Yellow Banks Park reviews
11
0
EspressoPatronum
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
18.7 years
256 played
238 reviews
A Really Cool Course Needing Some TLC
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 17, 2022
Played the course:once
Pros:
- basic but serviceable baskets
- really cool topography with good elevation change incorporated, particularly on holes 1 and 9
- lots of small elevation changes throughout course
- major water hazards with Eau Claire River in play, including a water carry over the river on hole 6
- some rudimentary built in steps in a few places are helpful
- navigation is mostly straightforward, but could use more aids
- picturesque setting on banks of river
- decent combination of lightly wooded and open holes
- good length and variety of shots
- really cool topography with good elevation change incorporated, particularly on holes 1 and 9
- lots of small elevation changes throughout course
- major water hazards with Eau Claire River in play, including a water carry over the river on hole 6
- some rudimentary built in steps in a few places are helpful
- navigation is mostly straightforward, but could use more aids
- picturesque setting on banks of river
- decent combination of lightly wooded and open holes
- good length and variety of shots
Cons:
- virtually every tee sign is missing or damaged
- new holes 10-12 have no tee signs
- hole 10 has no tee yet
- holes 10-12 feel like throw ins to make the course longer with no real added value
- lots of dead trees marked to be taken down on hole 1 (and others) will decrease challenge
- no amenities whatsoever - no practice basket, garbage cans, benches, etc.
- could use some more built in stairs on steep terrain
- rough can be a bit overgrown and course is a bit rough around the edges
- first few holes border a more major road that somewhat disturbs the feel of the course
- navigation between 8 and 9 is the main confusion point
- new holes 10-12 have no tee signs
- hole 10 has no tee yet
- holes 10-12 feel like throw ins to make the course longer with no real added value
- lots of dead trees marked to be taken down on hole 1 (and others) will decrease challenge
- no amenities whatsoever - no practice basket, garbage cans, benches, etc.
- could use some more built in stairs on steep terrain
- rough can be a bit overgrown and course is a bit rough around the edges
- first few holes border a more major road that somewhat disturbs the feel of the course
- navigation between 8 and 9 is the main confusion point
Other Thoughts:
This was a tough course to rate, as others have mentioned. On the one hand, it's really cool and fairly unique. On the other, it's pretty rough around the edges and needs some TLC. The tee signs are all missing or heavily damaged - literally all of them. Holes 10-12 feel thrown in to add holes for the sake of adding holes in a vacant field with no real redeeming qualities. I guess the main point here is don't lose your disc off to the right on hole 10, which drops off the edge of a ravine into a boggy pit you'll probably never get your disc out of.
Elevation change is well incorporated here, with major changes on holes 1 and 9 and dips and dives throughout the course, as well as some steep banks on the Eau Claire River. The scenery really is pretty cool, and holes 4-6 offer high risk shots with water very close to the basket. Hole 6 was the signature hole for me, with a decent length throw over the substantial river to the basket. The middle of the course is more heavily wooded after the first few holes were lighter, and it opens up again near the end. 10-12 play more like prairie holes and I really don't think they add much to the course. They also have no tee signs as of yet and 10 doesn't even have a marked tee.
The navigation isn't too bad but you'll want your map as there are no navigation aids at all. After hole 8, you'll want to go down the wide mowed path used for truck access, back towards the parking lot, until you see an opening in the woods to your left. This is the path to tee 9. This course had a good deal of challenge and I mostly enjoyed the unique setting, it just really needs a bit of upkeep. Putting in new tee signs would be a huge improvement. I think with some small improvements this is a 3.5 course.
Overall, if you're in the area I think it's worth checking out. Just be prepared with your map and expect to traverse a bit of terrain, with a risk of water losses if you don't hit your line and pull up on approach in a few places.
Elevation change is well incorporated here, with major changes on holes 1 and 9 and dips and dives throughout the course, as well as some steep banks on the Eau Claire River. The scenery really is pretty cool, and holes 4-6 offer high risk shots with water very close to the basket. Hole 6 was the signature hole for me, with a decent length throw over the substantial river to the basket. The middle of the course is more heavily wooded after the first few holes were lighter, and it opens up again near the end. 10-12 play more like prairie holes and I really don't think they add much to the course. They also have no tee signs as of yet and 10 doesn't even have a marked tee.
The navigation isn't too bad but you'll want your map as there are no navigation aids at all. After hole 8, you'll want to go down the wide mowed path used for truck access, back towards the parking lot, until you see an opening in the woods to your left. This is the path to tee 9. This course had a good deal of challenge and I mostly enjoyed the unique setting, it just really needs a bit of upkeep. Putting in new tee signs would be a huge improvement. I think with some small improvements this is a 3.5 course.
Overall, if you're in the area I think it's worth checking out. Just be prepared with your map and expect to traverse a bit of terrain, with a risk of water losses if you don't hit your line and pull up on approach in a few places.
4
0
Jannus
Experience:
13.6 years
13 played
3 reviews
Yellow Banks - A Diamond In The "Rough" 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Dec 1, 2012
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
1) Topography. Holes 1 and 9 utilize a steeply sloped elevation change (#1 plays downhill, #9 back up). Additionally, the property has many depressions and undulations that force you to think of shot placement - and can penalize you for missing your intended landing area. To me, this adds more challenge than other "local" courses.
2) Variety in hole design. There doesn't seem to be any favoritism towards right or left handed people, as most of the holes have a route option for both. There is also a nice mix of hole lengths, with a couple of legitimate par 4's (or to my skill level 4.5-5, lol.)
3) Course layout. Careful considerations has been used while planning the overall course layout. Each hole has at least some measure of risk/reward value to it. Some holes force you to analyze your "line" through the trees. Others have "drop-offs" near the pin and seem to taunt you to "make a run for it" versus just "laying it up" for a drop in. Not to mention that some holes allow you to choose whether to play over the water and risk getting wet, or taking the over-land route.
4) Baskets. Highly visible yellow powder-coated baskets are great to throw at. Nice double chain construction limits "spit-outs".
2) Variety in hole design. There doesn't seem to be any favoritism towards right or left handed people, as most of the holes have a route option for both. There is also a nice mix of hole lengths, with a couple of legitimate par 4's (or to my skill level 4.5-5, lol.)
3) Course layout. Careful considerations has been used while planning the overall course layout. Each hole has at least some measure of risk/reward value to it. Some holes force you to analyze your "line" through the trees. Others have "drop-offs" near the pin and seem to taunt you to "make a run for it" versus just "laying it up" for a drop in. Not to mention that some holes allow you to choose whether to play over the water and risk getting wet, or taking the over-land route.
4) Baskets. Highly visible yellow powder-coated baskets are great to throw at. Nice double chain construction limits "spit-outs".
Cons:
1) Natural tee pads. Although the course is in it's "infancy", and there are a number of things to improve, this is a big one for me. None of the tee pads are "level", let alone "flat". And, being dirt, they are susceptible to rain erosion and or turning to a muddy mess. Some have logs or 4x4's to mark the front edge of the pad, which can be a trip/safety hazard.
2) Thorns. The "underbrush" can be a real big factor in the summer as there are large patches of Raspberry/Blackberry plants that during the height of summer/fall are GREAT at hiding an errant disc and scratching unprotected skin. Add to that the "Thorny Ash" trees that seem to be everywhere, and you could wind up feeling like a pin-cushion.
3) Natural debris. Fallen trees are to be expected on a wooded course, but this course is littered with natural debris. From fallen trees, to "logging leftovers", in places it can be treacherous to walk for fear of twisting an ankle.
4) Spring flooding. During the spring thaw, the river that runs along the northern border tends to flood some of the holes, and fills up some of the "depressions" in the ground, making miniature "ponds" to play around or subsequently lose discs in.
5) Signage. There aren't currently any signs (other than the roadside sign) on the course. Would be nice for new-comers to have a "welcome sign" maybe with some basic etiquette rules and an overview map of the course layout. Signs at the individual holes witch might include lengths, hole layout and directions to the next hole would be a great addition also.
6) Facilities. As there aren't any nearby businesses, restroom accommodations are definitely lacking. Even a "port-a-potty" would be better than nothing
2) Thorns. The "underbrush" can be a real big factor in the summer as there are large patches of Raspberry/Blackberry plants that during the height of summer/fall are GREAT at hiding an errant disc and scratching unprotected skin. Add to that the "Thorny Ash" trees that seem to be everywhere, and you could wind up feeling like a pin-cushion.
3) Natural debris. Fallen trees are to be expected on a wooded course, but this course is littered with natural debris. From fallen trees, to "logging leftovers", in places it can be treacherous to walk for fear of twisting an ankle.
4) Spring flooding. During the spring thaw, the river that runs along the northern border tends to flood some of the holes, and fills up some of the "depressions" in the ground, making miniature "ponds" to play around or subsequently lose discs in.
5) Signage. There aren't currently any signs (other than the roadside sign) on the course. Would be nice for new-comers to have a "welcome sign" maybe with some basic etiquette rules and an overview map of the course layout. Signs at the individual holes witch might include lengths, hole layout and directions to the next hole would be a great addition also.
6) Facilities. As there aren't any nearby businesses, restroom accommodations are definitely lacking. Even a "port-a-potty" would be better than nothing
Other Thoughts:
I realize that this course is new (baskets were installed during the 2012 "season". And I also understand that the local disc golf community, along with local community development leaders are very intent on improving the course. I've also heard that eventually (maybe by fall 2013) the course will be expanded to have a "back 9". Very interested to see what 2013 brings for Yellow Banks and cant wait to play it some more!
