Fredericksburg, VA

Pratt Park

3.125(based on 34 reviews)
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15 0
lee76007
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 4.7 years 112 played 111 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Exceptional Ravine Play on B9 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 5, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Pratt Park a very scenic course is a tale of two 9's. The F9 meanders with some downhill and uphill tee shots, moderately wooded holes, an open hole, and thru some meadows where you can find picnic tables and grills.

-The B9 the pace picks up with an open tee shot on 10, a tunnel on 11, and from that point ravine play the rest of the round.

-Holes 12 thru 18 are exceptional with Ravine play, and I rank #1 for a finishing 7-hole stretch and very scenic with foliage and the creek coming into play. Some elevated tee throws, Elevated tee to elevated basket, baskets protected by guardian trees and the creek, heavy trees with gaps, and intentionally the creek is being used as a fairway on 17, and 18. Hole 15 offers respite as a sloping uphill hole. Number 12 is the only hole with a long tee.

-#16 for holes less than 200 feet I rank personnel #1 an elevated tee shot of at least 40 feet.

-15 of the 18 holes are very memorable.

-From the tee used mid's, fairways, and drivers. I used a variety of discs from my bag and had several "think about it" holes at the tee. I threw at least 4 times up in the canopy, more so than any other course I've played.

-Most tee pads with turf are in good condition, and baskets catch well. Tee signs are located on the leg of benches and have hole number and distance.

-Navigation is in the form of a snake mostly counter-clockwise. There are some navigation signs to find the next tee.

-Beginners and Recreational this could be a struggle, but also can be fun. Intermediate and Advanced will find the ravine portion fun and a challenge, and the F9 a good warmup.

-After you pickup your disc from the 18th basket, there's a physical fitness test waiting for you.

Cons:

-Pratt Park seems to be very popular to the local area, and there could be course difficulty on some busy days. On a Tuesday morning a few dozen people using fairways for their walks, except for #9 all on the B9. I even had someone walk up #18 with me. Even the walkers find the B9 exceptional, nobody on the F8. Had to do some waiting, and a disc buzz past a walker that couldn't be seen.

-From hole 4 thru 7 there are picnic tables and grills in the fairway. I wonder how possible its to play these holes on a busy weekend, let alone the increase of walkers. There was a festival still set up from the previous weekend, and I wonder if it was even possible to play the course? There was a picnic table to the left of 12 basket outside C2, but for the most part out of the way except for a wild to the left approach or big drive.

-Teeing across a park road on #1 a straight downhill throw, and jogging/walking trails 9, and 10. There's a parking lot to a business to off the 11 fairway to the right.

-Holes 5 thru 7 very blurry thinking back. Pretty much moderately wooded with grills and picnic tables.

-A few tees just carpet, and lumpy, #10 was the worst.

-A few more navigation signs would be helpful from 12 basket to 13th tee, and 13 basket to 14th tee.

-Disc lost is going to be high. On the F9 heavy trees and brush off some fairways. B9 you can be saying good by to your disc in the deep portion of ravines and brush. However, where the creek comes into play very shallow, and a disc can be played from the water just a few inches deep.

-After heavy or sustained rain. May want to wait a few days to play the ravine, the creek seems to move quickly.

-It's about a 5-minute walk back to the parking lot after 18. If I lived in the area, there would be times when I would want to get 9 in on the back.

-Need some strong legs, there are some steep inclines and declines. Also balance to cross footbridges. That physical fitness test is a leg burner to get out of the ravine, and #13 is straight up hill to tee using roots as steps.

Other Thoughts:

Pratt Park was pure fun! Ravine play has become my favorite, and the 12 thru 18-hole experience will be unforgettable. Cannon Ridge is less than 10 miles away with ravine play holes 1 thru 11, add in Pratt's 12 thru 18 and I would be in Disc Golf 18-hole Ravine Heaven. Pratt Park does separate itself with a unique creek fairway on 17 and 18, only one other hole I've played has that feature #16 Lake Marshall Lair Course. My focus has been on the B9, but the F9 does get you warmed up. The biggest con for me is the course availability on a busy day at the park or how big of a distraction with other park goers. Holes 4 thru 7 also doesn't help the overall rating. I really wanted to favorite the course but can't do it for only 1/3rd of the course. I tried to reason out a 4.0 rating, but the cons drag it down and I just thought the front was okay, so here we are.

My overall rating is anchored on a 5.0, focused on the 12 thru 18-hole stretch offering a unique playing experience. My time to play was 70 minutes with some waiting here and there.

That physical fitness test after picking up your disc from the 18 basket. There's a steep set of wooden steps waiting for you to get out of the ravine and having to pick up your knees for about 50 steps. It's the first time on any course I had to pause because of the burn to my swimmer legs, and that includes playing Lake Marshall, Hawk Hollow, and a few others.

Notable Tee:

-No. 4 an open tee lining up to a tree gap about 120 feet out and only about 15 feet wide. If you miss the gap its possible to power your way thru the branches. The most difficult gap on the course.

Notable Basket Placement:

-No. 9 an open throw to the basket. Behind the basket are heavy trees. Just past C1 a straight drop to the ravine. Overthrow you're not getting disc back easily.

-No. 10 a par 4 with an open tee with heavy trees on the left and the basket hooks to left into the tree line. I had thought #9 was the only ravine behind the basket play. So, on my approach I went for the basket and hit a "good" tree, the disc would have been lost into the ravine which is about 15 feet behind the basket. That same tree would influence my missed birdie.

Notable Holes:

-No. 13 Par 3 at 189 feet is a straight tee to basket over the ravine, basket a little higher up than tee. The tee on the edge of ravine, to cross about 70 feet. The issue is the heavy trees, canopy, and branches when I played in early October. You can hit a tree anywhere, very narrow gap to the basket. I found a hole up in the canopy on the left side, took it and parked it from about 10 feet. You can retrieve your disc from the creek in the ravine but will take some time to get it. Very scenic hole.

-No. 14 Par 3 at 328 feet is an elevated tee shot on a slight dogleg left with heavy trees both sides. The creek borders to the right and swings to the front of basket within C1. Beautiful green setting with basket elevated above creek and a roller, behind basket set of stairs leading out of ravine and brush all within C1. A foot bridge crosses the creek for you just before the basket, and a few trees in C1. From my early release tee shot to C2 putt such a lovely site, small target, and a little concerning. Ran a birdie and missed.

-No. 16 Par 3 at 175 feet a highly elevated tee shot at least 40 feet up to an island green below. Teeing off on the ledge with plenty of trees and canopy ahead. The creek passes below and in front of basket, meanders to the left of basket and turns behind it. Some trees and brush behind basket early October. Such a beautiful sight! And not one to be forgotten about. No straight line to the basket for myself. Saw a hole in the canopy way out left center to far and up for putter and mid. Threw an easy TL3 and found the green after passing thru leaves. I'll call it lucky.

-No. 17 Par 3 at 278 feet straight down fairway following the creek which was shallow. Trees here and there but not narrow. Heavy trees on the bluff both sides. Basket is just around the corner right side sitting on a ledge and a roller back in creek. In the creek fallen trees, boulders, and pebbles. Another scenic look from tee. Threw an awful throw to the right deflected into the creek. Lofted a harp outside C2 into the basket only seeing its top. I could only laugh with the back-to-back luck throws.

Signature Hole:

No. 18 Par 3 at 258 feet kind of sort of looks like 17 but narrower and more trees in the creek bed fairway, and does have its own look. More dead trees and boulders laying in the creek as well. Instead of bluffs, has hills that lead into the creek area. The basket is also tucked into the right behind a hill with a guardian tree and a roller. Behind the basket is that physical fitness test leading out of the ravine, and another beautiful hole. Then the oddest stick from the tee, disc went right into a dead tree, basket high left into an old wedge, couldn't do that again.

Trouble Hole:

No. 12 Par 4 at 432 feet long tee is a dogleg left that starts down slope until about 150 feet out where at the turn starts to run down hill and then 120 feet from basket a straight drop. Heavy trees, brush, and mounds both sides of fairway. A clump of trees in the middle part of fairway about 200 feet down giving two lines, the one on the right more difficult. The basket area is compact dirt and several guardian trees. Behind basket a roller into the creek within C1. From the tee a blind shot and if you lose track where the disc is flying too, you maybe doing some looking. It would have helped to of had a hole map. Only hole where I took a walk down fairway and decided left gap and caught some brush out of sight. Very scenic look toward basket which I couldn't locate because of guardian trees. Mistakenly thru up in canopy on right side and dumped putt because of roller back to the left.






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8 0
ARIK HANZIN
Experience: 12.9 years 9 played 6 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Great Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 2, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Excellent use of natural land scape - There are holes that have you shooting over ravines, under fallen tree, around waterfalls.

Fredericksburg area is home to many great courses - If you've got the time, I recommend you hit up Loriella park in Spotsylvania, just a couple miles away from Pratt

Course makes excellent use of different throwing styles - Really brings out the strategic element of DG.

Scenery is beautiful

Course traffic seems to be not an issue

You'll get to use a lot of muscle, and at the same time many holes are tight lines that reward precision and control - course really rewards perfect shots

Holes are well designed - With each hole you can see which kind of shots the designer had in mind as there are some clear windows and some sweet risk/reward scenarios.

Holes get progressively more challenging and interesting - The back nine are all amazing, and hole 18 is one of the coolest holes I've ever played

Cons:

It's very easy to skip holes without noticing and some of them aren't numbered. There is nothing guiding you to the next tee but little white bands on trees, which only serve to confuse you as the course criss-crosses like 5 times.

Also on many holes, the rough is very thick and unforgiving, and you will often find yourself with an impossible shot or a lost disc - on hole one, if your disc so much as touches the edge of the rough DO NOT take your eyes off it.

A couple of the field holes shoot over one or more parts of the running trail which is always in heavy use. People usually know whats up though and take care not to get hit

The first couple holes are a little boring and can be quite frustrating - The fairways may be wide, but the rough is REALLY rough and if a shot turns over on you you'll be disc hunting for a while.

Most holes lack tee signs

Other Thoughts:

The first time I played here was the first time I had ever played DG, and me and my buddies got SO lost on numerous occasions in between holes 12 and 15, and ended up trekking trough the mostly dry creek for about an hour before we realized we had accidentally walked out of the park hahaha.

Also, it says on this site that water comes into play on 6 holes, but don't worry, you won't be losing any discs to the water, its just a little creek thats only a few ft deep.

All in all, this course is gonna take you a while to get through, but It's a good experience and as far as the actual holes go, they have everything I look for in a course.
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8 1
DSCJNKY
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.7 years 690 played 132 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Historic Scene 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 26, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- Use of the Creek. Wow... what a DG world it would be if every course could play around, across, and through a creek like this one. There are some fantastic pin placements that take full advantage of the water (although, it is played as casual).
- Pin Placement. A few of the pin placements on this course are Awesome!!! Hole 9 and 10 have baskets perched on the edge of extremely steep drop offs. Missing 9 long or 10 left is NOT an option. All of the creek holes have exceptional pin placement (if only the water was considered OB).
- Fantastic Shots. Overall, the use of the creek and pin placements really makes for some fantastic shots. There are a few holes on this course that you could put on any course anywhere and be more than satisfied. Holes 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 come to mind, with 12, 14, and 16 being really great. And, most of the other shots were really decent too.

Cons:

-Dangerous Crossings. There are two locations on the course that are somewhat sketchy... however, these areas are also the best holes on the course; so??? Hole 16, a gem of a hole, throws directly over 12's basket... then, to get to your disc, you have to walk right past 12's basket which has a blind approach shot. Keep your eyes open! Also... watch your head when coming out of 18; as you pop right up onto 10's basket (also partially blind). And as Prerube indicated the walking path on 9 and 10 do come into play... however, being from Los Angeles, I'm used to other park users being around; so???
- Lack of Tee-Pad Amenities. The tee pads were natural, with carpet... and although they were in good condition, nothing beats nice concrete tees. There were also no Tee-signs. You didn't really need them to play the holes, but it's nice to know a holes distance, or that there is a HUGE drop off 12' behind the basket... or, dare I say, what the Holes Par is? (I know, they're all 3's).

Other Thoughts:

- VA States. Pratt is home to one of the most respected Overall Frisbee tournaments in the world: the Virginia States. What a fantastic event. If you play "Frisbee" as well as DG, you have to go to the VA States and test your overall Frisbee skills against the best. Freestyle, Accuracy, Distance, DDC, MTA and Golf... with several former world champions in each event.
- History. Besides the Frisbee battle field that is the VA States, this ground was the location of a famous Civil War battle. As you play the course, you can't help but imagine the battle that played out across and through the ravine that you are playing across and through... the enemy aiming down on you from above and thinking where you would have taken cover... I know I did. I kept waiting for my disc to land next to a rusty musket ball... how cool would that be?
- Note: I played here during a tournament, so navigation was a non-issue. However, I could see it being difficult if you were by yourself, for the first time, without a map.
- My Score: -2
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1 9
aPfaff
Experience: 14.6 years 78 played 11 reviews
3.50 star(s)

pratt park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 16, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

holes 1-9 were easy access, very scenic and had alot of ace runs, had a homey feeling to it, it was better than normal

Cons:

back 9 holes the layout was crazy and required hopping up and down a creek that just kept going. muddy and not well mantainded, if you aren't good at steep stairs and walking or have knee problems dont play this course, not that great of a layout

Other Thoughts:

great course except some parts
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6 0
ruxc82
Experience: 23 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Hiden Gem in the Area 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Feb 11, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

18 pretty challenging holes from wide open to somewhat tight wood holes. Shooting par 54 for intermediate to low advanced player is a good round. One hole could be called a par 4. Several birdie chances but several holes par 3 is a good score. This is a course that is a work in progress and only keeps getting better. Lot of locals are spending a lot of time to making this course even better then what it is. Many great things to come in the near future check it out.

Cons:

I don't really have any cons to share. I can play this course 5 days a week and only come across a handful of people using the walking paths. Picnic areas I have never seen anyone use. Maybesome random kids will stop by and sit once in a while
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6 0
G Bud
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 41.1 years 90 played 15 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Back To Pratt 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 12, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Classic Old Virginia Course!!!
-Tight, wooded fairways so accuracy and a little arm is needed throughout.
-Beautiful creek scramble on back 9. Creek usually not too high depending on rain fall but water can and does come into play.
-Course favors Left-handers (Righties bring that old flippy plastic.)
-Love the old Mach IIs
-Nice plaque to Dave Griffin on tree at pin for 13. We Miss You Big Daddy!!!!

Cons:

-Can be tricky to follow course layout & flow. This has been improved with recent TLC. Just keep you eye open for the white tape.
-May have to play around and deal with park patrons. Especially in the creek during Summer afternoons. Camps take their kids there to play & hangout.
-Some hole similarity may give you deja vu

Other Thoughts:

The last time I played Pratt Park they only used pole holes for Virginia States. We played it as an object course often during those years. 10+ so it was nice to play it with baskets and I love the old Mach IIs. Nice solid targets. Playing this course took me back to those mid 90s Virginia State Championships. If you have never participated in a Virginia States put it on that bucket list. Go Lazos!!!
I've gotten back to Pratt a little more often of late and am excited to see some love being given to the old girl. The new Hole 14 is a great improvement over the old one and is more "Pratt Like". Lots of work has and is being done to improve this course. Because of that, I felt I needed to bump my rating up a point for my old friend. Great job and thanks to the folks of Spotys DG!!
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