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Robbin's Island DGC reviews
3
9
Spike Hyzer 23
Experience:
30.8 years
92 played
88 reviews
Course with potential that is unfulfilled 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jan 5, 2016
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Some individual holes are really great and the signage is excellent. The landscape is exceptional and simply needs to be better used.
Cons:
The designer is clearly a rookie who had no idea what he's doing.
The back nine is not worth playing at all and is a grave hazard going over roads and parking lots, which could cause property damage or injury. Many of those holes are simply long, boring, open holes that only reward distance champs.
While many holes have decent design, the greens are horribly placed and don't take advantage of the mature trees to create guarded greens.
The tee signs are actually planted in the concrete tee pads at the back left, which is not only dangerous, but it prevents a player from starting his run up from the legal 3 meters off the pad (which blocks lines a player might take through the sign).
While one reviewer called it short, the course is actually quite long and plays much longer than the posted distance because of the elevation.
The overall layout is somewhat poor, as there are often very long walks to the next tee or there are more than one basket in view from a tee.
Almost every hole is a very long driver hole or a midrange hole that requires a driver due to elevation. There should be a few holes that can be driven with a putter.
The sad truth is that you could EASILY redesign this course and put 18 holes in the back area where the first 9 holes now reside. EASILY. I walked through and came up with an exceptional layout that would retain most of the holes but alter a few slightly to resolve ALL of the problems listed above (and still manage to squeeze in a few of the needed shorter holes and bring it up to a full 18).
It's a beautiful piece of land that is shamefully wasted by its poor design. I'll be living in the region for a while and I won't be back (unless the city will hire me as a design consultant and make all the changes I would suggest; they do have some liability issues on their hands that I could fix as well).
The back nine is not worth playing at all and is a grave hazard going over roads and parking lots, which could cause property damage or injury. Many of those holes are simply long, boring, open holes that only reward distance champs.
While many holes have decent design, the greens are horribly placed and don't take advantage of the mature trees to create guarded greens.
The tee signs are actually planted in the concrete tee pads at the back left, which is not only dangerous, but it prevents a player from starting his run up from the legal 3 meters off the pad (which blocks lines a player might take through the sign).
While one reviewer called it short, the course is actually quite long and plays much longer than the posted distance because of the elevation.
The overall layout is somewhat poor, as there are often very long walks to the next tee or there are more than one basket in view from a tee.
Almost every hole is a very long driver hole or a midrange hole that requires a driver due to elevation. There should be a few holes that can be driven with a putter.
The sad truth is that you could EASILY redesign this course and put 18 holes in the back area where the first 9 holes now reside. EASILY. I walked through and came up with an exceptional layout that would retain most of the holes but alter a few slightly to resolve ALL of the problems listed above (and still manage to squeeze in a few of the needed shorter holes and bring it up to a full 18).
It's a beautiful piece of land that is shamefully wasted by its poor design. I'll be living in the region for a while and I won't be back (unless the city will hire me as a design consultant and make all the changes I would suggest; they do have some liability issues on their hands that I could fix as well).
Other Thoughts:
It's a huge shame that I got a PM telling me to "stay the f away from Willmar".
I guess some people are too sensitive to take constructive criticism for this really terrible course (I've already gotten 4 marks for my review not being helpful; it's damn helpful to point out a bad course that could be fixed with a proper redesign).
I guess some people are too sensitive to take constructive criticism for this really terrible course (I've already gotten 4 marks for my review not being helpful; it's damn helpful to point out a bad course that could be fixed with a proper redesign).
5
1
todd9500
Experience:
41.2 years
335 played
8 reviews
Multi-purpose park 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Oct 13, 2015
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Signs/large map by hole #1: excellent
Tee-pads: cement
Benches on holes 1-9
Practice basket: yes
Hazards: The entire park is mowed. Only a few places to lose discs in the woods. Need spotters to protect soccer players if they are out of their soccer area. Be patient with car traffic - many people like to drive through this beautiful park.
Robbins Island was installed in 2008 and was a big boost for Disc Golf in the west central area of Minnesota. Course Designer Andrew Bjur started out by designing a wonderful nine holes skillfully utilizing the hills and trees. It was designed to introduce beginner disc golfers to the sport. Alternate tee-pads and baskets for holes 1-9 were added to make the course more challenging.
The Willmar Area disc golfers, working with the Willmar Park and Recreation department, have been making improvements since the course was put in by raising funds through league play and tournaments.
Holes 10-18 were added in 2013 (see review by andrewbjur). Andrew had the challenge of working with a wide open space. These holes are in need of many new trees and other obstacles to make it more challenging and attractive to disc golfers.
Overall, the course would be considered a short easy course. I would give holes 1-9 a 3.5 rating because it's a wonderful nine hole design. I give holes 10-18 a 2.0 rating because of its openness.
The holes that stand out are #3, #5, and #8. Hole #3 shoots from the peninsula with water on both sides of the tee-box through trees. It's something that you won't easily forget.
Tee-pads: cement
Benches on holes 1-9
Practice basket: yes
Hazards: The entire park is mowed. Only a few places to lose discs in the woods. Need spotters to protect soccer players if they are out of their soccer area. Be patient with car traffic - many people like to drive through this beautiful park.
Robbins Island was installed in 2008 and was a big boost for Disc Golf in the west central area of Minnesota. Course Designer Andrew Bjur started out by designing a wonderful nine holes skillfully utilizing the hills and trees. It was designed to introduce beginner disc golfers to the sport. Alternate tee-pads and baskets for holes 1-9 were added to make the course more challenging.
The Willmar Area disc golfers, working with the Willmar Park and Recreation department, have been making improvements since the course was put in by raising funds through league play and tournaments.
Holes 10-18 were added in 2013 (see review by andrewbjur). Andrew had the challenge of working with a wide open space. These holes are in need of many new trees and other obstacles to make it more challenging and attractive to disc golfers.
Overall, the course would be considered a short easy course. I would give holes 1-9 a 3.5 rating because it's a wonderful nine hole design. I give holes 10-18 a 2.0 rating because of its openness.
The holes that stand out are #3, #5, and #8. Hole #3 shoots from the peninsula with water on both sides of the tee-box through trees. It's something that you won't easily forget.
2
3
DiscGolfKing7
Experience:
12 played
5 reviews
fun but short course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 21, 2013
Played the course:once
Pros:
Nice elevation changes on each hole
Great signage on front nine
Would be a challenge to lose a disc
Great signage on front nine
Would be a challenge to lose a disc
Cons:
Every hole is a par 3
Could lose a disc in the woods or lake.
No signage whatsoever on the back 9.
Could lose a disc in the woods or lake.
No signage whatsoever on the back 9.
Other Thoughts:
Had a ton of fun here. Perfect spot for a DGC.
