Canal Winchester, OH

The Twilight Zone

Permanent course
3.635(based on 4 reviews)
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18 0
sisyphus
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.6 years 397 played 383 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Get In The Zone! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 10, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Chuck Custer's five acre wonderland is a model for all of us who dream of one day having a course on our own property. Using about a dozen re-purposed baskets and a lifetime of garage sale memorabilia, he's laid out a very workable 18 holes of fun, and allows others to visit and share. With a gently sloping wooded lot, the course provides a real change of pace for folks in the central Ohio region who are often confronted with more flat and open play. The difficulty is geared towards Intermediates and above, because you'll need control to manage the wide variety of low, tight lines (even some rollers).

Though the course is obviously flexible, and ever-open for change, in its current incarnation, there are three holes under 200 feet and three just over 350. You start out with a memorable, short, downhill hook to the left, through the chains of a loveseat swing (!), around the shed where Chuck proudly displays his collection of disc-themed license plates, and of course a pine tree guardian, to the basket on the left. But rather than describing every hole, let's hit the highlights: I liked the six downslope holes, but never felt like you had to pay them back with any monstrous uphill work. The adjustable height basket on 7 (13) was a neat feature. The tight and often low-ceilinged lane and gap shots never felt contrived or overly punishing. It's a course where your wise use of mids and putters pays off!

The character of the course is hard to describe. It was great that Chuck and Mickey (the friendly family dog) were available to help guide if we wanted, but not pushy or intrusive on our visit. The decor (did I just use that term for a disc golf course?) was cool: there are usually numbered billiard balls hanging off a tree branch to mark tee positions (even when many tees were mat material). There's a collection of fallen soldiers, er, old discs, decorating the fence line by the 14th tee. And that basket is raised and decorated in a way I've never seen on any of the 159 courses I've played. That central part of the woods is worth a visit all by itself.

A lot of the baskets have little knick-knacks in or on them, as do the trees, benches, and other additions. I certainly couldn't gather it all in on one brief visit, but I can tell you that The Twilight Zone is an experience well worth having!

Cons:

Obviously, on only five acres, this course design had to loop back and forth with not only crossing fairways, but the re-use of baskets and tees. This course will never be 'safe' for huge groups of players at one time, but care and etiquette could allow for a handful of cards of mature players to gather for the fun.

Not entirely a con, but I need to mention that the baskets were interesting due to their age. I'm not experienced enough to tell you the models, but most had a single ring of heavy chain, and deep cages. Though very rusty looking, they caught unexpectedly well, and quietly! And Chuck intentionally leaves them rustic, as it were, as he prefers them not to glare out at you from the woods. He keeps the course playable but doesn't want to keep it overly trimmed up to make shots too easy, or change the natural look.

I hesitate to list it as a con, but I know that bigger arms would lament not being able to air it out, and need to know that there aren't any bomber holes here. For me, that's just fine ;)

Other Thoughts:

I would love to have visited more than once before writing a review, but was overly eager to share my impression of this little gem of a course. I asked Chuck if it would be OK to add the pictures here on DGCR, and he agreed. We held back his nice, laminated course map because he'd really appreciate a call before you visit. I think he'd really like to offer a tour guide for anybody's first visit. Finally, the $5 per carload he asks to play is a pittance, and I refuse to list 'pay-to-play' fees as a 'con' for anybody's private, home course. Offer him more!
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6 0
Jay Dub
Experience: 44 years 96 played 6 reviews
3.50 star(s)

In The Zone! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 22, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

#1 pro is Chuck and his wife. Great hosts!!
Driving up the driveway to Chuck's house I wondered how there could be a course here. But it's there and very enjoyable.
There is a great mix of shots on this course. Don't let the 160' hole #1 fool you.
The baskets are all unique and decorated in some way. One just simply has grass growing up thru the bottom and is trimmed even with the top of the basket. Your putt will stick in this basket. The green is cut nice.
While playing my round of golf there (we were a 12some playing doubles) I forgot where I was (on a make shift golf course that uses seven baskets to make 18 holes) and just felt like I was on a fun, challenging golf course (with great people btw).
A nice mixture of shots on what could be used for a pro tournament if laid out as 18 holes on many more acres. If you are not confident in your game this might not be for you. I see that as a pro for the course.
Chuck has designed other courses, or "has had his hand in the design" and his layout shows he knows what makes a disc golf course.
Also, it's a private course. Always a pro imo.

Cons:

Cons are simple. No tee pads or tee signs. Seven baskets make up 18 holes. It's best to have the host/hostess play along the first time so you can find the course.

Other Thoughts:

Make sure and check this course out if you are in the area or plan to go there anytime soon.
Another great part of the trip was I got to see Chuck and his wife. It's been 20 years since we saw or played golf with each other.
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2 4
Sweddymercury
Experience: 33 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Solid course/great people 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 11, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Quite lil private course
-Very creative layout
-Great use of space
-Nice mix of short and long rips
-Technical and challenging hole and tee locations make u use all shots types.

Cons:

Could possibly get confused if U can't read a map

Other Thoughts:

Chuck and his wife are great hosts. We drove abt an hour to play on a whim. I suggest everyone in central Ohio check out The Twilight Zone.
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14 1
culinarywiz
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 35.6 years 305 played 66 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Kick ass private course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 17, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great diversity

Respectable elevation

Varying/Solid length's

True risk/reward shots

Fantastic "character"

Cons:

Some dirt, gravel & unmarked tee's

Variety of pin types

Some pins are used as the target on 2 holes

Other Thoughts:

As my title states...this course kicks ass.

Considering this course is on 5 acres, I feel the land was used wonderfully.

Yes, I noted that some tee's are used on multiple holes as a con. This is only because it would be ideal not to have to do this. However, the diversity is unquestioned. Each of the two shots on the dual pins vary in lines and distance significantly.

This layout calls for all the shots. You will need hyzers, annys and strait shots. There are some low ceiling shots, some tunnel shots and some roller shots. The course is not too long for the average player, but I assure you, the challenge is in line for a Blue level player.

You need to call ahead. The course is literally in Chucks back yard. You will definitely need a map. There are a couple maps at hole 1 in the mail box, between the trees. I was fortunate to have played the entire round with the the owner/creator. He was a gracious host. His passion for the sport is evident in his design.

There are benches, brooms and "flair" on many holes. Some holes have rubber pads.

I will certainly be back. This course is worth a trip.
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