Basic Information
Course Location: Prairie Park
Geographic Location: DeKalb, IL (41.92691, -88.76241)
Date Visited: October 2025
Number of Holes: 9
Course Length: 2528 feet, par 29
Cost to Play: free
Difficulty Level: recreational, medium
Difficulty Level: recreational, medium
Carts: should be fine
Potential to Lose Discs: low to medium; some dense woods
Park Information: https://dekalbparkdistrict.com/location/prairie-park
DG Course Review Page: https://www.dgcoursereview.com/courses/prairie-park-dgc.1707
UDisc Page: https://udisc.com/courses/prairie-park-SArF
Course Walkabout Video: (coming October 9, 2026)
Driving Directions: From downtown DeKalb, go south on 1st Street 3 blocks to Gurler Street and turn right on Gurler St. Gurler St. becomes Clifford Drive. Drive Gurler St./Clifford Dr. a total of 7 blocks to the large sign for Prairie Park in the picture below. Park on the right side of Clifford Street. #1 tee is near the park entrance a few hundred feet west of that large park sign.
Course Constructions:
Tees: concrete, 1 per hole
Baskets: Discatcher, 1 per hole, in good shape on my visit
Signage: hole sign on each tee
Amenities: benches, paved walking trail
Summary Review: 2.5 Stars (out of 5)
The disc golf course at Prairie Park occupies a completely flat lightly wooded plot of land. A single paved walking trail curves through the center of the course, but the holes are laid out so as to minimize the trail's interference. Thus, the area is almost exclusively devoted to disc golf. 6 of the 9 holes are under 300 feet long, but this course has enough trees with low tree limbs to challenge most players at least occasionally. In fact, low ceilings created by overhanging tree limbs are the most common obstacles on this course, and the repeated use of that obstacle makes this course feel a little repetitive even though it requires a decent variety of shot shapes. Moreover, most of the holes are very similar in terms of feel, and the total lack of any elevation doesn't help with the repetitiveness. Accuracy is more valuable than power on most holes. The course constructions are excellent for a community park course; only a restroom is lacking. The grass was nicely mowed, and the course maintenance was excellent on the warm Saturday afternoon I came here. The park gets plenty of use: there were 2 other groups playing the course when I was here along with a few walkers on the walking trail. Overall, I enjoyed my half-round here more than I enjoyed my full round at a nearby 18-hole course. This course is only a few blocks from Northern Illinois University, and if you find yourself in DeKalb, it's worth taking an hour or so to play here.
Hole-by-Hole Review
Distances taken from hole signs. Picture sequence for each hole is 1) tee, 2) approach, 3) basket to tee.
Hole #1: 242 feet, par 3
Comments: You can see a clear direct path to the basket from the tee, but some trees are close enough to the line of play on either side that their branches form a very low ceiling. The ceiling on the right side is slightly higher than the ceiling on the left side, so try leaving your tee shot short and right for a clear birdie putt. A roller throw is an option, but I didn't try it due to the grass. #2 tee is to the left.
Hole #2: 257 feet, par 3
Comments: The smattering of trees presents a variety of shot options. A sweeping left-to-right disc flight gives the widest line. Alternatively, a right-to-left throw is possible on a very tight line, or you could go straight and keep your disc very low. This is a nice hole because it forces you to pick a line and execute a throw. Some dense woods lie just beyond the basket, so don't miss long. #3 tee is to the right.
Hole #3: 182 feet, par 3
Comments: the shortest hole on the course and kind of the opposite of the previous hole. A simple right-to-left disc flight is your only choice, and a well-executed throw will yield a short birdie putt. #4 tee is to the left.
Hole #4: 355 feet, par 4
Comments: more overhanging tree limbs, first on the left side and then on the right side of the line of play. This is a par 4, so a right-to-left tee shot followed by a left-to-right approach should set up a short birdie putt. #5 tee is behind the basket near #1 tee.
Hole #5: 231 feet, par 3
Comments: another hole with lots of overhanging tree limbs. A low throw with a slight right-to-left disc flight should set up a birdie putt. A stream lies about 10 feet beyond the basket, so don't miss long. #6 tee is to the left across the paved walking path.
Hole #6: 420 feet, par 4
Comments: the longest hole on this course, and finally a hole where overhanging tree limbs are not a major factor. Instead, you will have to maneuver your disc around a bunch of small trees. There is more open space right than left, and eagle is a very real possibility if you can throw it far enough. This is the only hole on this course where a big arm really helps you. #7 tee is to the right near the dense woods.
Hole #7: 275 feet, par 3
Comments: Now we go back under the overhanging tree limbs, but this hole also plays down the lightly wooded area's west boundary with dense woods to the right. Hitting a tree to the left is far better than missing right, which could be a lost disc. #8 tee is to the left near the dense woods.
Hole #8: 255 feet, par 3
Comments: a gradual dogleg right with dense woods on the inside of the dogleg. The dogleg is gradual enough that a straight throw will still leave a makeable birdie putt, so there is no real reason to challenge the woods. #9 tee is behind the basket.
Hole #9: 371 feet, par 3
Comments: This course saves the best hole for last! A near 90-degree dogleg right, the 371 feet is if you go all of the way around the dogleg following the edge of the woods, but the woods are sparse enough that most players will take a short-cut through the woods and cut off at least part of the dogleg. Of course the short-cut involves challenging more trees and more overhanging limbs, but the risk/reward is worth it and provides your only real chance to finish with a birdie. The streetside parking is behind the basket and to the left.
