple more benches or a place for water in the middle
Tees/Baskets 8/10. The tee pads feel a little small on the longer holes but they're good quality. Baskets are solid
Variety of shot paths 8/10. You'll have to be able to throw a bunch of different shot paths to do well on this course. Holes 3, 6, 10, and 17 require right to left, 7, 9, 13, and 15 require left to right, and 1, 4, 8 require you to throw something straight.
Variety of distance 7/10. There is pretty good variety of distance. The front nine is mainly short with a couple longer holes, and the back 9 is the opposite. Could use a couple of bomber holes.
Challenging all levels 7/10. The front 9 will be on the easy side for experienced players, but they should find the back more challenging. The first time I played this course I was definitely a beginner and I wasn't frustrated at any point. There are two holes with alternate tees to help here (5 and 18).
Variety of openness 7/10. Most of the holes are what I would classify as "moderately wooded". There are a couple more open (2, 5, 9, 18) and a couple that are more technical (1, 8, and 14).

Cons:

Alternate hole positions 1/10. I don't play this course a ton, but I have only seen alternate positions on holes 10 and 12, and I'm not convinced that they aren't just changed. I'll give it 1/10 for the benefit of the doubt there. There isn't a ton of extra room but a lot of holes could have some pretty cool alternate positions.

Other Thoughts:

Overall challenge 7/10. The primary challenge this course presents is forcing you to carve a variety of shots through the hills.
I really have a hard time finding anything bad to say about this course. It's not like it's world class, and there are certainly things that could be better, but it is a solid park setting course and I'm surprised it isn't busier. I head up to Atchison for the Amelia Earhart festival at the end of July every year and I always make sure to play this course while I'm there. The 9 hole in the back of the park is a good warm-up as well.
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5 0
Upshawt1979
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.9 years 550 played 429 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Fun Runs at Jackson 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 24, 2017 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

I think Jackson Park offers a lot if you want a course that rewards and encourages fundamentally sound disc golf shots. It isn't a championship layout, but has plenty of elevation change, and enough trees to create a need for controlled flight. There is also limited heavy rough, a few mandos, and a very tall basket on 12.

The concrete tees at each hole have wooden headers with the distance to the pin routed in them, as well as signs with rudimentary illustrations. The baskets are nice Mach V models. The park is well maintained, not crowded, and has another 9 hole course on the opposite end.

Many of the holes are short enough to reach from the tee, and birdie putts can be numerous. Vertical rise and fall, mature trees and some brushy rough, and possibly wind is all that stands in your way. Even the two par 4's are not to long to get under par.

Hole 1 and 2 are both short, fun downhill runs that can be reached with a putter or midrange disc. The basket on 2 is backed by the road that winds through the park, and poses an OB challenge if you're scoring strictly. 4 plays through a tricky tunnel, across a couple of bridges with plenty of branches in play. 6 is another shorter hole, that is pretty steep downhill, and has a basket protected by trees. 7 offers a nice left to right, downhill and is good practice for a RHFH drive. 8 is the first par four and the longest hole, above the walking path and slightly downhill.

The back 9 begins with the other par 4, on the side of a grassy hill weaving between large trees. 12 is not long but the pin is planted atop a stump, a raised target that adds interest. 13 is a longish, slightly downhill drive with interesting contours. 14 may be my favorite hole. It is a large drop in elevation, and has a pretty long drive through a nice hyzer RHBH window. Don't miss to the right of the road, it drops off steeply into heavy woods. 18 is a decent finisher, where you can mostly grip it and rip it. Not totally flat, and not totally open, but lots of open air and within range of a driver.

Cons:

The layout is kind of condensed. Roads, walking trails, and other holes can be nearby in the peripheral. Sidewalks on 8 and 9 are right in the line. A couple of picnic tables are also near fairways.

Signs do a decent job guiding through hole transitions, but you may want to snap a pic of the map if you aren't familiar with the layout.

Some sign maps are kind of vague, and the distance seems questionable on a couple of holes as well. Tees are not huge, but most of the holes are not long enough to require a big run up. Wind can be stiff, and add some degree of difficulty.

Other Thoughts:

After getting familiar with the course, I shot a 51, bogey free. The chance to shoot under 50 is not unrealistic. I live about and hour away, and will definitely return to play this one now and again.

While Jackson park is not a disc golf wonderland, it has a lot fun holes with good variety. It is a bit confined on a few holes, but the park doesn't seem to have enough traffic most of the time to make the layout a problem.

With another 9 hole course on the premises, that is of similar quality, I would say most players would find it worthwhile to make the trip. Professionals will likely find it to be easy, but good opportunities to practice different throws for the rest of us, while still enjoying the round. Kind of reminds me of Rosedale Down Under in Overland Park, with more grassy park than brushy rough.
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3 1
tackettbr
Experience: 17.9 years 281 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great Hilly and Slightly Technical Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 20, 2017 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- Good Variety of L->R and R->L, elevation, trees
- Great scenery and use of property
- Signs at each tee
- Multiple basket position on most holes
- Local parks department involved in park up keep, mowed frequently
- Bathrooms and pinic/playground area near by
- bag hooks
-trash and recycling on the front 6

Cons:

- short Tee pads, < 12 feet
- sings at tee only show 1 tee position and distance
- Few trash cans back 9
- Only one true par 4s
- Only 1-2 wide open drives

Other Thoughts:

Great elevation and variety for a small down course. Some describe it as a mini waterworks with elevation. I would agree and say it adds some more technical shots with the density of trees. This is my home course over the last year. Great course for me to run for speed disc golf. Good variety of shoots. Worth coming up from KC to play the 18 and 9 hole course on the same property.
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8 0
Robust
Experience: 44.7 years 106 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Always want to return! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 4, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Setting is a beautifully maintained small town city park on very hilly ground verging on the big valley of the Missouri River.
SITE/TERRAIN:
Quality of Land- 30/30 see description above.
Scenic Beauty- 20/30
Cleanliness- 15/15
COURSE DESIGN:
Variety- 25/30 Long/short, mostly technical, right/left. Only a few big open shots.
Obstacles/Shot Shaping- 30/30 Cool and challenging shots all over this course.
Decision-making/Risk-Reward- 20/30 Not a lot of route options on most holes, but disc and throw choices are tricky. Anhyzer or flick, overhand or not?
Signature holes- 30/30 Course is chock-full of interesting and fun holes. Hole 4: Through a gap in the foliage over a wooden bridge across some open ground with woods all along the right and over a row of tall brush to the pin. About 260 ft. so most experienced players can drive to the pin. No room for error, though. Hole 7: Short slight right shot to well-protected pin across small wooded draw. Harder than it looks. Hole 8: Most notorious hole on the course. 514 ft. down a narrow valley with steeply wooded slopes on both sides. Ribbon of concrete road snakes through. Locals play it all in bounds, which seems reasonable to me. See the photo in the slide show. Holes 13, 14: Both play from a hilltop across a valley to another hilltop with a landing zone dangerously close to a roll that will take you OB. Controlled shot-shaping will produce a bird. A blown shot might mean bogey. Hole 17: Sweet long gentle left-turning shot that follows the park road along a big curve. Heavy woods force you to follow the road. Stay low or you are in the trees. Throw the turn or you are over the road and OB. There is an 8' wide patch of lilies that parallels the road along the entire length of this hole. Very cool to play when they bloom. Hole 18: Long open shot across a large mowed fairway with the right edge defined by the left-turning sweep of the park road on the high ground. The left side of the fairway is probably 60 feet lower than the road. It's like playing inside a giant salad bowl.
Skill levels- 25/30 Probably a tough course for a novice but enough technical difficulty to challenge and entertain the seasoned player.
COURSE AMENITIES:
Baskets- 25/25 In good repair, properly installed, all there.
Signage- 10/15 not great but sufficient. Distances often wrong.
Tee pads: 20/30 New concrete pads this year. Sadly, too short.
COMFORT/CONVENIENCE:
Restrooms- 10/10 Seasonal, maintained by park.
Drinking Water- 10/10 Safe and drinkable, seasonal.
Course Navigation- 20/20 Relatively easy to navigate, map online at this website.
COURSE MAINTENANCE:
Grass and Brush- 40/50 Course is well maintained by the city of Atchison. Sometimes the grass gets a little long, particularly in the spring.
FUN FACTOR: 40/50 Subjective opinion of the reviewer. I love to play this course and can't wait to get back.

Cons:

SITE/TERRAIN:
Dedicated use- 10/25 Course is in close proximity to picnic areas, trails and roads. Has not been a problem for me, so far. But, on a busy day this could be some trouble.
COURSE DESIGN:
Multiple Baskets/Tees: 0/30 As of this writing, I am unaware of alternate pin positions or secondary tee pads. Might be a bit boring if you are able to play the course regularly.
COURSE AMENITIES:
Benches- 0/5 There are no benches as of this writing.
Trash Cans- 0/5 Trash cans are scarce, particularly on the back 9 away from the picnic areas. Please be respectful and pack your trash out.

Other Thoughts:

Overall the course gets 380/500 by my rating system. The website does not allow a 3.75 rating in a review, so I have to choose between 3.5 (very good) and 4.0 (excellent). I'm rounding up and giving it a 4.0.
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4 0
DamonMorgan
Experience: 10.9 years 44 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Challenging and fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Apr 22, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Beautiful trees and maintained grass
Open fairways on most of the course
Plenty of trash cans on the front 9
I like the bag holding hooks at each pad

Cons:

Short tee pads
Overgrown brush
Difficult to read the signs
The signs are also marked with high pars (hole 10 says par 6)
Needs more trash cans on back 9
Needs benches throughout course
Need stairs between hole 10 pin and hole 11 tee pad

Other Thoughts:

League nights are Tuesday at 6pm

There is a really fun 9 hole course in the same park!
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3 0
asjzn6
Experience: 18.7 years 136 played 59 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Excellent course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 8, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course has everything except good tee pads. Some of the holes have short tee pads. Baskets are mach 5s. Elevation is awesome on this course and distances are challenging. I played the first 7 holes and thought could be a simple course then i got to 8 and played road ob WHOA tough hole.

Cons:

Teepads, the distance i would have to travel to play this course.

Other Thoughts:

Make sure to play the 9 on the other side of the park and have a great 27 hole adventure.
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9 0
jace
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.3 years 46 played 33 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Beautiful Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 21, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This is an absolutely beautiful park that is moderately wooded throughout.

- Tee signage was fantastic. See photos for typical signage thru-out course. Some directional signage is also placed for the few hole transitions where needed. Course navigation was very easy even without a map.
- Incredible mix of elevation changes with 11 Down/6 Up/and 2 Flat.
- Course has a good variety of fairway types ranging from fairly open to scattered trees to wide corridors. Great mix throughout course and from hole to hole. See photos.
- Overall scenic beauty of course is really picturesque even without trees and flowers in bloom.
- Natural tees with treated wood lines that are engraved with hole # and length. I feel that concrete tees on this particular course would actually degrade from the park setting.

Cons:

- Tees would seriously benefit from being leveled out. There were many holes where footing was difficult due to tee layout.
- Course would benefit greatly with more trash cans thru-out. There was quite a bit of plastic bottle/beer bottle trash scattered thru-out the course.
- There were a couple of holes that bordered a paved trail that were only a distraction to the course beauty.
- Course would also benefit from a second set of basket locations. It would get boring to play regularly since it is the only course in the area.

Other Thoughts:

-Seasonal restrooms at main parking area.
- Has a nice playground/hiking trail and Pavilion for families.
- Wear hiking boots if you have them! This course has one of the best terrains I have played so far - it's a great work-out.

I really wish this course was a little closer to Kansas City. There is no doubt it would be heavily played on a regular basis! It is approximately an hour and a half from KC, but if you are traveling through KC and have the time, I would recommend this course over many in the KC area with few exceptions. It was a great play!!! There is also a nine hole course that overlooks the river located a short drive further up into the park. If you have the time, I would recommend playing this course first as a warm-up. Both courses can be played in 2 hours.

See detailed course review in links for more.
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