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Valley Center Course
Valley Center Course
The ACDGC paid half the costs for the baskets in McLaughlin Park In Valley Center. They started to go in last week and still have two baskets yet to be installed. They were going to pour concrete tee pads but I put a hold on that temporarly. They liked the suggestion of have alternate pin locations and with that information, some of the tees will have to be moved. There will be concrete eventually but in the mean time we will have to play off grass/dirt. To get to the park, take 85th St exit off I-135, go west to Valley Center. As soon as you get into town, McLaughlin Street will be just past the Cop Shop (Police Station) on the North. Go two blocks to the parking lot. The course plays north and clockwise around the park. White tee flags and the other two baskets will be in by weeks end.
The baskets are in or so I was told. The tees are marked with yellow flags. Hole 4 has two tees right now. One north east of 3's basket by centerfield in a low spot that floods duing the rainy season and the other south east by the "hot tub" above the pond. Let me know which you prefer. There are alternate pin locations planned in the near future.
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jtkustomizer
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VC
Cool little course except it was windy and i think i shot from all the right lil flags.
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Schoen-hopper
- Posts: 6301
- Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 12:58 pm
I went up there today and played.
Plamen left his only putter (old black Aviar) and I left my old (unreplaceable) Z Buzzz. That Buzzz was one of the best discs I've ever owned. Please let me know if anyone picks these up.
It was windy and raining when we played, so I was focusing on completing the course more than the course design. From what I remember, here were my impressions...
Very nice park! The grass is kept really nice. They've put in a huge hill in one corner of the park that really adds some fun on a couple holes. From the small size of the park, a really good job has been done with the course.
Hole 1. Starts right next to the parking lot. Wide open hole. This hole might be longer than most people can throw, but too open to bogey. I noticed a lot of trees that were planted behind the pin and in many other places on the course. Any chance of getting just a few of these in the fairways for an added challenge? I thought an alt pin to the right on the hill in the trees would be interesting. Maybe just a little encroaching on hole 2, but not more than a few other spots on the course.
Hole 2 was my favorite. Long anhyzer with plenty of trees in play. OB to the left, hill to the right. I'm guessing the distance at 375? It takes a good drive to birdie it. I think this hole could actually get a shorter pin in the trees for an alternate.
Hole 3 was short (even shorter with the prevailing south wind), but with a tricky green. On a hill with several trees around. The trees can help or hurt. Certainly not a gimme birdie. Alt basket deeper in the trees?
Hole 4 had two tees. One was by the baseball field. One was by a small pond. The basket was next to where the big mound starts. I thought this hole was way too easy from both tees. For the left tee, I could see it moving back along the fence, bringing the trees in play and making it a lefty favored hole. For the right tee, just stretch it way back. Would this be a problem because of people by the pond? For the basket, I think it would be better if it was back 30 feet on top of the first tier of the mound. Maybe a longer placement back there or farther.
Hole 5 was fun. Downhill hole, maybe 300', with a tailwind. Fairly easy to go OB long or left. I threw my Buzzz for a second drive. Just to the left of the basket, but I forgot it. I think an interesting alt position would be a shorter placement to the right a little with the basket still on the side of the hill. That would make the hole a putter shot that would require some precision distance control.
Hole 6 had two tees as well. The long was near the top of the hill. But it was not; it was on the far side of the top of the hill from the basket. Downhill hole, but with the shot almost forcing an uphill throw. This was almost a straight headwind today, which made that tee pretty tough. The other tee was on the side of the mound. OB left comes in play for both of these tees.
Hole 7 was parallel to hole 6. A little walking to the tee. I didn't look to see if hole 7 could be played backwards (toward the mound or the bigger pond). I thought 7 played similar to 6. Maybe some trees towards the basket would be good? Is there room long for an alternate here?
Hole 8 was wide open and fairly short. There are some new trees behind the basket and some mature evergreens near the tee. I think something that would improve this hole would be to move the tee back say 30' and to the right where those first evergreens will shape the shot.
Hole 9 plays like hole 1 only shorter. This time going towards the parking lot instead of away. With the pond and maybe foot traffic to the right and the street to the left, the middle placement for the basket is pretty much the only way to go. Maybe a tree or two in the fairway would make it interesting. The basket on this hole is a little crooked.
Overall, the course is awesome. With the size of the park, the general layout couldn't be any better. What a great investment we've made. This course will be perfect for new players, which I'm sure there will be many of in the area. I even saw some playing in the rain today. I only shot -2, so I can see how it will be challenging when it's windy. Bill's put some time into getting this course in, and making sure it was a safe design. We owe him and the ACDGC for putting up the $$... a big thanks!
Plamen left his only putter (old black Aviar) and I left my old (unreplaceable) Z Buzzz. That Buzzz was one of the best discs I've ever owned. Please let me know if anyone picks these up.
It was windy and raining when we played, so I was focusing on completing the course more than the course design. From what I remember, here were my impressions...
Very nice park! The grass is kept really nice. They've put in a huge hill in one corner of the park that really adds some fun on a couple holes. From the small size of the park, a really good job has been done with the course.
Hole 1. Starts right next to the parking lot. Wide open hole. This hole might be longer than most people can throw, but too open to bogey. I noticed a lot of trees that were planted behind the pin and in many other places on the course. Any chance of getting just a few of these in the fairways for an added challenge? I thought an alt pin to the right on the hill in the trees would be interesting. Maybe just a little encroaching on hole 2, but not more than a few other spots on the course.
Hole 2 was my favorite. Long anhyzer with plenty of trees in play. OB to the left, hill to the right. I'm guessing the distance at 375? It takes a good drive to birdie it. I think this hole could actually get a shorter pin in the trees for an alternate.
Hole 3 was short (even shorter with the prevailing south wind), but with a tricky green. On a hill with several trees around. The trees can help or hurt. Certainly not a gimme birdie. Alt basket deeper in the trees?
Hole 4 had two tees. One was by the baseball field. One was by a small pond. The basket was next to where the big mound starts. I thought this hole was way too easy from both tees. For the left tee, I could see it moving back along the fence, bringing the trees in play and making it a lefty favored hole. For the right tee, just stretch it way back. Would this be a problem because of people by the pond? For the basket, I think it would be better if it was back 30 feet on top of the first tier of the mound. Maybe a longer placement back there or farther.
Hole 5 was fun. Downhill hole, maybe 300', with a tailwind. Fairly easy to go OB long or left. I threw my Buzzz for a second drive. Just to the left of the basket, but I forgot it. I think an interesting alt position would be a shorter placement to the right a little with the basket still on the side of the hill. That would make the hole a putter shot that would require some precision distance control.
Hole 6 had two tees as well. The long was near the top of the hill. But it was not; it was on the far side of the top of the hill from the basket. Downhill hole, but with the shot almost forcing an uphill throw. This was almost a straight headwind today, which made that tee pretty tough. The other tee was on the side of the mound. OB left comes in play for both of these tees.
Hole 7 was parallel to hole 6. A little walking to the tee. I didn't look to see if hole 7 could be played backwards (toward the mound or the bigger pond). I thought 7 played similar to 6. Maybe some trees towards the basket would be good? Is there room long for an alternate here?
Hole 8 was wide open and fairly short. There are some new trees behind the basket and some mature evergreens near the tee. I think something that would improve this hole would be to move the tee back say 30' and to the right where those first evergreens will shape the shot.
Hole 9 plays like hole 1 only shorter. This time going towards the parking lot instead of away. With the pond and maybe foot traffic to the right and the street to the left, the middle placement for the basket is pretty much the only way to go. Maybe a tree or two in the fairway would make it interesting. The basket on this hole is a little crooked.
Overall, the course is awesome. With the size of the park, the general layout couldn't be any better. What a great investment we've made. This course will be perfect for new players, which I'm sure there will be many of in the area. I even saw some playing in the rain today. I only shot -2, so I can see how it will be challenging when it's windy. Bill's put some time into getting this course in, and making sure it was a safe design. We owe him and the ACDGC for putting up the $$... a big thanks!
Played Friday evening 6:30-7ish... Very nice out and whatta course, started on hole 9 before I figured it out..Lol Neighbors were very nice, and wondering how this thing called Disc Golf works.... Very nice older gentleman and his dog from across the street came over to talk to me. Said he heard some Pro fella from Cali was coming in to show the fine people of Valley Center what Disc Golf was all about!! As I parked every shot, I told him I would like to see that!! J/K Almost every shot, ok 8 of them....so what!!! So far my fav shot was 7, top of the hill!! What a great course, I'll be back!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mike's right, with the room they(Bill??? had to work with.....It's not a wimpy course!!!!! Have Fun!!! 
BRUCE!!! Just say "NO" to that Quote button!!! I know it's going to be difficult, but you can do it........ 
BRUCE!!! Just say "NO" to that Quote button!!! I know it's going to be difficult, but you can do it........ -
Schoen-hopper
- Posts: 6301
- Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 12:58 pm
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jtkustomizer
- Posts: 719
- Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 2:41 pm
- Location: Everywhere
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jtkustomizer
- Posts: 719
- Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 2:41 pm
- Location: Everywhere
Lost Buzzz
Well....Jason and I went up there to practice in the wind. The wind was just crazy off the top of the hill. I ended up turning my KDGA Stamped Yellow ESP Buzzz over on 8 and the wind took my disk to the middle of the pond. My name and number was on it but I plan on going back with my fishing pole and trying to get it back.
I went up there last night and checked out the course with Josh. The wind was pretty crazy and made the course even more interesting to play...
I have to agree with Mike that for the small park size, they did an excellent job of designing the course. The fence/baseball field on holes three through six definitely added an extra challenge. The wind pushing the discs so hard didn't help last night, that's for sure.
Hole 1. Good hole to start on, nice and easy shot. The road on the left doesn't come into play unless you throw an out of control hyzer. Plenty of options for routes with the open area to the right. The sprinklers were when we played so I got to dodge them as I retrieved discs. Whoo!
Hole 2. This went from easy to a tough birdie hole. The line of trees on the right meant trouble for a hyzer unless you had the big arm to get up and over it. With plenty of smaller trees down the middle of the fairway and some lining on the left the shot was tough to get up there. I ended up taking a three on it, which for this hole is probably just fine.
Hole 3. I really liked this hole. Several options to get to the basket tucked away back in the trees. A big hyzer seemed like the best route with Josh and I both just missing the basket high by a foot or two. The guardian tree on the right makes it even tougher. Easy two that could turn into a bogey pretty quickly.
Hole 4. We played the tee back by the baseball field, didn't have a chance to check out the right tee. This hole was fairly easy and I can see this having alot of potential for aces! There is a 6 ft fence about 50 feet left of the basket the entire way, which proved to be a problem. The wind was pushing in towards the fence though and both Josh and I ended up inside on a couple of throws. This tee was an easy, short hyzer. I agree with Mike that maybe putting an alt even further back closer to the tee for 5 could make it a bit more challenging.
Hole 5. This was my favorite hole on the course. Throwing from the top of the hill gave alot of options, name it and you could probably throw it. The hill has a little mini mound in front of the basket so if the wind pulls your disc down you'll end 50 feet short on that mound. The fence runs behind the basket here, maybe 40 feet or so. A big sweeping hyzer can be used, but with the wind out there it could have easily carried over the fence long. A putter on this whole was very doable, ended up about 10 feet from the basket throwing a straight line at it.
Hole 6. The fence made this another interesting hole to stay inbounds on. I saw the tee on the side of the hill, and can only hope that will be leveled out to provide a run up for players. We played from a single flag back towards 6 (maybe an alt pin placement for 6?). The upward run on the hill and having to clear the crest only a few feet away was quite a bit of fun and definitely added challenge. Not a lot to say on the placement of the pin. Road OB to the right, an easy 3 if you make sure to hyzer the shot. Turn it over and you're hoping for a 4.
Hole 7. Fairly straight shot, little bit of downhill elevation. Like Mike said, it's a bit of a walk to get back to the tee but no big deal. Good length, if your hyzer gets too crazy you end up left on and over the road between 6 and 7's basket.
Hole 8. I liked the design of this hole. I'd consider the tallgrass OB, which comes fairly close to the basket on the left side. If you go long anymore than 40 feet or so, you're in the road alongside the park. This hole allows a pretty good anhyzer, but also a long straight shot.
Hole 9. This was a pretty straight shot allowing for a little hyzer at the end to park the hole. There doesn't look to be alot of options of where to place the pin with the street running on the left and pond/walking trail on the right. As the trees mature on the left running down the street, this shot should get a bit more difficult.
Overall, I really liked this course. The design was done very well especially considering the space and safety concerns. Is there much traffic in this park from pedestrians? We saw several people fishing there and a few kids on the playground equipment. The shelter is nice to have, has a water fountain in it too I think?
Mike made some excellent suggestions in his post, great job!
I have to agree with Mike that for the small park size, they did an excellent job of designing the course. The fence/baseball field on holes three through six definitely added an extra challenge. The wind pushing the discs so hard didn't help last night, that's for sure.
Hole 1. Good hole to start on, nice and easy shot. The road on the left doesn't come into play unless you throw an out of control hyzer. Plenty of options for routes with the open area to the right. The sprinklers were when we played so I got to dodge them as I retrieved discs. Whoo!
Hole 2. This went from easy to a tough birdie hole. The line of trees on the right meant trouble for a hyzer unless you had the big arm to get up and over it. With plenty of smaller trees down the middle of the fairway and some lining on the left the shot was tough to get up there. I ended up taking a three on it, which for this hole is probably just fine.
Hole 3. I really liked this hole. Several options to get to the basket tucked away back in the trees. A big hyzer seemed like the best route with Josh and I both just missing the basket high by a foot or two. The guardian tree on the right makes it even tougher. Easy two that could turn into a bogey pretty quickly.
Hole 4. We played the tee back by the baseball field, didn't have a chance to check out the right tee. This hole was fairly easy and I can see this having alot of potential for aces! There is a 6 ft fence about 50 feet left of the basket the entire way, which proved to be a problem. The wind was pushing in towards the fence though and both Josh and I ended up inside on a couple of throws. This tee was an easy, short hyzer. I agree with Mike that maybe putting an alt even further back closer to the tee for 5 could make it a bit more challenging.
Hole 5. This was my favorite hole on the course. Throwing from the top of the hill gave alot of options, name it and you could probably throw it. The hill has a little mini mound in front of the basket so if the wind pulls your disc down you'll end 50 feet short on that mound. The fence runs behind the basket here, maybe 40 feet or so. A big sweeping hyzer can be used, but with the wind out there it could have easily carried over the fence long. A putter on this whole was very doable, ended up about 10 feet from the basket throwing a straight line at it.
Hole 6. The fence made this another interesting hole to stay inbounds on. I saw the tee on the side of the hill, and can only hope that will be leveled out to provide a run up for players. We played from a single flag back towards 6 (maybe an alt pin placement for 6?). The upward run on the hill and having to clear the crest only a few feet away was quite a bit of fun and definitely added challenge. Not a lot to say on the placement of the pin. Road OB to the right, an easy 3 if you make sure to hyzer the shot. Turn it over and you're hoping for a 4.
Hole 7. Fairly straight shot, little bit of downhill elevation. Like Mike said, it's a bit of a walk to get back to the tee but no big deal. Good length, if your hyzer gets too crazy you end up left on and over the road between 6 and 7's basket.
Hole 8. I liked the design of this hole. I'd consider the tallgrass OB, which comes fairly close to the basket on the left side. If you go long anymore than 40 feet or so, you're in the road alongside the park. This hole allows a pretty good anhyzer, but also a long straight shot.
Hole 9. This was a pretty straight shot allowing for a little hyzer at the end to park the hole. There doesn't look to be alot of options of where to place the pin with the street running on the left and pond/walking trail on the right. As the trees mature on the left running down the street, this shot should get a bit more difficult.
Overall, I really liked this course. The design was done very well especially considering the space and safety concerns. Is there much traffic in this park from pedestrians? We saw several people fishing there and a few kids on the playground equipment. The shelter is nice to have, has a water fountain in it too I think?
Mike made some excellent suggestions in his post, great job!
Nice little park and cool yellow baskets (What are those anyway, DGAs? Chainstars? homemade?). Too bad the wind was blowing 80 MPH, and there were a bunch of vehicles parked by Hole 6's basket, or I would have enjoyed it more.
Kinda wish VC could take another 15 acres of that empty land to the north and east, landscape it with another hill or two, maybe another pond, and plant a couple hundred fully grown trees. Then stick in another nine.
Kinda wish VC could take another 15 acres of that empty land to the north and east, landscape it with another hill or two, maybe another pond, and plant a couple hundred fully grown trees. Then stick in another nine.
Thank you to everyone for your replys about the course. I actually have not been out to see the basket placements on 5 & 6 but have an idea where they might be. There will be alternate pins eventually and there will be cement pads for tees. We put a hold on that as we might want to redesign a couple of holes to make room for the alternates. The baskets were made by school kids so they are homemade. There are also more trees planning to be planted. I hope they will ask for some advise before they do. The area to the north and east may indeed become part of the VC Park system (and hinges on a city wide sales tax vote) but might have a road running where the fence is now. Where hole 5 is may become an amplitheater. During the Valley Center Fall Festival (the weekend of Shunga Nunga) there will be a clinic for the locals on Sunday. During that time we hope to get some Community feedback. Thanks again.