Best Disc Golf State

[Lewis]

I'm glad you're having fun with the numbers. :D

My instinct would tell me that you'd get a bias towards large states with the factors you're using, but it looks like a couple of smallish states cracked your top 15. Interesting.

[Olorin]

Yeah, Mass and Maine don't usually spring to mind as top DG states. I think they got in by having a higher percentage of good courses and having a few really good ones in that group.

New Mexico is a Top 25 surprise too.

[Olorin]

I've also gained more respect for Indiana by looking at these numbers.

[discflinger]

I've also gained more respect for Indiana by looking at these numbers.

WOOT!!

[harr0140]

17 within 25 miles
35 within 50 miles (Wauwatosa, WI)

[Lewis]

17 courses within 25 miles? You lucky bastard.

[Olorin]

Ya know, I think the Top 10 list is pretty good too. I don't place much stock in the rankings, but as a group those are about the 10 I'd have thought should be there.

Maybe Pennsylvania and Minnesota should be higher, though.

[Donovan]

There are 20 courses within 25 miles of my home. 8 of them are currently sitting at 3.5 or better if that really means anything. I feel very fortunate.

[willstradamus]

I agree with everyone that said NC.......but maybe Im biased

[ZMan44]

From what I had in mind as well, this seems to be a very realistic ranking. There are some states that should be higher or lower maybe, but this ranking seems to be extremely accurate.

[optidiscic]

32 within 50 miles of me. 14 of these are 3 discs or better. Lehigh Valley PA woo hoo!

[harr0140]

Am I still the leader? 35 within 50 miles. I can't believe I didn't pick up a disc until 12/31/08!

I am sure there are some bad courses out of those 35 but still at least there is variety to choose from. I can see some summer daytrips to play 3-4 different courses.

[Olorin]

My instinct would tell me that you'd get a bias towards large states with the factors you're using, but it looks like a couple of smallish states cracked your top 15. Interesting.

You're right that in general larger states do get favored. That was one of my reservations in post 157 (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20766&postcount=157) too. States are inherently unequal. How can you really compare Texas, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Alaska?

In an attempt to lessen one factor in favor of larger states I played around with removing the category "Total Courses in the State", but I'm not very satisfied with the results so I'm not posting them here, You can see the list at "Overall Rankings 2 (http://sites.google.com/site/discgolfcoursereviews/Home/usa-reviews/state-statistics-1/overall-ranking-2)" if you want to check it out.

At least Michigan is still #1 on that list too, though!

[swellerdiscgolf]

It seems like any list has Michigan at #1. I think we should all be in agreement the Michigan is the overall #1 disc golf state. Now #2......

[Olorin]

It seems like any list has Michigan at #1. I think we should all be in agreement the Michigan is the overall #1 disc golf state.

Well, I wouldn't go that far, because there's no method that's exact enough to produce such definitive results. But I think that any state in the Top 10 would be justified in saying that they're one of the 10 best.

[Lewis]

I've got 18 within 50 miles of me (as the crow flies, not as the road goes), but only 10 are within 40. I feel downright isolated compared to you Midwesterners.

[Donovan]

Am I still the leader? 35 within 50 miles. I can't believe I didn't pick up a disc until 12/31/08!

I am sure there are some bad courses out of those 35 but still at least there is variety to choose from. I can see some summer daytrips to play 3-4 different courses.

I have 39 within 50 and one more at 51.4. :)

[harr0140]

I drove through Georgia, and I was shocked how few courses there were along I-75. I didn't look too closely at the major cities, but along the interstate there were very few, and yet this is the home of our national association PDGA.

[Daffron24]

I have 68 courses within a 50 mi range. I wish I could say which state I thought was the best, but I've only played in 4.

[420discgolf]

According the the top ten rated courses on the homepage OREGON is the only state to be listed 3 times... Im not saying anything Im just saying...

[magictenor1]

I have 39 within 50 and one more at 51.4. :) I have 3 within 50 and 2 of those are only 9 holes. i live in the deadzone of DG. On a positive note the 18 hole course is either brand new or was not listed before so i actually have a new course to check out.

[Legend KILLer]

I have seven within 40 miles and two of those are 9 holes only. The closest course to me is a 9 hole course which sucks, but an 18 hole course is just a bit farther. My range is shorter though because my main transportation is via road bike.

MONDO

[Donovan]

I have 68 courses within a 50 mi range. I wish I could say which state I thought was the best, but I've only played in 4.

WOW bro! :eek: What city do you live in? If you don't mind us asking.

[Olorin]

According the the top ten rated courses on the homepage OREGON is the only state to be listed 3 times... Im not saying anything Im just saying...

That's why on my list of Highest Rated Courses (http://sites.google.com/site/discgolfcoursereviews/Home/usa-reviews/state-statistics-1/highest-rated-course) Oregon is #5 in the U.S. See also post 249 (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showpost.php?p=26074&postcount=249) above. Oregon must have some courses that are really good.

[tallpaul]

I've played in 38 states total and, coincidentally, thrown at 38 of the top 100 rated courses via this site; considered from course ratings. The course ratings system is going to take some years to really provide true numbers. Wisconsin is my home state (though I grew up on and visit the east coast). Vollrath Park, Plaman Park, and Standing Rocks are all three in the top 100 in the united states. I love all three of these courses; but they receive a decent amount of their ranking numbers based on this love/nostalgia factor. There is no mention of High Bridge Gold or Bear, 27 holes in Winter Park, Kewanee, the 36 holes at Tower Ridge in Eau Claire, Telemark Resort DGC; on the ski hill; or Brown Deer Park, Milwaukee. Plaman Park's 27 is my nearest course, and even amongst my local courses, I would rate O'Hauser Park, Menasha as a much more difficult place to play. It's not as scenic, but it depends on what you're rating on; obviously. You could make a very good argument that all of these are better than the three mentioned. Part of the equation is that a number of the others are fairly new and yet to be rated in any valuable way. This is happening all over the country; I'm sure. I bet the #50 to #100 ranked courses at present, won't be there in a year or two.

With that said, the ratings system for states seems to me to be pretty much on. I would agree that Pennsylvania and Minnesota seem a bit low. Minnesota does have a lot of nines though.... Wisconsin has seemed to me to lack a bit in the quality courses. However, in recent years, quite a few have been added to an already good list. Travelers obviously tend to play quality courses when going out of state; and therefore, their impressions of those states are high; i.e., I've played numerous great links in North Carolina, Florida, Texas, California, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kansas, etc....I could easily add another five to ten states to this list. Not the least of which is Oregon; which I hope to attack more in upcoming years.

So, I am pleasantly surprised that Wisconsin finishes where it does. One of the most outstanding things is that there are so many good courses throughout the United States these days!!!!

[zenbot]

California is extremely overrated, not only is the state miserable, but the good courses are literally half a day's drive apart (save for Lake Tahoe area). No other major disc golf state makes you drive 5 hours to play two decent courses in one day. Most courses out there are poorly marked, bad neighborhoods, too hot in season, the discs skip too much, woods holes poorly designed, low ceiling and way too many holes where all you do is throw blindly at a wall of trees and hope to hit the right one on the way down.



Whoa, man! I have to step in here and defend.

So Cal has some great courses and has the first permanent disc golf course. (Actually I'm not a big fan of Oak Grove, but I digress.) Coyote Point, Waller Pines, DeLaveaga, La Mirada, Sylmar (You got me on the bad neighborhood on that one.), and Evergreen are all great courses and don't suffer from most of your criticisms.

Where were you in California? I would love to change your mind.

[Lewis]

The trick with California is it's the size of two or three states stretched out on a long shape. It should probably be divided into Northern, Central, and Southern California, or something like that.

The more I think about this rating system, the more I feel that dividing up the country into states is a false measurement. Maybe the distinction really should be about "hubs" or "metro areas". But who wants to do all that figuring? :|

[Mando]

I've played in 38 states total and, coincidentally, thrown at 38 of the top 100 rated courses via this site; considered from course ratings. The course ratings system is going to take some years to really provide true numbers. Wisconsin is my home state (though I grew up on and visit the east coast). Vollrath Park, Plaman Park, and Standing Rocks are all three in the top 100 in the united states. I love all three of these courses; but they receive a decent amount of their ranking numbers based on this love/nostalgia factor. There is no mention of High Bridge Gold or Bear, 27 holes in Winter Park, Kewanee, the 36 holes at Tower Ridge in Eau Claire, Telemark Resort DGC; on the ski hill; or Brown Deer Park, Milwaukee. Plaman Park's 27 is my nearest course, and even amongst my local courses, I would rate O'Hauser Park, Menasha as a much more difficult place to play. It's not as scenic, but it depends on what you're rating on; obviously. You could make a very good argument that all of these are better than the three mentioned. Part of the equation is that a number of the others are fairly new and yet to be rated in any valuable way. This is happening all over the country; I'm sure. I bet the #50 to #100 ranked courses at present, won't be there in a year or two.

With that said, the ratings system for states seems to me to be pretty much on. I would agree that Pennsylvania and Minnesota seem a bit low. Minnesota does have a lot of nines though.... Wisconsin has seemed to me to lack a bit in the quality courses. However, in recent years, quite a few have been added to an already good list. Travelers obviously tend to play quality courses when going out of state; and therefore, their impressions of those states are high; i.e., I've played numerous great links in North Carolina, Florida, Texas, California, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kansas, etc....I could easily add another five to ten states to this list. Not the least of which is Oregon; which I hope to attack more in upcoming years.

So, I am pleasantly surprised that Wisconsin finishes where it does. One of the most outstanding things is that there are so many good courses throughout the United States these days!!!!

Good informative post, thanks.
How would you compare Michigan and Pennsylvania as far as a summer disc golf destination with the emphasis on fun, scenic courses ?

[antt]

I just started playing DG about a half year ago but I must say Michigan does have a lot of great courses very close to eachother. I'm within 20 minutes away from 7 courses. 3 of which are Stoney Creek Metro Park, Firefighter, and River Bends. :)

[tallpaul]

Good informative post, thanks.
How would you compare Michigan and Pennsylvania as far as a summer disc golf destination with the emphasis on fun, scenic courses ?

I haven't been to Pennsylvania in quite a number of years. I have played a couple of good links in the past; Tinnicum (years ago, by happenstance, on the day they were hosting their overall state events; which allowed me to see some awesome displays of talent and helped to inspire my entire future disc golf experience), Noxamixon. Both of these were awesome. Roland Park, in Akron also left me over par. My most recent adventure there; a few years back was 27 holes in Codorus State Park, Hanover. Strangely enough, my grandfather once owned land that is now part of that park; in the 1950s; when he was a farmer. I've played a couple more there and Tyler State Park may even be one (though the placements have gotten harder I believe)...I was not so good at documenting my travels in the early days. Personally, I love Penn. landscape and overall feeling. As mentioned, my relatives on mother's side are from that state and so I saw that type of land growing up. The red earth and shale type rock...anyway, I digress.... Pittsburgh I believe is a mecca as well.
I would have no trouble whatsoever playing in Penn. for a week straight. Senneca Creek in Maryland, is also an awesome destination.
With that said, there is a reason Michigan gets a #1 rating. The course's I've played there, primarily the Ann Arbor ones, are as awesome/brutal as any I've played anywhere. I believe a few of us here are planning a summer trip to Mich. Taking the Ludington ferry across and playing the two championship links there and then, traveling to Ann Arbor; while playing points between, I'm sure. Haven't planned it too far as yet. Perhaps this will be attempted the July 4 week, as my evening work takes a break for that stretch. Lately I've been getting ready for a week long trip down in Illinois; which will include St. Louis, and the Quad Cities, IA; plus #38 on best list: Foundation Complex DGC, Centrailia, Illinois!!!!Should be an awesome adventure. Par 72 course I believe (Foundation).
There is also the block of courses from last year's worlds and a large section in Detroit, I believe. I've not played any of these....
You can't go wrong in either state; but, I think Michigan offers some of the best disc in the world. If you want, keep in touch, and perhaps we can coordinate something concerning Ann Arbor.

[Mando]

TP, thanks again for the info. I'll defintely stay in touch if there is a chance our schedules will mesh.
I'm just in the pipe dream stage with this, but I've already found an interesting cluster of 5 courses around Peru, IN.

[SpringDgLover]

Being that I am from Texas I would say that we definitely have a healthy Disc Golf scene with some truly great courses Pease Park, Harry Myers, and East Metro to name a few. I have also played courses in Florida which I found enjoyable. I think the one thing to keep in mind is in southern states the ability to play year round can not be underestimated. Im sure the courses up north are amazing in the summer but when that lake effect snow starts coming Im sure they lose some of that appeal.

[innova]

Any state that has really long courses and not just pitch and putt.

Sure, sure... the new guys need those short courses, but someone bring on the par 5's already.

:^)

[billnchristy]

Who cares?? Play whatcha got and enjoy it...if you don't invest in making it better!!!

While our courses in the ATL area are not all the best...there sure are enough of them to keep you happy!!

[Marty McFly]

Texas all the way!

[eaglechick123]

12 in 25 miles 172 holes total
37 in 50 miles 336 holes total

from oshkosh, wi

[EclipticOne]

ill take my oregon scene with 3 of the top ten courses only a ride away... and whistlers being my second home course

[optidiscic]

I see Oregon has a huge scene...but doesn't it rain a little too often for Oregon to be disc golf heaven. I'd rather play in wind or cold or snow than wet rainfalls. Also seems that there are a large number of high atings for Oregon courses, not just the top ten courses but as a whole there are higher ratings out there? Are they all that good or are East Coasters perhaps a bit more cynical when writing reviews. I hope to get out there and see it for myself someday...definetely not hating, just my skepticism. I want to go to Oregon just to throw #14 at Whistlers!

[tom04]

how about Minnesota- Blue Ribbon Pines, Bryant Lake, Hyland Hills, Kaposia, Elm Creek opening up soon and also the largest disc golf league in the world, Sundog Tournament Series. Minnesota Majestic is a national tour event and there are also hard core disc golfers in the below freezing winters for 5 months of the year. 3 discraft pros in the twin cities-Cale Leiviska, Timmy Gill, and Jon Drummond

[cc0049]

What state has the highest ratio of courses rated 4 or higher to square miles? That would be the state that I vote for. I don't care enough to do the research myself, but if someone does care and has the time, then I'll vote for the state that you come up with. Until that time, I vote TEXAS!!!!

[cc0049]

What state has the highest ratio of courses rated 4 or higher to square miles? That would be the state that I vote for. I don't care enough to do the research myself, but if someone does care and has the time, then I'll vote for the state that you come up with. Until that time, I vote TEXAS!!!!

Okay, I took the time after all. Here's the rank that I came up with by looking at the number of courses with at least 10 reviews that were rated 4 or higher compared to land area of the state:

Top 15 States for Disc Golf:
1. Connecticut - 1 Excellent course every 5,500 sq miles.
2. Maryland - 1 every 6,200 sq mi
3. Pennsylavania - every 7,700 sq mi
4. Kentucky - every 8,000 sq mi
5. Massachusetts - every 10,500 sq mi
6. North Carolina - every 13,500 sq mi
7. New York - every 13,600 sq mi
8. Virginia - every 14,300 sq mi
9. Tennessee - every 21,000 sq mi
10. Ohio - every 22,500 sq mi
11. West Virginia - every 24,000 sq mi
12. Texas - every 24,500 sq mi
13. California - every 27,300 sq mi
14. Georgia - every 29,500 sq mi
15. Oregon - every 32,700 miles

Without factoring in square mileage and just going by sheer numbers of courses rated 4 or higher with at least 10 reviews:
1. Texas - 11
2. Pennsylvania - 6
California - 6
4. Kentucky - 5
5. New York - 4
North Carolina - 4
7. Oregon - 3
Virginia - 3


Based on these numbers, I'd say the two leading contenders are Pennsylvania and Kentucky.

[Lewis]

What state has the highest ratio of courses rated 4 or higher to square miles? That would be the state that I vote for. I don't care enough to do the research myself, but if someone does care and has the time, then I'll vote for the state that you come up with. Until that time, I vote TEXAS!!!!

As of some time in January, it was Virginia by a wide margin, though I didn't take into account how many reviews a course has. Maybe if you become a premium member (and get a crown), you can get more current data. :)

[Lewis]

More to the point, requiring 10+ reviews for a hit eliminates 109 of Michigan's 118 courses, no matter what the rating. It's a pretty steep standard, especially since you see that Michigan (just the example I happened to pick) has 15 courses rated 4+ but only 2 of those have more than 10 reviews. This is all so deliciously subjective. :cool:

[TalbotTrojan]

Okay, I took the time after all. Here's the rank that I came up with by looking at the number of courses with at least 10 reviews that were rated 4 or higher compared to land area of the state:

Top 15 States for Disc Golf:
1. Connecticut - 1 Excellent course every 5,500 sq miles.
2. Maryland - 1 every 6,200 sq mi
3. Pennsylavania - every 7,700 sq mi
4. Kentucky - every 8,000 sq mi
5. Massachusetts - every 10,500 sq mi
6. North Carolina - every 13,500 sq mi
7. New York - every 13,600 sq mi
8. Virginia - every 14,300 sq mi
9. Tennessee - every 21,000 sq mi
10. Ohio - every 22,500 sq mi
11. West Virginia - every 24,000 sq mi
12. Texas - every 24,500 sq mi
13. California - every 27,300 sq mi
14. Georgia - every 29,500 sq mi
15. Oregon - every 32,700 miles

Without factoring in square mileage and just going by sheer numbers of courses rated 4 or higher with at least 10 reviews:
1. Texas - 11
2. Pennsylvania - 6
California - 6
4. Kentucky - 5
5. New York - 4
North Carolina - 4
7. Oregon - 3
Virginia - 3


Based on these numbers, I'd say the two leading contenders are Pennsylvania and Kentucky.

Good work sir, you made my analytical mind sizzle with that one. Now if only there was some way to factor in the local Disc Golf scene and the number of warm playing months.

[scarpfish]

Connecticut and Maryland are only at the top of that list because of their small size. I wonder how all of New England would factor in if it was treated as one state. I'm not sure what land area of a jurisdictional boundary set more than a century has to do with quality courses. Most good disc golf regions are more city oriented than state oriented, and a great deal of the good DG meccas in the country happen to be ones that have some of their player base in multiple states (Kansas City, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Quad Cities, Charlotte, Twin Cities come to mind).

[cc0049]

I agree that hands down the northeast portion of the country has the best disc golf scene overall with tons of great courses...from what I hear. The title of this thread was "best disc golf state" which by definition is confined to "jurisdicional boundaries". So pound for pound that puts Connecticut at the top of the list.

Connecticut and Maryland are only at the top of that list because of their small size. I wonder how all of New England would factor in if it was treated as one state. I'm not sure what land area of a jurisdictional boundary set more than a century has to do with quality courses. Most good disc golf regions are more city oriented than state oriented, and a great deal of the good DG meccas in the country happen to be ones that have some of their player base in multiple states (Kansas City, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Quad Cities, Charlotte, Twin Cities come to mind).

[billnchristy]

I am happy with my area. Within 75mi of Atlanta we have:

5- 4 disc courses
4- 3.5 disc courses
5- 3 disc courses

And within easy driving distance to the "meccas" of SC, NC, and the Augusta courses.

[Olorin]

I did something similar to this earlier in 2009.

See State Statistics (http://sites.google.com/site/discgolfcoursereviews/Home/usa-reviews/state-statistics-1). Of course, it's based on that point in time. Make sure to look at the subpages.

For example, see the subpage Number of Courses rated 4.0-5.0 (http://sites.google.com/site/discgolfcoursereviews/Home/usa-reviews/state-statistics-1/number-of-courses-rated-4-0-to-5-0)

[hippiediscdude]

Living in Michigan and I have to say I feel blessed when it comes to places to play. The economy sucks but you cant ask for a better area for disc golf.
38 courses within 50 miles of the house. With a couple more coming this summer!
103 listed courses with in 100 miles of the house!!

[Olorin]

I just added a new page.

Courses rated 4.0-5.0 per Square Mile
(http://sites.google.com/site/discgolfcoursereviews/Home/usa-reviews/state-statistics-1/highratedpersqmile)
1. New York
2. Massachusetts
3. Delaware
4. Vermont

I'm not so sure that this gives very much useful information.

[scarpfish]

I agree that hands down the northeast portion of the country has the best disc golf scene overall with tons of great courses...from what I hear.
I was not even implying anything of the kind. In terms of number of courses, I'd say that the Northeast is actually very lacking considering it has a much higher population. All six New England states have 71 courses combined in the directory. By comparison there are five states in the upper midwest that have passed the century mark each.

The title of this thread was "best disc golf state" which by definition is confined to "jurisdicional boundaries". So pound for pound that puts Connecticut at the top of the list.
Which just makes the list meaningless as a major criteria for placement is something that has nothing to do with disc golf, namely boundaries that were drawn over 100 years ago. We could substitute bowling alleys or tanning salons for disc courses, and we'd likely see the same skewering in favor of states with a small land mass.

[cc0049]

[QUOTE=scarpfish;57024]I was not even implying anything of the kind. In terms of number of courses, I'd say that the Northeast is actually very lacking considering it has a much higher population. All six New England states have 71 courses combined in the directory. By comparison there are five states in the upper midwest that have passed the century mark each.
QUOTE]

I guess by Northeast, I was thinking more along the lines of northeast of Texas...which to me includes Kentucky, Tennesee, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, etc. Forgive my geographic ignorance.

[Greg Layton]

I guess by Northeast, I was thinking more along the lines of northeast of Texas...which to me includes Kentucky, Tennesee, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, etc. Forgive my geographic ignorance.

Woah.

/Keanu

[jdc03270]

YEAH VERMONT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[80playedin10states]

new york baby!! what we lack in quanity we make up in quality..

[Lewis]

You want to insult someone in Tennessee, tell a native he's from the "Northeast." ;)

[sumner420]

I have only played in two states, so I vote my home state.
Massachusetts!:D
I think I have 5 or 6 inside 20 miles now and thats PHAT;), we had sh!t just about 5 years back, now we come with some fine courses and a good density of them, Crane Hill just opened up-Thanks Davis Johnson, former world record holder and Mass resident.:) HCC is 18 , Conway is the real thing, Maple Hill, the 4 dams, we rock!:cool:
we will never have as many as Mn or the Big T, but how can we? we are only so big!
Just my two cents.

[cc0049]

Woah.

/Keanu

That was very Texacentric of me.
This is why I'm taking a road trip this summer to play some disc golf outside of Texas. I'm heading northeast, btw, which I guess is what got my thinking all screwed up. I plan to hit some courses in Tennesse,Kentucky, Ohio, and hopefully make it as far as Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

[EclipticOne]

some of you should make a trip out here to oregon. the summer is really nice and whistlers doesnt have that many reviews so it needs some love

[sidewinding]

I read yesterday that Texas has more square miles of surface water (lakes, rivers, streams, ocean) than any other state. It has nothing to do with disc golf but who cares. Texas is amazing. Late July and August are pretty hot but the rest of the year has perfect discin' weather.