Huntsville, TX

Shawshank

4.485(based on 40 reviews)
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15 2
Lucideye
Experience: 4.7 years 25 played 3 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Best course I have ever played. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 19, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

Best course I have ever played. So much variety, every hole was completely different. The owner is super friendly and welcoming, you feel his love for the sport oozing out of every pore. There is so much, thought, care and mantainance put into this course it is unreal. A must visit for sure. Benches, trash cans, scoring podiums, at every hole. Flags, ropes and stones marking every ob. The best tee pads I have ever used. Houston is as flat as it gets, so any elevation is fun, but the elevation changes are integrated into the course well. I just wish I lived closer.

Cons:

Bring discs you dont like, there are a couple holes that have thirsty water hazards. 18 is..... hero or zero, I didnt even try. Remember to bring water, or other drinks with you, this is not near any gas stations or stores. Less mosquitos than I see in Houston, but there are some.... there really are not any cons to the course itself.

Other Thoughts:

Steve came out and spent some time with us, again I cant be thankful enough for what he has created. If you are anywhere near this course, find a way to head over. I have played around 30 courses and still say this is the best.
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1 6
mykalkross
Experience: 7 played 6 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Amazing course with very few cons. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 6, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is an amazing course and i could go on all day about the pros but by this time you've already read them all. Just a great course

Cons:

The cons are few and far between. The only things I have a problem with are a few holes that are near impossible to hit unless done 100% perfect and my big one is the I played awhile back and on hole I think 21 (one with the water hazard on top of the hill) my disc went in water. When I saw it there was a snake by it, the snake seemed un-fazed as I threw sticks at it to get it away. After finally giving up and going on I talked to owner about it. Not only did he know about the snake, he was proud it's there, and bragged about another snake on another hole. I will play again but that is a very annoying thing because all it takes is one person getting bit to ruin a reputation and good experience.
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6 4
Aegis2017
Experience: 2 played 1 reviews
4.50 star(s)

@ 29 Degrees & Still Greatness 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 1, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

Lots of pros. Extremely well maintained. Great for big arms and average arms (like mine). Difficult shots and lay up shots abound with 23 baskets. The impossible shots are more makeable than the treelines suggests...with exception to basket 18. Conjugal Visit is where disc go to die. A basket in the pond and a rowboat to retrieve is brilliant but the actual basket is behind the pond.

Shawshank Redemption is one of my top 10 favorite movies and playing the course was an absolute blast.

Cons:

Lookout for basket 21. You don't see the water hazard from the tee box.

The baskets are hard to see with exception to the Innova yellow baskets.

Other Thoughts:

Huntsville State Prison and the home of Shawshank Disc Golf Course is brilliance. Hats off to Steve for having the creative genius to marry the two. Great experience.
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13 0
markmcc
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.9 years 278 played 254 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Outstanding Themed Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 22, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

With the Texas prison system headquarters in nearby Huntsville, designing Shawshank with a jailhouse theme was pure genius. From the signage to the hole names (The Green Mile, Parole Board, Conjugal Visit...) this is a unique disc golf experience.

Hole lengths vary from 189' out to 598', but for the most part they were less than 325'. With rolling terrain providing uphill and downhill shots, three ponds adding challenge and danger, and endless trees requiring accuracy and distance control, there is no end to the variety.

This course places an absolute premium on accuracy and control, rather than raw power and distance. Since I don't have a big arm (300' ish) I enjoyed the challenge a great deal.

Holes range from somewhat open to incredibly tight. Holes 4 and 5 (Jail and The Tunnel) play between planted rows of pines that are less than 10' apart. Your challenge is to see how far you can throw an absolutely dead-straight drive. I didn't get to the basket cleanly on either hole, but sure enjoyed the challenge.

All three ponds will eat your discs. I tried the "safe" play on Hole 6 by throwing a anny off to the right, only to hit a tree that kicked it directly into the pond. But I threw in from the drop-zone on the dock for a circle three! Small victories...

Course infrastructure is very good. Mach V (mostly) baskets catch fine. The tee pads are large, flat, and covered with rubber mats. Very well built and perfect to throw from. Tee signs all share the same Texas Department of Criminal Disc Golf motif, and provide hole name, number, distance and par. Plenty of next hole signs make navigation a snap.

This is pay-to-play disc golf at it best!

Cons:

I played on a bright, sunny morning, and the DGA baskets were practically invisible in the dappled shade. This being my first round out there, I ended up walking 2/3 of the way up on many (most?) of the holes to determine where the basket was located. The two Innova baskets out there showed up great. Love the yellow bands!!

The tee signs are unique, but lack any kind of hole diagram. Kind of goes along with my comment above that first-timers will spend a lot of time walking forward to determine lines and basket locations.

Other Thoughts:

Huge shout to the the Defrane family for building this course and making it available to us for the princely sum of $5. Such a beautiful property and a great experience.

Didn't get to play with Steve, but his German Shepard "Hadley" accompanied us through the course. He is well behaved and doesn't chase discs, and was amusing to watch as he chewed the padding off of the trees, swam in the ponds, and carried a Box Turtle around for a few holes until we distracted him long enough to rescue the poor thing (unharmed).

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3 10
Trinitydisc
Experience: 7 played 7 reviews
3.00 star(s)

A good must play 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 26, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

I'm not going to go on about all the features that you can read about in all the other reviews. So it's a fun, challenging course some holes a little more than others. That said I can't really argue with what all the others say.

Cons:

My first time playing so that is what my review is based on. I like the hole markers but they need tee signs that show the hole layout(OB, etc.) Baskets are hard to see through all the trees. we had to walk several holes just to figure out some kind of idea of what to do. Some tee boxes are starting to show some wear.
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8 5
BostonDG
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
3.00 star(s)

good/bad 2+ years drive by

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

Pros:

The course is well maintained and laid out in a thoughtful manner in terms of the varied types of shots (straight technical shots thru numerous trees and open shots for testing your driving distance).
Numerous amenities on site such as a small camp area, a cabin to rent. Water jug for refills on #17, good tee boxes. A basket near the back pond was out of play due to the recent rain. The pond near the entrance is challenging.

Cons:

No cons as far as the course itself but more of a comment on the owner. The folks are nice but Steve seems a little too familiar with guests property. I didn't appreciate him going into my disc bag to help himself to a disc for a throw he didn't retrieve. Also, we had friends surprise us from Boston that we hadn't seen in a while and the owner and groundskeeper invited themselves into our group...we were unable to finish a round as we had 7 additional folks added. Yes, I know we could have told him no but they didn't really ask and this put us in an awkward situation as he is the owner but we wanted to finish a round with our long time friends.

Other Thoughts:

I enjoy the course but will not be returning as the interaction with Steve somewhat ruined our trip.
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4 10
kilteddiscer
Experience: 49.1 years 60 played 2 reviews
5.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 28, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

None it's a prison!!!! All shots are needed to score well, boxes and signage are excellent in my opinion, you must control the urge to boom it. Birdies are all over the place, but you must play smart.

Cons:

Full of them! It's a prison town!!! Too far from my home!

Other Thoughts:

Must play this course. If you are afraid of your rating, don't play it in a tournament! One of the top courses I have ever played, tough, makes you think. Night Golf here is an experience not to be missed!!!! DuFranes are excellent hosts and the setting is awesome, bring the wife and rent his cabin for a truly wonderful experience.
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2 2
Meho20
Experience: 8.9 years 24 played 3 reviews
5.00 star(s)

My Favorite Course to Play 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 30, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

By far the best course I have played!

You need every shot to play this course well. This course will challenge your mental and physical game.

Some of the best holes are #5 Tunnel Shot, #8 Hyzer Express, #11-#15 Murderer's Row some tough holes but challenging, #18 Conjugal Visit and #23 Tin Cup!!

Teebox's are well built and in great shape.
Seating at every hole and usually a trash can too!

Steve is a great host!!!

Pay to Play $5 - worth every penny!! (Keeps the riff raff out and course clean)

Cons:

No real negative here. Only thing is no wide open hole to really let loose on.

Other Thoughts:

Take the time to go to this course it is well worth the trip and the $5. Make sure to call Steve before you head out and if you don't meet him while you play, make sure to call him and thank him for having the Number FUN course!!!
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1 7
Danielle
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Breaking out of jail 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 30, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This course is a mix of technical shots and skilled shots. If you get to talk to Steve he will tell you everything you need to know to navigate and play the course well. It is designed to play smart. The best shot isn't always how far you can get it. Don't be afraid to just pitch a putter till you can put. Must give warden a good belly rub for good luck!

Cons:

I really didn't find any cons in this course. It makes you think differently about how you go about playing. If challenges you technically and makes you re think how you play the game.

Other Thoughts:

Go for the pond hole! dont be sacred
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11 0
kerplunk
Experience: 16.1 years 42 played 17 reviews
4.50 star(s)

One of my favorites 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 30, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Good mix of holes- uphill, downhill, left, right.
-Beautiful location.
-Long rubber teepads (on some holes and will soon be all, I believe).
-Water holes that are fair but challenging.
-Very well manicured, especially for tournaments (Steve loves his rollers).
-Possible to camp on-site (and play glow, I think).
-Tin cup hole # 23. Plays as an island with the driveway circle as OB. The basket is a fountain in a pretty rock arrangement. VERY cool.
-23 holes
-Playing in a tree farm is different from playing in normal woods- very cool and unique experience on those holes.
-Trash cans and benches on most holes (maybe all, I wasn't really counting).
-Very friendly and helpful course owner.
-Drinking in moderation is allowed. Leave sober!
-Private course a little out of the way means less "riff-Raff," meaning a cleaner course and a very good chance of recovering any lost discs. But the chances of losing a disc here (other than in the water) are pretty low.
-At tournaments, golf carts will take you from your car to the tournament headquarters. That's service!

Cons:

-Only one set of teepads.
-Out of the way- actually kind of a pro in my book, except the long drive.
-No chance to really crush an open drive for you big-arm folks.
-No pro-shop and nothing very close for drinks, snacks, etc.
-Costs $5 to play. Well worth it, but I gotta be objective.
-Tee signs aren't good, but the available scorecard should usually suffice.

Other Thoughts:

This is easily one of my favorite 3 courses, the only other "top course" I have played is Flyboy and I would only rate the entire experience 0.25 discs lower than that. Great mix of holes that will test just about every shot in your bag, except maybe your huge hyzer bomb. Three water holes that are fair and fun, and your inked discs will typically be retrieved and kept in the lost and found. I like "fair" wooded courses and Shawshank has many holes that fit that description, but there are also a few that are more open. But as I mentioned, you won't be throwing a hyzer bomb further than ~350 ft here, and there are only about two holes that need that. However, that is the necessary shot on those holes, which I think shows how diverse of a course Shawshank is, other than the lack of really long, open holes.

Some of the wooded holes play through a tree farm, meaning the trees are very evenly spaced and similar in size. This is very cool and really adds to the whole "jail" experience.

Shawshank really is a "must-play" course, and well worth devoting a weekend to go check out. After you go once it most likely won't be the last time.
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2 4
DeadEye
Experience: 43 played 11 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Awesome 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 22, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

What can you say about Shawshank? It's amazing. Teeboxes, holes, fun throws, water shots, tunnel shots, unique fairways, downhill, uphill, flicks, hyzers, rollers, everything is here. The land is absolutely amazing, the family is absolutely amazing, the teeboxes are just as good of not better than concrete, it's just awesome. I've played numerous Houck courses, and this one is just as good if not better than the best of them. Steve has done an amazing job.

Cons:

The baskets could be better, I understand wanting to do them slightly portable and not wanting to concrete Discatcher 28s in the ground, but it is a con.

Signage. This course could use better signage. Some of the holes you have to walk ahead to see where you're throwing.
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1 5
dduffer
Experience: 22.8 years 47 played 3 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Love Shawshank 2+ years drive by

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

Pros:

Private Course with no Riff Raff. The DuFranes are always great hosts. Good mix of shots that will definitely test your focus. A good short game with good shot shaping is a must. You can't beat the atmosphere at Shawshank. It's a great release from the city. I'm lucky to be within 45 minutes.

Cons:

Not a great course for the guys that only like to let it rip on open courses. This one has some long drive opportunities, but you still have to shape your shot.

Other Thoughts:

It's good to bring deet in warmer months.
Always make sure to say hi to Warden the DuFranes black lab and give him a good belly rub. If you haven't played before he is usually happy to walk you through at least the first 9 holes until you come back by the house. Then it is his nap time on the porch.
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14 5
Bill at Flip
Experience: 44.9 years 34 played 1 reviews
5.00 star(s)

so thats what jail is like..... 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 29, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

First time in Texas. Had to get to this one. Great theme based course. Tee pads were big and grippy. Interesting construction. Nice signs, with a name for every hole. Good use of elevation. Challenging lines throughout this gem. The water holes, and the fountain put it over the top. This course is way off the beaten path. Kinda reminds me of Flip. Peaceful, and secluded.

Cons:

A couple holes were overly tight. Unnatural flite path. In fact, I told my son I wish I had my whip, it would be a quick fix. After talking to Steve, the owner, I understand the par 4 part of being in jail. And yes, part of the theme. Don't change a thing.

Other Thoughts:

Being a course owner, I'm biased on private courses. Thanks Steve, for putting this together. My family, and I enjoyed ourselves.
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8 14
griff17
Experience: 15.8 years 69 played 5 reviews
3.00 star(s)

shank 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 10, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is a beautiful property and is very well maintained.
The course has 2 of my favorite holes (the green mile and hole 10) in all of disc golf and I've traveled all over the country playing events on a professional level. Great tees and the best hospitality I've ever had.

Cons:

This course has several of my least favorite holes in disc golf. Impossible lines. The luck factor is huge here. Lots of Random trees and obs. A few holes are simply not disc golf holes, rather trails of paths with baskets at the end. This course was designed for a different style of play which may be fun for some , but captures little of my own interest.

Other Thoughts:

This course is beautiful and is a must play at least once. Its a great fun or casual course, but not designed for tournament play on a pro level. Actual course design quality is lacking here.
I'll also add, my review is based on a hole by hole comparison of good to bad holes with added sway for much better or much worse deviation from a 2.5 typical standard. I am a 5th year pro and 90% of the golf in play is in tournament or minis. This is from my own personal standpoint and extra amenities (which this course is well above any other I've played) have only a small bearing on my rating. My rating is of mostly the course.
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24 1
BigAl724
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.6 years 178 played 144 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Number Fun in my Book 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 26, 2014 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Shawshank offers a one-of-a-kind round, playing literally in Steve Dufrane's backyard. First off, I think that it is awesome how hospitable Steve and his family are. It is evident that he is extremely passionate about the sport and I applaud him for sharing his passion with others with this awesome course. I feel that the term "fun-factor" is an overused description for a course, but Shawshank is the definition of this. It is clear that Dufrane has put in a ton of time and effort to make this course as technically and aesthetically perfect as he possible can on the land given. Pulling into the Dufrane's driveway, you can get a sense of the vibe that surrounds the property. During mine and my brother's 13 course road trip through Texas and Louisiana, no other course had nearly as many people playing it as Shawshank did. People clearly love this course and - like we did - travel a long way to play it.

The course is so well taken care of and Steve even has a work crew that maintains the course. The jail theme is constantly present and creative on the tee signs, hole names, and even on some of the punishing holes. Another unique part of the course is the solar-powered lights on top of the front 9 baskets that give players the option of nightly glow rounds. It seems that the course continues to evolve and improve, with new holes and landscaping added within the past few years. The hand-drawn tee signs with chalk further show Steve's never-ending improvement mindset: he can redraw the holes as he redesigns them.

All the basic amenities are met here, with a bathroom, water coolers near holes 10 and 17, very nice rubber tees, and quality baskets. Multiple signs point you in the direction to the next tee as well, so navigation is a breeze here. Also, the course loops back to the parking lot and bathroom twice during your round.

Technically, this course is designed for players who have accurate - but not necessarily huge - arms. The front 9 are located in the front yard and initially start out kind of casually but as you hit hole 4, you realize that you are in jail. This is a very challenging and seemingly poke-and-pray hole, but a tree or two have been cut in the appropriate spots to make the line to the basket somewhat possible to hit. Holes 5, 7, and 8 also play within these extensive rows of enormous trees, but each utilize the trees very differently. My favorite stretch of the course is from 10-15. Two of my favorite holes on the course are 10's downhill bomb with the pond behind the basket and 12's uphill left to right shot with multiple lanes to the basket. The other holes offer some of the hardest shots on the course with tight lines and sharp turns. "Tin Cup" is one of the most fun finishing holes that I have played and is a great way to end the round! A fountain-basket to close out your round?! Come on, where else are you going to find that?

Pretty much every type of hole design is incorporated throughout the course, whether it be holes 6, 18, or 21's different looks on pond shots, 10 and 17's downhill bombs, 5, 11, 14, and 15's tight lanes, 12, 16 and 22's steep uphill shots, hole 7 and 9's long and open shots, etc., etc. The course has a tremendous variety and offers some pretty unique holes. I have never played a hole remotely similar to 21 and I appreciated the many different aspects of its design including a mando under the board and blind uphill shot over the pond.

Cons:

-I am someone who enjoys having multiple options off the tee and for my approaches to the basket. I like to have the option to be creative and play a hole differently each time. This course has many holes that, while being very technical, require you to hit the line very accurately or you will be punished. There are many holes that are tight and have only one lane to throw through. Even Steve said, "You're in jail on some of these holes, you have to follow the rules." I do appreciate the specific shots that are required on many of these holes and they are very well designed. However, the best of the best course (for me) needs to allow more chances to be creative. This may not be a detractor from your round, but is just what keeps this course from being a perfect 5 for me.
-I would have liked more opportunities to play some longer, multi-stage par 4's that change terrain in some fashion throughout the hole.
-There aren't many holes on this course that I wanted to unload my bag on (other than trying to land on the green on "Tin Cup".) There are many fun and unique holes, but none that I would consider to be in my favorites.

Other Thoughts:

I can't say many bad things about the course. It is in immaculate condition, it offers a tremendous variety of hole types, it is a great balance of fun and challenge, and is as creative and unique of a course that I have played. I strongly believe that the course design uses the property to its maximum potential. Some cons that keep this course from being the best of the best in my eyes, however, were the lack of opportunities to be creative in how you approach the hole and the lack of challenging multi-stage par 4's. They're there, but not as many as I would like in a perfect course.

Either way, I strongly encourage you to go out of your way to play this course. I really can't imagine someone not enjoying their round at Shawshank.
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15 1
Qikly
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.7 years 181 played 148 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Funnest Time You'll Ever Do 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 26, 2014 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Shawshank disc golf course is a truly unique animal: a jail-themed private course that plays in the extensive yard of Steve Dufrane, a forehand and roller wizard who will call you out for carrying too many discs ("I'll kick your a-- with just a Roc and an Aviar"), then promptly spend 15 minutes breaking down your form and giving you insightful advice on how to advance your game. He likes to speak in zen master-esque riddles, and his course reflects this propensity for brief, memorable, hard to solve gems.

Shawshank plays across an array of terrain: thick woods, rows of pines (the "jail"), a prominent hill, broken patches of trees, and three lakes are only some of the obstacles you'll face, all harnessed by Steve to challenge and bewilder your game. There's a lot to like in the land, and it's expertly used. The course leans towards the shorter end of the spectrum, with a few long bombers scattered throughout. It throws a dizzying array of holes at you, such as hole 4's pine thicket "jail," with only the barest of lanes to the basket, hole 21's short uphill shot with a hidden pond (which we discovered the hard way), the winding 282' par 4 "Death Row" in the woods, 18's over-the-lake shot, or the closing hole 23's "Tin Cup" island green, where any shot outside the circle is OB. Cumulatively, these holes stress precision, placement, and shot variety with your midranges and fairways: there are a lot of forehand-friendly holes, and a few spots where a strong roller gives you the best chance for a birdie. I appreciated how much variety Shawshank offered within its predilection for sub-300' holes.

Then there's the atmosphere. Shawshank has a free-wheeling vibe, encouraged by its owner and embodied in its jailhouse theme, unique tee signs, comical hole names, and memorable decor. On site camping is available, and between those passing through and dedicated locals, Shawshank seems to have a passionate and active following relative to its being a private course in an out-of-the-way location. Friendly golfers are on hand to provide some tips for first-time visitors or play a pick-up doubles round. A sense of community and "we're all out here to enjoy the game we love" mentality pervades Shawshank. It's a unique place that'll put a smile on your face. I've never played a course like this before.

Grooming is immaculate by any standard, let alone a private course. The tees are excellent.

Memorable stretches: holes 4-8, which with the exception of 6 all interact with the pine tree "jail" in a variety of creative ways, from 4's scary pinball potential to 5's tunnel shot to 8's big hyzer around the outer edges, and holes 11-15, a tight, intense jaunt through the woods that can make or break your round.

Cons:

I loved my day at Shawshank. It's a special course. But it's not without its shortcomings.

I really missed shot shaping at a longer range. I don't have a big arm (~375' max), but still felt constrained by the lack of opportunities to shape lines on this scale. The few longer holes at Shawshank all emphasize straight throws, and don't have a technical challenge proportionate to their distance. If anything, the longer holes tend to be the easier ones, without the nuance or quirks that distinguish many of the shorter ones. Shawshank's prevalent technicality largely focuses on your mid-range game, which is great, but limiting.

Similarly, I missed having some longer par 4s. The holes here are almost exclusively par 3s, and often zero in on a single line or problem that, though often engaging, doesn't allow for the rich possibility that longer, more multiplicitous holes provide. The two par 4s that are on site either force you to throw consecutive straight shots (hole 7) or lay up in tight confines (hole 15), and are lacking this multiplicity. This frequent constraint is actually by design: as Steve puts it, you're in jail at Shawshank, meaning you have to do what you're told or pay the price. While I appreciate the challenges Shawshank obstinately throws at you - they're one of the things that make it unique - I would have liked to have a few more opportunities to exercise autonomy during my round. I guess that's what happens when you pay a visit to jail. As it is, the course squeezes a lot of variety and challenge out of its par 3 format, but lacks the par 4s and 5s that would allow it to top other top tier courses I've played.

Other Thoughts:

I had a hard time rating Shawshank. It's one of the funnest courses I've played: the vibe, the people, and the one-of-a-kind challenges here combine to make for a very memorable round. Getting to interact with someone as knowledgeable and enthusiastic as Steve was a unique, unexpected plus. The course is well-designed and immaculately maintained, and at this point in its life bears the fruits of all the hard work that's been put into it. On the flip side, the focus on par 3 golf felt a bit constraining for a top tier course over the course of 23 holes. Shawshank does what it does very well; I just wish it would step outside its comfort zone a bit.

Of course, all this is splitting hairs: no matter how you slice it, Shawshank is well worth a visit!
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25 2
sisyphus
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.6 years 397 played 383 reviews
5.00 star(s)

You WILL Grin 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 28, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

If you appreciate disc golf at all, come to play Shawshank, and you will find your smile somewhere along the way. I purposefully played this, my first Texas course, in order to make it my 100th review. I'm glad I did! It's my second '5'. I don't necessarily hold out a 5 rating for 'perfection', but for when a course does just about everything right, and adds enough extra touches to raise it above a 4.5. The DuFrane family has clearly done that at Shawshank.

Every one of the 23+ tees is large, boxed, and level, with grippy pads, a beautiful, prison-themed sign with distances noted, bench(es), trash buckets, and even a stand to enter your scores (first time I've seen that in 139 courses). You'll note that many of the trees in the 'jail' on 4 & 5 have been wrapped to keep them there for years. When you get to the fifth basket, you'll note they've got it set up with a pole extension for night lighting (! ...then you'll note that a number of times), and when you get to the first pond on hole 6, you'll see they've left out a hooked pole and towels to help you retrieve your disc (I knew I wasn't sure to clear the far edge at about 290' from the tee, so turned one over to the right...it still clipped a tree & rolled in...fished it out quickly and shot from the drop zone pier for my circle four).

The front nine are fun enough to be a glorious course for anyone's front yard, with holes ranging from the dead straight 208' hole five to the 598' Green Mile, to the dogleg uphill 'Alice' hole that comes back to the end of the driveway. But you've got 14 even better holes to go, on the much more sloping back yard. You get to bomb a couple of 500 footers downhill, work your way through the curving woods lanes (they're realistic on the physics-defying hole 15 being a par four), then clear the big pond to the landscaped basket on 18 (watch out: it's ALL wet if you go short, rollaway if you go long, and has trees everywhere but the perfect pond crosser you'll need). The 21st hole is a third, blind pond with a mando to keep you low and straight (I clipped a branch and soaked my dragon, but the DuFranes can keep it as a tribute to the excellence of this course. Imagine: I lost a disc and was still grinning!). You finish on the island in the middle of the driveway in the unique fountain basket.
I can't say enough about the little things they've done here to make this some of the most fun I've had playing disc golf. Thank you!

Cons:

There isn't a whole lot to complain about here. The Flow of the course is very simple with the map and abundance of signs, so the only awkward spot I found was crossing the 23rd & 17th tee to get to the 10th. Some folks might whine a little that hole 15 isn't a natural flight path, but declaring it a par four admits that.

Other Thoughts:

The course is private, on family property, so they appreciate a call ahead if you're coming. Sign the guest book, and leave $5 (I recommend more!) to play, and pick up a pencil, and scorecard, say hello to the friendly family dog, or any family members who might greet you, then warm up on the practice basket & head out to enjoy one of your most memorable disc golf experiences EVER.
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18 3
JR Stengele
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 23.9 years 251 played 191 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Shawshank...Deep in the Heart of Texas! 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Sep 10, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Located in Huntsville, Texas, Shawshank is a beautiful 23 hole layout located on over twenty acres filled with small lakes, tall pines, a man-made island, and elevation throughout. The course was designed with the Open Masters player in mind, requiring precision and proper disc selection rather than power and "discing up". Shawshank rewards players who play smart and show much patience for the right shot.

Although there are several birdies to be had on this course, bogies can be more prevalent if not focused. Par for the course is 71, offering two par 4's and the rest 3's. Holes range from 207 - 598 feet and are a combination of wooded to tightly wooded holes, along with a few more open shots.
From the start, the course does a nice job helping first timers with navigation. Tee signs are installed on every hole, along with "next tee" signs throughout as needed. Each hole also uses durable rubber mats and Mach V baskets.
Named for the movie as most know,

Shawshank is a themed DG course with uniquely named holes, art decor that is strategically placed, and specially run tournaments that even have the players wearing jail stripes. The owner has taken a classic and run with it, and I commend him for it!

Favorite Hole(s): #5, #10, #18, #23

Cons:

As others have previously mentioned, there is very little wrong with this course considering all the course maintenance and upgrades that constantly go into it. The course was in stellar shape even toward the end of summer and although I wish I was there when it was green and lush in the spring, I could still get a good sense.

There was however some areas in the course design that I felt were too gimmicky and almost took away from what was otherwise a challenging and professionally designed course. Holes thirteen and fourteen were both ridiculous in that they took away from any natural flight that a disc was designed for. Luck was much more important than skill and although they left the possibility for a birdie, bogies are much more prevalent. Not a deal breaker for the course, but quite a thorn in the side.

Least Favorite Hole(s): #13 & #14

Other Thoughts:

Having family in the greater Houston area has given me the opportunity to play several quality courses in the state of Texas over the years but have never had the time to play Shawshank. On my last visit however, I made it a priority, along with Oak Meadow and Texas Army Trail and it was one of the better disc golf vacations I have had to date!

The fact that Shawshank is private is what makes it so special. Courses like this one must be private in order provide this type of atmosphere, for if it were public the course would be destroyed over time by vandals and/or slowly deteriorate until there was no more. The blood, sweat, and tears shed by Steve Dufrane are quite obvious and much appreciated. As a course bagger like me, it is always a pleasure to play a course for the first time and become completely enamored with it from the first hole to the last. With the Shawshank Jailhouse theme, it feels like a theme park for adults and the $5 is the least I could do considering all Dave has done for the DG community.
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0 13
wesmcc11
Experience: 10.8 years 16 played 1 reviews
5.00 star(s)

awesome course! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 2, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

A excellent mixture of technical holes with tactically placed OB and long bomb holes that make this course stand out among the rest. Not to mention the hospitality of the Dufrane's!

Cons:

Not enough people review this course

Other Thoughts:

Love the fountain/basket for final hole #23
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17 2
c_a_miller
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.9 years 299 played 207 reviews
5.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

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

Pros:

First off, Steve Dufrane is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet and you can tell that he has put in a bunch of work to make this course one of the better in this part of the state.

Each of the holes is different. Each hole is named with something that has to do with prison as this is the theme of this course. It is hard to say which is the signature hole of this course as there are at least four in my mind that really stick out. "The Green Mile," "Death Penalty," and "Conjugalcal Visit" are probably the most recognizable and talked about holes at the course.

"Tin Cup" the 23rd and final hole on the course is one of the best finishing holes I have ever played. It is a 240 ft shot to an island green. The basket has water coming out of the top of it and it really is a picturesque hole as many others on the course are.

Each hole is different. There are big downhill shots like #10 and #17. And really tight fairways that puts a premium on accuracy. There are REAL par 4s at this course.

The flow of the course is easy to follow. Each hole has nice tee pads along with big tee signs. Some of the baskets have poles on the top of them to show where they are in a shot that has changed elevation where the basket is not visible from the tee (#1)

There are no confusing parts of the course. The course is also really nicely manicured and up kept, like mentioned previously Mr. Dufrane cares for this course.

Cons:

The only cons I can think of is the course is brutal. Even the best player has an opportunity to lose discs on one of the three ponds on the course.
The course is also a drive from Houston and even a bit of a drive from Huntsville.
The course is built on 25 acres. This is a small piece of land and come tournament time the course can feel a bit crowded. However, playing any other day the course is very quiet and serene.

Other Thoughts:

This is my second pay-to-play course along with Spring Valley. The cost to play Shawshank is $5 compared to $3 at Spring Valley. Paying the $5 to play here is completely worth it. The course is a blast. Anyone within a 150 mile radius of this course should want to come out and play here.
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