Northeast Mississsippi

[Mando]

As far as southeast warm-weather winter disc golf destinations, this looks like a sleeper...17 courses within striking distance of Tupelo ! The course descriptions sound pretty good. It doesn't look like Florida has a comparable cluster of good courses anywhere in the state.

[bazkitcase5]

I would agree, being I live here haha - I've reviewed all the courses in the area (as unbiased as possible being I've traveled and play a lot of other courses as well) and I'm currently trying to get other local players to join the site and do the same

We do not have courses that will challenge the top players yet (currently working on that), but if you like short to mid level technical courses, then there is an abundance of them (we have other types of courses, but that description fits the majority) and the local club has sprouted in the last couple of years (we cracked 100 members for 2008)

if anybody is ever passing through the area and needs suggestions on which courses to play, shoot me a pm ahead of time and tell me what kind of courses you like to play (wooded/open, difficult/easy) and I can hopefully point you to a course you will like

[Mando]

We have family in Alabama, and would like to sample the courses near Tupelo on our next visit (maybe as early as Feb.). I assume you play year-round.
I prefer woods courses or at least a 50/50 mix. Interesting layout is a bigger priority than difficulty.
The thing that would be most helpful is a route (loop) to hit the must plays.

[bazkitcase5]

where will you be Alabama and I can start looking for a route of must plays coming from that location

weather is hit or miss usually, we've had a lot of rain lately - average days are in the 40s-50s
I've played ice bowls in Jan/Feb. with shorts and short sleeves in past years, but its also been known to get cold in Feb. (cold for us is 30s haha)

[Mando]

Scottsboro (east of Huntsville). Also curious which of the state parks have the best combo of camping and disc golf. Thanks.

[bazkitcase5]

ok, here is a list of courses and routes based on what course I think you might like and I have written reviews for each of them if you need/want more information or need more shortcut directions from one course or the other, you can shoot me a pm

head towards Florence, AL for a fun course with a good mix
from there, you can go to Tishomingo State Park for 2 wooded courses by way of 72 West til you get to the Natchez Trace Parkway, go South on it until you get to exit 304 - 2 courses and camping here makes this a favorable place for a lot of players
an extra option at this point is going 30 minutes North on Hwy 25 to play Pickwick Plantation
get back on to the Trace Parkway and continue South until you get to Hwy 6, go West to
Trace State Park, this course is more open than it is wooded, but it is a beautiful course that I would consider a must play - leaving the park, continue West on 6 which turns into a 4 lane until you get to Hwy 15 and go North until you get to Hwy 78
once on 78, head towards Holly Springs for 2 courses at Wall Doxey State Park, which is also a favorable place for camping - there is the option of playing Tallahatchie Trails in New Albany, but it is a mostly longer/open course (you can see parts of it from 78)
coming back from Holly Springs, continue on 78 East, about a mile past Hwy 45 you will see Veterans Blvd - go South for Veterans Memorial Park, which is Tupelo's home course and a must play
if you have extra time you can play Tombigbee State Park, but it is an easy wooded course.

At this point, if you have extra time, you can drive an 1 1/2 hours to Lake Lowndes State Park
possibly out of the way, but one of my favorite courses in a beautiful park, also favorable for camping
If you choose this route, you can hit up Bowers Park in Tuscaloosa (never played it but have heard good things), then on into Birmingham where you can play George Ward Park and Civitan Park (actually in Trussville)

I'm sure I named too many courses, but there are a lot of options. The must plays near Tupelo in my opinion would have to be Veterans Park, Trace State Park, and I consider Wall Doxey State Park better for disc golf and camping than Tishomingo, even though a lot of players like Tish. and then Lake Lowndes if you can get a chance to head that direction.

[Mando]

Thanks so much for taking the time to put that together.
That's a big help since I'm not all that familiar with MS geography.
I like the idea of tying into the Natchez Trace. Might even get a little bike riding in as well as disc golf.

[mcdavis17]

The courses at Wall Doxey are an excellent value. Mississippi State Parks do have a $3 vehicle entry fee, but that is a flat fee for the vehicle -- if you have 5 people in an SUV, you still pay only $3. Plus, anyone who comes into the park pays that -- disc golfers, people fishing, campers, hikers, picnicers, etc. The money goes towards the upkeep of the parks, which does include the disc golf courses. So, if you take 4 people to Wall Doxey and play one round on each course, that is $3 for 4 people -- $0.75/person -- not a bad deal for some good throwing time.

Wall Doxey also has a pro shop with a nice selection of Innova products -- I've picked up a few discs there -- prices are comparable to most other retail locations.

[bazkitcase5]

yea, going on what mcdavis said, MS residents buy the yearly pass for $42 (these passes are good at all state parks in MS)

however, I believe (I will not swear to this so don't hold me to it) if you pay the $3 to get into the park for the day, they give you a little paper pass (so you can get back in if you leave) and its possible this pass can be used at other state parks