Boone, IA

McHose Park

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3.135(based on 15 reviews)
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14 0
knobby325
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 8.7 years 323 played 248 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Some issues fixed...

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 22, 2022 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-Concrete tees
-Decent Baskets
-Good variety, wooded - open, long - short
-Some significant changes from red to blue tees
-Old holes 8-10 no longer in the mix (flooded out regularly)

Cons:

-Signage needs updated (as of July 2022 when I played, most had been removed)
-Number on the baskets need updated (as of July 2022)
-Still have 5 holes in the valley (or going up and down it)
-Very iffy bridge high above the creek from the #19 fairway to #20 tee.
-Long walk from #3 basket to #4 tee (especially red)
-Long way down and back up (down #16, Up #20)
-Disc loss possible on several holes

Other Thoughts:

McHose Park hosts a re-designed course on the southern edge of Boone, IA. Re-designed in 2022 to remove 3 of the holes in the valley that flooded on a regular basis and add a few up top. There will be many who will also miss the removal of old hole #3 which was a short shot over a deep ravine. A pretty shot, but a difficult walking route from the tee to basket. This basket has been re-used for #15. So, instead of over the one ravine on #3 and into the valley on #4, #3-#15 now stay up on the ridge. The old #4 is now #16, still going down what, at times, has been a sledding hill with about 50' of drop. #16-#19 play in the valley and while #16 is interesting with the blue playing over a small pond (red from a completely different direction away from the pond), #18 and #19 are still too near the creek. The baskets, while still in OK shape, have definitively taken a beating (see pic of Basket #18). There was a rickety bridge over the creek from the fairway of #19 to the tee for #20. #20 is about a 45% up angle and quite the climb back out of the valley. While there will be those who really enjoy the valley holes, I did not. Even with a pretty wide hill to throw down, I actually did not like #16. With having to go through the stream twice on #19, didn't care for that or the huge uphill for #20. With the 6 new baskets up top, there are 16 baskets up high. There is room between #3 and #4 where you could really add 2 holes. You would lose some of the character of the valley holes, but especially for a rec player towing a cart, they seemed almost part of another course (although I bailed before playing them my first time through a few years ago, so I never got the "pleasure" of playing old holes #8, #9 or #10) As of July, they had not gotten new signage in, but I'm sure it is coming. There are a couple of mandos in the mix, not sure for the reason for the one on #4, the one for #11 is keeping you out of the #12 fairway. Add the signage, if you're keeping the valley holes, strengthen up the bridge between #19 and #20, and maybe some benches around the big elevation changes to raise the rating for me. If I play again, I'll probably just stay up top, but who knows....
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5 1
LoewDog
Experience: 12 played 12 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Stay Away! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 21, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

Course starts off pretty good.

Love the shot over the gorge, the big swooping down hill and the shot over the pond.

Then...

Cons:

Crazy repetitive narrow holes that become an unplayable course as you get deep in the woods. I was very disappointed.

Other Thoughts:

This course needs some major updating and work to be worth going to.

Talked to a few locals who just play it as a nine hole and avoid the rest. Too bad, lots of promise.
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3 6
DjKilliQuik
Experience: 21.8 years 57 played 17 reviews
3.00 star(s)

very difficult course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 10, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course is very difficult. Definatly not for beginners. Mixture of long and short holes kind of on the long side. Hole 3 is pretty awesome to the throw from. Kind of tricky. Also like the hole over the pond. Dont see those too much around this area. Lots of good elevation changes and tree holes. All around a solid course

Cons:

The reason why i gave this a little lower score was because. A couple of the back woods holes were in peices. One them was missing a basket. And the one right after that was missing the tee pad. Which was unfortunate because that hole could have made the course for me.

Other Thoughts:

Maybe try to rework that one hole with no tee pad.
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9 0
mndiscg
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.8 years 480 played 478 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Potentially Great, Currently Frustrating 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 7, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

-18 Full holes which are all very different. Good shot variety and length. The overall length was very long and challenging. This course is hard!
-Holes like number 3
-Nice baskets
-Nice tee pads, dual tees on many.
-Reasonable signage
-Elevation in excess
-This part of park is disc golf only.
-Park is very clean

Cons:

-Horrible layout. There is long walks from basket to the next tee and even if you know the right direction you still might search for a long time.
-The wooded sections are too wooded and the underbrush is too thick. If you are playing alone plan on losing a disc or two or at least spending 6 hours playing the course because you will look for discs forever.
-The wooded holes are often too much of a challenge for just about any player. Some have multiple turns or doglegs to blind baskets with narrow fairways.
-Often going up or down hill is nearly impossible. The only way is narrow dirt trails that are slippery with any moisture on them. They often take you in roundabout ways to avoid the steepest parts of the hill. This means that you might throw then go on a trail exploration for 10 minutes. I didn't like leaving my Cryztal Z Buzzz sitting under hole 3 while I found my way over there.
-Bugs
-Poison Ivy
-No garbage cans or bathrooms on the course at all and this course can take awhile to play due to the length and difficulty of holes as well as looking for discs and tees.

Other Thoughts:

This course sucks to navigate. Play it with a local or take a picture of the large course map at the beginning and refer to it early and often. Play cautiously or have a spotter or you will lose discs and die from a combination of mosquito bites and poison ivy. This course could be great with more maintenance and added signage to make navigation easier. I would think that playing in the spring or fall could make the course better with less bugs and underbrush. Approach this course with caution.
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4 1
happytree290
Experience: 15.6 years 30 played 11 reviews
2.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 20, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The course is very creative, and challenging for anyone that plays it. This isn't a course for beginners. They have a good variety of wooded, and open shots.

Cons:

This course is a pain to navigate, especially when you get deeper into the course, and the wooded areas. There's no signs directing you where to go so my group ended up getting lost trying to find 9-12. I don't like walking through water, and I think they could do a better job of keeping up the wooded areas, and maybe adding a bridge or too so my shoes don't get wet. It really sucks walking half the course in soggy wet shoes. One of the bridges is shaky and part of the guard rail is missing so if you lose your footing and fall you'll probably break something. Don't like the steps on 3. Watch your footing and balance. If you're clumsy like me watch your feet because there are invisible tree stumps everywhere, and if your not looking you're likely to trip over several of them.

Other Thoughts:

I think this is a great course, but it's hard to navigate, and has a lot of safety issues that need to be addressed.
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6 0
NessMasta
Experience: 12.1 years 6 played 3 reviews
3.00 star(s)

The Most Xtreme Course By Far 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 1, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This course was my first time playing disc golf on my own and first time playing at McHose Park. The last few times I've played the game with either my friends or my Dad.

Anywho, the course is well located in a park that's just in town and not too far away. One of the things I like about this course is that it's very challenging from beginning to end, with the first drive has a nice little revine in between. But, if you plan on doing the full course instead of the recreational course, then you're in for one heck of a ride, my friend. Once you get to the 3rd drive, that's where the real fun begins.

Cons:

The challenging part from the pros can also be considered a con here, as it's pretty much the most brutal and tormenting course I have played by far, and it's really not a course for beginners, like me. I've received a handful of cuts and bruises, almost lost a disc twice and a water bottle, and was close to falling backwards a few times in a deep revine that's in the middle of the 3rd drive.

Also, Drives 3-11 are pretty much non-accessible with no trails from one drive to the next, no bridges over the river/creek and are not maintained well. When trying to play the 8th drive, it was impossible to find the basket, if only it was this net-type thing I found along the creek which was completely destroyed, and was kind of creepy and scary when walking down the path trying to find the 8th hole.

I never really completed the course in full. after the 10th drive and just went to the nearest drive when I got back to the recreational part of the park which was the 16th drive. I just couldn't bare the extreme part of the course any longer.

Other Thoughts:

Overall it's a well maintained course with the exception of drives 3-11. Those drives really don't have any clearance or a good clean fairway, some signs were missing and like I mentioned in the cons, there were really no bridges over the creek. So if they really want this course to be a full course, then they really need to start to maintain/fix drives 3-11 and make them accessible.
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7 0
ChubbyChad
Experience: 5 played 5 reviews
3.00 star(s)

S I C K 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 24, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

The first few holes you really appreciate the people who have kept it up.. Nice bridges, wooden steps, breathtaking views... Very challenging for all players.

Cons:

Went with a group of guys and we got totally lost around hole 9/10ish... You get real tired of bad shots being ate up by the deep revine. A couple holes were just unrealistic (minimum 6 to 8 shots)

Other Thoughts:

This course is GNARLY! By far the craziest course I have played in Iowa. If you are an accurate throw, you will love the shots you watch fly over the revine, if you are inaccurate, enjoy the journey. A buddy of mine summed it up best by calling this course " A hike with a little bit of disc golfing."
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3 0
disclover55
Experience: 39.9 years 23 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

mchose dg course a tourney course that ams can play 2+ years

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

Pros:

New facilities, large lavoratory, large permanent course sign ,water , two new bridges and steps built by the eagle scout org. New graded and graveled roads,New historical kiosk giving historical perspective on the park. Playground facilities in the park. Remember disc golf is a family activity/sport.
The course is set up holes 1+2/12-18 for amateurs. and holes 3-11 for hardcore, professional , physically gifted and those who have 3hrs+for a round of golf. The top course (amateur)is perfectly maintained by the city.SCENIC course large mature trees, Innova baskets, Low traffic on the course. Good location right off of highway 30. Restaurants and Walmart located just a few blocks away. Plenty of places to picnic and a log cabin is available through the park department .

Cons:

The course has been riddled with vandalism esp. when the course was installed.Signs are missing plus a basket on the bottom (hole8)
The bottom of the park is not maintained by the city and lack of bridges make accessibility a problem .
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4 0
claymcclellan
Experience: 20.3 years 73 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

next tee please 2+ years drive by

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

Pros:

This is the perfect park for a course. the elevation changes are perfect, the woods are perfect. lots of fun out at the course. most of the tee pads where good, and the pin placements were awesome.

Cons:

The only con that i found in this course was the up keep. specifically the tee signs, most of the pads didnt have tee signs and the ones that did, didnt tell you where the next tee was, making it very hard to find the next hole. i believe this course could be the best in the central iowa area if not the best in iowa only if they took care of that one little problem, and once more people started to play it as a result of that then you could expand the course if needed.

Other Thoughts:

Pro shop and a place to get drinks in the park would be nice.
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7 1
Clue
Experience: 30 years 109 played 11 reviews
4.00 star(s)

No Wimps, No Whiners 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 10, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

One of the best designs in the country. Holes 3,5, and 9 are 3 of the coolest par 3s you'll see anywhere. The par 4s are all incredibly tough. Steve Kenton is a protege of John Houck and you can see that signature all over the course. The option of the flatter 9 or the *experts only* 9 is a plus. The flat 9 is no picnic. 5 holes in excess of 500ft with an incredible canopy of mature trees makes it beautiful. The expert 9 has some of the toughest/beautiful terrain you'll ever play on.

Cons:

The caretakers do not do much to take care of this course and there are some unfinished spots including 3 creek crossings where you're likely going to get wet. The rough can be punishing and there are lots of places to lose discs.

Other Thoughts:

If polished, this would be one of my favorite courses. Nobody has shot 54 or better yet, but it's there.
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1 1
Caligolfer
Experience: 18 played 4 reviews
3.00 star(s)

There are nine holes that you really can't play 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 3, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This course can be very challenging if you play the back nine.

Cons:

Holes are closed if it has rained. There also 4 holes that are over 750 feet, and some holes are hard to find if you haven't been there before.

Other Thoughts:

Do not take out people who don't have at least a year of experience, because they will loose a disc.
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2 1
kcorkery
Experience: 15.7 years 36 played 1 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Nature Walk 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 22, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Lots of variation in shots, uphill, downhill, and across ravines. Front 9 is really wooded, and back 9 is longer holes with mature vegetation.

Cons:

This course is a good nature walk, not a good course. The distance from the end of a hole to the next pad was often a very long walk. Hole 9's fairway is the creek...

Other Thoughts:

Hole 8 does not have chains, and hole 9 is a dirt pad.
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3 2
G-MIL
Experience: 17.9 years 112 played 8 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Intense 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 30, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

"Intense" is my favorite word to describe this course. A great disc golf experience with a nature hike and exercise coming secondary. This course utilizes the land and resources to its utmost advantage challenging BH, FH and OH shots and any caliber of player. Great use of elevation that make for fun tee shots. Next to the first tee are seasonal restrooms and a well pump for water. The upper 9 and the lower 9 are almost night and day. Like said before to really get the experience that this course has to offer one must play the entire 18. 1-2 and 12-18 make up the upper 9 mostly flat with multiple tees and 3-11 make up the lower 9. Hole 3 starts the lower 9 with a tee across a giant ravine, despite the intimidation factor this hole is my personal favorite. Hole 5's long tee plays over the pond from the opposite side as the pin. Hole 7 throws over moving water twice that rewards a good drive and good second shot. Hole 8 tees off a bluff over moving water to another bluff that becomes a long tunnel of a fairway. Hole 9 tees off the hillside and winds up the stream to the opposing side of a giant bluff (my second favorite hole). The water is great to test accuracy and control. Accurate shots are rewarded so bring your game when playing this course. Great way to spend some free time.

Cons:

During summer plant-life can be unforgiving off of fairways including a plethora of thorn bushes. Play can take longer than expected most rounds because time spent looking for or retrieving discs. Like said before wait a few days after a rain before heading out because the course doesn't take rainfall well.

Other Thoughts:

This course is a gem tucked away in a town and area where disc golf isn't dominate. Bring plenty of fluids and wear essential foot protection, for summer play sandal-style Keens are excellent shoes for the lower 9. This course is challenging, no 2 ways about it but is a great stop or destination if you consider yourself a true disc golf player. If you are in the Des Moines/Ames area come play this course.
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3 1
jdggna
Experience: 18.1 years 23 played 13 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Outdoor Adventure 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 21, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The course is very outdoors oriented. It is as much like a hike as it is disc golfing once you're on holes 3 through 11 (the lower nine).
It is a very challenging course overall, but besides the lower nine they are akin to most other courses. The top nine can be played separately if you aren't looking to go for the hike, though I think this takes a lot away from the overall feel of the course.
The course makes great use of elevation.
There are tunnel shots, holes bending right and left, uphill and downhill, long bombs...essentially covering most types of throws.
The top nine have two tees. A second tee isn't needed for most of the lower nine, and the only one that does, has one.
Water come into play on several holes.
There is a small shelter about halfway through the course. (No water, restrooms, etc. but it did have a table to rest at)
There are bathrooms in the park.
The course has never been busy when I've been there.
Poor throws are punished.

Cons:

It is VERY thick in the summer, so it's easy to loose discs if you aren't accurate.
If you have a bad hole, it might be enough to make you decide to play the rest extremely cautiously, taking away a great deal of fun from the course.
There are multiple water crossings required for this course, most of which don't have a bridge. They are across a creek, so it can be walked easily, but this is not a course for sandals. Waterproof boots are fine for most of it, but depending on rainfall it might still be over the top of most recreational hiking boots. We usually just do it barefoot since most of them are paved road crossings.

The course doesn't handle rain well, though it wouldn't be anywhere near the same experience if it did. Plan to come out when it hasn't rained for a few days.

Other Thoughts:

If it has rained recently, you probably shouldn't play it.
If you don't like hiking, you probably shouldn't play it.
If you don't like a hard challenge, you probably shouldn't play the lower nine.
I think this course is a lot of fun, though it is very challenging. To par the course would be extraordinary, as there are only a few that offer relatively easy birdie chances. To truly experience what this course is like, the lower nine holes must be played. Be prepared though. I bring plenty of water and a few snacks as well. Power, accuracy, and shot selection are all needed to do well on this course, and missing one of them for only one hole can be devastating to your score.

Hole 3 is really an incredible hole. It isn't the most difficult throw, but throwing over the ravine is intimidating and makes it feel amazing when you drop it right next to the pin.

Check the link section for a map I found. It will make finding tees much easier, especially holes 3 through 11. The map came from iowadg.com, so give credit to whomever posted it there.
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1 5
SpikeHyzer
Experience: 21.1 years 110 played 33 reviews
4.00 star(s)

What a course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 22, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

As a whole, this course is TOUGH. It will challenge you physically and mentally. A good mix of short and long holes(Par 3's, Par 4's & Par 5's). You will need every shot in the bag as you will encounter long doglegs left and right, tight tunnels, water, etc. In the summer, you might want to bring some extra plastic with as you could possibly lose some. The elevation is definitely a bit more difficult than the description suggests.

Cons:

If you are playing the full 18, the flow can be tough to follow at times.

Other Thoughts:

If you have ever heard of or played Ozark Mountain, this is kind of a miniature version of it.
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