Basic Information
Course Location: Tripton Park
Geographic Location: North Vernon, IN (39.00352, -85.62047)
Date Visited: October 2024
Number of Holes: 9
Course Length: 2700/1965 feet, par 27
Cost to Play: free
Difficulty Level: recreational, low
Difficulty Level: recreational, low
Carts: should be fine here
Potential to Lose Discs: low
Park Information: https://www.northvernon-in.gov/tripton_park/
DG Course Review Page: https://www.dgcoursereview.com/courses/tripton-park.11664
Course Walkabout Video: (coming August 1, 2025)
Driving Directions: From the intersection of SR 7 and Old US 50 in downtown North Vernon, take SR 7 south 3 blocks to Vernon Street and turn left on Vernon St. Drive Vernon St. northeast 0.2 miles to the park entrance on the right. Turn right to enter the park, and park in the only blacktop parking lot. #1 tee is southeast down the asphalt walking trail past the playground; look for the 2 practice baskets and practice net.
Course Constructions:
Tees: mostly concrete, 2 per hole
Baskets: Discatcher, 1 per hole
Signage: hole signs on each tee
Amenities: restrooms, walking trail, pond, practice baskets, practice net
Summary Review: 2.5 Stars (out of 5)
The disc golf course at Tripton Park offers a moderately fun and varied half-round over mostly open rolling terrain. The short tees make this course beginner-friendly, while the long tees provide a modicum of length and challenge. Most holes are mostly open; only hole #5 plays directly through dense woods. Areas of wild prairie grass do come into play on several holes. An asphalt walking trail winds through the course. While the trail comes into play on seemingly every hole, it is not heavily-used, and I never had to wait for pedestrians to clear before I could throw. I was the only player on the disc golf course when I came here, and I saw only 1 family on the walking trail. The course maintenance was flawless when I came here. The course route basically forms a loop; the tee signs are tall and easy to see. I never had trouble finding the next tee. Kudos to the designers for building 9 good holes on this plot of land rather than cramming in 18 mostly lame holes. Although this course has no real memorable holes, it does have 9 solid holes, and it is worth playing here if you find yourself in southeast Indiana.
Hole-by-Hole Review
Distances taken from hole signs. Picture sequence for each hole is 1) long tee, 2) approach, 3) basket to tee.
Hole #1: 271/197 feet, par 3
Comments: this gradually downhill hole has a wide fairway, but the park boundary is close on the right. There are no obstacles directly between the tee and basket, so if you don't miss right you should score well here. #2 short tee is behind the basket; #2 long tee is to the left.
Hole #2: 213/172 feet, par 3
Comments: this gradually uphill hole requires a forced carry over a wild grass area, but it is only about 100 feet to clear the wild grass. There are no other obstacles on this hole, so a decent tee shot will set up a birdie opportunity. #3 short tee is behind the basket; #3 long tee is to the left.
Hole #3: 391/280 feet, par 3
Comments: the longest hole so far plays across another wild grass area and then gradually uphill to a basket located between two densely wooded areas. While this hole is not tight by normal standards, the approach to the basket is the tightest line on this course so far. This is the hardest hole on this course. #4 tee is a couple hundred feet to the left.
Hole #4: 509/344 feet, par 3
Comments: by far the longest hole on this course, but this hole is also almost completely open and gradually downhill. Thus, this hole is not as dangerous to your scorecard as the previous hole if you have a big enough arm. #5 tee is to the left near the woods.
Hole #5: 181/149 feet, par 3
Comments: after a pure power hole comes the only true technical hole on this course. This hole plays across a densely wooded ravine with the basket higher than the tee. The uphill combined with the low ceiling can make getting to the basket with your tee shot a challenge despite the short length. This hole is a nice change of pace from almost every other hole on this course. #6 tee is to the right.
Hole #6: 215/174 feet, par 3
Comments: now back out in the open, another wild grass area sits to the left, but there is plenty of room to the right. The large tree directly behind the basket could block your approach if you overthrow. A tee shot just short and right should set up a birdie opportunity. #7 tee is behind the basket; the tee immediately to the left is #9 tee.
Hole #7: 412/219 feet, par 3
Comments: another very open hole. This hole plays gradually uphill, and the length is the main challenge. #8 tee is to the left.
Hole #8: 194/172 feet, par 3
Comments: the tee is slightly too close to a pine tree, which presents an interesting and maybe frustrating challenge. More problematic is the wild grass 20 feet long and left, so make sure you factor the downhill into your distance on the tee shot. #9 tee is to the left.
Hole #9: 314/258 feet, par 3
Comments: another forced carry over wild grass with another patch of wild grass close on the left. There is plenty of room to the right, and this is one of the more calculated risk holes on this course. It's a nice way to close the half-round. The parking lot is around the pond behind the basket.
