Wilson, NC

Lake Wilson

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2.875(based on 23 reviews)
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12 0
lee76007
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 4.6 years 112 played 111 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Lakeside Variety

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 8, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

-An 18-hole 4-layer course variety that starts with holes 1-5 along a lake thru light trees, light trees with no lake interference holes 6-10, 11-15 thru heavy woods, and 16-18 finish up thru lights woods. Holes 1-5 plays flat, the rest of the course a gentle slope. Most of the course is wind dominant. There are a few roller greens.

-If you've played here prior to 2018 the course has been realigned. Hole 18 no longer plays over the lake, only hole 5 still has a water carry offering a unique experience. Holes 7-11 have been re-aligned and re-numbered. It looked like the water carry on hole 16 has been eliminated by brush.

-Holes 1-5 rank in my top 15 for a stretch of difficulty where a tree deflection or fairway skip can put you in the water to the left or heavy brush to the right.

-Tee signs when present had hole number, par, distance, and simple map graphics.

-Navigation is counter-clockwise, you'll need UDisc to help with navigation. Hole transition will be smooth for repeat rounds.

-From the bag on the tee nice variety of putter's, fairways, and drivers.

-Beginners and Recreational will find difficulty on most of the course. Intermediate and Advanced will have some good challenges on some holes.

Cons:

-On a below freezing Saturday morning I was stunned to find a couple of dozen walkers on or just off the fairway that I waited on. Then there were a few more dozen that I saw but didn't encounter. I waited at least 10 minutes on fairways to clear out, and quickly played to avoid the next swarm coming. They were coming across a bridge from a few subdivisions. And I thought I was going to be in the clear with the below freezing temps. Worse congestion I have seen on a course, and I was the only disc golfer. Holes 1-5 you are going to have walkers coming directly at you. The only respite you'll have from walkers will be holes 11 thru 15 nobody was walking into the heavy woods.

-Navigation from holes 6 thru 11, and hole 18 is horrible from the realignment. Baskets are still not numbered correctly from 4 years ago. Did a lot of UDisc checking, and I still played the wrong basket on 10, when I thought 15 was it on my approach.

-Hole number 8 basket is missing, and it looks like it's been missing for at least a few years. I was already aware, so I played hole 9 tee pad.

-Tee pads are dirt and rutted in some places. Some tee signs were missing. Looks like no course Maintenace is being performed?

-It's a 3-minute walk from parking to first tee, 9-minutes from 18 basket back to parking, and I walk briskly. On the way back to parking keep your eyes up for any incoming disc from hole 5 to hole 1.

-Lost disc potential is high holes 1 thru 5. I lost 2 discs skipping basket high hole 1, and a tree hit on 5 just short of basket, both into the water. Holes 11-15 offers heavy brush, trees, and lake.

Other Thoughts:

Lake Wilson with the variety of golf, lake views, wind play, sloping hills, and the unique lakeside holes 1-5 should be rated at least a 4.0. But there are just too many cons, and my personnel con was the course congestion by non-players. I was either waiting or rushing shots, or quicking my pace to keep ahead of those behind me or those I saw off in the distance coming at me. I could only imagine what it's like on a warm weekend. It's a course where I wish I could have soaked it all in instead of rushing it, the layout is good enough for it. Even if I had played on a weekday, the navigation mess would have still kept my overall rating down.

My overall rating is anchored on the variety of the layout at a 4.5. The time to play with the delay's was 1 hour, knock off 10 minutes without the waiting 50 minutes, but add on 12 minutes to reach tee 1, and parking after 18 not included in my 1 hour.

Course Humor or Stalker?

-After I teed #1 to reach down to my bag I noticed about 30 feet behind me a lady in winter clothing, dark sunglasses doing yoga stretching, thought nothing of it. On the green turned around, there she was again behind me, a little creepy. She followed me all the way to the 5th basket, after a few holes it became amusing.

Notable Holes:

-No. 13 Par 3 at 204 feet a fairway that meanders left and a flat hole with heavy trees all the way down. Middle right halfway down is thick grass with shallow water soaking in from the lake. Gaps as small as 5 feet with the first just 40 feet down fairway. A few guardian trees around basket. Pulled out my Pig and hit a tree halfway down fairway.

-No. 15 Par 3 at 272 feet with more heavy trees on a gentle up slope, fairway meanders to the left. The tee is aimed right center at about 100 feet is a shelf rolling down to the thick grass and water all the way to basket. A few guardian tees around basket, right of basket a roller green to water and grass. Fairway is wide enough but hitting a tree on the right side would not be such a bad thing.

Signature Hole:

No. 5 Par 3 at 182 feet is the only lake carry hole. The tee has a little elevation with a tee gap in front of about 15 feet away, and 5 feet wide. The water was deep when I played and needed about 170 feet to clear, the basket sits on a roller green. There is a clump of trees just to the left of basket and just beyond the water. The hole is scenic, would be more scenic in the warmer months. I lost my second disc of the round hitting the first tree, watch it drop to the ground and rolled right in the water, I used to have 2 pigs. Still a fun throw!

Trouble Hole:

-No 3. Par 3 at 295 feet straight away lakeside hole with heavy bushes to the right, and just off the tee pushing you to the left. To the left of the tee just 20 feet is a lone tree narrowing your aspect down fairway. The lake is to your left, and from the tee your angle towards the water which is left center fairway. The basket sits left center, open, a roller green to the water just outside C1. There is a scattering of trees in the fairway some with canopy, a duo in the center about 150 out, to their left a lone tree by the water. Outside C2 another lone tree left by the water, and a trio of trees right center. The placement of trees, and canopy shut down elevated lines. You can hyzer low skip to the right with an early release into the bushes, and if you low skip left and miss the hyzer into the water about 210 feet out. After losing a disc on #1 eh! Managed to skip a Boatsman from the left which I use for these types of shots, and it work out well enough.






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2 3
sammydad76
Experience: 18 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Beautiful scenery. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 14, 2019 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Absolutely gorgeous view, decent amount of water hazards and not too much to scare the amateurs.

Cons:

The baskets need to be renumbered, but it's easy to figure out what they are supposed to be.

Other Thoughts:

Perfect place to take an evening walk in the spring or fall.
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8 0
BrotherDave
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.7 years 192 played 188 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Land O'Lake 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 10, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

To preface this review, understand that this is a tricky piece of property for designing a golf course. Any designer is going to have to get creative to put 18 holes in b/c the park narrowly wraps around the lake. So holes 1-4 are on land so narrow that you can't really have 4 holes going the opposite direction. That means weird, long walks are inevitable.

PROS: The lake is nice. It's big, really wet, and generally watery. Wind blows off it. Riparian animals are around, like waterfowl and stuff. It comes into play quite often but only two real water carries if those scare you.

The baskets are old Discatchers with the inner set of chains that just dangle in loops. They still catch really well though. Tees are not terribly hard to find even though most are missing their signs. There's only so much land to walk around so you can't spend too much time hunting the next tee. After hole 5, you get a lot of nice city-park style holes with mowed fairways and scattered old growth trees to avoid. Some of these have multiple lanes that are all viable so you can choose your own adventure. Some of these holes have a goodly amount of distance, 500-600' or so, very get-able par 4's. Quirky greens like hole 6 or 7 with the basket on a nice little knoll. For the most part, it's enjoyable.

Cons:

Tees are just sandy pits. A lot of the holes are really close to the lake so they could be swampy after a rain. A lot of the really wooded holes don't have much of a fairway, a signature Schwartz design. You basically throw down the walking path that loops around the entire park so be on high alert for walkers. The holes are often cramped so you're often wondering which visible basket is the correct one and some baskets are close to tees.

The biggest con is I have no idea who this course is geared towards. Most of the holes are Red level distances but the proximity of the lake (and the at least 275' water carry on hole 18) makes it terrifying for Red level players. Then you have these random, really long holes that are only going to appeal to mostly Blue level players. So basically only a niche group of White level players are going to appreciate the balance of challenge and distance and even they are going to find a lot of the holes too easy.

Hole 18 is an absolute forced water carry of 275' of the lake (sign says 300' but seems a little shorter to me). There is no safe, bail-out zone or short, wussy tee. If you overshoot the green much you go into thick weeds but that's better than going wet. The worst part is that you have roughly a 5-10 minute walk around the corner of the lake (through two-three previous greens no less) from the tee to the green. So if you clear the lake you just have to hope that other park people are on the honor system and aren't going to run off with your disc while you're hopelessly stranded on the other side. Then you have another 10-15 minute walk through holes 1-3 to get back to the parking lot. I don't know what the answer is but I think breaking up one of these silly long holes into two par 3's so that hole 17 becomes 18 makes a lot more sense than this daunting water carry with the awkward walk. I can only assume that Russell Schwartz is the second coming of our Lord and thus simply walked across the lake when he designed hole 18.

Other Thoughts:

I had fun but I don't have much desire to revisit unless it's with other people just to gauge their reactions to the many stupid holes here. Unless I have a garage full of DX discs this is not a course I'd want for my home course. It could use a redesign to tinker out some of the really awkward transitions and goofy holes. The property is mostly limiting you to putting lipstick on a pig but I think it could be more entertaining and at least have appeal towards somebody instead of a mishmash of holes.
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9 0
KenanFlagler01
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14 years 195 played 190 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Flawed with some fun holes 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 18, 2019 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Lake Wilson DGC, along with a network of walking trails, winds around a scenic lake outside of Wilson, NC. There are some fun holes and the lake is nice to look at, but this course has some flaws that, in my mind, make it a "only play when there aren't other options" course.

+ Far and away the best pro for me was the beautiful setting. It's a peaceful, clean park with mature pine trees around a lake. I think disc golf should be relaxing and stress-relieving. Lake Wilson fits that billing. Beautiful piece of property.

+ It's also a relatively challenging intermediate-level course. There are some holes with decent distance. I'm a big fan of water courses and this one uses it positively on many holes. Decent hole design, in general. There are some technical lines and a mix of open vs. wooded and long, medium, and very short holes.

+ There's a good mix of shots needed off the tee: hyzer, anhyzer, flex, and flick. This course challenged me, an intermediate level player. I think beginners to advanced players would enjoy it as well.

+ There aren't many better finishing holes than #18: from one side of the lake to the other. UPDATE: unfortunately, after the redesign, the best hole on the course -- a picturesque water carry -- is now a pedestrian closing hole.

Cons:

A few notable cons:

- I really enjoy water courses, but I sure wish that all of the water was in the lake and not on the fairways! The standing water, mud and slop were out of control. Drainage is a big problem.

- Navigation was also a problem. It shouldn't be that hard: the course takes you around the lake, then eventually you double-back along the water's edge and finish with 18 across the lake. However, many tees are missing signs. And some tees are so hard to spot, I had to double-back several times when I walked up to a basket that I hadn't teed off for. UPDATE: navigation is even worse after the redesign.

- Speaking of tees, they're just ground up concrete, dirt, and rocks. The drainage issue fits here too. I chose to tee off beside the pads on several holes.

- Safety and park sharing...it's a problem. Disc golfers must yield to the numerous park walkers. And with the course doubling back, there are shared fairways and more dangers to watch out for.

- Tons of thorns and underbrush. Combined with the water, there's a lot of disc loss potential.

- Tons of gnats

- Super long walk from 18 back to the parking lot.

- Some total throw away holes, like number 1. It's about 150 feet and wide open. The lake is in play, at least. In general, it seems like this course was just jammed into a space that was made for walking trails. The course is somewhat of an afterthought. Not enough space, too many dangers.

Other Thoughts:

If you're near Wilson, give this one a shot, but be prepared for a long walk, interrupted...by lots of walkers.
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4 1
reposado
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.7 years 278 played 273 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 13, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

There isn't a ton of land here, all around the edges of a good sized lake. That means two things: the holes are going to be crammed into the space and water is going to be present on a lot of them. The course starts fairly blandly. Solid but not great until around 11. Then wow, some long holes as the woods gets progressively thicker and open fairways with sparse trees became tree lined. 12 is long, and each step is like dropping further into the abyss. 13 is shorter and just as wooded. The woods lighten again by 16 but the hole is so long and so nicely curving to the right that the water isn't needed. 13-17 all play with the water on the right but there is a long of trees along most of the water's edge so they aren't too watery. If there is a hyzer route over the water on one of them, I either missed it or the trees have grown in to block it. Still, a good set of holes that feature slight uphills, good throwing lines and lead to 18, a 200-foot water carry to the basket back by the third tee.
There is another carry on 5, a shorter distance but with a smaller window to hit on the opposite side of the water. The first interesting hole although group that follows it aren't bad. You have to pick a line through the trees and the 8 basket sits on the park's only bit of elevation.
Tee signs show the layout of the hole and distances have been handwritten onto the post so no complaints there. Navigation is a breeze as the tee is always visible from the basket and there are rarely two in sight. Pretty good course for intermediate players and I wouldn't even dissuade beginners, although the length of 11 and 12 may frustrate them.

Cons:

The worst is the beginning sequence. The first four holes travel along the edge of the lake but the water barely comes into play. They are simple straightforward holes that are quite possibly going to have non discers on them. To be fair a lot of the fairways could have people walking on them here but it seems like the first four are going to be occupied more frequently, being as they are on the only path from the parking lot to the rest of the park.
There's a lot of extra walking because 18 leaves you so far from the parking lot and the 18 tee is so far from the basket for those bound to the earth. From the 18 tee, you have to walk back along four fairways to return so you become the unwanted obstacle for players coming up. It's much better this way than forcing more holes running parallel to the first four, but it's tedious.
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5 2
gvdg jake
Experience: 14.2 years 73 played 12 reviews
3.00 star(s)

What a hike 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 9, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Very fun front 9. Really enjoyed 5 with it crossing the corner of the lake. Also liked hole 8 with it being slightly uphill and basket is on mound. Holes 11,12,13 were a very nice challenge. Would be nice to see parks and Rec cut low hanging limbs that are in fairway. It takes the line away.

Cons:

Old discatcher (single chains). Long walk to hole 1 from parking lot. Water is in play on 5 or 6 holes if you take a bad kick. Would have rated better if there was a bridge to cross at 18. It's already a lot of walking and then to finish 18 you have to make a 5-7 minute walk back by hole 1,2,3,4,5 and 13.

Other Thoughts:

It was nice to get away from heavy traffic disc golf and come to a course where you are the only one playing. Also water is VERY DARK/DEEP!! 2 guys I played with lost discs on rollaways and we never got them back.
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8 0
prerube
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 16.8 years 274 played 235 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Perfect little starter course 2+ years

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

Pros:

Discatchers.
Teesigns with hole shape, but no distance
Superior use of a nearly impossible to use land. The land this course is on is very narrow an oddly shaped, yet somehow they made it work.
Holes 1 and 2 are short and simple with some water on left. They are nice warm up holes that are beginner friendly. The entire front 9 is a low stress beginner friendly course with few blind holes that does not resort to becoming a boring pitch and putt.
the back 9 quickly changes gears to longer tougher holes.
2 hole 18's. Hole 18A is a tee, water, and a basket with nothing but water as your fairway. It is a short hole, but you have to over throw or risk getting soggy.
5 is a short shot over the water, but a devious stump acts as a baseball bat knocking discs into the water.

Cons:

Gravel and natural tees that are in need of work.
Signs do not have distance.
11 could cause confusion. 15's basket is visable from the tee, but the actuall basket is to the right up a small hill.
16 is an odd tee location that faces 45 degrees from the fairway.
1/4 mile walk from tee 18A to the basket. 1/2 mile walk from basket 18 back to parking lot.

Other Thoughts:

If you are bringing children to play I would suggest they play the front 9 then go enjoy the playground that is on site.
There are 2 holes where there is clear risk of water and numerous others where your disc could end up in the water if you make a mistake.
Bring a towel, I wound up in the water twice on holes where I had no business being near the water.
This is the type of course that I would consider a perfect beginner course. It is fair and starts off very tame but the back 9 shows new players what they are in for at other courses. I would like to give the designers a 5 for thier use of the land, you really need to see an overhead view to fully grasp what they had to work with.
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7 0
sloppydisc
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.3 years 201 played 147 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Life is like a box of chocolates! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 3, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

18 hole course set in a small park surrounding a small lake. Nice setting for a course.

Navigation is simple and aided by a map at first tee. All holes have basic signs and flat very playable natural tee pads.

Hole length variety is excellent. There are holes from 184' all the way to 675'. There is a good mix with holes in the 200's, 300's and 500's.

Hole variety is pretty good. There are some holes along the lake, some holes in a sparsely wooded setting and some long tight lines. There is a little something for everybody at Lake Wilson.

Cons:

Natural pads could be upgraded.

Signs don't tell distance or give much information.

Course has a gravel road and some trails used for walking throughout. During peak times there is probably interference with other park users.

Long walk around lake to basket 18.

Other Thoughts:

This course was better than what I expected. It starts slow with 4 short holes along the lake. At this point you will be asking yourself if the drive was really worth it. Even if you came from the next town over. But then things start to look up.

#5 is a nice, short ace run over the lake. Only 182' so not much water risk, but fun.

Holes 6-10 are basic holes playing through mostly open ground with some large trees mixed in. Each hole has multiple lines to the basket and nothing is too tight.

#11 and #12 are the 2 long holes that make you realize the drive was worth it. 11 plays along an OB road and is mostly open, but finishes in the trees. #12 has a typical long, tight, wooded feel that NC golf is known for. It's 561' and fairly narrow.

13 -15 are shorter, but maintain some tight lines near the water.

16 and 17 are similar to the 6-10 stretch. Just typical open with large trees fairways and multiple lines. Although 16 may have a huge hyzer route over the water if you are feeling brave.

18 is a 204' shot back over part of the lake. Just a wide open hole with some water risk. Not a bad hole until you realize it will take you 10 minutes to walk around and find your disc.

This course is fairly flat and open so wind becomes a factor on the water holes and the open holes.

There is nothing exceptional at this course, but it does offer a multitude of lengths and shots. It offers some water risk, some tight lines and some flat out bombs. Any course with this many features is worth playing. If you're in the Wilson area make sure you stop and give Lake Wilson a try.
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8 2
New013
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.7 years 179 played 120 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Day @ the Lake 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 10, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Layout - The course is designed well in terms of mixing up hole types and distances. You'll see some more open shots near the beginning and the more you get in to the course the more the trees become a factor.

The course runs up and down the edge of the lake and it is a factor on quite a few holes. Only two holes actually cross the water and they're both shorter water carries. The proximity to the water makes wind a huge factor here.

The wooded holes do a good job of making you shape shots and be accurate through gaps; while the more open holes sometimes give you a few trees to maneuver around while being conscious of the water.

There are also some OB lines running down some of the longer interior holes which makes drive placement a key.

There's not a huge amount of elevation change but the rolling hills out there are used very well in the way the greens are positioned.

Overall I'd say it's a well rounded course despite its limitations. It flows well and you never find yourself in question of where to go next.

Atmosphere - Very scenic park right on Lake Wilson. There's a few swampy bits right on the edge in the back part but for the most part it's a great place to play disc golf.

Equipment - The baskets were in good shape and there's a map with scorecards at the beginning of the course. There are signs letting you know where the tees are.

Cons:

Layout - My biggest problem with the layout is that the front part of the course mainly consists of straight on shots with the lake on one side. Although there are more obstacles and tighter gaps towards the middle the fairways don't have a lot of shape.

Some of the holes are positioned very close to each other as well. I ended up on another fairway a few times which isn't hard to do.

#16 was questionable for me because it was unclear of which route was intended from the tee. It appears there should be a hyzer route over the water but there was a huge branch blocking it, the left route shoots you right towards another fairway.

#18 is just poor design in my book. You're asked to throw a water carry then take a 5 minute walk down around the water over to the green. Somebody could easily sit there and grab your disc.

There's a trail running through the course area as well which could be a problem at times considering there are a few blind shots near it.

Atmosphere - Just a few swampy bits right near the water on the back part, not really that bad in itself. Standing water is probably a problem here when it rains.

Equipment - The tee signs don't give you any information other than the hole #. The pads are just sand and gravel framed in to the ground. They're very uneven and not my favorite.

Other Thoughts:

If more holes had shape to them this would be a better course. The land just had limitations but it's a beautiful park and a great place to spend a day. If it's windy you'll encounter a serious challenge out there.
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5 3
LeeBo
Experience: 13 years 92 played 4 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Lake WILSON 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 9, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

First few holes are an ace run. New Basket placement on hole #8 (top of hill). Good Mix of water and fairway areas. Hole #11 no out-of-bounds play anymore (excluding water).

Cons:

The course is very poorly designed. It's not even worth going to the course without other experienced players that have played it. There are at least 50 trees that need to be cut down before the course becomes reasonable. Hole # 13 are trees to the left and right with barely enough room to get your disc through a gap and there are even more trees in front of those trees. Easy to lose a disc. Hole # 14, there is no line. You have to get lucky enough to get a birdie without hitting a tree. Hole # 16 (678ft Par5), the tee-pad is facing the opposite direction. The idea of the tee facing over the water is to throw a 500ft back to the left in which the risk/reward is entirely to high. Hole #18, you throw over water and walk about half a mile before you get to the landing area, (five min walk). Lastly, most of the baskets have one set of chains which are old and rusted (need 2/3 sets of chains OR New Baskets).

Other Thoughts:

Hole #5 can be a hassle because of branches, but very good place over the water! Very hard to call this your home course, considering that I live here. It takes about 2 hours to play this course, bring plenty of water.
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7 0
jksenior
Experience: 16.8 years 214 played 16 reviews
2.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 23, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

A couple of pros:

The first is the actual hole layouts. I thought the holes were generally good with easy per 3's, tough par threes and a couple of par 4's. The wind and water definitely added to the difficulty of several of the easier holes

Navigation was easy with most of the tees easily spotted from the previous hole.

Also, the lake makes the course quite scenic

Cons:

There are quite a few cons which drive my 2.5 rating.

- first is the tee pads. They seemed like a mix of san and gravel and several had some standing water after a rain overnight. They were framed in so it wouldn't be too difficult to make them concrete.
- next is the overall course layout. Many of the holes were very close to other holes. I suspect there is a lot of waiting when the course is more crowded.
- there were tee signs, but there were no distances on them so they did little more than act as directional guides.
- based on the walking path that wove through a number of the holes I suspect there is some contention with pedestrians during prime times.

Some individual hole comments:

15 - I think the design of the hole is to throw a hyzer out over the water and come back into the fairway. But the water was high and the risk/reward was definitely not worth it. So it forced an anny or turnover shot where you were throwing back towards another hole.

18 - an ok hole just throwing across the lake, but the walk from the tee to the basket was terrible. Not only did it take 5 minutes or so, but you had to cross over at least 4 or 5 other holes. It would be great if there was a bridge across the thin portion of the lake near the hole.

Other Thoughts:

Despite all of the cons and the relatively few pros, I did enjoy my round there and will go back. It helped that I played in the morning when no one else was around. I think with some tees and a few navigational/layout improvements this could be a really good course.
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6 3
grhomes
Experience: 14.9 years 52 played 6 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Wind and Water 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 19, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Came back to update my review... New basket on #1. Good mix of water and open areas to crank one. First few are very aceable.

Cons:

This course is not the best design. The first 4 holes are all less than or right at 300', in the middle of the pedestrian walkway, which can be a pain. Many fairways/walks to next tee cross each other, and can be hectic. Biggest problem is the quality of the baskets, at least 15 baskets only have one set of outer chains, and are old and rusted.

Other Thoughts:

This course has started to grow on me a little...After the front 9, the course veers into a narrow wooded area that require precision shots. The walk from 18 tee to green is a pain, and with so much space it could be fixed easily. If it has rained recently, be prepared to bring boots because the course gets very muddy.
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5 0
teej
Experience: 15.8 years 32 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Lake WIlson 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 29, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Beautiful course. I have played this course twice now. It has a really good mix of short and long holes. The first couple of holes are almost just ace runs which I really like. I liked how the course flowed around the lake, putting the lake in your way or in your sight making it a factor on about 9 holes. It also forces you to throw over open water.

At hole one, they have a box full of score cards and there are suppose to be pencils there. The score cards have the distance of each hole, pars and the layout of the course which really comes in handy since the tee signs do not have the distances listed.

Cons:

There is an unbelievable amount of mosquito's out there. Make sure you bring bug spray, its just as important as your discs.

There are no tee pads. There was a couple of holes where I was not sure exactly where to throw from.

A couple of holes run together. It actually it not that big of a deal. It will not affect normal play but any tournament play I could possibly see problems coming up.

Hole 18 is kind of a inconvenience because you have to walk all the way around part of the lake. It is a good 5min walk. Plus you are walking through holes 7, 5, 4, and 3. It would be great for them to put a long bridge/fishing bridges so it could cut down walking time.

Other Thoughts:

I like this course. It is quite challenging. It has a really good combo of short and long holes.

I think if some holes were tweaked and some tee pads were thrown down, this would become a very sought after course.
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5 1
DWill
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 45.9 years 322 played 45 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Around the Lake 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 1, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Obviously, water and lots of it, both scenic and challenging. About half the holes play parallel to the lake, and two more holes, have you throwing over it. This will be more challenging to the lesser skilled players, but can put a little discomfort for the higher skilled players.

The course is fairly easy to navigate, even without a map, but there are score cards with maps at the first tee. Even though there are tee posts at each hole, they don't offer much information other than the hole number, so refer to the score card for distances.

There is a good blend of distances here, a few short holes and a few long holes, and every distance in between.

Cons:

There is a walking path that meanders throughout the course. Hole 11 has you throwing a blind, around the corner shot, right down the path, so be very careful. Some park patrons, not familiar with disc golf, wander off the path, and onto the course.

The fairways from 11 to 15 are parallel and a little too close to one another. Errant throws definitely encroach on the others fairway, but so can some routine good shots.

Hole 18 has you throwing across the water, probably too far for beginners and low intermediate players to accomplish. My biggest problem with 18 was after your drive, you have about a 5 - 7 minute walk around part of the lake to the basket. Half that time your back is to the basket, so any park patron can find your disc, pick it up and do what ever with it.

Other Thoughts:

Park in the parking lot farthest down the entrance road, you will have a little bit of a walk to the first tee. Bring your supplies, water, discs, etc with you, because the walk isn't convenient.

There's a good chance of losing a disc in the water, but there is enough open and semi-wooded holes to keep you dry.

This is a marked improvement over the previous course, Toisnot Park, in design, difficulty and beauty. Still a few minor improvements needed to complete the course, but you'll enjoy it none the less.
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3 1
Prothios
Experience: 13.8 years 6 played 3 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Nice Lake 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 11, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Challenging long shots. Nice view across the lake.

Cons:

I didn't like this course for my play style. Too many long shots, most running right along the shore of the lake. Stray to far or even a roller and your in the lake. Hole 5 tee's across the lake but the landing is tight. Hole 18 has a long tee across about 300 feet of lake. Lost plenty of discs here in the 2 days i played it. No tee boxes, just a single post to mark were they should be. lots of people fishing, especially the landing area on 5.

Other Thoughts:

If you have a big arm with lots of distance and floating discs, this one could be fun. Really need some tee boxes.
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9 2
jkdisc
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.5 years 117 played 108 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Lotsa Lake 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 21, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Beautiful lake setting! Most of the holes follow around the lake and back. There is a great satellite map at hole #1 with a mailbox for scorecards. This course is much better than the former course in Wilson, in my opinion.

Other Pros:
- clean and well maintained
- risk/reward
- distance varieties
- open and wooded holes
- not crowded
- 2 water throw overs!

Cons:

Well, I put a disc in the water on #5. The water looks clean so my friend and I wade in to retrieve it. A fisherman comes up and takes our picture and says he's calling the sherriff. After trying to reason with him, we give up. He pointed out where it says no swimming /wading but it wasn't very noticable.
He didn't call the sherriff when we asked if he had a fishing license! I was just irratated because he wasn't friendly at all.

Other Cons:
- very windy
- very basic tee signs
- fairways close to each other
- tee areas are just somewhere near the tee sign
- many fishermen near the baskets

These cons weren't a big deal because we didn't see any other players on the course and having a big lake means there is going to be wind. I still had a great time playing some disc golf.

Other Thoughts:

It is a nice course just beware of the water and the fishermen. There are plenty of garbage cans so please keep it beautiful!
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6 0
aggreen
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.9 years 264 played 19 reviews
2.50 star(s)

A good course - just some limits due to the land. 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Dec 19, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

It has a nice variance of hole length. Great scorecards and map.
Very scenic - large homes on other side of lake and is surrounded by a cotton farm - kind of a mix of new south and old south.

Cons:

This course is designed on a small strip of land, which contributes to crossing fairways, close fairways and holes. While the hole lengths were a positive, the layouts were not. There is just not much variety - pretty much straight on.
There are some drainage issues. We played a couple of days after precipitation, but there were still large pools of water on holes 7 through 11 and 16.
While signs are typically a Pro, these signs lack any real information that is pertinent to the hole/course (no distance, no obstacle layouts) - just didn't find them helpful at all. I normally wouldn't list that as a Con, but there was an investment in making quality signs.
The tee areas were difficult to determine, which could be due to the "newness" of the course. We found flags on the later holes, but it was inconsistent to determine the correct "tee pad" - sometimes ahead of the hole marker and sometimes aligned next to it.
There are goose droppings everywhere and, while this cannot be controlled, it's still not a positive.
The initial 4 holes are placed in a common walking area for other park goers, so when the park is busy, this can be a real issue. My friend and I, on a 40 degree December day, were the only ones playing on the course and still had to wait on a number of occasions for other park patrons due to the walking path being on the fairways.
I debated placing this in the Con section, but the lake, seemingly, becomes more of a nuisance than a part of the course design. 9 of 18 holes parallel the lake. Errant throws and slight tree hits have a very realistic chance of ricocheting into water. This course is fairly flat and the ground is covered in grass/pine needles, which results in long skips (not a con). While it can be used to your advantage, slight line misses (hitting trees) or slightly long missed throws (long skips) can easily result in discs hitting the lake. I have no problem with water holes (#5 and #18 are fine) and Buckhorn is very fair and one of my favorites - it's just that these 9 holes can result in water hits due more to chance than actual skill to avoid it (Note: I didn't put any in the water).

Other Thoughts:

About a quarter-mile walk from the parking lot to the #1 tee area through the gate.
As I stated in the con, the water is in play - MUCH more then stated in this course description - on 11 of 18 holes (including the two water throw-overs).
I am not convinced that #18 is the stated 315 ft. Threw a Roc easily over to the hole #3 tee area. It's more like 215.
The pars listed on the course review are more accurate then those listed at the course.
If the a rating system had a 1/4 disc option, I would rate this a 2.75, with some additional improvement chances as the course matures.
From a Raleigh perspective, it's one to try if you are hitting Zebulon or passing through, but not a jewel - yet.
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2 0
BobStutts
Experience: 19 played 18 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 3, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

First, what a gorgeous lake to play around. A variety of holes and as one who is not a distance thrower quite a challenge. Had to fish out two discs. One bounced and went down an embankment, the other bounced and flipped down a steep embankment and splash. I loved the course and can't wait to play it with good pads.

Cons:

As with a few other locals I met I feel some trimming of underbrush would be great. The tee markers on the ground were little golf balls with small red flags and most were already missing. Good pads will solve the problem.

Other Thoughts:

The gates were closed. It is a walk to the first hole straight down the walking trail to hole one. Don't count on locals fishing. They never heard of disc golf and did not know the course was there. On hole 5 and 18 you can take the alternate tee post and not throw over the lake. Hole 18 over the water tee to basket is at least 175 feet of water. I am not a distance throwing and with a gale wind in my face I walked around the end of the lake and played 18A.
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2 3
stankee1
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
3.00 star(s)

wilson 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 26, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Awesome park/lake setting, beautiful scenery, and landscape, some fun holes.

Cons:

Where to start, i kno its new, but the planning on course flow and tourney flow are out the window..mulitiple crossing of holes, conflicting with other groups, hole 18 after you throw, u walk back threw, hole 8, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1???..how is that safe??..need a bridge build over the water at hole 18, and would resolve issue. mulitiple long walks as well..post for marking holes are rite were the "good" tee area would be, no consideration of making a good teebox, on a 600 ft hole that have u lined up directely into a tree, with no run-up.??,,madd-wack...lots of briars...please get help or knowledge from a seasoned pro b4 installing concrete please!!!

Other Thoughts:

Its new..major kinks on teepads and crossing others fairways..safety issues for sure if lots of people on course!!..oh ya i took a few pictures of map they have posted by hole 1, so i could get around the course..suggest u do so as well if u have a cell phone..confusing for 1st timers..they had a scorecard mailbox, but of course all were gone.lol..enjoy
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5 2
GRISWOLD87
Experience: 14.1 years 5 played 5 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 29, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

beautiful view all around the wholr course great mix of short, long and insane holes! alot of water in the mix 1-5 plays all the way down the side of the lake. everytime ive played ive seen atleast 2 disc lost in the water. so be careful an accurate. get your birdies while you can bc the back 9 will devour your score. idk if anyone has even pared this course. plenty of trash cans and benches to take a breather on.;

Cons:

major grass cutting needed 10-18 and lost of misqutoes so bring spray. can be pretty confusing bc signs arent up yet and multiple view of other baskets so be careful and make sure you throw to the right one. iam sure alot of these quirks will be worked out once this course is up and running good. shes brand new so respect her!
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