Pros:
(3.993 Rating) A big city park course, with a big city budget.
- MANDOS - What a weird way to begin a review. I don't even like mandos. But, I made an exception for the Harry Myers part duex course. Why? Because the way they indicate mando's here, is among the funniest things I've ever seen on a course. The film character Mando from Star Wars is literally used to indicate mandatories on this course. I think I had heard about this goof before, perhaps it was from another course, idk. Seeing it in person just cracked me up.
- NATURAL BEAUTY AND MAINTENANCE - One of the most beautiful kept city parks I've ever been too. Ball golf course level grass fairways in many spots and lots of professional landscaping spicing up views in and around the layout. In addition to the maintenance, the park's natural features are on display too. A rolling landscape with water features and healthy woods areas. Among the 560 courses I've played as of this review, I slotted Harry Myers at around the 90 percentile level for beauty.
- CHALLENGING - For the record, I elected to play the short layout as I had 4 more hours of driving left to do on this pleasant afternoon and also one more course to bag. Despite the shorts being a touch too simplistic to me as an Intermediate, It was still super fun and it required lots of different shot types and discs from my depleted arsenal. Overall, I'd say the front pads are lower end Rec level. I still peaked at most of the long tees over my round, and I could tell that these are going to appease the everyday higher skilled players. I probably would have scored a few over par instead of 6 down had I opted for the long pads. Players are going to need both distance and precision from the backs to continuously shoot below par.
- SKILL LEVEL FRIENDLY - The two tee layouts here are going to appeal to a large swath of playing levels. The back tees are ideal for 900s to 950s, while Recs and Novices will love the shorts. I saw several young players, and seemingly some beginners as well, out enjoying themselves on this course. There are some difficult plays, but it's hard to get into major trouble except for a couple of spots. The longer holes, except for (17), are likely a bit too complex for inexperienced throwers, but the overall sum of the parts I think still leads to a fun time for most beginners.
- HOLE VARIETY - I thought the hole variety was fantastic. Ace runs and bomber par 5s. Big long sweeping plays and also placement dogleg holes. Water comes into play a couple of times, but cautious play should be able to avoid it. Open holes and heavily wooded holes and everything in between. There is also some fun moderate elevation movement on holes such as (8) and (11). Overall a super fun inspiring mix of holes.
- AMENITIES - New Pro 28 DISCatcher baskets, Check. Two big concrete tees on each hole, Check. High quality tee signage, Check. Alternate basket placements, benches, course map, practice basket and restrooms, five more checks.
- NAVIGATION - As noted under the amenities pro, high quality tee signs and a big detailed course map. Next tee directions are indicated on the tee signs. There were also extra navigational signs planted at the tricky spots. Sure someone could get lost here if they weren't paying attention, but that's their fault. The tools to navigate this one effectively are here, players just have to use them.
Cons:
What cons?
- MULTI USE HAZARDS - Ok, it may not be a problem free course, but the issues here are super minor in my opinion. Yes, there are paths that come into play on occasion and it's a popular well-kept park. I think it's reasonable to assume that play is going to have to stop from time to time or perhaps even a hole has to be skipped. Someone may decide to lay down and read a book in the middle of (17s) fairway. Most of the possible problematic interactions can be seen well before it becomes an issue.
- POISON IVY - Like many east Texan courses, poison ivy is going to be prevalent along the wooded fringes.
- TIME PLAY - 76 minutes solo for this quick bagger on a moderately busy afternoon.
Other Thoughts:
I was saddened to read a few years back that Harry Myers was getting a near complete redo. Thankfully, they retained the same designer to do it again as this place has maintained its gem status in my eyes. Some of my favorite holes are gone, such as old (5) and old (9), but quality equivalent replacements like new (9) and new (15) have made sure that the overall package is roughly as good as the original. Players that played the old course and liked it, they need to come back and play this new layout. It's got maybe 3 holes that are roughly the same as before, (1), (17) and (18). For those that have never been here before and find themselves in the DWF area, They need to come and play it as well. For those that have already played the new layout before, They already know, as they need to come back and play it again. A solid 4.0 course to me. It most closely reminds me of these high-quality southern park style courses (Tyus, River City Alpha and Tom Brown.)