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Maxwell Park - Gold reviews
13
0
Excellent evolution
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Dec 8, 2023
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
(UPDATE: This is updated for the full long/gold layout)
- This course now has two baskets for each hole (blue and gold), with a handful of long pads as well. The gold baskets were sorely needed and bring in some new shots beyond a par 3 stock hyzer. The par 4s aren't particularly long, but they do require precision to navigate through. They're fair, some have multiple routes, but most importantly, challenge different shots in your bag. I can't say enough about how much of an improvement the new layout is. Several of the new gold basket placements add the right amount of challenge to push higher-level players for a birdie.
- They left all the holes I liked in and added two more great ones! A pleasant surprise. I really enjoy the new #10 and #11 - really enjoy #11 in particular as it forces a precision sharp dogleg left shot, before setting up for a slight turn right for the upshot.
- The course looks great. Before teeing off for a morning round, there was a fleet of four Park District carts going from hole to hole to edge around tee pads. There's some longer grass that creates natural rough, which I love. The little elevation that's here is used pretty well, and the wooded holes balance and shield a course that's right by the highway.
- Tee pads are big and I love the style and design of the DiscGolfPark tee signs and baskets. Very clean and crisp.
- There are some small trees that should continue to make this course more challenging as the years go on (thinking about #7-#9 in particular, the three that center on the hill in the middle of the park)
- This course now has two baskets for each hole (blue and gold), with a handful of long pads as well. The gold baskets were sorely needed and bring in some new shots beyond a par 3 stock hyzer. The par 4s aren't particularly long, but they do require precision to navigate through. They're fair, some have multiple routes, but most importantly, challenge different shots in your bag. I can't say enough about how much of an improvement the new layout is. Several of the new gold basket placements add the right amount of challenge to push higher-level players for a birdie.
- They left all the holes I liked in and added two more great ones! A pleasant surprise. I really enjoy the new #10 and #11 - really enjoy #11 in particular as it forces a precision sharp dogleg left shot, before setting up for a slight turn right for the upshot.
- The course looks great. Before teeing off for a morning round, there was a fleet of four Park District carts going from hole to hole to edge around tee pads. There's some longer grass that creates natural rough, which I love. The little elevation that's here is used pretty well, and the wooded holes balance and shield a course that's right by the highway.
- Tee pads are big and I love the style and design of the DiscGolfPark tee signs and baskets. Very clean and crisp.
- There are some small trees that should continue to make this course more challenging as the years go on (thinking about #7-#9 in particular, the three that center on the hill in the middle of the park)
Cons:
- For all of this space, you can literally jump from #7s tee pad to #9s tee pad. Events I played in had backups on these holes because it's impossible to tee off at the same time.
- On #14, you have to backtrack down the entire fairway to get to #15 (at least, I didn't see another way). But building a bridge across the creek to the left of the basket would solve this issue, so there's opportunity there.
- They cut a lot of trees down in the open area for this course, but didn't cut them level with the ground. Watch your step, there are a lot of stumps an inch above the ground. (This is getting much better, though)
- It is *right* by the highway, which takes you out a bit for the first few holes.
- On #14, you have to backtrack down the entire fairway to get to #15 (at least, I didn't see another way). But building a bridge across the creek to the left of the basket would solve this issue, so there's opportunity there.
- They cut a lot of trees down in the open area for this course, but didn't cut them level with the ground. Watch your step, there are a lot of stumps an inch above the ground. (This is getting much better, though)
- It is *right* by the highway, which takes you out a bit for the first few holes.
Other Thoughts:
- I really enjoy this course now. While there's a time and a place for something like NW Black, I like that Maxwell provides an appropriate challenge and doesn't take all day. Kudos to BN for upgrading this course that plays great no matter your skill level. And even when you're with newbies or kids, there's a seven-hole par 3 course in the same park!
14
0
2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 7, 2021
Played the course:once
Pros:
+ With it's redesign last year, Maxwell got brand new course equipment. We're talking new baskets, new tee signs, new tees, and a brand new map at the beginning of the course. These are all lovely.
+ Course is more challenging than it was. It's longer and trickier. There are also two baskets (blue/gold) for each hole, adding to the variety. Some holes also have multiple tees. This makes it more attractive as a destination course, I suppose.
+ Course flow is very intuitive, but this is aided by arrows on the bottom of the basket at each hole pointing the player to the next tee.
+ Very clean. The parks department clearly cares about this course and wants their investment in the new design to be well received.
+ Course is more challenging than it was. It's longer and trickier. There are also two baskets (blue/gold) for each hole, adding to the variety. Some holes also have multiple tees. This makes it more attractive as a destination course, I suppose.
+ Course flow is very intuitive, but this is aided by arrows on the bottom of the basket at each hole pointing the player to the next tee.
+ Very clean. The parks department clearly cares about this course and wants their investment in the new design to be well received.
Cons:
- This review is only based on the part that is completed now. I believe 8-14 will be done in the spring/summer of 2022. I think with these added holes, this course could sneak into 4.0 land.
- I didn't like the two pins. I think they're way too close to each other and truthfully a waste of money. Based on what I'm reading online (Udisc, forums, etc) most people agree with me.
- I think this course is still pretty boring. I was optimistic that it'd be substantially more fun but it's still pretty "meh". Maybe the 2022 expansion will have the breath-taking signature hole this course desperately needs.
- Hole 18 finishes pretty far away from the parking lot. It's closer than it used to be, but could be closer.
- The rough here is pretty gross, especially around the creek. That said, I do appreciate that the parks department seemingly widen the fairways.
- Tees for #5 and #7 are basically on top of each other. Yikes.
- I didn't like the two pins. I think they're way too close to each other and truthfully a waste of money. Based on what I'm reading online (Udisc, forums, etc) most people agree with me.
- I think this course is still pretty boring. I was optimistic that it'd be substantially more fun but it's still pretty "meh". Maybe the 2022 expansion will have the breath-taking signature hole this course desperately needs.
- Hole 18 finishes pretty far away from the parking lot. It's closer than it used to be, but could be closer.
- The rough here is pretty gross, especially around the creek. That said, I do appreciate that the parks department seemingly widen the fairways.
- Tees for #5 and #7 are basically on top of each other. Yikes.
Other Thoughts:
So, I think the general consensus is disappointment. Many were so thrilled about the potential that a redesign could bring and I think it missed the mark a bit. That said, it's still a "very good" course that takes advantage of the terrain, but it's not breathtaking. I mean, we're talking about central Illinois here. Then again, Peoria pulled off some fantastic courses, so we all know it's doable!
