Valley Center, KS

McLaughlin Park DGC

Permanent course
2.065(based on 9 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

McLaughlin Park DGC reviews

Filter
2 0
InsomniaZZZZ
Experience: 6 played 2 reviews
0.50 star(s)

Should be torn out 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 30, 2016 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

If I have to come up with pros, I guess there are benches, trashcans, restrooms available and good parking. Hole #2 is pretty nice too.

I have a feeling if I had come at a time when there hadn't been so much recent rain it would have been mowed and maintained better too, if I recall correctly it was better the only other time I played this one a few months ago.

Cons:

This course is very poorly designed and is exactly the type that will get some little kid hit in the head with a disc. The first hole is WAY too close to a very crowded playground and water-playground type of thing, and the other side is way too close to a street. Other fairways are literally just throwing directly down walking paths where non-disc golf park users will be in danger of being hit.

Several holes are blind shots where you are unable to see the pin from the tee. On a course that was only for disc golf that would be fine, but with all of the kids and other park users around I think this only exacerbates the problem.

Other cons seem less important than the above safety concerns, but the natural tee pads aren't great either. On #4 next to the little pond the tee marker is completely overgrown by a bush. On #7 a tree has apparently been planted directly in front of the tee box between the time that the course pictures were taken and when I played. It looks totally different now and it would seem that changes were made to the park without regard to messing up the course.

Other Thoughts:

I probably came to the park at the worst time I could have to be fair. The rain the last 2 weeks has been ridiculous so I can't really fault the grass and weeds being overgrown. It's also Memorial Day weekend so it might be more crowded than usual, but still if anyone at all is at those playgrounds on #1 I would just skip it. This course probably needs to be torn out and moved somewhere safer where disc golfers and other park users won't be in each other's way.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 0
Chained Evil
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.9 years 1095 played 232 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Where's the BIG HILL??? 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 18, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is a well maintained course with the grass on holes 1-3 and 9 been watered regularly and being nice and green. Rounds will play quickly here and the signage is good. The flow is logical and disc loss is minimal.
This is a good beginner's course and there is a nice mix of short and moderate length holes.
There are other amenities here like a basketball court, playground, fishing pond etc.
Hole #4 has you throwing over a little man made pond, which is something different.

Cons:

There is a playground that could come into play on holes 1 and 3. There is also a city street to the left of holes 1 and 9 that could factor in as well so please be careful.
Wind will be a factor into your round here as there just aren't many trees to block the wind.This park does get busy on the weekends and during the summertime so you might have some non disc golfers in some of the fairways so again be careful.
Now to my main complaint: The big hill that made up holes 5 and 6 has since been removed. You used to throw downhill to #5, and often times had a cross wind to contend with on that shot. Then you would hike back up the hill and throw downhill again for #6. Both of these shots were fun shots and that hill is what made this course have some fun factor to it. Now that fun factor is gone.
Now you just throw back and forth across a flat piece of land for holes 5 and 6 and both shots are sadly very bland.

Other Thoughts:

This course is a decent play if you are in the area. Not a must play but for the beginner its a good option plus there are other things that the family could do if they were with you while you were playing. I really wished they wouldn't have taken the Big Hill out of the heart of the course. For me that drops the rating .5 a disc.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 1
zeerobb
Experience: 9.6 years 60 played 12 reviews
2.00 star(s)

meh 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 25, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

good for practice. baskets and signs are simple and easy to follow.

Cons:

Too short. Not very challenging, kinda boring, No T-pads, Can be frustrating to play if the park has a crowd of people.

Other Thoughts:

I played it on a Saturday fall afternoon. No One was there, enjoyed the afternoon. was done with it in 30 min.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 3
RaiderDave
Experience: 17.3 years 71 played 1 reviews
0.00 star(s)

The Hill is Gone 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 10, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

No pros anymore.

Cons:

The featured hill that holes 5-7 played from and baskets 4-6 were removed in October 2013. Hole 5 from the top of the hill was the signature hole of the course. UPDATE: The baskets were finally put back in, but not where they were supposed to go. The number 4 basket should be moved way back so that after you play the hole you can then walk right over to number 5 which plays back. Instead, the way it is now, you have to walk from the number 4 basket quite a distance to the number 5 tee pad and then throw back to the number 5 basket which is VERY close to the number 4 basket. It's ridiculous! And now new construction has made it even worse. Huge sidewalks are being put in right through the number 1 and 9 fairways so you'll tear up discs and also have more pedestrian traffic right in the way. A very sad situation indeed!

Other Thoughts:

Loss of this hill not only ruined the disc golf course but also removed a pleasant feature of the park that kids loved to play on. Also it was the center of action in the city when it snowed. The course was supposed to be put back together by June (minus the hill) with a second set of tee boxes added but as of this writing that still has not happened. UPDATE: All baskets are in now, but no new tee pads. Very sad for me as I learned to play the game on this course.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
0 5
djwells
Experience: 11 years 9 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

McLaughlin Park - Great 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 5, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Some trees and challenges from hills in front of holes.

Cons:

None that I can think of.

Other Thoughts:

A short and quick course that is well manicured. Up wind holes in the stiff Kansas south wind can be killers with the tee boxes elevated. Adds a little challenge though so it is great.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 1
DiscPirate
Experience: 29 years 20 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 6, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Very good starter or practice course. Great when converted to 18 holes (if you know the placement for the back nine.) Park is extremely well maintained.

Cons:

9 holes, No set launch pads.

Other Thoughts:

Front nine launch pads would make this a great Ice Bowl course. Set markers or maps avail. to show the back nine layout would improve turnout of players.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 0
Devin0022
Experience: 17.3 years 31 played 7 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Better as a driving range 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 22, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

It's a very good course for beginners to practice on. There are almost no trees to contend with except for holes 2 and maybe 3. Any other trees are off to the side or baby trees. You go over water on hole 4 but it's only about 20 feet of it. No problem even for a beginner. Holes 8 and 9 do have water of to the side and i have lost a disc on nine but if you play conservative, it's not a problem. The water on hole 7 is way off to the right but on my second or third time playing disc golf I somehow managed to fly a disc into the lake. Also the baskets are bright yellow making them easier to find. There are signs attempting to indicate where the basket is on each hole but they're not needed because there is nothing to block the view of the baskets except for hole 2, by far the toughest hole on the course. The signs are really there for the distance. Also, since the course is so small and in a small town, it is never crowded so you can play as slow as you like.

Cons:

Some of the holes can get close to innocent bystanders just enjoying a day at the park and you have to be careful of them. There is the water park on hole 1where there are kids everywhere, sometimes there are people playing football on the fairway of hole 3, there's often little kids playing on the rocks just past the tee box of hole 4 (we sometimes have to invent an alternate tee box to stay away from them), Occasionally there are guys flying model planes and standing close to the fairway of hole 5, soccer practice for elementary kids is held just past the basket for hole seven and on the left side of hole 8, there are frequently fishers on the right side of hole 8 and far right side of 9. The course is short, most holes 275-330 ft, and there are almost no obstacles making an easy uninteresting course. There are no signs indicating where the next tee box is from the previous basket and for first timers it can be a little confusing but if you just search for the signs, you'll find them without much problem.

Other Thoughts:

My dad and I have been playing this course for a couple years, ever since it was put in. We play it only because it is close and we use it to practice on. Often we will go there and throw 4-5 drives on every tee box and throw every disc in our bags at every basket for putting practice. The course lacks a practice basket but since the course is never crowded, we just use hole 9's for practice since it is closest to the parking lot. Its not worth the trip unless you live close. It's a good starter course and i hope to see it develop later on.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 0
scarpfish
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 20.8 years 360 played 100 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Starts off decent, then kinda blah. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 27, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Well maintained park in a nice neighborhood. Plenty of parking. Bright yellow baskets are easily visible. Course map and signage are decent. Good for beginners to learn their skills. Has one longer hole that more advanced players will like (but that's about it).

Cons:

Lack of teepads. Some holes that cut a bit close to some non-DG activity. I've never been here on a weekend but I'd suspect this park gets somewhat crowded. After the first four holes, the fun level drops off as there are little to no trees on the last five holes. About the only challenge is not going over the fence or in the water, either of which is reasonably easy. I don't like backtracking back into Hole 6's fairway to get to Hole 7's tee. Course can get spongy after a hard rain.

Other Thoughts:

This is a nice effort, and a welcome addition to the courses in the metro Wichita area, esspecially for players who will find the longer 18 hole layouts at Herman, Oak, Derby and Colwich a bit too challenging. Thing is, the park doesn't really feel like its finished. Some trees to spice up those last five holes would go a long way towards improving things.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 0
s3bvikingasw
Experience: 16.1 years 39 played 1 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Nice Pitch-and-Putt for a quick round 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 26, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

The course consists of 9 home-made baskets that, for the most part, catch discs well. The course flows fairly well, and tends to go around the perimeter of the park, circling a pond, with OB roads to the south, and an OB parking long and fence to the north and east. The course also features some moderate elevation (actually severe elevation for South-Central Kansas) on holes 5-7. The risk of losing discs is moderately low, but a very errant drive could wind up in the murky pond or over the fence in some unforgiving tall grass. Most people won't argue the toughest hole on the course is hole 2, a 410' blind shot with a tight fairway, and OB parking lot left (and disc eating spruces to the right). The park itself is well-maintained- the city mows it regularly and keeps it fairly trash-free. Other amenities are also available, such as restrooms, trash cans, benches, and even a sheltered picnic area.

Cons:

Other than the second hole, all the holes are fairly short (under 350', hole 4 is only 197'), and after the second hole, all the holes can be birdied easily. The walk from hole 6's basket to hole 7's tee pad is long, and the two holes are almost identical in distance and elevation change. The tee pads are all natural, and ruts are beginning to form on all holes, which are frequently muddy. The tee pad for hole 6 is on the side of a hill, which is beginning to wash out, which creates a hazard that could lead to injury. The basket on hole 4 is missing its outer ring, so all of the outer chains float freely, reducing the ability of this basket to catch discs. Holes 5 and 6 are at the back edge of the park, and are not mowed as frequently as the other holes are. Other activities in the park can also be in the way. A splash park was (stupidly) placed just off of the fairway for hole 1. Also, a softball field's fence can be reached easily with an errant drive on 3. Fishermen also can get in the line of fire on hole 8. The potential for incident is amplified with a strong south wind (which isn't uncommon in this part of the country in spring/summer/fall). The city has a tendancy to over-water, so the low spots are always marshy, and the whole course gets marshy and stays that way for a few days after rain, which leads to horrid mosquitos in the summer.

Other Thoughts:

This course is completely unprotected from a south wind, and is fairly unprotected to the north too. That may be a con to some, but makes this a great place to practice your wind game, especially in the summer.

The course does have some very basic tee signs that show a few landmarks, and give the hole length, which is really all the information required to play the hole.

Summer days can lead to a large crowd of children on the splash park by hole 1's fairway. These children are usually oblivious to disc golfers, and may run onto the fairway with little to no notice, so use caution (and the course was there BEFORE the splash park for the record).

Ultimately, this course could probably be labeled as a 'pitch-and-putt', but most of the holes are around or over 300 feet long, and throw in one of those strong Kansas winds out of the south, and suddenly this place becomes a little more challenging. In my opinion, given the space to work with, the designer did as good of a job with the course as was possible. Great for a quick round if you're in the area, but definitely not worth a road trip to play alone.
Was this review helpful? Yes No

Latest posts

Top