Solid practice course, full facilities
Written: May 23 '03
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Pros: Fairways and greens generally always green. Seldom temps. Mostly flat.
Cons: On the short side from the whites ~5700. Can play slow. Short par 3's.
The Bottom Line: A fine practice course with full service facilities. Located in the city limits, easy to get to without traveling far.
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| imaginetr's Full Review: Meadow Park Golf Course |
Club House = B, Restaurant = B, practice facilities = A, Cost = A, Fairways = B, Greens = B, Hazards = B, Difficulty = C+, Pace of Play = C
Meadowpark has an 18 hole regular course plus a 9 hole "executive" course. The 9 hole course is called the "Williams Nine" and is mostly par 3's with a few par 4's. This review will focus on the regular course.
The regular 18 hole course is a solid practice course within the City of Tacoma. It's located between Lakewood and University Place but within City limits. It's owned and maintained by the City of Tacoma Metro Parks Dept. and they do a fine job. Most notably I have to say that the course always seems to be green, from tee to green.
The course is not long only some 5700+ yards par 70 from the whites and some 6000+, par 71 from the blues. There are four par 3's. Three of the par 3's are short ~ 130 yrds and one ~ 155 yrds. Hole #13 Par 3 is played hitting over a deep ravine with a creek at the bottom onto a medium sized green and can be intimidating but fun. There are three par 5's of average length (480-500) and challenging but makeable. The other 11 holes are average par 4's (330-350) with just a couple longer ones (380-400). There are sand bunkers on just about every hole located typically around the greens. Only 2 of the par 5 holes have fairway bunkers. Water (ponds) comes into play on 3 holes. Trees are everywhere and mature, Firs, willows, oak, madronas. Fairways are moderately narrow but because of the mature trees if you're off of the fairway, you're either under or behind a tree likely costing you one shot to get back into play. So while a short course, you are able to practice course management by trying to remain in the fairway and position for approach shots.
The fairways are all tree-lined and always green here. outside the trees you can encounter dry areas and hard pan. There are only three real out-of-bounds holes: 2nd and 9th border a main road with a chain link fence; and 14th borders a chain link fence. Some other holes are bordered with hazards that will definitely result in a lost ball requiring a provisional be played.
The greens are almost always in great shape. Soft in the wet season for sure. At least Three greens are muli-tiered, the rest are sloped. There is maybe one flat green. All are typically slow to medium in speed.
A snack shack and restrooms are located at the intersection of the 4th, 5th, 7th, and 12th holes with beverages (including beer) and candy and hot dogs. A courtesy cart does not run.
The clubhouse is full service. "Mulligans" is the name of the restaurant and has a full bar/lounge. It also has a nice patio off of the bar, next to the practice green. The restrooms and mens locker room are dated and worn. The pro shop is adjacent to the clubhouse, also full service and includes used club sets for sale. One nice aspect is that the proshop (and clubhouse) are immediately off of the 1st tee and 9th and 18th greens.
The course includes two practice greens, one immediately off of the 1st Tee, next to the pro shop. It is smaller in size but nice for practice while waiting to tee off. The other green is on the other side of the proshop, just off of the clubhouse patio and is large with two tiers. Next to the main practice green is a practice pitching area with a separate, small green and flag.
Meadowpark also has a full, covered driving range with concrete foundation. Each stall has a solid bench and standard hitting mat and ball bin. Various colored flags are in various locations on the range for target practice. Woods are allowed but the range has a limit of approximately 225 yrds so the big hitters are limited. Balls and buckets are picked up at the clubhouse.
Meadowpark gets a lot of play from women and retired men including military due to the Tacoma location and McChord AFB and Ft. Lewis population. Therefor the play can sometimes be slow. Trees also add to slow play as they are everywhere and big. All in all an okay practice course.
Recommended:
Yes
Green Fees Paid (US$): 26
Speed of Play (typical weekend): 4 to 5 Hours
Look Out For: Trees
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Epinions.com ID:
imaginetr
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Location: Pacific Northwest, Washington
Reviews written: 33
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Husband and father, born in Washington 1961, military brat and college grad.
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