Black Butte Ranch DGC reviews
5
0
less than impressed 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Jan 1, 2021
Played the course:once
Pros:
-some open tree-free space to fire away
-a few wooded technical shots
-convenient for some residents of black butte ranch
-nice concrete tee pads
-hole numbers on wood post at most pads
-pretty easy to navigate (other than finding tee pad 7)
-doubt it's ever crowded
-parking near hole one
-decent views of the mountains (if it's not cloudy)
-a few wooded technical shots
-convenient for some residents of black butte ranch
-nice concrete tee pads
-hole numbers on wood post at most pads
-pretty easy to navigate (other than finding tee pad 7)
-doubt it's ever crowded
-parking near hole one
-decent views of the mountains (if it's not cloudy)
Cons:
-baskets are below average.. but passable
-the open shots play over ankle-breakin' field grass
-hole 9's baskets is out of commission.. seems to have been this way for some time
-no signage from hole 6 to hole 7- must use udisc map
-no elevation change or wow factor
-the open shots play over ankle-breakin' field grass
-hole 9's baskets is out of commission.. seems to have been this way for some time
-no signage from hole 6 to hole 7- must use udisc map
-no elevation change or wow factor
Other Thoughts:
I was excited to be staying at Black Butte Ranch over the New Year's weekend and to get a chance to play disc golf every day! To my surprise, the ranch is quite large, and the course itself was a solid 2 miles from our house.
We drove there, played it once, marked it as 'played', and did not return.
I agree with the Valkyrie Kid- most holes are too long for beginners/casual residents, but the layout is too boring for serious disc golfers. After playing the first 6 holes and being ready to get out of there, we finally got some more fun wooded shots (3 of them!). But as my heart began to open up, it was struck down by having to play hole 9 into hole 8's basket.
It was like the feeling you get from finding a new disc with no number on it and then having the group ahead of you ask if you happened to find a disc back there that they left behind..
Not how I wanted to finish up the course.
If you are driving by, it's pretty close to the main road (and free to play) but I certainly wouldn't recommend this as a must stop.
Other notes- there are some play toys by the parking lot if you have kids and there is also a nice paved trail through the ranch if you want to go for a bike ride or walk your dog or something.
We drove there, played it once, marked it as 'played', and did not return.
I agree with the Valkyrie Kid- most holes are too long for beginners/casual residents, but the layout is too boring for serious disc golfers. After playing the first 6 holes and being ready to get out of there, we finally got some more fun wooded shots (3 of them!). But as my heart began to open up, it was struck down by having to play hole 9 into hole 8's basket.
It was like the feeling you get from finding a new disc with no number on it and then having the group ahead of you ask if you happened to find a disc back there that they left behind..
Not how I wanted to finish up the course.If you are driving by, it's pretty close to the main road (and free to play) but I certainly wouldn't recommend this as a must stop.
Other notes- there are some play toys by the parking lot if you have kids and there is also a nice paved trail through the ranch if you want to go for a bike ride or walk your dog or something.
2
0
You Built This Disc Golf Course For Who? 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 18, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
Black Butte Ranch is one of those large vacation complex with condos, golf course, tennis, archery, basketball courts and about 27 other things that I didn't see.
The course is nine holes with the first five playing around a large field, # 6 playing directly across the soccer goal and the final three holes playing through the pine forest. There are recently poured concrete pads which are great. The baskets are a very dark blood red color with single chains and a small number. They are kinda pretty. The tee signs are these small decorative poles with a house number screwed on.
Hole # 1 starts with a 386' wide open hole which plays across a lawn. # 2 is 400' across a mowed field. # 3 is 256' across the pasture. # 4 is 257' with a tree on the left and some very pretty mountain scenery. # 5 is 440' with the basket tucked right behind a large Pine tree. # 6 plays 354' directly across the soccer goal. I has to skip it as some parents were working with the next Pele. Now you cross the street and tee off by the tennis courts # 7 is 325' straight ahead. # 8 is a 245' anhyser shot through the Pine forest and #9 then plays 333' deep into the Pines to a hidden basket.
The course is nine holes with the first five playing around a large field, # 6 playing directly across the soccer goal and the final three holes playing through the pine forest. There are recently poured concrete pads which are great. The baskets are a very dark blood red color with single chains and a small number. They are kinda pretty. The tee signs are these small decorative poles with a house number screwed on.
Hole # 1 starts with a 386' wide open hole which plays across a lawn. # 2 is 400' across a mowed field. # 3 is 256' across the pasture. # 4 is 257' with a tree on the left and some very pretty mountain scenery. # 5 is 440' with the basket tucked right behind a large Pine tree. # 6 plays 354' directly across the soccer goal. I has to skip it as some parents were working with the next Pele. Now you cross the street and tee off by the tennis courts # 7 is 325' straight ahead. # 8 is a 245' anhyser shot through the Pine forest and #9 then plays 333' deep into the Pines to a hidden basket.
Cons:
400-500' holes playing across wide open pasture/fields with no obstacles is not my idea of good disc golf.
The decorative pole was missing for both 8 & 9.
# 6 playing across the soccer field isn't the best design.
Single chain baskets are fine for this course.
Navigation is trick especially finding the last three holes.
The decorative pole was missing for both 8 & 9.
# 6 playing across the soccer field isn't the best design.
Single chain baskets are fine for this course.
Navigation is trick especially finding the last three holes.
Other Thoughts:
I think my main question here is? Who was this course built to accommodate? The local disc golf population or the people who vacation here and spend a lot of money? I think the answer is pretty clear. The course was designed and built for vacationer's and their families. Keeping that in mind, I think the resort missed the mark, badly. I think the typical vacationer comes here with his family, has never played disc golf and borrows some discs from the resort hoping to give this sport of disc golf a try. 400-500' wide open holes over fields is not going to be ideal for the vacationing families. The day I played here, there were two such family groups as well as a local foursome, two of which were girlfriends throwing about 75'.
The next day I play the Worldmark Seventh Mountain Resort course in Bend and thought they have designed the perfect resort course. It plays on green grass with most holes between 150' and 250' and only one playing over 300'. With all the wonderful Pine forest here at BBR, they could have constructed a great little recreational course, perfect for their vacationing families and very acceptable for locals who want to come in and play.
The next day I play the Worldmark Seventh Mountain Resort course in Bend and thought they have designed the perfect resort course. It plays on green grass with most holes between 150' and 250' and only one playing over 300'. With all the wonderful Pine forest here at BBR, they could have constructed a great little recreational course, perfect for their vacationing families and very acceptable for locals who want to come in and play.
5
0
rstaats
Experience:
23.4 years
21 played
4 reviews
Simple But Good Play 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 2, 2012
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
-New Tees are great
-Well maintained
-BBR Seems interested in acitve improvements
-Well maintained
-BBR Seems interested in acitve improvements
Cons:
-simple layout
-too many wide open holes
-Tees and baskets are unnumbered
-too many wide open holes
-Tees and baskets are unnumbered
Other Thoughts:
This course is just a fantastic addition to a nice vacation spot. I wouldn't go out of my way to play it, but while at Black Butte, it's a nice 30-45 minute play.
The folks of BBR seem to be interested in improving the course. Fairly recent tee pours are well done, and right sized. Throw up some signage and it'll be Grade A setup, even if the course layout isn't overly challenging.
The folks of BBR seem to be interested in improving the course. Fairly recent tee pours are well done, and right sized. Throw up some signage and it'll be Grade A setup, even if the course layout isn't overly challenging.
5
0
frasnow
Experience:
15.1 years
24 played
3 reviews
Much improved. Nice concrete tees. 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Sep 1, 2012
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
- Great concrete tees.
- Fairly easy to get around, since most tees are visible from the previous basket.
- The woods can be quite challenging on holes 7-9. Perfect warm-up for close-by Hyzer Pines.
- Nice length for each hole, and a good variety. Better grab the birdies on holes 3 and 4, because 5 and 9 are well protected and can be difficult to par.
- Gorgeous views of the Cascade Mountains on the first 6 holes. Even holes 7 through 9 in the woods have a great view of Black Butte.
- Easily reachable by bike for people staying at Black Butte Ranch.
- Can pick up free golf range balls on holes 5 and 6.
- Fairly easy to get around, since most tees are visible from the previous basket.
- The woods can be quite challenging on holes 7-9. Perfect warm-up for close-by Hyzer Pines.
- Nice length for each hole, and a good variety. Better grab the birdies on holes 3 and 4, because 5 and 9 are well protected and can be difficult to par.
- Gorgeous views of the Cascade Mountains on the first 6 holes. Even holes 7 through 9 in the woods have a great view of Black Butte.
- Easily reachable by bike for people staying at Black Butte Ranch.
- Can pick up free golf range balls on holes 5 and 6.
Cons:
- Hole 1 plays through the soccer field, so it can be "closed" at times.
- No signage numbering the holes, but the wood posts have potential.
- Holes 1 through 4 are fairly open shots with few obstacles and not much elevation change.
- The walkout from 6 to 7 needs a sign, since it isn't clear without a map.
- Possibility of hitting someone doing some other activity on holes 1 and 6.
- Some of the baskets are showing their age with missing/broken chains.
- The tall grass on holes 2 through 5 can leave you looking for your disc. On other courses I often use orange discs so they standout, but my darker orange discs blend into the ground and brush on this course.
- Proximity of ball golf driving range to holes 5 and 6. I've seen balls come flying over the fence. Big con: my wife makes me wear a helmet to play this part of the course.
- No signage numbering the holes, but the wood posts have potential.
- Holes 1 through 4 are fairly open shots with few obstacles and not much elevation change.
- The walkout from 6 to 7 needs a sign, since it isn't clear without a map.
- Possibility of hitting someone doing some other activity on holes 1 and 6.
- Some of the baskets are showing their age with missing/broken chains.
- The tall grass on holes 2 through 5 can leave you looking for your disc. On other courses I often use orange discs so they standout, but my darker orange discs blend into the ground and brush on this course.
- Proximity of ball golf driving range to holes 5 and 6. I've seen balls come flying over the fence. Big con: my wife makes me wear a helmet to play this part of the course.
Other Thoughts:
This is an updated review for a much improved course. The terrible u-shaped dirt and wood tees have been replaced by nice concrete tees. The tees may be a little small for my run-up, but they are definitely some of the better tees I've played. I'm really glad the old dangerous blind left turn over a bike path onto a multi-use playing field has been removed. The new hole 6 is a much better use of this piece of land. The woods housing holes 7 through 9 used to have 5 baskets with some jokingly short holes; now the three new holes form a challenging loop worth playing twice.
Black Butte is clearly trying to make improvements to the course. The baskets used to be painted green, due to some of the residents finding them unsightly. Now they are a bright red, which makes them easy to see.
When I heard Black Butte Ranch has a disc golf course I had hoped it was through the woods on the other side of Hawks Beard road. The land is still there; maybe someday BBR will have a disc golf course on par with its two ball golf courses. I'd love to have an additional 9, or perhaps 18.
I highly recommend making the 15 minute drive to Hyzer Pines, but if you don't have time BBR DGC can satisfy your desire to play some disc golf. It can also be a good warm-up course for Hyzer Pines, or a cool-down course for late in the day.
Black Butte is clearly trying to make improvements to the course. The baskets used to be painted green, due to some of the residents finding them unsightly. Now they are a bright red, which makes them easy to see.
When I heard Black Butte Ranch has a disc golf course I had hoped it was through the woods on the other side of Hawks Beard road. The land is still there; maybe someday BBR will have a disc golf course on par with its two ball golf courses. I'd love to have an additional 9, or perhaps 18.
I highly recommend making the 15 minute drive to Hyzer Pines, but if you don't have time BBR DGC can satisfy your desire to play some disc golf. It can also be a good warm-up course for Hyzer Pines, or a cool-down course for late in the day.
6
1
castigo
Experience:
15.4 years
40 played
4 reviews
*updated* Revised course with teepads... almost a really good course! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jun 27, 2012
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Beautiful scenery, quiet course, clean air and grounds
Well-maintained bathroom
Playground for the rugrats
Well-maintained bathroom
Playground for the rugrats
Cons:
No signage. None.
Some VERY short holes
*update*: They added tee pads recently (see below)
Please give us a course map and some signage!
Some VERY short holes
*update*: They added tee pads recently (see below)
Please give us a course map and some signage!
Other Thoughts:
*update*: This course has recently changed layouts. Another hole has been added to the first section (drives through the field), and one of the "short woodsy" holes on the back 4 have been removed. Also, the last 3 holes are played in a triangle through a more open forested area than the previous 100-feet-or-less-but-I-can't-see-the-pin-cuz-of-the-dense-brush layout.
These changes, plus the addition of concrete tee pads, have made this course a lot more fun. It still plays like two courses (long drives through the field for the first 5, then put your driver away and rock that mid-range game for the last 4). The changes to this course warrant a bump in rating.
The last three holes were kinda hard to puzzle out what went where, but with a little scouting you can figure it out.
Add some signage and maps, and you've got yourself a very nice course, BBR.
*6-20-10 review: Black Butte Ranch offers golf, tennis, hiking, biking, etc., and this small course seems like an afterthought. The first thing that you will notice is there are no tee pads - not even boards, or a cleared-off area to show you where to tee from. I did not see any information regarding the course map, and if it weren't for the small hand-drawn map found in "Files" on this site, I would have had no direction.
The first hole tees from the drinking fountain at the playground. The first three holes are huck-it-far material-you play through a field of tall grass (which can become a swamp if there has been any rain).
Holes 4-9 involve playing through the short trees. You won't use a driver past hole 4. Many of these holes are incredibly short. It may seem Par 3 for some of these are generous, but since you have virtually no clear path, you will probably need all 3 shots.
This course seemed very unusual. The dense trees you have to shoot through make the last half a game of luck. A higher rating would be warranted if they would add some maps & some tee pads (is it tough to put in some boards?). That being said, it is a beautiful and peaceful short course, and worth a stop on your way to Hyzer or COCC.
These changes, plus the addition of concrete tee pads, have made this course a lot more fun. It still plays like two courses (long drives through the field for the first 5, then put your driver away and rock that mid-range game for the last 4). The changes to this course warrant a bump in rating.
The last three holes were kinda hard to puzzle out what went where, but with a little scouting you can figure it out.
Add some signage and maps, and you've got yourself a very nice course, BBR.
*6-20-10 review: Black Butte Ranch offers golf, tennis, hiking, biking, etc., and this small course seems like an afterthought. The first thing that you will notice is there are no tee pads - not even boards, or a cleared-off area to show you where to tee from. I did not see any information regarding the course map, and if it weren't for the small hand-drawn map found in "Files" on this site, I would have had no direction.
The first hole tees from the drinking fountain at the playground. The first three holes are huck-it-far material-you play through a field of tall grass (which can become a swamp if there has been any rain).
Holes 4-9 involve playing through the short trees. You won't use a driver past hole 4. Many of these holes are incredibly short. It may seem Par 3 for some of these are generous, but since you have virtually no clear path, you will probably need all 3 shots.
This course seemed very unusual. The dense trees you have to shoot through make the last half a game of luck. A higher rating would be warranted if they would add some maps & some tee pads (is it tough to put in some boards?). That being said, it is a beautiful and peaceful short course, and worth a stop on your way to Hyzer or COCC.