Augusta, ME

Augusta Disc Golf - Ghost Tree

4.335(based on 6 reviews)
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15 0
pmay5
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.9 years 482 played 245 reviews
4.00 star(s)

The Best in the Capital City

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 28, 2023 Played the course:once

Pros:

A challenging, Blue level course with several multi-shot holes. The longest and toughest course in the Augusta Disc Golf complex.
Concrete tees, really good signs and great DISCatchers with flags (really helpful on the wooded holes and to judge the wind on the open holes), all the basic equipment are here. The tees are a little unusal, 2 trapezoid shaped slabes of concrete, with the small sides back to back, making an hourglass shape. So you can run up right down the middle or use either angle. Plus, there are also practice baskets and a large net to warm up on before your round.
While most of the holes are in a nice mix of hardwoods, the course starts and ends on open or partially wooded holes. At 8000', there are all lengths of holes, 6 Par 3s, 9 Par 4s, and 3 Par 5s. Most of the multi-shot holes have a couple of turns in fairway, not just a long hole.
The great terrain of the property was used very well. in addition to the hardwoods there are also several rock outcroppings and a typical New England stone wall bordering the property.
A well stocked Pro Shop on site, with tons of discs, snacks and drinks. Worth the greens fee to play a well taken care of course on a Disc Golf only property. Even got to meet the owner, very friendly, who remembers a visit from none other than timg, several years ago.

Cons:

There are a few holes on the back 9 with random trees left in the fairway, #11 and (I believe) #15 had several of these. If I'm able to keep it in the fairway on these long holes :), I sure don't want to hit a random tree in the fairway.
#16 has a pretty unusally shaped fairway, playing the first time I thought the fairway was turning one direction off the tee (based on the tee sign), but that first turn went the other way. Probably won't be an issue after a couple of repeat plays.
Also, #14 requires a tee shot to set you up for a 90 degree turn in the fairway, pretty thick woods guarding the inside of the turn and the OB stone wall guarding most of the right side of the fairway. The hole feels a little forced to fill out that part of the property.

Other Thoughts:

Augusta Disc Golf is now a 4 hole complex, Quarry Run - which uses the namesake quarry for a couple of holes and finishes with the complex signature hole, an elevated basket on top of a large mound. Dragonfly - an uber short, putter only course of nine baskets in the "front yard" of the complex. Ghost Tree is the standout and the recently added Casper, a shorter, friendlier version of Ghost Tree. They took several of the GT Par 4s, added a second basket and tee, and you have two Par 3s in the same footprint. I imagine this was to get more beginner and intermediate level players on the course, since Ghost Tree is challenging to play and traverse.
Ghost Tree opens with 3 fairly open, uphill Par 4s holes, to get you up to the woods. Then you have several Par 3s mixed with a couple more Par 4s. The best of these is the 500' 7th, an elevated tee shot that needs to turn left and go down to a small hill, then turn right and further downhill to the basket, with thick woods on both sides all the way. #8 gives you a choice to make, straight at it down a tight gap, or wide left for a right turning shot.
Most of the Back 9 are Par 4s and 5s (with only the Par 3 12th to break it up), with multi turns in the fairways and thick rough on both sides, only #13 is a straight throw, right down the OB fence. After #16 you come back to the mostly open #17 and the finishing hole, a wide open tee shot downhill 600' to the basket in the open. There is a swampy area down the right that shouldn't come into play. This is a neat way to finish the round, with the open part of the complex all in view in front of you.
The Augusta Disc Golf complex is in a great location, the property has plenty of elevation, wooded holes and open bombs to delight everyone, plus it is on a main road in town, so easy to get to and you can even catch a great view of the State Capitol building on your way in or out. Hopefully the addition of the Casper layout will bring in more players and rounds played here.
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12 0
MrFrosty
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 31.1 years 764 played 387 reviews
4.00 star(s)

A Can't Miss Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 18, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

Augusta Disc Golf - Ghost Tree , is the big brother of Quarry Run ( in the same park ) . There is an upper level small parking lot in front of the office and a lower level lot . There is a nice bathroom in the front , and a Port O Let in the woods that is on top of a trailer ( ? ) . This is a dual use facility that also features a batting cage .
The Equipment - The course features a unique hourglass shaped cement tees , plenty long for lengthy and twisted run-ups . The signage is very good and descriptive . It also differentiates itself from the Quarry Run signs so that you don't throw off the wrong tee . The baskets are yellow banded Discatchers . Next Tee signs keep you on the right paths ( print the map , though )
The Landscape . The course was clean , the grass mowed and trees trimmed during my round . The course sits on a scenic piece of land . The first 2 holes and the last 2 holes look almost like you are playing on a golf course . The middle 14 play through woods . .The course has no holes that feature major elevation , but it does roll and has constant grades . Lots of nice looking and mature trees are utilized on each hole . Rock formations are scattered and used throught the back of the course .
The Highlights - So many good holes . Some par 3's , like the thin fairway #4 with a basket that sits on a hill , Par 4's like #2 ( 495' ) that run slightly uphill along a treeline to the left and a big tree that appears on the right , to a basket just in the woods cresting the hill , or #9 , a hyzer 515' through dense woods . A par 5 , like the 760' slightly downhill #11 , with a tight woods line and a landing zone at about 550' .
Signature Hole - #15 560' par 5 . The fairway starts to bend left to right , until you have to throw over a gully to the basket perched on a plateau in the woods .
Amenities - Putting basket behind the building , even a whole putting Course on the grounds , a large net with 2 hourglass tees to use while warming up with your drivers , picnic tables and a cool area to walk through after completing hole 18 . The building here is stocked with discs .
Disc Risk - Low , especially for the summer when the leaves aren't on the ground . Overgrowth is at a minimum because the course is so well kept .
You will hear and maybe briefly see players on the Quarry Run course while playing Ghost Tree , but your paths will never cross . Equal number of left , right and straight holes , with a couple of S fairways thrown in .
Time - It took me an hour and 25 minutes to play the course , I might have slowed because of taking in the Maine and course beauty . A group of 4 concentrating on the game might complete a round in 2 1/2 to 3 hours .

Cons:

-- 1 Tee , ! Basket . Alternate pins to spice up the course for the locals , or multiple tees so players of different levels don't have to choose courses .
-- Pay To Play . If the course gives you what your'e looking for ( and it did for me ) , Pay to Play is worth it , IMO . $6 for 1 round and $10 for a day pass . I had to shove my money into a slot on the side of the office ( It was early ) . Some locals and newbies might want to save money for a new driver .
Pack water . It's a looong 8040' and you never return to the parking lot until you finish #18 . Bug spray in summer .

Other Thoughts:

Picturesque property , 8040' of great disc golf course .Friendly locals . Plenty of amenities . If I could buy a season pass here , I would play early on weekend mornings , just so I could hear the little creatures in the back part of the property . That added to my experience while here . Another plus is that I called the office . They don't have tee times ,leagues or tournaments to block you from playing when you want . Augusta Disc Golf offers it all : Ghost Tree for when you feel like challenging yourself ( The challenge is there ) , Quarry Run for when you just either want to scale back for the day , or work on your approach game , and the little Dragonfly course that you can play with your young kids , or just putt around and collect an ace .
My Recommendation - Maybe a little too long and challenging for newbies , 1 Discers , families or dates ( Play Quarry ) A great place for the locals to hang out , and relax afterwards , Intermediates to pros will love this course . Travelers , If staying near Augusta , this course is a must . and it is just off of I-95 . For the Course Collector , not only is it just off the expressway , it is also a 3 for one stop that might only take you 3 hours . PLAY IT !!!!
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8 0
markmcc
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12 years 278 played 254 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Fantastic Pro Level Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 6, 2019 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Augusta Disc Golf set out to do something different with the second course on the property, and they succeeded. They describe the course as their "Vision of the Modern Game" which turns out to be an 8000+ foot, Par 69 course with a great combination of open bomber holes and tight technical wooded holes.

Hole lengths average out to 450' over the 18 holes, and the holes themselves vary from 252' to 760' in length. Unlike many courses the some of the longest holes (including THE longest) are in the woods. So get ready for some truly challenging Par 5 woods golf with holes of 560', 592' and 760'. There are nine Par 4 holes as well.

The course begins (Holes 1-3) and ends (Hole 18) in the open, with 500' - 600' holes playing across a beautiful sloping meadow. The uphill/downhill aspect adds a lot of challenge, and there are enough trees and shrubs to keeps you honest.

But the real fun is in the woods, where a combination of trees (so many trees...), exposed boulders, rock walls and slopes give each hole its own feel. Many of the holes offer two distinct fairway choices. Hole 10 is a good example: A 272' uphill shot with one fairway requiring a sweeping left-bending drive, and the other offering the opposite sweeping right-bending drive. Pick one or the other, there is no straight route.

The long Hole 11 is a fine example of a complex Par 5 hole. The initial part of the fairway sweeps to the right, but reverses halfway down and sweeps to the left. You need to find the correct landing zone and be in the middle or you may find yourself cut off from a good second or third shot. Accuracy is more important than distance, even on this 760' hole.

All of the wooded holes offer reasonable width fairways, with some starting wide and narrowing toward the pin. A couple sort of devolve into widely spaced trees near the pin, so by the time you get there you'll have the choice of a couple of routes.

Course infrastructure is outstanding, with 28-chain DISCatchers in an interesting orange-yellow color. Excellent concrete teepads and colorful descriptive tee signs. Benches and trash cans at every hole, and plenty of next-tee signs make navigation a snap. There is a bathroom at the clubhouse and at least two porta-potties out on the course.

Cons:

This is a long, challenging course and I'm glad that I played it first thing in the morning. My original plan was to play it at the end of a day after having played two other 18 holes courses, and that would have been a mistake. Try to be fresh when you hit this one.

There are plenty of roots, rocks and lumps on the ground, so ground play is unpredictable. Landing in front of the basket and expecting it to smoothly slide up may leave you a bit frustrated.

There is a single tee and basket location at each hole, though there is talk of adding Gold tees to stretch the course even farther. Yikes!

Other Thoughts:

There is a unbelievable number of excellent disc golfs courses in the Augusta area, and the Augusta Disc Golf complex holds it own. Given it's location in the heart of Augusta it is popular.

I played the other course in this complex (Quarry Run) on a Monday evening and it was busy. I ended up playing through 3 different groups as a single. But at 9:00 Tuesday morning I had this one to myself, and enjoyed watching turkeys and deer on the course.

$6 for one round or $8 for all day is a small price to play for this immaculately maintained course complex.
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0 6
cpbiggers
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Drive here, fly here, play here. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 7, 2017 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Meticulously maintained and well designed. This is not a deuce or die course, this is a course that has challenging lines and fair landing zones for placement shots. You will be rewarded for great shots, and will be forced to scramble when you are off. Course was designed by a Maine "legend", and this is a must play if you are in Maine.

Cons:

None. Fair design through the woods, gorgeous property.
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7 0
HumorMe
Experience: 10 years 21 played 12 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Young course, but super promising 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 4, 2017 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- Great baskets, visible and catchy.
- Long concrete tees.
- Good design; holes are varied and challenging.
- Clear lanes on all holes (remember clear <> easy!)
- Challenging course. Good for players who really want to test themselves.
- Plenty of long holes.
- Shop with good selection
- Clean bathroom
- Driving practice tees with net
- Friendly and knowledgeable owner

Cons:

- Long course. I list this as a pro, but it's also a con. Get in shape before you play!
- Course is still young, so fairways are still a little rough and undergrowth isn't as tamed as its sister course, "Quarry Run". But they work hard on this, and it will improve over time.

Other Thoughts:

I like the establishment. Owner is very serious and thorough about his courses. This is a course to keep your eye on. I expect it to establish itself as one of the top long courses in the state within the next few years.
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2 5
Im_Ryno
Experience: 14.8 years 379 played 19 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Stellar Course! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 16, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

I had the great pleasure to play this awesome course today, it was well worth the drive! I'd heard from other players that this track didn't mess around so I was a little nervous going into it.
I am by no means a great player, but I found the course very playable for my skill level and the pars to be quite fair. When I got out into the back 9, things got rough. (Get It? Golf puns) The holes back there can really test your mettle.
They have a beautiful facility there. I can't wait to make another trip up!

Cons:

Watch out for wind on the 18th, it'll get ya!
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