This is probably the 15th or 20th disc golf course i've played on ball courses. Bear Creek managed to avoid the biggest mistake that most of them make: That is not making us disc golfers feel like we are just throwing over a vast expanse of manicured green lawns. Bear Creek somehow kept the intimacy that one usually feels on a disc golf course.

The day I played there were more disc golfers on the course than regular guys. The reasonable fee is $4 for 9 holes and $7 for a full 18. I started just after a family group of six beginners had started.

You tee off on the grass just like Tiger does. They've recently installed new Discatchers so there are now two baskets on each hole. The other set of baskets are some decent looking homemade ones. They play very similar to the Discatchers. It I were in charge of this operation, I would remove these nomemade baskets. They don't add anything and are kind of an eyesore. The tee sign give you the distance for either basket.

The course is long with seven holes playing all 400' but doesn't feel wide open like most courses on ball golf courses. The baskets are stragically placed near water or trees or just beyond the golf greens. # 3 is long at over 700' but has forest on the left and water along most of the right side. # 5 features a short carry over water. It's routine for any rec players although the beginning group of six optioned to skip it.

I always like to see at least one short Ace run. For most of us, there were no possibility of an Ace.

Pay to play although fees are reasonable.

Fairly long for many players.

More open than most courses.

Having to share the course with the regulars.

I didn't inquire about renting a cart as I thought I could handle 9 holes. I didn't see any carts on the course. The last time I rented a cart there were all these really old, decrepid golfers and they were all walking the course. I was pretty embarrassed to be the only one on the course driving a cart.

I would think that Bear Creek being the disc golf operation in Medford should generate a nice income from the disc golfers. It seems to be working.

This is a good as it gets in Medford, for now (2018).
Easy to find and easy access. Good parking.
Right next to Bowling Alley. Look for the giant bowling pin on the east side of Hiway 99 south of E. Barnett.
Usually not crowded. It's close to food and drink.
Good for intermediate players who can bomb.
Good place to work on your distance form. They installed 9 new Innova Discatchers recently. (@2018) Other baskets are homemade but passable.There is weekly league action, look at Rogue Valley Disc Golf Club on Facebook.

Although there are 18 baskets there are only 9 fairways. There are 2 baskets for each tee pad. Not very demanding for experienced players or those who like the challenge of elevation changes, more obstacles and tight lines. Mostly flat on land next to Bear Creek. Some holes are a bit long for beginners. Has 2 or 3 short holes ~200ft. Tee area is same as ball golf, grass with divots.

Pretty wide open except for a small lake, a creek crossing and the ubiquitous Oregon blackberry bushes on the sides. A scattering of trees and bushes. Cut grass fairways. Geese. Play is shared with ball golfers on a 9 hole ball golf course. Benches at each hole. Maps in the Clubhouse. Friendly locals. $7 for 18 holes.