Oakwood Park reviews
12
0
Oak(wood) Savanna 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Oct 2, 2020
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Oakwood Park disc golf course plays partially in a (only sorta) preserved natural Oak Savanna and the wooded area around the edge of the park. There is a nice informative sign about the park and the ecological past of the area. As a environmental science student in university, this is always fun to see. But on to the review.
1) Layout:
The layout of this course feels pretty old school, being almost entirely par 3s, but still has the variety in distance and hole shape to not get boring or repetitive. There are 5 very short holes (1, 2, 5, 9, and 10) that all feel like 'must get' holes, but most of them have their tricks that keep them interesting. Hole 1 (about 230ft and downhill) is the only one of this bunch that I'm truly upset to miss the 2 on, though the rest of them still don't feel great. But they are still definite 'no-bogey' holes for anyone 850 rated and up. For any pro level player, missing them is a huge mistake. 2 of the par 3s (11 and 13) are truly great holes that require very committed and accurate tee shots to get into the circle and can get extremely hairy very quickly if you go off the fairway. 11 is a long left to right dogleg (about 380ft-390ft accounting for the dogleg) over a small valley and then over a crest. There is a tight line required off the tee to get far enough right to attack the basket and a gauntlet of trees over the crest in the last 100ft. I've birdied it one time in about 50 rounds. Hole 13 is a mostly straight and downhill shot around 400-420ft (plays closer to what feels like 350ft-360ft) that has extremely tight gap about 100ft off the tee and then opens up to a nice landing area if you can't make the green. To get all the way to the basket requires navigating a tight grouping of trees surrounding the basket. Long is a relatively steep hill that can take birdie completely out of play and right are very thick woods. This hole is easier to birdie than 11 but has much more danger; taking a 6 isn't out of the question with a bad kick early. There are four par 4s according to the course pars, though I would consider only one of them a 'true par 4' and the rest as tweener holes. Hole 4 is ~520ft, but downhill and very open after you get off the tee. If you don't shank your drive the only thing to miss is the one huge oak tree about 200ft short of the basket. As a lefty it's a two shot hole due to that tree, but a RHBH player with ~450ft of power could definitely get into the circle with a good wind by throwing over/around it. Either way, taking a 4 feels like a huge mistake. Holes 8 and 16 are similar to each other, around 400ft narrow tunnels. 16 is much tighter, but plays downhill so is much easier to reach. As a ~900 rated player both are extremely difficult 2s, but they still feel bad to 4. Then hole 18, the 'true par 4' of the bunch, sits about 560ft and goes sharply uphill at the end. There is a marshy area on the left that can eat discs (though it does completely dry out into the summer and fall if there isn't much rain) and two trees in the middle about 370 out that eat up anything close to them. Not too dangerous and very getable if you position yourself in the right place but it still takes good execution to drop a 3, even with a long drive (unless you are throwing 500ft+). It is a great hole to end your round on.
2) Variety:
This course has a little bit of everything except a true bomber hole. Short must get holes of all shapes, check. Long and tight holes, check. Open holes, check. Moderately wooded holes, check. Heavily wooded holes, check. Up hill, downhill, flat, all check. 8 of the holes play out in the the open, 8 of the holes are in the woods but not super tight, and 2 holes play super tight in the woods. 7 holes favor RHBH, 5 holes favor LHBH, and 6 holes are a horse a piece. And while there isn't a ton of elevation on the property it's used amazingly. You can get by with just a backhand here due to it being (mostly) pretty short, but having a full bag of tricks will definitely help you out.
3) (Long) tees and benches:
All of the tees are concrete and grippy. The sizes of them vary, but their size is never an issue except on hole 14 where the dirt behind the tee has a tendency to erode and cover the back portion of the tee area. There are also benches on most holes. Some of them are very high quality, others are quite makeshift but if you find yourself in a backup you usually can find a place to sit that isn't on the ground.
1) Layout:
The layout of this course feels pretty old school, being almost entirely par 3s, but still has the variety in distance and hole shape to not get boring or repetitive. There are 5 very short holes (1, 2, 5, 9, and 10) that all feel like 'must get' holes, but most of them have their tricks that keep them interesting. Hole 1 (about 230ft and downhill) is the only one of this bunch that I'm truly upset to miss the 2 on, though the rest of them still don't feel great. But they are still definite 'no-bogey' holes for anyone 850 rated and up. For any pro level player, missing them is a huge mistake. 2 of the par 3s (11 and 13) are truly great holes that require very committed and accurate tee shots to get into the circle and can get extremely hairy very quickly if you go off the fairway. 11 is a long left to right dogleg (about 380ft-390ft accounting for the dogleg) over a small valley and then over a crest. There is a tight line required off the tee to get far enough right to attack the basket and a gauntlet of trees over the crest in the last 100ft. I've birdied it one time in about 50 rounds. Hole 13 is a mostly straight and downhill shot around 400-420ft (plays closer to what feels like 350ft-360ft) that has extremely tight gap about 100ft off the tee and then opens up to a nice landing area if you can't make the green. To get all the way to the basket requires navigating a tight grouping of trees surrounding the basket. Long is a relatively steep hill that can take birdie completely out of play and right are very thick woods. This hole is easier to birdie than 11 but has much more danger; taking a 6 isn't out of the question with a bad kick early. There are four par 4s according to the course pars, though I would consider only one of them a 'true par 4' and the rest as tweener holes. Hole 4 is ~520ft, but downhill and very open after you get off the tee. If you don't shank your drive the only thing to miss is the one huge oak tree about 200ft short of the basket. As a lefty it's a two shot hole due to that tree, but a RHBH player with ~450ft of power could definitely get into the circle with a good wind by throwing over/around it. Either way, taking a 4 feels like a huge mistake. Holes 8 and 16 are similar to each other, around 400ft narrow tunnels. 16 is much tighter, but plays downhill so is much easier to reach. As a ~900 rated player both are extremely difficult 2s, but they still feel bad to 4. Then hole 18, the 'true par 4' of the bunch, sits about 560ft and goes sharply uphill at the end. There is a marshy area on the left that can eat discs (though it does completely dry out into the summer and fall if there isn't much rain) and two trees in the middle about 370 out that eat up anything close to them. Not too dangerous and very getable if you position yourself in the right place but it still takes good execution to drop a 3, even with a long drive (unless you are throwing 500ft+). It is a great hole to end your round on.
2) Variety:
This course has a little bit of everything except a true bomber hole. Short must get holes of all shapes, check. Long and tight holes, check. Open holes, check. Moderately wooded holes, check. Heavily wooded holes, check. Up hill, downhill, flat, all check. 8 of the holes play out in the the open, 8 of the holes are in the woods but not super tight, and 2 holes play super tight in the woods. 7 holes favor RHBH, 5 holes favor LHBH, and 6 holes are a horse a piece. And while there isn't a ton of elevation on the property it's used amazingly. You can get by with just a backhand here due to it being (mostly) pretty short, but having a full bag of tricks will definitely help you out.
3) (Long) tees and benches:
All of the tees are concrete and grippy. The sizes of them vary, but their size is never an issue except on hole 14 where the dirt behind the tee has a tendency to erode and cover the back portion of the tee area. There are also benches on most holes. Some of them are very high quality, others are quite makeshift but if you find yourself in a backup you usually can find a place to sit that isn't on the ground.
Cons:
1) Maintenance:
This is the biggest on here. The course isn't run down by any means, most of the time it's pretty average but vandalism and litter is a bit more of a problem than other courses in the city. It's certainly not bad, but you just see some weird stuff around this course from time to time. Examples; had some poop (I'd rather not think about of which variety) on top of a basket for a couple days a few months ago and a dead animal under a basket for about a week last month. The rough can get very rough and the grass in the savanna can get EXTREMELY long (like multiple feet tall) in between mowings but this year, at least, it hasn't been an issue. They did a bunch of clearing of underbrush in the woods last fall and the grass in the savanna hasn't gotten over about 6in all of this year so they seem to have gotten that under control. But, I'm still keeping it in the cons as it could get out of control again if they don't stay on top of it.
2) Routing:
The navigation isn't terrible here, most people would probably be fine without a map, but the way the holes interact is an issue at times. Baskets 3 and 18 are very close to each other, this isn't an issue while playing hole 3 but it is very easy to accidentally throw at 3s basket on your approach for 18 if you aren't familiar with the course. I've seen many many people do this. Holes 4 and 18 have overlapping landing zones so anyone on either hole can hold up another group teeing off on the other. ie; Group approaching to hole 4s basket will usually be in the middle of hole 18s fairway and vice versa. Baskets 4 and 17 are also kind of close to each other, but mixing up the baskets is much more difficult than 3 and 18. This one isn't much of a con, just figured I'd mention it while on the topic. Lastly, the path to walk from basket 17 to tee 18 implores you to walk directly through the middle of 5s fairway. It's not required per say, but everyone does it since there is a very well worn path to follow. One of these issues by themselves isn't all that bad, but all of them together can cause for some bigger than necessary backups on those few holes when the course gets busy.
3) (Short) tees:
For all intents and purposes they don't exist. They are 'technically' there and marked by large railroad ties set into the ground but almost all of them are overgrown or extremely rutted out on the side of slopes. I haven't counted (or even found all of them for that matter) but I'd say only 2 or 3 of them are in a condition to be played without breaking an ankle.
4) Tee signs:
Tee signs don't really exist. There are tee markers which are large wooden posts in the ground with hole number and (mostly inaccurate, but that's typical) distance. They do not have par or hole maps. They make it easy to find every tee, but that's about it.
This is the biggest on here. The course isn't run down by any means, most of the time it's pretty average but vandalism and litter is a bit more of a problem than other courses in the city. It's certainly not bad, but you just see some weird stuff around this course from time to time. Examples; had some poop (I'd rather not think about of which variety) on top of a basket for a couple days a few months ago and a dead animal under a basket for about a week last month. The rough can get very rough and the grass in the savanna can get EXTREMELY long (like multiple feet tall) in between mowings but this year, at least, it hasn't been an issue. They did a bunch of clearing of underbrush in the woods last fall and the grass in the savanna hasn't gotten over about 6in all of this year so they seem to have gotten that under control. But, I'm still keeping it in the cons as it could get out of control again if they don't stay on top of it.
2) Routing:
The navigation isn't terrible here, most people would probably be fine without a map, but the way the holes interact is an issue at times. Baskets 3 and 18 are very close to each other, this isn't an issue while playing hole 3 but it is very easy to accidentally throw at 3s basket on your approach for 18 if you aren't familiar with the course. I've seen many many people do this. Holes 4 and 18 have overlapping landing zones so anyone on either hole can hold up another group teeing off on the other. ie; Group approaching to hole 4s basket will usually be in the middle of hole 18s fairway and vice versa. Baskets 4 and 17 are also kind of close to each other, but mixing up the baskets is much more difficult than 3 and 18. This one isn't much of a con, just figured I'd mention it while on the topic. Lastly, the path to walk from basket 17 to tee 18 implores you to walk directly through the middle of 5s fairway. It's not required per say, but everyone does it since there is a very well worn path to follow. One of these issues by themselves isn't all that bad, but all of them together can cause for some bigger than necessary backups on those few holes when the course gets busy.
3) (Short) tees:
For all intents and purposes they don't exist. They are 'technically' there and marked by large railroad ties set into the ground but almost all of them are overgrown or extremely rutted out on the side of slopes. I haven't counted (or even found all of them for that matter) but I'd say only 2 or 3 of them are in a condition to be played without breaking an ankle.
4) Tee signs:
Tee signs don't really exist. There are tee markers which are large wooden posts in the ground with hole number and (mostly inaccurate, but that's typical) distance. They do not have par or hole maps. They make it easy to find every tee, but that's about it.
Other Thoughts:
Overall this course is pretty good. Probably truly deserves a 3.25 rather than a 3, but there isn't quite enough for me to give it bump up to 3.5. With a little more distance around the course (but that's just the nature of the course being over 20 years old and bumping up on the edge of the park boundary on all sides so it's nothing to put into the cons section), better/more consistent maintenance, or an upgrade with high quality baskets and tee signs it would certainly get that bump up. It's not a course worth driving way out of your way for, but if you're in the city I'd recommend stopping by for a round for sure. It's starting to show its age with the short holes (and quite a few trees coming down in storms over the last couple years doesn't help) but the woods and the few longer holes keep it more than interesting enough to stay interesting and replayable.
2
8
drumm3rn4ut
Experience:
11.9 years
65 played
4 reviews
Would be a good course in winter or spring. 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jul 3, 2015
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
1. Good layout for some technical holes.
2. First few holes are well mowed and open.
3. Good mix of open and wooded holes.
2. First few holes are well mowed and open.
3. Good mix of open and wooded holes.
Cons:
1. Very high grass on hole 4 and beyond when I played.
2. Some holes are very hard to get a good shot. 5 foot opening between trees.
3. Can flood easily. (When I went, tee 3 was completely submerged in water and mud.)
4. Littered with garbage in the summer.
5. Smells like crap after a good rain. (Rotting fish stench.)
6. Easy to lose a disc in the FAIRWAY when not mowed.
2. Some holes are very hard to get a good shot. 5 foot opening between trees.
3. Can flood easily. (When I went, tee 3 was completely submerged in water and mud.)
4. Littered with garbage in the summer.
5. Smells like crap after a good rain. (Rotting fish stench.)
6. Easy to lose a disc in the FAIRWAY when not mowed.
Other Thoughts:
If not mowed, go play a close course. A nice course in all, but not taken care of well enough.
[Edit] This time I went the course was less muddy, and I've gotta say, it made the whole experience better.
[Edit] This time I went the course was less muddy, and I've gotta say, it made the whole experience better.
3
6
Brownie3492
Experience:
1 played
1 reviews
Great Course for Starters 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Feb 1, 2012
Played the course:once
Pros:
-Very open
Cons:
-Kind of hard to see the baskets
-Hole 10 says it's across the way when it's actually to the right
-It took me almost 10 minutes to find each tee-off, there should be arrows pointing which way to the next tee-off point
-Hole 10 says it's across the way when it's actually to the right
-It took me almost 10 minutes to find each tee-off, there should be arrows pointing which way to the next tee-off point
Other Thoughts:
All in all it was a pretty good course. Usually I'm with friends playing but this is the first time I went alone and also the first time I played at this course. I'll definitely return
2
3
CFH-mn
Experience:
4 played
4 reviews
overrated 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 5, 2010
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
nice fields, woods, right by the hiway
Cons:
crouded, graffity, need guide- no signs, hoodlums about, needed benchs...
was missing pinn but i fallowed the drag marks and found it in the woods.
was missing pinn but i fallowed the drag marks and found it in the woods.
Other Thoughts:
we have three great courses within ten minutes of each other.
cottage grove, igh, ssp
cottage grove, igh, ssp
4
0
chalupamarley
Experience:
20.7 years
53 played
8 reviews
Litterers rampant 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:May 25, 2009
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Big course with a ton of variety. Some long, some short, some flat, some with nice elevation change. There are a lot of birdie opportunities early, but the last 6 holes offer some real challenges, particularly 16 and 18. A close match will be decided on those two holes.
Cons:
Sadly, litter is a big problem here, particularly broken glass. There's a large apartment complex adjacent which brings a lot of its kids to the course, many of whom aren't there for disc golf. Erosion is a problem. There was an example of a disc golfer who broke his leg due to the dropoff at the end of the tee pad. Like Acorn in Roseville, this is a course which is truly excellent, but whose quality is eroding with the dirt.
Other Thoughts:
I love playing this course. For all the cons I listed, Oakwood is definitely still worth playing.
