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Redeemed by Grace DGC reviews
13
0
Ya Gotta Have Faith (To Run the Baskets) 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 30, 2020
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
- Redeemed By Grace DGC is newer nine-hole addition to the southwestern coast of Michigan, located in St. Joseph behind the Lutheran Church. The back edge of the church property is a steep, deep, wooded ravine with a creek at the bottom. This amount of elevation is pretty good for the area, and is incorporated extremely well on this course. The course works its way around the edge of the woods and ravine, using the grassy areas to provide variety as well as bail-out zones.
- Fast greens are the name of the game here, with epic rollaways into the deep ravine a major (yet mostly avoidable) hazard. We're talking A-1, top-shelf, 5-disc levels of drop-offs behind the pins on hole #'s 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw how well these were executed from a design standpoint, and how much excitement, variety, challenge, and strategy they added to the round.
- Meticulously groomed. Fresh mulch lines the paths between holes in the wooded areas as well as the tee and basket areas. Amenities include outstanding turf tees, easy-to-see bright red baskets (including a practice basket), a wooden disc charger bag stand at each hole (neat!), sturdy hand-crafted wood benches, beautiful tee signs (each with a piece of scripture designed to spread the gospel and foster quiet spiritual contemplation). Also, on all the holes where the ravine comes into play, strategically placed rappelling ropes are tied to tree trunks. I managed to stay out of the ravine during my rounds here, but they're an extremely necessary amenity for the 30-40' steep elevation changes. The field areas were well mowed, with thick springy mossy/grassy areas along the edge of the woods. No trash anywhere, please help keep this course clean: pack in, pack out! This course is as well maintained as many of the top-notch world-class private courses I've visited; let's all help keep it that way.
- Risk vs. Reward, Bail Out/Safety Zones, Beginner vs. Advanced: Redeemed by Grace's designer did an awesome thing. They designed a nine-hole course that can cater to both beginners and advanced players, often on the same hole. They accomplished this by allowing bailout or safety routes out into the open grassy areas in lieu of alternative advanced aggressive ace-run lines. New players can take totally safe routes to the basket but won't be rewarded score-wise. Conversely, advanced players will find the shorter distances in imminent ace run territory...but don't be too aggressive or the epic elevation of the ravine located immediately behind many of the pin positions will lead to disaster. For advanced players, this is a course of carefully restrained aggression, which is a brilliant contrast to many nine-hole designs that provide nothing for advanced players to work with. Holes that "have the best of both worlds" include #'s 1, 3, 6, 8, and 9. Hole #1 is an open field ace run with the basket by the edge of the woods...but there's the ravine waiting directly behind, waiting to swallow long throws. Hole #3 looks like a very narrow, very tight hyzer shot with the ravine to the right of the fairway AND behind the basket...however, there is an open field to the left and no mando signage, so a putter roller through the grass is a very high percentage shot with very little chance of going into the ravine. Hole #6 encourages a turnover shot into a green tucked into the woods maybe 50-60' with, again, the ravine immediately behind waiting to ruin anything a touch too long. Hole #8 is the most dangerous hole on the course for beginners in my opinion. Yet again, the fairway abuts the ravine to the right, but lacks some of the tree coverage the other holes enjoy. Thus, anything a touch too right off the tee (grip lock, wind-assisted misses, bad tree kicks, etc.) is DOOMED. There's a wide grassy area to hit, and a pin again tucked into the edge of the woods with ravine behind. There's a utility pole guy wire in the way of the high percentage hyzer line, adding to the difficulty a bit. Hole #9 is another anhyzer or FH flick shot across an open area into a wooded green, pin precariously at the edge of the ravine.
- Stroller and kid friendly along the edges. Had no problem playing with the kiddo. My 2 year old threw her first putter roller on hole #6.
- Fast greens are the name of the game here, with epic rollaways into the deep ravine a major (yet mostly avoidable) hazard. We're talking A-1, top-shelf, 5-disc levels of drop-offs behind the pins on hole #'s 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw how well these were executed from a design standpoint, and how much excitement, variety, challenge, and strategy they added to the round.
- Meticulously groomed. Fresh mulch lines the paths between holes in the wooded areas as well as the tee and basket areas. Amenities include outstanding turf tees, easy-to-see bright red baskets (including a practice basket), a wooden disc charger bag stand at each hole (neat!), sturdy hand-crafted wood benches, beautiful tee signs (each with a piece of scripture designed to spread the gospel and foster quiet spiritual contemplation). Also, on all the holes where the ravine comes into play, strategically placed rappelling ropes are tied to tree trunks. I managed to stay out of the ravine during my rounds here, but they're an extremely necessary amenity for the 30-40' steep elevation changes. The field areas were well mowed, with thick springy mossy/grassy areas along the edge of the woods. No trash anywhere, please help keep this course clean: pack in, pack out! This course is as well maintained as many of the top-notch world-class private courses I've visited; let's all help keep it that way.
- Risk vs. Reward, Bail Out/Safety Zones, Beginner vs. Advanced: Redeemed by Grace's designer did an awesome thing. They designed a nine-hole course that can cater to both beginners and advanced players, often on the same hole. They accomplished this by allowing bailout or safety routes out into the open grassy areas in lieu of alternative advanced aggressive ace-run lines. New players can take totally safe routes to the basket but won't be rewarded score-wise. Conversely, advanced players will find the shorter distances in imminent ace run territory...but don't be too aggressive or the epic elevation of the ravine located immediately behind many of the pin positions will lead to disaster. For advanced players, this is a course of carefully restrained aggression, which is a brilliant contrast to many nine-hole designs that provide nothing for advanced players to work with. Holes that "have the best of both worlds" include #'s 1, 3, 6, 8, and 9. Hole #1 is an open field ace run with the basket by the edge of the woods...but there's the ravine waiting directly behind, waiting to swallow long throws. Hole #3 looks like a very narrow, very tight hyzer shot with the ravine to the right of the fairway AND behind the basket...however, there is an open field to the left and no mando signage, so a putter roller through the grass is a very high percentage shot with very little chance of going into the ravine. Hole #6 encourages a turnover shot into a green tucked into the woods maybe 50-60' with, again, the ravine immediately behind waiting to ruin anything a touch too long. Hole #8 is the most dangerous hole on the course for beginners in my opinion. Yet again, the fairway abuts the ravine to the right, but lacks some of the tree coverage the other holes enjoy. Thus, anything a touch too right off the tee (grip lock, wind-assisted misses, bad tree kicks, etc.) is DOOMED. There's a wide grassy area to hit, and a pin again tucked into the edge of the woods with ravine behind. There's a utility pole guy wire in the way of the high percentage hyzer line, adding to the difficulty a bit. Hole #9 is another anhyzer or FH flick shot across an open area into a wooded green, pin precariously at the edge of the ravine.
- Stroller and kid friendly along the edges. Had no problem playing with the kiddo. My 2 year old threw her first putter roller on hole #6.
Cons:
- Hole #1 tees off over a soccer field. Hole #4 shoots out towards the backside of one of the soccer field's goals. Not at all an issue while I played here, but if soccer is happening then definite conflict occurs, rendering #1 (and perhaps #4) unplayable.
- The distances are short, sometimes very short, but nothing comes off feeling super cheap. Hole #5 may be the worst offender, a less-than 100' ace run protected by a branch or two, right over the ravine. Even so, the worst this course has to offer is better than most nine-hole courses' best hole. At least it's an exciting downhill ace run that fairly punishes anything off line with some time in the ravine. #7's a little longer, but completely wide open. Advanced players could try playing the small mulch circle as a tiny island green if looking for more challenge.
- Hole #9 leaves a bit of a walk back around the front of the church, but I'd rather have a walk back and awesome holes than the designer force the course to end by the lot and end up sucking. So this is a very minor con, more of a note for those who might have children along.
- The distances are short, sometimes very short, but nothing comes off feeling super cheap. Hole #5 may be the worst offender, a less-than 100' ace run protected by a branch or two, right over the ravine. Even so, the worst this course has to offer is better than most nine-hole courses' best hole. At least it's an exciting downhill ace run that fairly punishes anything off line with some time in the ravine. #7's a little longer, but completely wide open. Advanced players could try playing the small mulch circle as a tiny island green if looking for more challenge.
- Hole #9 leaves a bit of a walk back around the front of the church, but I'd rather have a walk back and awesome holes than the designer force the course to end by the lot and end up sucking. So this is a very minor con, more of a note for those who might have children along.
Other Thoughts:
- Absolutely gorgeous natural vistas over the ravine in the woods behind most holes. I stopped and just took it all in on at least hole #'s 1, 3, 6, 8, and 9. The open grassy area you first see belies the beauty (not to mention the quality of golf) contained within once you reach the edge of the woods. Coupled with the righteously fast greens, epic elevation, and Scripture readings on the tee signs, this callous ol' atheist darn near had a religious experience here. Which is probably what they intended...sneaky, sneaky.
- Scattered throughout the property I found old brick tees for what looks to be a pre-existing course on the site, with (at least) 18 holes and distances written on the brick tees. These weren't full tees, but a line of bricks to mark the front of the pad and natural tees behind the line. So I guess there used to be a full course here at one time or another? It looked like it might've been quite the layout.
- Course hours are limited: The course is open to the public when school is not in session, on school days after 5:00 PM, all day Saturday and after 12:00 PM on Sunday.
- Scattered throughout the property I found old brick tees for what looks to be a pre-existing course on the site, with (at least) 18 holes and distances written on the brick tees. These weren't full tees, but a line of bricks to mark the front of the pad and natural tees behind the line. So I guess there used to be a full course here at one time or another? It looked like it might've been quite the layout.
- Course hours are limited: The course is open to the public when school is not in session, on school days after 5:00 PM, all day Saturday and after 12:00 PM on Sunday.
11
0
Jesus would be pleased 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Dec 26, 2019
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
+ The care that went into and goes into this course is very apparent. There are benches behind every tee, course signage (both the map at the front and at the tees) is superb, the turf tees are a bit small but very good tees, and there was no garbage to be found. #8 even has a little green with mulch/rocks circling it. The little details in the landscaping take this course up from a 2.5 to a 3.0 in my eyes. Each pole that holds up the tee sign also serves as a spot to sign when you ace. There is rope by the ravines so you can pull yourself up when a disc goes too far.
All in all, it's very clear that a lot of love went into this course.
+ It's super fun. As far as church golf courses go, this one exceeded my expectations. While it's great for beginners (since holes are quite short), it's also great for advanced players as a little putt-approach course.
+ The designer made good use of the available landscape to incorporate the trees so that the course doesn't just play in the open (very boring). I would say with the exception of #4 (and maybe #6), every hole should be reachable with a putter for advanced players.
+ The Prodigy baskets are awesome. I know they're not the cheapest, but they certainly are higher quality!
All in all, it's very clear that a lot of love went into this course.
+ It's super fun. As far as church golf courses go, this one exceeded my expectations. While it's great for beginners (since holes are quite short), it's also great for advanced players as a little putt-approach course.
+ The designer made good use of the available landscape to incorporate the trees so that the course doesn't just play in the open (very boring). I would say with the exception of #4 (and maybe #6), every hole should be reachable with a putter for advanced players.
+ The Prodigy baskets are awesome. I know they're not the cheapest, but they certainly are higher quality!
Cons:
- While the designer made the most of the landscape, I didn't like that #9 finished pretty far away from the parking lot.
- The land is also pretty limited in what can be done, which leads to pretty short holes. Advanced players should have a shot at a 2 on every hole (except for the aforementioned #4).
- The land is also pretty limited in what can be done, which leads to pretty short holes. Advanced players should have a shot at a 2 on every hole (except for the aforementioned #4).
Other Thoughts:
It's a fun course with great equipment. I applaud the designer and the team that installed it and maintain it. It's great for beginners and offers ace runs for more advanced players. I managed to hit the top of #5's basket, but no aces for me (I would have been thrilled to sign the post!).
14
0
Nine Holes to Redemption 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Oct 21, 2019
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
- Awesome Prodigy baskets. These are the versions with the slightly lighter gauge chains compared to what was installed at nearby River Park.
- Turf tees. They might be small but really not one of the holes do you need a giant run-up.
- Landscaping. This is one of the rare times I can honestly list this as a pro. The landscaping is so well done here with such good taste I really think this adds to the experience.
- The signage is spectacular.
- Lots of nice little touches all over the course like the "disc charger" stands next to the tees and on the back of the tee signs there are spots to sign your aces. There's a great sign greeting you right by the first tee. There are even benches!
- Given the rather short nature of the course there is some challenge here. #4 is no joke.
- Turf tees. They might be small but really not one of the holes do you need a giant run-up.
- Landscaping. This is one of the rare times I can honestly list this as a pro. The landscaping is so well done here with such good taste I really think this adds to the experience.
- The signage is spectacular.
- Lots of nice little touches all over the course like the "disc charger" stands next to the tees and on the back of the tee signs there are spots to sign your aces. There's a great sign greeting you right by the first tee. There are even benches!
- Given the rather short nature of the course there is some challenge here. #4 is no joke.
Cons:
- This course is short. I mean REALLY short.
- #3 is just too easy IMHO. There's just not a very good spot to put it anywhere else though so I am not sure how to fix this.
- There's a lot of left to right holes here. But again, there really isn't much the course designer could do about that given the rather limited space for this course.
- #3 is just too easy IMHO. There's just not a very good spot to put it anywhere else though so I am not sure how to fix this.
- There's a lot of left to right holes here. But again, there really isn't much the course designer could do about that given the rather limited space for this course.
Other Thoughts:
This course is not really designed for general disc golfer consumption. It was made with the kiddos in mind and to that end I think this is rather brilliantly executed. This is exactly the kind of course elementary aged kids need to learn the sport. I rated this a 3 because...well...I rarely (if ever?) rate 9 holers above a 3 just because I want 18 - cause I am greedy like that.
Keep in mind this is an active church and school so please respect the rules here especially in regard to the times when the course is open. Its not too much to ask really.
Keep in mind this is an active church and school so please respect the rules here especially in regard to the times when the course is open. Its not too much to ask really.
