Driving through Columbus/Staying in Dayton

[zapplayer12]

I’ll be driving through the Columbus area and staying in Dayton for an extended Labor Day Weekend (Wed-Sun). This is not a dedicated disc golf trip. I’ll be attending a family member’s wedding as well as going to some parties and catching up with relatives and friends. Therefore time will be a huge factor in selecting courses in both areas to play since the social schedule will be quite dense.

I’ve narrowed down my course selection based upon other Ohio course related posts and obviously, course reviews.

Here’s the plan:

Wed 9/2/09 - Brent Hambrick Memorial DGC, Columbus, OH (Hoping to arrive early afternoon to avoid the crowds – can’t wait for this one!)

Thurs-Sat (9/3 thru 9/5/09) – attempting to play the following Dayton area courses: Belmont Park, Indian Riffle (if the course is still in place), Sycamore Trails & Arthur O. Fisher Park.

Sun 9/6/09 - Flat Rocks, Lancaster, OH


As we all know, the best laid plans don’t always pan out as expected and I should consider all of my options just in case.

This is where I need some input from the DG Community – am I missing anything here? Are some of the other Dayton area courses worth a look (Westbrook/Englewood) if I can fit them in (or if Indian Riffle no longer exists)? While passing through Columbus, is Lobdell Reserve a viable option? I’m an avid birder and since this is a wildlife preserve, it will serve a dual purpose (only if both birding and disc golf are of significance).

I’m looking for quality over quantity here. Any/all suggestions are appreciated.


Special Note: Regrettably, I will NOT be playing any of the courses in the greater Cincinnati or Western Pennsylvania regions due to time constraints. Both of these areas deserve wholly dedicated time which I will be planning in the future.

[timg]

I really enjoyed Lobdell when I played there. I may be in the area that same weekend so depending on how the timing works out maybe we could hook up for a round.

[tbird888]

I just played three Columbus courses this past Saturday. I played Hambrick, Blendon Woods, and Lodbell in that order. While I enjoyed all three of them, I was the most impressed with Lodbell.

Hambrick was a great course (don't get me wrong), but holes one and two are pulled right now while reseeding is happening. I also really was more impressed with the A-I holes more than the numbered 18. It was a great course but tended to feel a bit repetitive during the earlier holes. Lodbell, on the other hand, was just incredible. Every hole brought a different challenge. I love wooded courses, and this one provided more of that than Hambrick. It's well worth the stop.

Both courses are fairly accessible off of 70 (east to west) but heading home Lodbell's west entrance ramp (back to 70) was closed due to construction, so I had to travel east to the next exit (~3-4 miles) in order to turn around and head back west. It wasn't a big deal to me, but I didn't have anywhere to be either.

When I travel north to Columbus to enjoy another fantastic day of disc golf and try more new (to me) courses, I will make sure that I replay Lodbell. That's not to say that Hambrick was a disappointment (it really wasn't), it just didn't stand out like Lodbell did.

[roadtripstuff]

Lobdell is good, obviously Hoover (Brent Hambrick) is one of the better courses in the area. Another option instead of Lancaster is up in Newark, the new course they put in there is pretty challenging, has two tees on most of the holes, and is in a pretty big park. I've driven out a few times since they put it in to play, I really enjoy this course.

I live in Columbus so if you want a guide or have any more questions I will be more than happy to help you out.

[A.Mutt]

I think Lobdell is worth your time for sure. I just went and played it today, peaceful and scenic as always.

[zapplayer12]

I really enjoyed Lobdell when I played there. I may be in the area that same weekend so depending on how the timing works out maybe we could hook up for a round.

Tim - I'd really be honored to play a round with 'The Creator' if our schedules coincide. :D

If 'the area' means Columbus, then Wed. early afternoon is when I expect to be passing through to play a round.

I'll be heading back through again on Sunday which looks to be my 'free' day - its only about a 2 hour ride from Dayton to Columbus so I'd expect to be there at some point in the morning. This should provide an opportunity to play a couple courses. Of course, my physical condition the morning after the wedding may alter my timing somewhat!

If you mean Dayton, then I'm pretty much stuck there from Thurs.-Sat. and expect my availability to be primarily in the morning.

Do you have a rough idea of your itinerary?

[zapplayer12]

Hambrick was a great course (don't get me wrong), but holes one and two are pulled right now while reseeding is happening...Lodbell, on the other hand, was just incredible... It's well worth the stop.

Both courses are fairly accessible off of 70 (east to west) but heading home Lodbell's west entrance ramp (back to 70) was closed due to construction, so I had to travel east to the next exit (~3-4 miles) in order to turn around and head back west.


Thanks for the detailed info. I was planning to play all 27...um, I mean 25 holes at Hambrick. A bit concerned about navigation on the new 'A' holes since I don't have a map.

From yours and others responses, I'm going to play Lodbell...just sounds way too tempting to pass up! Hopefully the construction issue won't be a problem as I'm planning to hit this course Sunday on the way back east to PA.

[timg]

If I make it down it would be in the Dayton area.. looking at your schedule it looks like Saturday would be the only day where we'd both be in the same place at the same time.

[zapplayer12]

I live in Columbus so if you want a guide or have any more questions I will be more than happy to help you out.

That's extremely generous of you - if you're schedule somehow aligns with mine (see my reply to Tim about 'timing'), that would be great.

But I have to ask....why no love for 'Flat Rocks'?

[zapplayer12]

If I make it down it would be in the Dayton area.. looking at your schedule it looks like Saturday would be the only day where we'd both be in the same place at the same time.


The wedding is at 2:30pm on Sat. so my assumption is I'll be free that morning. Does that work with your schedule at all?

[zapplayer12]

I think Lobdell is worth your time for sure. I just went and played it today, peaceful and scenic as always.

Peaceful and scenic sounds perfect! It's now on the agenda.

[timg]

The wedding is at 2:30pm on Sat. so my assumption is I'll be free that morning. Does that work with your schedule at all?
Yea, it should. I'll let you know for sure if I'll be down there and if I am we can hook up that morning.