Wildlife West Nature Park reviews
4
0
HedgesFan
Experience:
10.1 years
6 played
1 reviews
Great 9 hole in solitude. 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:May 26, 2014
Played the course:5+ times
Other Thoughts:
Pro's and con's are kinda mixed together here, so I'll just put it all under other thoughts...
My friend and I asked at the visitor center about whether this course is actually an 18 hole course. We were told: "No. It was, but Gino took the back 9 to his house. You know Gino? The guy that built it?" I don't know Gino, but I wanted to say: "Hey, Gino! Thanks for the course! I like it!" So, it's only 9 holes - no big deal - go around twice or more and you'll have a few hints about how to play the various holes.
Here's a few hints of my own, having gone around a number of times now: The tees for holes #3 and #5 are right up against the south fence, and you are down a bit from the rest of the lay of the land. It may seem like there is not much wind at the tee, but take a good look at the flags. If the wind is coming right to left, especially if is off the right, front quarter, you really, *REALLY* want to either throw it low, or make sure you really get some anhyzer in there, because if you don't, the wind will take that disc and pitch it right over the south fence. It's a real pain to get your disc back from the other side of the fence. Trust me, I know.
The other tip is that hole #9 sort of doubles as a parking area, and if you throw a champion or other hard-plastic disc low, there's gravel in there that can help you pick up a good bit of extra distance on one or two skips.
As I think was mentioned before, it's a desert course. Leave your Birkenstocks and flip-flops at home: there cactus, and other pokey, desert flora (like much of New Mexico). You'll be a lot happier with good footwear and pants that cover your ankles.
A number of people are tossing beer bottles over the south fence. Please don't do that - it just makes disc golfers look like a bunch of A-holes. That's not the image we want. Be a real Boy Scout, pack a plastic grocery bag or two in your DG bag, and pick up trash as you go.
I've been out to this course about six times or so now, and generally gone around twice each time. I only started playing DG about 2 months ago, so I am a beginning player, but I have played Brent Baca, Ladera, Roosevelt, and Arroyo Chamisos. I like Brent Baca, but there's less brush here and less chance of getting into real trouble and less chance of a lost disc. It's maybe not quite as challenging as BB, but my own feeling is that this course rates right up there. If you are a pro-level player and feel like you need to have a tree lane that demands you sculpt your line "just so", then you may find this course kinda boring, but I don't. Brent Baca is kinda open in the same way, but with more man-made obstacles. Personally, I think this course is a bit of a hidden gem. All of the times my friends and I have been out there, we have been the only ones on the course. I have been at Roosevelt lately, with people walking their dogs, families with kids just walking around, and all sorts of DG players crossing fairways and sharing baskets, and one jerk getting all bent and yelling because some players were standing near the basket he wanted to shoot at... OMFG! Getting to a course that is empty (or nearly so) is a big plus in my book, and well worth the short drive from ABQ. If you're traveling along I-40, I would say it is definitely worth a stop.
The park is officially open 10am to 6pm (http://www.wildlifewest.org/) I don't know exactly what time the gates open, but I've shown up at about 9:30 twice and the gates have been open and you can just go. (I suspect the gates open when the first volunteer arrives for the day, probably around 9:00 or so). It tends to get a bit windy out on the east plains, especially in the spring and early summer - might be best to get there early before the wind picks up.
There is a sign-board near the first tee, at the north end of the parking area, just for the DG course. There's a PVC tube with course maps in it (if there's no maps, ask in the visitor center - they are very friendly and happy to have us). There's a little slot in a box just above the map tube for donations to the park and I encourage people to make a little donation to the park. It's a nice course and they do wildlife rescue with an all volunteer staff. There's an outhouse in the parking lot, or if you ask nicely, they will generally let you into the park to use tha facilities with running water. There are rubber tee pads on the long tees on all but #1. This is a great place to play a DG round, park under the trees and have a little picnic afterwards.
Again, "Thanks, Gino!". I'm glad to drive out from ABQ, get away for a bit, and have a nice round of DG at this course!
My friend and I asked at the visitor center about whether this course is actually an 18 hole course. We were told: "No. It was, but Gino took the back 9 to his house. You know Gino? The guy that built it?" I don't know Gino, but I wanted to say: "Hey, Gino! Thanks for the course! I like it!" So, it's only 9 holes - no big deal - go around twice or more and you'll have a few hints about how to play the various holes.
Here's a few hints of my own, having gone around a number of times now: The tees for holes #3 and #5 are right up against the south fence, and you are down a bit from the rest of the lay of the land. It may seem like there is not much wind at the tee, but take a good look at the flags. If the wind is coming right to left, especially if is off the right, front quarter, you really, *REALLY* want to either throw it low, or make sure you really get some anhyzer in there, because if you don't, the wind will take that disc and pitch it right over the south fence. It's a real pain to get your disc back from the other side of the fence. Trust me, I know.
The other tip is that hole #9 sort of doubles as a parking area, and if you throw a champion or other hard-plastic disc low, there's gravel in there that can help you pick up a good bit of extra distance on one or two skips.As I think was mentioned before, it's a desert course. Leave your Birkenstocks and flip-flops at home: there cactus, and other pokey, desert flora (like much of New Mexico). You'll be a lot happier with good footwear and pants that cover your ankles.
A number of people are tossing beer bottles over the south fence. Please don't do that - it just makes disc golfers look like a bunch of A-holes. That's not the image we want. Be a real Boy Scout, pack a plastic grocery bag or two in your DG bag, and pick up trash as you go.
I've been out to this course about six times or so now, and generally gone around twice each time. I only started playing DG about 2 months ago, so I am a beginning player, but I have played Brent Baca, Ladera, Roosevelt, and Arroyo Chamisos. I like Brent Baca, but there's less brush here and less chance of getting into real trouble and less chance of a lost disc. It's maybe not quite as challenging as BB, but my own feeling is that this course rates right up there. If you are a pro-level player and feel like you need to have a tree lane that demands you sculpt your line "just so", then you may find this course kinda boring, but I don't. Brent Baca is kinda open in the same way, but with more man-made obstacles. Personally, I think this course is a bit of a hidden gem. All of the times my friends and I have been out there, we have been the only ones on the course. I have been at Roosevelt lately, with people walking their dogs, families with kids just walking around, and all sorts of DG players crossing fairways and sharing baskets, and one jerk getting all bent and yelling because some players were standing near the basket he wanted to shoot at... OMFG! Getting to a course that is empty (or nearly so) is a big plus in my book, and well worth the short drive from ABQ. If you're traveling along I-40, I would say it is definitely worth a stop.
The park is officially open 10am to 6pm (http://www.wildlifewest.org/) I don't know exactly what time the gates open, but I've shown up at about 9:30 twice and the gates have been open and you can just go. (I suspect the gates open when the first volunteer arrives for the day, probably around 9:00 or so). It tends to get a bit windy out on the east plains, especially in the spring and early summer - might be best to get there early before the wind picks up.
There is a sign-board near the first tee, at the north end of the parking area, just for the DG course. There's a PVC tube with course maps in it (if there's no maps, ask in the visitor center - they are very friendly and happy to have us). There's a little slot in a box just above the map tube for donations to the park and I encourage people to make a little donation to the park. It's a nice course and they do wildlife rescue with an all volunteer staff. There's an outhouse in the parking lot, or if you ask nicely, they will generally let you into the park to use tha facilities with running water. There are rubber tee pads on the long tees on all but #1. This is a great place to play a DG round, park under the trees and have a little picnic afterwards.
Again, "Thanks, Gino!". I'm glad to drive out from ABQ, get away for a bit, and have a nice round of DG at this course!
3
1
Crazy Fast Ford
Experience:
12.8 years
39 played
4 reviews
Wild West Coarse 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 25, 2011
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
This course can be as hard or easy as you like. From the AM Tees it is pretty straight forward and from the Pro tee one must curve the shots to get them where one wants to be. There are a couple of blind tees which can be very rewarding. This course is not covered in sage brush like others in the area which means one can find their disc much easier.
Cons:
No permintent Tees. There are signs that point you to the next tee but they are all in need of maintainence.
Other Thoughts:
It is only a 9 hole course. The course is also on the edge of Edgewood and as such is cooler in the summer and makes for a nice destination to play a round of golf and get out of the heat without driving hours to other courses Nice course for the entire famliy. Remimber it is on the east side of the mountian so playing in the morning before the wind starts is advised. We play the Pro tees for the front and the AM tees for the back to make it a 18 hole course. I wish the old back nine would come back.
