Pros:
Wabash Washout is a disc golf course located in Mcallister Park . It is an 18 hole course .
It is on an old ball golf course . There is plenty of parking . As you are pulling front-way in , the course is located on your far right . There is a practice basket near the clubhouse turn . I didn't see any bathrooms here .
The Equipment - The signage is good , and it tells you hole# , par, distance and flight path, along with out of bounds . . . There are 3 tees for pretty much every hole and a sign at all of them . Almost all of the tee pads are natural . There were a couple of turf tees mixed in . The baskets are the red Pro Chainstars and look great . The practice basket is on the other side of the old clubhouse .
The Landscape - The course was mowed and the course itself looks very well taken care of regarding fairways and trees . There are several ponds that come into play , but I was never sure of whether there was water in them or not . Some water plants have grown up where the ponds are and may have soaked the water up . There is high rough off of many of the fairways ( more in cons section ) . The course utilizes small hills throughout . You either throw off some , or maybe putt to a basket on some . There are not a lot of trees on the course , but the ones there are used . Rolling terrain also helps . There are cart paths in and out of the course , some being used as out of bounds on either side of a fairway .
The Highlights - at 9300' from the longs , this course has some serious length . #1 is a great starter hole ( 375' , 490', 600' ) . The fairway has mature trees that force lower angles to a fairway with a pond that starts to come into play on the right and front . The further left you throw will take the pond out of play . The basket sits up on a hill protected by growth on the right of the fairway . #4 is from an elevated tee to a basket sitting part of the way on a hill . #5 ( 220' , 285' 310' ) is a very tight tunnel shot to a basket sitting at the edge of the woods . #10 has a basket sitting to the right of brush and a large tree . A pond sits directly in front of the basket . #18 ( 425', 525' 595' ) , a great finishing hole , It is a dogleg left , with large trees and brush forcing your drive(s) right to left .
Signature Hole : #3 ( 520' , 625', 825' . ) There is a strip of fairway with a pond that will start to come into play on your right . There is also some overgrowth , bushes and a tree that will be in front . The basket is sitting on the other side of the pond on a hill . A lot of risk/reward will go into whether you want to throw for the hill early , or throw one more drive around the overgrowth so you don't chance losing your disc .
Time - It took me a little over 90 minutes to play here . It was a good 90 , though . Figure a foursome taking just under 3 hours .
Disc golf on old golf courses can add a lot to your experience . Cart paths can come into play , and there is almost always water and a few hills to contend with .
I was here on a Sunday afternoon and only saw 1 person total on both of the courses . You may have this land all to yourself . Make sure you bring plenty of water with you . There is not much shade during your round on this course , and you might be enticed to play the woods course afterwards . Both course will keep you out here for at least 3 hours total .
Cons:
#1 Disc Risk/Rough - The overgrowth here is almost out of control . The wind can pick up at any time here . Since the holes are long , Your favorite driver may blow off course and become a souvenir for some lucky kid in the dead of winter . The ponds pose their own challenge . If the water is under these plants , your driver may end up a surfboard for a frog . . Disc Risk a little higher than medium .
#2 Navigation ; The map is very nicely done , but I am not positive it is accurate . Some Next Tee signs are badly needed here . The transition from 3-4 and 9-10 are both bad Putting little signs under the basket or just tape on one of the rungs would really help .
#3 The weather - If it rains , you have problems . Natural tee pads + long holes = slipping/falling while trying to crank that extra 30' out of your drive . The ball golf course supposedly abandoned this course because it held water .
#4 Amenities - If you want a big time course , you need at least a few amenities . A shelter, some benches and trash cans ( carry out what you carry in ) ,a Port O Let , and some next tee signs would be a great start .
Bugs can be bad if you have to hunt for a disc in the high grass . Spray on some Off or Deet before playing during the hot months . You won't get a second chance . The course never comes back to the lot until finishing #18 .
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Other Thoughts:
The course design is what really makes Wabash Washout . It is so close to being a top 10 course in Indiana . A few tweaks can get it there easily . Rubber , Turf or cement tees are a must .
An idea that could be shared by both courses would be to build a shelter close to the edge of the parking lot so it could be shared by players finishing either the Wabash Woods course or Wabash Washout . It could be a stopover for someone or a group transitioning from one course to the other , too .
You can park your car and play 2 full 18 hole courses here . Not many places boast this . If you only have time to play one course , play Wabash Washout . I personally had a blast playing both courses .
My Recommendation - A lot of disc risk for newbies , families , dates and 1 disc players . Locals should love this course and it's design , and the 3 tee pads can challenge a player each time he improves . Intermediates thru pros will love the variety . Each hole is unique and has its own challenge . Unless staying overnight in Lafayette , this course is going to be a long and drawn out play for the traveler . More of a leg exertion than a leg stretch . For the Course Collector , there is a 2nd course on the grounds and 4 more courses within 5 miles of here . Not a destination play , but a worthwhile stop off of I-65 . Play It !!!