Phillips Park reviews
5
2
Pony, One Trick 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Apr 30, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
A chance to focus on your up/cross slope game.
Cons:
Holes 3-9 are only slight variants of each other.
Other Thoughts:
Course is set on a steep slope in a small public park, a few miles south of Pittsburgh's downtown. On this slope is a smattering of large hardwoods, not so much as defining throwing lanes, but as random objects to avoid.
Two tees per hole provided some choices. Concrete at all the whites, and teesigns are sufficient. I played from the whites.
After hole-1, a straight shot up-n-over a small rise, and hole-2, a steep-short downhill control shot, the last several holes are very similar, as you'll be throwing up/across the slope as you make your way to one end of the park, then doubleback, as you regain the altitude as you make your way to basket-9.
The variables are the up/cross ratio, typically much more across than up, and distances, although these, too, didn't vary too much - about half were in possible birdy range for me, and half were simple drive/approach/putt. The trees are fairly spread out, and hitting one simply lengthens the approach, but not posing any other difficulties.
The size and topography limited what could be done, but maybe increasing the up-slopers, so that there could be some down-slopers, too, would have been better. too
Two tees per hole provided some choices. Concrete at all the whites, and teesigns are sufficient. I played from the whites.
After hole-1, a straight shot up-n-over a small rise, and hole-2, a steep-short downhill control shot, the last several holes are very similar, as you'll be throwing up/across the slope as you make your way to one end of the park, then doubleback, as you regain the altitude as you make your way to basket-9.
The variables are the up/cross ratio, typically much more across than up, and distances, although these, too, didn't vary too much - about half were in possible birdy range for me, and half were simple drive/approach/putt. The trees are fairly spread out, and hitting one simply lengthens the approach, but not posing any other difficulties.
The size and topography limited what could be done, but maybe increasing the up-slopers, so that there could be some down-slopers, too, would have been better. too
4
0
nytrate
Experience:
6 played
6 reviews
It is what it is 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 29, 2013
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Phillips is almost always empty -- very quiet for being in the middle of a crowded neighborhood. It is a quick 9-hole round with as much variety as is possible on the patch of land. Good place to drive with a mid-range and practice narrow 200-240 ft. shots through a heavily wooded area.
Cons:
Nowhere to unwind a long distance driver. Many of the holes play laterally on the hill which is hard on the ankles and makes for frustrating skips/rolls. The course is heavily wooded so it is somewhat dark, even on a sunny day.
Other Thoughts:
One or two open holes would make this course a lot better, but there is not much room for it.
There was an open area around the 1st or 2nd pin that is not used. You may be able to get creative here and create your own holes using existing baskets and random tee-off positions that are more open. No one ever seems to be playing here, so you can probably do stuff like that without being rude.
There was an open area around the 1st or 2nd pin that is not used. You may be able to get creative here and create your own holes using existing baskets and random tee-off positions that are more open. No one ever seems to be playing here, so you can probably do stuff like that without being rude.
5
2
Phillips Park 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Mar 7, 2006
Played the course:never
Pros:
Phillips is a fun course to play with just a putter, I hit metal on at least 3 drives the day I played. The baskets are well constructed for being made by a high school shop class. There are also nice concrete pads at each hole.
Other Thoughts:
The day I played, it was a monthly for the local club's series. We played additional (unmarked) tees that added some length to the short layout. For the piece of land that was used, I think the designer(s) did okay, although footing on the side of the hill, which is the course, can be a bit tricky.
5
2
A lesser version of Schenley 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Dec 29, 2007
Played the course:never
Pros:
Nice tee pads. Course is easy to navigate despite some baskets not being numbered. The mature trees and hillside keep things interesting. The custom built baskets won't win any beauty contests, but they get the job done.
Cons:
Most litter I've ever seen on a course...a shoe, jeans in a tree, a shopping cart, and old tire...you get the picture. The chains on the custom baskets have rusted out, and while they still work they don't give that "ching" sound we all enjoy hearing when we make a putt. Except for the downhill 2nd, all holes are pretty similar - just back and forth on the hillside.
Other Thoughts:
It's an adequate recreational course, rather similar in caliber to Schenley. But in terms of quantity and quality of holes, the nearby course at Schenley has it beat.
3
3
JoshC
Experience:
17.9 years
100 played
6 reviews
Recreational Course good for midrange practice 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 31, 2007
Played the course:never
Pros:
concrete tee pads.
Cons:
all holes run back and forth along a hillside. can get very muddy after rainfall.
Other Thoughts:
this course is good for midrange and long putt practice, however, travel to this course would not be recommended as it is purely recreational in design on a small patch of land.
