North Mesa Picnic Grounds reviews
4
0
Short but Stunning 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Mar 9, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
Absolutely beautiful wooded course with rocky canyons in a small park
+ Short holes, but the trees and rocky ground force you to plan and hit your lines
+ Signage is excellent; baskets are new and in great shape. Very visible: as I recall, there's only one hole where you can't see the basket from the tee (#5, where it's uphill and slightly the left, protected by trees)
+ Hole #2 is fun shot across a short canyon. If you don't make it across, you're playing for bogey, because you're estimating your shot from down below (that's my experience speaking -I caught a branch on the far side and got knocked down)
+ Hole #3 is a 125' par 2 (yes, par 2). It's a straightforward pitch-and-putt and it's not wrong to call it a par 2 - but that's so unusual that I didn't notice it until after the round and couldn't figure out how I got a bogey 3
+ Hole #5 is a generous par 4. The basket isn't visible (uphill and protected by trees), but it's a fair par for new players who can't expect to make the 230' distance
+ Holes #7 and #8 play alongside a steep dropoff to an OB canyon on the right. It didn't really come into play until the approach on #8 - the basket on #8 is very close to the edge and is surrounded by rocky, hard ground. Anything that doesn't land softly is headed OB (and way, way down!)
+ Hole #9 is designed to bring a few tall pitch pines into play off the tee, creating several gaps you have to make. The gaps aren't particularly narrow, but they can get into your head
+ Short holes, but the trees and rocky ground force you to plan and hit your lines
+ Signage is excellent; baskets are new and in great shape. Very visible: as I recall, there's only one hole where you can't see the basket from the tee (#5, where it's uphill and slightly the left, protected by trees)
+ Hole #2 is fun shot across a short canyon. If you don't make it across, you're playing for bogey, because you're estimating your shot from down below (that's my experience speaking -I caught a branch on the far side and got knocked down)
+ Hole #3 is a 125' par 2 (yes, par 2). It's a straightforward pitch-and-putt and it's not wrong to call it a par 2 - but that's so unusual that I didn't notice it until after the round and couldn't figure out how I got a bogey 3
+ Hole #5 is a generous par 4. The basket isn't visible (uphill and protected by trees), but it's a fair par for new players who can't expect to make the 230' distance
+ Holes #7 and #8 play alongside a steep dropoff to an OB canyon on the right. It didn't really come into play until the approach on #8 - the basket on #8 is very close to the edge and is surrounded by rocky, hard ground. Anything that doesn't land softly is headed OB (and way, way down!)
+ Hole #9 is designed to bring a few tall pitch pines into play off the tee, creating several gaps you have to make. The gaps aren't particularly narrow, but they can get into your head
Cons:
- Tees are outlined with wood frames, but they don't have concrete poured (maybe this is planned?). Many of them are uneven with exposed base rock. The good news is that the holes are so short you don't need a run-up
- Four of the signs (#5, # 7, #8, #9) have "upside down" maps: the basket is at the bottom and the tee is at the top. Not a big problem, but you might scratch your head for a minute trying to orient yourself on these holes
- The distance on #6 sign is 230' - but I really think it's a lot shorter..maybe 180' - 200'
- Four of the signs (#5, # 7, #8, #9) have "upside down" maps: the basket is at the bottom and the tee is at the top. Not a big problem, but you might scratch your head for a minute trying to orient yourself on these holes
- The distance on #6 sign is 230' - but I really think it's a lot shorter..maybe 180' - 200'
Other Thoughts:
~ It looks like the layout and baskets have changed since earlier pictures on this site were taken. I'll post some I took (March 2020)
~ There's a comment on one of the earlier reviews that the course is cart-friendly and jogger-stroller friendly, but I don't think that's true
- Parking is a little haphazard: there are various places alongside the park road where I think you can pull off. There's more space for parking near the playground in the center of the park
- Los Alamos is at 7300' elevation. If you're visiting the area, take that into account. Bring lots of water and expect some shortness of breath when hiking uphill
~ There's a comment on one of the earlier reviews that the course is cart-friendly and jogger-stroller friendly, but I don't think that's true
- Parking is a little haphazard: there are various places alongside the park road where I think you can pull off. There's more space for parking near the playground in the center of the park
- Los Alamos is at 7300' elevation. If you're visiting the area, take that into account. Bring lots of water and expect some shortness of breath when hiking uphill
4
0
Dreeks505
Experience:
2 played
2 reviews
Fun lunch break getaway 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Feb 8, 2013
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Great little course that you can play during your lunch break.
Cons:
Mostly straight shots..
Other Thoughts:
Hole 2 needs to have some work done to it. All you do is launch it and hope it doesn't hit a tree... when you have one fall in the canyon make sure you watch your footing... its rugged down there. Second time I played this course I +1'ed it... and Im new to the sport... so this is a beginner course... I can safely say its the best in Los Alamos!
