Ozark, MO

Joe's DGC

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4.155(based on 10 reviews)
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11 0
Upshawt1979
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 21.4 years 562 played 429 reviews
4.50 star(s)

I Goes to Joe's 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 30, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

Joe's DGC is fantastic. Very pretty land, mostly playing on the forested slopes. Rocky outcroppings make for a fun obstacle or cool pin location here and there. A few holes are more open, and play into and/or out of gaps in the trees and along the edges of the woods. There is a creek in play, but it was not much danger of losing a disc in there.

If you like the challenge of a heavily wooded fairway as much as me, this course has a lot to offer. Then mixing in elevation changes on most holes gets me even more excited. I appreciated that the fairways are tight but do have playable lines. Elevation changes are minimal on a couple of holes that play across the hill rather than up and down all the time. There are some longer par 4 and 5 holes on the front nine. The variety of shot shapes will
allow you to use most every shot in the bag.

Joe and the other fellas that were out working on the course were all really nice. They gave me a couple of tips to help with course navigation.

Cons:

I would love to see some improvement to the tee pads. The natural tees are ok, but could be soft and not super level. Upgrading with turf or pavers would be cool. The tees are numbered, and navigation is fairly easy, but in a perfect world some signs would be cool, too. Baskets have been around and some of them can be tough to spot, but they are in pretty good catching condition.

There had been some rain in the days prior to my visit, and one hole on the back nine had some squishy mud in the fairway. I think it was hole 12 or maybe 13. I was able to avoid it, but a bad bounce could have turned in to a mess. One or two of the tee pads were soft enough to require a move to a patch of drier ground to throw a drive.

There are a couple of holes on the back nine that play next to barbed wire fences. I got a great drive next to the first one, and a lucky bounce kept me from crossing over the second.

Other Thoughts:

While it is a bit remote, the drive from Springfield was nice. The course is fun and challenging enough to be worth a bit of a drive. I love the course, but there is a bit of room for improvement on the equipment end.

I think the layout has changed slightly since the pics were posted, but much of it is similar. I liked the large boulder at the top of hole 2, it might be my favorite feature on the course. 3 is a good hole as well, a great arc around well placed trees with some elevation drop to a pin on another cool rock feature. 17 is a fun putter toss down the hill, that plays next to the creek. 18 is a. good finisher that has a tough line and interesting pin location.

It's a course I would like to return to now that I know the layout. I shot a 72, but I think I might be able to shave off a few strokes.
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13 0
Magnatizer
Experience: 35.9 years 28 played 6 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Quite an experience 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 5, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

Joe. Joe is a big pro to the experience provided our group at his course. Great dude with a very interesting history. Ended up joining us for a good portion of the round and the post round activities.

I used every disc and every shot I have on this course. Never felt it was unfair, just difficult.

Scenery was top notch. From the park like opening hole through the various holes under the canopy, past the horses and to the top of the mountain it was glorious.

Post round: if you've time ask Joe if you can see the ultimate fields, outdoor kitchen and swimming hole. This was the single most memorable post round wind down I've ever had. Simply Amazing. 5 stars!

Cons:

Natural tee pads

Rough can be thick

Setting up arrangements to play can require a few calls

Coming in from the south was a backroads beauty but the last hurdle on the road involved a sketchy single wide bridge. I'd recommend dropping into Joe's from the north side.
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5 0
vonWangus
Experience: 6 played 6 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Ozarks best course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 22, 2016 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-This is a terrific course (not for beginners)
-Plenty of different approaches to try all different throws (hyzers, anyhyzers, forehand, backhand, flicks, thumbers, rollers and CONFIDENT putts)
-You will not see a more beautiful setting to play in Missouri
-Course is guided for those who are visiting for the first time
-Great challenge

Cons:

-Course is "by appointment only"
-Sehrpa is suggested
-Insects (bring bug spray)
-Course can only be played by appointment

I would like to rate this course higher, unfortunately it is missing some of the things which fellow discers may "require" for their comfort, such as:
-Paved tee boxes
-Navigation signage
-Other petty things people want..

Other Thoughts:

Joe's is a terrific course located in Missouri, is it similar to that of Beaver Ranch in Colorado (less the commercial ammenteties); if you have played there.

There will be a $5 course fee per person per day.
You will be required to make an appointment to play @Joe's.
Joe is a super hospitable host, he and his network have done something special in the heart of the Ozarks.
This course will be guided when you disc, be prepared for a 3 hour 18 holes.
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2 0
kumpfboy69
Experience: 12.3 years 15 played 3 reviews
4.00 star(s)

good 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 23, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

nice people and very nice layout! WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER PLAYER! this course will help your game a lot! the course record is 61 i threw a 77 and i'm in high intermediate in tournaments. long holes short holes and very technical

Cons:

Some of the baskets are homemade! some holes there is no line to throw. kinda hard to find! its not the easiest to find your way around lucky for me i had some people who have played it many times even one who helped design it!

Other Thoughts:

call before you go! 5$ greens fee! it has the potential to get the best of the best of pros on it if some of the baskets are changed to pdga approved baskets! there's a little bit of everything on shots rollers, thumbers, hyzers, anhyzers, backhand, forehand! if you like hard and technical this is the place to go! HOPE I HELPED HAVE A GOOD TIME DISCING
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2 4
Chain smoker Russ
Experience: 17.8 years 3 played 2 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Great Course lil bit o everything 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 12, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Every kind of trick needed to play this course and score par. Easy to find, once you have followed someone. You need a Guide. Bendar is awesome guide, along with Harvey

Cons:

I really can't think of one. It takes a guide to figure out course first couple of times. Great Course

Other Thoughts:

Contact your friends and let's have a tournament here. It is rugged but great exercise.
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10 0
Brokensaint
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17 years 344 played 31 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Beauty, Passion and Precision 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 18, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Joe's DGC is an absolute gem of a course! Situated on 60 some-odd acres of privately owned land (Joe's), the course plays up and down the Ozark hills and is surrounded by a State Park (Mark Twain?). This course demands multiple shot selection (Fore and backhands, flicks, thumbers, rollers and CONFIDENT putts, as many baskets are set against steep dropoffs). The course also demands endurance and stamina, as you are ascending rocky terrain, climbing a few boulder outcroppings, and then making your way back down, then up and down again. The tees are all natural. Bring water, wear good shoes, don't whine :) The course plays long with tight wooded fairways 85-90% of the time and elevation obstacles 90% of the time. Our group drove down from St. Louis and it was more than worth the trip! (If any of you have ever played Dave McCormack's Vichy courses, this reminded me of Akita's Run)

Cons:

I am not grading this course on it's CONs. It is a private course made for the love of the game that we were graciously allowed to play. The accoutrements Joe's lacks that normally constitute a 4.5 course are negligible given the fact that the designer (Caleb, who walked us through the course) built this on a friends property and maintains it strictly out of love. But, in the interest of full disclosure, some things to know:
No bathrooms, no trash cans, no benches.
Hornets, ticks, rocks, barbed wire, tree stumps, and only a mention of snakes. You will sweat. You will need deep-woods OFF. You will decide its time to quit smoking.
You will be silenced by the beauty, humbled by the challenge, and you will be sad when the day is over.

Other Thoughts:

When trying to arrange this road trip, I had the good fortune to speak with Bender, who was super friendly and accommodating. He made plans to take us around the course, and then when that fell through, he set us up with Caleb, who as it turns out designed the damn thing. Caleb was a super nice guy, great player and all around swell cat. A couple other local guys showed up for the back 9, Tony and Seth. They were welcoming and friendly as well. Does it sound like I'm jocking them? Yup. They were great, no pretension, no ego, just proud of the course and happy to show it. If you can make the trip, Joe's is well worth it. Just make sure you remember it's a private course and treat it as such. Cheers and throw 'em well!
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1 0
Hoeser
Experience: 16.3 years 91 played 6 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Challenging! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 21, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Very challenging and tests almost every shot type.
The single hardest course I've ever played in 4 years of disc golf!
Beautiful views of the Mark Twain National Forest!
Nice Ozark mountain course.. once you find it.
Really opens your eyes to new shots and approach lines because there is rarely a straight line to the baskets!
Well worth the $3 fee.
This is a great place to work on accuracy.
I birdied once here and you really feel a sense of accomplishment (unlike some other courses where that's expected).

Cons:

VERY unforgiving if you are not 100% accurate.
Requires crossing barb wire fences a couple times.
Probably easier to play in the winter, lots of trimming needed, but it is a private course after all.
Difficult to see many of the baskets, especially the home made ones (perhaps some paint would be good?)

Other Thoughts:

Not for beginners.
You need a guide for sure!
Bender is an awesome guide and very skilled player.
Do not carry a large bag here (all you need is a putter, mid and a couple of drivers).
If you can play well here, you should be able to cash in at ANY tournament!
I shot a 68, and par is 56.
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5 0
CastTheFly
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

really fun course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 18, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

I contacted Bender two days in advance and he was very willing to work out a time to play the course. We had a group of 6 and he arranged for two guides to be there so we could split into separate groups if we wanted to. It also rained the night before we played, so they laid down some dry dirt to clear up the tee pads. Both Bender and Kyle were great guides and fun to play with. They were beyond our skill level but never became impatient with us. The holes were nicely laid and required a variety of throws. All holes had marked tee pads and fairly nice baskets. Some were homemade, but they still caught disc well. The land itself is absolutely gorgeous. It was too cold to get in bull creek on the day that we were there, but you certainly could if you wanted. Overall the course was very fun and one of my favorites in the area. Well worth the three dollar green fee. They also didn't have a problem with me bringing my dog. However, your dog should be well minded because there are other dogs and livestock on the premises.

I shot a 71 and the duration of the round was 2:51.

Cons:

The tees and baskets would be impossible to find without a guide. After a rain, the course is likely to be wet since it it's set around a valley. However, they did their best to clean up the tee pass for us when we were there.

Other Thoughts:

Be respectful of this beautiful property and leave it better than when you came. Thank you property owner and guides for kindly catering us to a great round of disc golf. We will definitely be back.
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2 0
csbanggin2s
Experience: 33 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

up and down the mountain 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 26, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The Bull Creek valley is one of the most scenic places in Missouri. The course is a monster to play requiring a player to have a big arm in the open and pinpoint accuracy in the woods. When playing the course each hole is a different challenge requiring alot of different shots.

Cons:

The Tee's are rough, there are many wet weather springs on the mountain causing some holes to remain soggy days after a rain. You must cross barbed wire twice. The course has been in for almost a year and there are alot of stumps and stobs.

Other Thoughts:

I designed the course with the property owner and a few locals. My best score is 60 and average 63. If your in swmo and want a challenging, beautiful track to play then look us up on facebook ozark's flying disc club or contact bender 620-388-1664
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5 0
Bender
Experience: 20.2 years 68 played 5 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Bad to the Bone 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 20, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Very difficult. Lots of elevation change on holes. My favorite course to play for difficulty, scenery, elevation and a good workout. You will use about every type of throw you can come up with. Most of the course is in the woods with several holes playing up against national forest. You can camp on the property. I will have pictures up just as soon as I can figure out how to resize all the photos.

Cons:

Tee boxes are in rough shape right now. They are natural and are super slippery after it has rained. This course is definitely not for beginners. Groups of more than four will take 3 or more hours to play so get there early.

Other Thoughts:

We are still constantly working to improve this course. We still have a lot of trees we want to take out and brush piles to burn. I played my best round out there 2 days ago and shot a 56 which right now is the course record on all 18 holes for singles. The course will test you. Please contact me 6203881664 or like us on facebook: Ozark's Flying Disc Club and leave a message so someone can take you out there and show you around.
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