Alpha DGC reviews
7
0
EspressoPatronum
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
19.4 years
316 played
302 reviews
Easiest in the UP?
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 20, 2024
Played the course:once
Pros:
- fun place for beginners to try disc golf
- excellent MVP Black Hole Gravity baskets
- course flow is mostly reasonable
- well maintained parks and public areas
- excellent MVP Black Hole Gravity baskets
- course flow is mostly reasonable
- well maintained parks and public areas
Cons:
- entirely flat
- course needs navigation aids when crossing streets between various parks
- natural tees
- very basic/temporary tee signs without maps
- extremely short with no holes over 200 ft
- multiple safety hazards and proximity to other activities
- no amenities
- course needs navigation aids when crossing streets between various parks
- natural tees
- very basic/temporary tee signs without maps
- extremely short with no holes over 200 ft
- multiple safety hazards and proximity to other activities
- no amenities
Other Thoughts:
Well, I played the supposed "hardest niner in the UP" on this trip - and I think Alpha DGC might be the easiest niner in the UP! This course is a bit weird and disjointed and plays through 3 separate areas around the Alpha Brewing Co. and other buildings. Lengths are very short and this was clearly designed with beginners in mind.
There's not much to get excited about here; no hole is over 200 ft, they are all very flat and most are quite open. There's a bit of concern about safety here since half this course plays near buildings and sidewalks that could bring pedestrians, but hey, you aren't throwing very far anyway.
The equipment here is so-so. The MVP black hole gravity baskets are actually great, but these are combined with natural tees and basic, temporary style tee signs without maps. Still, nothing wrong with this course and it's a fun enough 2 or 3 disc toss that only takes 20 minutes, or 30 at the absolute most.
There are no navigation aids and it's definitely not obvious where to go after playing the first couple of holes. You will want the map on DGCR to know when to cross streets to the next "area" of the course. Most of the holes play around a baseball field and while I get the feeling it doesn't see a lot of use, I don't think I'd want to play the disc golf course while baseball was in session, the activities just have too much proximity.
Holes 8 and 9 end a bit too close to tennis/basketball courts for my liking. Overall, it is good this course is short since all but the newest beginner is going to get a bit bored here. I think you have to approach this course with the right perspective - fun, casual ace/birdie run. There is ace potential on every hole here.
The town of Alpha is pretty darn small but nearby Crystal Falls has some good food options, and obviously the Alpha Brewery is a big draw for some people - food options looked good here too. This is definitely not one to go out of your way for but if you're heading east/west through the Iron River area, this location isn't unreasonable.
There's not much to get excited about here; no hole is over 200 ft, they are all very flat and most are quite open. There's a bit of concern about safety here since half this course plays near buildings and sidewalks that could bring pedestrians, but hey, you aren't throwing very far anyway.
The equipment here is so-so. The MVP black hole gravity baskets are actually great, but these are combined with natural tees and basic, temporary style tee signs without maps. Still, nothing wrong with this course and it's a fun enough 2 or 3 disc toss that only takes 20 minutes, or 30 at the absolute most.
There are no navigation aids and it's definitely not obvious where to go after playing the first couple of holes. You will want the map on DGCR to know when to cross streets to the next "area" of the course. Most of the holes play around a baseball field and while I get the feeling it doesn't see a lot of use, I don't think I'd want to play the disc golf course while baseball was in session, the activities just have too much proximity.
Holes 8 and 9 end a bit too close to tennis/basketball courts for my liking. Overall, it is good this course is short since all but the newest beginner is going to get a bit bored here. I think you have to approach this course with the right perspective - fun, casual ace/birdie run. There is ace potential on every hole here.
The town of Alpha is pretty darn small but nearby Crystal Falls has some good food options, and obviously the Alpha Brewery is a big draw for some people - food options looked good here too. This is definitely not one to go out of your way for but if you're heading east/west through the Iron River area, this location isn't unreasonable.
19
0
The smallest village in America with a brewery might also have the smallest disc golf course!
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 30, 2022
Played the course:once
Pros:
Alpha, MI is a small village in the southwestern part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Alpha DGC is a 9-holer that I think it's fair to say plays "around town". The first three holes play on a lawn in front of the town hall, the next four play in a separate area around the edges of a baseball diamond, and the last two play in a third area near a tennis court. The whole layout circles around a brewery and a couple of other buildings. It's not far between the three areas - take a photo of the map posted at the first tee and navigation will be a breeze.
This is a nice short course that is good for beginners to play, and for recreational players to practice approaches and putts. The best hole here is probably #4, which has a few trees to force a well-shaped throw to the basket. The baskets are Black Hole Gravity models that are painted red and in like-new condition. The tee signs are laminated pieces of paper that have a hole number, distance, par, and sponsor information. The tee pads are natural, but since the distances are stand-and-throw I don't really see this as a big issue.
This is a nice short course that is good for beginners to play, and for recreational players to practice approaches and putts. The best hole here is probably #4, which has a few trees to force a well-shaped throw to the basket. The baskets are Black Hole Gravity models that are painted red and in like-new condition. The tee signs are laminated pieces of paper that have a hole number, distance, par, and sponsor information. The tee pads are natural, but since the distances are stand-and-throw I don't really see this as a big issue.
Cons:
The distances are extremely short, with no holes longer than 200'. One hole is only about 85'. For anyone beyond beginner level, I would not even call this course a "pitch and putt" but rather an "ace run and putt". I believe this is the shortest 9-hole course I have ever played.
There are no real elevation changes or other hazards on the course. Besides #4, the only other hole with a significant obstacle to work around is #9 - and that obstacle is the fence of the tennis court. All of the other holes have wide open looks at the basket from the tee.
That tennis court and the baseball diamond could present potential safety concerns if they are being used. You should honor the signage and skip these holes if that is the case. A couple holes also end a little bit too close to the street for my liking.
There aren't any trash cans or benches. There was a porta potty when I visited, but that may have been a temporary addition for an event going on at the brewery.
There are no real elevation changes or other hazards on the course. Besides #4, the only other hole with a significant obstacle to work around is #9 - and that obstacle is the fence of the tennis court. All of the other holes have wide open looks at the basket from the tee.
That tennis court and the baseball diamond could present potential safety concerns if they are being used. You should honor the signage and skip these holes if that is the case. A couple holes also end a little bit too close to the street for my liking.
There aren't any trash cans or benches. There was a porta potty when I visited, but that may have been a temporary addition for an event going on at the brewery.
Other Thoughts:
The brewery website proudly points out that Alpha is the smallest village in America with a brewery. I was hoping to complete my Alpha experience on the Friday night I visited by sampling the beer and food at the brewery - but this part of my plan was foiled because there was some kind of members-only mug club event going on. I should have researched my brews as well as I research my disc golf courses! But let me tell you, based on my 30 minutes or so in town it appears that the Alpha Michigan Brewing Co is THE place to be on a Friday night in Alpha, MI. The entire population of the village was enrolled in that mug club and enjoying the event, as far as I could tell. The brewery doesn't really have a parking lot, but people were parked along the streets for several blocks around (this is also where you park for the course).
This course is just a very basic pitch and putt for beginners. It doesn't have any major issues, but also isn't going to hold the interest of experienced disc golfers. For baggers travelling through the area, it's a quick stop. I wouldn't play here again unless I was with a group that also wanted to check out the brewery.
Merry Christmas!
This course is just a very basic pitch and putt for beginners. It doesn't have any major issues, but also isn't going to hold the interest of experienced disc golfers. For baggers travelling through the area, it's a quick stop. I wouldn't play here again unless I was with a group that also wanted to check out the brewery.
Merry Christmas!
14
0
wolfhaley
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
20.6 years
1176 played
760 reviews
2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 17, 2022
Played the course:once
Pros:
Alpha DGC plays alongside the Alpha Michigan Brewing Co. and around an adjacent park across the street. The course starts southwest of the brewery in an open lawn area and continues in a generally clockwise direction, ending southeast of the brewery.
The baskets here are beautiful, brand new MVP Black Hole Gravity's. Really enjoyed these baskets. The bright red really pops out, even though all the holes are around 200' or under. All were mounted nice and level and catch great. One pin and pin position per hole.
The flow of the course is pretty straightforward and easy to follow. A bit of a walk from hole 3 to hole 4. You cross the road going north and hole 4's tee will be over there. The rest is pretty seamless. The course starts and ends near the brewery parking area.
They had temporary laminated tee signs on every hole. Apparently they're intending to get permanent ones at some point, but these were serviceable. Basic hole diagram, par and distance. There was also a course map on hole 1's sign which would be very helpful if you don't have Udisc.
The course has natural tees. Since the course is so new and most likely gets very little traffic, these were all in good condition and are really all that's needed here.
The course is permanent and free to play. Probably never busy and honestly a decent little place to work on your short game if nothing else. All you really need here is a putter. Maybe a mid too if you're anoodle arm like me.
The baskets here are beautiful, brand new MVP Black Hole Gravity's. Really enjoyed these baskets. The bright red really pops out, even though all the holes are around 200' or under. All were mounted nice and level and catch great. One pin and pin position per hole.
The flow of the course is pretty straightforward and easy to follow. A bit of a walk from hole 3 to hole 4. You cross the road going north and hole 4's tee will be over there. The rest is pretty seamless. The course starts and ends near the brewery parking area.
They had temporary laminated tee signs on every hole. Apparently they're intending to get permanent ones at some point, but these were serviceable. Basic hole diagram, par and distance. There was also a course map on hole 1's sign which would be very helpful if you don't have Udisc.
The course has natural tees. Since the course is so new and most likely gets very little traffic, these were all in good condition and are really all that's needed here.
The course is permanent and free to play. Probably never busy and honestly a decent little place to work on your short game if nothing else. All you really need here is a putter. Maybe a mid too if you're anoodle arm like me.
Cons:
Pretty bland course to be honest. They used the few trees they had available pretty well, but it's just a short little pitch and putt with not much in the way. Hole 4 would be the standout hole, since it's the only one that really has trees in play.
Hole 3 was just kind of a weird filler hole at under 100 ft. Hole 9 has you throwing over or around a basketball court. I doubt it's ever really used but still.
Hole 7 has the road behind the basket come into play if you overshoot the pin by 25 ft or so. Not a busy road but I'd imagine many people will be ace running pretty much everything here, so the risk factor is there.
Hole 3 was just kind of a weird filler hole at under 100 ft. Hole 9 has you throwing over or around a basketball court. I doubt it's ever really used but still.
Hole 7 has the road behind the basket come into play if you overshoot the pin by 25 ft or so. Not a busy road but I'd imagine many people will be ace running pretty much everything here, so the risk factor is there.
Other Thoughts:
There's nothing real special about this course, but it is a quick little spin. Won't take more than 30 minutes to play max. A solo round probably half that almost. If you're nearby I'd say give it a shot. But clearly this is nothing to go out of your way for. Great course for kids or newer players but will be pretty bland for most. Better than nothing in an area with not too many courses.