The first thing you'll notice is the seclusion of this course. It's back a third of a mile from the more popular 18-hole offering at Jackson Park, almost completely surrounded by trees (keeps the wind to a minimum), and the road that loops the course is a dead-end loop. It's nice to have such a serene setting to play in.

The road is used to create some pretty difficult OB. Every hole except 2 and 4 has at least a little risk of getting on that road, but 1 and 7 are the toughest challenges.

There's plenty of elevation and some difficult trees that are combined to make some tough holes. Hole 2 goes uphill, but has a pretty tough ceiling to contend with for the last 100ft. Hole 4 again goes uphill, but sets the pin on a berm and has trees forcing a controlled release angle.

The tees are of a decent size, and the signs match the usefulness of the ones on the main course.

The view of the Missouri River from the green of 7 is, quite honestly, breathtaking.

The baskets. They're MachIIs. MachIIs suck. End of rant.

Some of the holes are unobstructed air between tee and basket. It's not like they had much else to work with, but it is still a con worth noting.

Whoever put the pars on the tee signs needs to be taken to a remote field and taught how to throw a frisbee, let alone a golf disc. Every hole here is a par 3. The distance measurements are pretty bad, too.

Due to the cheap baskets and the "meh" approach to tee signs, my guess is that this course was put in as a test of Atchison's interest in disc golf before the main area of Jackson Park was annexed for a larger course.

A good picture of the green of hole 7 would be worthy of being in a disc golf calendar. It's at least a 100' elevation drop to the river and the landscape of the riverbanks makes a beautiful scene.

There isn't a whole lot to say about this course. It's enjoyable, secluded, and dead silent, but there aren't any elements that nothing incredibly flashy or memorable. It makes for a solid quickie round, but it won't leave you with any lasting memories of the golf.

This course sits in the middle of a one-way road loop and makes a pretty fast round with decent concrete tees, baskets that are easy to find, and easy navigation. The only potential for lost discs is if you go across a road.

Surprisingly, there's some decent challenge on several holes. I like the downhill holes, 1 and 3, since distance control is tricky, as is making sure your disc fades even when going downhill. On uphill holes, 2, 4, 9, and possibly 6, it can be difficult to get the disc all the way there, especially with the low ceiling on 4. On others, there are some trees to miss, but every hole is accessible for multiple different throws. You can even do a sky hyzer on 8, which plays to a pin whose pole is slightly higher than most.

The road actually adds to the course if you call it OB. It comes into play on nearly every hole. I don't have a problem with it because it gets very little traffic because it dead ends here (or rather loops around), and there's really not anything else at this part of the park.

Several holes are too open. I think the course really cools off after hole 4, with 5, 6, and 9 having very little going for them other than some slight elevation change. And hole 7 is okay but a little too short. Even the rest of the course is sometimes not too exciting, having rather open lines to the basket. Even if the straight shot is blocked on a few holes (namely holes 1 and 7, there are still multiple ways to throw a hyzer without a ton of power and still make it all the way there.

Even if the course is long enough that most skill levels won't be getting birdies all the time, it is still open enough that it becomes not much of a challenge, either easy or hard. You may be airing it out constantly and hoping for the best on holes like 5 and 9.

The signage isn't great. While the course is short enough it doesn't matter, I'm pretty sure the distances are somewhat inaccurate, hole 8 being the worst offender. And given that a lot of this course comes down to distance perception and control, especially regarding low ceilings and downhill shots, this is a problem.

The road to get in is total garbage. There are a bunch of signs saying "Do not enter" but none saying "One Way" which I think would be better. While that technically has nothing to do with the course, it isn't fun to come in and literally drive around 7 holes before getting to the parking lot. It gives the feeling that this course was an afterthought to an already-existing part of the park - which is strange because there's nothing else here. I guess if you want a secluded area this is pretty good.

This course lives in the shadow of it's big brother, the 18-hole course closer to the entrance to the park. Not only is this course much shorter and less exciting, but you have to drive by the main course to get here. Except for people like me who just wanted an extra nine holes, most people won't make it back here and will just play the 18-holer.

The tee signs have some pretty ridiculous pars marked on them. Several are par 4, and at least hole 9 is labeled as par 5. Unless you're a total beginner, just call everything par 3. I didn't even notice until I was on the tee of 9.

9 more holes that feature elevation that is not common to Kansas. Less trees than the 18 hole counterpart, but adding to the distance a bit.

The tees are natural, with the same good signs as the long course, and easy to find wooden markers. The baskets are Mach II that are doing good.

I like the downhill throws, and this course has a couple of more good ones. Hole 1 is a shorter run, 5 is a bomb. Also has the uphill side of the hike on this course, with two long holes finishing out on 8 and 9. Birdies are there for the taking on several holes, and par is not tough to achieve unless the wind plays its tricks on you.

A short and mostly open course. More exposed to the sun and wind than the other places in the park.

Maybe concrete tees would spruce it up some.

Its pretty good. Not just an afterthought to the 18 hole big brother. Consistently fun, not overly difficult, and very nicely kept.

Quick playing easy layout, and solid gear. Not exactly the same vibe as top 18, but makes a good companion as a third 9.

Course is located on very high, open and extremely hilly ground with stunning views of Atchison, KS and the Missouri River valley. Worth driving over to see from Jackson 18 even if you don't have time to play it.
SITE/TERRAIN:
Quality of Land- 15/30 few trees, obstacles or hazards.
Dedicated Use- 25/25
Scenic Beauty- 30/30
Cleanliness- 10/15 A bit trashy in places due to the volume of people that come for the scenic overlooks.
COURSE AMENITIES:
Baskets and signage are fine, new concrete pads are too short. 60/70
COMFORT/CONVENIENCE
Course Navigation- 20/20. Easy to navigate, map online but not needed. Just start by the picnic shelter and go.
BONUS/DEMERITS: Extra 10 points for spectacular views.

COURSE DESIGN:
Variety- 10/30 Up, down or flat.
Obstacles/Shot Shaping- 5/30. Not much.
Decision-making,Risk/Reward- 5/30 Not much.
Multiple Baskets/Tees- 0/30 None.
Signature Holes- 5/30 Amazing views from 1 tee pad and 7 basket, but nothing remarkable about the holes themselves.
Skill Levels- 10/30 Not much here for the seasoned player.
COURSE AMENITIES:
Benches- 0/5 None.
Trash Cans- 0/5 Only at the picnic shelter/parking.
COMFORT CONVENIENCE:
Restrooms, drinking water- 0/20 None.
COURSE MAINTENANCE
Grass and Brush- 25/50 Every time I have played this course the grass has been a bit too long.
FUN FACTOR: 20/50 Subjective judgement of the reviewer. Not a lot of fun to play.

Overall 250/500 by my ratings method. So 2.5 discs out of 5. Decent, but don't bother unless you are already in the park to play Jackson 18. Do drive over to check out the views.

+ hole #7 has a nice view of the Missouri river from the pin

- tee #8 includes a railroad tie with distance and then the footing in front of it is a bunch jagged rocks sticking out of the ground.
-only 9 holes, and none of them are really interesting

strictly a complement to the main course, do not expect much

Navigation between holes is easy even without a map. There are posts at each tee that are easily visible from the previous baskets. 10/10

Navigation on the holes themselves is a breeze as well. There are passable hole maps on each tee and the baskets are numbered. 9/10

The course is on some hilly terrain, and there is good variety throughout between uphill (2, 4, 6, 9), downhill (1, 3, 5) and flat (7 and 8). There are not many sideslopes or holes with two elevation changes like a valley, but it's still 8/10

This course does a good job of using the obstacles on site. Holes 5 and 9 and the approach to 8 are almost completely wide open with maybe 1 or 2 trees, but other than that, every shot has a reasonable amount of obstacles. 7/10

This course is great for beginners, but some of the holes can also provide more experienced players with a challenge, especially holes 2, 7, and 8. Reasonably challenging all levels 7/10

Tees are mixed with mostly grass and a couple concrete. The concrete ones are a little small and the grass tees are a little uneven. Baskets are in pretty good shape for the most part. 7/10

There is a decent variety of distance of the holes. Holes 1 and 3 play pretty shot, 6, 8, and 9 play pretty long, and the rest are about the same. 6/10

There is pretty good variety of openness. There are several open shots and and also a couple of moderately technical shots on 7 and 8. Several shots have some nice lanes to throw through. 6/10

There are a couple of ways to play some of the holes like 1, 4, and 7. 6/10 on decisionmaking

No alternate hole positions 0/10

Grass was tall and itchy when I was there and my playing partner who had played it once before said it wasn't then either. No benches and little shade. No bathrooms or running water in this section of the park. Comfort level 1/10

There are tee signs present, but no trash cans and as before long grass. 3/10 on course maintenance

Long grass makes discs hard to find, and a government facility that comes into play on a few holes that make for the ultimate OB, there is absolutely no chance of (legally) getting your discs back if they go over there. 3/10

There is not a huge variety of shot paths. There are a few holes that favor a hyzer line like 2 or 7. 1 allows a choice of hyzer or anhyzer. On the rest though, you pretty much just need whatever you can throw straight. 3/10

Overall Challenge: 5/10

I think this course has six really fun holes, with the other three just being too open and boring (5, 6, and 9), but I would play it again if I were in the area. I would not make the drive solely for this course, but if playing the 18 hole course on the opposite end of the park, it's well worth a visit for a warm up

- nice view from the top of the hill
- set within a well kept park
- signs at tee boxes show par, distance and hole layout
- did not see any poison ivy like we saw on the 18 hole course

- grass tee pads
- not as much hole variety as the 18 hole course
- just one set of tees and one basket location
- gets very windy on the top of the hill

The grass was getting very long when we played and it did not look like they had any intention of mowing it. There were some very small fairways mowed but they were WAY too narrow for the average player to hit. The nine hole course may be unplayable by mid summer if it does not receive a more thorough mowing.

Great hole layout, lots of elevation, mach 5 baskets are good. tee signs are a great help.

Natural tee pads except on few very short concrete teepads

The park is amazing just follow the outside road in the park and you drive all the way around the backside of the park. The view from hole 1 is fantastic. As you drive out take a look you pass the back 9 of the 18 hole course

Let me start out by pointing out that the side of the world I tried to get here on, had every road sign saying, Do Not Enter. I am guessing every one-way road was only pointing out only. So since my GPS didn't find an alternate route... let's just say there was no one out on these dirt country roads. This 9-hole course has lots of elevation, decent pin placements, some sloped greens, and a few trees. The first hole at the top of the biggest hill and is a straight shot down hill to a pin with a tree to the right of the basket. This hole has OB to the right, behind it and if you go to far to the left (or catch a bad roll), to the left too. This hole is all risk/reward, because you can reach the basket in 1 throw. This is an interesting start to this course. This course used the hills and the land to get a nice 9-hole course in. The tee signs are nice and the course is fairly easy to follow along. On last thing to mention, you really will feel like you are a long way from civilization and the view from up here is pretty cool with a covered picnic area to enjoy.

The grass tees are wood planks marking the tee. The ground isn't always level, but tee areas are not in too bad of shape. Every hole is a straight shot, so playing here can get dull quickly. There is no bathrooms or trashcans here.

This is a great little place to take someone for their first time, but serious golfers will not want to play this more than once. The Fun Factor here was not really there. The first hole was a fun hole, but it was certainly the highlight. Don't get me wrong; this is not a bad course, just very simple. If you need elevation practice, this might be your place.

The location of this 9 hole course is a the highest point in the park and overlooks the adjacent river which is nice.
- Nice tee signage and navigation was easy even though there is no course map.
- Elevation changes were fantastic given the compact are in which the course is layed out.
- Great course for families to play together. There is really no chance of losing a disc and it could be played with only a mid-range disc or potentially a frisbee if you really had to....
- Scenery is great and the trees were utilized/incorporated very well with basket placement.

- The course is too open for the serious disc golfer. Not enough of a real challenge due to lack of trees.
- Restrooms are only located at the start of the main 18 hole course a couple of minutes drive back into the main part of the park.
- Tees would actually be nice to see as concrete since there is no real wooded area to detract from. It would be beneficial for the beginning disc golfer.

This is a very hilly layout similar to the 18 hole course. The real benefit is 2-fold. It offers serious DG players to warm up before a round on the 18 hole course, and it offers families picknicking at the upper pavilion a great activity option. I applaud the City of Atchison for their efforts.