Crystal Lake, IA

Crystal Lake Park

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2.55(based on 2 reviews)
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9 0
knobby325
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 8.7 years 323 played 248 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Unique Baskets 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 10, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Unique Homemade Baskets (3 styles, see pics)
-New Layout (Use Course Map II)
-Good use of the trees and elevation of the park
-Mostly stays away from other park activities
-Park upkeep is good
-Quick round to play

Cons:

-Natural Tees, Post with tee # on it
-Play across the roads on #1, #2, left side of #4, #5 and #9
-No benches / trashcans

Other Thoughts:

Crystal Lake Park DGC is located along the SE shore of Crystal Lake, just NW of the town of Crystal Lake, IA. A park style course with unique homemade baskets (see pics for the 3 different styles). Some trees and elevation come into play, however, so do the park roads on 5 holes. Most shots are straight away with a few trees to miss. #4 is up over a small ridge to a blind basket. From seeing the old map, this course has been redesigned to its current configuration (new map made and loaded). Adding concrete tees, better signage, some benches/trashcans would up the rating for me. A decent course that was quick to play. I would play again, if in the area.
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8 0
Martin Dewgarita
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.4 years 1589 played 93 reviews
2.50 star(s)

A Unique Disc Golf Experience 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 22, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Character. The Custom CatCHING baskets on this course may be a bit gimmicky and out of the ordinary, don't expect your standard pdga baskets. Expect a unique experience with the added challenge of a directional basket. Each hole has a name, and I'm sure a story behind the name. The unique baskets add a certain variety - 5 holes have a traditional looking basket, while 2 have a "center chain fence" above a basket and 2 are directional cages. (see photos for a visual).

Amenities. A campground offers camp sites, bathrooms, cabins for rent, picnic shelter and a lake view compliment the disc golf experience, plenty of parking is available.

Map/Scorecard. Provided at hole one, navigation using the map is relatively straightforward.

Elevation. What elevation there is is utilized well.

Challenge. The many trees peppering the course offer a solid challenge, though often times it feels as if there is no real line to the basket, rather getting through the trees is only luck.

Not Crowded. I had the course to myself, I don't foresee this course gathering huge crowds.

Well maintained. The park is routinely mowed and well kept, losing a disc shouldn't be a problem (unless you toss one in the swamp on hole 9).

Cons:

Gimmicky. The unique character can be overshadowed by the gimmicks, the worst offender is hole 9, despite being 500 feet long, the directional cage faces away from the tee with 3 large guardian trees making it quite difficult to gain access to the basket.

Navigation. Baskets are a bit crowded in places, and the map can be hard to read - I ended up throwing at the wrong basket a few times. Hole 3 is straight ahead in the open (the basket on the right) the other nearby basket is hole 8. Hole 7 is a long drive over the top of the trees following the road.

Variety. Most holes are pretty similar (less the unique baskets) throw straight forward, avoid the trees (though some have more or less trees.

Water. The lake provides a nice view throughout the course, but could have been utilized somewhat, the water never comes into play. The low swampy area is somewhat of a threat on hole 9.

Other Thoughts:

A fun unique experience, almost worth a visit just to experience the character this course has to offer, but I personally wouldn't go out of my way for this one.
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