San Gabriel Park reviews
8
0
You Are Forgiven 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Apr 6, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
(1.924 Rating) A typical city park 9 holer.
- NOVICE FRIENDLY - A nice unassuming layout that will work for beginners through newer recreational players. No overgrowth and the odds of losing a disc is near impossible except immediately after heavy rains or throwing up high in a tree.
- UNIQUENESS FOR 9 - A touch below average in general, but for 9 holer really good. Mostly an open layout with a spattering of trees. The holes are also mostly on the short side with (4) and (7) being exceptions. Hole (4) is a legit multi-play for almost all players at 547 feet. A creek is in play 7 times. Two shots are clears, one time it parallels the left side and 4 times it parallels the right side. Elevation is mild with a few shots around the 15 foot grade change range. Hole (2) is a neat valley shot around a big tree and (3) is a nicely guarded down shot. Holes (1) and (9) are completely open featureless shots.
- CHAINS - Older DISCatchers, but still DISCatchers. They caught real well, but still failed reach out and grab my air balls
- QUICK PLAY - A single should be able to complete a full 9 in about 30 minutes. Groups of 4 should probably finish in under an hour.
- NO POISON IVY - One of only a few courses I know of in Austin area that doesn't have poison ivy.
- LOCATION - Literally a five to six minute drive off of the interstate. Great for disc golf day trippers looking to play a warm-up round before one of the more challenging area courses.
- NOVICE FRIENDLY - A nice unassuming layout that will work for beginners through newer recreational players. No overgrowth and the odds of losing a disc is near impossible except immediately after heavy rains or throwing up high in a tree.
- UNIQUENESS FOR 9 - A touch below average in general, but for 9 holer really good. Mostly an open layout with a spattering of trees. The holes are also mostly on the short side with (4) and (7) being exceptions. Hole (4) is a legit multi-play for almost all players at 547 feet. A creek is in play 7 times. Two shots are clears, one time it parallels the left side and 4 times it parallels the right side. Elevation is mild with a few shots around the 15 foot grade change range. Hole (2) is a neat valley shot around a big tree and (3) is a nicely guarded down shot. Holes (1) and (9) are completely open featureless shots.
- CHAINS - Older DISCatchers, but still DISCatchers. They caught real well, but still failed reach out and grab my air balls
- QUICK PLAY - A single should be able to complete a full 9 in about 30 minutes. Groups of 4 should probably finish in under an hour.
- NO POISON IVY - One of only a few courses I know of in Austin area that doesn't have poison ivy.
- LOCATION - Literally a five to six minute drive off of the interstate. Great for disc golf day trippers looking to play a warm-up round before one of the more challenging area courses.
Cons:
San Gabriel could use a lot of upgrades.
- TEES - They are pretty bad. A mix of gravel and dirt and with lane pitting. Most courses in the Austin Metro that get as much play as this one have concrete tees. So not having this basic amenity is a bit of a surprise. The front of the tee is also not marked.
- SIGNAGE - Pretty much non-existent, with now even more signs missing than was noted on the previous review. I knew it was going to be bleak walking up to (1) and not seeing a course map or community board. Hole (1) was marked with a 4 x 4 wood post embedded into concrete, but it was laying entirely on top of the ground. Metal brackets that I'm sure once mounted a sign were still in place. Players will need to download the course map on DGCR or find a local to navigate this course.
- NAVIGATION - As stated above, it would be very difficult to traverse this course without a map. I joined some locals on hole (3) so I had no issues. The map is accurate except for hole (5), where the basket was relocated. Bringing a cart out here seems easy enough unless an errant disc crosses the creek away from a bridge.
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - Veteran recreational players should have no problem being under par here. Shot shaping and throwing long are not requirements. Advanced players will probably constantly throw 7 and 8 down with hole (7) being the most common hold-out.
- BASKET AND TEE SEPARATION - Several of the baskets are really close to other tees and fairways. The layout in general is a tight squeeze. My group had a few shots go into adjacent fairways.
- PARKING - A gravel parking lot with kids running all over the place.
- WIND - Like most open courses, the wind will likely howl here and it did on my round.
- TEES - They are pretty bad. A mix of gravel and dirt and with lane pitting. Most courses in the Austin Metro that get as much play as this one have concrete tees. So not having this basic amenity is a bit of a surprise. The front of the tee is also not marked.
- SIGNAGE - Pretty much non-existent, with now even more signs missing than was noted on the previous review. I knew it was going to be bleak walking up to (1) and not seeing a course map or community board. Hole (1) was marked with a 4 x 4 wood post embedded into concrete, but it was laying entirely on top of the ground. Metal brackets that I'm sure once mounted a sign were still in place. Players will need to download the course map on DGCR or find a local to navigate this course.
- NAVIGATION - As stated above, it would be very difficult to traverse this course without a map. I joined some locals on hole (3) so I had no issues. The map is accurate except for hole (5), where the basket was relocated. Bringing a cart out here seems easy enough unless an errant disc crosses the creek away from a bridge.
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - Veteran recreational players should have no problem being under par here. Shot shaping and throwing long are not requirements. Advanced players will probably constantly throw 7 and 8 down with hole (7) being the most common hold-out.
- BASKET AND TEE SEPARATION - Several of the baskets are really close to other tees and fairways. The layout in general is a tight squeeze. My group had a few shots go into adjacent fairways.
- PARKING - A gravel parking lot with kids running all over the place.
- WIND - Like most open courses, the wind will likely howl here and it did on my round.
Other Thoughts:
Don't come to San Gabriel expecting some disc golf epiphany. There are some fun shots here for sure, but all average courses can say that. This is a utility course that will provide a service to the locals but that's about it. Players outside the area should only consider this course if they are looking for a laid back round.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - Although about average or even a touch below, this is still a nice looking city park 9 holer. Although thankfully the wide and swift San Gabriel river is not in play, it is however in view driving into the park and on the final hole. A mini San Gabriel tributary that's in play 7 times adds to some appeal. Some of the park buildings and amenities look a touch run down, but the grounds are mowed and there are some nice landscaping elements.
- LOCAL TEES - Apparently there are a few holes with unmarked local tees. I know they are there because the group I joined played them on (4) and I saw another group playing them on (5). Although unmarked, the dirt streak in the grass is unmistakable. Good luck finding them.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - Although about average or even a touch below, this is still a nice looking city park 9 holer. Although thankfully the wide and swift San Gabriel river is not in play, it is however in view driving into the park and on the final hole. A mini San Gabriel tributary that's in play 7 times adds to some appeal. Some of the park buildings and amenities look a touch run down, but the grounds are mowed and there are some nice landscaping elements.
- LOCAL TEES - Apparently there are a few holes with unmarked local tees. I know they are there because the group I joined played them on (4) and I saw another group playing them on (5). Although unmarked, the dirt streak in the grass is unmistakable. Good luck finding them.
9
0
A Typical "Run-of-the-Mill" Course. Not Flashy, but gets the Job Done. 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Mar 13, 2010
Played the course:once
Pros:
There's a nice undulating hill that plays well on holes #2, #3, and #7. The course is fairly wide open with a small creek playing through the middle of it. Don't look for a big challenge, but if you're in the mood for a nice casual round - this is a good spot for you. It's a heavily used park with many family facilities, and is fairly stroller friendly, so bring the family for the day and get some good practice in. However, it's just challenging enough to be a good time for experienced players.
BEST HOLE/S: #7
BEST HOLE/S: #7
Cons:
Hole #8 is currently missing it's basket. Doc half a disc in the rating. I would assume vandals since this is such a high volume park, but I never confirmed. Signage is there, nothing special - just a small wooden post denoting the hole number. The tee boxes are dirt, which aren't bad, but are a bit rutted from use. Being a well groomed park, you can just play the grass if you have an issue.
Parking is fairly sparse since the course is being used for so much, but the course is on the edge of the park, so you may or may not have an issue depending on the day. Facilities are present but there is a walk.
Finally the biggest issue is the simplicity of the course. A few long holes, a few slightly elevated boxes, but everything is a fairly straight shot to the box. #7 offers the only real challenge due not only to its length but difficult pin placement on the edge of the hill. #1 and #9 are boring and filler, but serve its purpose. I understand why, but it's too bad the river couldn't be incorporated into the design.
WORST HOLE/S: #1
Parking is fairly sparse since the course is being used for so much, but the course is on the edge of the park, so you may or may not have an issue depending on the day. Facilities are present but there is a walk.
Finally the biggest issue is the simplicity of the course. A few long holes, a few slightly elevated boxes, but everything is a fairly straight shot to the box. #7 offers the only real challenge due not only to its length but difficult pin placement on the edge of the hill. #1 and #9 are boring and filler, but serve its purpose. I understand why, but it's too bad the river couldn't be incorporated into the design.
WORST HOLE/S: #1
Other Thoughts:
I wish I had more positives to say about this San Gabriel because it's a nice average home course for many people. However, being so close to Rivery Park, it's just simply unforgettable by comparison. If you get a basket back in hole #8, I would give it 2.5 discs as a typical DG course. If you live in the area, want to get in a quick round, or get some good practice in with a new disc - this is your place, but don't go out of your way to get here. If you're looking for a challenge, go the extra few miles and play Rivery Park, or the many other superior Austin courses.
