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Shady Ridge DGC reviews
14
0
enragedmullet
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
12.6 years
115 played
79 reviews
High Caliber in The County
Reviewed:
Played on:Oct 4, 2022
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
+ Dynamic Discs Veteran baskets are new and in great condition
+ Concrete tee pads are roomy and level
+ Tee signs are extremely informative and well designed, with nice large Tee #'s visible from a distance, par/distance(s), diagram, and OB info
+ Amenities: there are benches or picnic tables at most tees, and trash cans at Tee 1.
+ Ample parking
+ Fairways, albeit narrow on some holes, are very well defined
+ Challenge/Variety - the course as a whole will have you tossing both FH & BH and considering overhands and other creative solutions to where you find yourself. Successful shot shaping is rewarded. Distance variety is decent, with holes ranging from < 200' to > 400'. Elevation has been used to great effect, whether it's elevated tees (#4, 7, 12), the occasional elevated basket (#15), or some other uphill/downhill dimension in between tee and basket.
+ Scenic beauty: Especially in autumn this course can get downright stunning.
+ Uniqueness: There are things at play here that I haven't seen before, or at least haven't seen nearby, or executed as well: Hole 1 is a signature for the course (and The County) but it is downright intimidating as a first shot. Nothing sweet about it, it's more of a pop in the mouth if you aren't ready. A beautiful, 300' water carry straight across Big Brook. Big, accurate arms will be highly rewarded. I'd say though that if you can't consistently throw 300' fairly accurately, just be prepared to sacrifice a disc (or just skip to #2). There are fairways on some holes (like 8) that are simply picturesque, with small brooks running across them and handmade footbridges to get across them. With a forest floor carpeted with yellow leaves you can forget what you're there for. 9's B position elevates the basket, which has been drilled into the top of a boulder that must be 6' tall. 15 is another hole with an elevated basket, this time a small, steep hill at the end of the fairway that puts the bottom of the basket itself probably 7-8' above you.
+ Concrete tee pads are roomy and level
+ Tee signs are extremely informative and well designed, with nice large Tee #'s visible from a distance, par/distance(s), diagram, and OB info
+ Amenities: there are benches or picnic tables at most tees, and trash cans at Tee 1.
+ Ample parking
+ Fairways, albeit narrow on some holes, are very well defined
+ Challenge/Variety - the course as a whole will have you tossing both FH & BH and considering overhands and other creative solutions to where you find yourself. Successful shot shaping is rewarded. Distance variety is decent, with holes ranging from < 200' to > 400'. Elevation has been used to great effect, whether it's elevated tees (#4, 7, 12), the occasional elevated basket (#15), or some other uphill/downhill dimension in between tee and basket.
+ Scenic beauty: Especially in autumn this course can get downright stunning.
+ Uniqueness: There are things at play here that I haven't seen before, or at least haven't seen nearby, or executed as well: Hole 1 is a signature for the course (and The County) but it is downright intimidating as a first shot. Nothing sweet about it, it's more of a pop in the mouth if you aren't ready. A beautiful, 300' water carry straight across Big Brook. Big, accurate arms will be highly rewarded. I'd say though that if you can't consistently throw 300' fairly accurately, just be prepared to sacrifice a disc (or just skip to #2). There are fairways on some holes (like 8) that are simply picturesque, with small brooks running across them and handmade footbridges to get across them. With a forest floor carpeted with yellow leaves you can forget what you're there for. 9's B position elevates the basket, which has been drilled into the top of a boulder that must be 6' tall. 15 is another hole with an elevated basket, this time a small, steep hill at the end of the fairway that puts the bottom of the basket itself probably 7-8' above you.
Cons:
- Navigation gets a little confusing your first time out, but a lot of the issues one might find could be solved easily with Next Tee & Directional signs, and I'd be surprised if those aren't added at some point.
- No restroom
- Punishing - new course = thick rough off several fairways. Anyone with decent aim/control shouldn't have too much trouble, but recreational players (like me) may find themselves spending some time searching for discs. As such, I wouldn't exactly consider Shady Ridge beginner-friendly
- Bit of a hike from Parking to Tee 1, then from Tee 1 to Basket 1.
- No restroom
- Punishing - new course = thick rough off several fairways. Anyone with decent aim/control shouldn't have too much trouble, but recreational players (like me) may find themselves spending some time searching for discs. As such, I wouldn't exactly consider Shady Ridge beginner-friendly
- Bit of a hike from Parking to Tee 1, then from Tee 1 to Basket 1.
Other Thoughts:
Shady Ridge is Aroostook's newest course and it really ups the challenge in The County while providing one with a beautiful walk through the woods (especially in the autumn). The course plays around/through/among Big Brook, its surrounding marshland and woods elevated by ridges nearby (so prepare for occasional muddiness/water). It's a hike for sure - a casual, full round can easily take two hours, and you're going up/downhill so water/hydration might be good to have on hand.
A lot of work has obviously gone into the course, from cutting/widening fairways out of thick woods, digging trenches to redirect water, footbridges across small streams, etc. That's really only scratching the surface of the work that's gone into it. Just laying huge, level concrete tees in the middle of these woods is a feat unto itself.
It's still brand-spankin' new, so there are some rough edges but everything is in place here for a really stellar course. I think it only needs a couple seasons of wearing in and it'll be giving Maple Ridge a run for King of The County, IMO.
Navigation can be a bit tricky your first time here. The map on DGCR is very helpful but things can get a bit confusing even with it. Below are just some tips I thought might be helpful:
When walking the trail to Tee 1 from Parking you'll get to a fork in the trail - take either one, they meet back up. At the end of the trail you'll get to the bulletin board. Head straight past it for Tee 1. You'll come back to this spot after shooting 1, this time taking a right at the bulletin board to proceed to Hole 1 landing area. Alternately, if you're not up for #1 you can bypass it here and head straight for #2. On the way from Tee 1 you may get your feet wet along the road while passing over the brook.
The path to Tee 3 is in between the pin placements for Hole 2.
The only egregious error I see on the DGCR map is that the tee for 7 is not in the location shown, it's nested in the same area as the tees for 6 & 18. This spot is a nice place to hang out overlooking the marsh with several benches, a picnic table and a fire pit nearby. The walk from basket 6 back to this spot and 7's elevated tee was quite scenic when I played in early October.
On your way to Tee 8 you may get confused for half a second when you see the sign for 17 first. These two tees butt up against each other, shooting in opposite directions.
After finishing 11 proceed to the road and head right, up the hill for 12. When finished with 13 take a left at the road for 14. If 16 is in the long position you'll walk past the basket on your way to Tee 15.
Preliminary favorite holes: 1, 4, 7, 8, 12, though 12 is a doozy and seems to hate me as much as I love it.
A lot of work has obviously gone into the course, from cutting/widening fairways out of thick woods, digging trenches to redirect water, footbridges across small streams, etc. That's really only scratching the surface of the work that's gone into it. Just laying huge, level concrete tees in the middle of these woods is a feat unto itself.
It's still brand-spankin' new, so there are some rough edges but everything is in place here for a really stellar course. I think it only needs a couple seasons of wearing in and it'll be giving Maple Ridge a run for King of The County, IMO.
Navigation can be a bit tricky your first time here. The map on DGCR is very helpful but things can get a bit confusing even with it. Below are just some tips I thought might be helpful:
When walking the trail to Tee 1 from Parking you'll get to a fork in the trail - take either one, they meet back up. At the end of the trail you'll get to the bulletin board. Head straight past it for Tee 1. You'll come back to this spot after shooting 1, this time taking a right at the bulletin board to proceed to Hole 1 landing area. Alternately, if you're not up for #1 you can bypass it here and head straight for #2. On the way from Tee 1 you may get your feet wet along the road while passing over the brook.
The path to Tee 3 is in between the pin placements for Hole 2.
The only egregious error I see on the DGCR map is that the tee for 7 is not in the location shown, it's nested in the same area as the tees for 6 & 18. This spot is a nice place to hang out overlooking the marsh with several benches, a picnic table and a fire pit nearby. The walk from basket 6 back to this spot and 7's elevated tee was quite scenic when I played in early October.
On your way to Tee 8 you may get confused for half a second when you see the sign for 17 first. These two tees butt up against each other, shooting in opposite directions.
After finishing 11 proceed to the road and head right, up the hill for 12. When finished with 13 take a left at the road for 14. If 16 is in the long position you'll walk past the basket on your way to Tee 15.
Preliminary favorite holes: 1, 4, 7, 8, 12, though 12 is a doozy and seems to hate me as much as I love it.
11
0
ShadyHermit
Experience:
9.2 years
1 played
1 reviews
Review By Owner drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 5, 2022
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Very Scenic, especially in the Fall.
Each Fairway will test your shot selection and shot shaping skills
6'x12' concrete Tee Pads, Veteran Baskets,
Hole signs
unique course accessories made with wood from the property
Challenging Basket placements
Each Fairway will test your shot selection and shot shaping skills
6'x12' concrete Tee Pads, Veteran Baskets,
Hole signs
unique course accessories made with wood from the property
Challenging Basket placements
Cons:
No Bathrooms
Not Cart friendly
Course flow of play not clearly marked
Off Fairway Shots can be difficult to find
some parts of the course are steep and uneven terrain
no pro shop this year
Not Cart friendly
Course flow of play not clearly marked
Off Fairway Shots can be difficult to find
some parts of the course are steep and uneven terrain
no pro shop this year
Other Thoughts:
Course is playing well especially if you keep your shot tight and controlled.
lots of pretty flight lines while tempting birdie seekers lots of risk - reward type shots.
For a new Course cut out of the forest, it has come a long way.
Owner available to play or guide groups.
lots of pretty flight lines while tempting birdie seekers lots of risk - reward type shots.
For a new Course cut out of the forest, it has come a long way.
Owner available to play or guide groups.
