Austin Vacation

[orion487]

Hey everyone,

My family's vacationing in Lago Vista just a bit northwest of Austin over New Years and we have time to hit up (hopefully) 4 or 5 courses before we go? I've seen some good ones on this site, what are people's recommendations? Any must-plays? Thanks!

[sidewinding]

Williamson County Park is the only must play that's close to Lago Vista and If you want to check out a big arm open course play Old Settlers. I wouldn't call it a must play but it's definitely the second best course on the North side after Wilco and you'll get to see a couple of 1000' monsters and a few 700+ footers as well if that's your cup of tea.

If you want to drive then Manor and Circle C are the two that are worth the drive.

If you want shorter, faster playing courses then Cat Hollow and Zilker are very fun and Rivery park is a sweet little beast of a course but hard to navigate without a map.

[FRIZZLE TOSSLER]

My personal faves are:

1. Austin Ridge Bible Chuch (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=3694) Brand spankin new. IMHO, the most challenging course in all of TX... very technical & long w/ elevation changes on every hole. Give yourself @ least 2-3 hours to play the 20 holes & plenty of hydration. It's a total workout (physical, mental, emotional) playing this course. My body aches after playing this course like no other course I've ever played... :D

2. Circle C Metro Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=542) The most complete, well-groomed course in town. Dual concrete tees & signs on just about every hole. Two practice baskets. Challenging and very fun. A beautiful park.

3. East Metro Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=2645) A very challenging course w/ dual concrete pads on most holes. Plenty of cacti & other prickly stuff in the rough. Also a beautiful park. **please note** They will lock you in this park if you don't get out before dark & there have been a few instances where they want to lock up before sundown. Morning/mid-day rounds out here are safest.. unless you are prepared to camp. :p

4. Williamson County DGC (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=927) A great course w/ dual concrete tees on just abt every hole. Precision game required. $1/ day (honor system) to play. Don't try to play this course if it has rained a few days prior b/c they close it down.

5. Brushy CReek Sports Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=3198) IMO, the most fun & challenging 9 holer in the state. 3 par 4's & 1 par 5. Great if you don't have a lot of time & easy to turn it into 18 by playing twice.

6. Rivery Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=883) A neat 18 holer w/ good use of elevation. Dirt pads... little tricky to navigate.

If you want to check out the most well-known course in town try Pease Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=932). It's a neat course, but not one of my personal fave's b/c of the high amount of traffic it gets. Searight Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=934) is also very popular & a lot of fun, but they are doing renovations & the back nine baskets are pulled at the moment.

Hope this helps. Drop me a pm if you'd like a guide while you are in town. Enjoy!!

[skurf]

Yeah, you could probably get 3 courses with tons of diversity in one day if you start early. Wilco (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=927&page=1&mode=rev#13944) usually takes around 2.5 hours, but is well worth it. Cat Hollow (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=1044&page=1&mode=rev#14139) is a fun little course that you can get through around 1.5 hours depending on traffic, and then right down the road from this course is Brushy Creek Sports Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=3198&page=1&mode=rev#13448), which is a very challenging, tightly wooded 9 holer. All of these courses are within a few minutes of each other.

Those are the closest courses that I'd recommend, but if you're looking to get your ass kicked then I'd recommend driving a little further to East Metro (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=2645&page=2&mode=rev#7519) or Austin Ridge Bible Church (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=3694&mode=rev). Austin Ridge is new and still rough around the edges, but if you play it be sure to play the alternate holes as they go up and back down the biggest vertical change of any holes in Austin.

When it's all said and done, Circle C (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=542&mode=rev) is still the best course in Austin IMO and should be played be any and everyone that comes to Austin. Pease Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=932&page=2&mode=rev#6909) is a disc golf staple in Austin and has a wide array of shots, although it does seem to cater to the RHBH player. If you're planning on going downtown for any reason this would be the course to hit.

[jgillia]

My personal faves are:

1. Austin Ridge Bible Chuch (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=3694) Brand spankin new. IMHO, the most challenging course in all of TX... very technical & long w/ elevation changes on every hole. Give yourself @ least 2-3 hours to play the 20 holes & plenty of hydration. It's a total workout (physical, mental, emotional) playing this course. My body aches after playing this course like no other course I've ever played... :D

2. Circle C Metro Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=542) The most complete, well-groomed course in town. Dual concrete tees & signs on just about every hole. Two practice baskets. Challenging and very fun. A beautiful park.

3. East Metro Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=2645) A very challenging course w/ dual concrete pads on most holes. Plenty of cacti & other prickly stuff in the rough. Also a beautiful park. **please note** They will lock you in this park if you don't get out before dark & there have been a few instances where they want to lock up before sundown. Morning/mid-day rounds out here are safest.. unless you are prepared to camp. :p

4. Williamson County DGC (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=927) A great course w/ dual concrete tees on just abt every hole. Precision game required. $1/ day (honor system) to play. Don't try to play this course if it has rained a few days prior b/c they close it down.

5. Brushy CReek Sports Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=3198) IMO, the most fun & challenging 9 holer in the state. 3 par 4's & 1 par 5. Great if you don't have a lot of time & easy to turn it into 18 by playing twice.

6. Rivery Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=883) A neat 18 holer w/ good use of elevation. Dirt pads... little tricky to navigate.

If you want to check out the most well-known course in town try Pease Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=932). It's a neat course, but not one of my personal fave's b/c of the high amount of traffic it gets. Searight Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=934) is also very popular & a lot of fun, but they are doing renovations & the back nine baskets are pulled at the moment.

Hope this helps. Drop me a pm if you'd like a guide while you are in town. Enjoy!!


What he said. Also there is a lil 9 holer that has two different tees to make 18 in Lago that plays right along the lake. Not the greatest but if you are in Lago and are bored its definitely still fun.

Arrowhead Point - http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=972

[SpringDgLover]

My personal faves are:

1. Austin Ridge Bible Chuch (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=3694) Brand spankin new. IMHO, the most challenging course in all of TX... very technical & long w/ elevation changes on every hole. Give yourself @ least 2-3 hours to play the 20 holes & plenty of hydration. It's a total workout (physical, mental, emotional) playing this course. My body aches after playing this course like no other course I've ever played... :D

2. Circle C Metro Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=542) The most complete, well-groomed course in town. Dual concrete tees & signs on just about every hole. Two practice baskets. Challenging and very fun. A beautiful park.

3. East Metro Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=2645) A very challenging course w/ dual concrete pads on most holes. Plenty of cacti & other prickly stuff in the rough. Also a beautiful park. **please note** They will lock you in this park if you don't get out before dark & there have been a few instances where they want to lock up before sundown. Morning/mid-day rounds out here are safest.. unless you are prepared to camp. :p

4. Williamson County DGC (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=927) A great course w/ dual concrete tees on just abt every hole. Precision game required. $1/ day (honor system) to play. Don't try to play this course if it has rained a few days prior b/c they close it down.

5. Brushy CReek Sports Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=3198) IMO, the most fun & challenging 9 holer in the state. 3 par 4's & 1 par 5. Great if you don't have a lot of time & easy to turn it into 18 by playing twice.

6. Rivery Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=883) A neat 18 holer w/ good use of elevation. Dirt pads... little tricky to navigate.

If you want to check out the most well-known course in town try Pease Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=932). It's a neat course, but not one of my personal fave's b/c of the high amount of traffic it gets. Searight Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=934) is also very popular & a lot of fun, but they are doing renovations & the back nine baskets are pulled at the moment.

Hope this helps. Drop me a pm if you'd like a guide while you are in town. Enjoy!!

I agree with all those and I also like the 18 hole course at Brushy Creek (Cathollow) as well, it doesnt get the crazy good reviews but is a really fun course.

[FRIZZLE TOSSLER]

What he said. Also there is a lil 9 holer that has two different tees to make 18 in Lago that plays right along the lake. Not the greatest but if you are in Lago and are bored its definitely still fun.

Arrowhead Point - http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=972

I ran into a guy a week ago that said he tried to play that course in Lago Vista & said that they had closed the course (pulled the baskets??) recently. I'm abt 90% sure he was talking abt Arrowhead Point. Hope I'm not spreading misinformation... does anyone know for sure 'cause I'd like to play that course if it still exists??

[srm_520]

I agree with all those and I also like the 18 hole course at Brushy Creek (Cathollow) as well, it doesnt get the crazy good reviews but is a really fun course.

Agreed about Brushy Creek. Maybe not the best of the lot, but still a really fun course to play.

[jgillia]

I ran into a guy a week ago that said he tried to play that course in Lago Vista & said that they had closed the course (pulled the baskets??) recently. I'm abt 90% sure he was talking abt Arrowhead Point. Hope I'm not spreading misinformation... does anyone know for sure 'cause I'd like to play that course if it still exists??

As far as I know the 9 holer that plays as 18 is still there. Thats coming from a buddy who plays there every so often. He hasnt been there in a few months so unless its been very recent I think its still there.

There used to be a full 18 at a resort in Lago but that has long been closed down unfortunately. That was a fun course.

[DGtourist]

I think the new Metcenter and the new bible church courses have been mostly overrated (but still good) so far. Circle C and East Metro are top notch.

[sidewinding]

I think the new Metcenter and the new bible church courses have been mostly overrated (but still good) so far.

:clap: amen brother!

I think alot of people are afraid that if they say a super difficult course is not great that it will make them look like they are not a very good disc golfer. It's a syndrome that deserves it's own thread and is not unlike HBB and FTF in affecting a courses rating.

[DGtourist]

:clap: amen brother!

I think alot of people are afraid that if they say a super difficult course is not great that it will make them look like they are not a very good disc golfer. It's a syndrome that deserves it's own thread and is not unlike HBB and FTF in affecting a courses rating.

I think that people were thinking that new = good with a litlle bit of HBB ;) But you may be on to something. I'll review those two very soon. I think that yours and smatta's reviews of Austin Ridge were the most acurate and its a shame that you guys sot the amount of thumbs down that you did......... for what? being honest, that's all. :wall: Some people just want smoke blown up their course's ass and not a review.

I think Austin Ridge is a little bit > than the metcenter but the met has cement atleast.

3 and 1/2 - 4 (generous) for each, Austin Ridge's land is MUCH better but still needs more development to live up to where people are grading it. I had to pee out in the open at the Met! How in the world could that be a 4 and 1/2?

Oh and I've been out of the loop because of my move down here....... What is FTF?

[sidewinding]

First Timer Friendly.

[sidewinding]

There are about five basic types of reviews:

The honest review that takes everything into consideration and weighs the pros and cons.

The Home boy biased review that is blind to what a first time player of the course might experience.

The First Timer playing the course review that is biased and often nitpicking and overlooks the true heart and soul of a course.

The review done by people involved with the design and/or construction of a course.

The clone review done by a person that really has no opinion but since it's free and anyone can do it will just basically match what the majority of other reviewers wrote.

[judson]

Don't forget the "I got my butt kicked so I don't like this course" review.

[DGtourist]

Don't forget the "I got my butt kicked so I don't like this course" review.

I like to get my butt kicked at a course, in fact its to a fault, I rarely keep score.

[skurf]

Austin Ridge is in its infancy as a course so there is still room for improvement on many aspects of it. It's hard to critique a course that is clearly unfinished, yet has so much potential (I have yet to rate/review it). You can't play this course one or two times and feel satisfied with your game. There are so many landing zones, windows, alleyways, slopes and other intricacies that you may not realize your first couple play-throughs, and in time it can only get better. The one thing that already makes this course great is its uniqueness. There's nothing in central Texas like it. No other course requires the consistent accuracy and distance that this course requires. At times it would be nice to have a little more fairway to work with and some of the teepads are disasters (the stumps in the teeboxes are the biggest con to this course imo), but the challenge of hitting that perfect drive that lands right in line with the next alleyway for a chance at 3 when most will get a 4 or 5 on...well, that's something that makes me want to play this course over and over. There is one fact that I can not deny: I will never come close to mastering this course, and I love it for that fact.

[sidewinding]

Austin already had enough long, rugged, rocky courses with narrow fairways cut out of dense cedar. What makes the ridge different is Hole A and Hole B. Take away those holes and your'e left with basically another Manor, and Circle C minus quality dual teepads.

[FRIZZLE TOSSLER]

Austin already had enough long, rugged, rocky courses with narrow fairways cut out of dense cedar. What makes the ridge different is Hole A and Hole B. Take away those holes and your'e left with basically another Manor, and Circle C minus quality dual teepads.

IMO, the more the merrier. Holes A & B @ the Ridge are by far the most memorable. Circle C & Manor don't even come close to having the extreme elevation changes & pin placements that the Ridge has. IMO, the Ridge is far more challenging (requires ultra precision from your first shot till your last) than both Manor & Circle C. There isn't one grip & rip hole out @ the Ridge (w/ the exception of maybe #12 from the long box) I've heard that the Ridge is waiting on concrete tees to make sure the placement is ideal. Kudos for their patience! :clap:

[DGtourist]

IMO, the more the merrier. Holes A & B @ the Ridge are by far the most memorable. Circle C & Manor don't even come close to having the extreme elevation changes & pin placements that the Ridge has. IMO, the Ridge is far more challenging (requires ultra precision from your first shot till your last) than both Manor & Circle C. There isn't one grip & rip hole out @ the Ridge (w/ the exception of maybe #12 from the long box) I've heard that the Ridge is waiting on concrete tees to make sure the placement is ideal. Kudos for their patience! :clap:

I don't know dude, Manor is still pretty hilly, to say that it don't even come close to having the extreme elevation changes is a stretch. The ONLY thing I give Ridge over manor is location, but then Cricle C has Ridge beat on that one. I'm also a little bit schocked at how many beer cans have already started to appear. But that's the fault of creeps.

Ridge reminds me of a Colorado course more than any of the others, but then again, like Ridge, most of those are still 4's and lower too.

PLUS its not as OMG hard as some are making it out to be.

[FRIZZLE TOSSLER]

I don't know dude, Manor is still pretty hilly, to say that it don't even come close to having the extreme elevation changes is a stretch. The ONLY thing I give Ridge over manor is location, but then Cricle C has Ridge beat on that one. I'm also a little bit schocked at how many beer cans have already started to appear. But that's the fault of creeps.

Ridge reminds me of a Colorado course more than any of the others, but then again, like Ridge, most of those are still 4's and lower too.

PLUS its not as OMG hard as some are making it out to be.

I think the key word I was trying to get across is "extreme" elevation changes. I know that both courses still only technically have "hills" & not mountains, but the elevation changes seem much more pronounced @ the Ridge course. I haven't really gotten to play any "mountain courses" so I can't really compare to courses in CO & such.

I am curious... which course in TX that you've gotten to play is more challenging than the Ridge course?? To me, Circle C & Manor are far more forgiving than the Ridge @ this point in time... but then again that might be because I've played Circle C & Manor dozens upon dozens of times & only played the Ridge all the way through 3 or so times.

[judson]

:popcorn:

[tstack10]

Played manor on my last trip and after living in Austin for five years and playing tons of courses manor is really amazing. I played it during a hot humid day after it had been pouring and still was a blast. Location is out there a ways but worth the drive. Circle c is and always has been great to play on south Austin

[DGtourist]

I think the key word I was trying to get across is "extreme" elevation changes. I know that both courses still only technically have "hills" & not mountains, but the elevation changes seem much more pronounced @ the Ridge course. I haven't really gotten to play any "mountain courses" so I can't really compare to courses in CO & such.

I am curious... which course in TX that you've gotten to play is more challenging than the Ridge course?? To me, Circle C & Manor are far more forgiving than the Ridge @ this point in time... but then again that might be because I've played Circle C & Manor dozens upon dozens of times & only played the Ridge all the way through 3 or so times.

I've only played Ridge once but I can think of rounds at Manor where I got into a ton of trouble. Also I have only played 22 TX courses so far. So I cant really answer any. I get the feeling that you and I like the same things in courses. We should meet up and play Ridge sometime after winter goes back up to where it belongs.

I argue in faovor of rating CC and Manor higher than Ridge based mostly on things that Ridge can improve, like cement and trashcans. Ridge just hasnt had the money and time put into it that both CC and Manor have and the reviews so far do not reflect this.

Based soley on the land I could have them all or let a coin flip decide. I LOVE the elevated creek at Manor that guards the green at number 11 like a moat. As far as a course kicking my ass...... well, I'm not a pro anyway so I'm always expecting my ass to get kicked out there.

[FRIZZLE TOSSLER]

I've only played Ridge once but I can think of rounds at Manor where I got into a ton of trouble. Also I have only played 22 TX courses so far. So I cant really answer any. I get the feeling that you and I like the same things in courses. We should meet up and play Ridge sometime after winter goes back up to where it belongs.

I argue in faovor of rating CC and Manor higher than Ridge based mostly on things that Ridge can improve, like cement and trashcans. Ridge just hasnt had the money and time put into it that both CC and Manor have and the reviews so far do not reflect this.

Based soley on the land I could have them all or let a coin flip decide. I LOVE the elevated creek at Manor that guards the green at number 11 like a moat. As far as a course kicking my ass...... well, I'm not a pro anyway so I'm always expecting my ass to get kicked out there.

Please don't get me wrong... I LOVE Manor & CC & they are both tough, great courses. If I were to rate them, I'd give CC a 5, Manor a 4.5, & The Ridge 4.

Circle C is just the most complete course in town w/ the dual practice baskets, concrete tees & signs on virtually every hole. The framed boxes, benches, and trash cans are top-notch as well. I don't really know if they could make it any nicer if they tried.

Only knock on Manor would be the lack of a designated practice basket, the short boxes aren't long enough, & the fact that they'll lock u in if you're not out of the park a few minutes before dark. :thmbdown: #11 is a super sweet hole. I always seem to develop a case of butt pucker when I'm putting over the moat. :D Manor tore me a new one yesterday. I was tossin' like utter poo-poo.

My personal favorite is The Ridge... mostly b/c of the pure challenge, the extreme elevation changes, the unique pin placements & the newness of it to me. That place has a LOT of potential. The fairways do seem tighter than both CC & Manor & I absolutely love the challenge of hitting that perfect line. There is a lot of work to be done out there, mainly w/ the boxes. I really don't mind packing out my trash (w/ the exception of my dog's poo-poo), but obviously many other people don't feel the same way.

We should definately meet up for a round some time. I'm gunna be up in DFW most of next week for work, but would be up for a weekend round if weather permits. Take care buddy. :)

[Tacitus]

Austin Bible Ridge!

[DGtourist]

Please don't get me wrong... I LOVE Manor & CC & they are both tough, great courses. If I were to rate them, I'd give CC a 5, Manor a 4.5, & The Ridge 4.

Circle C is just the most complete course in town w/ the dual practice baskets, concrete tees & signs on virtually every hole. The framed boxes, benches, and trash cans are top-notch as well. I don't really know if they could make it any nicer if they tried.

Only knock on Manor would be the lack of a designated practice basket, the short boxes aren't long enough, & the fact that they'll lock u in if you're not out of the park a few minutes before dark. :thmbdown: #11 is a super sweet hole. I always seem to develop a case of butt pucker when I'm putting over the moat. :D Manor tore me a new one yesterday. I was tossin' like utter poo-poo.

My personal favorite is The Ridge... mostly b/c of the pure challenge, the extreme elevation changes, the unique pin placements & the newness of it to me. That place has a LOT of potential. The fairways do seem tighter than both CC & Manor & I absolutely love the challenge of hitting that perfect line. There is a lot of work to be done out there, mainly w/ the boxes. I really don't mind packing out my trash (w/ the exception of my dog's poo-poo), but obviously many other people don't feel the same way.

We should definately meet up for a round some time. I'm gunna be up in DFW most of next week for work, but would be up for a weekend round if weather permits. Take care buddy. :)


I think we are in total agreement. The trashcan comment was directed at the Ridge users who have found the trees and bushes to be suitable for their empties. I'll PM you my avail times next week as soon as I get my schedule. Then we'll see what works.

[orion487]

Thanks to everyone who replied. We were able to hit Circle C, Pease Park, and a few holes of (muddy) Wilco, and had a great time! Take care