Pros:
Course Essentials:
-Baskets: DISCatchers, variable position (some holes). All baskets in great shape.
-Tee Pads: Level, concrete tee pads of adequate size, single position per hole.
-Tee Signs/Markers: Small wooden posts mark each tee. Most holes have brooms and a small sign on the post with hole layout, pin positions, etc.
General Course Design & Layout:
-Par: CoursePar/64, ProPar/54.
-Course Length: 5758ft Total, 320ft avg: 1@>250ft, 6@250-300ft, 6@300-350ft, 2@350-400ft, 3@400+ft
-Fairways: Grass, Primarily Open
-Fairway Variety: Straight (16), Left(1), Split(1)
-Elevation: Minimum to Moderate: Flat (8), Uphill (6), Downhill (4)
The disc course at Lenora Park offers a mostly open design over gently rolling terrain. This 18-hole layout is comprised of one continuous loop with a smooth and uninterrupted flow. The minimum to moderate elevations throughout the course were used efficiently to provide a good variety in uphill, downhill, and flat fairways. Several holes utilize sidehill pin positions that are condusive to roll-aways and help increase the challenge of the course, a bad upshot or missed putt could easily add unnecessary shots to your score. Holes 2 (alternate(long)) pin placement, 4, 13, 14, and 16 provide a semi-technical layout through the stands of trees on the course, the other 13 holes are primarily straight and open.
Navigation & Maintenance:
Course navigation is simple and straight-forward for the most part. There are a few things worth noting based on my experience as a first-time visitor to the park.
-The signs in the park point you to the disc golf course, however, when I reached the parking area (designated by the signs) for the disc golf course, I was actually a very long way from the first tee. When you enter the park, there is a red barn on top of a hill on the right, the first tee is near the red barn. There is a parking lot much closer to the first tee, but there are other activities in this area as well, so they may be trying to limit DG parking in this area?!
-At several points during the round, multiple tees/pins are visible. On multiple occasions, I ended up walking to the wrong tee pad and having to back-track to get to the next hole. This isn't a huge issue, but a few navigational tools on the signs would clear this issue up real quick.
Course maintenance was excellent. The park in general was immaculate and well-kept, the disc golf course was no exception. During my round, there was a local group from the Gwinnett Disc Golf Organization (GDGO) who was replacing chains on one of the baskets. I actually had the opportunity to meet the president of the GDGO who was at the course the day that I played. We had a nice conversation and I got to hear about the new and exciting things on the docket for this course. It sounds like some fundraisers had brought for additional funding for future improvements to help increase the challenge and appeal of this course. It is very obvious that this organization cares for the course and its upkeep, and is doing an excellent job with maintaining and improving the course.
Keep up the good work!
Cons:
-Repetitive: The open layout of the course currently tends to get repetitive. There is a nice variety in elevation changes, but over 2/3 of the holes are pretty much straight and open. There are plans in place to add more obstacles in the future, but this is the current state of the design.
-High Traffic Areas: The park in general is fantastic and has a lot to offer the local community. With that being said, the park is very busy with other activities, just be aware of others who may be near the course as some holes may provide interference with others using the facilities.
-The first tee could be marked a little better (thankfully I had DGCR mobile and found the information I needed on there). I had not initially planned to play this course, so I didn't have the info from DGCR, just follow the info on here and you'll be fine.
-Several tees/pins in close proximity, can be confusing and easy to walk to the wrong tee, a notation on the tee signs would be a big help.
Other Thoughts:
I was in the area visiting some family, and had originally planned to skip this one, but when I found out that the park was only 2minutes from where I was staying, I had to check it out. Despite the simplistic nature of the course, I had a great overall experience, and am glad that I had the opportunity to play at Lenora. The GDGO is also maintaining the nearby Alexander Park, which is also a fantastic course, and are planning a new course in the area in the near future. I'm very excited about disc golf in this area, if you are in or near the area, get out here and check out the GDGO and see what all they have to offer.