Rock Spring Park reviews
5
0
Vonbeezy1
Experience:
8 played
2 reviews
An "IVY league" course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:May 22, 2014
Played the course:once
Pros:
-Nice mix of wooded holes that were easier to get a deuce or bogey
- Very few cars or people to have to wait on to throw
- Nice elevation changes
- "Long tees" make for a more challenging course than it already plays
- Just an overall great course with perfect amount of technical shots and distance
- Tee signs for distance
- Very few cars or people to have to wait on to throw
- Nice elevation changes
- "Long tees" make for a more challenging course than it already plays
- Just an overall great course with perfect amount of technical shots and distance
- Tee signs for distance
Cons:
- Too many blind shots
- Tee signs for distance did not post which pin position baskets were and tee pictures were backwards when viewing them head on
- POISON IVY worse than any course I have ever played. It was as if someone was planting poison ivy all over the course. Also, the poison ivy was growing underneath several baskets which is not normal
- Tee signs for distance did not post which pin position baskets were and tee pictures were backwards when viewing them head on
- POISON IVY worse than any course I have ever played. It was as if someone was planting poison ivy all over the course. Also, the poison ivy was growing underneath several baskets which is not normal
11
0
Great Course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 1, 2013
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Front & Back 9 loop to parking lot - Great use of elevation changes - Challenging - Fairly well-maintained - Multiple Tee Pads (shorts are concrete) - Never crowded - Great variety of shots - Fairly easy to navigate - Plenty of Shade.
Rock Spring Park is home to another great disc golf course in the Metro East area of St. Louis/Illinois. Just over the bridge into Alton, IL, the park is virtually hidden behind a hospital. It offers a great challenge for all skill levels while offering a good hike as well. There are elevation changes on virtually every hole which increases the challenge and fitness level. There are numerous fast greens on the course, including the 6 & 7 which could land your OB and the "make or break" hole 18, which is also lined with OB along the right hand side.
The aforementioned streets run through the park creating a lot of OB and forcing you to really dial in on your shots. They can be easily avoided by staying in the fairway, but this is a risk/reward setup that really rewards you for going for it. That is, if you make your shot. This can be an easy round if you are on your game, or a horrible round if you're off.
The park is well maintained and the grass is almost always cut, but the underbrush is a little neglected. That said, it shouldn't be a problem if you stay in the fairways.
Despite this being a great course, there is almost never anyone there, so you can always play at your own pace. The tee signs aren't the best, but good enough to get you pointed in the right direction. It would help first timers to have "next hole" arrows, but if you let common sense be your guide, you'll end up in the right place.
Rock Spring Park is home to another great disc golf course in the Metro East area of St. Louis/Illinois. Just over the bridge into Alton, IL, the park is virtually hidden behind a hospital. It offers a great challenge for all skill levels while offering a good hike as well. There are elevation changes on virtually every hole which increases the challenge and fitness level. There are numerous fast greens on the course, including the 6 & 7 which could land your OB and the "make or break" hole 18, which is also lined with OB along the right hand side.
The aforementioned streets run through the park creating a lot of OB and forcing you to really dial in on your shots. They can be easily avoided by staying in the fairway, but this is a risk/reward setup that really rewards you for going for it. That is, if you make your shot. This can be an easy round if you are on your game, or a horrible round if you're off.
The park is well maintained and the grass is almost always cut, but the underbrush is a little neglected. That said, it shouldn't be a problem if you stay in the fairways.
Despite this being a great course, there is almost never anyone there, so you can always play at your own pace. The tee signs aren't the best, but good enough to get you pointed in the right direction. It would help first timers to have "next hole" arrows, but if you let common sense be your guide, you'll end up in the right place.
Cons:
Only 1 pin placement - 2nd set of tee pads are rubber - tee signs are not great - Only restroom is a portable - No running water - Very few trashcans
None of the cons are really that big of a deal. The (shorter) concrete tee pads offer plenty of challenge, so I don't think the longer tee pads get much play. However, they really do take the course to the next level of challenging, so that is a pro as far as I'm concerned. Unfortunately, the park does not have restrooms or running water, so bring a couple water bottles with you. Also, there aren't many trashcans, so there is some refuse blowing around, but (again) not really a big deal. Tee signs could be upgraded, but in my opinion, would really help much as you can see most baskets from the pad anyway.
None of the cons are really that big of a deal. The (shorter) concrete tee pads offer plenty of challenge, so I don't think the longer tee pads get much play. However, they really do take the course to the next level of challenging, so that is a pro as far as I'm concerned. Unfortunately, the park does not have restrooms or running water, so bring a couple water bottles with you. Also, there aren't many trashcans, so there is some refuse blowing around, but (again) not really a big deal. Tee signs could be upgraded, but in my opinion, would really help much as you can see most baskets from the pad anyway.
Other Thoughts:
There aren't really many things that could be improved at this course. It is challenging and fun to play and offers a great hike with all the elevation changes. One thing to keep in mind is that this park serves as a Christmas Light attraction during the Christmas months. So, if you go out there around this time, you'll see tons of large wooden cutouts and even more Christmas lights. Please be respectful and try to avoid these items as some of them do interfere with the course. But, again, if you're playing well, you shouldn't have to contend with them at all.
3
0
jjacobs445
Experience:
12.7 years
76 played
7 reviews
First Impressions 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 24, 2013
Played the course:once
Pros:
- fun and challenging
- interesting line options
- great use of elevation (for Missouri at least)
- directional signs make moving through course easy
- concrete tees (red)
- interesting line options
- great use of elevation (for Missouri at least)
- directional signs make moving through course easy
- concrete tees (red)
Cons:
- tee signs could be a bit more clear
- hidden baskets make first playthrough somewhat difficult
- pro tees can be difficult to find
- rubber tees (blue)
- course plays along park roads in several places
- hidden baskets make first playthrough somewhat difficult
- pro tees can be difficult to find
- rubber tees (blue)
- course plays along park roads in several places
Other Thoughts:
i liked that this course had lots of high risk/reward shots with baskets placed close to steep drop offs (especially hole #7!). although the hills can be annoying to scramble up if your disc goes flying, it really emphasizes accuracy on your shots.
the long holes had trees that seemed to prohibit distance drives. more of a minor annoyance than a real con though. also it had rained very recently before my playthrough, and thus a lot of the pathways were muddy. maybe a fundraiser could afford some pathway improvements?
the long holes had trees that seemed to prohibit distance drives. more of a minor annoyance than a real con though. also it had rained very recently before my playthrough, and thus a lot of the pathways were muddy. maybe a fundraiser could afford some pathway improvements?
1
0
donny vomit
Experience:
12.2 years
18 played
8 reviews
2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Feb 16, 2013
Played the course:once
Pros:
Very fun challenging course. The hills are fun . Pin placements are fantastic. Nice long holes . Love the old cobbled road going right thru the park . Also water on 10 ,11
Cons:
Not much for me, no # indicating par for the holes.
That's petty I know but I like to know not guess.
That's petty I know but I like to know not guess.
Other Thoughts:
I only played 13 holes as it was late in the day , but what a blast I had. Better put your big boy pants on to play here. Its a fun tough course that requires u to be accurate . The hills adds to the challenge .it will wear u down as u go on . Plan on coming back to play again and eat at fast eddies.
2
2
tuber33
Experience:
17.5 years
34 played
2 reviews
Good Course!! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Mar 12, 2012
Played the course:once
Pros:
Very challenging course with alot of blind shots, and alot of hills!!!
Cons:
Hills are kind of a pain in the butt to walk up and down. woods are unforgiving.
Other Thoughts:
i really overall was very pleased with this course, and there were some guys that lived out there and it was there home course they showed us around and were very cool people. i play alot of disc golf and just now made it there, and will go back
1
9
ilmcgee
Experience:
54.4 years
17 played
3 reviews
Challenging 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Apr 18, 2016
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Challenging course with mixture of woods, hills, and somewhat open holes. Has nice signs and concrete tees.
Cons:
Xmas decorations up 6 months out of the year.
Other Thoughts:
Challenging course with mixture of woods, hills, and somewhat open holes. Has nice signs and concrete tees.
Xmas decorations up 6 months out of the year.
Xmas decorations up 6 months out of the year.
6
2
Jorge
Experience:
16.8 years
65 played
12 reviews
Toughest in St. Louis Area 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 31, 2009
Played the course:once
Pros:
Very long difficult course. Comparable to Cliff Dr in KC.
Wide variety of holes, uphill, downhill, wooded, long, medium (not too many short)
Wide variety of holes, uphill, downhill, wooded, long, medium (not too many short)
Cons:
Hard to find your way from one hole to the next. Good thing we had someone who had played there before.
There are a few shots along the road. Without playing the course before or walking it first, you may not realize where you are throwing or what you are throwing at. Lots of blind shots.
There are a few shots along the road. Without playing the course before or walking it first, you may not realize where you are throwing or what you are throwing at. Lots of blind shots.
Other Thoughts:
We played this course the week before they put in the concrete tee pads, so I really want to get back out there to play it again. Even though I have a short arm, this course rewards accurate shots on the long fairways.
Toughest course I've played in St. Louis by far. Pros will love it, rookies will hate it.
Toughest course I've played in St. Louis by far. Pros will love it, rookies will hate it.
5
3
japetus
Experience:
6 played
6 reviews
Pretty Nice! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jan 9, 2009
Played the course:once
Pros:
Nice tough to very tough course. LOTS of hills. Good location for disc golf! As said before, a overthrown putt on a LOT of holes can result in your frustration as it will roll down a 60 ft drop!
Cons:
***UPDATE Sept 4th,2009****
There are now red concrete tee pads!
No tee pads made it nearly unplayable today. If it's muddy, get ready to slip and slide! Gets kind of confusing sometimes as to where you are supposed to go next.
There are now red concrete tee pads!
No tee pads made it nearly unplayable today. If it's muddy, get ready to slip and slide! Gets kind of confusing sometimes as to where you are supposed to go next.
Other Thoughts:
It's a young course, and will develop with time. Everyone needs to pitch in, once some trails get worn and some brush is cleared, leaves raked...I have a feeling this will mature into a nice 18 hole course! It will challenge you!
10
1
A Great Course 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Dec 11, 2008
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Very fun and challenging course. Hard, long holes with interesting pin placements and enough OB to keep you cussing. Tee signs mark the red tees and are surprisingly accurate despite the arrow and dot format. Very steep hills with punishing drops if you tank it.
Cons:
Apparently a new course, the back nine has some rough tees and fairways. Lots of thorny things and low stub growth. No real trails marked out between holes (they did orange dot trees to let you know you're on the right track, tho). 12's tee is in front of 11's psychotically hidden pin. Very steep hills (makes me feel old 
)
)Other Thoughts:
Hole 1: Behind central pavilion. Blue tee behind red tee. Fairway slopes to left. Tight wooded channel around the pin, which sits to left of big stone "No skip aces here". From pin, descend a not-quite there-yet trail which leads to cobblestone path. Go left to next tee.
Hole 2: Red tee to left of path, Blue to right. Path is OB. Woods to left are dense. Pin is to right of path, on the edge protected by mature trees. Ground on right of path slopes upward. From pin, follow path around to right to find next tee.
Hole 3: To left of path. Blue behind red. Pin is at far end of grassy expanse. Woods to the left, OB path on right. Drop-off behind pin which probably holds water in the rainy seasons. Mind the phone pole. Aceable, or a bogey. Whatever. From pin, cross road to find next tee.
Hole 4: Blue behind red. Throws up a hill. Lots of trees. Pin sits over the hill on far edge with drop off behind that leads to OB road. From pin, cross road to find next tee.
Hole 5: Blue back right of red. Throws up a steep hill with lots of trees. Woods on left. Pin is at top of hill and sharply left, tucked into trees. If this is aceable, I'll eat my roadrunner. Follow around to the right of pin to find next tee.
Hole 6: Blue on left of big tree (which will swat your drive), red on right. Fairway cuts hard right and drops down to basket. And then the world drops down behind that. Left of pin is the next tee.
Hole 7: Blue left and back from red. Short hole, pin sits to the lef, nestled in the woods. Woods on right as well. Behind pin, an Indiana Jones drop-off, so go for the ace, but be warned. From pin, follow hill down to the right and across road, then back up hill (there is what will one day be a path from the access road, but it is steep) on the other side to next tee.
Hole 8: Blue straight back from red. Shoot down the chute of trees on either side of fairway. Ground drops off on either side if you tank it, so be careful. Pin is straight ahead protected by a couple three trees. Next tee is straight past the pin about 150 feet.
Hole 9: Longest hole on the course. Numerous trees along and throughout fairway. Woods to right, slopes down to road on the left. Pin sits at the far side, protected by a few trees and OB road directly behind. Next tee is across road to the left of pin.
Hole 10: Blue straight behind red tee. Creek and woods to left, OB road to right. Narrow channel near tee opens up to pin, which sits to the left protected by three (four?) big trees. Creek directly behind pin. Blue tee throws through tight channel to another tight channel (red tee) before it opens up. From pin, cross creek to left and look left again for next tee.
Hole 11: Blue tee behind and to right of red. Blue tee can throw either left or right. Red tee has to throw left to right. Fairway goes straight, then hooks sharply right from the red tee(if you miss it, you're in the woods/creek), then left again across rough ground studded with thorny brush and lots of low growth, and trees/woods and back to the pin deeply nestled to the left in quite a lot of scrub brush. From the blue, the left channel is same as the red tee, but the right channel looks for a hyzer around a copse of trees and into the thorny scrub as mentioned above. Seriously, the pin is almost in the creek. Be warned, you will throw past 13's basket to get to 11's. Check the numbers. Also, 12's tee is actually in front of 11's basket, which will probably change as they mature the layout.
Hole 12: Blue behind red. Ground is very thorny and scraggly. Hard to get footing for a drive. Drives up a hill and to the left. Woods on both sides. Pin is at top of hill, pretty far to the left and nestled at the edge of woods, with more ground drop-off behind. At the top of the hill, this ground is kinda scrubby as well, but in a fun way. From pin, turn around and go up to the clearing and turn right.
Hole 13: Blue tee behind and left of red. Pin is to right (remember?) of woods and down slope. Big trees between you and chains. From pin, go back up slope for next tee.
Hole 14: Blue behind and left of red. Another long one. Ground slopes down to right. OB road to left (shouldn't come into play). You throw through several big trees, then it opens up and slopes down. Then you come into more trees. Pin is through all of those trees, to the right and against the OB road on that side. Cross road behind basket and veer left to next tee.
Hole 15: Red tee throws from open ground downward and into a narrow chute of trees (left side is a small copse, but the right side is a line of dense tall foliage), which opens on the other side to a basket you can't see because it is cradled by 5 big pines. The blue tee, however, as far as I could tell is shared by both 15 and 18. It is across the field, about 2 o'clock of the red tee and tucked into a stand of trees. From the blue, you throw along the dense tall foliage on the right side, then hook sharp right into the narrow channel that opens up to the 5 pines and the hidden basket. From pin, go right and slightly up for next tee.
Hole 16: Blue is back and left of red. Trees on right side, some on left. Throwing across a gully to top of next rise. Basket is protected by what? Trees, of course. From basket, look right. You'll see the next tee.
Hole 17: Blue is behind red. Throwing back across same gully, this time the woods are to the left as you near the pin, which is also to the left on the tree line. Four big trees and rough are to the right and near the tee. From pin, cross creek and re-enter 15's blue tee fairway. The blue tee is the same, only going the other direction. The red is straight in front of it. You are throwing the second longest hole now. Up a steep slope, between many trees. The pin is at the other side of the hilltop, to the right with a sloping drop behind to OB road.
All in all, a very fun course that will surely improve as it is played.
Funny note: It seems as if they placed the red tees, then turned around and looked for as many trees as they could find, then put the blue tees behind them.
I would, and will, rate this course higher once the rough grounds are beaten in and maybe some trails are marked out. Of course, I guess I'll have to do my part.
Hole 2: Red tee to left of path, Blue to right. Path is OB. Woods to left are dense. Pin is to right of path, on the edge protected by mature trees. Ground on right of path slopes upward. From pin, follow path around to right to find next tee.
Hole 3: To left of path. Blue behind red. Pin is at far end of grassy expanse. Woods to the left, OB path on right. Drop-off behind pin which probably holds water in the rainy seasons. Mind the phone pole. Aceable, or a bogey. Whatever. From pin, cross road to find next tee.
Hole 4: Blue behind red. Throws up a hill. Lots of trees. Pin sits over the hill on far edge with drop off behind that leads to OB road. From pin, cross road to find next tee.
Hole 5: Blue back right of red. Throws up a steep hill with lots of trees. Woods on left. Pin is at top of hill and sharply left, tucked into trees. If this is aceable, I'll eat my roadrunner. Follow around to the right of pin to find next tee.
Hole 6: Blue on left of big tree (which will swat your drive), red on right. Fairway cuts hard right and drops down to basket. And then the world drops down behind that. Left of pin is the next tee.
Hole 7: Blue left and back from red. Short hole, pin sits to the lef, nestled in the woods. Woods on right as well. Behind pin, an Indiana Jones drop-off, so go for the ace, but be warned. From pin, follow hill down to the right and across road, then back up hill (there is what will one day be a path from the access road, but it is steep) on the other side to next tee.
Hole 8: Blue straight back from red. Shoot down the chute of trees on either side of fairway. Ground drops off on either side if you tank it, so be careful. Pin is straight ahead protected by a couple three trees. Next tee is straight past the pin about 150 feet.
Hole 9: Longest hole on the course. Numerous trees along and throughout fairway. Woods to right, slopes down to road on the left. Pin sits at the far side, protected by a few trees and OB road directly behind. Next tee is across road to the left of pin.
Hole 10: Blue straight behind red tee. Creek and woods to left, OB road to right. Narrow channel near tee opens up to pin, which sits to the left protected by three (four?) big trees. Creek directly behind pin. Blue tee throws through tight channel to another tight channel (red tee) before it opens up. From pin, cross creek to left and look left again for next tee.
Hole 11: Blue tee behind and to right of red. Blue tee can throw either left or right. Red tee has to throw left to right. Fairway goes straight, then hooks sharply right from the red tee(if you miss it, you're in the woods/creek), then left again across rough ground studded with thorny brush and lots of low growth, and trees/woods and back to the pin deeply nestled to the left in quite a lot of scrub brush. From the blue, the left channel is same as the red tee, but the right channel looks for a hyzer around a copse of trees and into the thorny scrub as mentioned above. Seriously, the pin is almost in the creek. Be warned, you will throw past 13's basket to get to 11's. Check the numbers. Also, 12's tee is actually in front of 11's basket, which will probably change as they mature the layout.
Hole 12: Blue behind red. Ground is very thorny and scraggly. Hard to get footing for a drive. Drives up a hill and to the left. Woods on both sides. Pin is at top of hill, pretty far to the left and nestled at the edge of woods, with more ground drop-off behind. At the top of the hill, this ground is kinda scrubby as well, but in a fun way. From pin, turn around and go up to the clearing and turn right.
Hole 13: Blue tee behind and left of red. Pin is to right (remember?) of woods and down slope. Big trees between you and chains. From pin, go back up slope for next tee.
Hole 14: Blue behind and left of red. Another long one. Ground slopes down to right. OB road to left (shouldn't come into play). You throw through several big trees, then it opens up and slopes down. Then you come into more trees. Pin is through all of those trees, to the right and against the OB road on that side. Cross road behind basket and veer left to next tee.
Hole 15: Red tee throws from open ground downward and into a narrow chute of trees (left side is a small copse, but the right side is a line of dense tall foliage), which opens on the other side to a basket you can't see because it is cradled by 5 big pines. The blue tee, however, as far as I could tell is shared by both 15 and 18. It is across the field, about 2 o'clock of the red tee and tucked into a stand of trees. From the blue, you throw along the dense tall foliage on the right side, then hook sharp right into the narrow channel that opens up to the 5 pines and the hidden basket. From pin, go right and slightly up for next tee.
Hole 16: Blue is back and left of red. Trees on right side, some on left. Throwing across a gully to top of next rise. Basket is protected by what? Trees, of course. From basket, look right. You'll see the next tee.
Hole 17: Blue is behind red. Throwing back across same gully, this time the woods are to the left as you near the pin, which is also to the left on the tree line. Four big trees and rough are to the right and near the tee. From pin, cross creek and re-enter 15's blue tee fairway. The blue tee is the same, only going the other direction. The red is straight in front of it. You are throwing the second longest hole now. Up a steep slope, between many trees. The pin is at the other side of the hilltop, to the right with a sloping drop behind to OB road.
All in all, a very fun course that will surely improve as it is played.
Funny note: It seems as if they placed the red tees, then turned around and looked for as many trees as they could find, then put the blue tees behind them.
I would, and will, rate this course higher once the rough grounds are beaten in and maybe some trails are marked out. Of course, I guess I'll have to do my part.
