St. Olaf College reviews
1
1
laxgoalie88
Experience:
12.8 years
5 played
3 reviews
Bring a map 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jan 10, 2012
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Front 9 has a great first hole and is fairly challenging.
Back nine has a open spaces to practice driving.
Back nine has a open spaces to practice driving.
Cons:
Front 9 has no signs, wooden planks for tees, and is very confusing.
Back 9 has overlapping holes. The basket for hole 4 is missing.
Back 9 has overlapping holes. The basket for hole 4 is missing.
Other Thoughts:
If you are doing the front 9 for the first time, go with a friend or heavily study the course maps online, unless you plan on being lost. It is very fun though. I give 3 out of 5.
The back 9 can cause problems if other people are playing on the course due to the proximity of the holes. There are a couple of fun, long holes (like #3) but it is somewhat plain. I give it a 2 out of 5
The back 9 can cause problems if other people are playing on the course due to the proximity of the holes. There are a couple of fun, long holes (like #3) but it is somewhat plain. I give it a 2 out of 5
2
0
PPIrvine
Experience:
13.9 years
8 played
1 reviews
2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 15, 2010
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
-Fully dedicated course right on edge of campus. Never crowded but never empty either, good safari opportunities.
-Good mix of trees and prarie grasses throughout.
-Holes #1 and #9 feature nice elevation. #1 is a 400 ft+ basket you can actually throw for given a 100+ foot drop from the tee. One of highest elevated tees I've seen anywhere.
-Most holes require strong accuracy or involve a dog-leg to the basket. On holes #2 and #3 you will be fortunate to thread the needle through the trees.
-Hole #5 is a "narrow fairway" between thick forest and thick prairie. Disc loss / searches very possible although better players can probably nearly throw over prairie to basket.
-Very laid back and ultra quiet right on the edge of civilization. You will only see other disc golfers, mainly college students, and a few random locals.
-Good mix of trees and prarie grasses throughout.
-Holes #1 and #9 feature nice elevation. #1 is a 400 ft+ basket you can actually throw for given a 100+ foot drop from the tee. One of highest elevated tees I've seen anywhere.
-Most holes require strong accuracy or involve a dog-leg to the basket. On holes #2 and #3 you will be fortunate to thread the needle through the trees.
-Hole #5 is a "narrow fairway" between thick forest and thick prairie. Disc loss / searches very possible although better players can probably nearly throw over prairie to basket.
-Very laid back and ultra quiet right on the edge of civilization. You will only see other disc golfers, mainly college students, and a few random locals.
Cons:
-Nothing's marked, so be prepared for a few moments of confusion. There are a few alternate "official" versions of holes, depending on who you talk to.
-First timers may need a little back and forth to transition in and out of Hole #4. Because of tree growth, etc, over the years, the progression from hole #4 to #5 is no longer very intuitive, so be prepared. You actually walk all the way back to the #4 tee area and then continue towards Highway 19 for tee #5.
-Holes #6-#8 are super shady and can get muddy / buggy if there's been any recent rain.
-If you're playing in the evening be sure to bring bugspray. Like Raid Yard Guard. Forested areas near hole 2 and hole 6-8 are notorious.
-First timers may need a little back and forth to transition in and out of Hole #4. Because of tree growth, etc, over the years, the progression from hole #4 to #5 is no longer very intuitive, so be prepared. You actually walk all the way back to the #4 tee area and then continue towards Highway 19 for tee #5.
-Holes #6-#8 are super shady and can get muddy / buggy if there's been any recent rain.
-If you're playing in the evening be sure to bring bugspray. Like Raid Yard Guard. Forested areas near hole 2 and hole 6-8 are notorious.
Other Thoughts:
I've been playing this course on and off since the late 1990's. The trees are taller and the baskets are starting to rust but the overall feel and enjoyment factor hasn't changed. Carleton has a solid 9-holes as well, put in around 2000, with overall more challenging longer holes smattered along the edge of campus. If you only have time to play one I'd go with Olaf.
5
0
Improvements needed 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Nov 7, 2009
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
-On a campus so it promotes the game.
-Good elevation and amount of trees.
-Hole 1 with big elevation drop
-Not too crowded
-Good and challenging layout.
-Trees are placed nicely as well as elevation.
-Good elevation and amount of trees.
-Hole 1 with big elevation drop
-Not too crowded
-Good and challenging layout.
-Trees are placed nicely as well as elevation.
Cons:
-No tee signs on front 9
-Tees on the whole course are dirt, unlevel, and have many roots and such
-Navigation can be hard if you haven't played, especially on the front 9
-Baskets are getting old, they still serve their purpose though.
-You might have to watch out for people walking around or doing other activities, more on the back 9 but a little on both.
-No signs on the front 9
-Tees on the whole course are dirt, unlevel, and have many roots and such
-Navigation can be hard if you haven't played, especially on the front 9
-Baskets are getting old, they still serve their purpose though.
-You might have to watch out for people walking around or doing other activities, more on the back 9 but a little on both.
-No signs on the front 9
Other Thoughts:
This course has a good layout but the tees and lack of signage on half of it bring the rating down. It should also probably be listed as two 9 hole courses instead of one 18. Although they are on the same campus they are at least a half mile apart.
