-
Discover new ways to elevate your game with the updated DGCourseReview app!
It's entirely free and enhanced with features shaped by user feedback to ensure your best experience on the course. (App Store or Google Play)
Yankee Springs Golf Course reviews
9
0
One for the big arms
Reviewed:
Played on:May 26, 2023
Played the course:once
Pros:
Yankee Springs Golf Course is located south of Grand Rapids, MI. The site is home to 27 holes of ball golf, and 9 of those also overlap with 18 holes of disc golf.
As you might expect, this course is pretty open as disc golf courses go. But the designers did a pretty good job of utilizing scattered trees next to ball golf fairways as disc golf obstacles. Many holes play diagonally across ball golf fairways, with trees guarding the approach to the basket and occasionally complicating flight paths off the tee as well. Ball golf greens and sand traps are also in play on some holes and are assumed to be OB (although the tee signs do not call them out as such). Thicker brush/forest around the edges of the property or between ball golf holes comes into play a few times.
The main challenge, of course, is the hole distances. Five holes play over 600' length and are scored as par 4s. Besides this, there are three more par 3's over 400'. I appreciated how these long holes are fairly well dispersed throughout the course, with shorter holes mixed in between. Three holes around 250' give even noodle arms like me a chance at a birdie or two.
My favorite holes were #7 and #8 at the back of the property. #7 is the only hole on the course with appreciable elevation change. It's a 371' downhill throw along a ball golf fairway that is also sloping right to left. The left side of the hole is lined with thick brush - actual rough that would be easy for a RHBH throw to fade into. The basket is guarded by a single large pine tree. Right after that, hole 8 presents a 700' challenge - the longest on the course. I liked this one the most of the longer holes because you have the choice to play straight at the basket through an area between two ball golf fairways that actually has some trees to contend with - or you can choose to throw the extra distance out to one of the ball golf fairways but then have the space to air it out without worry.
The baskets are Chainstars in fine shape. One per hole.
The tee signs are large and have a color map of the hole, as well as the hole number/distance and a dotted line indicating where the next tee is. The only thing that they are missing is the par for each hole.
The onsite pro shop has scorecards, a restroom, snacks, and drinks available.
As you might expect, this course is pretty open as disc golf courses go. But the designers did a pretty good job of utilizing scattered trees next to ball golf fairways as disc golf obstacles. Many holes play diagonally across ball golf fairways, with trees guarding the approach to the basket and occasionally complicating flight paths off the tee as well. Ball golf greens and sand traps are also in play on some holes and are assumed to be OB (although the tee signs do not call them out as such). Thicker brush/forest around the edges of the property or between ball golf holes comes into play a few times.
The main challenge, of course, is the hole distances. Five holes play over 600' length and are scored as par 4s. Besides this, there are three more par 3's over 400'. I appreciated how these long holes are fairly well dispersed throughout the course, with shorter holes mixed in between. Three holes around 250' give even noodle arms like me a chance at a birdie or two.
My favorite holes were #7 and #8 at the back of the property. #7 is the only hole on the course with appreciable elevation change. It's a 371' downhill throw along a ball golf fairway that is also sloping right to left. The left side of the hole is lined with thick brush - actual rough that would be easy for a RHBH throw to fade into. The basket is guarded by a single large pine tree. Right after that, hole 8 presents a 700' challenge - the longest on the course. I liked this one the most of the longer holes because you have the choice to play straight at the basket through an area between two ball golf fairways that actually has some trees to contend with - or you can choose to throw the extra distance out to one of the ball golf fairways but then have the space to air it out without worry.
The baskets are Chainstars in fine shape. One per hole.
The tee signs are large and have a color map of the hole, as well as the hole number/distance and a dotted line indicating where the next tee is. The only thing that they are missing is the par for each hole.
The onsite pro shop has scorecards, a restroom, snacks, and drinks available.
Cons:
It's disc golf on a ball golf course. You'll need to keep an eye out for ball golfers at all times, and per the course website they always have the right of way. The DG course does follow the progression of the "Red" BG course, so you should generally have an idea of who is around you. That said, the groups of ball golfers I encountered definitely did not seem to really understand what I was doing on the course. I imagine it is not very common for them to encounter disc golfers. I had to wait a couple of times.
The holes are very open. Some have no obstacles between the tee and the basket. Most holes have only a couple of trees and/or OB areas to work around. The main challenges here are just the need to air it out on hole after hole, and coping with any wind that may be present. The overall variety is lacking.
Other than hole 7, the course is flat. There are no water hazards.
There is no disc golf infrastructure other than the baskets and tee signs. The tee pads are natural and unmarked - just tee off from the grass next to the sign. There was no practice basket (although you could use #18's to warm up), trash cans, or benches on the course. Other than the path indications on the previous tee signs, there were no navigational aids. The provided scorecard does not include a course map, so I pulled up UDisc to help with navigation. Tape on basket rungs would be nice here.
The holes are very open. Some have no obstacles between the tee and the basket. Most holes have only a couple of trees and/or OB areas to work around. The main challenges here are just the need to air it out on hole after hole, and coping with any wind that may be present. The overall variety is lacking.
Other than hole 7, the course is flat. There are no water hazards.
There is no disc golf infrastructure other than the baskets and tee signs. The tee pads are natural and unmarked - just tee off from the grass next to the sign. There was no practice basket (although you could use #18's to warm up), trash cans, or benches on the course. Other than the path indications on the previous tee signs, there were no navigational aids. The provided scorecard does not include a course map, so I pulled up UDisc to help with navigation. Tape on basket rungs would be nice here.
Other Thoughts:
There is a cost of $13.50 to play a round. This is payable in the pro shop located at the back of the parking lot. Credit cards are accepted. You can also rent a golf cart for an additional fee. I chose to walk, and although there were several long walks between holes I thought it was manageable overall. The course starts right behind the pro shop/golf cart parking (follow signs for the Red BG course).
Yankee Springs is only the second DG course on a BG course that I have played. The DG infrastructure here was in better shape vs. the other one I played (Pine Hills near Lansing), but disc golf is clearly still a secondary activity. For big arms who like this sort of course, I think Yankee Springs is a fine place to play. But personally, I doubt I will be back. I took advantage of my time here as an opportunity to test out some new drivers I purchased - which contributed to an extended stay on the bogey train - but I prefer courses that are more technical, hilly, and naturally beautiful.
Yankee Springs is only the second DG course on a BG course that I have played. The DG infrastructure here was in better shape vs. the other one I played (Pine Hills near Lansing), but disc golf is clearly still a secondary activity. For big arms who like this sort of course, I think Yankee Springs is a fine place to play. But personally, I doubt I will be back. I took advantage of my time here as an opportunity to test out some new drivers I purchased - which contributed to an extended stay on the bogey train - but I prefer courses that are more technical, hilly, and naturally beautiful.
11
0
Would Be More Fun With A Bigger Arm! 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 28, 2017
Played the course:once
Pros:
I've played, maybe 10 disc golf courses on golf courses (mostly in California) and Yankee Springs looks as though they are really trying to welcome the disc golf community. The gentleman at the counter told me that they had a tournament with 200 players. I bet every one of the 200 could throw farther than me. But that's my problem. Yankee Springs does have these really nice professional looking signs complete with a map. The baskets are new Chainstars. The tee pads are just grass but because of little useage, they're great. All disc golf courses could make do with grass tee pads if you all would not play so much.
The cost is $8 and includes a map and scorecard. Carts are available and I would strongly recommend renting one. Playing alone, I decided against it and as soon as I got out there about three holes (too far go walk back), I was thinking what a dumb, cheap decision I had made. There are some long walks from basket to the next tee.
Because it's mostly flat and a golf course, many drives are open with little in the way of obstacles. There were a few holes under 300' but not many and at least, they were set in trees or around the back of trees. 600' foot holes wouldn't seem so daunting if one could drive 400-450 feet.
The cost is $8 and includes a map and scorecard. Carts are available and I would strongly recommend renting one. Playing alone, I decided against it and as soon as I got out there about three holes (too far go walk back), I was thinking what a dumb, cheap decision I had made. There are some long walks from basket to the next tee.
Because it's mostly flat and a golf course, many drives are open with little in the way of obstacles. There were a few holes under 300' but not many and at least, they were set in trees or around the back of trees. 600' foot holes wouldn't seem so daunting if one could drive 400-450 feet.
Cons:
Much more open then most disc golf courses in Michigan or most other states for that matter.
Grass tee pads not currently a problem in late August.
$8 to play will be a deterrent for some but might keep some undesirables away.
Might have to duck a few golf balls. Good news is you will find a few golf balls.
Grass tee pads not currently a problem in late August.
$8 to play will be a deterrent for some but might keep some undesirables away.
Might have to duck a few golf balls. Good news is you will find a few golf balls.
Other Thoughts:
I don't quite understand this thinking. # 18 is 170 yards (510 feet) from the long tee for the golfers. And there are two sets of shorter tees. But it's 615' for all the disc golfers? Shouldn't our holes be shorter than those guys with clubs hitting little balls?
If I were rating this course strictly for my enjoyment, it wouldn't be a 3, but I know the young and stronger players will like airing out hole after hole here at Yankee Stadium.
And I have to give these folks here some props. I've played similar courses on ball courses where all they've done is marked the tees with little, hard to see ribbons, had no signage what so ever and couldn't wait to take your money. On the other hand, there is a cool little 3 Par Golf Course in San Diego, with wonderful hilly terrain ideal for disc golf, that is now making more money off the disc golfers than the guys with the clubs. How long before we're welcome at Pebble Beach or Augusta National? But then you'd have to wear polo shirts and long pants!
If I were rating this course strictly for my enjoyment, it wouldn't be a 3, but I know the young and stronger players will like airing out hole after hole here at Yankee Stadium.
And I have to give these folks here some props. I've played similar courses on ball courses where all they've done is marked the tees with little, hard to see ribbons, had no signage what so ever and couldn't wait to take your money. On the other hand, there is a cool little 3 Par Golf Course in San Diego, with wonderful hilly terrain ideal for disc golf, that is now making more money off the disc golfers than the guys with the clubs. How long before we're welcome at Pebble Beach or Augusta National? But then you'd have to wear polo shirts and long pants!
8
0
hellbound
Experience:
16 years
91 played
17 reviews
First time playing a course with golf carts 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 23, 2016
Played the course:once
Pros:
-Great club house with full bar and food service
-Everything that you would expect if you where ball golfing
-personally i love the natural tee pads
-good fair balance of holes. Most holes even finishing right will still give you ample room to throw a rhbh to finish
-At the very least two holes could be considered to be signature holes
-Great mix of long bombers and short birdies
-Everything that you would expect if you where ball golfing
-personally i love the natural tee pads
-good fair balance of holes. Most holes even finishing right will still give you ample room to throw a rhbh to finish
-At the very least two holes could be considered to be signature holes
-Great mix of long bombers and short birdies
Cons:
-First time could be a little hard to navigate even with the map.
- Some of the tee box markers (yellow stake) could be knocked out of the ground with the grounds crew
-Does not play back to the club house after the first nine
- layout little long with the transitions to be walking the course
- Some of the tee box markers (yellow stake) could be knocked out of the ground with the grounds crew
-Does not play back to the club house after the first nine
- layout little long with the transitions to be walking the course
Other Thoughts:
Really finding it hard to decide on how high of a rating this course should get. First off its the first ball/disc golf hybrid layout that I have gotten the chance to play.
18 holes of great manicured land. The natural tee pads have a feel that as they wear in the box will be moved from time to time to allow the ground to be in the best condition. I am always happy to see a good grass tee pad as long as its not all trampled. More then one of the holes could contend with being the top hole. From a nice 400 foot down hill shot to a 400 foot right to left that has a shorter up the gap line to a pin on a hill side. Few of the holes even play with the bunkers right next to the pin.
This was my groups first time being able to play using a golf carts and what can i say that its fun driving around from hole to hole. We played doubles and it still took us a couple of hours to get the round in, so the 18.00 fee seemed reasonable to me. (not like we are going to play here every weekend)
Personally I would Rate this a 3.5 almost a four if it had a few more trees vs open fairway drives. However being as its unique and not what we all are use to I think a solid three is a fair score. If I ever get a chance to play a couple of different courses with similar setups I might even rate it a little higher.
Looking forward to my next trip back to Michigan to play it again
18 holes of great manicured land. The natural tee pads have a feel that as they wear in the box will be moved from time to time to allow the ground to be in the best condition. I am always happy to see a good grass tee pad as long as its not all trampled. More then one of the holes could contend with being the top hole. From a nice 400 foot down hill shot to a 400 foot right to left that has a shorter up the gap line to a pin on a hill side. Few of the holes even play with the bunkers right next to the pin.
This was my groups first time being able to play using a golf carts and what can i say that its fun driving around from hole to hole. We played doubles and it still took us a couple of hours to get the round in, so the 18.00 fee seemed reasonable to me. (not like we are going to play here every weekend)
Personally I would Rate this a 3.5 almost a four if it had a few more trees vs open fairway drives. However being as its unique and not what we all are use to I think a solid three is a fair score. If I ever get a chance to play a couple of different courses with similar setups I might even rate it a little higher.
Looking forward to my next trip back to Michigan to play it again
