Gresham, OR

Vance Park

2.765(based on 31 reviews)
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17 0
wellsbranch250
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 10.2 years 652 played 631 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Two Courses Within A 7-Minute Walk Of Each Other.

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 7, 2023 Played the course:once

Pros:

(1.875 Rating) A basic reasonable park style niner.
- QUICK PLAY - I was running out of daylight when I arrived in Portland and I was wanting to bag as many courses as possible before sunset hit. I gotta say, Vance Park is an excellent course to choose when time is short. It's easy to follow, hard to get into trouble, and goes quick. I was in, out and on my way to Rockwood in 20 minutes.
- BASICS - The tees, baskets and signage makes this one a reasonable course to me. 4-foot by 10-foot concrete tees. Mach V baskets, I think, that are in good shape. The signage is bare bones being just a number, but the simple gameplay makes that aspect passable.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - I think the course will work great for newer players. Birdies can be carded on most holes by MA4 level players. Zero chance in having to search for one within the park boundaries. The lost disc potential is nil, unless one makes an epic grip lock error over the fence along the east park boundary.
- A SECOND COURSE NEAR BY - As noted in the review title, there is another course right down the street from here. One can literally tap out on (9) at Vance and walk over to tee (1) at Rockwood in 7-minutes. They are about a 1/3 of a mile apart.

Cons:

The course comes up below average on just about every important category.
- SIMPLISTIC - I found the gameplay at Vance Park to be very lackluster. Generally a lightly wooded course with simple sub 300 foot shots. The course is also mostly flat and void of water features. Sure MA4s and perhaps MA3s may enjoy the care-free style here, but higher skilled players are going to be caught yawning.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - I found this aspect to be slightly below average. The park seems to be maintained well. It was mowed and free of excess trash and downed tree branches. Like many regional courses, there are large Douglas Firs and Western Cedars sprinkled throughout the course. It's a nice park and all, but it's nothing special.
- AMENITIES - Besides the concrete tees and baskets, there are no other course related amenities. Off the course there is a restroom and shelter, just like every small city park.
- NAVIGATION - As noted in my basics pro, the signage is just a number. Unfortunately, the number is flush with the ground. Thus if someone doesn't have an navigational app, they may end up heading to the wrong tee. However, the park is generally open. Thus no one is getting lost for an extended period of time.
- PARKING - Street parking only on 182nd. Lots of traffic on this road.

Other Thoughts:

Vance Park was officially the first course I ever threw in Oregon. It shares a lot of qualities with its nearby neighbor Rockwood, and thus I have them in a near ratings tie. I asked several locals regarding their thoughts between the two and they all said the better one is dependent on who you ask. No reason for the destination pilgrim to head here. For baggers trying to tally as many courses as possible, I would say this is an ideal target since there is a second course within walking distance. I could see someone playing both in less than 45 minutes. Anyways, a solid 2.0 course to me. Besides Rockwood, it also reminds me of courses like Azalea in Tampa Bay, Ken Johnston in Huntsville Alabama, Donner Park south of Indianapolis, Calvert City Park near Paducah Kentucky, John C Poole north of Nashville, Portland Park near Chattanooga and Silver Lake Excalibur north of Seattle.
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3 1
JKeyser
Experience: 3.8 years 6 played 2 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Quick and convenient 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 29, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

Right in town, I was able to hit it on a lunch break.
Grass is mowed often.
Little chance of loosing a disc. "Except from bums, See below"

Cons:

Homeless people camping near/in the park hang around and ask for anything they think you may have. I had to yell at a guy who picked up my disc and started to wonder off. "I did get it back"

Other Thoughts:

If I was unfortunate enough to live near this park, I would be very happy that there was course near me.
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6 0
Liv2xplore
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Took a friend for his first time out 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 5, 2019 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Very well groomed park. Great place for beginners to go or to get a quick round in on the way home from work. I took my friend here for his first time out ever and it was a fun experience. We brought his 5 year old daughter and it was short enough she didn't burn out. Nice concrete tee pads and good baskets. Well laid out and easy to navigate.

Cons:

There are no distance markers here but it's a short par 3 course so it isn't much of an issue. If I only had this park to play I'd get bored and probably quit. Even the holes with lots of trees is pretty open. But I cut my teeth on very technical courses comparatively with Gaffney's Grove and White River. Being Portland you will see homeless people wandering the park or camping out behind hole 8's tee pad.

Other Thoughts:

I'll probably go there again when I'm visiting down there but I know Portland has many better courses to challenge beginners. I wouldn't travel anything over 30 minutes to play there. One nice thing was that the park is so well groomed it was easy for my wife to get around with her power wheelchair.

Parking is on the street, we drove around looking for a parking lot for a bit. Another option is parking in the church parking lot by the park. There's a sign that says Church Parking only but nobody bothered us about it. I wouldn't use it on Sunday for obvious reasons.
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6 0
Breh
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.8 years 191 played 189 reviews
2.50 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 29, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nice tee pads and baskets
Navigation is fairly simple.
The park itself looked nice and upkept.
There's a couple fun throws that test your accuracy
Chance at an ace

Cons:

You have to walk around the fence to get to hole 1 from parking lot, or to the right side the fence is cut out and you can actually get to the tee pad thank you to that local for showing me
The people kind of looked a little sketchy that we're using the park
All the holes our short except for hole 6 and hole 9.
The park gets very busy with disc golfers and non disc golfers
Hole 4 and hole ones fairways play close together
No distances on the tee pads or tee signs

Other Thoughts:

This is a little park with a decent short 9 hole put in. When paired with Rockwood it makes for a good 18 ace race day. Not worth driving out of way but good place to bring a begginer and build confidence
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2 4
handwasher
Experience: 11.8 years 106 played 15 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Fun mix of short, wooded and slightly longer open shots 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 11, 2016 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Lots of trees to challenge approaches and putts.
Solid, readable numbers on each tee pad.
Good for a quick nine, and close to another course. (Rockwood Central)

Cons:

You're going to smell some weed here in all likelihood.
It's mostly quite short, so not much opportunity to bust out a long drive.
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7 0
Pierparknut
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 10.8 years 89 played 85 reviews
2.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 12, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Great little course throughout a small park, good for practicing mid-ranges, plays throughout massive Douglas Firs
-Wonderful beginner course
-A walking path runs through the course, but doesn't appear too heavily used
-Makes great use of the small park without seeming too crowded
-Plenty of trash cans, and a restroom is by the first tee
-Hole 6 provided a nice change of pace being nice and open
-Demanded both hyzer and an-hyzer shots. Many holes had multiple lines

Cons:

-A few holes (1, 5, 9) present the opportunity to through out-of-bounds. Very tall barbed-wire fences mark the boundaries, so if you throw one over, say goodbye to your disc
-No real driver opportunities, but in a park this size, that's ok
-You have to park in what looks like a church parking lot. It's easy to miss if you're going too fast along 182nd
-Only one tee and one pin location. It would get old after a while

Other Thoughts:

-Overall a fun little course
-If you're in the area play this course twice and skip Rockwood Park, which is just a few blocks away. Rockwood is even shorter and in a multi-use crowded park.
-I came to play here and Rockwood. I was pleasantly surprised here, but Rockwood was a piece of sh*t and I don't think it's really worth my time to come all the way out here just for 9 holes
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2 2
Paragon29er
Experience: 7.8 years 42 played 6 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 22, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great short course
At times, great for kids to play without getting frustrated by long difficult courses
Best times are early morning see below for explanation

Cons:

Potheads, for the love of Pete smoke at home. Took my son there after school and there were three huge bongs on the picnic bench, about twenty people surrounding them, all baked. A few guys on the course so high they could barely function.

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5 0
Moose33
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.2 years 203 played 201 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Interesting Neighborhood 9 hole 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 23, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

It's not at all a bad little 9. The park isn't pristine but reasonably well maintained.

The pads are pretty good and longish though a big narrow.

For a course that plays this short there are some interesting shots. It's pretty heavily wooded and you need to think about your line.

It doesn't take much to par these holes but you have to hit your line to rack up the birdies.

Great place to bring beginners and kids, pretty good playground too. My daughter likes to swing and slide after a round, she would have liked this one.

Basketa are okay, older DGA baskets mostly pretty even with no big flaws.

The layout is so well worn you can't get lost.

Cons:

Super short, and doesn't always make the absolute best of the available space.

Some of the pads need some fill dirt around them the puddles were really bad.

It looks like it gets played hard too, and cut it out the the bottle caps guys, it doesn't look that cool.

Other Thoughts:

I breezed through this one twice in the rain in 40 mins so if your close and feel the need for a round, jump on it and you can get a pretty satisfactory round in here.

Don't bother bringing your warp speed arsenal though 6-7 of the holes you would be fine with a good neautral midrange.
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1 1
LaserShot
Experience: 3 played 3 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Not too shabby 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 31, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Nice tee pads
-Good location
-good mix of holes
-not too busy most of the time

Cons:

-9 holes
-holes are fairly short
-Uninspired design
-watch the locals

Other Thoughts:

This course is perfect for beginners or long time players who want to see if they can birdie every hole. I have never bogied a hole here and Im a slightly above average golfer. its usually one shot and then your birdie attempt. if you are average to below average this course is perfect for you.
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3 0
Skeeterdonk
Experience: 9.8 years 7 played 7 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Good enough to play again and again 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 1, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Concrete tee boxes. I loved these.

As a beginner this course offers a good challenge. It has just enough trees to present a challenge while also offering a few holes with open shots. If you hit a tree you are more than likely still able to have a good shot at par.

This course is a good one for your child as well. The holes are short. My son and I played 12 holes in 45 min. This includes throwing several discs on a few of them.

Risk of losing a disc is low. The few holes that run along the fence next to the rock quarry offer plenty of safe area to throw into if you are worried about losing a disc.

Cons:

I had no clue where #1 was. I couldn't find any signs or maps. We were fortunate that nobody was there so we just played random holes but on a busy day you would have to ask someone or risk jumping in between groups.

It looks over played.

Other Thoughts:

Conditions: 8AM on a Sun. We were the only ones there.

If you approach from 182nd, #1 is going to be the tee box by the corner of the church parking lot. The rest is pretty easy to navigate.

Since it seems common that courses don't have maps or tee box markers, why don't they etch the hole # or even a map onto the tee box when they pour the concrete? Frame the tee box and when you pour the concrete just grab a stick and scratch in #1 or whatever, in one corner. Maybe an arrow to the basket? Seems like this would be a discreet way to be informative.

Going forward I am going to check the photo section of this site prior to playing new courses. In the photos for this one I think #9 is inaccurate. The tee box has been moved.
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2 1
Rusty Shackleford
Experience: 11.8 years 27 played 11 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Nice Little Park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 19, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This is a nice 9 especially for being in the middle of the city.

The tee pads and baskets are great

Good use of the park and trees.

It's a great place to practice your short game or bring a new player.

Not really any rough or tall grass. No time looking for discs = more time throwing.

Cons:

Busy. Lots of players on a nice day and 9 holes can feel crowded pretty quickly. There can also be a lot of other park users, but there's really just one tee that crosses a path.

No signage.

Other Thoughts:

This is a great place if you're close by or if you want to bang out a bunch of holes quickly on weekday.
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4 0
notapro
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.7 years 568 played 281 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Beginner 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 14, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

- Course is set in the back end of a small city park. There are many other activities going on here, but nothing near the holes. Any interference will be from stray pedestrians on or off a walking path.
- Decent amount of trees here to make things interesting. Plenty of spots where line shaping is necessary, like a RHBH anny on #2 and #3, a flick or hyzer on #4, a wide shot either way on #7, and a longer hyzer on #8. Almost every hole allows for a variety of lines, which is fun, but not too easy.
- Hole #9 doesn't have many trees; it is instead a hyzer shot around/over a fenced off area. #6 is pretty open as well, though the long tee gives a choice of gaps to hit with some lower branches.
- Good variety in hole lengths; there aren't any distances listed but I think at least three were over 275'. Most are under 230' or so. But, there are at least some short ones and some long ones.
- Teepads and baskets are good. Signs are not. Definitely helps to have a map, though it is pretty easy to figure out the flow once you get started.

Cons:

- Land here is super flat, there are a few very gentle uphill slopes on a couple holes, but nothing serious.
- Overall the course is very short, I would estimate the average hole length is about 250' or so with a couple outliers driving it up.
- Hole #9 ends in the middle of the park, so you have to hoof it back to your car or hole #1.

Other Thoughts:

- All in all, a fun little course that has some interesting holes. There are definitely some chances to whack a tree and have to scramble for par, and a couple spots that require a drive instead of an approach shot. Definitely best suited for beginners though.
- The area past the fence looks crazy! Let me know when they throw some baskets down there!
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2 2
Lonhart
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 30 years 422 played 38 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Somewhat technical short course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 30, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

I played this 3 times today (-5, -6, -6) and a local named Chris showed me the layout.
--Very nice long, cement tee pads
--Baskets in good shape
--Variety of shots, mostly short, but hyzers and anhyzers
--Trees provide difficulty

Cons:

I like this course, but...
--No tee signs
--Although mostly manicured grass, the course is showing signs of heavy use
--Three holes have the pin near a fence that separates the course from a rock quarry, with very steep (60-80 feet) walls. Not likely to lose a disc unless you heavily chunder a drive. But be careful.

Other Thoughts:

Although this course is in a neighborhood that has seen better times, I never felt threatened by any of the park dwellers. In fact, local players were very helpful and nice. As in any urban setting, you get a wide spectrum of people. This park has a swing set, so moms were there with infants and toddlers, not far from some of the more nefarious-looking guys, but everyone was having fun.
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1 2
nadaladadotnet
Experience: 3 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Worth your time 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 29, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Variance in length of holes, and the obstacles to traverse to the basket.

Cons:

Not many ways to 'shake up the course" in the way say, Pier Park does where they can move baskets around to make the holes more challenging.

Other Thoughts:

Overall, this is a very fun course to throw at. I've played the course literally close to a hundred times since I started throwing 5 years ago. It never bores me. The layout is definitely good for your "short game" and for putting. Only 2 holes that have any kind of "distance" but you don't really notice that as you play the course. I bring my son to the course a lot and it's been invaluable in developing his confidence with the disc. Great place to bring the kids or just work on your short game.
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2 2
SmaptyII
Experience: 5 played 5 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Review 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 3, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great little course set back from the 182nd. Like Rockwood it is a technical little course set in the trees. Allows for short game and putting work. Buckets at every hole for trash. Good starting course for new players.

Cons:

Unlike Rockwood the course is not mowed and there is a lot of long grass and trash everywhere (despite having trash buckets).

Other Thoughts:

This course can get bunched up with smaller groups playing 2 discs or LARGE groups. Most people are great about letting smaller groups play through. Dont be shocked to see drug use at this park (both players and park visitors).
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3 4
ohtobediscing
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 44.5 years 401 played 41 reviews
2.50 star(s)

A Vance Romance 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Nov 28, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

I really like Vance. I don't think I've ever seen more than three groups at once on the course. Requisite cement tees and quality baskets, with holes that can be driven straight, or hyzered/anhyzered in from left or right. The course starts with a shorter, open hole, then into the trees for #s 2-5. There are some slight elevation changes on these holes. On #s 6-9 it lengthens and alternates between field and slightly wooded. The trees have a semi-Pier Park quality to the layout and ambient light, without being overwhelming, obstructionwise, like Pier can be. For these reasons its also a good beginner course. Under the trees is shady/protected summer/winter. If its uncrowded a pair can make a round in 1/2 hour or less. Amazingly, traffic on 182nd is almost unnoticeable unless its rush hour. Public bathrooms onsite.

Cons:

The gravel pit/fence is behind holes 2, 4, and 9, and to one side of 5 and 8. In the unlikely event that you heave a disc into this, it might require a Herculean effort to retrieve any errant throw. Its too bad Rockwood is a dud, an ethnic gang hangout and now Bong Central, or the two together would provide just enough spice for a couple of inner-PDX area courses that you wouldn't feel the need to drive to other courses to get your DG on. In summer its can be almost as busy as Rockwood with other users.

Other Thoughts:

It needs alternate tees/pin placements. I think the gravel pit could be incorporated for another nine, though I notice much of it gets 1-2 feet of standing water when its been raining a lot. Stores just a few blocks down the street.
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2 3
Corey D
Experience: 12.5 years 19 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Vance Review 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 18, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

fun course lots of diversity , no hills to walk , well groomed , nice baskets , nice tee pads , onsite bathrooms is always nice

Cons:

can be a bit dirty with trash , lots of traffic , its a busy city park so lots of non discers hang out there. not many bsad things to say
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3 1
b-mart
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.7 years 66 played 61 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Not bad, for what it is 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 19, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

The teepads are concrete and the baskets are solid. The land available is well used. The course tends to play around the park. Any holes throwing across walking paths are open enough that you can see any pedestrians and know when to wait.

Cons:

Absolutely no signage whatsoever. Without the map you're on your own. None of the holes are long enough to challenge anyone above a lower intermediate level.

Other Thoughts:

If I were still starting out I would love this course. Since I scored even the first time through (something I don't even do when I know a course), I wasn't that impressed. If I hadn't met a local who was playing behind me, I would have spent at least 20 more minutes figuring out the course. This is not a bad course for a beginner or for anyone working on their short or midrange game, but is not worth a stop if you don't live here or aren't looking for a quick 9.
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5 1
DiscAddict22
Experience: 17.9 years 20 played 4 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Quick and Fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 19, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This is a decent city park course, Some well place trees and hills to keep it fresh. Every hole is different, which keeps you interested. Perfect course for beginners learning to navigate trees, and a good place to try out that new disc your eager to throw, but not so eager to lose. Decent tee boxes and easy layout to follow,.A good warm up course for some of the larger courses ine the area.

Cons:

It is a pretty short course, most holes are about 200'. Hard to say much bad about it, Its short but uses available space pretty well.

Other Thoughts:

Watch out for people walking and biking the paths, as they cross a few teeshots. From 6's pin, walk to the tee aiming into the trees, not across the field. The coffeshop on 182nd has disc you can borrow, or a small selections of discs for sale.
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3 3
qeserus
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 28, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Easy to play for a beginner like myself. Not too crowded, only one other group on the course @ 11 on a Saturday. Had a great time.

Cons:

Could lose your discs on holes 5 and 7. Have to watch were you throw. Tee numbers not clearly marked. I'm glad I printed a map before I went it helped out a lot.

Other Thoughts:

Hole 5 has a rock quarry on the right with a big cliff about 5ft past the fence so if your disc goes over say good bye to it.
The other group on the course was friendly. A nice little course in Gresham.
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