Mukwonago, WI

The Phantom DGC

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2.215(based on 7 reviews)
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15 0
wellsbranch250
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 10.8 years 694 played 680 reviews
2.00 star(s)

The Phantom Maintenance

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 26, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

(2.009 Rating) A moderately wooded course, with intriguing gameplay, for a niner.
- GAMEPLAY - Having just come from nearby Miniwaukan, seeing the dynamic nature of the holes here was surprising. Hole (1), to me, was superior to every hole at the other town's course, Miniwaukan. I could make this same claim for perhaps five holes out here. If I rated just the gameplay, I would score it a low 3.0. Unfortunately, there are enough omissions here to shave off a significant amount of rating score.


so so:
- HOLE VARIETY - The play variety is well above average for a niner. Lots of moderately wooded holes with gap options and some lightly wooded holes. Hole (7) brings into play the prairie grass element and it has a fun blind right hook into a pocket and over a small creek. Depending on tee location and placement, holes range from the low 200s to over 500 feet long. Not much elevation change is present and the water features are limited to mini creeks that will be dry if it hadn't rained recently.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - I scored this aspect a touch above average. It's got some neat elements with the surrounding marshes, and encompassing woods, but it's a small park and just doesn't have the same level of pizazz that I'm looking for to score well above average on my ledger. As noted, generally flat and limited water features. The lack of maintenance in the park also doesn't help.
- QUICK PLAY - Because I had access to a map, I was able to finish this one in 25 minutes solo first time. Probably a bit longer than the average niner, but quicker than every 18 holer I've played.

Cons:

Needs volunteer and monetary investment.
- SIGNAGE AND NAVIGATION - This aspect is nearing a disaster right now. All of the tee signs are missing. The tee post is still present however, and someone has sharpied a hole number on them. It would be nice to get a sharpie distance as well if new signs are not in the works due to available funds. Getting from hole to hole could be tricky for first timers that don't have a map. There is a small confusing map posted. I note confusing as it lists the holes from (10) thru (18). Apparently there is supposed to be a front nine going in at some point. There are no directional cues between holes. Transitions are not intuitive and there are some gaps well beyond 100 feet. Mapless first timers will likely figure it out, but it could be super frustrating and annoying.
- AMENITIES AND EXTRAS - The baskets are Chainstars and they were in good shape as of my visit. Like the other course in town, the tees are terrible. Had it not been for cold conditions during my play, they likely would have all been muddy. I did not see any tee edge markings and there were no benches. I did notice alternate basket placements, but I question whether they move as it does not appear this course has been getting much play. The park also has a small shelter with picnic tables and a portable toilet.
- MAINTENANCE - The park was mowed and most of the dead branch debris was picked up. That seemed like the extent of the upkeep going on here. As noted, the tees need work, but also the adjacent areas around a couple tees as well. Tee (9s) post, for example, was starting to get swallowed up by the tree edge.

Other Thoughts:

The Phantom has a sort-of unfinished or slightly abandoned feel to it currently. This should be an easy 2.5 rated niner on my scales, but it's lacking too greatly in key areas. I hope to read someday that the second nine is complete and that tees and signage were addressed. As is, I'm going with a solid 2.0 with significant potential. If I lived in town, I would likely play this one and Miniwaukan an equal amount. It sort-of reminds me of niners like Murray Park in Ripon Wisconsin and Golden Bear in North Alabama, but a touch more challenging. No need for the destination course seeker to visit, but worth a play for those that find themselves nearby and looking to throw something new.
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11 0
Kegelexercise
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 30.4 years 56 played 25 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Solid 9er on its way to better things 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 22, 2020 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The Phantom DGC at Minor Park is a 9 hole course under an old growth tree canopy, with plans to upgrade and eventually become an 18 hole course. The course is very new (installed within the past 5 years)

1) Quality of golf - This, I think, is Minor's strongest characteristic - the course weaves around and through a comprehensive collection of large, mature trees, and at a pretty solid average length of hole, will test your ability to shape lines. Many FH and BH lines are obscured by low hanging branches, and the nearly constant tree canopy will force your ability to keep it "low, long, and strong" off the tee. New Chainstars are in good condition and catch well. There is a practice basket before hole 1.

2) Seclusion: The area is pretty disc golf exclusive. A shaded pavilion is in place near the parking lot, but no actual play should come close to it barring a wildly overshot drive on the last hole. Holes are spaced apart well, so there should be very little "crossfire" on holes.

3) Beauty: Minor Park's tree canopy is very pretty, pretty much all year. I have not played a "fall" round here, but I'd be excited to see this course mid color change. Course mostly stays out of the long grass, shrubbery, and weeds (with one notable exception, listed in the cons)

Cons:

Minor has several substantial drawbacks that come from its newness.

1) Natural pads - I've never been a huge fan of natural teepads, given that they inevitably rut out and make for unsafe teeing off. Minor seems to get low enough traffic volume, however, that each natural pad is pretty flat for the time being.

2) Tee signs & Navigation - tee signs are basically just wooden posts, and there's no clear definition on the front of any tee, so you'll need to just assume it's the end of the "dirt" for most holes. Navigation is actually pretty intuitive and straightforward once you get the hang of the course, but if you go in blind, you're going to have a bad time. You'll absolutely need access to the course map (on DGCR), or, oddly, there is a map posted on the 2nd hole tee post, which you can take a pic of.

3) 8's tee: The post is positioned in the bushes, and there's no even loosely defined tee here, so you kind of just have to shoot from wherever. Maybe this is a "needs maintenance" issue, because I remember it being out in the open during the spring, but I could see a newcomer getting very confused on this hole.

4) "Bare Bones Feel" - Not much "comfort" or extra stuff going on - you've got a pavilion at the beginning of the course with seating and garbage cans, but not really anything on the rest of the course. Pack it in, pack it out, folks.

5) Variety - not much elevation to work with, and even though the task of snaking your disc through the gaps between trees is cool (IMO), a few too many holes have the same "feel" by the end of it. This could possibly be a complete non-issue later on if the reported additional 9 holes are more woodsy tunnel type holes.

Other Thoughts:

The Phantom is definitely a course on the way, and offers a good 9 holes of golf if you're in the area. Just don't expect a whole lot else.

I know the course designer, he is a widely respected figure in the Milwaukee disc golf community, and per him, there are big plans here - he's working with the village to clear out some more area for 9 more holes, and (I think?) eventually more extras like teepads and better signage is coming. However, I am rating this course as it is now, not as it is intended to become. As it is now, this is a decent 9 holes to play if you're around the area but nothing to really go out of your way for.

I am excited for the chance to revise this, once the fully realized 18 comes to fruition - I think this is going to be a very strong area course once that happens. I waffled between a 2 and a 2.5 here, and decided to go with the higher rating due to the pure "golf" level, and to not overrate the weird situation at 8's tee, which was sticking in my craw.
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4 2
samura1234
Experience: 8 played 5 reviews
1.50 star(s)

just play safari 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jan 6, 2018 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-nice park
-lots of big oaks provide alot of nice shade

Cons:

-poorly designed

Other Thoughts:

This is a great little park with lots of big old oak trees, some small streams, and a marsh bordering the majority of the park. unfortunately it really seems like the course layout wasn't given much thought. you could be playing along the woodline, into the woodline, or teeing out of it, but you don't. there is 1 good hole on this course, hole #7 is short but you tee off and have to have something turn into a small clearing, around some guardian trees and over a small ob creek right next to the basket. the entire rest of the course you have a wide open tee pad playing to a wide open basket and all you have to do is not hit a big guardian oak in the middle of the fairway.

i actually enjoy playing here because of the setting and you do get some random kicks off the trees giving it a modicum of difficulty but it gets a 1.5 "passable" because this course COULD have been a 3-4 star course with better tee and pin placements.

just play safari here.. it will be more fun
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5 0
tangerinewarehouse
Experience: 10.3 years 98 played 34 reviews
2.50 star(s)

comfort course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 16, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

nice little easy to find nine hole off the highway
lots of trees for obstacles and a couple creek shots
nice place to do a DG picnic under the pavilion
very nice mature trees
scenic tranquil park, this is a great place to take your dog

Cons:

really the biggest con about this course in its just too flat
there could be alternate teepads/pins
all the normal upgrade stuff but pins are most important
not the biggest variety of shots due to terrain

Other Thoughts:

this is a cool little park close to miniwaukan park so if your in the area its only a few minutes away. similar too, flat. If this course had just two or three shots with elevation shifts it would raise my score to good. but you have to work with whats given and the layout is pretty spot on cool.
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9 0
wolfhaley
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.5 years 1165 played 745 reviews
2.00 star(s)

2+ years

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

Pros:

This course is set in a nice quiet park on the outskirts of Mukwonago. The flow of the course is fairly easy to follow once you find the first hole. The course was clean and would seem to hardly ever be busy. The baskets are Mach 3's I believe. These were all in fine shape and caught nicely. There's a portopotty at the front of the lot. Moderately wooded with a fair amount of large, mature trees to shape your shots around.

Cons:

The tees are natural and are not ideal by any means. The course seems like it'd get pretty swampy in spots though it wasn't too bad after quite a bit of rain in the last couple days. Also the bugs can get pretty nasty. The flies and mosquitoes were pretty nasty when we were there. The signs that were present indicate that these are the back nine of what will be an 18 hole course. I'm not sure where the front 9 will be but this is kind of confusing since it's listed as 10 thru 18. Nothing too off putting but a little odd.

Other Thoughts:

This course isn't terrible but it's not that great either. Nothing to go out of your way to play but worth a spin if you're nearby. The course is still very new so I'm sure it's going to improve. That said this a review of the course as of now. Maybe when the front nine go in It'll get bumped up a bit but it is what it is for now.
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4 3
b31182
Experience: 24.4 years 36 played 1 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Dissapointing. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 20, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Beautiful setting, relatively quiet and not a lot of people around so it doesn't look like there will be any waiting at tees.

Cons:

Swampy, layout leaves a lot to be desired, very little parking.

Other Thoughts:

I had driven past this park when i found out that they were putting a course in here and i was really excited with what they had to work with. After playing, i was pretty disappointed. The layout of the 9 holes that are in just doesn't seem like it was well put together. It's easy to follow but it just isn't fun and it gets really repetitive playing through thick trees on the "fairways". One hole is a blind basket over a small stream that you cant see which was an unpleasant surprise. The hole layout just really didn't make sense to me at all. Lots of dead spots that they didn't use that could have made more use of the land... Also, this 9 is going to be a mess in summer since it's basically in a swamp. It was muddy and soft and it's been pretty dry lately. Parking will be extremely tough if the course is even slightly busy. Probably wont be back.
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6 2
schroof21
Experience: 15.5 years 121 played 8 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Picturesque and Well Designed 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 24, 2016 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Picturesque and fairly tranquil setting; very well manicured. Lots of mature trees that create fairways and more of a challenge than the openness of nearby Miniwaukan.

Temporary tee signs indicate hole number, every hole's distance, and a course map.

Baskets are not damaged and are installed properly.

Practice basket near first hole.

The course is fairly spread out, so you don't feel too cramped up.

Navigation is pretty straight forward, just look for the next 4X4 post in the ground and keep in mind the first two holes play away from the packing lot.

Amenities near parking lot include trash cans, picnic tables, port-a-potty, and small pavilion.

Cons:

Not too much variety of drives required, most are fairly straight, but still challenging with the trees.

Dirt tees. This one doesn't bother me much, but I know it does to some. And as this course is new and not overly used yet the ground is still intact, flat, and not muddy.

No trash cans or benches at holes.

The walk from the first pin to the next tee is a little odd as you kind of head back up the fairway, but this is only a temporary layout/issue to avoid throwing toward the parking lot and small pavilion.

Other Thoughts:

Please keep in mind that this is a NEW COURSE and the designer has a lot already in the works for improvements. Nine additional holes (front nine), multiple pin locations, and cement tees are expected to be installed, hopefully in 2017.

The park is known for photographers (amateur and professional) to come there to do shoots with their clients. So please be courteous and willing to skip or come back to a hole.

The course is nestled next to a marshy area so a few holes do have water near them, but I would think losing a disc would be fairly difficult. Hole 16 (currently played as 7 has a small creek running along the fairway that you have to cross to get to the basket, so there is a little water hazard there as well and it is a little bit of a blind hole, but not very long (only one the course).
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