Seattle and Portland in early may

[gottafixit]

I am possiblly presented with the opportunity to travel to Seattle in early May. If I go I will pretty much just be playing DG for at least four day in the Seattle and likely if it's worth it the Portland areas. So I ask for opinions and suggestions as well as if it's even worth it if that time a year is known for none stop rain or something. Fill me in on some of the area details. Thanks

[Hippy007]

could be any type of weather but yesterday i was out in a tee shirt playing. I from Portland and don't know much about Seattle disc golf. I and around portland you have really three big ones. Hornings, Milo and Timber, or Pier and Dabney. All are great courses.

If you want some info about a local course ask...

Hippy007

[gottafixit]

I guess I want to know more about the time of year and the weather, is it typically pretty cool and sunny that time a year. Last thing I want to do is fly from the east coast to the west coast to get rained on everyday. Also the peoples opinions on the top courses in the area help.

[tallpaul]

Spring is always a crap shoot. Southern points tend to have the very best of the spring weather; however, this year, I think the whole country is going to be a crap shoot; until May, maybe even June. A little rain never hurt anyone; beats the heck out of snow.

[Hippy007]

I would agree with Paul. Until you get closer and could give you better idea, but I would guess there there would be a 50/50 chance of rain or sun. Most of the courses here are in big trees so unless it is really wet it is not bad. All the big courses around Portland also have concrete tees. Highs should be mid 50's in the rain that time of year or 65+ if sunny.... Mud and ponds could be ever present too if it has rained a lot recently.

Hippy007

[gottafixit]

Thanks for the weather info. I'd love to get another country bagged and was looking at Canada, is it worth the drive to Vancouver? Are any of the Canada courses around Seattle with the trip?

[Hippy007]

No problem about the weather. I know nothing about BC. you could ask around. Around here it is all about how much you want to drive.

Hippy007

[Tim_the_Enchanter]

There are a few noteworthy courses in the Seattle area, especially if you include Tacoma and the west side of the Sound. I always recommend a trip to the peninsula and a ferry ride back for discing visitors to Seattle. The Portland area is definitely the disc golf mecca of the NW though, lots of good golf there. As for Vancouver, BC, I think there's one course in that area that's good for experienced players, and a few that are pitch and putts. There's also supposed to be a couple cool courses on Vancouver Island, but I haven't played them.

[gottafixit]

No problem about the weather. I know nothing about BC. you could ask around. Around here it is all about how much you want to drive.

Hippy007

I've played almost the whole east coast within so many miles of 95, so as it stand playing a new course normally means driving a couple hours at least. The trip premise is the girl is going out to seattle with some of her friends and seeing as there are some many courses in those two areas I said hey why don't I come along, she says but it's a girls trip, and I said don't fear I will be renting a car playing DG all day every day while we are there. Driving is half the fun, the question is where to play.

[captain jack]

No one can answer your question easily, the weather does what the weather wants.

Seattle, despite the perception in the rest of the country, does not get alot of rainfall, far less rain than say , Houston, Texas.
That being said, it can drizzle here for weeks at a time.
May is a crapshoot month. If you want the best chance of experiencing sunshine here, come in August.

Usually there are different micro climates within driving distance, for instance, any destination east of the Cascade mountains here, in May, should be dry, its more of a desert.
So Spokane, Yakima, Tri-Cities and Wenatchee could be good day trips when its raining in Seattle.

Portland is 3 hours south, usually a few degrees warmer than Seattle in May, and can have completely different weather, so you could find nice weather there.

Vancouver, B.C. is usually wetter in May, as is the Bellingham, Wa. area.

[gottafixit]

So tickets are paid for will be flying to Seattle on may 5th and leaving on the 11th. I am probably going a bit over board but I have roughed out a itinerary so let me know what you think. The rough overall Itinerary Looks like

- wednesday - the 5th get in at 6:30pm so not likely playing any courses that day
- thursday - Seattle, I figured I'd play most of the courses on the west side of the sound(Nad and Dalaiwood are included)
- friday - head to Vancouver to get another Country under my belt, playing on the way there, around town, and back
- Saturday - head to Portland getting in lucky Mudd and hornings hideout,
- Sunday - Portland, hit up milo, timber, dabney, peir park, and maybe a couple 9 holes then driving back to Seattle
- Monday - Seattle, hit most of the courses on the east side of the sound.
- Tuesday fly back at 8:30

[TimMcD]

Hey, I live close to the hornings hideout courses and you can make a whole day out of those three beautiful courses. Obviously, you need to play Milo Mciver and while your in that area, Timber park is close. Pier park is a must play too and its more inside of portland. Also, I would hit up trojan park which is N of portland.

[gottafixit]

Hey, I live close to the hornings hideout courses and you can make a whole day out of those three beautiful courses. Obviously, you need to play Milo Mciver and while your in that area, Timber park is close. Pier park is a must play too and its more inside of portland. Also, I would hit up trojan park which is N of portland.

thanks for the promos, I'm drooling about the courses I have lined up, and all those you mentioned made the list. I just hope my arm doesn't fall off, i've got quite the schedge.

[Posey Ching]

so how did the NW trip go? What Oregon courses did you hit up?

I was reading this old post and was a little surprised that nobody mentioned Rooster Rock. You need to spend at least a week in Portland to experience the real deal Holyfield though...

[gottafixit]

I fly into Seattle on the 5th and fly out on the 11th, Playing every day in between, last schedule was Vancouver and back on the 6th, portland and back on the 7th and 8th, seattle and surrounds on the 9th and 10th. I'm really looking forward to this.

[360DiscGolfer]

If you are going up to Bremerton area and plan on playing courses Like NAD and Dalaiwood (both are great) then you should think about Kitsap and Fredericksen. Both courses are great IMO, Kitsap is brutal and challenging with lots of elevation changes and thick fairways. Fredericksen Wilderness Park has to be my favorite in the area, short fairways but very technical (can you tell I like wooded courses?). I recently played about 12 courses in the Bremerton/Seattle area (all over actually) and Fredericksen was probably my favorite. Then again if you like big open courses these may not be for you...

Any disc trip I plan in the NW starts with one website:

http://www.oregondiscgolf.com/washington_map.html?full_screen=1

You will find every course in WA mapped out and there is a link for all of the OR courses at the bottom.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g302/certifiedpet/e29cc06c.jpg

This is the last hole at Fredericksen, the photo doesn't do it justice - the drop off is MASSIVE and has ravines on each side. This course is not for beginners...

Have fun on your trip and YES, play the OR courses too. Horning's Hideout is my favorite course around here.

[gottafixit]

I have roughed out the two Seattle days and they look like this.
- Mineral Springs, Fircrest, Terrace Creek, Bicentenial Park, Fredericksom, Kitsap, Nad, Van Zee Dalaiwood, and Volunteer Park
-Lakewood King County, Seatac, Lake Fenwick, White River, Riverside, Fort Steailacoom

I will be hitting up the big names in portland as over two days and a day trip to Vancouver and back. It's still up in the air a bit as to what day will be what but I like to bite off mor than a can chew.

[tallpaul]

When I had the chance to play at Fort Stelicom; we arrived late in the day and only got to play about 12 holes with a couple of "no teeth" locals...fun dudes. Anyway, they claimed there were 54 or more pins in the ground there!!!! No tees markers though and many tees for each hole (lots of layouts there evidently/so I would suggest a guide or map or something). In other words, you may want to alot more time for that course than it would appear you are.

[360DiscGolfer]

I can tell you right now you will have issues navigating both Riverside and Fort Steailacoom (everyone does). Steailacoom is insane and has like 300 something ways to play it (ok maybe like 16). It's basically two courses that run into each other. Maps are great but guides are better. I got really lucky at riverside and a local quickly snatched me and my friend up with him as we were confused at hole 2. Both courses are great, the biggest thing people find is they will get frustrated playing them the first few times due to navigation issues. Both are great courses, they are just designed with locals in mind. Oh and when you get to Steailacoom go straight past the elevated tee that says "hole 1" and head down to the big parking lot, there are many "hole 1's".

[gottafixit]

thanks for the heads up, Glad it's at the end of the day then so I can play late.

[captain jack]

I have roughed out the two Seattle days and they look like this.
- Mineral Springs, Fircrest, Terrace Creek, Bicentenial Park, Fredericksom, Kitsap, Nad, Van Zee Dalaiwood, and Volunteer Park


Fircrest is just five short holes in a field, no maps, no tees, you could skip it to conserve time.

Bicentennial Park is an old object course, but nobody really plays it any more.

Mineral Springs is short and crowded.

Terrace Creek is the only course in the greater Seattle area you mentioned for your first day, thats actually worth playing.

Kitsap, NAD, and Dalaiwood are across the Puget Sound from the courses above, and will require either a ferry ride, or a 3 hour drive, possibly with traffic jams, so you need to factor this into your schedule.

Try to play both Lake Stevens, and Twin Rivers in Arlington, if you can.
These courses are both north of Seattle, but worth playing if you have the time.

You will want a guide for Seatac, and a guide for Terrace Creek would be helpful too, with its new layout, and serious brush to hide your discs.
Bring orange, red and pink discs if possible, to shorten the amount of time you have to spend looking, so you have more time for playing.

[Posey Ching]

Hey, I live close to the hornings hideout courses and you can make a whole day out of those three beautiful courses. Obviously, you need to play Milo Mciver and while your in that area, Timber park is close. Pier park is a must play too and its more inside of portland. Also, I would hit up trojan park which is N of portland.

It's true. The Oregon course that you want to play at Horning's is Meadow Ridge and it might take you over 3 hours just to accomplish that one. And you will definitely get a workout on the legs walking up and down the large hills. Just the walk up the big hill to the #1 tee pad is brutal.

[gottafixit]

Thanks for the advice and tips on where to get guides. I try to play everything in my path, but I know which ones to cut if time is running short. I up in the air at the moment as some new twist have come into play and were not sure yet if it will impact my plans. I'll keep everyone posted.

[aarikc17]

PM'd ya

[360DiscGolfer]

Kitsap, NAD, and Dalaiwood are across the Puget Sound from the courses above, and will require either a ferry ride, or a 3 hour drive, possibly with traffic jams, so you need to factor this into your schedule.

All 3 of these courses are well worth the drive IMO.

[gottafixit]

Fly in wednesday so the fun starts thursday. Still not sure exactly what days(ie two seattle days, one north of seattle day, and two portland days) are what but I can't wait.

[gottafixit]

Doing my prep work and noticed Dalaiwood says call for directions and then doesn't have a number. Can anyone help me on with this one?

[Hippy007]

It's true. The Oregon course that you want to play at Horning's is Meadow Ridge and it might take you over 3 hours just to accomplish that one. And you will definitely get a workout on the legs walking up and down the large hills. Just the walk up the big hill to the #1 tee pad is brutal.

This is so true, to do all three at Horning's you will need at least 6-8 hours. Longer if it is windy or sunny out. Aslo if you loose anything out there let me know and I will try to find it and let the few other Disc finders know where to look.

As for Meadow Ridge it is big, that big walk up to one is so worth it thou. Most people walk out over par and very tired.

Here is the final info for Meadow Ridge:

Lengths:
1 -- -- -- 325 ft
2 -- -- -- 390 ft
3 -- -- -- 295 ft
4 -- -- -- 260 ft
5 -- -- -- 255 ft
6 -- -- -- 280 ft
7 -- -- -- 425 ft Par 4 - Pro Par 3
8 -- -- -- 420 ft
9 -- -- -- 310 ft
10 -- -- -- 550 ft Par 4
11 -- -- -- 280 ft
12 -- -- -- 405 ft
13 -- -- -- 325 ft
14 -- -- -- 575 ft Par 4
15 -- -- -- 265 ft
16 -- -- -- 930 ft Par 5
17 -- -- -- 320 ft
18 -- -- -- 425 ft
Totals: Blue Par 59 - Gold Par 58 -- -- -- 7035 ft

Elevation Changes:
Elevation changes from the tee pads. There are a couple of holes that rise and falls before the target, I listed that too:
Hole 1. -28' (downhill)
Hole 2. -11'
Hole 3. -25'
Hole 4. +33' (uphill)
Hole 5. -16'
Hole 6. + 39' to plateau, then +15' to target for total of +54'
Hole 7. +19 to plateau, then -15 to target, for a total of +4
Hole 8. -124
Hole 9. -31 to make it below target, the +19 for a total of -12
Hole 10. +10
Hole 11. +31
Hole 12. -45
Hole 13. +30
Hole 14. -57
Hole 15. +11
Hole 16. +13 to high point in field (50' from woods) then -25 to target, total of -12
Hole 17. +31
Hole 18. +16

Need anything else just ask.

Hippy007

[aarikc17]

Doing my prep work and noticed Dalaiwood says call for directions and then doesn't have a number. Can anyone help me on with this one?

You call because it is at Scott Papa's house. He doesn't want just anyone playing it at any time. He just wants to show you a map of the course and give some basic rules of the course. He has some neighbors that don't exactly love the sport of disc golf.

[captain jack]

You can contact Scott Papa about Dalaiwood,his # is here,http://www.nwdiscgolfnews.com/forum/showthread.php?t=866

[Incognito1989]

Not sure if your coming this far north but there is an exceptional course designed by a pro with some water hazards and 500+ holes in ferndale at vanderyacht park

[gottafixit]

Not sure if your coming this far north but there is an exceptional course designed by a pro with some water hazards and 500+ holes in ferndale at vanderyacht park

I'm dipping in and out of canada so I can add another country to the list, and then hitting vander on the drive back.

[gottafixit]

At the border crossing. playing langley passive park then turning around and playing my way back to Seattle. Vanderyacht park is next on the list.

[Hippy007]

I will be at Horning's All Fri and Sat. If you are out there eather day hit me up and I will show you around some.

Hippy007

[Hippy007]

Make that just Sat have to work Fri.....

Hippy007

[aarikc17]

I will be out at NAD tomorrow (fri)

[gottafixit]

quite a busy day packed in 12 courses, and a lot of pictures to upload. Highlight of the day was Mossy Roc, if anyone reading this has had a hand in that thanks.

Again there has been exciting changes in the whats going on when department, One of the co travelers has taken ill and is in the hospital at the moment so i'm not sure what i'm doing in the morning. I was going to be headed to portland but now it's a bit of wait and see. Thanks for the heads up on where people will be i'll keep ya'll post.

[gottafixit]

Looks like i'll be doing the western sound tomorrow starting with mineral and terrace then catching a ferry and working down toward daliawood. If you want to meet up Give me a call and we can talk times.

Daniel
407-923-8998

[gottafixit]

What a test today has been. Some good courses on the west side. Have to figure out fine print but think tomorrow Im headed to Portland. Horning's hideout likely the focus of the day.

[gottafixit]

so didn't make it to portland today in stead finished off the east side of Seattle. All I can say is Seatac is under rated and the area needs to come together and get that place a second set of baskets. It deserves to be dual tees and dual baskets. I mean steal 18 from stealicom and riverside and make that place a solid 5. but enough of that rant

tomorrow, i'll be headed to portland, lucky mudd and hornings hideout are the biggies. I will be crashing at a motel near milo then starting there on sunday with timber, dabney and peir park on the schedge as well. can't wait.

[360DiscGolfer]

Have fun at Lucky Mudd (and oh you will)! I'm sure your schedule is busy but anytime I play Lucky Mudd I have to stop at Skyline, where else can you play disc golf on manicured fairways with an actual golf cart?

[Posey Ching]

Horning's Hideout Meadow Ridge, McIver, Pier....must plays.

[Disc Dog]

No one can answer your question easily, the weather does what the weather wants.

Seattle, despite the perception in the rest of the country, does not get alot of rainfall, far less rain than say , Houston, Texas.
That being said, it can drizzle here for weeks at a time.
May is a crapshoot month. If you want the best chance of experiencing sunshine here, come in August.

Usually there are different micro climates within driving distance, for instance, any destination east of the Cascade mountains here, in May, should be dry, its more of a desert.
So Spokane, Yakima, Tri-Cities and Wenatchee could be good day trips when its raining in Seattle.

Portland is 3 hours south, usually a few degrees warmer than Seattle in May, and can have completely different weather, so you could find nice weather there.

Vancouver, B.C. is usually wetter in May, as is the Bellingham, Wa. area.

First of all, How dare you go without me.

I am originally from the Spokane area. Jack hit it right on the head. If you have good weather or do not mind playing in the drizzle there are many good courses in that area. If you want to take a ride traveling over to Spokane and playing Downriver it is a great experience and well worth the trip. It will take you about 5 to 6 hours for the drive.

If you play in Seattle Seatac is not worth the trouble unless someone goes with you.

[360DiscGolfer]

If you play in Seattle Seatac is not worth the trouble unless someone goes with you.

I hear this a lot, SeaTac seems to be a love it or hate it course. I have only played there once but I loved the whole thing. My buddy who was with us, (a very casual golfer, only owns a few disc's) got so frustrated that he gave up on hole 4, claimed he was retiring from disc golf and proceeded to give away his disc's. He tends to blow things out of the water but it can be a frustrating course. I personally wish I lived closer to it...

[captain jack]

I hear this a lot, SeaTac seems to be a love it or hate it course. I have only played there once but I loved the whole thing. My buddy who was with us, (a very casual golfer, only owns a few disc's) got so frustrated that he gave up on hole 4, claimed he was retiring from disc golf and proceeded to give away his disc's. He tends to blow things out of the water but it can be a frustrating course. I personally wish I lived closer to it...

I'm laughing my ass off reading this.
I play Seatac once a week. Two rounds today.
#4 is what we commonly refer to as the " Welcome To Seatac " hole. :D
It's narrow, has OB from tee to basket on the left, and wall after wall of trees and bushes, from ground level to over 100' high.
Two well placed tunnel shots will put you in easy reach of a par, but there are many more 6's than there are 3's on this hole, and birdies are extremely rare.

[360DiscGolfer]

Haha yeah hole 4 definitely stands out when I think of SeaTac. Just walking up on the secluded tee pad and seeing the distance on the sign (420') gave me reason to celebrate. I'm pretty sure I lost my buddy's disc that same round but I had a blast, can't wait to go again.

[aarikc17]

I'm glad you liked SeaTac. It is my favorite course in Washington.

[gottafixit]

Well I'm back on the east coast after a full day of plane travel. :( I'll get into more detail later but wanted to post some quick thoughts. First off never made it to hornings, very very sad about this(details in another post). Second the highlights of the trip, they were Mossy Roc, Seatac, Lucky Mud, and Skyline. Ended up with a total of 39 courses in five days, a couple blisters and some how hurt my ankle.

[360DiscGolfer]

Ended up with a total of 39 courses in five days, a couple blisters and some how hurt my ankle.

Wait - what? 39 courses in 5 days? By my calculations...beep bop beep... thats 7.8 courses a day. Now Im not a mathematician but I play a lot of disc golf and that seems a lil on the high side. But really if you did then, jesus, take a break already!

[gottafixit]

Wait - what? 39 courses in 5 days? By my calculations...beep bop beep... thats 7.8 courses a day. Now Im not a mathematician but I play a lot of disc golf and that seems a lil on the high side. But really if you did then, jesus, take a break already!

I don't kid around on my round trips(I also played all those 9 holes most people wouldn't), I was up between 5 and 6 every morning and out till the sunset most days. Not an easy task but you can keep a good pace if your playing solo like I do most of the time.

[gottafixit]

If you play in Seattle Seatac is not worth the trouble unless someone goes with you.

I thought Seatac was very easy to navigate and a joy to play. I will go out on a limb and say the overall best course I played on my trip. I think Mossy Roc and Lucky Mudd have to fight for most fun(think Lucky mud would edge it out though).

[tallpaul]

My point was going to be; don't you ever play with anyone else; because the only way to play that many, was to do it solo. It IS fun to share time with others. :)

[gottafixit]

I did. I managed to meet up with aarikc17 for a round at kitsap and NAD, then I also played with I believe Bob at Lucky Mudd. I Like to play with others but it's a catch 22 as it then takes longer to play a round and thus you don't get to play as many courses. I had a few more on the schedge but they got bumped, like Hornings much to my chagrin(and not because I meet up with aarik17).

[captain jack]

Second the highlights of the trip, they were Mossy Roc, Seatac, Lucky Mud, and Skyline.

I thought Seatac was very easy to navigate and a joy to play. I will go out on a limb and say the overall best course I played on my trip

Ok you need to stop gushing before half the east coast shows up here.

I think its important to make sure everyone knows Seatac has rabid bunnies and crows with swine flu as well as mosquitos the size of your head that all carry the West Nile Virus.

Jus' sayin'.

[Posey Ching]

you should be salty for missing Horning's. not too many 52 hole (3 18-holers) courses out there with beautiful scenery and loud and flaming peacocks. not to mention that Meadow Ridge might be the best in OR.

[gottafixit]

you should be salty for missing Horning's. not too many 52 hole (3 18-holers) courses out there with beautiful scenery and loud and flaming peacocks. not to mention that Meadow Ridge might be the best in OR.

So the brief hornings drama and why I didn't get to play it. The trip was suppose to be day 1 north of seattle, days 2 and 3 Portland, days 4 and 5 Seattle. This didn't happen, I didn't get to leave for portland till day 4 so then the plan was for day 4 to start at lucky mudd and end at hornings, then crash in a motel near milo. After I finished trojan and was on schedge to make hornings I followed my navi into the mountains, this was a bad Idea as the road it took me on didn't connect(I was coming from the north so the directions on the page were from the southeast). This delayed me a bit and by the time I would have gotten there I wouldn't have been able to play them all. So I put it off and played peir and dabney instead. the next morning I play milo and it's raining, then as I start to play peir for some strange reason my left ankle is in great pain(don't know what caused it very weird). So given the rain/wetness and my now hurt leg I didn't want to suffer threw such a great course as it might sour my opinion of it. Luck would have it that I didn't get to play as much of portland as I wanted so I will be back but I was extremely sad I didn't get to play it this trip as Milo which is currently listed as the highest in the state didn't live up to it's top ten status.

[gottafixit]

The trip break down(bolded courses are worth the drive)

May 5th - Flew in and picked up the rental car

6th - Drove to Canada and played back to Seattle
- Langley Passive Park, VanderYacht Park, Cornwall Park, Mossy Roc DGC, NSRA DGC, Bakerview Park, Twin Rivers, Lake Stevens DGC, Ferguson Park, Juel Community Park, Bicentennial Park, and Fircrest DGC

7th - Played just north of Seattle and then the west side of the sound meeting up with aarikc17
- Mineral Springs Park, Terrace Creek, Fredericksen DGC, Kitsap Fairgrounds DGC, NAD Park, Van Zee Park, and Dalaiwood

8th - Played the east side of the sound
- Fort Steilacoom Park, Riverside DG Park, White River, Lake Fenwick, Seatac DGC, Lakewood King County Park, and Sanislo Elementary

9th - Drove to portlan playing along the way
- Twin Cedars DGC, Lucky Mud DGC, Skyline Golf Course, Trojan Park, Pier Park, Dabney State Park, Rockwood Central Park, Vance Park, and Portland Adventist Elem. School

10th - End up driving back a bit early due to my leg hurting
- Milo McIver State Park, Timber Park, Trout Creek Bible Camp, Yauger Park

11th - first flight out got cancelled, turned in the rental car which I had put 1136 miles on and flew home

[Posey Ching]

Whistler's Bend is listed as the highest in Oregon but that would've been a lot farther south for you. Although if you had the time, much worth it.

I think most people either love or hate McIver. If you throw under 300 you probably won't like it. I think the big arms and pros tend to like it because of its ball golf and professional feel. Plus, you really can't take that top 10 list seriously at all.

I like Meadow Ridge at Horning's more than McIver. The only reason it hasn't shown up on the top 10 list is because it's a newer course that hasn't received enough reviews. I think it needs a minimum of 10 reviews to show up. Not that it matters though.

Rooster Rock is a highly underrated Oregon course in my opinion. People diss it because of the dense roughs but that course is amazing. It's actually split up as 2 9-holers on this site but in reality it's an 18-holer. There's just a very short drive in the same park to get to the other 9.

And that sucks about your ankle. But shoot, understandable with that amount of DG in a short period.

Here is a very long but very good quote from the head hancho TimG himself about the top 10 list…

Sure, the courses on the Top 10 list aren't necessarily the best courses, but there are so many factors it is impossible to have a Top 10 that really is "The Best" IMHO. I personally believe there are better East Coast courses than the couple we have on the Top 10, but there are far more opinions than just mine.

I think the biggest factor that determines a course rating for most reviewers is "Fun Factor"... and what I really mean is "Fun Factor relative to other courses they have played." -- a person who hasn't played courses of different levels across the country will base their relative scale on what they have played. And that will mean a lot of bias from some people who haven't traveled much, and it will also mean a lot of bias from some people who have a lot more FUN at certain courses than others.

Flip City -- our #1 course -- is a great example of this. It's an amazing course for people of all skill levels. Beautiful land, good hole variety, gracious hosts, free camping, etc, etc, etc. Fun factor is off the scale. But is it the best tournament course? No. Does it have the best amenities? No. Is it the most beautiful? No. Does it have a lot of layouts to meet different skill levels (like multiple sets of concrete tees and multiple baskets per hole)? No. But it wins because it has the highest Fun Factor for the greatest number of people.

I'm looking at the Top 100 to see trends, and you definitely see courses that are overrated. I'll talk about Texas and Michigan, since I've played courses in both those areas... The two Hudson Mills courses in Ann Arbor are both in the Top 40. They are nice courses, but there is no way they deserve Top 40 status. There are so much better courses in other places, but that area has a lot of disc golfers and a lot of local support and they are above average for their area of the country. So they get inflated ratings. Same with some of the Texas courses, like Harry Meyer in Rockwall, coming in right now at #34 with a 4.38 rating. That course is a 4.00 at best, on a good day when it is dried out and well tended. But in many ways, it has some of the most exciting holes in the DFW area, which has a tremendous number of disc golfers and tremendous representation on this board, so it has an artificially high number of 4.5 and 5.0 ratings from people who haven't played broadly and think that Harry Meyer is as good as it gets.

These two issues -- Fun Factor as the lowest common denominator, and regional bias based on limited experience -- are impossible to overcome with a public ratings system. To counter the second problem, you'd need an elitist rating system comprised of only reviewers who have played 100+ courses in 20+ states (or something like that) to help ensure fair reviews, and you'd still suffer from the biases of individual reviewer preferences... the Fun Factor still dominates.

IMHO, the two Paw Paw courses -- Whippin' Post and The Woodshed -- deserve the ratings they get because Paw Paw is the most fun place to play disc golf in the entire country... at least in my 160+ course experience... it's a private course with amazing camping and total separation from the busy pressures of daily life. It is a paradise, an escape, a zen experience of disc golf immersion. And when that total experience is so amazing, of course there will be a lot of 5.0 reviews. If either of those courses were lifted onto public land in the middle of a city park, there is no way they would have 5.0 ratings, but in their context, they deserve a 5.0 because they are 5.0 worth of fun and an experience unlike any other in the country. And having both courses on the same land increases the score -- you have more to chose from, all available outside your tent. It's one of those instances where the rating is way more than just the physical layout and amenities of the course itself.

You also have to factor in player level. A young blue/gold tournament player with unlimited energy won't care about most amenities and will favor longer, harder courses for the sheer challenge. An older red/white casual player will likely favor course that aren't as much of a physical challenge and will care more about great teeboxes, benches, layout that goes back by the car after 9 holes, etc... these are gross generalizations, but still relevant.

We'll never have a perfect review system, but as it is, we do have a system here that helps us pinpoint the courses most worth our time in any particular area of the country. Anyone who is a local disc golfer will -- eventually -- play every course in the area, regardless of rating, just to try it firsthand. Anyone who is traveling can come to this site and find the highest rated courses in any part of the country so they know where to prioritize when they visit an area. I think that is the PURPOSE of this site, and for that purpose, this site works incredibly well.

A truly objective ranking of all the courses in the country just isn't possible -- and wouldn't necessarily be helpful. The system as it stands, with the ability to read people's reviews, take those reviews in context, and figure out what will be best for ME when I go looking for new courses, is an amazing system and works well as is. The top 10 courses is just Internet bragging rights, no more than that.

[Disc Dog]

I thought Seatac was very easy to navigate and a joy to play. I will go out on a limb and say the overall best course I played on my trip. I think Mossy Roc and Lucky Mudd have to fight for most fun(think Lucky mud would edge it out though).

I am glad you had a great time. There are a lot of great courses in the Northwest. :thmbup:

Seatac can be okay if you have an accurate map or a guide. For shear difficulty it is a joy to play. But the lack of signs, poor maintenance (when I played there), thick and mean underbrush and some other things I did not enjoy myself.

My favorite is in Spokane. If you go back the drive to Downriver is worth it.

[gottafixit]

I forgot about whistler's as it to far south for this trip, and I really wanted to play horning's because if it stood up to the hype I would have gotten it one review closer to the top ten.

As for tims statement he is complete correct how fun factor plays alot on ratings and regional bias comes into play, but I fall into that heavy hitter catagory, were as I went into this trip with 200 courses and 15 states. The only thing I'm sad about really is that the ratings and reviews are connected because I won't write 39 reviews about my trip to the NW but I would greatly like to rate them as imho the more ratings the more accurate the rating and there is a overwhelming number of players that have played courses and not reviewed them that were missing out on getting there opinion. I'll try and sit down at some moment and rate the course and post them in this or another thread, just so it's out there.

Whistler's Bend is listed as the highest in Oregon but that would've been a lot farther south for you. Although if you had the time, much worth it.

I think most people either love or hate McIver. If you throw under 300 you probably won't like it. I think the big arms and pros tend to like it because of its ball golf and professional feel. Plus, you really can't take that top 10 list seriously at all.

I like Meadow Ridge at Horning's more than McIver. The only reason it hasn't shown up on the top 10 list is because it's a newer course that hasn't received enough reviews. I think it needs a minimum of 10 reviews to show up. Not that it matters though.

Rooster Rock is a highly underrated Oregon course in my opinion. People diss it because of the dense roughs but that course is amazing. It's actually split up as 2 9-holers on this site but in reality it's an 18-holer. There's just a very short drive in the same park to get to the other 9.

And that sucks about your ankle. But shoot, understandable with that amount of DG in a short period.

Here is a very long but very good quote from the head hancho TimG himself about the top 10 list…

[360DiscGolfer]

That is an epic list, truly. Now I'm going to ask you about only one of the courses, and it is an unlikely one: Trout Creek Bible Camp. I'm actually surprised you got to play this course, most people around Portland have never heard of it let alone played it. My buddy once called them and they said it was not open to the public and that they didn't know why people kept listing them on disc golf websites. How was it?

[Posey Ching]

That is an epic list, truly. Now I'm going to ask you about only one of the courses, and it is an unlikely one: Trout Creek Bible Camp. I'm actually surprised you got to play this course, most people around Portland have never heard of it let alone played it. My buddy once called them and they said it was not open to the public and that they didn't know why people kept listing them on disc golf websites. How was it?

i experienced the same exact thing a few years back. Called them and they wouldn't let me play it. One day I almost just walked onto it and played it really quick since it's just a 9-holer. You could always act dumb and say you didn't know it was private lol. From the looks of it, it looked like a cool 9-holer. And it's in the same area as Dabney.

[360DiscGolfer]

i experienced the same exact thing a few years back. Called them and they wouldn't let me play it. One day I almost just walked onto it and played it really quick since it's just a 9-holer. You could always act dumb and say you didn't know it was private lol. From the looks of it, it looked like a cool 9-holer. And it's in the same area as Dabney.

From the looks of it Im not sure how you could "walk onto it", since its on private church property in the middle of nowhere. I just simply dont get this course. Someone went out of there way to list it on DGCR, right down to the course length, yet no one can play there (except gottafixit). I understand it being a church and all they dont want outsiders messing it up, but with concrete pads and mach 3's, share the wealth (not to mention gain exposure for the church)!

Gottafixit - course review?

[gottafixit]

I've got photos and there will be a review. I was at timber park and headed back to seattle so I figured I would head out that way and give it a shot, plus I saw a awesome looking restaurant(Chicken and Dumplings) next to Dabney that I want to see if it was open for lunch. So I was on my way and I gave them a call. I guess normally they check with the director and get approval, but given that the camp wasn't in use at that day and I was solo she let me come out and give it a play. The camp is really nice looking and has some nice buildings, and the course is fun, woodsy, and challenging. Its not overly long but it is currently a little over grown, which adds to the challenge. Guess I just lucked out with timing, Review to come.

[Posey Ching]

you could definitely walk onto it. you could get gutsy and park in their parking lot or be sneaky and park somewhere else and walk into it. it's heavily wooded so it wouldn't be that tough. it was listed on the PDGA site at least 4 years ago as well. That is where I noticed it. Need good timing like he said. I talked to a dude there and he was a dickwad saying something like, "Why should I let you play it? Who are you?" Pffff!

[360DiscGolfer]

Lol wow, yeah you must have gotten lucky. Maybe this is a good time of year to try. Im gonna wait for a review and photos before I make the trek though...

[gottafixit]

Par and Distance updated, Photos uploaded, and review written for Trout Creek. I'll scan the map tomorrow at work and post it shortly after. Hope this helps some of you decide if you want to make the trip.

I've got more photos and info updates for some of the other courses I played on the trip but they are going to take a bit more time to get threw.

[aarikc17]

He would have got more courses in if me and my friend didn't take up so much of his time. One of the days we played two courses and it took about 4 hours. If he didn't meet up with us he would have averaged over 8 courses a day!

[gottafixit]

He would have got more courses in if me and my friend didn't take up so much of his time. One of the days we played two courses and it took about 4 hours. If he didn't meet up with us he would have averaged over 8 courses a day!

You only cost me Volunteer park(course needs photos) and I don't imagine that it is that big a loss. I had a great time meeting up with you, however I don't think I would have played the longs at NAD otherwise as I try to take it easy on the arm on these type trips. I'm real glad I got to at least meet up with one person from on here. I had hoped to try and meet The Valkyrie Kid as that would be like meeting a celeb, him being a Diamond reviewer and all, but it did not come to pass.

[360DiscGolfer]

Great review and photos of trout creek. That tree house looks sweet!