Portland, OR

Pier Park

4.275(based on 110 reviews)
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8 1
Scorchysrevenge
Experience: 8 played 8 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Aaaaah yeah 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 27, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Very diverse (tight holes, long holes, short holes, long bombs, left shots, right shots)
-Well taken care of
-Big old growth trees
-No underbrush-- hard to lose discs
-Lots of shade, great for playing on hot summer days
-Hot dog vendor (whooo hoooo!!!!), also sells discs on site, on hole 1
-Beautiful park right on the edge of Portland
-Can see most pins from Tee pad.

-Beau

Cons:

-Course map would be nice but there were lots of friendly people around to ask. Hole 10, 11, 13 and 14 are easy to miss unless you know where you are going.
-No Tee pad marking after hole 8.

Other Thoughts:

This course has it ALL. Probably best course I've ever played.
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12 1
JHern
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.3 years 82 played 50 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Magic Under Douglas Fir Canopies 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 24, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

I played Pier Park on a trip to Oregon to visit my brother. His best friend lives just up the street from the park, and while he had played disc golf before he didn't know about this course! Well, there are now 2 new avid players at Pier Park after my visit. I was well aware that this course had been home to some of the best players around, like the Jenkins family, and I heard rumors that some people thought it might be as on par with some of NorCal's best courses, which really had me excited. I wasn't let down.

The douglas firs that roof the majority of this course are wonderful, and they make for fantastic obstacles on most holes. Many of the holes play up and down a moderate degree of topography, and there are ravines that make up a couple fairways as well. Very very nice, and all the while beneath this huge canopy of trees.

The tees and baskets were well-maintained, and the fairways were mostly clear and uncluttered. All the grassy parts were well-kept and mowed. This course is obviously greatly loved by its benefactors, and I feel grateful for the opportunity to enjoy the fruit of their labor.

I'm not a pro by any means, but many of the holes were challenging enough and I was happy when I was making par (my first round was +1). There appeared to be a nice range of distances on the various holes, about in the range 250-500 ft. A couple were long enough to require long upshots for par (at least for me).

Cons:

The railroad runs along one side of the park, and while we were playing a second round (we couldn't do just one!) a freight train was parked there along with all sorts of loud activity, machines, a huge diesel engine loping away on the engine, etc.. At first I thought this was kind of cool, but after a while I thought it could grow to become annoying.

I think it was around hole 7 or 8 that there is a weird jog in the course flow, where you have to cross several later holes to get to the next tee pad. But I'm not sure how I'd re-arrange this if I were in charge. Anyways, once you figure it out, its easy breezy.

Other Thoughts:

I found myself eyeing the houses around the edge of the park, which is in a relatively poor neighborhood. This and a for-sale sign had me wondering how much it would cost to buy one, or whether a group purchase of a house in the neighborhood by a bunch of avid disc golfers might not be a bad idea. Kind of a disc golf time share, but informally organized. This kind of thing would not be affordable in Santa Cruz, where my favorite course-to-date can be found.
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5 2
forehandfranz
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 32.4 years 226 played 128 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Great Park, but Where's the Pier? 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 20, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The park plays through a cathedral of large firs and is a great hideout for both sunny and rainy days. The layout is challenging, enjoyable and can cater to many skill levels. The elevation plays into well over half the holes though it isn't too steep and gruelling. Discs are easily found on the ground as there is rather thin underbrush. Accuracy is the key with a mix of lengths to make you happy.

This course is a marvel as you navigate through the big trees - some of the biggest I've seen on a course. They truly shape the fairways.

Cons:

Navigation can be a little confusing - they do have some "next tee" arrows high up in the trees to help out, but a map may be better for the first time.



Garbage (beer cans and bottles) - despite there being numerous trash cans in the park, we found numerous cans and bottles on nearly every hole. Needless to say, I can't stand the scum who litter. This is not the fault of the park or disc club, just a rant against people who have room to pack it in, but no room to pack it out.

Other Thoughts:

There is a really nice guy who is now selling discs and grilling food next to Tee #1. Please give him your business, as concessions at disc golf courses is truly a rarity and a privilege!
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4 5
Reis Just Reis
Experience: 11 played 9 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great test 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 9, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Large scenic course with well maintained equipment. It offeres some of the most variety from hole to hole I've played so far. Excellent use of elevation thru out the entire course. The same can be said for the use of the numerous fir trees that occure thru out the course. I'm hoping that this winter those trees will offer some shelter from the inevitable rain that I am bound to be playing in. I didn't need a map most of the time, and when I did have a question there were always plenty of other players to point me in the right direction. I loved the "putting green" that they had set up near hole one. Great for a game of HORSE.

Cons:

My first trip was during the summer and the mosquitoes ate us alive!!! So bring some repellent! My second time was begining of fall and it was just fine. My only other complaint is the location. It is a popular park for more than just us disc throwers. Not too long ago I saw on the news where there was a shooting (gang related) here.

Other Thoughts:

I really like playing this course, but I won't bring my family when I do. A few days after having played this course for the first time there was a shooting covered by the local news (gang related as I recall) at night. Since it is day time when I play, I'll still risk it (have never seen anything remotely suspisious). But I'de rather erre on the side of caution when it comes to my wife and child. Wouldn't feel right to not share my concerns. Take them for what they are worth.
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6 1
Hippy007
Experience: 17.3 years 42 played 15 reviews
5.00 star(s)

A fun day... 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 10, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is one of the best course around. They have multiple pin placements so that there are a lot of different ways that the course will play. This is a great tourney course that will make you make all types of shots. It is by far the best city course I have played any where.
This park is always in a great condition. There is almost no place to loose a disc on the course.

Cons:

Well there are not that many I have ever found. The one and it is only very small, Benches and trash cans. I wish there where a few more around the course but it is not enough to take much away.

Other Thoughts:

I will play this course any time I can and try to. This is a must stop on any trip though Portland. I have sometimes had to wait in line at the first tee but by 3 all are spread out so don't worry. There is also a guy that sells discs and dogs and he is usually by the first tee. Even on some of the hottest days in Portland it can be nicer and cooler under the tree of Pier park.
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7 2
mmedlock
Experience: 16.3 years 2 played 2 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Home Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 8, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Pier Park is by far the most beautiful course i have ever played. I consider myself extremely lucky to have learned the game here. Right now, the course is playing more difficult than normal. This is because of the Rose City Open that was played here a few weeks ago. The pin locations are long on most holes. I have noted this as a pro because i embrace the challenge :). This course will test all aspects of your game. Length, technical ability, uphill and downhill shots, and even windy shots (1-2, and 17-18), The holes in between are very sheltered from the tall trees from wind and sun. This course makes for a wonderful hike in the Portland area. Everyone i have met here is extremely nice and willing to help. Say hi to Tim on the first hole. He is the local disc/dog vendor. Great prices on discs as well as local hot dogs! This course is a must experience in Oregon.

Cons:

This course can get very crowded on the weekends during the afternoons. Personally, i cant blame the crowds. Patience is sometimes a must however. There are a few holes that can be tough to navigate. Once again, locals can be very helpful for this. That's pretty much all of cons i can think of for this course. Oh yeah, there are some days where trees are not your friends. Like i said earlier, this course has a lot of technical shots.

Other Thoughts:

Overall, i enjoy playing Pier Park very much. It has taken me a little less than a year to score under par. I even got my first ace on hole #2 at Pier. Also, if you want to buy any discs, Tim is the man to see. You will save a atleast 2 bucks per disc. Every wednesday there is a mixed doubles tournament for 6 bucks. This tourny usually brings in about 40 players. If you want to see the best course in Oregon, Pier Park is where its at.
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8 3
lens2film
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Get pier'd 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 22, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Each hole has a number of options for lines to take off the tee. If you are a technical player, you will still be challenged. If you are a distance player, you will still be pushed to throw further. If you are a beginner you will have to learn quick. The trees offer protection, but at the same time you will want to chop them down at least five times a round (jk). That leads me to the con.

Cons:

Aside from the busy days, the hardest thing to get over is the tree love/hate relationship you will build at pier. Even the best players have some bad tree action. But that is also a big Pro for this course. You will never have the same round.

Other Thoughts:

I began playing about 2 years and have played from day one on this course. My best is -4 solo and -9 doubles. If you play here long enough, it will MAKE you a great player. I have since move to LA and will play La Mirada, but I will ALWAYS come back here when I visit Portland.
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5 3
discdogs
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
4.50 star(s)

pier park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 5, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

lovely wooded course within the city.Long and technical with nice elevation.Friendly golfers who are glad to show you course.Proshop and grill on hole one(im the vendor)

Cons:

could use more signage,can get busy peak times on weekends

Other Thoughts:

If you are in the portland area this course is a must visit.proshop open 12 to 6 seven days.And at 2.50 for a quesadilla and 3.50 for a huge locally made sausage with sauteed onions and garlic i believe prices are good across the board!Come check our course out
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2 6
bigcarpo
Experience: 24 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

my first course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 26, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Very nicely wooded city park setting. Holes are a great mix of trees and elevation. You can even use public transit to get there.

Cons:

Can get over crowded on weekends. Not an easy course for beginners. During the winter Park staff removed holes for vegetation restoration so it becomes a 12 hole course.
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7 2
didy22
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Good way to spend the afternoon 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 2, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Expect elevation changes and challenging obstacles. There are both right and left dogleg courses, as well as some dead straight ones. Expect to throw some uphill shots as well as some downhill ones. Hardly anyone there in the mornings, you can feel like you have the park to yourself. Nice cement pads and respectable players.

Cons:

Tends to be a popular place and you often have to wait to tee off if you go in the later afternoon. There are a lot of tree obstacles and they can begin to feel a little monotonous, especially on the back 9. There are apartments on the back part of the course and you should expect to have to wait as residents walk right through the hole. This happens at least once whenever I go, but it's not that bad--they are pretty oblivious though. Sometimes tee ball games will be going on at hole one and there can be some sketch moments if you fade left with your disk. The mosquitoes LOVE this park :)

Other Thoughts:

There is a guy that sells discs and food near hole one. He's there practically every day for most of the day. Disc prices are reasonable, food prices are not. The course has grown over a bit since the hole-by-hole pictures were posted. I'm trying to upload updated ones.

A score of 2-4 over par can be considered a good day on this course. If you have been playing for awhile, you should be able to knock out a few birdies, as well.
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6 2
justint97
Experience: 15.7 years 47 played 6 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Love at first sight!!! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 18, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Very well kept.
Beautiful setting.
Great Flow
Plenty of Distance but no too much to scare off novices.(which i was when i played)
Challenging. (How else are you going to get better?)
Sausage Guy bye hole 1 that also happens to sell discs.(I highly recomend the cajun w/ sauteed onions)

Bathrooms and water

Cons:

If it's your first time, i suggest printing the map on this site or find a local to guide you.

Other Thoughts:

I've only been playing 7 months but am addicted and fortunate enough to get to travel with work and play many courses all over the country. Pier is still in my top 3 after playing over 35 courses. It is a must play. I cant wait to go back.
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8 7
Thomashasfun
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 22.8 years 496 played 494 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Feb 7, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Probably one of the best courses in the state and maybe the nation, Pier park is a beautiful course with everything you would want in a disc golfing experience. My first impressions were good as there was someone selling discs and hot dogs on hole number one, not sure if this is a regular deal but that was fantastic, he also had bug spray! Good amount of length to this course but don't let that fool you, this is an extremely technical course with many trees, doglegs, elevation, and tight fairways. The 200 foot trees are amazing and there are a lot of them. No underbrush which is rare in a northwest course.

*****UPDATE*****

New tee signs went in provided by The Stumptown Disc Golf Club.

Cons:

Biggest con would signage or lack thereof; it is incredibly difficult to find your way around if you do not have a map or a guide.

Other Thoughts:

The other reviewers speak of crowds and navigation problems, I'm not sure you can have both, if there are a lot of people then you can follow the next group or ask one of the many locals. I drove from Everett, WA to meet a buddy who is working down there, it took me three and half hours each way but it was totally worth it.
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1 9
RedSoxRob
Experience: 16.1 years 10 played 8 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Perfect 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 5, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great holes, good distance and good number of obstacles.

Cons:

Like previous posts, you NEED THE MAP. Even with the map its a little tricky - but it at least helps.

Other Thoughts:

Can be some traffic going into this part of Portland. There's only one road that gets up the course and it can get crowded.
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6 3
RallySoob
Experience: 15.5 years 3 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Not Impressed 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 30, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great baskets, open areas, very clean, mowed. Elevation shots are fun. beautiful scenery. Theres a private disc/accesorie vendor out there most of the time selling bins of discs at good prices.

Cons:

My only one complaint is that there are no signs at each hole desribing the layout and basket location of each hole. especially when you get back into the wooded area it gets really confusing. we had to ask for help to the next hole a couple times because we would go the wrong way to the next hole. Someone needs to spend some $ on some signs to make this already fantastic course a perfect course....

Other Thoughts:

I wonder if we could setup a Golf Disc fundraiser to fund the project of gettting each hole on this course a hole description sign?
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9 2
runnaman
Experience: 17.3 years 42 played 24 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 23, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- The amount of trees were used well to require players to carefully choose how and where they are going to throw.

- Also, the trees provided a lot of shade which is really nice during these hot Spring/Summer days.

- The hole lengths were great, not to long (so they're good for beginners) but not so short to the point where advanced players have no fun.

- Doesn't give an advantage to right handers or left handers. I like this because it requires me to work on my forearm and my anhyzer shots.

Cons:

- Some added signage could add a lot to this course. I was lucky enough to play the course with someone who had played it before but I can imagine I would've got lost a couple times if I didn't.

- Along with the signage, some of the baskets are not visable from the tee so a map at the holes would be good too.

Other Thoughts:

A great course with a lot of holes that require a lot of different shots: long hyzers, anhyzers, straight shots through trees, low, high. It really is a great course for any type of player, whether it's a RHFH, a RHBH, a LHBH, or a LHFH.
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1 6
Big Bob
Experience: 11 played 11 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Is this Heaven? 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 14, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is the Gem of Northwest!
Lots of oppurtunity for big arms
who are going to have to work on thier up game!
Nice layout find a map or a local!
Did I mention trees?
Lots of trees...narrow fairways!

Cons:

Did I mention the trees?

Other Thoughts:

Nicest course I've ever sat foot on....
Heaven for disc golfers....
Disc vendor by hole 1
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9 2
kinfolkfan
Experience: 19.3 years 96 played 18 reviews
4.50 star(s)

So close to the ultimate. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 6, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

As I played I kept thinking that this must be disc golf heaven... It wasn't, but darn close. There are a varietey of hole designs. Hilly holes, flat holes, long holes and short holes. It is set in a beautiful Portland park and has giant trees on every hole. All the pros had a 5 sealed, but a few non-disc golf related items made it lose that .5 it needed.

Cons:

On arrival we had to wait for the first tee which may not be a con but unusual to me. There continued to be a person or more on every tee of the course at 1:00 on a Monday. It is a busy course. To my knowledge there were no bathrooms. We saw what looked like a drug deal, actually it happened on the fairway on 16 and they would not move there business else where so we had to skip that hole. Nothing against drugs just don't block my drive. The holes were almost challenging to navigate, but busy enough you should not have a problem.

Other Thoughts:

With some signs or maps and a bathroom this could be a 5 out of 5! Another Oregon gem!
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2 19
topdawgy58
Experience: 16 years 7 played 6 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Portland, OR Pier Park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 30, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nice cement tee pads. I really long course with Par 3. Lots of trees.
lots of Blind shots. Easy to find.

Cons:

Long holes for a Par 3. Half the holes are closed until March. Really crowded. Long walks to the next hole. Need tee signs with picture of hole.
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30 2
JR Stengele
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 24.5 years 255 played 191 reviews
4.00 star(s)

The Beauty of Portland 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 14, 2008 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Where to begin...Pier Park DGC is located in a beautiful multi purpose park surrounded by 200 foot Douglas Firs. As you enter the course there is a skate park, soccer field, ball field, and warm up basket. Towards the inner part of the park a basketball court, fountain (where the kiddos play in the summer), restrooms, water fountain and tennis courts.

On the course Pier Park provides Mach 2 baskets which were in great shape, multiple pin placements, and tee pads that were a mix of concrete and fly pads that seemed to provide good footing (even though it was summer so it might differ in the winter/spring).

The general course design was exceptional, with great flow, defined fairways (which were a mix of very tight to fairly wide open), and plenty elevation changes which made it quite challenging at times. Foliage and maintenance was apparent, with no underbrush, and only a few areas towards the last two holes with brambles (but with accuracy, easily avoidable). Trees were trimmed accordingly, and appeared to be cut regularly. Along the way benches and trash bins were present and at the time were in good condition and emptied regularly.

Pier Park DGC was truely unique experience for many reasons, but the mix of tight technical and open bomb holes which catered to both left and right handed players and the scenic beauty sold me. This course had a variety of hole distances and required a lot of shots. Camping was easily accessible (Milo McIver in Estacada 20 minutes away for about $17/night).

Cons:

This course truely was one of the better courses I have ever played putting it easily in my top 20 thus far. However, during the rainy season I could see those fly pads being a bit slippery. Also, the walk back from hole 18 to hole 1 (parking lot) was a bit of a walk (but considering it was Pier Park, it was well worth it).

Other Thoughts:

In playing this course there were two holes that truely made this course epic. Hole #6 provided a wonderful elevation drop and a righty could throw the perfect hyzer which would head towards the pin which was heavily guarded. As the sun came through those massive Douglas Firs it was as if a halo was surrounding the basket. It was truely magical. Second was Hole #15 which was deffinately a hole which required pure skill (for the pros) or a whole lot of luck (for the rest of us) as you had to shoot about 250 feet straight down the fairway with pin point accuracy at the basket, between massive trees about 10-15 feet apart creating a long and tight tunnel. If you happened to hit a tree along the way and it spit off outside of the fairway, there was a good chance you might not make par. I felt it was by far the most difficult hole on the course with a high risk/reward.

Portland truely is an amazing place, with a great atmosphere, amazing food, and incredible disc golfers/courses. I recommend this course to anyone who passes through and if you can make a weekend of it I would also head east towards Milo McIver which is as good if not better depending on your game.
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8 7
rkopald
Experience: 23.8 years 11 played 8 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 5, 2008 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Incredible variety of terrain. Just a really fun course to play. mostly very friendly regulars. Lots of tight holes, long holes, and tunnels. This course seems to reward accuracy. Wish I had some! I love Pier Park and don't play it nearly enough.

Cons:

Gets very crowded. The usual sketchy types that seem to be on every course I play can ocassionally be stinking up this course too. Best played early.

Other Thoughts:

I'm blathering a little bit, but I think this is a great course. It's probably a bit much for people just getitng into the sport, but if you're an intermediate or advanced player(which I am most definitely not), this is a course you'll keep thinking about.
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