Johnson Park in the Des Moines suburb of Van Meter is a small, very hill city park. This hilly terrain makes for an excellent vehicle to house the disc golf course here. With the short lengths (only # 9 is
longer tthan 200'), one would think this would be a great beginner course. However, I see it's niche as a fun, little pitch and putt for rec players with a little experience. I think the semi-narrow fairways and thick, tall rough would not be condusive to players just learning to control their discs. This course bring nothing but frustration for beginners.

The course has the basic course rules sign, the old school fiberglass tee signs and Mach III baskets. The course uses grass for tee pads but the apparent lack of use has left the tee pad areas in good shape, no ugly ruts, etc.

ACE runs are possible on every hole starting with the simple little 135' # 1 which requires just a simple, little hyser. I thought # 7 was a classic, short hole, just 100', but straight up a steep little hill. And then the only hole with any distance, # 9, is 425' down a small hill. It just takes about a 200' drive to clear the tall grass and weeds on the first half of the hole before reaching the open fairway part of the hole.

Some players will, no doubt, be frustrated with the very deep and thick areas just off some fairways.

Short distances are not challenging. Think, short distances equal short ACE runs.

Grass tee pads.

As everyone agrees, Johnson Park DGC, is just a great little throw. The design is good with fun, creative little holes. This is the type of course, that if I lived close, I could imagine showing up everyday chasing those ACEs.

-Many chances for an ace. 8 holes out of 9 to be exact.
-Nice baskets
-Signage is decent and lets you know how short the holes really are.
-Elevation can make this course difficult if you overshoot on a failed ace run
-Great for beginners or a quick practice round for veteran players. It is a great course to practice up and downhill approaches. Can be played in about 20 minutes.
-Bathroom near parking lot
-Probably not busy, this course looks pretty good. If it were used a lot I could see erosion being a problem.
-Nicely mowed and upkept. Good, clean city park atmosphere.
-You probably won't lose a disc here.

-Natural tees, you don't need much of a run up on most holes though so it doesn't matter too much.
-Very short
-Not too many obstacles on most holes
-Layout could be a little better. You kind of do a figure 8 type of motion with the holes. It could be worse though.

This course may not be the best designed or have the best extras around the course but it does have a lot of ace runs and elevation. Those are both something that I enjoy in a course. If you come to Van Meter expecting to use your Bob Feller type arm then keep it in the bag until hole number 9. Even that one is downhill so 425 feet doesn't seem so long. I would stop off I80 to play this course. It is nothing too special as evidenced by my 2.5 disc rating but it does have a different feel from most disc golf courses. It could probably even be played as a mini course.

-A good course to teach somebody what disc golf is and how to play.
-Extremely hard to lose a disc.
-Can be played in 20 minutes
-Signs show pin distance and where the next tee is.
-Drinking fountain/spicket on site
-Small shelter in park
-Makes good use of the small park with lots of elevation change.

-There is only 1 hole thats 300+ feet and thats hole 9 at 400-some feet.
-Not very difficult for people who've played disc golf even a few times.

This is a pitch and putt course. Most players will be able to use a putter and midrange for 8 out of the 9 holes. Hole 9 is over 400 feet. There is a good amount of elevation change. There is a walking path that goes around the small pond. Long tee signs will be going in soon.