WHAT TO EXPECT: The often overlooked Mahr Park Recreational course is a 9 hole course tucked back in the shadows of it's big brother Mahr Championship Course. This beginner/recreational focused 9 holer is immaculately kept and offers multiple shot shapes and distances to either warm up for your round on the big course, or if you are just getting into the game, a challenging but not overwhelming introduction. One of the more solid 9 hole HB Clark designs.

AMENITIES: Since this course shares the same wonderful facilities as Mahr Championship course, it benefits from some of the multi use facilities. The arborium, modern bathrooms, practice baskets, large parking lots, spectacular views, multiple lakes, walking trails and one of the best maintained parks you will visit.

TEES/SIGNAGE/BASKETS: HB didn't cut any corner here, despite being the overshadowed little brother course. He utilized the same large textured concrete pads you will see on the Champ course, course map kiosk is large complete with hole map and all relevant information, tee signs are the same large design as used on the Champ side with full color hole maps, and uses the same baskets (Innova Discatchers). There is little in the way of navigational markers for the next hole, but the course flows naturally and you never really have to look hard for the next tee pad.

DESIGN: Course makes excellent use of rolling hills, tree cover to create low ceilings and some moderate shaping lines. Distances and shapes vary forcing forehands, backhands, putter, mid and fairway driver throws to succeed. Certainly a birdie or die course for more advanced players, but demanding enough to challenge recreational players and perfect for beginners looking for a challenge without being browbeat. Excellent warm up course for all your shots (except distance drives) before heading over to the Champ course.

SIGNATURES: Every hole has character but none stand out as a true signature. That is not to say there are any bad or bland holes here. Each one offers something unique and fun but none stands out head and shoulders above the rest as a true signature hole.

EXTRAS: This course plays extremely quickly and is wonderful for those trying to squeeze in a quick round, whereas the Champ course can take 3-4 hours to play through. Those of us with limited time after work or trying to beat the setting sun appreciate courses like this where we can get our disc golf fix and not make it an all day affair. Course maintained to perfection at almost all times throughout the year. I've never not seen this course mowed and free of trash. Minus the days following a big storm that may bring down some limbs, this course is always immaculate.

SINGLE LAYOUT: Minor con here, but there is only one tee pad location and one pin location. This could easily be made into a two loop to get your 18 holes in with a second set of tees.

SAFETY: Minor con here as well, but there is a blind tee shot on hole #2 that isn't far from a well utilized walking trail. A few holes play parallel to the walking trail or throw directly at it (long of the baskets). Just keep mindful of other park goers before you launch your plastic.

NO BIG BOY DISTANCE: If you want to air some shots out, you'll have to play the big brother course up the hill. Instead here, you are relegated to shot shaping and distance control with mostly putters and mids.

REDESIGN: This course had been redisigned since the last time I played it. A new building and parking lot resides where old hole #9 used to be. Pity, because that was a good hole. The new hole #9 isn't bad though, but I still prefer the older layout and worry that growth in the park may end up taking more pieces of the course in the years to come.

Very entertaining course for sure, coupled with the next step up (Madisonville City Park) and the ultimate prize (Mahr Championship) all within a couple minutes of each other, Madisonville has the perfect set up of beautiful, well maintained, and skill directed courses from the start of your disc golf journey to professional status covered. The small town of Madisonville stands out as a disc golf destination city that can easily be covered in a day or two and worth the drive. While this little course is often overlooked or not noticed because it lies in the back of the park, don't sleep on it, and don't forget to include it on your trip to Mahr. While a wonderful 9 holer, I rated this course a 2.5 because I usually reserve 3.0 and higher for the absolute best of the best 9 holers (what I'd consider a 4.5-5.0 for an 18 hole course). This course is great for what it is and what it provides.

Nine fun park style recreation level holes playing over pretty KBG rolling hills and around sparse large hardwood trees and a creek. Great variety of elevation changes, valley, up and over, flat, uphill, downhill. Good course to learn to play on.

Nice single concrete tees and DisCatcher basket position and tee signs. Easy to navigate. Grass was all recently mowed and looks spectacular. Pretty hard to lose a dic. Restrooms. Big brother course on site.

Safety... hole 2 is a blind shot to the basket with the walking path not far from it. Hole 3 parallels the path a little close for comfort. Hole 7 is a big downhill with the path maybe 60' behind the basket and easy for Rec level player to over throw. Hole 9 also parallels the path a little close for comfort. There were a lot of walkers too.

No seclusion on the course. Only one set of tees and basket position. Not much distance or tree density variety.

Although the Rec course is not intended for me, I was still entertained playing it, it's always fun playing on some nice elevation and ace runs. Also a nice change of pace from the Champ course and more relaxing.

Hopefully this Rec course will bring some new players up to speed and ready them to take on the challenge of the Big Boy Champ course.

Great amenities.
Clean well kept course.
Easily navigable.
Varied terrain.

Mostly shorter shots.
A couple holes felt a bit repetitive.
Walking paths close to being in play on 2 holes.

I ran through this course to warm up this morning in preparation for the 10,000' Beast contained within the same park. Within 3 holes I already found myself enjoying the variety of challenges this "Rec" course has to offer. There is elevation in play on most holes. I teed off on 2 of the holes with a putter, a mid on 2, 2 sidearm drivers, and 3 backhand drivers. Honestly a few of the holes even play well for the overhand so this quick 9 hole course is actually a great training ground for working on a lot of different shots. I would recommend it to anyone passing through Madisonville KY, especially if you don't have enough time to play a full 18 holes. All in all, a great fun 9 hole loop that anyone could run through in a half hour.