Nacogdoches, TX

Pioneer Park

3.335(based on 15 reviews)
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3 1
allenhoop
Experience: 13.9 years 243 played 11 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Cool park, fun but poorly designed course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 20, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

Lots of good things to say here:
-Great Teepads
-nice DD baskets
-Fun shots
-good elevation change
-beautiful park

Cons:

-poor signage, not easy to navigate
-brings danger to other parkgoers into play on many holes
-have to walk out of the way to cross a huge creek several times
-back 9 plays throughout a wetland
-needs bridges to prevent backtracking
-very poor flow, lots of extra walking

Other Thoughts:

Look... I get it. You live in a small town and have a sweet park that you were somehow able to put a pretty high level course into. One shouldn't just make a course difficult for the sake of being difficult though. Use the land in a smart and safe way, don't just drop baskets and teepads in like you own the place. The problem is that as the town grows and the park gets more use, safety hazards and other issues will become more prevalent. Soon they will be asking you to redesign. I really enjoyed many of the shots, but the fact that it is not a park dedicated to disc golf makes the players and sport of disc golf look bad when a course is designed like that. All it takes is one poorly timed errant shot to get a course pulled. Be warned.
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1 0
mykalkross
Experience: 7 played 6 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great but exhausting 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 3, 2019 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great variety of shotsLots of elevated and flat shotsThrow platforms are niceGood signage and directions

Cons:

Hole 1 can get ya tired for rest of coursePark is crowded at times and kids have ran off with discsPart of the back holes are very wet for long time after rain and hard to get through.Part of holes are along a road and people can fly by making it dangerous at times

Other Thoughts:

Love this course. Just harder for people with bad knees due to the hill climbing associated with the front few holes, makes rest of course a lil tiring.
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2 0
Jessv2633
Experience: 11.9 years 26 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Fun course!! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 2, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course had a good variety of elevation changes! I really enjoyed the different shots and the scenery! It was a beautiful little course. The baskets were not top of the line, but they never once spit my disc out. The tee pads looked fairly new and I never slipped!

Cons:

A lot of people the park, but only had one time where someone was in the way of my shot..
The map that is loaded on this app is completely wrong. The first hole starts in front of the big parking lot at the back of the course. It goes over a huge ditch. If you are playing here for the first time do not rely on the map to get you around. Follow the signs on the park. The app has incorrect distances from the app as well. However the pars for each hole on this map are all correct with the actual course tee signs.

Other Thoughts:

Other than the cons. The course was great! I believe this could be a new favorite course in my area for driving distances to play! It was a little wet on the back 9, but I believe it was just from flooding from Harvey. It was a good course though!
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5 0
4th Rock
Experience: 12.2 years 29 played 6 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 1, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This course is a happy medium between the easier and laid back Pecan Park and the much more challenging Lake Nac course. This golf course provides plenty of challenges from blind tee boxed, moderate elevation changes,with a healthy bit of tree cover to work around. The front half is relatively open, while a few holes get into some areas with a more densely tree covered area. The back half is more wooded, yet openings are there to provide good routes to all baskets.

Every hole save hole 7 and 13 can be birdied.

Cons:

Teepads are earthen clay, and can get slick after a rain event.

Due to the topology and lay of the land, holes 10, 11, 12 13, 15, and 16 can be pretty bogged down with surface water, creating swampy conditions on some fairways. Don't come and play in your good shoes.

Course navigation can be tricky. Hole #8 seems to have a short teebox across the creek right by Lenwood Dr. , as well as a long teebox situated up high in the middle of the park by a pavilion.

Signage is good in places, however some signs are missing which can make getting around a bit troublesome until you familiarize yourself with the park.

Disccatcher baskets would be a nice improvement, but like concrete tee pads, they are a luxury that often can't be afforded.

Other Thoughts:

Great intermediate course to have in a town that already has 3 other courses, all with their own unique level of play. If it were closer to the University it would probably get much more traffic.

Also, I would avoid being at this park alone at the late evening hours, as it can a bit sketchy at times. Know where you are and know your surroundings at all times.
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4 0
c_a_miller
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.9 years 299 played 207 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 22, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

The course sits in a very beautiful park. It utilizes the elevation that is present to it's peak, the majority of the holes played up hill, down hill.

There is a good variety of holes from ace runs to big shots through trees. No hole is the same.

The course was empty the two hours I was out there minus the walker. It seems as if this is a common thing and other courses in the Nac get more traffic then this one does.

The natural tee pads were not too rutted, this probably has to do with the lack of people.

The course is clean and it is apparent that the people that do play here care for their course tremendously.

Cons:

A first timer playing by themselves may have a hard time finding the next tee. There are no signs that I noticed to show where the next tee is. Hole #1 is also very hard to find once entering the park.

This would not be a place where I would want to hang out after dark. Even in the daylight there were a few shady individuals walking around as the park is near a very run down neighborhood.

Other Thoughts:

I played this on a road trip and was lucky enough to play with a local who knew his way around very well. I would highly recommend finding someone to play with to make your experience here a lot better.

Bring water, there is a lot of uphill walking at this course and in the Texas heat the sun will get you.
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5 0
adamlamar
Experience: 13.4 years 34 played 9 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Come for the lake course, but play this when you're here 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 21, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The elevation changes make for a fun round and work well with the course layout ... for the most part. The signage that's there is helpful. There's a good balance of wooded areas and open space. More than a few opportunities to open up on your drive.
Easy access to park facilities - picnic tables, pavilions, restrooms, etc.

Cons:

Mainly the layout. Hole 3, 7, 8 and 18 are all great holes to drive on, but navigating them is a pain. I'd like to see a small bridge across the creek on 3 and at least some stairs cut into the sides of the gulley on 18's new layout. Getting down into it is super sketchy and walking around it sucks.
Throwing over 500 feet downhill on 7 and then walking right back up the hill to throw back down on 8 doesn't make sense to me. I would get rid of hole 1 and put in a hole that let's you throw back up the hill between 7 and 8.
Sundays seem to be soccer days, so play another course. People have a tendency to park on the #4 teepad, as it's not clearly marked. There's also a new set of soccer goals that have been put up crossing the #9 fairway.
Not every hole has a sign and bench, and if you've never played the course, the teepad for 18 is by the middle pavilion - because there's nothing else telling you to go that way.
I'm cool with dirt teepads, but some people prefer concrete.

Other Thoughts:

Other than my issues with the layout I love this course. It's easy to get on and off. If you left something in the car or need to to grab another water from the cooler, the car isn't that far of a walk from most holes. Not near the elevation changes the lake course has, but if you want something less flat that Pecan but don't want to drive to the lake, this is perfect. Nacogdoches really does have an awesome trio of courses.
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1 2
Sandman01
Experience: 9 played 9 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Home Again 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 19, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Love the elevation changes.
Clean park
Flow was good
Love the first three holes.

Cons:

When I played was somewhat hard to navigate course and lost my way a few times. Back can get soggy after a good rain.
More benches would help.

Other Thoughts:

If I had my choice between pioneer and pecan I would select pioneer. Now I am just waiting to go visit Lake Nacogdoches as I understand it is a very good course. Other than the navigational issues I liked this course. Back in the day when I was a college student, I recall walking around this park but no disc golf at the time.
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1 3
coolpooky7
Experience: 13.5 years 35 played 22 reviews
2.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 5, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Holes 1, 2 and 3 are a lot of fun because there are some drastic elevation changes.

Cons:

last time I was there I got word that they were changing the course around. I hope so because we could not find which tee box went to which hole and most the holes just throw back and forth. No real imagination when designing the course. Pioneer Park is a bit better but the course over by the lake it the place to be.

Other Thoughts:

If you are in Nac, go to the lake course.
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1 5
princesabin
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Poorly marked course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 24, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Lots of neat things to see, some great holes like Hole 3.

Cons:

Never could find Hole 4. Several holes you had to guess where the tee was, completely littered with trash, glass, etc.

Other Thoughts:

I'm going to try Pecan Park next. Maybe Morley Field in San Diego has spoiled me with a very well marked course.
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7 1
Roc1Time
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.8 years 131 played 115 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Love it part duex 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 9, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is my favorite in the area and I look forward to this place everytime the GPS shows it on its screen. The elevation here is used perfectly and makes not only the tee shots fun but also many of your upshots. The most amazing hole on the course is hole 3 which is a tunnel shot through these two older trees all the way down hill over a street and a creek. Oh and dont throw too far or you will cross over the next fairway and land in or across the main street coming into the park. There are many other holes out here that make you throw a great shot to score well here. The mix of long shots with the technical ones bring the fun factor way up because you will need alot of different shots to get through here. The creek is also used well along with other "boundry" lines making you think about your shot before you let it go. I just cant give it a 4 even though it might deserve one because there are other courses that have already earned that honor.

Cons:

Like said before the back part of the course can get very muddy after a rain and stays that ways for a long time. The neighborhood isnt the greatest around but have never had any issues but others have told me stories.( Of course they were out past dark or out there alone. Also the walk from 18 to 1 is FAR!!

Other Thoughts:

I laugh at another review when the guy listed a con because his buddy took a 7 because his putt rolled off, "Isnt that what makes this game fun and frustrating at the same time?" If they all went in it wouldnt be this fun. Like I said in my other review, if you get a chance to play the tourney here, "go play it", great times and if you have anything to complain about it wont be about these two courses I promise you that.
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2 4
tylaj04
Experience: 4 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 23, 2007 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Awesome layout makes for some unique and difficult shots. Lots of change in elevation. Great scenery in a nice park, but not too crowded. Challenging, but not annoyingly difficult. There's always multiple ways to approach the tee around creeks, hills, and lots of trees.

Cons:

Many holes get extremely muddy after a rain.

Other Thoughts:

Check out the tank.
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13 0
gcrussell4
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 19.1 years 146 played 25 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Pioneer Park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 31, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The Pioneer Park disc golf course does an excellent job of using the park that it is located in. The park is located in a housing neighborhood and is really barely big enough to fit a good 18 hole course in. Fortunately for DG lovers, the course uses the space excellently to provide a very fun and tricky little course.

Pioneer is set in a hilly part of Nacogdoches and most of the holes on the course take advantage of the elevation changes. Most elevation changes are more on the minor side, but they change the shots that need to be thrown significantly in comparison to a flat hole. This makes the course very interesting and many of the shots unique. The course has a few areas that are out of bounds and some rough, but most of the holes are at least partially wooded. Few pure tunnel shots, but several where you need to pick a route and hit it.

Overall this course makes for a very well rounded disc golf experience. The holes are almost all birdie-able which makes it rewarding when you hit your lines. Most of the holes are unique and combined with nearby Pecan Park, the course is a destination worth the drive.

Cons:

There are a few things that you need to consider before playing Pioneer. If it has recently been raining, the back nine can be a swamp. Prepare to get wet and (as everywhere in Texas during the summer) be mauled by mosquitos. The rough is also filled with poison ivy. The course has a few continuity and crossover issues as well. If you don't know where you are going, make sure to consult a map beforehand. You may have to wait on pedestrians, cars, or other disc golfers before you can throw your drives off of some boxes.

Other Thoughts:

4 of the 5 rounds that I have played at Pioneer have been at the Pecan Park Open, a B-tier event that the locals prepare very well for. The course has always been in great shape due to the preparations for the tourney. I will note however that the other time that I went to the course it was also in excellent shape. The Nacogdoches Crushers disc golf club is an outstanding small club that does a great job keeping up the quality of their courses.
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7 1
chalos13
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.8 years 35 played 34 reviews
4.00 star(s)

freakin sweet 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 30, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great course, excellent use of elevation. This course is challenging, with out getting frustrating. This in my top 5 courses. I have trouble with "tunnel" holes that follow a narrow path through trees, this course doesn't have any of them.

Cons:

The creek and dry creek beds make a serious challenge. My brother in law scored a 7 on a par 3 because his putts rolled 40 feet down a hill every time he missed. Be ready for some tough shots.

Other Thoughts:

Most courses I've played the back nine seems harder. This course it seems the front nine has more of the challenges, and the back nine is some long holes with some nice open shots, good tree placement.
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14 2
XxInnovaxX
Experience: 15.6 years 46 played 13 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Pioneer 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 2, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Elevation!! which is rare in this area.
big park, long drives
several shots over creek
never crowded
best park in the nacogdoches area

Cons:

needs better signs, im a local so i know where to go but if its your first time you will definately get confused, partially because the sign pics are way off!!
LONG walks between some holes
walk from 18 to parking lot at 1. bring extra bottle of water, tent, build campfire...yea its that far!!
in the ghetto. not very nice area of town, but have never ran into any trouble, have seen a couple cops stroll through occasionaly.

Other Thoughts:

this is probably the best course in the area. it is definitely the hardest, longest, most techinical(creeks).
awesome course to play!!
bring a bottle of water and your hiking boots because this ones a long walk.
IF YOU PLAY WITH MORE THAN ONE PERSON HAVE ONE PERSON PARK AT HOLE 1 AND ONE AT HOLE 18. trust me
***********LOCK your car.**************
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8 1
NDABRUSH
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.3 years 58 played 46 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Great elevation for the Texas/Louisiana area 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Apr 27, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Lots of elevation if you like that. My favorite was hole 3, very nice elevation help for short arms like me. A good number of trees but there are multiple ways to play each
shot from the tee. A creek in play on several holes. Well kept by the locals who are very friendly and care about their course a lot. Good variety of length. This course is very challenging, especially for low level players like me. Yet it is still fair and fun to play if you don't get too discouraged or embarrassed. Good baskets, safe park but not a real busy or walker infested park. Another solid course 3 miles away(Pecan Acres).

Cons:

Back nine was a little soggy in places. Not enough trash cans. hole 1 and 18 are not even close to each other, but that's parking and not really the course..

Other Thoughts:

This course is a real gem. They told me that a 36 hole setup is in the works which when done will make Nacogdoches an o utstanding disc golf destination with 4 high quality courses. I was told that the new courses will be wooded with elevation and possibley water hazards!!
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