saltlakemusic
Valley Park Frisbee Golf Course, Taylorsville Utah · Jun 8, 08:25 PM
Located at approximately 4914 South 2700 West in Taylorsville, Utah, the Valley Park disc golf course offers play to those of us on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley. The first hole is located just behind the Taylorsville library at the northern most parking lot entrance. This park has treated me well during the spring months, I especially enjoy the isolation provided by this lesser known course. While the holes are especially long and the terrain unusually flat and lacking obstacles, the massive distance of the course and sudden change from majestic green fairways to desolate veldt in the northern half is impressive.
During the summer and fall months the avid golfer will find the northern most 11 holes an impossible matrix of waist level weeds that tend to digest discs. If the discs could talk they would say to their hucker as they left the hand on hole 16 “Freedom!” Needless to say this course introduces a need for frisbee finding dogs and special precautions to keep tabs on peoples discs. I reccomend sending a designated spotter ahead of the huckers for the initial drive (for those who haven’t a dog), if a frisbee moves far off course the spotter can get a better idea of the throw depth if he can avoid taking his eyes off the wayward disc. I pour some hot dog juice on my frisbee before I leave the house and let it dry onto the material, Lizza (my black lab) finds the frisbee without much trouble even in the tallest of weeds 50% of the time. Coincidence? If only you knew what a horrible retriever this dog really is (but she’s got a heart of gold I’ll give her that). Try not to ever let your frisbee sink vertically into the weeds, use extreme measures to keep her steady on the last few holes. This will allow the frisbee to land softly on the top canopy layer of weeds, instead of thrusting sideways into the dense underbrush.
Those who’ve already experienced the Summer at Valley Park know all to well the extensive opportunity to remove strokes from their score by hitting bonus moving targets along Hogan’s alley. People flying kites make excellent obstacles since they usually hold still and rarely ever see the disc coming in or adhere to yelled warnings. During flag footbal and/or soccer tournaments be extremely careful not to hit the cuter children on the field since their parents are most likely wealthy and opportune to lawsuits and such. Instead limit yourself to sideliners and elderly folks who’ve already lived a long and fruitful life. Since they tend to steal and destroy discs, never huck at the walking dogs or their masters. Always remember that a bloody disc is bad luck, never remove strokes for blows to the face or neck, especially if it’s someone you know.
I reccomend purchasing last minute discs from Gart Bros located 5876 South Redwood Road in the Taylorsville Family Center, which is only a quick five minute drive from the course itself. I made a special trip today to check their small display of discs to see what kind of selection they offered, I found all the professional and recreational level discs I could ever want, including the rare Orc long range driver. Since this course is far less popular than Creekside or Solitude, the discs at this nearby are quite abundant once you find the small display case. The prices range from eight to twenty dollars per disc. Beginners may want to purchase a less expensive disc for this course, one with reflective letterhead and a bright standard white, blue, red or orange color.
My own personal best score on the course is a +9, but by no means am I an expert. I met a group of guys playing last weekend at Valley park and among the whole group the worst score at the end was a +5, most of them supposedly kept under par. I can’t imagine myself driving fresh onto the green 300 feet away, but I’ve seen people do it with my own eyes, and I know it’s possible. Since this course is basically treeless and flat with very little hazards besides high grass and hard to find bathrooms, I think a +2 on this course is a reasonable goal for the average golfer on a windless afternoon. Overall this course is alot of fun for amatuers like myself, or anyone who likes a short hike through the veldt.
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