Eau Claire, WI

Mount Simon Park

3.195(based on 16 reviews)
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12 0
wolfhaley
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 19.9 years 970 played 542 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 7, 2024 Played the course:once

Pros:

Mount Simon is the most popular course in Eau Claire. It appeals to the widest segment of disc golfers and it's easy to see why. The course is free, centrally located and is just an all around fun course. It's now my second favorite of the Eau Claire 9's, just behind the more dynamic Pinehurst Park. Mount Simon is still the OG over here for free to play courses.

The baskets are standard yellow banded Discatchers. These are showing their age no doubt, but all still catch fine and are easy to spot. One pin and pin placement per hole. No complaints with these.

Single, tapered concrete tees on each hole as well. These are nicely done. Level, grippy and of sufficient size for a course of this length. These are needed here with how busy this course can get. It'd be a rutted, muddy mess at every tee without these.

The flow of the course is very easy to follow. Not only the design, there's literally worn paths leading from each basket to the next tee. It's basically impossible to get lost out here. The course starts and ends right by the parking lot near hole 1.

Very nice tee signs out here. Detailed hole map showing trees and other tees/pins as well as distances. there's also the hole #, par and distance. All the pertinent info you'd expect. Nicely done.

Good design for the little chunk of space that they have available. The course plays mostly through a lightly wooded flat section of the park. The usage of the fringes of the woodline are what elevate the design. Hole 5 starts out open before entering the woods and playing to the pin in the woods on a hillside. Hole 6 is shorter, but a nice tight wooded hole with a couple different options on how to go about attacking it. Hole 7 has a nicely guarded green tucked just into the woods. The excitement really picks up on the latter half is what I'm getting at I guess.

Cons:

During peak hours in the summer this place can get busy. Really busy. Not a con, more a warning. If you want a quicker round plan on arriving early in the summer.

A few overlapping holes. Nothing too crazy for the most part, but it is a tight fit for sure.

It'd be awesome if they were able to use some of the wooded hillside behind holes 5's pin and holes 6 and 7. I understand why they didn't, but it's just RIGHT THERE. There could be some cool holes along there.

The rough gets thick and there's always poison ivy just of the fairway. It's been this way forever now.

For as popular as this park is you'd think they'd have some marked shorter tees for beginners at this point, and just to add to the replay value. Plenty of room for it. Hell maybe even a longer option on a couple instead of shorts. Just some other options

Other Thoughts:

This course will always be a memorable one for me. This is the first course my wife and I played together. But i gotta rate them like I see them. This one is just an average to slightly above niner. Definitely worth a spin if you're nearby but not worth going out of your way to play. Fun course but there's just nothing that stands out above most other nines in WI.
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5 0
Johnsondere
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 9 months 136 played 83 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Decent 9 Hole Course

Reviewed: Played on:May 5, 2023 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- Fun course if you want a quick round or some ace runs.
- Plenty of potential for safari holes.
- Usually isn't too busy.
- Nice concrete tee pads
- Baskets are aged but catch well.

Cons:

- Multi use park, tend to get some people walking through the course.
- Not a whole lot of elevation change.
- Not a lot of distance required.

Other Thoughts:

Mt. Simon is a pretty decent 9 hole course. If you are looking for a warmup before Tower or Leinie's or just a quick, fun round, Simon is where it is at!
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1 3
BlackberryGirl
Experience: 15 played 15 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Great 9 hole course! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 18, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course was a pleasant surprise.
Easy to find course.
Navigation easy although hole #1 sign missing.
More length than usual for a 9 hole course and like the two woods holes.

Other Thoughts:

Definitely worth a stop if driving thru town. Great to see a course from 1988 in this good condition.
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2 4
danilau
Experience: 8 played 7 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 15, 2017 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Fun, short course to play. Decent variety with some holes in wooded area and one on a hill.

Cons:

Pars are a bit too high. More of a par 3 all around. Maybe par 4 all around. It can get a bit busy and can be slow.
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10 0
Stardoggy
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 12.7 years 1002 played 214 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Nice course in a great spot... 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 18, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

9 hole course, situated at an out of the way park in Eau Claire, WI.

Discatcher baskets, all in good repair. They were showing some age, but caught just fine. One pin position per hole.

Concrete tee pads, one per hole. Plenty long enough, and grippy. No issues here at all.

Lots of mature trees on the property, which on most holes, are what shape the fairways. Every hole has at least some trees on it, which is nice.

Navigation was pretty easy, as the course winds around one patch of land. Tee signs had all the information you'd need for a short course.

Some nice basket placements here, where possible. Hole 4 was especially cool, with the basket perched up a hill in some woods.

Cons:

There was a decent amount of traffic here on a nice weekend day, with nearly all of it being of the two disc variety. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it can certainly slow you down.

There's not a lot of distance here, which is typical of a smaller park course, which is to say there's no bomber type holes. None of the lines are super tight...this is just an easy going 9 that's not wide open.

Other Thoughts:

All in all, this is not a bad place to get some throws in. There's nice pavilions, great restroom facilities, and the park is generally clean. It's a beautiful piece of property, and this is a nice, laid back course that fits in nicely.

Mt. Simon won't challenge experienced players, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun. This is the kind of spot you could happily bring your family, throw some discs, picnic, and whatever else, and leave with a smile on your face.
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11 0
notapro
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.7 years 568 played 281 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Beginner 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 20, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

- Course is set in a multi-use park, but the disc golf has it's own little separate section. Shouldn't be any interference from non-DGers.
- Holes are split between a more open area with mature trees, and some wooded areas with lots more trees. #5 shoots into the woods, definitely friendly to a RHBH anny to get to the basket through the gap. #6 is much tighter, a straight shot is best, with a local hyzer route present. #7's basket is kind of in the woods, around a large tree.
- Holes out in the open can be reached by a variety of lines, but there are definitely easier ones. #2, #3, and #4 are easier to reach with a RHBH anny shot, #1 and #8 are pretty much straight on, and #9 is open either way with trees in the middle of the fairway. Nothing too fancy, but there are enough trees to punish bad shots.
- Some slight elevation changes, like the hill on #4, and a few mild uphill shots like on #7 and #9. It's not much, but it helps to make things a little tougher.
- Good teepads and baskets, signs are long gone, but navigation isn't tough.

Cons:

- Some holes are crammed in pretty close to each other, with teepads being in real danger of errant throws. Definitely keep an eye out.
- A lot of straightforward holes; a hyzer or anny has a lot of room to work.
- A very busy course, with discs flying all over the place, it is a good idea to come here on off-peak hours if at all possible.

Other Thoughts:

- A pretty standard pitch-n-putt course that has enough trees to keep things interesting. The wooded shots help to break up the open shots. Definitely better suited for beginners, more experienced players will cruise through without issue.
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1 4
warmastar
Experience: 12.7 years 9 played 5 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Relaxing w/ minimal challenge 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 4, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Easily spotted holes
-Good shade
-Good tree positions for all styles of throws
-Well positioned tees/baskets for short walking
-Distance is perfect for amateurs

Cons:

-No signage of baskets
-During Summer months after 6 P.M. it can get very crowded
-Easy birdies for more advanced players

Other Thoughts:

If you want to relax, have a good time and escape the heat this is a perfect place to go to. It is the nicest kept course in the area however the location is a bit on the dumpy side. You'll feel on the way to the park that you are going to get mugged by a meth head but it's well worth it once you get to the park.
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2 2
SleekrBeekr
Experience: 14.8 years 63 played 20 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Mount Simon Park DGC 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 4, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Concrete tees.
Nice, easy to follow 9 hole layout.
Easy enough for beginners.
Good practice course for short game and accuracy.
Winter and summer leagues.
Excellent for a quick round, 2 guys can throw 9 in less than 30 minutes.
Well maintained, clean and free!
Baskets in all year and well played in the winter.
A nice park for the kids nearby, as well as a baseball field.
Lake access, pavilions, and a forest walking trail offer multiple activity options.

Cons:

Short!
Can get crowded very easily and often does in the warmer months.

Other Thoughts:

This is a really fun course and multiple rounds can be played in a short time. There is also a "back nine" that can be played, but it doesn't workout when the course is packed with people. I'd like to see the course expand, but it's a nice place to throw as is.
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2 8
Freebird
Experience: 15.8 years 19 played 19 reviews
4.50 star(s)

My local favorite 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 2, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Well-kept, nice layout, not too hard but not too easy. There is just enough length and obstacles to add some challenge, big arms might find it a little short but accuracy counts here, throwing past the hole can get you in trouble. It takes a really bad shot to lose a disc here but there are some woods. There's a nice mix of shots needed, if you can shape your shots some it will help your score. Most of the players here are nice and everyone gets along usually.

Cons:

The bugs can be bad here, especially on the holes in the woods. The tee markers have all been vandalized, but you don't really need them.

Other Thoughts:

This is a nice park, with water, bathrooms, picnic tables and grills, a boat launch, decent parking, and trash containers. There's been a trend lately of people bringing their dogs on the course, I like dogs but if Fido can't get along with others or likes to chase discs, please leave him home.
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2 6
SweetAl39
Experience: 3 played 3 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Nice park, above average course. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 13, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Easily accessible from around Eau Claire.
-Decent bathroom facilities on site.
-Picnic areas and shelters.
-Grass is well groomed.
-Layout offers some variety. Trees offer challenge.

Cons:

-Basket locations are permanent. Not a bad thing necessarily, but if you like your courses to change from time to time, this one is always the same.
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1 4
EsotericForest
Experience: 15 years 8 played 1 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Good place to start 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 2, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

If you're new to disc golf this is a good course to start on. It's a fairly open course with only a few trees on most of the holes as well as slight hills in some places. If you want a nice open course to practice your drive on, this is a good place to start.

Cons:

It's usually fairly crowded no matter what time you go. The course is also pretty condensed so ending up in somebodies way on a different hole is easy to do with a bad throw.

Other Thoughts:

Overall a fun course to play if you don't want a huge challenge or are just out to have a good time with people new to the sport.
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10 2
harr0140
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 15.2 years 1508 played 475 reviews
3.00 star(s)

The Flattest Mountain Course I have played! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 22, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

1) Very nice large grippy concrete tees. Tees are shovelled in winter (they were clean when I got there) and a guy brought a shovel along and was going to shovel them again. Must be a good group of locals!

3) Garbage cans are plentiful including some larger containers near the first tee.

4) There is a kiosk at the first tee for info and such, plus it doubles as a rain shelter for 1-2 people.

5) Course design incorporates some nice sections of the course. The 5th hole is great where the basket is tucked up in the wooded area, slightly up a hill. Front of basket is normal height but if you are above the basket it is at ground level because of that slope (interesting setup).

6) Fairly open park, but has quite a few mature trees that are in perfect places to force shot shaping. The few holes where the woods actually are in play are fair but still challenging.

7) Parking lot is massive, although it also looks like it serves as a public water access. Someone had actually driven down onto the ice through the snow (where I assume is a boat launch). There are also facilities there (I think, or maybe it is a maintenance building, but it looked like restrooms, but I didnt look that closely I guess.

Cons:

1) Discatchers are getting old and the paint is peeling in numerous spots. Rust is visible and will only get worse.

2) Tee signs are almost nonexistant. The only one I saw that was in place was #2. The rest of the posts were there, but the signs were all missing.

3) Hole distances are rather repetetive with a minimal range of distances. Not only are they similar in length, but they are also right in that general range of fairly easy to reach baskets. I usually like to see a few easy to reach (with executed shots), moderately difficult to reach, and tough but possible to reach on the drive. This of course is in reference to all par 3 holes not par 4's (which there are none on this course). It also assumes a certain level of ability and I think this course is suited for moderately skilled players. Got a big arm you should eat this course up!

Other Thoughts:

All in all I did enjoy this course. It was in a unique setting below a large hill along the river bluffs. It is nearly flat in terrain with a few moderate rolling hills. It incorporates some wooded areas on a few holes and the rest of the course uses baskets that are tucked around specific large trees. There are all sorts of lines to get to the basket so pick your favorite shot shape and go for it.

I think the course has so much more potential if some more of those wooded areas were used. It looks like there is room for at least 3-5 more holes if used effectively. It would lengthen the course, but it would also make it more diverse. Perhaps it has something to do with the homeowners above the hill.

I liked this course, and it is just a slight step above a decent course. It has enough to be a good course int hat it has nice tees, a pretty good layout, some good locals, and some of the amenities that would bring me back. It truly is a cool park with tons of potential (I think). If they were able to add some holes and diversify this course could be a 3.5 but that is about where it would max out its disc rating IMO.

I am not sure where the name Mount Simon came from because this course is as flat as can be. I assume it has to do with the river bluffs above the course, but it is funny nonetheless. Some of the park is actually located at the top of the hill so I can understand why they named the park Mount Simon, just not the disc golf course.

WARNING: Please keep in mind I played this course in the winter. I cannot see the turf or the general groundskeeping level, but from some of the pictures it looks to be somewhat wore out. I assume that the traffic it receives from being one of only a couple courses right in the Eau Claire area is high and from past reviews that appears to be the case.

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2 2
krallbd
Experience: 17.9 years 20 played 9 reviews
2.50 star(s)

A good time, but not difficult 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 9, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Open holes with decent distance make it fun to play. The changes in landscapes make it fairly fun.

Cons:

Not a huge variety of the types of holes, and nothing all that technical. During the afternoon, it gets extremely busy.

Other Thoughts:

Fun to play, but nothing to write home about
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4 0
Esoteric
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Good Course To Learn On 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 22, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

It may not be the most difficult course to play, but it does have it elements to challenge you. I think if you're new to the sport it's a great place to learn. Whenever I'm introducing somebody to disc golf, I bring them here.

Cons:

Unfortunately this course is in a fairly popular park, so once the afternoon hits you'll be in for a wait at the tee.

Other Thoughts:

Overall a pretty nice course, which I myself had a lot of fun learning to play on. It's a great place to bring a group of friends.
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2 2
Alec
Experience: 3 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Great for newbies 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 20, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Very friendly and open place. Good for those who are new or just to get out. To the previous post drinking is alllowed at the park.

Cons:

Very popular place. Waiting at a tee after 2pm is a given.

Other Thoughts:

Great place to pick up a game with just about anyone. Not easy to lose a disc as most people will help you as they play through..
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2 6
jamiemetts
Experience: 6 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

fun, fun, fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 19, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

one of the best courses in Eau Claire. the part with the trees is a really challenge, yet not really and is just a lot of fun. Even if you lose your disc in the woods your still just right there next to it. nice flat area and everything is clearly labled.

Cons:

Trees

Other Thoughts:

I don't know if your suppose to, but it appears that everybody drinks beer on this course. just look in a garbage can. : ) but then again they probably should not have been. very friendly atmosphere and its kind of neat that it on top of a hill.
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