Angleton, TX

Bates Park - Old Layout

Permanent course
2.215(based on 7 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

Bates Park - Old Layout reviews

Filter
4 1
Pizza God
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 36 years 1689 played 554 reviews
2.00 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 13, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

Map by the parking lot, but once you find hole one, you are NOT going to have any problem finding the next tee, trust me.

rubber tee pads

Beautiful large tree's

Cons:

You know the course is going to have a bad design when the basket for hole 9 is in the fairway for hole 1.

Then you get to the basket of hole 1 and you have to throw over the tee pad for hole 2.

In the vain of "what where they thinking", hole 3 throws across a baseball field.

Other Thoughts:

As you can see, I have played a few courses over the last 30 years (1/2 of the courses I have played have been in the last 2 years) I have seen a few bad/poorly designed courses.

This one is right up there with some of the worst ones I have ever played.

Don't get me wrong, individual holes are pretty good, however the design of the course is horrible. I rated this course as a 2 because there are some good holes, but I can't rate it higher because of the reasons listed here.

First thing you notice is that the basket for hole 9 is literally in the fairway of hole 1. Then when you get to the basket, you realize that you have to throw over #2's tee to get to the basket. So not only would you have to wait for the group in front to putt out, but then to drive the next hole.

Hole 2 throws down with a ball field on your right. Not a long hole but guess what, 10ft past the basket is tee #3. yes, I had to putt back over the tee as I overthrew the hole.

Hole 3 literally is a wide open shot across the ball field. What were they thinking? And guess what, yep, #4 tee box is right next to #3 basket.

This teebox basket thing is on every hole. You will not have any problem finding the next tee box.

Now starting on hole 4, the tree's are all large and in rows. This gives you some killer fairways that the course does take advantage of. Low low ceilings in this area of the park give you some added challenge on an otherwise easy course.

Oh, Holes 4 and 9 also throw across a driveway.

This is not a huge park, but this course could have been done much better than it is. While it could never be a championship course, they could have at least design it where more than a few groups could play at the same time.

Would I play here again?

Nope, while it does have a few good holes, I see no reason to ever play here again.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 0
DiscNorth
Experience: 7.5 years 25 played 7 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Great First-Timer's Course/Hone the Skills 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Feb 5, 2017 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

1. The grounds are well kept and mowed.
2. The park itself has easy access and not far from main road.
3. Low hanging branches and interestingly-placed baskets that provide some challenge.

Cons:

1. The course is pretty cramped; easy to throw over each other if there are a lot of players.
2. First time through, it may be confusing where some of the baskets are (example: first hole, you have to throw past a basket).
3. If there are other events taking place, the park can get packed quickly and part of the course becomes unavailable.

Other Thoughts:

This is a great first-timer's/beginners course, where even novices and advanced and come and hone some skills. It's an easy walk and the baskets are not hard to find. It's a great setting, and evening play makes for some fantastic sunsets through the trees.

UPDATE: I have had the opportunity to play after some rain storms. The course likes to retain water, so if you are not up for playing in the mud and puddles, give it a few days to drain after storms pass through the area.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 0
ERicJ
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.3 years 286 played 154 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Best feature: low ceiling 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 17, 2014 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Nice DGA double chain baskets with easy to read number plaques on the top. Decent course map posted by tee #1. Tees are all numbered on posts (although a couple have lost the number plates). The course provides a challenge unlike most other courses in the Houston area except First Colony Aquatic Center... and that is low ceilings on shots of fair distances. That's a good skill to have when playing courses in other parts of the country and it's hard to develop in Houston.

Cons:

The rubber tee pads are a joke being well undersized and several are installed perpendicular. The tee pads are also absurdly close to the previous baskets, literally less than 10' in some cases. Tee #2 and basket #9 are in #1's fairway. Holes #2 & #3 throw through a baseball field and bleacher area. Hole #8 throws dangerously close to a kids' playground.

Other Thoughts:

I played very early in the morning and there were several walkers/joggers that needed to be avoided on #1 and #9. But otherwise I had the course area to myself. But on a nice afternoon I can see lots of problems with baseball, picnicers, and kids on the playground. The course was clearly installed by folks with no knowledge of the game or the tees wouldn't be on top of the previous basket. There's no way you could have a tournament, as the course isn't safe for more than a few people at a time.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 1
uwdiscgolf
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.6 years 163 played 26 reviews
2.00 star(s)

9 Hole in Angleton 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 9, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The PROS:

1. New course with fresh baskets.

2. Easy to find and navigate

3. Big and easy to read sign at beginning of course.

4. Big number plates on the baskets.

Cons:

The CONS:

1. Tee pads are rubber, but its the lack of size that makes them cons.

2. Baskets and next tee pads are so close that if there are other players you have to be on the alert for a flying disc.

3. No tee signs by the tee pads.

4. I didnt knock off any points for this, but some of the holes are labeled as a par (4) when really there is no justification for it being any higher than (3). I typically play every hole under 500-600 ft. as a par (3) unless its tightly wooded. So for instance hole 3 is a par (4), but the distance is only 300ft. Not to mention its a wide open shot with no obstacles in the way.

5. Basket for hole 9 is literally in the middle of hole 1's fairway. So again you need to be paying attention to your surroundings at all times.

6. Hole 8 plays dangerously close to small playground.

Other Thoughts:

Overall the course is fun to play. Recommend it as a beginner course. I did get a chance to talk to the designer of the course. He was out and about asking for feedback about the course. He admitted to me that he knew basically nothing about disc golf until he heard about from someone and decided to put in a course at Bates park. He invited me to be apart of the back nine design if the funds get approved. So with most of the cons being that of basket location and tee pads.. I offered advice about small relocation to make the course safer and more appropriate. The course does play on a mostly unused part of the park which is nice. Low traffic means less innocence people in the way of flying discs. The course is a fast play course which means playing the course can be accomplished in under 20 min. I played two rounds in 20-30 min. This course is a nice end to a day of disc golf if you played Dunbar earlier in the day or you just happen to be in the Angleton/ Lake Jackson area. Like i said though, not a course for the serious disc golfer.

I would give it a 2.5 if there was more variety from hole to hole, and larger tee pads with signage. and it offered a little more challenge. The only challenge the course really offers is the fact that the fairways have mostly low ceilings from the surrounding trees.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 2
djkeyzer
Experience: 20 played 3 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Nice Park Course 2+ years drive by

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

Pros:

Nice small course in a very clean park. Good challenge from the low hanging tree limbs. Shady.

Cons:

It's short, which is ok for me. It's all mid-range shots for you bombers out there. And as mentioned in other reviews, the next tee box is often too close to the basket, like less than 10 feet in some cases.

Other Thoughts:

My first visit, and I was the only one there.. walked it three times and had fun..
Was this review helpful? Yes No
6 0
c_a_miller
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.9 years 299 played 207 reviews
2.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 24, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

The course and surrounding park was very clean and well kept up. The baskets are brand new and in great shape and have big numbers on the top, easy to see from the tee. The tee posts are all present. There is a big course map near hole one, it is not necessary as the course is easy to navigate but it is still nice to see.

Shot wise this is not your run of the mill public park course. The back six holes are in a part of the park with a lot of low hanging trees that need a low, clean shot for a chance at a 2 (Houston folks, think of First Colony Aquatic Center when I mention low ceilings).

A great course for this town to introduce people to the sport in an easy way. There is little chance to lose a disc and the course is easy enough that will encourage beginners and not discourage them

Cons:

Sadly, this course has more cons then pros. The first real big thing is that the next hole tees are literally five feet from the previous basket. If more then one group of people played here this could become a huge hazard.

Hole 9 plays across the street. This means that you have to throw across a street which also could be hazardous if an unsuspecting car drives by. One tip would be watch where you throw your drives.

Speaking of Hole #9. The basket is right in the middle of #1 fairway. Again, this could be seen as a hazard.

The rubber tee pads are ridiculous. They are maybe 3'x4' and some are pointing in the wrong direction. They are doing more bad then good. I would much rather have preferred the grass getting worn into dirt than have these small, pointless tee pads.

Other Thoughts:

This course is easy to get to from 288 and can be played in ~30 minutes and that would be slow play. This course adds to the mini trifecta of the courses in this area along with Dunbar and Clute. This is a good course for beginners as mentioned previously.

The course description said that there may be hopes for an 18 hole course else where in town and that would be huge and greatly looked forward to by many players.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 0
GMSdrum
Experience: 15 years 225 played 7 reviews
2.50 star(s)

A good start 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 27, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Being a recently installed course, the baskets are new, and the rubber tee pads are in good shape.

The baskets have large visible numbers on them. The layout is easy to follow except in a couple spots. (Signs pointing to the next tee are unnecessary since they're so close - see cons).

You are unlikely to lose a disc.

Cons:

The tee pads are very small. No run-up is possible.

No tee signs, no distances, no markings on the tee pads. [Update Aug 2013 - All tees now have a post with the hole number]

Two of the tee pads (4 and 9) are pointing in the wrong direction.

*** The tee pads are WAY too close (about 10-15 feet) from the previous basket. If a group is ahead of you, it would be best to wait until they are two holes ahead before driving.

The #9 basket is directly in the fairway of hole #1. This is poor design. It needs to be moved northeast across the road, which would complete the loop back to the parking lot without disrupting play on hole #1. Also, anyone overthrowing the 226 foot Hole 7 would risk hitting players at basket 4 and tee 5.

Not much variety in the holes - all pretty much a straight shot.

Obstacles - if there's a ball game on the southwest field you will have problems with holes 2-3, and possibly 1. Hole 2 throws directly at a seating area and a "dugout". Hole 3 throws directly *through* center field. Hole 8 has a playground, trash can, and picnic table *in* the fairway.

Other Thoughts:

Plenty of shade from #4-9, a good thing for the Texas summer heat.

The course map is posted at the south end of the large parking lot. It is a nice map with distances. The numbers are the basket locations. The tees are not indicated on the map, except for tee 1, since they are next to the previous basket.

Easy access from highway 288.

It's a multi-use park with playgrounds, a half-dozen softball/baseball fields, tennis courts, covered basketball court, and multiple restrooms. The ones I tried were locked but there are more in the adjacent Dickey Park.

The park was active with a few early morning walkers/joggers and others hanging around, but they didn't interfere with my round. I could see it being very busy with softball tournaments. There doesn't appear to be enough parking if all the ball fields were in use at once.

This is a nice addition to the area - the first course in Angleton, hope to see more. It's longer and more challenging than the 9-hole course in Clute Park not far to the south, but does not have the variety of Dunbar Park's 18-holer.
Was this review helpful? Yes No

Latest posts

Top