Elk River, MN

Lions Park III

2.645(based on 18 reviews)
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1 0
John Dailey
Experience: 10.8 years 16 played 3 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Excellent practice course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 31, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

* Easy to follow

* Not too busy, can play through relatively fast or unload your bag and practice without holding anybody up.

* Wide fairways and well maintained

Cons:

* Some tall brush along a few of the holes can be challenging for beginners.

* No tee pads

Other Thoughts:

Overall this is an excellent practice course.
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2 1
bukosknr
Experience: 8.8 years 59 played 16 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Nice Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 7, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Some fun elevation throws up and then back down around holes 7 and 8.
-Very clean
-Ace opportunities
-Easy to play and beginner friendly
-Decent variety of shots, some close some far but all pretty open.

Cons:

-Tall Weeds can make searching a chore.
-Not great signage for navigation, but does have some distances.
-The way the course ends leaves you very far away from your vehicle, or you start very far away from hole 1.
-No teepads
-Inconsistent maintenance for the course. Waiting long periods of time between mowing. Then tons of dead grass.

Other Thoughts:

As it gets later in the year the stuff grows up more, that includes tress and leaves, making some throws more difficult. Grass and reeds taller and making finding your disc harder.

Hole 1 starts behind the apartment building. Dont' go too far right or your in the water.

Hole 2 the weeds really eat up discs, seems even the fairway when cut still leaves grass very tall and lots of dead grass to hide discs.

Hole 3 plays between and around some trees but straight ahead.

Hole 4 where you throw over the water being new I didn't feel comfortable or if I have someone new with me I wish there were an alternate box for that.

Hole 5 be careful not to fall in the little bit of a ditch there lots of grass and it can be wet in there.

Hole 6 plays straight ahead between the trees.

Hole 7 Plays UP THE HILL and to the left

Hole 8 Plays on top of the hill and straight ahead.

Hole 9 is really fun to throw downhill. Be careful not to go too far left that grass can be hard to find if you get far in there.

I feel the course plays pretty easy, but I really like it. Even as I got past my first few rounds (ever) I tried other courses and came back to this one quite a few times and it was still fun.

I wish there were a few signs or something because I was able to mess up the order the first time I played. After playing it twice though its pretty simple to follow. But being brand new I threw hole 7 at pin 9.
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5 0
Badgerman
Silver level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.6 years 550 played 62 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Elk River 9 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 24, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

1) Dual Tees
2) Water hazard on 2 holes
3) Nice variety of shots
4) Good use of what little elevation there is to give you an uphill on 7, play along the hill on 8 and bomb it down on 9.
5) Clean and mowed
6) Easy Navigation with a good flow to the course

Cons:

1) The rough is VERY rough, easy to lose a disc on several holes.
2) Signs are not informative, but then again they don't really need to be.
3) Kind of boring, the shots change up, but not nearly enough and every hole is 200-300 ft with very few obstacles.
4) The basket for 9 is on the ground, but the chains are still hanging.
5) Course ends on the other side of the park requiring you to cross a skate park and baseball field to get back to the car
6) Maintenance is inconsistent some days the grass is waist high, other times it's perfect.
7) Dirt/grass tees
8) No woods play, only open field

Other Thoughts:

This course could've been a 3.5 if they would've incorporated the woods and water more. I would say this course would be great for beginners if not for the punishing water hazards on 1 and 4 and the skip potential on the side hill of 8.
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2 1
BenderTheThrowbot
Experience: 12.9 years 8 played 2 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Good for working on your game 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 10, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Easy layout for everyone. Variation of longer and shorter holes, some elevation changes.
This course is good to just go relax on...work on various throws and see what happens. Just don't get carried away on hole 7. There is some kind of wind-tunnel effect that lifts my disc into the barb-wired yard past the hill (I throw from the old Pro tee by the tree too...sorry my dog ripped that post out)

Cons:

Don't play after it rains. This course get's WET!
Maintenance can be an issue sometimes. Mowing especially.
This is a multi-use city park, people tend to leave their garbage around.
If you go in the woods or the marsh areas, expect to have a nice reaction to the tall grasses. It's not poison ivy but it will make you itch/swell for one day

Other Thoughts:

Sounds like the city may get rid of this course. There is more money to be made for them if they develop the land and sell it. I guess two municipal liquor stores and collecting some of the highest property taxes in the state isn't good enough for Elk River.
Contact the city to express your concerns!
This may be a mediocre course...but it'e better than Twin "Long Pants ONLY" Lakes
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2 1
Mblack4
Experience: 20 played 6 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Solid Easy Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 19, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- Great for beginners
- 2 Tee points for each hole to give more advanced players a touger challenge
- Easy to follow
- Decent variety of uphill/downhill/water hazards
- Usually well kept in a nice small city park
- Free to play

Cons:

- No tee pads
- Only 9 holes
- Mostly straight shots, no need to change up your throw
- 9th basket is broken as of 6/19/13, still playable, chains are still there, but the basket it on the ground.
- 2nd hole is 90% very tall grass

Other Thoughts:

This is my home course, and I've played it probably 60+ times. I live literally across the street so I play it at least once a week, usually 2-3 times a week and I've even played it four times in one day so I know it very well. I wanted to give this a 2.5, but in hopes that they will actually mow hole 2 and fix the basket on 9 I'll give it a 3.0 in good faith.

Hole by hole: (I'll cover both tee offs, the post and the stake, with the stake being the more difficult)
#1 - From the post it's an ace-able hole for most players, not much of a water hazard unless it's very windy or you throw extremely late. From the stake it is actually a pretty difficult shot and you'll be throwing completely over water, I've seen some good players lose discs here before, I usually throw from the post.

#2 - As I've stated this hole really needs to be mowed, they started to mow near the start and near the end but then stopped for whatever reason. A couple trees stand in the way from the stake tee, the post is a bit closer and avoids the trees a little better. Other than that just a straight shot and a good hole to test distance.

#3 - Another straight shot with a couple of trees in the way, water to the right which could claim a disc if you throw late. Similar shots from both tees.

#4 - Almost unplayable from the post unless you go around, a bit of a risky shot from the stake as it's another hole that goes directly over water. Most players can make this shot, but if your shot messes up you can easily end up in a disgusting swamp. Other than that it's pretty easy to ace or deuce if you make it past the water.

#5 - I typically park at the Boys and Girls Club and start on this hole and go around making 4 my last. The stake and post are pretty much at the same spot, there's some rough about 3/4 way down the hole, with two trees right above to knock your disc right into it. Sometimes the rough can be wet, but nothing that will claim your disc. If you can stay low or just avoid the tree this hole is easily deuced or aced.

#6 - Another straight shot with two trees in the way, a bit longer than other holes, similar to hole 2. If you curve too much to the left you can end up in a line of trees to the side or if you go inbetween those trees you could end up in some rough.

#7 - You're throwing uphill, if throwing from the post it's probably the easiest hole on the course, if you go from the stake (which is missing, but you can see where the hole in the ground is a bit further back) it's actually a bit tougher trying to make it up that hill from that far back.

#8 - From the stake you're going uphill a bit, and from the post it's more of a level throw with the risk of going downhill if you curve right or left, however if you go left your disc can end up in a lot of tall grass and weeds. I've lost a disc over there just because I couldn't find it.

#9 - My favorite hole on the course, a downhill straight shot, fun to test out your downhill drives. A bit tougher to deuce (for me at least) and definitely a fun one to finish off the course with. The pin has been moved away from the skate park (which has actually been replaced with tennis courts) and is now to the right of all of that.

Definitely worth giving this course a shot if you're in the area, can be finished in under 30 minutes if everything goes normal.
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4 2
smarkquart
Experience: 18.8 years 185 played 8 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Course Changes 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 20, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

*Not a pitch and putt, but easy course for some good practice
*The guy who goes into the pond will ALWAYS call on found discs that have names and numbers on them
*Old tees are still marked in case you do not want to play the longer tees
*Depending on your power, every hole can be aced, but there are no gimmies.

Cons:

*Hole 2 can gobble up discs, both in the long weeds and in the pond
*Fun, but nothing special, no marquee holes. (Not yet anyway, check notes below)

Other Thoughts:

I am just adding to previous reviews. This course is about to see several changes which could include additional baskets. In the foreseeable future they are moving the basket and tee for Hole 9, removing the danger of hitting the skatepark and softball field.
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1 2
dohmenator
Experience: 14 years 23 played 7 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Great course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 22, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This course is so much fun! It's is fun for both beginners and pros alike! If you are swayed by the skate park on hole number 9, you shouldn't be. That hole has been moved so it is out of the way.

Cons:

I have no negative things to sayabout the course.

Other Thoughts:

I frolf here two times a week and I still am not tired of it.
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6 0
The Valkyrie Kid
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 45.9 years 1563 played 1507 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Solid Small Town 9 Holer! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 22, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Lions Park III is just your basic nine hole recreational course playing around a nasty little lake. The park has a nice big sign at the beginning. The baskets are DISCatchers set in concrete which are then set in a three foot steel circular pedestal thing. Very heavy duty; no-body's walking off with these baskets!

There are two tee signs on most holes. One is just a wooden pole with the top cut off at an angle with the #. These are simple and effective. The other is perfect-almost vandal proof. It's a green metal pole-like a street sign with a red number plate at the top. The plate is the same width as the pole, maybe 2'3"' so it can't easily be bent or destroyed. I love it when the Park's Department guys stay one step ahead of the midnight punks who vandalize so many of the disc golf courses and signs.

# 9 was as close to a signature hole as it gets here. You're throwing off the top of this small hill, maybe 290' to a open basket below. The only trick is not hysering into the Skate Punk Park to the left and then having to wrestle with one of those scrawny dudes for your disc.

# 1 and # 4 both give you the option of throwing over the corner of the murky pond. # 4 is a short 220" ACE run, but a scary carry across the pond for the average Rec player (and me!). And it was made scarier on the day I played by the wind blowing.
You're just teeing off the grass here but it's barely worn so obviously this course isn't getting a lot of play.

Cons:

I guess there isn't a lot of challenge or imagination to this course. It's relatively flat without many mature trees. I think it might get fairly repetitive playing it over and again.

Other Thoughts:

I enjoyed it playing it one time. The day was perfect and I had the course to myself. I might be generous in my rating here but on the basis of this being simply an enjoyable little recreational course, I couldn't find much to complain about. I like playing a round without searching through the bushes and thorns for my wayward tosses.
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10 1
JoshEpoo
Experience: 16.8 years 66 played 12 reviews
1.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 1, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

There aren't many objectively good things to say about Lions Park III. It's in a location that is pretty devoid of courses, so it provides some baskets to shoot at if you need a fix but can't get out to Elm Creek or some place farther away.

Cons:

The park is set on a boring piece of land, and the designer just didn't have much to work with. Every single hole can be birdied with a hyzer whether you throw right handed or left handed, forehand or backhand. There is no shot shaping required, at all.

No tee pads or even well defined throwing areas. There is just a sign stuck in the ground for each hole's general tee position.

The skate park comes into play on hole 9 in a dangerous way.

Other Thoughts:

The park itself is nice enough but it's just not a good spot for a disc golf course. The holes lack any kind of character. Some are long enough that rec players won't be able to birdie them, but there are no obstacles to speak of.

While there is nothing truly offensive about the park, it's primary flaw is that it's just so boring. They literally did nothing to make this a disc golf course other than sticking 9 baskets in the ground. It feels like it was stuck in the ground to give the high school kids across the road some place to play, which is fine, but it's not worth playing unless you happen to be passing by.
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2 3
deadbody
Experience: 20.1 years 152 played 66 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Not a bad little local course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 7, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Good use of space, there are uphill and downhill shots along with a couple shots that bring the lake into play. Fun long downhill on hole 9.

Cons:

Short, only hole 9 really has much distance on it. Not terribly difficult, not much in the way of trees, so most shots are pretty open. Couple spots where the walking path is near the flight path, so you need to watch out for walkers. The pond is pretty nasty looking as well.

Other Thoughts:

Not a bad course, there isn't much around where it is, and it's a decent little small town 9. I wouldn't make a special trip to play it, but if you are in the area it won't hurt to stop if you are like me and try to play every course you can.

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1 2
Arnie
Experience: 15.8 years 61 played 38 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Elk River 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 20, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nice, clean course in a nice setting. Baskets are in good shape and the Tee boxes are marked. Tee # 1 has two location to tee from, one is over the pond and the is on the same as the basket.

Cons:

A course layout sign would be most helpful. Tee Box # 1 is missing it distance sign.

Other Thoughts:

Tee # 4 is great one to play, short, but through the trees and over the pond. # 9 let you see the whole course, and test your arm. But, I did like how the course designer set # 8.
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4 3
Alleandro23
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great Little Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 23, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- Course is very well maintained making fairways really nice
-2 tee locations allowing different skill levels to play
-Water provides some risky shots for more skilled players. Makes for some nervous moments
-Nets are really nice. Permanent and level.
-Hole 9 is a GREAT hole that allows a person to see what they have in their arm.
-Hole 8 really allows for an accuracy check. It goes across the top of a hill and can go down it on either side.

Cons:

-No tee boxes.
-Pond is not enterable. If you lose your disc. It's gone.
-Can get crowded on hole 9 so you don't even get to play it because it goes over a public field where people gather.
-Many ways to lose a disc on this course.

Other Thoughts:

I love this course because it allows for a quick 9 or even 18 if you like. It's close to my house and offers many different kinds of shots.
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2 4
gbpremo
Experience: 20.1 years 59 played 4 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Great confidence booster 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 4, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is my home town course sadly.. I used to hate on it all the time but have come to like it. Its not very difficult but its large enought to occasionally pull out drivers. I typically use it for "field work" I just go out and throw multiple shots and the lack of people on the course makes this an option with out upsetting people.

Cons:

Concrete holding pins in place and none for tee boxes? What where they thinking? Short course. nothing to great. hole 9 is fun off the hill and its fun watching newer players throw and almost hit people in the skatepark.

Other Thoughts:

The mud in the pond is nasty and deep! KEEP OUT! there is a guy who lives in the apts. next door who will get your discs out for you.
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3 1
ejsandstrom
Experience: 12 played 6 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Good beginner course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Apr 25, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The big thing for me is, its close. However its usually not busy, with 2 - 3 holes in between groups. The first tee over the water can be tricky if you miss throw. The 9th hole off of the hill is fun. I like having 2 tees per hole. A group with different level players can still compete using the different tees. The 4th hole is shorter but is over the pond again and behind a tree, with the short tee in between a couple of tall bushes.

Cons:

It is SHORT. The longest hole is around 300'. There is also a skate park at the bottom of 9, and the kids can get rowdy and its possible to land in the middle of the skaters.

ETA: This park is built on top of a swamp. When it rains the course gets mucky. Water will come up under your feet while you walk along. Also with the lack of tee pads its usually a mud hole that you tee off from.

Other Thoughts:

There is a bathroom that is next to the 9th hole basket. Its also on the way to the 1st tee.
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3 0
mndiscg
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.8 years 480 played 478 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Short but pretty fun 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 28, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-Nice baskets, they are up on a pedestal thing that gives them an interesting look.
-Good use of the hill and pond. Makes for good risk/reward shots.
-You can get a quick round in. 20 minutes if its empty and the course didn't look like it was played too much. I saw only one other player when I was there.
-Good for teaching people the game.
-Some good ace runs and all the holes are deuce-able. Longest hole is down hill.
-Good parking with bathroom, garbage cans at the start.
-Pretty good course flow. Easy to navigate.

Cons:

-No real tees, they are marked by a wooden pole but no distance, map or anything. Just a hole number.
-Overall pretty short and not super challenging.
-Not alot wrong with it. Its just an average short course in a city park.

Other Thoughts:

Fun for a quick play or for practicing putts and approaches. A shelter, baseball field and skate park are here as well as multiple biking/walking paths. None of these activities are in the way too much though. Course starts between pond and apartment building along bike path.
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1 4
yangs1
Experience: 28.7 years 92 played 3 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Below Average Course 2+ years drive by

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

Pros:

Good practice course. Open holes. I spent 20-30 minutes just practicing putts on the last hole. Low traffic.

Cons:

Not much of a challenge. Course lacks any innovation at all. Very simple. There are way too many excellent courses in the Twin Cities area for this one to compete.

Other Thoughts:

Worth playing if you live in close proximity but definately not worth a drive. Drive to course in Becker, MN instead if you are headed up this way.
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5 0
Cradical
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.8 years 110 played 61 reviews
2.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 2, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nice short course with a good variety of different holes. One hole plays across a tiny part of a pond, and another hole is directly behind a lamppost.
There is some good elevation change on a couple holes, and one hole that has a tricky green that sits atop a ridge.
There are signs on most holes and the course layout is pretty good.

Cons:

It's hard to find the first tee when it's your first time playing here, but after that it isn't too bad.
All holes are short except number nine. Also, the distances on the signs are way off, it said a lot of the holes were way longer than they actually were except the last hole, which said it was shorter than it was.
There are only about 3 obstacles the whole course, which wouldn't be that bad if there was more distance.

Other Thoughts:

This park has some really weird ground, it's really bumpy. I'm talking foot in diameter mounds that stick out of the ground everywhere. This could just be seasonal, but I would imagine it's not. So when you play here, mind your footing.
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2 1
brentwood_17
Experience: 23 years 45 played 6 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Good Recreational Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 22, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Enjoyable recreational course, quick play, park setting great for families. Little distance between holes. Hole 8 along the ridge of the hill and Hole 9 shooting of the hill is just fun.

Cons:

Lack of obstacles namely trees. Every hole maybe minus hole 9 is an easy 3. Most every hole is drive then putt. Grass tees. When I played course was wet(early spring). Goose droppings were everywhere.

Other Thoughts:

Once you find hole 1(follow the path from the parking lot away from the skate park towards the water. 1st hole is just on the other side of the pond) this course works around in a circle and is not hard to follow at all.
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