Joliet, IL

West Park - Old Layout

3.585(based on 51 reviews)
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West Park - Old Layout reviews

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3 3
steven2361
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16 years 286 played 55 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Classic short course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 15, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

There's a variety of holes requiring unique lines here. There are two sets of tees on some holes. There is some cool elevation on several holes. A fun opportunity to rip it is there in the open on hole 11. Hole 10 from the long tee is unique as it requires a righty backhand flex line.

Cons:

This is a very short course. It can feel repetitive throwing a lot of putters and mids. This course is very eroded and most of the lines are very open and not very demanding. I don't really care for hole 16, a blind hole with ob road 1 foot behind the basket. There is not many opportunities to throw drivers here.

Other Thoughts:

One of the oldest courses around.
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2 3
gkeberhart
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.7 years 36 played 31 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Still fun for an older course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 11, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Tee signs on every hole and each tee sign also noted where the next tee for the following hole would be located. On the baskets they were indicated as to what hole they were as well so there was never any confusion of whether or not you were throwing at the correct basket. The course was a good mix of hyzer and anhyzer shots as well as elevation changes. All the baskets caught well and seemed as though they were in excellent shape. On many holes there were alternate tees as well.

Cons:

The tees were just plain terrible, part of it was due to a very wet winter season, but most of it was due to they were just trashed and it doesnt seem like anyone takes the time to fix them. In most instances I found them to be very dangerous because of how muddy they were. The first six or seven holes were fairly plain and basically just went back and forth, up one fairway down the next. While i stated that there were designated tee areas, in some instances I found it hard to locate them and in the case of hole 4 I never did.

Other Thoughts:

it was a lot of birdie runs and with the exception of "the green mile" they were all fairly reachable. On a few instances I took a few steps back or to the side of some tees to avoid injuring myself in the mud. Hole 16 was interesting and I unloaded most of my bag in an effort to try and make the shot. If they came around and fixed the tees it would definitely be a much better park. Also, why 24 holes? there is plenty of room to make 27 or go back and make 18 holes with more challenge. A few small fixes to the park and it would definitely be in the 3+ disc range
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12 0
Jukeshoe
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.7 years 316 played 268 reviews
2.50 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 16, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- West Park, established in 1979, remains a relevent course by today's standards, albeit a bit on the short side. Mostly a park-style course consisting of large mature oaks and other trees and light scrub, with a large seam of elevation (maybe 20-25' at its highest point) running through the middle. A small, semi-dry creek/ drainage pond/ body of "poo" water of dubious origin "runs" along the bottom of this slope. Stretches of highway, including I80, run alongside, giving several parts of the course a very urban feel despite West Park's natural greenery and relaxed, casual vibe.
- Because of its age, much of the design focuses on shorter technical style holes where accuracy over raw power will win on most days. Several longer holes (as well as the long tees, in places) insure that the bigger guns aren't entirely ignored, although nothing hits 600'. As a result, most experienced players will have a fun time collecting birdies and making ace runs but watch out for danger: water, elevation loss and gain, pin positions located near drop-offs, and well-implemented trees lurk everywhere, waiting to spoil the round.
-Great use of elevation throughout, with many risk/reward opportunities arising from the positioning of baskets on the edge of slopes and drop-offs. The solid use of elevation throughout the park is definitely West Park's main allure for the author.
- One hole is a short, blind, forced up-and-over shot down a wooded slope. Chuck and pray on your first time. Road OB not too far behind the hole, which sits slightly elevated to the right, near the road. Overall, a really fun, novel hole that promotes overhand/thumber shots and adds a nice spicyness to an otherwise very traditional design.
-Basic signage does the trick. Trashcans and solid, old-school giant park benches throughout. Despite the trashcans it was obvious that it is a ongoing battle against litter in this heavily-trafficked urban setting.
-Pretty decent variety, but a bit hyzer-centric in places.

Cons:

- The biggest knock, by far, against West Park is the dreadful condition of the teepads (or rather lack thereof). Dirt in most places, sometimes with roots. Rocky uneven surfaces in other spots. Acorns in the fall make the footing downright dangerous. Also, several of the tees are marked on park pathways with a painted dot. Keep your eyes peeled, as these can be easily missed first time through, especially in the autumn.
- A slightly hazardous flow is necessitated by the way the design utilizes the land. Several walks to baskets or to the next hole have no obvious, easily accessible path. Not a problem for those light on their feet, but definitely a turn-off for the mobility impaired. Looks like some of the slopes might get slippery if wet. Stairs and bridges in some of the worst places do help greatly.
- In places, hole overlap might prove dangerous during busy times. Keep an eye out for errant discs.
- A few of the holes down the stretch seem a bit two-dimensional and bland.

Other Thoughts:

- Despite the below-average teepads and other unpleasant aspects usually associated with semi-urban disc golf (such as the dubious smells emanating from the water hazards), West Park proves to be a really fun, solidly designed course that provides a great woodsy escape to the surrounding urban and suburban sprawl.
- Might prove slightly tricky to navigate first time around but after that flow shouldn't be an issue. Many thanks to those who guided me: Mashnut, WorldsCoolestGuy, Archetype, Noill Golf, GoodDriveBadPutt and crew!
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