The Hangar reviews
17
0
wellsbranch250
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
10.8 years
694 played
680 reviews
Vanilla Air
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 28, 2022
Played the course:once
Pros:
(2.609 Rating) A lightly wooded easy going course that's obviously next to an airport.
- FUN FACTOR - Ultimately what matters most in playing disc golf, is having a good time. I most definitely enjoyed my round here. Perhaps it was the ace I hit on (8), that had me in high spirits. Woot woot! However, I think it was more than that. First off, The Hangar is a respectable 18-hole MA3 level course. Players will need to curve shots, go long and even split a couple gaps. Birdie potential will be plentiful for skilled players and even MA4s will likely card a birdie from time to time.
- BASICS - I am loving the Mach 7 baskets. They catch so well it seems. Perhaps I haven't played enough on them yet, as this was only my 3rd round on them. The course was also in the process of being converted to concrete tees. Two were already poured and two more were framed. I gave the course credit for all concrete tees. For my round, the remainder of the surfaces were carpet and they were in decent shape.
- NAVIGATION - There's a well-done hand-drawn black and white course map posted at the community board. Also, nice hand-drawn tee signs with all the required info. If I recall correctly, I think many of the baskets had directional indicators attached to them. I had no issues getting around here.
- QUICK PLAY - I bagged this one in 52 minutes solo.
- MAINTENANCE - The park space was fully mowed for my appearance.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - I think this is now the most beginner friendly course in town. Perhaps too long for the newest of noobs, but the course is forgiving and losing a disc is next to impossible unless they stop fully mowing the park grounds.
- FUN FACTOR - Ultimately what matters most in playing disc golf, is having a good time. I most definitely enjoyed my round here. Perhaps it was the ace I hit on (8), that had me in high spirits. Woot woot! However, I think it was more than that. First off, The Hangar is a respectable 18-hole MA3 level course. Players will need to curve shots, go long and even split a couple gaps. Birdie potential will be plentiful for skilled players and even MA4s will likely card a birdie from time to time.
- BASICS - I am loving the Mach 7 baskets. They catch so well it seems. Perhaps I haven't played enough on them yet, as this was only my 3rd round on them. The course was also in the process of being converted to concrete tees. Two were already poured and two more were framed. I gave the course credit for all concrete tees. For my round, the remainder of the surfaces were carpet and they were in decent shape.
- NAVIGATION - There's a well-done hand-drawn black and white course map posted at the community board. Also, nice hand-drawn tee signs with all the required info. If I recall correctly, I think many of the baskets had directional indicators attached to them. I had no issues getting around here.
- QUICK PLAY - I bagged this one in 52 minutes solo.
- MAINTENANCE - The park space was fully mowed for my appearance.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - I think this is now the most beginner friendly course in town. Perhaps too long for the newest of noobs, but the course is forgiving and losing a disc is next to impossible unless they stop fully mowing the park grounds.
Cons:
A bland site can only deliver so much.
- THE FLATNESS AND SPARSE TREES - The people involved delivering this course didn't get the best parcel to work with. This place is super flat. I don't think even one hole has 10-feet of elevation change to it. There are a few 5-foot deep ditches that need to be avoided and that is literally the only time I noticed the grade changes here. There are also very few trees. To me, only hole (16) qualified as moderately wooded. The rest were either open or lightly wooded. Hopefully the locals will be allowed to plant some trees and then in ten years there could be some decent fairway definition.
- HOLE VARIETY - Due to the site limitations, the hole variety takes a hit here. As noted, all flat and limited wooded elements. No water features, unless the standing water counts after a big rain. 18 straight par 3s unless 18 is in the long position.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - I grade this aspect on a curve and this one fell quite a bit short of making the middle of the pack. Again, the shine of this place is limited substantially by the site constraints.
- DRAINAGE? - The course was bone dry when I played, but there were some cues that I observed that indicated to me that spots will not drain well. There are a bunch of bridge crossings over the shallow ditch. I saw some big tire ruts as well. Perhaps I am imagining things.
- THE FLATNESS AND SPARSE TREES - The people involved delivering this course didn't get the best parcel to work with. This place is super flat. I don't think even one hole has 10-feet of elevation change to it. There are a few 5-foot deep ditches that need to be avoided and that is literally the only time I noticed the grade changes here. There are also very few trees. To me, only hole (16) qualified as moderately wooded. The rest were either open or lightly wooded. Hopefully the locals will be allowed to plant some trees and then in ten years there could be some decent fairway definition.
- HOLE VARIETY - Due to the site limitations, the hole variety takes a hit here. As noted, all flat and limited wooded elements. No water features, unless the standing water counts after a big rain. 18 straight par 3s unless 18 is in the long position.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - I grade this aspect on a curve and this one fell quite a bit short of making the middle of the pack. Again, the shine of this place is limited substantially by the site constraints.
- DRAINAGE? - The course was bone dry when I played, but there were some cues that I observed that indicated to me that spots will not drain well. There are a bunch of bridge crossings over the shallow ditch. I saw some big tire ruts as well. Perhaps I am imagining things.
Other Thoughts:
The Hangar is likely becoming a popular course for those on this side of Tuscaloosa. It has everything that disc golf should be and it's in a compact and quicker than normal format. If I lived within 10 minutes of here, I would likely be here weekly. For those more than 45 minutes from here, I don't think it is destination worthy. Bowers Park should be just about every Tuscaloosa visitor's first go to course unless they hate wooded courses. I also think O'Colony is a better option over here if a player can hit two courses. Anyways, a solid 2.5 rated course to me. It reminds me of these Alabama courses that I've rated in the 2.0 to 2.5 range, Warhawk, New Hope, Pinson and Creola City Park.
11
0
A good addition to Tuscaloosa that rounds out the local scene. 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Apr 24, 2021
Played the course:once
Pros:
- Baskets: So nice! The Mach 7s are awesome. They solve one issue I've always had with Machs and Chainstairs. There is a bright orange band at the top which helps with the issue of visibility from a distance.
- Navigation: This course is a master class on how to make navigation as easy as it gets. All the tee signs have next tee indicators. Most holes have navigational arrows with numbers attached to trees close to the basket. Finally, the Mach 7s include a directional arrow that clips to the bottom of the baskets. Very well done.
- Signage: While the signage here isn't fancy, it makes up in being very detailed. The tee signs are basically hand drawn sketches, laminated, and placed on sign stands. All information needed is included. There is also a tiny course map sign done in the same way near #1 tee. A bigger course map would be a nice addition in the future.
- Complimentary: This course fits well into the Tuscaloosa scene. It is by far the most beginner friendly course in the area. In fact, with the short length, navigational signs, and nearly zero elevation; it might very well be the most beginner friendly course I've ever played. This will help to grow the sport in the area and possibly beyond with the nature of people moving in and out of a college town.
- Holes #16 and #18: In my opinion, these were the most enjoyable holes. #16 is the only hole with dense trees and a defined fairway lined with those trees. #18 is the only par 4 when the pin is in the long position. It also features a large drainage ditch as an obstacle. I like that this course finishes strong.
- Airplane: You walk under an airplane on the course!
- Navigation: This course is a master class on how to make navigation as easy as it gets. All the tee signs have next tee indicators. Most holes have navigational arrows with numbers attached to trees close to the basket. Finally, the Mach 7s include a directional arrow that clips to the bottom of the baskets. Very well done.
- Signage: While the signage here isn't fancy, it makes up in being very detailed. The tee signs are basically hand drawn sketches, laminated, and placed on sign stands. All information needed is included. There is also a tiny course map sign done in the same way near #1 tee. A bigger course map would be a nice addition in the future.
- Complimentary: This course fits well into the Tuscaloosa scene. It is by far the most beginner friendly course in the area. In fact, with the short length, navigational signs, and nearly zero elevation; it might very well be the most beginner friendly course I've ever played. This will help to grow the sport in the area and possibly beyond with the nature of people moving in and out of a college town.
- Holes #16 and #18: In my opinion, these were the most enjoyable holes. #16 is the only hole with dense trees and a defined fairway lined with those trees. #18 is the only par 4 when the pin is in the long position. It also features a large drainage ditch as an obstacle. I like that this course finishes strong.
- Airplane: You walk under an airplane on the course!
Cons:
- Drainage: This course can be very swampy and not dry out long after rains. Unfortunately, this is just a fact of the land this course sits on. There is a small drainage ditch that you cross multiple times. This is where it is swampiest and the addition of small bridges would be very welcome. There is currently one small bridge on the course to help with this issue.
- Grooming: On my visit, the grass had not been mowed in a while, to the point of possibly losing a disc. Our threesome never lost one but we came close. It's always frustrating to lose a disc in the middle of a fairway because of high grass. I think this could possibly be a recurring issue with this course because of the inherent swampiness. I imagine mowers will have small time windows to mow the course when it is completely dry. If you play the course with a fresh mow, this would not be con at all. I hope to play it in those conditions soon.
- Tree Bases: At the base of most of the large trees, small scraggly plants remain. This is kind of hard to explain, but removing everything at the base of the big trees would help the beauty factor a lot and even improve play (mainly putting) in many instances.
- Elevation. This is probably the flattest course I've ever played. You can see all 18 holes from the parking lot. There is absolutely nothing that could have been done about this in the design, but unfortunately it is still a con since a little elevation makes things far more interesting.
- Basic: There are numerous holes that are simply throwing a 300 foot, straight, unobstructed shot across a field with zero elevation change. Lots of ace runs if you want to find a silver lining. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch for an advanced player shooting 18 under on a good round. The only hole that required any significant shot shaping was hole 16.
- Grooming: On my visit, the grass had not been mowed in a while, to the point of possibly losing a disc. Our threesome never lost one but we came close. It's always frustrating to lose a disc in the middle of a fairway because of high grass. I think this could possibly be a recurring issue with this course because of the inherent swampiness. I imagine mowers will have small time windows to mow the course when it is completely dry. If you play the course with a fresh mow, this would not be con at all. I hope to play it in those conditions soon.
- Tree Bases: At the base of most of the large trees, small scraggly plants remain. This is kind of hard to explain, but removing everything at the base of the big trees would help the beauty factor a lot and even improve play (mainly putting) in many instances.
- Elevation. This is probably the flattest course I've ever played. You can see all 18 holes from the parking lot. There is absolutely nothing that could have been done about this in the design, but unfortunately it is still a con since a little elevation makes things far more interesting.
- Basic: There are numerous holes that are simply throwing a 300 foot, straight, unobstructed shot across a field with zero elevation change. Lots of ace runs if you want to find a silver lining. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch for an advanced player shooting 18 under on a good round. The only hole that required any significant shot shaping was hole 16.
Other Thoughts:
Not pros or cons:
- Tee Pads: 16 of the tee pads here are carpet. 2 are totally natural. The carpet is brand new because the course is brand new. Because of the swampyness, the carpet could become an issue so this is not a con yet. Concrete pads would elevate this course tremendously and I would move this course up a half point (or more) with the installation of concrete pads (in dry'ish conditions with a fresh mow) .
- Short: Other than 18, an advanced player won't need more than a mid range. One hole is basically a straight shot at only 156 feet. However, this works well in the Tuscaloosa area (see pros).
- No Turn: This course is an out and back style course. This is hardly a con though in since the course is so short with no elevation. The only way you will break a sweat or really crave a water from the car, is if it is hot that day.
- Tee Pads: 16 of the tee pads here are carpet. 2 are totally natural. The carpet is brand new because the course is brand new. Because of the swampyness, the carpet could become an issue so this is not a con yet. Concrete pads would elevate this course tremendously and I would move this course up a half point (or more) with the installation of concrete pads (in dry'ish conditions with a fresh mow) .
- Short: Other than 18, an advanced player won't need more than a mid range. One hole is basically a straight shot at only 156 feet. However, this works well in the Tuscaloosa area (see pros).
- No Turn: This course is an out and back style course. This is hardly a con though in since the course is so short with no elevation. The only way you will break a sweat or really crave a water from the car, is if it is hot that day.
2
6
wtbryant
Experience:
4 played
4 reviews
Really fun design 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Feb 25, 2021
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Very fair. There are a few easier holes and a few longer holes. Most are gettable for seasoned players. This is a great course for a newer player but isn't so easy that a more experienced player cannot enjoy it. And the Mach 7's...outstanding.
Cons:
With really heavy rain, I assume there could be a few soggy places. However, the pins and tees seem to be placed well away from places where the park holds water.