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Disc Golf Course Review
Recent course reviews
Black Diamond DGC
South Wales, NY
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Pros:
We loved the mixture of shots needed to play the course. Loved the views along the course. Well worth the drive nice mix of open and wooded shots
Cons:
Red and blue tees are very hard to find! Several holes you need a spotter to find discs. Tee signs and red arrows are not bad to navigate the course but you will never find the blue or red tees.
Other Thoughts:
The course was not mowed when we were there that made a couple of holes a pain to find discs
B. Cordell DGC
Fayetteville, NC
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Pros:
B. Cordell is generally a fun, mid-range layout. The course gets significantly better as the round progresses, mainly due to the incorporation of some hills into the layout. Plus, you're not using walking trails as fairways.
- A fun, scenic stroll through a pleasant park. There's a lot going on at the park; yet, the course seems generally removed from most park activities. The park feels much bigger than it is.
- Holes #1 – 6 play inside of the park's road. The remaining 12 holes are on the outside of it. Several of these first holes, mainly #3, play close to the road that you must watch for cars. However, you can also use the road to your advantage with skip shots.
- The course is based almost exclusively on accuracy. There are some tight, TIGHT fairways. Lots of throws that felt good leaving your hand can find branches/trees. The hidden trees/branches are the most frustrating because you thought you've cleared the challenge only to get your disc knocked down seemingly out of nowhere.
- That said, for the most part, you're going to have good chances to salvage pars throughout your round. Prepare for a lot of 75 – 125-foot up-and-down throws needed to salvage your 3s.
- Several fun basket locations close to drop-offs. I liked #5's basket close to the cut-out creek bed. #10 had a great layout with its basket close to a deeper, natural creek bed. And, finally, #16's basket is in the bottom of a small ravine.
- Signage and navigation are good. They need to be as you're crossing over/close to tees on multiple occasions. Trying to play this layout blind/not paying attention to signage, and you may as well be reading a choose-your-own-adventure book.
- Excellent park. A great, small-town park that had lots of different activities, was extremely well maintained and clean. One of the highlights of my day of Fayetteville area disc golf bagging.
- A good course for casuals. Yes, they'll hit trees. But they won't need to be throwing 300+ feet. If you can throw 200 feet semi-accurately, you'll do ok here. Most likely, you'll also get a crazy, good bounce off a tree giving you a birdie putt you don't deserve.
- A fun, scenic stroll through a pleasant park. There's a lot going on at the park; yet, the course seems generally removed from most park activities. The park feels much bigger than it is.
- Holes #1 – 6 play inside of the park's road. The remaining 12 holes are on the outside of it. Several of these first holes, mainly #3, play close to the road that you must watch for cars. However, you can also use the road to your advantage with skip shots.
- The course is based almost exclusively on accuracy. There are some tight, TIGHT fairways. Lots of throws that felt good leaving your hand can find branches/trees. The hidden trees/branches are the most frustrating because you thought you've cleared the challenge only to get your disc knocked down seemingly out of nowhere.
- That said, for the most part, you're going to have good chances to salvage pars throughout your round. Prepare for a lot of 75 – 125-foot up-and-down throws needed to salvage your 3s.
- Several fun basket locations close to drop-offs. I liked #5's basket close to the cut-out creek bed. #10 had a great layout with its basket close to a deeper, natural creek bed. And, finally, #16's basket is in the bottom of a small ravine.
- Signage and navigation are good. They need to be as you're crossing over/close to tees on multiple occasions. Trying to play this layout blind/not paying attention to signage, and you may as well be reading a choose-your-own-adventure book.
- Excellent park. A great, small-town park that had lots of different activities, was extremely well maintained and clean. One of the highlights of my day of Fayetteville area disc golf bagging.
- A good course for casuals. Yes, they'll hit trees. But they won't need to be throwing 300+ feet. If you can throw 200 feet semi-accurately, you'll do ok here. Most likely, you'll also get a crazy, good bounce off a tree giving you a birdie putt you don't deserve.
Cons:
Based on hole #2 alone, I was ready to give up on this course. The fairway is a walking trail. If you try to avoid the walking trail, you're throwing to the right, which brings you straight towards an outfield fence on one of the baseball fields. This is the worst hole on the course due to its atrocious layout, and it's not even close. Thankfully, fairways slowly started getting wider, especially beginning with hole #7.
- I never could figure out the holes that had long tees or where those were located. Tee signs offered no help.
- #3 & 7 really bring the park road into play. As in, I saw the road being used for a skip shot on #7. Also, I can imagine walkers using fairways as trails. And, be careful of cars parked at picnic shelters. Some of these are close to some baskets.
- This is a monotonous course. It's also repetitive. All holes are between 186 and 384 feet. 11 holes are between 201 – 294 feet with an average hole length of 276 feet. I threw the same mid-range disc for my tee shot on most holes.
- This is a 100% wooded layout. There isn't a single open hole on the course. Not once are you throwing on, or over grass. Even the courses in Charlotte have a hole or two with grass on them.
- Once the leaves are on the trees, these fairways are going to play even tighter.
- The repeated tap-in pars without having birdies are going to test some people's mentality. Surprise, surprise. I had some possible birdie putts that weren't birdie putts because trees were in the way.
- As such, for a short course, there is a higher-than-normal amount of luck factored into this course. Missing your line by 15 feet might end up being a far better shot than missing your line by 1-2 feet. One means you missed the trees altogether. The other means you grazed a tree.
- I never could figure out the holes that had long tees or where those were located. Tee signs offered no help.
- #3 & 7 really bring the park road into play. As in, I saw the road being used for a skip shot on #7. Also, I can imagine walkers using fairways as trails. And, be careful of cars parked at picnic shelters. Some of these are close to some baskets.
- This is a monotonous course. It's also repetitive. All holes are between 186 and 384 feet. 11 holes are between 201 – 294 feet with an average hole length of 276 feet. I threw the same mid-range disc for my tee shot on most holes.
- This is a 100% wooded layout. There isn't a single open hole on the course. Not once are you throwing on, or over grass. Even the courses in Charlotte have a hole or two with grass on them.
- Once the leaves are on the trees, these fairways are going to play even tighter.
- The repeated tap-in pars without having birdies are going to test some people's mentality. Surprise, surprise. I had some possible birdie putts that weren't birdie putts because trees were in the way.
- As such, for a short course, there is a higher-than-normal amount of luck factored into this course. Missing your line by 15 feet might end up being a far better shot than missing your line by 1-2 feet. One means you missed the trees altogether. The other means you grazed a tree.
Other Thoughts:
Generally, I think I liked Cordell. Five months later, when I'm posting this review, I'm not sure how much I liked it. It's a fun, yet generally simple layout. The pros do outweigh the cons overall.
- On a lot of holes, one or two trees cut down would be very beneficial. As it is, it seems this course was installed without much disturbance to the environment.
- This was a very calming round. Being course six of eight for the day, it was nice to soak in a peaceful layout.
- This course reminded me of a scaled down version of Bradley Park in Gastonia, 25 minutes west of Charlotte. There are so many similarities between the two courses.
- The one thing this course misses is a definitive signature hole. #15, being the longest hole on the course, and being a dogleg, requires an accurate tee shot, if you're looking to get an easy 3. The other option would be #17 as a short, downhill layout. Or I could play this course again and decide two other holes stood out to me more than the others.
- In terms of most fun tee shot, that's #10 with the tight island-esque green with the ravine to the right. #13 was also a good layout.
- Smith Lake is obviously the best course in the Fayetteville area. I'd say Mazarick Park's Glenville Pines is (or should be, when construction is completed) the second best in the area. This is a nice bronze medalist.
- This is a decent disc golf course. If you're not wanting to play the long layout at Smith Lake, this is a good alternative for those who have time to only play one round in the area.
- On a lot of holes, one or two trees cut down would be very beneficial. As it is, it seems this course was installed without much disturbance to the environment.
- This was a very calming round. Being course six of eight for the day, it was nice to soak in a peaceful layout.
- This course reminded me of a scaled down version of Bradley Park in Gastonia, 25 minutes west of Charlotte. There are so many similarities between the two courses.
- The one thing this course misses is a definitive signature hole. #15, being the longest hole on the course, and being a dogleg, requires an accurate tee shot, if you're looking to get an easy 3. The other option would be #17 as a short, downhill layout. Or I could play this course again and decide two other holes stood out to me more than the others.
- In terms of most fun tee shot, that's #10 with the tight island-esque green with the ravine to the right. #13 was also a good layout.
- Smith Lake is obviously the best course in the Fayetteville area. I'd say Mazarick Park's Glenville Pines is (or should be, when construction is completed) the second best in the area. This is a nice bronze medalist.
- This is a decent disc golf course. If you're not wanting to play the long layout at Smith Lake, this is a good alternative for those who have time to only play one round in the area.
Beaver Branch DGC
Townsend, DE
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Pros:
I had a wonderful time playing this challenging private course, and the host could not have been more gracious. You start and finish in the nicely-landscaped yards of some lovely homes, but the bulk of the course traverses an adjacent block of dense woods. Consequently, this plays as a technical woods course bookended with a few park-style holes.
With four layouts to play, this course offers appropriate challenge for a wide range of skills. The main options are Blue (4,810' par 56) and Gold (6,044' par 59), which have well-mounted rubber tee pads. There are also two shorter options, Red (3,291' par 54) and White (4,281' par 57), with mostly natural tees marked by painted bricks.
Highlights for me were the two short-but-tight holes that throw over a gorgeous landscaped pond. I also loved the wooded sections of the course, which challenge your ability to hit and shape lines.
Good equipment, particularly for a private course: Mach 3 baskets with number plates, solidly mounted rubber tee pads, and bridges as needed to cross the creek. The baskets are marked with colored bands (red, white, blue, gold) that match which layout you are playing.
Navigation is mostly straightforward, with the next tee or path usually visible and most walks between holes short (but see cons). The middle of the course swings by the driveway parking area, providing an opportunity to stop by your car.
With four layouts to play, this course offers appropriate challenge for a wide range of skills. The main options are Blue (4,810' par 56) and Gold (6,044' par 59), which have well-mounted rubber tee pads. There are also two shorter options, Red (3,291' par 54) and White (4,281' par 57), with mostly natural tees marked by painted bricks.
Highlights for me were the two short-but-tight holes that throw over a gorgeous landscaped pond. I also loved the wooded sections of the course, which challenge your ability to hit and shape lines.
Good equipment, particularly for a private course: Mach 3 baskets with number plates, solidly mounted rubber tee pads, and bridges as needed to cross the creek. The baskets are marked with colored bands (red, white, blue, gold) that match which layout you are playing.
Navigation is mostly straightforward, with the next tee or path usually visible and most walks between holes short (but see cons). The middle of the course swings by the driveway parking area, providing an opportunity to stop by your car.
Cons:
Rough is thick on many holes, so the chance of disc loss is reasonably high during the growing season.
Hole information is currently spray-painted on the rubber tee pads, but tee signs would be helpful for first-time players. To be fair, I expect that most people who play here are regulars.
A few more "next tee" signs would help first-timers navigate the course. I took a couple of wrong turns in the woods and almost replayed the same hole twice. A GPS map will show you the way but cell signal is weak in some low areas.
Mach 3 basket are occasionally difficult to spot in the woods. A brightly-colored flag marking the basket would be beneficial on a few holes.
Hole information is currently spray-painted on the rubber tee pads, but tee signs would be helpful for first-time players. To be fair, I expect that most people who play here are regulars.
A few more "next tee" signs would help first-timers navigate the course. I took a couple of wrong turns in the woods and almost replayed the same hole twice. A GPS map will show you the way but cell signal is weak in some low areas.
Mach 3 basket are occasionally difficult to spot in the woods. A brightly-colored flag marking the basket would be beneficial on a few holes.
Other Thoughts:
I played the Blue course with a few Gold holes thrown in and had a great time. Beaver Branch reminds me of BRATS, another wonderful backyard course. I rated Beaver Branch a strong 3.5 but with the addition of tee signs I would happily bump my rating to 4.0.
Arrange to play a day or two ahead of time, which is reasonable for a course in someone's backyard. When I texted, I received quick and helpful responses.
A few holes featured gentle elevation changes but overall, the course is fairly flat. I played after several rainy days and a few spots were muddy but nothing that detracted from my enjoyment.
There is no fee to play here, but I suggest offering a contribution to help keep this highly enjoyable private course up and running. I get the impression that this course is a work in progress, in the sense that the designers are always looking for ways to improve it.
I look forward to playing here again.
Arrange to play a day or two ahead of time, which is reasonable for a course in someone's backyard. When I texted, I received quick and helpful responses.
A few holes featured gentle elevation changes but overall, the course is fairly flat. I played after several rainy days and a few spots were muddy but nothing that detracted from my enjoyment.
There is no fee to play here, but I suggest offering a contribution to help keep this highly enjoyable private course up and running. I get the impression that this course is a work in progress, in the sense that the designers are always looking for ways to improve it.
I look forward to playing here again.
Wildcat Bluff
Urbana, IA
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Pros:
Basics:
- Mach X baskets are decent and fairly visible
- decent concrete tees showing their age but serviceable
- full color tee signs with current pin position marked
- well maintained area with no notable trash/unkempt grounds
Amenities/Extras:
- garbage cans and benches at every hole
- most holes have 2 tees and 3 pin positions
- tee signs show elevation change
- tee signs have QR codes for hole fly-throughs
- brooms for tee pads
- a few nice built-in staircases
- built in barrier to protect hole 16 tee pad
Course Design/General Thoughts:
- significant elevation change incorporated throughout
- tees are flat even on uneven sections of course
- straightforward navigation
- fairways well separated for safety
- good mix of hole lengths
- overall a fairly long course
- holes do not feel repetitive and course offers significant variety
Difficulty/Uniqueness:
- pin positions offer major differences in hole lengh for different experiences
- fair course that isn't punishing but with a fair level of challenge
- course plays technical enough to force lines and shot selection
- hole 21 has vibes of Blue Ribbon Pines #4
- incorporates virtually every element of an excellent disc golf course
- Mach X baskets are decent and fairly visible
- decent concrete tees showing their age but serviceable
- full color tee signs with current pin position marked
- well maintained area with no notable trash/unkempt grounds
Amenities/Extras:
- garbage cans and benches at every hole
- most holes have 2 tees and 3 pin positions
- tee signs show elevation change
- tee signs have QR codes for hole fly-throughs
- brooms for tee pads
- a few nice built-in staircases
- built in barrier to protect hole 16 tee pad
Course Design/General Thoughts:
- significant elevation change incorporated throughout
- tees are flat even on uneven sections of course
- straightforward navigation
- fairways well separated for safety
- good mix of hole lengths
- overall a fairly long course
- holes do not feel repetitive and course offers significant variety
Difficulty/Uniqueness:
- pin positions offer major differences in hole lengh for different experiences
- fair course that isn't punishing but with a fair level of challenge
- course plays technical enough to force lines and shot selection
- hole 21 has vibes of Blue Ribbon Pines #4
- incorporates virtually every element of an excellent disc golf course
Cons:
- camping area is closed in offseason - long walk to course
- parking is very limited in offseason
- some moderate rough and dry leaves can swallow discs
- could be nice if 2 baskets were populated per hole at all times for different skill levels
- limited water inclusion
- parking is very limited in offseason
- some moderate rough and dry leaves can swallow discs
- could be nice if 2 baskets were populated per hole at all times for different skill levels
- limited water inclusion
Other Thoughts:
Sometimes when I wait a long time to play a course, I overhype it in my head. I kind of felt like that would be the case with Wildcat Bluff - after all, how good could the elevation change really be in Central Iowa? Well, as I've learned in other flat states (Nebraska, Kansas, etc.) there are pockets of magic if you know where to look. Wildcat Bluff is a phenomenal course that is well worth a trip out of your way. It didn't earn one of my elusive 5s, but is very close and I really don't have any major cons to note.
Wildcat Bluff is one of those courses that does everything right. It has built in stairs and barricades as needed, but its well laid out to avoid interference between holes so there aren't many instances of this. The equipment is all good to great, with the tee signs being some of the best I've ever seen, showing current pin position, alternate pin positions, alternate tees, elevation change and profile of the entire hole, plus full color and distance/par on the maps. All courses should emulate these.
Elevation change was intense and significant, but the comparison I saw to Hummel Park is laughable. Play both and see what you think - both fantastic courses, but Hummel is in a different echelon of brutal uphill hiking. Wildcat Bluff has a lot of up and down activity but didn't feel quite as strenuous as courses like Hummel or Justin Trails - Big Brother.
The course is technical and wooded but doesn't have incredibly tight, punishing fairways. Usually you need to hit your line but you aren't relying on luck. With that said, some fairways do have plenty of tree obstacles so this course can teach you a few lessons about precision. Shot variety is excellent, with uphill and downhill shots as well as flat ones. Overall, the course is pretty long but there is good hole variety and options with 2 tees. Technically, there is water on this course but it's not really incorporated and is one of the main downsides to the design.
I could see the benefit of populating 2 baskets so there was always a shorter option for newer players, as the pin positions make a huge difference in overall course length. Note that in the winter the camping area closes, and this means you are locked out of the main parking lot. Several holes are added in the camping area but I can't imagine these are that exciting, as this area is largely open and flat. I managed to show up the day before they opened the gate to the camping/parking area, but all the winter holes had been removed, so I had the honor of hiking across the whole camping area from the offseason parking to the start of the course - not my favorite, but it's a small thing. Navigation felt straightforward here; hole 21 ends very close to hole 1 near the in-season parking area, and while I probably consulted the map a few times, the flow of the course is pretty logical.
I saw no evidence of muddy areas or standing water and the course was in immaculate condition. There were no insect issues either, which is always a plus on a course this wooded. While it wasn't especially crowded, in mid-April on a Saturday at midday there were probably 5-10 groups playing through this course. It is a large enough course you don't always encounter a ton of other people.
There were a few holes I found notable. Hole 11 is a huge ravine shot where you want to end up high on the other side - who doesn't love these? This is followed by hole 12 which is a steep downhill shot where you break out of the woods right at the end to the basket out in the open before you cut across the park to the 2nd half of the course. Hole 19 has an elevated basket, which I usually find gimmicky. However, I think this is one of the few good ones. The elevation means it can be seen from the tee despite being mounted on the downhill side of a little hill. It also means if you miss your shot, you are headed downhill and kind of screwed. I like the challenge this shot creates. Hole 21 is a cool shot down a straightaway through huge pine trees which reminded me of Blue Ribbon Pines - thankfully over the years I've improved and did much better here than the 11 I scored on the similar hole at BRP. These aren't quite as towering as the pines at BRP, but this is one of those holes where ability to throw a straight, precision drive trumps distance.
Overall, Wildcat Bluff was well worth the time off the interstate to get to and was an amazing disc golf experience I'd encourage everyone to seek out. I can't imagine many players scoring this course below a 4.5 and the 5s it has certainly seem warranted depending on your perspective. This is one of the gems of the midwest and shouldn't be missed.
Wildcat Bluff is one of those courses that does everything right. It has built in stairs and barricades as needed, but its well laid out to avoid interference between holes so there aren't many instances of this. The equipment is all good to great, with the tee signs being some of the best I've ever seen, showing current pin position, alternate pin positions, alternate tees, elevation change and profile of the entire hole, plus full color and distance/par on the maps. All courses should emulate these.
Elevation change was intense and significant, but the comparison I saw to Hummel Park is laughable. Play both and see what you think - both fantastic courses, but Hummel is in a different echelon of brutal uphill hiking. Wildcat Bluff has a lot of up and down activity but didn't feel quite as strenuous as courses like Hummel or Justin Trails - Big Brother.
The course is technical and wooded but doesn't have incredibly tight, punishing fairways. Usually you need to hit your line but you aren't relying on luck. With that said, some fairways do have plenty of tree obstacles so this course can teach you a few lessons about precision. Shot variety is excellent, with uphill and downhill shots as well as flat ones. Overall, the course is pretty long but there is good hole variety and options with 2 tees. Technically, there is water on this course but it's not really incorporated and is one of the main downsides to the design.
I could see the benefit of populating 2 baskets so there was always a shorter option for newer players, as the pin positions make a huge difference in overall course length. Note that in the winter the camping area closes, and this means you are locked out of the main parking lot. Several holes are added in the camping area but I can't imagine these are that exciting, as this area is largely open and flat. I managed to show up the day before they opened the gate to the camping/parking area, but all the winter holes had been removed, so I had the honor of hiking across the whole camping area from the offseason parking to the start of the course - not my favorite, but it's a small thing. Navigation felt straightforward here; hole 21 ends very close to hole 1 near the in-season parking area, and while I probably consulted the map a few times, the flow of the course is pretty logical.
I saw no evidence of muddy areas or standing water and the course was in immaculate condition. There were no insect issues either, which is always a plus on a course this wooded. While it wasn't especially crowded, in mid-April on a Saturday at midday there were probably 5-10 groups playing through this course. It is a large enough course you don't always encounter a ton of other people.
There were a few holes I found notable. Hole 11 is a huge ravine shot where you want to end up high on the other side - who doesn't love these? This is followed by hole 12 which is a steep downhill shot where you break out of the woods right at the end to the basket out in the open before you cut across the park to the 2nd half of the course. Hole 19 has an elevated basket, which I usually find gimmicky. However, I think this is one of the few good ones. The elevation means it can be seen from the tee despite being mounted on the downhill side of a little hill. It also means if you miss your shot, you are headed downhill and kind of screwed. I like the challenge this shot creates. Hole 21 is a cool shot down a straightaway through huge pine trees which reminded me of Blue Ribbon Pines - thankfully over the years I've improved and did much better here than the 11 I scored on the similar hole at BRP. These aren't quite as towering as the pines at BRP, but this is one of those holes where ability to throw a straight, precision drive trumps distance.
Overall, Wildcat Bluff was well worth the time off the interstate to get to and was an amazing disc golf experience I'd encourage everyone to seek out. I can't imagine many players scoring this course below a 4.5 and the 5s it has certainly seem warranted depending on your perspective. This is one of the gems of the midwest and shouldn't be missed.
Flyin' Bee Country Club
Valley Center, KS
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Pros:
Makes the best use of the land
Tee's are marked with stones in the ground
owner is super nice old school player
Tee's are marked with stones in the ground
owner is super nice old school player
Cons:
5 baskets with 18 tee's
Home made baskets but they work fine
Home made baskets but they work fine
Other Thoughts:
Sent a text to Bill the night before asking if the course was available, he told me after he finished up something in the morning. I met up with him around noon and he showed me his course.
First off, I passed the house twice because I wasn't sure which house it was till I saw the basket in the front yard.
Bill has 5 baskets set up in an area behind his house and a few other homes. While it is a par 3 course, there are enough trees, including some disc grabbing cedar trees keeping the holes interesting.
18 different tee boxes with 18 different looks. Other than a bomber, you will need a decent range of shots to score well.
Bill was a shop teacher and has some artwork around the course. I posted a few of the disc golf related artwork in the media section. "
I want to make a special note, in his shed, he has old baskets from different Kansas courses. Including a tone poll from the OG Hays KS course. It's work looking in and seeing some Kansas disc golf history.
On top of that, Bill first designed a course in his back yard in 87. His PDGA number is in the 3000 range.
Would I play here again? Not to play the course, but I would enjoy another round with Bill.
First off, I passed the house twice because I wasn't sure which house it was till I saw the basket in the front yard.
Bill has 5 baskets set up in an area behind his house and a few other homes. While it is a par 3 course, there are enough trees, including some disc grabbing cedar trees keeping the holes interesting.
18 different tee boxes with 18 different looks. Other than a bomber, you will need a decent range of shots to score well.
Bill was a shop teacher and has some artwork around the course. I posted a few of the disc golf related artwork in the media section. "
I want to make a special note, in his shed, he has old baskets from different Kansas courses. Including a tone poll from the OG Hays KS course. It's work looking in and seeing some Kansas disc golf history.
On top of that, Bill first designed a course in his back yard in 87. His PDGA number is in the 3000 range.
Would I play here again? Not to play the course, but I would enjoy another round with Bill.
Tiger's Claw
Tuttle, OK
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Pros:
This course has a ton of shot and length variety for a course that starts in a park and heads into the woods. It favors technical lines, even on the more open field holes with white staked OB's and high prairie rough. The real star of the course is the elevation changes, which is rare in Oklahoma. The wood fairways are still pretty rough in some places, but it just needs some time to beat in. There are enough open holes that wind golf is omnipresent too. Overally it's probably nearly 2.25 miles in length, so it's also a decent hike, especially with the elevation.
Lots of replay variety between the red and gold baskets as well. The course also uses the available elevation extremely well with uphill holes, downhill holes, valley shots, and doglegs across hills. Only one basket had an unforgiving roll away risk (15 red). The right/left balance is better than many courses and the forced lines make sense even if they do dampen the fun. A few blind holes, especially on the golds. Some shallow creeks on two red holes and another one on a gold, so no fast water or large ponds to worry about. Disc loss risk is typically underbrush off of fairways and the really high rough on a few holes.
All but one of the tee pads are good sizes with well thought out construction. The signage at each tee is excellent too. Two or three legit footbridges and a couple ad hoc ones help with some low spots in several locations. The baskets are new Innova Discathers with red and yellow chastity belts. The red can be a little tough to see in the shade at times, but we didn't have to do much scouting overall. One or two of them appear to be somewhat elevated as well.
Lots of replay variety between the red and gold baskets as well. The course also uses the available elevation extremely well with uphill holes, downhill holes, valley shots, and doglegs across hills. Only one basket had an unforgiving roll away risk (15 red). The right/left balance is better than many courses and the forced lines make sense even if they do dampen the fun. A few blind holes, especially on the golds. Some shallow creeks on two red holes and another one on a gold, so no fast water or large ponds to worry about. Disc loss risk is typically underbrush off of fairways and the really high rough on a few holes.
All but one of the tee pads are good sizes with well thought out construction. The signage at each tee is excellent too. Two or three legit footbridges and a couple ad hoc ones help with some low spots in several locations. The baskets are new Innova Discathers with red and yellow chastity belts. The red can be a little tough to see in the shade at times, but we didn't have to do much scouting overall. One or two of them appear to be somewhat elevated as well.
Cons:
The issues stem from some design choices. Several tees are REALLY close to the previous basket. Two of them have safety netting erected due to this proximity. In addition, the first three holes and the last few holes play near/over a walking trail which is typically a big safety no-no. The mandos are there to address it, but it still feels like a dicey choice. And I'm one of those people that don't like mandos as a design tool, so that doesn't help.
The sigh on #3 indicates a third basket placement, but we didn't see it. The tee pad on 4 is already washing out and needs some grading adjustments uphill from it. The chance of throwing over the fence on 6 and 7 is scary unless you want that felony for entering a restricted area.
I'm not a fan of island holes (they often feel like a circus hole and unimaginative design) and this course has two on the reds and it looks like a couple more on the golds. Those holes and a few other with tight fairways result in lots of time in the high rough and then even more time after you finally find your disc pulling all the stickers/thorns out of your shoes and legs.
Navigation is a little weird, primarily on the back nine. I don't understand why they felt the need for 15A and 19 total holes it feels like an afterthought. It's another island shot which I feel really hampers lower strength players unfairly.
Few amenities, really. A few benches are scattered later in the course and the garbage cans are a little sporadic. Not aware of any bathrooms or water fountains either. Could be a little bit of a challenge at times with a cart. Soccer days (fields are right next to the first tee) could result in some crowded parking and more trail and playground users.
The sigh on #3 indicates a third basket placement, but we didn't see it. The tee pad on 4 is already washing out and needs some grading adjustments uphill from it. The chance of throwing over the fence on 6 and 7 is scary unless you want that felony for entering a restricted area.
I'm not a fan of island holes (they often feel like a circus hole and unimaginative design) and this course has two on the reds and it looks like a couple more on the golds. Those holes and a few other with tight fairways result in lots of time in the high rough and then even more time after you finally find your disc pulling all the stickers/thorns out of your shoes and legs.
Navigation is a little weird, primarily on the back nine. I don't understand why they felt the need for 15A and 19 total holes it feels like an afterthought. It's another island shot which I feel really hampers lower strength players unfairly.
Few amenities, really. A few benches are scattered later in the course and the garbage cans are a little sporadic. Not aware of any bathrooms or water fountains either. Could be a little bit of a challenge at times with a cart. Soccer days (fields are right next to the first tee) could result in some crowded parking and more trail and playground users.
Other Thoughts:
Overall, this is a good course that needs a little beating in. The recent storms have left some down/hanging limbs that probably need to be cleaned up, but it didn't really affect play. The stickers/thorns in the high rough are brutal and put a real damper on our day even as lower power players on the shorts.
Is the course fun? Yeah. Could I shoot decently and have more fun? Yeah. Will I play it again? Probably. But it has some design issues that make me wary (I dinged it one star for safety and a half for all the other cons combined). All it takes is one idiot to brain somebody on a walking trail and this course will be in trouble. There were at least three groups using the trail while we played and a family or two on the adjacent playground (not in play, but overlooking 15A and 16). And this was on a Saturday with no soccer games going on.
Is the course fun? Yeah. Could I shoot decently and have more fun? Yeah. Will I play it again? Probably. But it has some design issues that make me wary (I dinged it one star for safety and a half for all the other cons combined). All it takes is one idiot to brain somebody on a walking trail and this course will be in trouble. There were at least three groups using the trail while we played and a family or two on the adjacent playground (not in play, but overlooking 15A and 16). And this was on a Saturday with no soccer games going on.
Big Walnut DGC
Sunbury, OH
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Pros:
I always give credit to schools making an effort to grow the sport, and have seen a LOT of variety in school course design. In this case, I commend the designer on choosing hole distances appropriate for beginner youths. Once they get a modicum of coaching (from the PE teacher or others), kids will quickly find holes here are in their range for possible birdies. Also, the designer clearly had in mind utilizing a variety of hole distances, angles of attack, and obstacles, with the best use of the terrain coming on hole 7, where the basket is situated atop the only ridge/rise on the property, and creates a challenging green. Kids can learn ranging, and conditions under which you need to make risk/reward choices.
Cons:
The downside of the design (as presently maintained) comes in the frequent use of "NON-greens" for holes 3,8,9,10,13&14. The (older DGA Mach ?) baskets are literally set a foot or two into the rough, with no clearing done around them. The pine branches on the otherwise aceable hole 9 nearly intertwine through the front side chains. And the rough (usually to the left on half the fairways) is simply disc eating punishment. Thorns, stinging nettles, and cat-tail swamp are actually not appropriate for the target audience.
Tee pads are small (4x8) and inconsistent, with boxed gravel, and turf laid over 15 of the boxes (interesting that the three in front of the building (1,17&18) have no turf). Finally, the lack of signage and totally flat terrain make this a bit of a disappointing track overall: the course probably has novice to recreational players as its target audience, but their innate inconsistency will likely have them disc searching, getting frustrated, and giving up the sport. As an intermediate adult with more than a decade worth of experience and hundreds of courses played, I found frustration likely on hole 3 (a left to right flex putter shot that risks tennis court fence right and tall weeds left), hole 4 (it turns out the basket is hidden on the left, just in front of the discus net), hole 8 (only 100 feet, but no reasonable beginner line to the basket tucked behind the massive and unforgiving pine), hole 9 (pine branches acting like Dikimbe Mutombo), hole 10 (I couldn't find a tee pad, and the basket is in weeds higher than the cage), hole 11 (cat tail swamp left if you wish to avoid the ball field fence), and 13,15,16&17 (which all throw over the driveway: a traditional design no-no). Finally, beginners WILL hit cars on 18…
Tee pads are small (4x8) and inconsistent, with boxed gravel, and turf laid over 15 of the boxes (interesting that the three in front of the building (1,17&18) have no turf). Finally, the lack of signage and totally flat terrain make this a bit of a disappointing track overall: the course probably has novice to recreational players as its target audience, but their innate inconsistency will likely have them disc searching, getting frustrated, and giving up the sport. As an intermediate adult with more than a decade worth of experience and hundreds of courses played, I found frustration likely on hole 3 (a left to right flex putter shot that risks tennis court fence right and tall weeds left), hole 4 (it turns out the basket is hidden on the left, just in front of the discus net), hole 8 (only 100 feet, but no reasonable beginner line to the basket tucked behind the massive and unforgiving pine), hole 9 (pine branches acting like Dikimbe Mutombo), hole 10 (I couldn't find a tee pad, and the basket is in weeds higher than the cage), hole 11 (cat tail swamp left if you wish to avoid the ball field fence), and 13,15,16&17 (which all throw over the driveway: a traditional design no-no). Finally, beginners WILL hit cars on 18…
Other Thoughts:
Again, just because I listed a lot of negatives doesn't mean they shouldn't keep trying here. I suggest literally clearing the entire 'circle 1' of underbrush for all 'beginner' holes, and be sure the most likely landing spots along all fairways are kept clear and accessible. A lot of work the way the course is currently laid out…
Mary Beth Doyle Park
Ann Arbor, MI
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Pros:
Mary Beth Doyle Park is on the south side of Ann Arbor, MI. It's easy to get to just off of I-94. The south side of the park offers 18 holes of disc golf.
On paper, this course is quite friendly for beginners and rec players with holes averaging about 200' long. There are some nice rolling hills throughout the park and holes play up, down, along, and across them. There are fairways that curl slightly to the left and right, and quite a few where the basket is basically straight ahead. There is a decent range of tightly wooded to more open holes. Many holes have a narrow, open grassy fairway that is sharply defined by thick bushes and small trees on either side.
The tee pads are concrete and large enough. Some holes have multiple tee positions and others just one.
The baskets are DGAs that are getting a little beat up. They are still in OK shape, but also difficult to see on the wooded holes. There's a practice basket near the first tee, as well as a kiosk with a course map on it.
On paper, this course is quite friendly for beginners and rec players with holes averaging about 200' long. There are some nice rolling hills throughout the park and holes play up, down, along, and across them. There are fairways that curl slightly to the left and right, and quite a few where the basket is basically straight ahead. There is a decent range of tightly wooded to more open holes. Many holes have a narrow, open grassy fairway that is sharply defined by thick bushes and small trees on either side.
The tee pads are concrete and large enough. Some holes have multiple tee positions and others just one.
The baskets are DGAs that are getting a little beat up. They are still in OK shape, but also difficult to see on the wooded holes. There's a practice basket near the first tee, as well as a kiosk with a course map on it.
Cons:
Walking paths are in play on several holes. Sometimes the path is line-of-sight off the tee and sometimes it is blind. Holes also run pretty close together. There are a few places where a disc could easily fade or tree kick into an adjacent fairway. The shortest path from hole 3 to 4 crosses hole 9's green.
There is no navigational signage. The first challenge is finding hole 1 and the kiosk from the parking lot. It's a bit of a walk back past the basketball court along the paved path. Once you find the kiosk, if you don't use UDisc I'd highly recommend snapping a photo of the map. The layout is not THAT confusing, but there are several places where walks between holes cross or the next tee is not in the direction you may think.
The tee signs are not good either - they just have the hole number and distance on a wooden post. Some of these were cracked off. I think they are supposed to be color coded per tee (white for the longer tees and red for the shorter tees) but it was kind of hard to tell between the cracks and the faded paint. I intended to play the long tees but there were several holes where I think I accidentally played the short tee instead.
Even from the long tees, this is a very short course - only one hole exceeds 300'. That said, I have some reservations even fully recommending this one for beginner play. Thick brush off many fairways makes finding discs more challenging. There were multiple occasions where I decided to simply pitch my disc straight back out to the fairway and accept my bogey. We also identified some poison ivy in the more wooded areas of the park.
Maintenance was kind of lacking in general. The few trash cans sprinkled around the course were overflowing. A couple of the benches were cracked. I didn't see a porta potty.
There is lots of road noise from I-94 throughout the course. The freeway defines the southern boundary of the park, and on hole 6 you can peek through the thick woods on the right side of the fairway and see cars whizzing by not far away.
There is no navigational signage. The first challenge is finding hole 1 and the kiosk from the parking lot. It's a bit of a walk back past the basketball court along the paved path. Once you find the kiosk, if you don't use UDisc I'd highly recommend snapping a photo of the map. The layout is not THAT confusing, but there are several places where walks between holes cross or the next tee is not in the direction you may think.
The tee signs are not good either - they just have the hole number and distance on a wooden post. Some of these were cracked off. I think they are supposed to be color coded per tee (white for the longer tees and red for the shorter tees) but it was kind of hard to tell between the cracks and the faded paint. I intended to play the long tees but there were several holes where I think I accidentally played the short tee instead.
Even from the long tees, this is a very short course - only one hole exceeds 300'. That said, I have some reservations even fully recommending this one for beginner play. Thick brush off many fairways makes finding discs more challenging. There were multiple occasions where I decided to simply pitch my disc straight back out to the fairway and accept my bogey. We also identified some poison ivy in the more wooded areas of the park.
Maintenance was kind of lacking in general. The few trash cans sprinkled around the course were overflowing. A couple of the benches were cracked. I didn't see a porta potty.
There is lots of road noise from I-94 throughout the course. The freeway defines the southern boundary of the park, and on hole 6 you can peek through the thick woods on the right side of the fairway and see cars whizzing by not far away.
Other Thoughts:
I had a special agenda the day I played here - introduce some relatives to disc golf. They are local to Ann Arbor so this is the course they wanted to try for their first round ever. I looked at the previous reviews and other info here and determined it would probably be an OK fit for that purpose - and it turned out to be. In fact, I clearly wasn't the only person with that sort of thinking. What I will remember about my round here is playing with my relatives, but also the number of people I saw attempting to play with non-DG discs. Not including my relatives (who did want to try throwing dollar store flying discs in addition to some of the putters/mids/fairway drivers I loaned them), I saw at least 3-4 other people throwing non-DG discs.
This is not a great course by any means. If you're looking to show someone how to play disc golf near Ann Arbor, and if they want to play a full 18, and if the park isn't too busy, and if they don't mind some frustratingly thick rough and possible poison ivy, then Mary Beth Doyle is a decent option. That's a lot of "if" statements though. The only reason I'd return to this one would be to redeem myself from my embarrassing +5 round - or I could just use the excuse that I was focusing on showing my relatives the game. Travelling players looking for great courses in this area can certainly give Mary Beth Doyle a miss.
This is not a great course by any means. If you're looking to show someone how to play disc golf near Ann Arbor, and if they want to play a full 18, and if the park isn't too busy, and if they don't mind some frustratingly thick rough and possible poison ivy, then Mary Beth Doyle is a decent option. That's a lot of "if" statements though. The only reason I'd return to this one would be to redeem myself from my embarrassing +5 round - or I could just use the excuse that I was focusing on showing my relatives the game. Travelling players looking for great courses in this area can certainly give Mary Beth Doyle a miss.
Iron Hill
Newark, DE
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Pros:
-The history of Iron Hill dates back to mining operations by Native Americans and later Welsh settlers, as well as a Revolutionary War battle. In those days, they were making and using cannons at Iron Hill. Today, you'll need one to navigate the extremely challenging yet delightfully exciting par 72 disc golf course.
-The course navigates a huge expanse of mature forest. A few holes have generous fairways, but most demand a precise woods shot. Every hole is well-spaced and well-designed. The beautiful, old trees prevent the undergrowth from becoming too thick — holes 1-4 feature the thickest rough on the course.
-Each hole has two baskets: a Chainstar in a shorter position and a DisCatcher in a longer position. Each hole also has 2-3 large concrete tees. (Almost every tee has now been improved; there are very few natural tees remaining). Tees and baskets are well-spaced to create enormous variety in the distance and angles required to attack the hole.
-While highly challenging, the layout is very reasonable. No hole is uninviting or stupidly difficult. Uphill holes are gently sloping, and the downhill shots require precise angle control. Several of the easier holes feature one-of-a-kind pin positions which make you ponder how to best play your approach shot.
-Iron Hill offers no opportunity to avoid your weaknesses. If you lack a good recovery forehand, stand-still approach, arrow-straight drive, or floaty putt, the course will let you know about it. Even a couple rounds here is bound to make anyone a better player.
-Holes 3 and 17 are considered the signature holes, but there are too many other amazing holes (4-6, 12-13) to pick a favorite.
-The park features a large practice area with two baskets, a playground, picnic pavilion, and hiking trails. It is only two miles from I-95 and four miles from Newark train station.
-The course navigates a huge expanse of mature forest. A few holes have generous fairways, but most demand a precise woods shot. Every hole is well-spaced and well-designed. The beautiful, old trees prevent the undergrowth from becoming too thick — holes 1-4 feature the thickest rough on the course.
-Each hole has two baskets: a Chainstar in a shorter position and a DisCatcher in a longer position. Each hole also has 2-3 large concrete tees. (Almost every tee has now been improved; there are very few natural tees remaining). Tees and baskets are well-spaced to create enormous variety in the distance and angles required to attack the hole.
-While highly challenging, the layout is very reasonable. No hole is uninviting or stupidly difficult. Uphill holes are gently sloping, and the downhill shots require precise angle control. Several of the easier holes feature one-of-a-kind pin positions which make you ponder how to best play your approach shot.
-Iron Hill offers no opportunity to avoid your weaknesses. If you lack a good recovery forehand, stand-still approach, arrow-straight drive, or floaty putt, the course will let you know about it. Even a couple rounds here is bound to make anyone a better player.
-Holes 3 and 17 are considered the signature holes, but there are too many other amazing holes (4-6, 12-13) to pick a favorite.
-The park features a large practice area with two baskets, a playground, picnic pavilion, and hiking trails. It is only two miles from I-95 and four miles from Newark train station.
Cons:
-Signage is minimal for such a top-tier course. Each hole has a small sign next to the back tee with the hole number, but no indication of the par, distance, or shape of the hole.
-The course does not hold water well. Boots are recommended if there is any rain the week before you play.
-The course does not hold water well. Boots are recommended if there is any rain the week before you play.
Other Thoughts:
-Overall, the property is gently sloping, but there are plenty of steep points, rock outcroppings, and built-up pin positions. Sturdy shoes are a must.
-Skill levels: The Pro layout is a real challenge, an incredible test of woods golf, and suited for better players. Playing from the short tees to either the short or long baskets is perfect for Intermediate players. For new players, you might walk halfway up the fairway and tee off from there.
-I (ambitiously) played the Pro layout and was pleased to finish 7-over par. With ample footage on YouTube, watching professionals cruise to a 10-under par is unbelievably impressive (and instructive).
-Iron Hill is a true test of both your game and your disc golf IQ. As with any great course, you can seldom afford a lapse in concentration. Yet the fairways are fair, the rough is reasonable, and the entire place is so gorgeous that even a double bogey is no excuse for frustration.
-Skill levels: The Pro layout is a real challenge, an incredible test of woods golf, and suited for better players. Playing from the short tees to either the short or long baskets is perfect for Intermediate players. For new players, you might walk halfway up the fairway and tee off from there.
-I (ambitiously) played the Pro layout and was pleased to finish 7-over par. With ample footage on YouTube, watching professionals cruise to a 10-under par is unbelievably impressive (and instructive).
-Iron Hill is a true test of both your game and your disc golf IQ. As with any great course, you can seldom afford a lapse in concentration. Yet the fairways are fair, the rough is reasonable, and the entire place is so gorgeous that even a double bogey is no excuse for frustration.
Alley Park
Bel Aire, KS
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Pros:
DD Tee signs
DD Vet Baskets
Kiosk Map
decent mix of shot
DD Vet Baskets
Kiosk Map
decent mix of shot
Cons:
Mud Tee Pads (it had rained the night before I played)
For a seasoned player, it's an ace run course
Hole 3 will be intimidating for new players with the pond on the left.
For a seasoned player, it's an ace run course
Hole 3 will be intimidating for new players with the pond on the left.
Other Thoughts:
I always enjoy little 9 hole courses like this when I am out course collecting. I think it took me about 20 to 30 min to play this course.
The course mostly goes around a pond counter clockwise.
Hole 1 is a simple shot to a basket under a tree.
Hole 2 is a simple short right to left blind shot
Hole 3 is straight with the pond on your left, make sure your disc stays straight.
Hole 4 is a simple slight left to right with the pond far enough to not be an issue except for bad shots.
Hole 5 is interesting. Blind shot up a hill with DEEP rough to the left, right and behind the basket. You do NOT want to be in this stuff.
Hole 6 is another interesting shot. The basket is on top of a hill, but you can't see it. You have to throw over some very thick rough, overthrows will be down a hill. Come up short and you are in a world of hurt.
Hole 7 is an easy ace run with the pond on the left Biggest issues is you throw across 5's fairway.
Hole 8 is another ace run with the pond to the left. Because most of these pond shots were so short, the pond really didn't come into play for me.
Hole 9 is a nice little shot with tree's on both side of the fairway
In general, this was a fun little course to play although I had to throw from the grass due to the tee area being mud.
Would I play here again? Well, even though I enjoy playing courses like this, I have already played it. I might if I lived locally and didn't want to drive to a better course.
The course mostly goes around a pond counter clockwise.
Hole 1 is a simple shot to a basket under a tree.
Hole 2 is a simple short right to left blind shot
Hole 3 is straight with the pond on your left, make sure your disc stays straight.
Hole 4 is a simple slight left to right with the pond far enough to not be an issue except for bad shots.
Hole 5 is interesting. Blind shot up a hill with DEEP rough to the left, right and behind the basket. You do NOT want to be in this stuff.
Hole 6 is another interesting shot. The basket is on top of a hill, but you can't see it. You have to throw over some very thick rough, overthrows will be down a hill. Come up short and you are in a world of hurt.
Hole 7 is an easy ace run with the pond on the left Biggest issues is you throw across 5's fairway.
Hole 8 is another ace run with the pond to the left. Because most of these pond shots were so short, the pond really didn't come into play for me.
Hole 9 is a nice little shot with tree's on both side of the fairway
In general, this was a fun little course to play although I had to throw from the grass due to the tee area being mud.
Would I play here again? Well, even though I enjoy playing courses like this, I have already played it. I might if I lived locally and didn't want to drive to a better course.
