Algona, IA

Ambrose A. Call Park

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2.55(based on 6 reviews)
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11 0
knobby325
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 8.7 years 323 played 248 reviews
3.50 star(s)

A nice surprise 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 30, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Excellent Baskets
-Decent Signage
-Concrete Tees
-Good mix open/wooded - long/short
-Rather Quiet Park, disc golf stays somewhat away from other activities (see cons)
-Plenty of trash cans around
-Upkeep of grounds is nice (was being mowed as we played)
-Decent map

Cons:

-Road in play on several holes
-Camping area in play on #13
-Long walk between #12 basket and #13 tee (near #10 basket)
-#6 basket is near or over the road slightly to the right (tendency is to shoot for #8 basket in the trees to the left)

Other Thoughts:

Ambrose A. Call Park, a state park named for an early settler of the area, is home to a lovely 18 hole DGC just southwest of Algona, IA. The course plays up on the ridge of the park. It remains flat for most of the course. There are just a few spots that a miss could have you down a steep embankment. There is a good mix of open / wooded shots with several baskets tucked inside the treeline or a group of trees. The park road comes into play on several holes, but this was a quiet place as we played, with just a few cars through on a weeknight. #6 was a tad confusing to which basket to send it to. You will see one tucked in the trees to the left a bit, but that is #8, shoot through the gap in the trees to the right of that. Basket #6 was in the long spot just over the road. There is a bit of a walk from #12 basket to #13 tee (back along the road near basket #10). #13 plays along the camping area, so there is a bit of a hazard there. Upkeep on the park was excellent with many trashcans and the main meadow being mowed as we played (at no detriment to our game). With some left and some right turns, a couple of boomer holes and a couple of shorties, the mix provides something for everyone. I can see families enjoying and up to intermediates having a decent test. I suppose the tee pads could be a bit longer, but that's just nit picking. There may have been a way to utilize the elevation in the park a bit, but overall the course was a pleasant surprise. I will play here again when in the area.
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1 1
northernfrolfer
Experience: 15 years 8 played 8 reviews
4.00 star(s)

exceeded expectations 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 11, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

-course has been well maintained
-fun layout
-nice tee boxes
-forces you to think out your shots

Cons:

-too many holes play along the road
-tee boxes are a little small
-finding thirteen was a little confusing

Other Thoughts:

i played two of the courses in algona and this was the nicest of the two. it's very well maintained and has great scenery for the time playing. It's not overly hard or too easy and that's a plus. You have to watch for cars as multiple holes require you to use one of the roads. Overall, it was a lot of fun to play.
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0 3
crashnburn
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
1.00 star(s)

very bad course reconstruction 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 6, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Everything will be brand new when finished.

Cons:

The course is not finished yet but holes 4 thru 9 are to short and to close together. If there is a couple groups playing at the same time u will have to watch out for other discs.

Other Thoughts:

I think since they do not have the course finished they should try and out it back the way it was just with all new stuff.
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1 0
rocker13
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Decent course. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 31, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Only 18 hole course in Algona. Technical turning shots. For locals this is probably best course they have access to.

Cons:

When I was there, they had the map removed so I couldn't find hole 6 or 11. The signs that are supposed to show you the map of the holes need replaced and are often very hard to read. Some shots use the road as the fairway, not good if you are not using a decent quality plastic.

Other Thoughts:

I thought this course was really fun myself. Sometimes it was frustrating to figure out where to throw to but for the most part I figured it out. Many shots require you to be able to either throw side arm, left handed, or be able to curve a disk right. Tons of woods, so be ready for that.
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2 0
mndiscg
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.8 years 480 played 478 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Dissapointing 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 6, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

-This course is set in a nice, scenic, out of the way location.
-Parking lot, bathrooms
-Not a lot else at the park so you should be left alone. The only others I saw were three girls tanning in the open field and a few joggers.

Cons:

-Small and very old tee pads. They are crumbling and nearly useless.
-The signs are old and mostly unreadable.
-The baskets are original and are not up to current standards.
-Some holes have the park road as a fairway. This is a horrible idea for many reasons. First, if you land in the fairway your disc gets chewed up. Second, if you miss, you get poison ivy. Third, you might hit cars, people, etc on the road.
-They have beautiful woods all over and yet hardly use them.
-Navigation is horrible. The signs are bad and you can always see multiple baskets so you don't know what you are aiming for. I am still not sure I played the entire course in the right order.
-Could lose a disc, get poison ivy, etc in the thick woods.

Other Thoughts:

Iowa needs to charge a dollar or two for their state parks and put the money back into the disc golf courses. This isn't the first time I have found an old crap course in a nice location. This course could be a 5 with the proper care and equipment. That being said, the layout would change entirely, I am only commenting on the quality of the land. I was overall very disappointed with this course. It had a 3 rating and I feel that mine is generous. The other course in Algona is equally bad if not worse.
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0 1
Blonde Thunder
Experience: 14.8 years 65 played 12 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Secluded State Park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 26, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Very secluded course that is set in a state park. The course is at least a half-mile off the road through a very old and beautiful forest (I saw a deer on my way out).
The course is very tight and lined with trees.
Camping is available in the park (which could cause problems when being used for camping since some holes call for shots right over camp sites) but nobody was camping when I was there.
Many of the holes have very unique layouts that caused me to think and plan out my shots.
Beautiful surroundings and well manicured.
Concrete tees.
A small walk through the nature trails from one basket to the next tee is a great sight-seeing break.

Cons:

maybe a bit buggy during certain times of year, but well worth it for the scenery!
A couple holes were hard to find my first run through, I actually didnt find one hole til my second run.

Other Thoughts:

Fun course!
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