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Cavitts Creek Park reviews
11
0
ultimatediscman
Experience:
18.9 years
330 played
14 reviews
Back of the Dragon
Reviewed:
Played on:Jan 1, 1970
Played the course:once
Pros:
If you are a mountain enthusiast, adventure seeker and fit, this course is for you. The elevation of Appalachia blends the best for disc chucking.
The scenery, tees and baskets are excellent. Elevation plays on almost every throw not just one shot per hole. All the holes, but more prevalent on the numerous demanding par 4's, the designer has one throwing up, down and up and down and (unfortunately) around. Errant rollaways will be punished in score and endurance. They are hard to avoid but I very much enjoyed the challenge.
The front 9 loop back to the parking and the back holes are more wooded than the front half adding variety to the course. The maintenance for this rugged and hilly track is impressive.
My favorite holes (all down hill) are the signature hole 3, than 6 and 18.
The scenery, tees and baskets are excellent. Elevation plays on almost every throw not just one shot per hole. All the holes, but more prevalent on the numerous demanding par 4's, the designer has one throwing up, down and up and down and (unfortunately) around. Errant rollaways will be punished in score and endurance. They are hard to avoid but I very much enjoyed the challenge.
The front 9 loop back to the parking and the back holes are more wooded than the front half adding variety to the course. The maintenance for this rugged and hilly track is impressive.
My favorite holes (all down hill) are the signature hole 3, than 6 and 18.
Cons:
The signs could be improved. There are no cement tees for the shorts. Overall this course favors a big arm over finesse. Many throws are open, long and devoid of obstacles. Beginners will have a frustrating time playing here even from the shorts.
The flow is difficult to follow in several spots. I don't view this as a flaw as long as the next fairway is worthy. My biggest complaint and reason I am not rating this course higher: I felt I was throwing from the tail of the dragon much more than from the head.
The flow is difficult to follow in several spots. I don't view this as a flaw as long as the next fairway is worthy. My biggest complaint and reason I am not rating this course higher: I felt I was throwing from the tail of the dragon much more than from the head.
Other Thoughts:
This review was from the longs. Benny's review brought me here and I am delighted I got to play here. I would play here again on another road trip. I highly recommend trying the course and appreciate different points of view. Tent and RV camping had nice views and it was very clean. If you make it here, make the time to drive "back of the dragon"
18
0
What Floor, Sir/Ma'am?
Reviewed:
Played on:Nov 5, 2022
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
-Cavitts Creek is amazing. It's my kind of golf! Some reviewers on this site would probably say that Bennybennybenny would be having a field day here, and it's true I would! This is an outdoor elevator that has you going up many floors and back down many floors. You have to be able to read the slopes and see the impact that they have on the flight of your discs and be able to consider switching discs due to how differently they fly with elevation. If you can do that, then you'll have an advantage at Cavitts Creek!
-Concrete pads are poured. They are nice and lengthy. Not raised high to where it's difficult to have a long run up.
-Tee signs with hole info. Elevation changes are stated in addition to hole length and par.
-Suitable for all skill levels (as long as you can handle the elevation). The red pads are a par 66, as well as the longs. So, same par but an incremental 2500-2800'. The shorts are a lot less demanding and offer many birdie opportunities for newer players since there are many par fours under or around the 400' mark. From the longs, birdies won't come as easy, but every hole is very fair. The toughest hole (my guess is 14) would probably average somewhere between 0.6 to 0.8 over par. #5 would probably be a close second for the toughest hole.
-There's camping available. Pretty sure there is a bath house as well for people who decide to camp here.
-Benches on several holes. Use them to your advantage. There are trash cans at the pavilion, so if you have trash, stop at the pavilion first. It's at the top of the hill that you drive down to get to the parking lot.
-Good mix of variety. Tons of open holes that allow maximum power with drivers. The front nine is mostly open with more OB hazards. Several sweet wooded holes on the back nine. Holes 10-12 are known as the Dragon Bend. #13-16 play around the campsite, so there's a change in appearance too. #17 and #18 play back from where you entered pulling in and have you throwing up several floors (#17) and back down even more floors (#18). The mix is spectacular and it has that feel of going through different sectors that I must break down into detail.
-The first four holes are mostly about power. Three longer par fours and one long par three (#4). The first hole has the most obstacles. There's an area of tall grass straight ahead and a mando pointing right. This hole is a lot more obtainable if you have a sidearm. #2 is more suited for a backhand thrower. This is a huge uphill par four with some scattered trees playing up the hill sloping downward to the right. You have to be accurate with rough footing here. #3 is probably the signature hole. About 800', open, and down 82 feet in elevation with a lake view. Basket is perched on some rocks. We had a long drive challenge on this hole. #4 is one of the toughest birdies. It's a 404' straight, slightly uphill par three on a green that is susceptible to rollaways. Has several pine trees around the tee pad and several lined up on both sides of the fairway. Still offers ample room to throw a driver.
-Now you enter the part with more OBs. Holes #5 to #9. I mentioned that #1 has a lot of OB too, but the drop zone to the basket is only about 45' and you go straight to the drop zone if you throw into the tall grass. As for #5, this hole is different story. This is a mean par four! A really fun one. But it's very tough! This is the designer's favorite hole. It's an island green approach over the gravel road (which is OB). The basket is on the other side of the road where you tee off and it's on an island with the basket being maybe 20' from the road and extending maybe 40' behind the basket. Island is wide, but with the hole being over 600' and the tee shot being instantly uphill (probably 30' to the top of the first hill), this hole plays effectively longer and makes for an intimidating second shot. Will you go for the island or throw another shot on the left side and play safe for a likely par?
The fun continues on #6. #6 is another grip and rip downhill bomb. But more risky due to the road in play on the right and the OB fence on the left. #7 is a tough tee shot through a low corridor right in front of the tee and over the road. This is another island hole. If you miss, you go to the drop zone (or the short tee) and have a straight look at the pin with some rollaway potential for the rest of the way. The left side where the basket is located has a few guardian trees. #8 is the water carry hole. 163' from the short and 270' from the long. #9 has you teeing off near the bank of the lake (backtracking hole #3). It's in play most of the way on the left. The right side is higher up the hill, so you're bound to get better footing if you go a little bit left, but you don't want to go far left since there is a water hazard.
-Dragon Bend! (#10-12). This is where the designer decided to show a little bit of imagery. #10 is a beast of a par four. Dogleg left in the open ending in the woods. About 530', uphill probably more than 60' in elevation and tucked into a wooded pocket. This is what the designer calls "Dragon's Mouth" and for good reason. If you throw about 350-375', you'll be lined up well toward the mouth of the woods (or in this case the Dragon). Go too far, and you could be over the OB road. #11 is the up the Dragon's back. This is a huge uphill par five. The only par five here. It says the elevation gain is +107. I don't think it's quite that much, but it's definitely more than 75'. You are faced with a split fairway. Both routes are pretty bendy and a little crooked. You won't want to throw anything past a 9 speed driver. The hill rises a little for the first half. The second half has you throwing up a larger and steeper hill. The fairway twists a bit right and goes straight for a couple hundred feet before turning back left. Hole probably would have the most separation, but there are many different ways to make a birdie. #12 is shaped exactly like a dragon's tail. The tee shot is about as intimidating as sliding down a dragon's tail. Steep downhill, quick left curve with a significant amplitude. The rough on the left side is very tough to get out of, since it's down a steep drop off. The right side is a little more manageable, and there is a very small route to get to the pin so that you don't have to throw a sharp left hook off the tee. This hole is a 285' par three and drops probably 40' instantly. A bad kick could immediately turn a hopefully birdie into a double bogey.
-#13-16 have you around the campsite. Two of these four are short par threes under 300'. The other two are long and mean par fours, with one being a good bit meaner than the other. #13 is another steep downhill par three, just like #12. The line to the pin is much more basic. It's completely straight, but the fairway is pretty tight (probably 20' wide). Basket is on a small platform edged by a small ravine that is OB. The ravine wraps around the right side of the green. Go more than 30' long, you are OB. Putting on this hole is intimidating due to the OB staring you in the eye. #16 is the other par three around the site. It's one of my favorite holes here. It's a half open, half wooded 248' ace run that's primarily uphill. Very gorgeous green too on top of a hill. The green drops 50' past the basket, so the rollaway potential cannot be avoided. It's a serious touch shot.
-#14 and #15 are the par fours at the campsite. #14 is a beast. Hardest hole on the course. Over 600' down a split fairway. Similar to #11. There's a mando pointing left that protects the road and campsite on the right side. The first half is slightly uphill. The second shot is very difficult due to the fairway turning sharply to the right down a steep hill. It's tough to follow the line and land safely. A par is a very good score here. #15 is more of a grip and rip. The tee shot is open, the approach is wooded. The line to the basket from the base of the woods is tight and there's a low ceiling from the get go. You want to throw you tee shot as far as you possibly can. The road is on the right side. It's easier to get more distance on the right side rather than the left, since the left side is up a steep hill. The right side is more risky.
-#17 and #18 are like going up and down an elevator. #17 is maybe my favorite hole here. It's a perfectly designed risk and reward par four. It's like #8 at Kudzu Cove in AL without the mando. You have the option of going up the left side of the fairway avoiding the OB road and having a more difficult left to right approach up several floors and out of a corridor to the green on the final floor. Or you could throw a power hyzer right to left over the road and enter the woods on the right side and have a straighter (and probably shorter) approach to the pin. There are trees lined up on the right side close to the road. They are well spread apart but they could knock you in the ditch next to the road for an uncomfortable footing on the second shot. The green is out in the open. You tee off in the open and putt in the open but this hole is 90% wooded. You throw from one side of the woods to the opposite. #18 is anybody's hole. A pro can two it, a novice can two it. 337' and about 85' down in elevation. Maybe more than that. Sign says 99' down, and it could be as much as that. There is one tree in front of the pad. Sidearm or backhand, whatever you feel. This hole shows how tough control can be. The OB creek is 30' past the basket. About 90% of throws will be at least 20' short or OB past the basket. But, anyone can get there. It's open, and plays as a drop shot. Jump putts are not ideal since the elevation decline is so huge and instant. A jump putt will turn far too much left.
-Concrete pads are poured. They are nice and lengthy. Not raised high to where it's difficult to have a long run up.
-Tee signs with hole info. Elevation changes are stated in addition to hole length and par.
-Suitable for all skill levels (as long as you can handle the elevation). The red pads are a par 66, as well as the longs. So, same par but an incremental 2500-2800'. The shorts are a lot less demanding and offer many birdie opportunities for newer players since there are many par fours under or around the 400' mark. From the longs, birdies won't come as easy, but every hole is very fair. The toughest hole (my guess is 14) would probably average somewhere between 0.6 to 0.8 over par. #5 would probably be a close second for the toughest hole.
-There's camping available. Pretty sure there is a bath house as well for people who decide to camp here.
-Benches on several holes. Use them to your advantage. There are trash cans at the pavilion, so if you have trash, stop at the pavilion first. It's at the top of the hill that you drive down to get to the parking lot.
-Good mix of variety. Tons of open holes that allow maximum power with drivers. The front nine is mostly open with more OB hazards. Several sweet wooded holes on the back nine. Holes 10-12 are known as the Dragon Bend. #13-16 play around the campsite, so there's a change in appearance too. #17 and #18 play back from where you entered pulling in and have you throwing up several floors (#17) and back down even more floors (#18). The mix is spectacular and it has that feel of going through different sectors that I must break down into detail.
-The first four holes are mostly about power. Three longer par fours and one long par three (#4). The first hole has the most obstacles. There's an area of tall grass straight ahead and a mando pointing right. This hole is a lot more obtainable if you have a sidearm. #2 is more suited for a backhand thrower. This is a huge uphill par four with some scattered trees playing up the hill sloping downward to the right. You have to be accurate with rough footing here. #3 is probably the signature hole. About 800', open, and down 82 feet in elevation with a lake view. Basket is perched on some rocks. We had a long drive challenge on this hole. #4 is one of the toughest birdies. It's a 404' straight, slightly uphill par three on a green that is susceptible to rollaways. Has several pine trees around the tee pad and several lined up on both sides of the fairway. Still offers ample room to throw a driver.
-Now you enter the part with more OBs. Holes #5 to #9. I mentioned that #1 has a lot of OB too, but the drop zone to the basket is only about 45' and you go straight to the drop zone if you throw into the tall grass. As for #5, this hole is different story. This is a mean par four! A really fun one. But it's very tough! This is the designer's favorite hole. It's an island green approach over the gravel road (which is OB). The basket is on the other side of the road where you tee off and it's on an island with the basket being maybe 20' from the road and extending maybe 40' behind the basket. Island is wide, but with the hole being over 600' and the tee shot being instantly uphill (probably 30' to the top of the first hill), this hole plays effectively longer and makes for an intimidating second shot. Will you go for the island or throw another shot on the left side and play safe for a likely par?
The fun continues on #6. #6 is another grip and rip downhill bomb. But more risky due to the road in play on the right and the OB fence on the left. #7 is a tough tee shot through a low corridor right in front of the tee and over the road. This is another island hole. If you miss, you go to the drop zone (or the short tee) and have a straight look at the pin with some rollaway potential for the rest of the way. The left side where the basket is located has a few guardian trees. #8 is the water carry hole. 163' from the short and 270' from the long. #9 has you teeing off near the bank of the lake (backtracking hole #3). It's in play most of the way on the left. The right side is higher up the hill, so you're bound to get better footing if you go a little bit left, but you don't want to go far left since there is a water hazard.
-Dragon Bend! (#10-12). This is where the designer decided to show a little bit of imagery. #10 is a beast of a par four. Dogleg left in the open ending in the woods. About 530', uphill probably more than 60' in elevation and tucked into a wooded pocket. This is what the designer calls "Dragon's Mouth" and for good reason. If you throw about 350-375', you'll be lined up well toward the mouth of the woods (or in this case the Dragon). Go too far, and you could be over the OB road. #11 is the up the Dragon's back. This is a huge uphill par five. The only par five here. It says the elevation gain is +107. I don't think it's quite that much, but it's definitely more than 75'. You are faced with a split fairway. Both routes are pretty bendy and a little crooked. You won't want to throw anything past a 9 speed driver. The hill rises a little for the first half. The second half has you throwing up a larger and steeper hill. The fairway twists a bit right and goes straight for a couple hundred feet before turning back left. Hole probably would have the most separation, but there are many different ways to make a birdie. #12 is shaped exactly like a dragon's tail. The tee shot is about as intimidating as sliding down a dragon's tail. Steep downhill, quick left curve with a significant amplitude. The rough on the left side is very tough to get out of, since it's down a steep drop off. The right side is a little more manageable, and there is a very small route to get to the pin so that you don't have to throw a sharp left hook off the tee. This hole is a 285' par three and drops probably 40' instantly. A bad kick could immediately turn a hopefully birdie into a double bogey.
-#13-16 have you around the campsite. Two of these four are short par threes under 300'. The other two are long and mean par fours, with one being a good bit meaner than the other. #13 is another steep downhill par three, just like #12. The line to the pin is much more basic. It's completely straight, but the fairway is pretty tight (probably 20' wide). Basket is on a small platform edged by a small ravine that is OB. The ravine wraps around the right side of the green. Go more than 30' long, you are OB. Putting on this hole is intimidating due to the OB staring you in the eye. #16 is the other par three around the site. It's one of my favorite holes here. It's a half open, half wooded 248' ace run that's primarily uphill. Very gorgeous green too on top of a hill. The green drops 50' past the basket, so the rollaway potential cannot be avoided. It's a serious touch shot.
-#14 and #15 are the par fours at the campsite. #14 is a beast. Hardest hole on the course. Over 600' down a split fairway. Similar to #11. There's a mando pointing left that protects the road and campsite on the right side. The first half is slightly uphill. The second shot is very difficult due to the fairway turning sharply to the right down a steep hill. It's tough to follow the line and land safely. A par is a very good score here. #15 is more of a grip and rip. The tee shot is open, the approach is wooded. The line to the basket from the base of the woods is tight and there's a low ceiling from the get go. You want to throw you tee shot as far as you possibly can. The road is on the right side. It's easier to get more distance on the right side rather than the left, since the left side is up a steep hill. The right side is more risky.
-#17 and #18 are like going up and down an elevator. #17 is maybe my favorite hole here. It's a perfectly designed risk and reward par four. It's like #8 at Kudzu Cove in AL without the mando. You have the option of going up the left side of the fairway avoiding the OB road and having a more difficult left to right approach up several floors and out of a corridor to the green on the final floor. Or you could throw a power hyzer right to left over the road and enter the woods on the right side and have a straighter (and probably shorter) approach to the pin. There are trees lined up on the right side close to the road. They are well spread apart but they could knock you in the ditch next to the road for an uncomfortable footing on the second shot. The green is out in the open. You tee off in the open and putt in the open but this hole is 90% wooded. You throw from one side of the woods to the opposite. #18 is anybody's hole. A pro can two it, a novice can two it. 337' and about 85' down in elevation. Maybe more than that. Sign says 99' down, and it could be as much as that. There is one tree in front of the pad. Sidearm or backhand, whatever you feel. This hole shows how tough control can be. The OB creek is 30' past the basket. About 90% of throws will be at least 20' short or OB past the basket. But, anyone can get there. It's open, and plays as a drop shot. Jump putts are not ideal since the elevation decline is so huge and instant. A jump putt will turn far too much left.
Cons:
-This is a public place. Since there's a big lake and a pond, there are fisherman that may not see you. Especially on #3, since you are throwing 80+ down a hill on an open 800' par four. I almost hit a fisherman while practicing before the round. Next time, I'd be compelled to walk down the hill and let them know I'm teeing off. It'd be tiring to walk back up, but it's better off that way. Will need a couple of caution signs near holes #3 and #9.
-Not recommended for some players over 60. There are some slip hazards.
But then again, I know for a fact when I'm over 60 I'll be playing here. And when I'm over 70. And if and when I'm over 80. And if and when I'm over 90. I'll be that guy walking with the cain that plays Cavitts Creek. I'll be that guy with the cain in the retirement home that sneaks out doing nap time to go play Cavitts Creek. Anyone that tries to stop me will get whacked in the face with a cain. Then I will be that mean old man in jail for aggravated battery. There'd be articles written about a mean old man that snuck out of a retirement home to play Cavitts Creek and struck a retirement home worker because they tried to stop him. That is, if this course is around in 2080.
-Not recommended for some players over 60. There are some slip hazards.
But then again, I know for a fact when I'm over 60 I'll be playing here. And when I'm over 70. And if and when I'm over 80. And if and when I'm over 90. I'll be that guy walking with the cain that plays Cavitts Creek. I'll be that guy with the cain in the retirement home that sneaks out doing nap time to go play Cavitts Creek. Anyone that tries to stop me will get whacked in the face with a cain. Then I will be that mean old man in jail for aggravated battery. There'd be articles written about a mean old man that snuck out of a retirement home to play Cavitts Creek and struck a retirement home worker because they tried to stop him. That is, if this course is around in 2080.
Other Thoughts:
-This is my kind of golf. It has about fIve shorter holes (under 300 or play under 300). Several long par fours that call for distance, a fair amount of OB that plays more of an obstacle on a few holes, extreme elevation, a nice mix of open and wooded, and two or three par fours that are difficult even for pros. This course is around 9,000 feet from the longs. The shorts were put in later and they are less tiring in regards to length. The extreme elevation and most of the shock value are still present. I've only played the longs. There are thirteen short pads. Holes #3, #12, #13, #16, and #18 only have one pad, and for good reason. A short pad on those holes would not be necessary. #3 and #18 are epic downhill shots from the top of a hill by a pavilion. #12 is just a very unique shot.
-Mad props to Ben Brown and William Dennis Carr. The work that they put into Cavitts Creek is astounding. I played here for the first time last month after a tournament at Glenwood (a course in my top 20) and I like this course a little bit better. This is already in my top 10. I have known Ben for a couple of years. I met him in a tournament at Warriors Path and he was talking about how the closest course to him was an hour away from him. He is a high school teacher, baseball coach, and a new father. As busy as he is, he had found the time to make a true destination course. Maybe he should teach a time management course at some point. I didn't hesitate to sign up for the tournament here. I live nearly four hours away and it's worth every moment of the drive to play here. He and some of the locals are planning to put stairs in on some of the steeper parts soon. The walk down #17's green to the road you cross to get to #18 is steep, so for now walk with caution.
-Course difficultly is highly dependent on wind conditions. Even was 958 in the tournament from the longs, but only eighteen rounds were played in total in the tournament. My guess for even with little to no wind from the longs was 955. I thought even would've been a little higher than 958 (maybe ten points higher) in the tournament since it was kind of windy and it rained a little bit the second round. On a sunny day with no wind, a player that can throw over 350' and over 900 rated has a fighting chance at shooting under par. I once played here in 20 mph winds and shot like eight over. Even could very well be over 990 on those days. The difficulty changes accordingly, but the elevation and scenery do not. Make a plan to play here! Hearing that New London Tech is the most hyped course in Virginia disappoints me to the core. Cavitts Creek is a lot better than New London Tech and a lot lot more fun. Every hole is different in its own unique way. So many prospects for a signature hole. The challenge isn't excessive, the elevation is maxed out, and the variety is top notch.
-Mad props to Ben Brown and William Dennis Carr. The work that they put into Cavitts Creek is astounding. I played here for the first time last month after a tournament at Glenwood (a course in my top 20) and I like this course a little bit better. This is already in my top 10. I have known Ben for a couple of years. I met him in a tournament at Warriors Path and he was talking about how the closest course to him was an hour away from him. He is a high school teacher, baseball coach, and a new father. As busy as he is, he had found the time to make a true destination course. Maybe he should teach a time management course at some point. I didn't hesitate to sign up for the tournament here. I live nearly four hours away and it's worth every moment of the drive to play here. He and some of the locals are planning to put stairs in on some of the steeper parts soon. The walk down #17's green to the road you cross to get to #18 is steep, so for now walk with caution.
-Course difficultly is highly dependent on wind conditions. Even was 958 in the tournament from the longs, but only eighteen rounds were played in total in the tournament. My guess for even with little to no wind from the longs was 955. I thought even would've been a little higher than 958 (maybe ten points higher) in the tournament since it was kind of windy and it rained a little bit the second round. On a sunny day with no wind, a player that can throw over 350' and over 900 rated has a fighting chance at shooting under par. I once played here in 20 mph winds and shot like eight over. Even could very well be over 990 on those days. The difficulty changes accordingly, but the elevation and scenery do not. Make a plan to play here! Hearing that New London Tech is the most hyped course in Virginia disappoints me to the core. Cavitts Creek is a lot better than New London Tech and a lot lot more fun. Every hole is different in its own unique way. So many prospects for a signature hole. The challenge isn't excessive, the elevation is maxed out, and the variety is top notch.
