Lion's Park reviews
8
0
rootofthechord
Experience:
13.7 years
41 played
13 reviews
Excellent course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Aug 5, 2011
Played the course:once
Pros:
- This course is quite spacious - 21 holes, and 4 long bombs 696' or greater
- The long holes come first, followed by the short technical holes, which means you're not trying to chunk it over a 900' hole with a tired arm at the end.
- Good variety of holes: long field shots (2, 7, 10, 11), birdie/ace race holes (3, 6, 9, 13, 15), and wooded holes with wicked mandos and unique lines (12, 18).
- Good use of elevation. Holes 2, 8, and 9 are greatly enhanced by fairly typical elevation changes.
- I actually appreciated the long holes. I can see how people would complain that they're "filler", but IMHO being able to consistently let off long straight drives is also a technical aspect to the game.
- The long holes come first, followed by the short technical holes, which means you're not trying to chunk it over a 900' hole with a tired arm at the end.
- Good variety of holes: long field shots (2, 7, 10, 11), birdie/ace race holes (3, 6, 9, 13, 15), and wooded holes with wicked mandos and unique lines (12, 18).
- Good use of elevation. Holes 2, 8, and 9 are greatly enhanced by fairly typical elevation changes.
- I actually appreciated the long holes. I can see how people would complain that they're "filler", but IMHO being able to consistently let off long straight drives is also a technical aspect to the game.
Cons:
- The only water that comes into play is on holes 3 and 5. There's a beautiful pond between 14 and 15 just begging to be included somehow.
- I didn't see any water or bathroom facilities after hole 5. If I got that wrong, please feel free to correct me.
- The fairway of hole 6 looks like it straddles a drainage ditch. It's awkward even when it's dry out.
- While I liked the "long holes first" idea, I felt like there were two courses: holes 1-11 and 12-21. Some integration of short and long (for example, adding an extra long hole somewhere in the back 10) would be welcome.
- I didn't see any water or bathroom facilities after hole 5. If I got that wrong, please feel free to correct me.
- The fairway of hole 6 looks like it straddles a drainage ditch. It's awkward even when it's dry out.
- While I liked the "long holes first" idea, I felt like there were two courses: holes 1-11 and 12-21. Some integration of short and long (for example, adding an extra long hole somewhere in the back 10) would be welcome.
Other Thoughts:
This course came as a very pleasant surprise to me. Coming in as a low-to-mid Recreational player, I found this course quite challenging in all aspects of my game - open-field and close-quarter drives, and shorter approach-only holes. This course is not a good place for beginners to start, but once you've mastered the basic concepts of the game and can play with some consistency, this course is excellent. I would consider it a treat to have this course locally. Highly recommended as a day trip for anybody between Waco and Austin, or if you're passing by on I-35.
9
2
Dr.Seuss
Experience:
14 years
60 played
4 reviews
Quality Disc Golf Experience 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Apr 1, 2011
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
I will start this review honestly, this is my home course, I may be biased towards this course, however I do believe that my 4.5 rating is correct. I will provide adequate proof to hold this course to a 4.5 rating, I will also give valid reasons that is not and will never be a 5 disc rated course unless changes are made.
My main reason in writing this review comes from the past few reviews of this course and I 100% believe that they have missed the mark in regards to their description of the course during their reviews.
1. This course has everything you are looking for in a quality course, from the tee pads to the bathrooms this course is fully equipped to handle a quick round to a full weekend tournament and everything in between. The park itself has 2 full functioning restroom facilities, each are located on the course, 1st at hole 1 & practice basket, 2nd at hole 6. This is a full functioning park with 2 full sized playgrounds for the kids, covered picnic areas, horseshoe pits, and ball fields. Bring the family for the outing and they won't be bored.
2. The TDGA has invested a lot of time and money into the upkeep towards this course, all 21 holes have identical 10x4 cement tee pads (very nice, you don't see this type of tee pad many other places), there are also pro/am tees on 9 of the holes. Each tee pro/am has quality signage. At hole 1 there is a very large map of the course, information on how to play DG and quick info about the TDGA and the sport of DG. There is also a practice basket. There are trash cans on 1/4th of the holes which are emptied by the park & rec department, they also mow the course regularly.
3. Variety of holes: this course includes every type of hole that you are going to see on any given course. Terrain change, open bombs, tight and technical, wooded shots, tunnel shots, water hazards, par 3's & 4's. One of the biggest complaints that I have read about this course is the distance this course requires you to have. I completely disagree with previous reviewers on hole 10 & 11. These are back to back 700 & 800 ft. holes, they test the big arms with accuracy and distance in order to score well. They have tight OB which forces good play to come out ahead. I understand how some players believe this to be a detriment to the course, but I believe that it adds a very challenging section you don't see other places.
4. My favorite holes are 4, a long tight drive with a high risk/reward choice, hole 11, 2 solid drives are need to 3 this hole, with OB on both sides this becomes much easier said than done, hole 17, a shorter hole with a tight window looking at the basket heading up a hill, and 21, a 300 ft shot that is very tight one mistake and par becomes much more challenging.
My main reason in writing this review comes from the past few reviews of this course and I 100% believe that they have missed the mark in regards to their description of the course during their reviews.
1. This course has everything you are looking for in a quality course, from the tee pads to the bathrooms this course is fully equipped to handle a quick round to a full weekend tournament and everything in between. The park itself has 2 full functioning restroom facilities, each are located on the course, 1st at hole 1 & practice basket, 2nd at hole 6. This is a full functioning park with 2 full sized playgrounds for the kids, covered picnic areas, horseshoe pits, and ball fields. Bring the family for the outing and they won't be bored.
2. The TDGA has invested a lot of time and money into the upkeep towards this course, all 21 holes have identical 10x4 cement tee pads (very nice, you don't see this type of tee pad many other places), there are also pro/am tees on 9 of the holes. Each tee pro/am has quality signage. At hole 1 there is a very large map of the course, information on how to play DG and quick info about the TDGA and the sport of DG. There is also a practice basket. There are trash cans on 1/4th of the holes which are emptied by the park & rec department, they also mow the course regularly.
3. Variety of holes: this course includes every type of hole that you are going to see on any given course. Terrain change, open bombs, tight and technical, wooded shots, tunnel shots, water hazards, par 3's & 4's. One of the biggest complaints that I have read about this course is the distance this course requires you to have. I completely disagree with previous reviewers on hole 10 & 11. These are back to back 700 & 800 ft. holes, they test the big arms with accuracy and distance in order to score well. They have tight OB which forces good play to come out ahead. I understand how some players believe this to be a detriment to the course, but I believe that it adds a very challenging section you don't see other places.
4. My favorite holes are 4, a long tight drive with a high risk/reward choice, hole 11, 2 solid drives are need to 3 this hole, with OB on both sides this becomes much easier said than done, hole 17, a shorter hole with a tight window looking at the basket heading up a hill, and 21, a 300 ft shot that is very tight one mistake and par becomes much more challenging.
Cons:
1. The biggest issue to Lions Park and what I believe is something that is truly holding it back is the lack of alternate pin placements. Many would benefit greatly from adding alt pin placements, some easier, some harder. This would give a much needed variety to the course for the locals, as well as providing options for higher level tournament play.
2. The 2nd biggest issue that I have with Lions are holes 6 & 7, hands down these 2 holes take away from the technicality that the other 19 holes hold. They are the very definition of filler holes. This creates a very boring 2 hole stretch moving from the bottom half of the course to the top.
3. Summer time heat/sun, this course is fairly open on the 1-2,6-17 holes, during the summer this can really take its toll on afternoon rounds. Bring water, take advantage of the courses facilities when you can and stick to the shade.
2. The 2nd biggest issue that I have with Lions are holes 6 & 7, hands down these 2 holes take away from the technicality that the other 19 holes hold. They are the very definition of filler holes. This creates a very boring 2 hole stretch moving from the bottom half of the course to the top.
3. Summer time heat/sun, this course is fairly open on the 1-2,6-17 holes, during the summer this can really take its toll on afternoon rounds. Bring water, take advantage of the courses facilities when you can and stick to the shade.
Other Thoughts:
If you are looking for an easy course this is not it, this course will challenge you from the short boxes. It has a lot of distance which understandably can be seen as a con, however the distance that Lions Park presents is not without merit, the distance is challenging and rewards good drive placement.
You will be forced to bring out all of your shots to shoot well here, you can air it out, and then be forced to dial it down. The elevation changes are used to the fullest here and create challenging shots not seen at other courses.
The highlight of playing Lions Park is the little things that add up to make this such a great place to play DG, having nice facilities to traversing such a wide variety of terrain will bring you back to Lions Park over and over again.
You will be forced to bring out all of your shots to shoot well here, you can air it out, and then be forced to dial it down. The elevation changes are used to the fullest here and create challenging shots not seen at other courses.
The highlight of playing Lions Park is the little things that add up to make this such a great place to play DG, having nice facilities to traversing such a wide variety of terrain will bring you back to Lions Park over and over again.
