Lions Park reviews
13
0
EspressoPatronum
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
18.8 years
256 played
241 reviews
A Nice Little Park, Hilly and Woodsy
Reviewed:
Played on:Dec 8, 2023
Played the course:once
Pros:
- concrete tees
- yellow banded Innova DISCatchers are still serviceable
- rolling hills well incorporated into course
- several holes have mature trees which force some shot shaping and technical play
- nice built-in bridge over creek on hole 1
- notable mix of long and short holes
- park benches throughout course
- disc golf is generally well-isolated from other park activities
- yellow banded Innova DISCatchers are still serviceable
- rolling hills well incorporated into course
- several holes have mature trees which force some shot shaping and technical play
- nice built-in bridge over creek on hole 1
- notable mix of long and short holes
- park benches throughout course
- disc golf is generally well-isolated from other park activities
Cons:
- tees are very small for concrete
- baskets are showing their age
- rudimentary tee posts with no maps
- some long walks between holes; flow is not as good as it could be
- some lack of clarity on navigation
- pretty light on amenities (no practice basket, bathrooms, etc.)
- non-wooded holes have very open shots without much challenge
- baskets are showing their age
- rudimentary tee posts with no maps
- some long walks between holes; flow is not as good as it could be
- some lack of clarity on navigation
- pretty light on amenities (no practice basket, bathrooms, etc.)
- non-wooded holes have very open shots without much challenge
Other Thoughts:
Lions Park is a respectable niner in a municipal park that generally avoids other park activities well. I struggled to score this one, as half the course feels like a 2.5 but some of it is probably closer to a 1.5 than a 2. In general, the biggest improvements here would be larger concrete tees, a bit better flow, and better tee signs/navigation aids. The course starts off with some cool shots in the wooded hillside area before going out into the open, and eventually returning back to the wooded hillside.
One of the annoying things was having holes end up the hillside, then having to walk back down the hillside for the next hole that also shot up the hillside, just a bit further up. This is not great flow and uphill/downhill walking that feels like backtracking usually doesn't make me more fond of a course.
Holes 3-5 are more out in the open and not particularly interesting. These also get closer to the park walking paths. Hole 3 does force a pretty extreme dogleg left, but that's about it for intrigue besides the length these holes provide. One unique thing about this park was the disparity in hole lengths. There is good variety, but very little in the typical 250-350 ft range. Almost everything is below 200 ft or super long - not necessarily a pro or a con, just interesting.
I enjoyed the round here, mostly because of holes 1-2 and 6-9 playing through some moderate woods. With the elevation also in play here, these were some of the more interesting holes you will play on a niner in Chicagoland. The course was fairly well maintained though the equipment is definitely showing its age. While amenities were limited, you could likely duck into the local library right next to the course during business hours for a bathroom.
Overall, if you are running around bagging niners this is a decent one to play, but nothing to drive out of your way for. There was some brush burning going on the day I was at this course which made hole 7 a bit interesting, as I literally had to throw over the still lit burn pit. I suspect this was an anomaly and not a regular occurrence, but who knows.
One of the annoying things was having holes end up the hillside, then having to walk back down the hillside for the next hole that also shot up the hillside, just a bit further up. This is not great flow and uphill/downhill walking that feels like backtracking usually doesn't make me more fond of a course.
Holes 3-5 are more out in the open and not particularly interesting. These also get closer to the park walking paths. Hole 3 does force a pretty extreme dogleg left, but that's about it for intrigue besides the length these holes provide. One unique thing about this park was the disparity in hole lengths. There is good variety, but very little in the typical 250-350 ft range. Almost everything is below 200 ft or super long - not necessarily a pro or a con, just interesting.
I enjoyed the round here, mostly because of holes 1-2 and 6-9 playing through some moderate woods. With the elevation also in play here, these were some of the more interesting holes you will play on a niner in Chicagoland. The course was fairly well maintained though the equipment is definitely showing its age. While amenities were limited, you could likely duck into the local library right next to the course during business hours for a bathroom.
Overall, if you are running around bagging niners this is a decent one to play, but nothing to drive out of your way for. There was some brush burning going on the day I was at this course which made hole 7 a bit interesting, as I literally had to throw over the still lit burn pit. I suspect this was an anomaly and not a regular occurrence, but who knows.
5
0
Stardoggy
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
12.8 years
1009 played
214 reviews
Typical city park course... 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 28, 2016
Played the course:once
Pros:
9 hole course tucked into the back area of a city park. Look for tee 1 to the left and behind the pool.
Concrete tees, all in decent enough shape. They could stand to be a touch longer, but the areas around the tees were level enough to make up for it. One tee per hole.
Discatcher baskets, all in good repair and mounted correctly. One pin position per hole.
About half the course plays in the trees, and force you to make reasonably technical shots. Nothing too tight or unforgiving, but a couple cool-ish lines through the trees. Holes 7 and 8 force you to get creative.
Decent variation in distances, from the low 100's to the 500's. You'll use a reasonable number of discs here.
The big sledding hill in the middle section of the course is used a bit. Hole 5's basket position was nicely done, with some serious rollaway possibilities. Hole 6, with a shot from on top of the hill, was cool enough to throw a few discs at. Hole 2's position perched on a plateau was nicely done, as well.
Decent tee signs, with all the info you'll need. Navigation was pretty simple, and the flow was good. Hole 9 finishes reasonably close to the parking lot.
The view of the water tower hanging over the hill when you're walking up to hole 2 is pretty darn awesome. Very rarely do I take a picture at a nondescript 9 hole course, but I had to snap one here.
Concrete tees, all in decent enough shape. They could stand to be a touch longer, but the areas around the tees were level enough to make up for it. One tee per hole.
Discatcher baskets, all in good repair and mounted correctly. One pin position per hole.
About half the course plays in the trees, and force you to make reasonably technical shots. Nothing too tight or unforgiving, but a couple cool-ish lines through the trees. Holes 7 and 8 force you to get creative.
Decent variation in distances, from the low 100's to the 500's. You'll use a reasonable number of discs here.
The big sledding hill in the middle section of the course is used a bit. Hole 5's basket position was nicely done, with some serious rollaway possibilities. Hole 6, with a shot from on top of the hill, was cool enough to throw a few discs at. Hole 2's position perched on a plateau was nicely done, as well.
Decent tee signs, with all the info you'll need. Navigation was pretty simple, and the flow was good. Hole 9 finishes reasonably close to the parking lot.
The view of the water tower hanging over the hill when you're walking up to hole 2 is pretty darn awesome. Very rarely do I take a picture at a nondescript 9 hole course, but I had to snap one here.
Cons:
The longer holes are pretty much wide open and don't really get the blood flowing. Hole 4 is especially tedious. Long, uphill, and open.
A big time missed opportunity for more ski hill shots here. Hole 3's tee really should be up high.
You'll play pretty close to a few play areas in the wooded section, and you may have to skip a hole or two because of it on the wrong days.
A big time missed opportunity for more ski hill shots here. Hole 3's tee really should be up high.
You'll play pretty close to a few play areas in the wooded section, and you may have to skip a hole or two because of it on the wrong days.
Other Thoughts:
All in all, it's a decent little city park course. Nothing to really go out of your way for, but if you can drop your kids at the pool and go spin a few rounds, you'll leave reasonably happy.
5
0
tallpaul
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
35.9 years
934 played
137 reviews
decent niner with some length 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Oct 28, 2010
Played the course:once
Pros:
Decent cement trapezoidal tees. A little short, but installed at ground level; which is a plus.
Nice signage; with correct footage and hole diagram (these must be fairly new.) They even show o.b.; which it would be nice if more signs did.
Pretty good mix of holes; three short; 1, 8, and 9; many of the rest pretty long. Though #9 is short; there is a nice big tree with very wide branch spread that influences approach to pin.
The mixture here is better than most nine holers...it's kind of a mix of short/beginner holes and some longer ones to make you work a bit for your three.
I don't remember #5 being only 225 ft. Uphill makes it play longer.
Water tower in view from most of course. I don't know why, but I rather enjoy this sort of man made view on a course....perhaps because it is somewhat uncommon. (Tower is not involved in course in any way.)
Nice use of hill shots.
Little swamp area to avoid.
Nice mature trees on some areas.
Nice signage; with correct footage and hole diagram (these must be fairly new.) They even show o.b.; which it would be nice if more signs did.
Pretty good mix of holes; three short; 1, 8, and 9; many of the rest pretty long. Though #9 is short; there is a nice big tree with very wide branch spread that influences approach to pin.
The mixture here is better than most nine holers...it's kind of a mix of short/beginner holes and some longer ones to make you work a bit for your three.
I don't remember #5 being only 225 ft. Uphill makes it play longer.
Water tower in view from most of course. I don't know why, but I rather enjoy this sort of man made view on a course....perhaps because it is somewhat uncommon. (Tower is not involved in course in any way.)
Nice use of hill shots.
Little swamp area to avoid.
Nice mature trees on some areas.
Cons:
Nothing all that memorable; but, a basic, decent course.
Other Thoughts:
This course is not worth a return trip for me and should not be a go out of your way stop; but, for a decent nine holer; with not much else in the area; it's o.k. for a visit.
It IS better than your average pitch and putt.
It IS better than your average pitch and putt.
6
0
Odd mix of holes 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 19, 2010
Played the course:once
Pros:
The course plays through a pretty city park with nice mature trees, nice grass, and a large sled hill. Two holes play up the steep sled hill, and one hole plays down a tight gap through mature trees for a fun downhill shot (by far the most fun hole on the course). There is a huge variety in distance for a small park 9 holer, with a couple holes that are barely over 100', and a couple long holes where you can really rip a drive. There are a few holes that encourage certain shot shapes, and they are mixed between right and left turning holes.
The course is nicely maintained, with sturdy metal tee signs including a basic course map by the first tee. The concrete pads are small but serviceable, with some texture for grip. The discatchers are in good shape and catch well. The park is trash and vandalism free, and there is ample parking.
The course is nicely maintained, with sturdy metal tee signs including a basic course map by the first tee. The concrete pads are small but serviceable, with some texture for grip. The discatchers are in good shape and catch well. The park is trash and vandalism free, and there is ample parking.
Cons:
This course seems to be confused whether it wants to be a beginner course or a tougher course, with some easy short holes and some long holes that would frustrate beginners, though the variety is nice. The third tee location is in a terrible spot, with an awkward long walk and an odd shot around a blind corner, I'm not sure why the designer didn't just put the tee on top of the hill for a safer and more fun shot.
There isn't a lot of real challenge here, the two longer holes are pretty open with no real trouble to get into with a poor drive, the only risk/reward on the course is the small swamp hazard on the 7th hole. There are a few holes that play very close to playgrounds and picnic areas, if the park got busy on a nice day there could be some safety concerns.
Though the
There isn't a lot of real challenge here, the two longer holes are pretty open with no real trouble to get into with a poor drive, the only risk/reward on the course is the small swamp hazard on the 7th hole. There are a few holes that play very close to playgrounds and picnic areas, if the park got busy on a nice day there could be some safety concerns.
Though the
Other Thoughts:
This is a fun little 9 hole course, with some nice elevation using the sled hill. Don't go out of your way to play this one, but it's a fun stop if you're passing by. Beginners will find some challenges, and some reachable holes even for shorter arms. More experienced players won't find much challenge, but there's enough variety to make it interesting for a round.
