Sacramento, CA

John Mackey Park

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2.945(based on 33 reviews)
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5 0
Philrmonic66
Experience: 2.7 years 9 played 7 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Funky Urban Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 11, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

- the course is not crowded. Today was a beautiful day and I managed to get around very quickly
-Two practice baskets, one of which has pavers set at 5 ft intervals starting with 10 ft.
- Surprisingly long (I'm a beginner) considering the amount of space available
- Really wide variety of shots necessary to score well.
-The layout and maintenance are excellent. Piles of fallen branches are well placed to increase the challenge.
-The signage is great. There could be a sign pointing to hole 6, but there is an obvious path in the right direction.
-The railroad tracks and overpass, along with a concrete structure (I think this is some kind of flood control area) that is graffitied give the course a gritty, urban feel that's quite cool.
-Multiple tee pads and basket placements (I went around twice and there was a guy behind me changing baskets, so I got to see 2 of them) make for a ton of variety.
-Some basket placements within fallen trees, while they were hard to find my first time on the course, they were really interesting.
- Surprisingly clean considering that a homeless camp is not far away

Cons:

- Gopher holes. I fell in a few. Really want to watch out and protect those ankles.
- The grass is a bit high right now.
- No restrooms.
- Some may find the part of town this course is in less than desirable.

Other Thoughts:

Look. This place is just plain funky. An earlier reviewer lauded this course for repurposing what was otherwise unused space. I couldn't agree more. This course is by no means the quality of some others in the area in terms of nature/beauty, but it does provide a unique disc golf experience that I quite enjoyed, in spite of the poor quality of my play. By the way... you would have to call this an intermediate course. To score well, being able to throw consistently over 300 (which I haven't gotten to yet) is a must.
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6 0
bobmcnelly
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.9 years 324 played 189 reviews
2.50 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 3, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

- two concrete tee options for all 9 holes
- decent tee signs with plenty of information
- good range of distances for a 9 holes course
- good variety of shots shapes required to hit the lines
- quick play course, parking right by hole 1

Cons:

- navigation of the course is not super obvious, you may have to double back a few times
- some baskets don't seem to have the correct number on them
- tee sign lines don't seem to be incredibly accurate

Other Thoughts:

Fun little quick play 9 hole. Some new tee signs, new basket numbers and a couple of navigation signs could turn this course into a top notch 9 hole course.
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2 1
Joecuzzi
Experience: 9 played 5 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Good lil 9 hole 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 20, 2017 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Fun Course, not too crowded, good for beginners. Mackey was the 2nd course I ever played and it helped me enjoy disc golf. (1st time I played was at Carmichael and I played that one time and didn't play disc golf again for 2 to 4 years)

Cons:

The homeless unfortunately camp out here on hole 1, but you wouldn't know it unless you play in the morning.
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4 0
the_bird
Experience: 6.8 years 11 played 11 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Disc Golf and Crust Punks!! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 29, 2017 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-Challenging holes for a beginner/novice like me. I definitely had to bring out my furthest flying discs, and I still couldnt get to the circle off the tee.

-A couple of HUGE old oak trees. Man, they really are beautiful.

-Loved the practice area. I need to go back and use that practice putting area, because my putting SUCKS.

Cons:

-I did feel like the shot/disc variety lacked a little...I was going driver-putter, driver-putter on every hole.

-There are definitely some sketch-balls in the park. The time I played there were two golfers on the course the whole time i was there, and there were 6 sketch-balls (errr. homeless, hobos, crackheads). They had the disc golfers out numbered 3 to 1 on a disc golf course!!!

Other Thoughts:

Just a nice, fun urban course. It's awesome that the Sacramento area has the variety.
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2 0
cboucher
Experience: 11.8 years 20 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Hidden Gem in Sacramento 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 18, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Challenging layout with many holes in the 300 to 400 foot range.
Multiple pin locations on every hole, some with 3 or 4.
Great use of elevation and terrain.
Course flowed well, no crossing fairways despite smallish area of land allotted to disc golf.
Good signage/navigation.
Park is clean and well maintained.
Lots of big oak trees to provide obstacles for otherwise open shots.
Use of fallen/dead trees as strategically placed obstacles.
Good sized, concrete tee pads.
Benches at every tee (most looked new or just well maintained).
Good variety, no two holes felt at all the same.
Disc golf course is well separated from other park activities (playground).
Good use of O.B. areas.
Two practice baskets.

Cons:

No restrooms.
Very limited parking.
A couple of the baskets had a little rust, but nothing major.

Other Thoughts:

Finding this course was kind of a happy accident. One day after work, I had dropped off my wife and son at this political rally thing and had like an hour or so to kill before I had to go and pick them back up. So, I looked up the nearest disc golf course to where I was and found this place. Honestly, I was expecting a small, pitch and putt type course when I first pulled up and saw the playground. I only grabbed a Roc and a putter figuring this was a short course, but this place was anything but. These were decent sized holes that required fairway and distance drivers. Even though the hole lengths were comparable to a lot of 18 and 27 hole, big courses I've played, the guy(s) who designed this course managed to fit the same kinds of holes into a relatively small triangle-shaped piece of land without any crossing fairways or wonky navigation. I was really impressed with the course design. Because of this, the course plays much like the big courses, but without the really long walks between holes. This was great because for one, I didn't have a lot of time to play the course and also I had my 3 year old daughter with me (she caddied my putter for me, she's awesome). I think when I go back (which will be soon) I'll definitely be loading up with some drivers.
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1 2
nathanbutgame
Experience: 5 played 5 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Pretty good 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 27, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Very open so good for practicing long drives
Holes are pretty spread out for the most part, so not much danger in crossfire
Seem to keep up the hole placements pretty well

Cons:

Definitely some questionable people wandering around the park
Took a minute to find hole 3 basket and hole 4, but made sense after we found it
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2 1
sumo21
Experience: 10.2 years 35 played 26 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Bring out the Howitzers 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 16, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

1) Easy access to course using public transit and a quick 5 minute walk
2) Practice basket
3) Improvements to the course almost every time I pass it riding the light rail
4) Mostly open course, so big arms get to break loose
5) Hole 6 has a setup like USDGC hole 7 with fencing around the basket and an opening in the fencing in front of the basket
6) Water fountain

Cons:

1) No bathroom on site or anywhere within walking distance
2) During my rounds, I would see many loiterers around the fencing separating the course from the train tracks

Other Thoughts:

-If you like open courses, this is one that you must play.
-Hole 2, if not on long, is tucked away about 350 feet on the slope of the overpass.
-Holes 6 and 8 criss cross.
-7 is along the fencing near the train tracks so any RHBH hyzer shot may end up OB and/or highly improbable run over by the train or light rail.

Play with a partner or group, due to the loiterers on the course, mostly by the course/track fencing.
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2 0
DBGtony
Experience: 7 played 1 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Small but fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 22, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Course board had a good map. (took a pic as reference).
-OBs had access to get lost discs for the most part.
-They have placed lots of dead trees around to add to course but not so much that your afraid to reach in to retrieve your disc.
-They put up some fencing on the back to add to difficulty a bit, the first round it is hard to see.

Cons:

-Parking isn't very good.
-I went during a very dry season/year so the ground was hard as concrete and not much grass. (maybe a lot better other seasons)
-There were lots of "world wonderers" on the course constantly walking around and riding bikes but they seem to respect the rules and pause for throws.
-A few holes were in a funny order but I watched some locals just jump to the hole that was closer. (6-8 I think)

Other Thoughts:

Really good course for a quick niner. Wasn't too crowded that day but watch for track jumpers crossing into the course.
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2 2
elvenschool
Experience: 41.9 years 12 played 12 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Seasonal Changes 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Apr 23, 2021 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Seasonal changes in the vegetation adjusts the challenge as the year progresses -- easier in winter, harder in summer, when all the trees and bushes are fully leafed.
Changing tee positions keep up the challenge.
For a park course, has a number of lengthy holes (depending on tee placement).

Cons:

Thick pants are essential when the weeds are about, as stickers abound.
Fallen trees and weeds make the possibility of lost discs real.
Railroad tracks come into play as OB on east side holes.

Other Thoughts:

Well-planned course layout, making best use possible of a compact location. Trees come into play wherever they can, and designers used what little elevation is available. Good for a quick nine, as it's seldom busy.
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5 0
Mavurick
Experience: 5 played 5 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Full little course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 18, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The course has been upgraded a few weeks ago. There is new orange center tape on all 9 course baskets and the 1 practice basket. There are new number stickers on the Tee signs. Each basket has been re-labeled with its respective hole number. Over the past few years some trees have fallen. A few locals have made to obstacles around the baskets with the fallen tree branches. There are now 2 basket placements for almost every hole.

Due to the depressed basins throughout the park, there is some slight up and down shots. A number of baskets are on the edge of a slope.

Other than a small playground, the rest of the park is a disc golf course. Sometimes people walk through the holes passing through. But usually you only have to wait for other disc golfers.

The average hole distance is 300'. There are a few 400' holes when the baskets are in those respective placements.

Cons:

The tee pads will be narrow for some. They could be a bit longer too. But overall the concrete pads are in good shape.

Lately the horses in the park have been sparse. I have only been delayed once by a few minutes as they rode through hole #6 to get to their stables. But I heard they sometimes train in the park. That would be a problem.

There are a few vagrants passing through from time to time. Due to frequent disc golfers, the vagrants don't hang around long though.

It is a popular park with the local disc golfers. Unless you come really early you most likely will not have it to yourself - even on the weekdays. There can be big groups of disc golfers on weekends too. I have seen groups up to 20!

Other Thoughts:

Overall it is a small enjoyable course to keep up on your beginner or intermediate skills if you live in Sacramento County.
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4 0
Mr_Limo
Experience: 11.2 years 15 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Decent creatively planned course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 21, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Creative layout in a small neighborhood park. Good use of the area.

Cons:

Dusty in the summer. Nice open course, different from my home courses near the coast.

Other Thoughts:

Decent little 9 hole course tucked in between a couple of neighborhood streets and some train tracks. Course was dry and barren when I played, but it's early fall and the rains have yet to start to fall. Really creative use of the space, since it's very limited. Short to medium-long distance holes are mostly straight, with a couple of Mando's around some large gnarly oaks. I'll go back when I'm in the area.
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4 1
The Valkyrie Kid
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 45.9 years 1563 played 1507 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Home To Some Gnarly Oaks! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 26, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

I had a difficult time finding John Mackey Park, once I finally stumbled upon it, I was pleased with the course. The park was parched dry and brown in mid-August but I understand it greens up rather nicely during other months of the year. Also, you can tell it's green from the pics. The park utilizes a piece of land sitting between a busy street and electric train tracks. The triangle shaped piece of property was probably an eyesore before the course was put in.
The course features Mach 3 baskets, concrete teepads, basic fiberglass tee signs, garbage cans, benches, and a water fountain.

The main obstacles on the course are mature Oak trees some of which are quite gnarly and bent. One of these makes up the designing feature of what I feel is the signature hole on the course, # 6. It's just 264', slightly downhill, but it's the basket placement tucked into this large, gnarly, uprooted Oak which really defines the hole. It also happens to be an interesting ACE run, too.

The course has just enough elevation to make things interestings and OB on # 1 and # 7 add to their challenges.

There were lots of groups on the course when I played including many more couples than I'm used to seeing. Nice to see that.

Cons:

The course was not very pleasing to look at here in August, just kinda brown and desolate looking but I hear it greens up during the wetter months.
It might be a little too open for some people's tastes.

Other Thoughts:

Popular course utilizing an otherwise wasted piece of property. I loved seeing the couples out playing. Unforunately my wife throws like a girl!
This course is just long enough, has just enough challenge, has just enough amentities to be the nice little course that it is.

My only question is, "Is this course named after the old Baltimore Colts Tight End, John Mackey?" I seem to recall him being from Sacramento.
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2 0
ZdybelT
Experience: 12.9 years 55 played 16 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Nice urban course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 16, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Baskets in good condition.
-Easy to find next hole with great signage.
-Locals were very friendly.
-Decent use of land

Cons:

-need trashcans. trash everywhere.
-Need more shot variations, seemed repetitive.

Other Thoughts:

This was a decent course to play at. Met some very nice locals and were ab le to play through with no problems. I felt like there could have been more variations of shots as most distances were about the same and basket was dead ahead. it is a great long range nine hole course but could also be improved.
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2 1
swampdisk
Experience: 20.3 years 57 played 6 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Sacramento desert 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 16, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

-long and short holes
-easy to navigate
-cement tee pads
-newer baskets

Cons:

-HOT!
-hole 7 and the train tracks

Other Thoughts:

This is a good 9-hole course. I wouldn't recommend this to new players on the fact that there are more 350'+ holes than short. I think its hole 7 that is next to the train tracks that if u shank you have to find a hole in the fence.
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4 2
kwmowery
Experience: 4 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Good course! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 30, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Good use of space...I showed up and thought the holes would be on top of each other...I was surprised with the layout...
can't remember, but I think it was the 6th hole is the orange pole in the corner...

Cons:

next to train tracks...and it always happens...when it is in the back of your mind....it usually goes that direction...ask those that were with me...

Parking could be better...
As for the neighborhood...I would not be afraid of any one breaking into my vehicle during the day. I did however have my motorcycle and was a bit skeptical that some one could stroll by and take what ever they wanted out of my saddle bags...

Other Thoughts:

could be in a better part of the world...but could also be in a worse place...out of all the ones in Sacramento, this one is up there as a go-to-disc golf course. I will play again and bring a few friends that are avid player in the hills for sure.

While playing a random person on a horse just strolled through...we all looked at each other and then went on to the next hole.
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3 4
Speedly
Experience: 13.8 years 14 played 10 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Meh. 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Feb 21, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

- A variety of long and short holes. I think I threw all but my Firebird on this course.
- Good signage, concrete teepads.
- Some interesting pin locations. One is up on a hill in a hidden spot, another is right in the nook of a gnarl of trees, very hard to get to.

Cons:

- Landscape pretty barren.
- Although nothing happened, the fact that the course is around a playground makes me nervous for the kids.
- Directly next to pretty active train tracks.
- I swear, I've never picked up so many stickers in my shoes as I did in one round at this place. =P
- I don't think the distances listed on some of the holes are accurate. I could be wrong, though.

Other Thoughts:

The train tracks are a big annoyance, although they were there first. The lightrails don't make all that much noise, but the freight train that rolled through was pretty loud. I can't imagine living there, those poor people must be insane with the sleep deprivation. While I had no incidents, I saw someone toss one into the train area. Not only is it a possibility to lose plastic, but venturing into an active train area is dangerous!

A poor candidate for night golf, I think. Lots of deep squirrel holes, and not in the best of neighborhoods.

Overall, not a bad course, but not my favorite either. Something about this place rubs me the wrong way, but I can see how locals would flock here.

I wish the course the best of luck in the future.

Update: Score bumped up and comments changed.
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2 0
Sitzmann420
Experience: 14.2 years 78 played 5 reviews
3.00 star(s)

John Mackey 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 10, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Decent variety of long to medium shots
-Tee pads are swept regularly and a few of the locals keep the place clean
-Benches on about every other hole
-Tee signs on every hole with length
-Multiple pin placements
-People and dog friendly

Cons:

-Similar holes in terms of length and technicality
-Gets flooded in the winter months
-Neighbors across the street sometimes like to heckle the disc golfers
-Need a big arm

Other Thoughts:

Overall a great course for family and your typical disc golfers alike.. Check out the bilboard for local events and weekly doubles/singles.
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5 1
Discology1
Experience: 20.1 years 24 played 2 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Good Use of Space with Some Flaws 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Dec 7, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

John Mackey is another solid example of the sport of disc golf moving into an un, or under-utilized land area and providing a recreational opportunity for the community where one otherwise wouldn't exist.

The layout here is great for such a small area especially since three of the holes play over 400' and it is easy to navigate without a map. For the most part the holes are spread far enough apart to limit cross paths from errant throws. The topography is utilized very well which creates elevation changes of about 10-15 feet on a few holes helped out by some of the baskets being located on small knolls instead of on the flats. Overall the trees that are on the course are used fairly well. Advertised as a 9 hole course, there is a 10th hole (5 1/2) that plays to the 8th basket. Overall this course is uncrowded and groups let you play through - take that Shady!

Cons:

"Noisy" trains is an understatement - defeaning is more accurate - though only intermittantly and on certain holes close to the tracks. Some of the holes would be bettter and more challenging if the layout was tweaked a little more around the fine oaks. 18 holes would be nice, but this space wouldn't handle it. Also, the tees are smallish (4x10) so if your stride is long, it may bother you. The neighborhood is bad = drug use is apparent, though the disc golfers are fine.

Other Thoughts:

A great course to play on the way home or on a lunch break. I've played it two times and will be back.
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3 1
elton807
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.8 years 56 played 56 reviews
3.50 star(s)

The Mack in Sac 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 28, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

I love the use of what would otherwise be wasted land near a freeway on ramp. This is a legit bombs away 9-hole course, that plays in less than an hour. Love the fact that it's DG only space, other than the nearby playground.

Cons:

Hot & dry. All the grass was browned out & dead. I bet late spring/early summer would be the ideal time to play here.

Other Thoughts:

This course is quite comparable to Hellyer Park in San Jose, except flatter with less trees.
=================
Uniqueness: B+ (great use of land; dedicated; near live trains)
Difficulty: B (longish; mild elavation changes)
Fun Factor: B+ (variety of drives required; bombs away)
Aesthetics: B- (could be cleaner; played during brown/dried-out season)
---------------------
Overall: B+
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2 2
tgashby
Experience: 12.7 years 14 played 6 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Fun Course, just be careful 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 20, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

9 relatively long holes, for the space they have to work with
Decent Layout
Fun for a beginner, lots of wide open shots

Cons:

Having grown up near this area, I can tell you that it's not the best neighborhood. Just be cautious, haven't seen any problems yet.
Not too many obstacles for the more seasoned players.

Other Thoughts:

Great park in the Sacramento area if you can't make it out to Shady Oaks.
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