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Buffalo Mountain DGC reviews
16
0
Maybe the Toughest Course I've Ever Played
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 15, 2022
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
-This 18 hole championship level course nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains gives some of the most glorious views that I have ever seen in my life. Course is brand spanking new and it's already in my top five. There's a mix of open and wooded, tons of elevation change, a pond, and even from the longest and most difficult layout, there are a couple of easy birdies. Even on a 1010 rated gold layout. Buffalo Mountain blew me away and I'm already dying to go back. On my days off, I'm seriously considering to make it a habit to drive two hours and back to play here.
-You'll see many prodigy baskets in the open where you park. You'll then see a kiosk with a course map beside the small clubhouse. Right from there, you'll see #1's tee.
-36 new prodigy baskets. Two are practice baskets. Two holes have one basket. The short pins are red and the longs are blue. Custom made tee signs on every hole that are Buffalo head shaped. Hole info is given on those signs.
-Two sets of turf tee pads on every hole here. Sixteen holes have two baskets in place. Holes #11 and #16 only have one pin but they are still both very fun holes. They are the easiest holes if you play longs to longs. Four different layouts available here.......
-That being said, Buffalo Mountain will attract just about anybody. The short pads to short pins are for the most part pretty beginner friendly. Few holes on that layout are more challenging (such as #2, #8, #10, #12, and #17). #16 is the shortest hole on this layout. Only 135' and steep downhill with the pond 35' behind. It's begging you to ace it. Buffalo Mountain is a real monster from the longs to longs. Multiple par threes that are debatably par fours. This layout utilizes the most elevation. #2 is terrifying! You throw up a huge hill in the woods. The line is wide but twists a bit left toward the top of the hill. The short basket is down the ridge and to the right side past some bushes. The long pin is to the left and plays as a brutal double dogleg up another hill. Rises over 50' in elevation. The next hole? Back down a huge hill through a canopy! Extreme elevation is present. Only 296' from the long pad to long pin. So definitely a hole you want to birdie since it plays essentially as a drop shot. Miss this one, and you'll get a second chance on #16. It's only 200' from the long pad and the basket is down more than 40' below. You'll be jump putting with the risk of going in the water.
-The par fours are all fantastic holes. #2 is probably at its best from the long pad to short basket since it plays as a rewarding pro par four. The top of the hill is probably 280' from the long pad and the basket plays on top of the hill. The long pin offers more shock value than the short pin since it is farther uphill near the top of a mountain. Birdies would be incredibly rare from the long to long. Even from the short pad, it's still a well executed par four.
#8 is down a grassy pasture like fairway with the woods on the left side and some serious rough on the right. The short pin is in the open and makes for a great stationing par four from the long pad. Throw up a small but steep hill and try not to curl to the left side. The long pin isn't much longer and is still relatively attackable; but only if you play smart. It's 614' from the long to long. Throw an understable mid or fairway and throw a slightly overstable mid that'll hook left into the wooded green. #9 was intimidating being down a tight path edged with pines. This is a dogleg right and the hill steeply declines at the landing zone, making it tough to not go long with a straight shot. Both pins are further downhill with the long pin being far left in the open and the short being straight ahead behind an old tree.
#13 and #18 are more open par fours. #13 is a real grip and rip par four. Even if you play the short pad to short pin, it's still a pump to reach with it being significantly uphill. The short pin is straight ahead, and is a pretty easy hole considerably even from the long pad. The long pin makes this a true multi shot par four. The long pin is to the right side instantly past the short pin. It's 676' from the long pad and plays maybe 740'. The approach shot is generous enough, but edged with pine trees on both sides close in proximity to each other. A birdie is within reach for pros if they throw a big enough drive and hook a bit left on the wide fairway. It would leave with a lengthy second shot from the open field to the end of the tree line. #18 is maybe the signature hole. You tee off beside the cabins down a large hill and get to watch your driver fly! Distance throwers, be wary of throwing a driver since the bank of the pond is about 520' from the long pad and very reachable from the tee if you can comfortably throw 400' on flat ground. The short basket is shy of the water, so it's a reachable par four from the long pad to short pin. The long pin is over the pond making this an epic downhill bomb over a water hazard!
-Love the fact that even from the longs to long, as hard of a course it is, it still has a couple of easy holes that'll boost your confidence. Help you catch up and impact your mental game for the better. #11 is up and over a small hill. Basket is on the drop off, so it is a placement shot. #3 and #16 are two of some of the funnest downhill ace runs that I've ever played.
-#17 from the long gives a nice option to throw a high spike hyzer over tons of pine trees. Especially if you play long to short. The fairway plays as a dogleg right, but since you start in the open, there is room to attempt to throw high over the trees on the right and have a possible chance for birdie if you have a big arm.
-Every transition consists of multiple next tee arrows in different colors. Gold, blue, red, and white. Gold and blue pointing you to longs, and red and white pointing you to shorts.
-You'll see many prodigy baskets in the open where you park. You'll then see a kiosk with a course map beside the small clubhouse. Right from there, you'll see #1's tee.
-36 new prodigy baskets. Two are practice baskets. Two holes have one basket. The short pins are red and the longs are blue. Custom made tee signs on every hole that are Buffalo head shaped. Hole info is given on those signs.
-Two sets of turf tee pads on every hole here. Sixteen holes have two baskets in place. Holes #11 and #16 only have one pin but they are still both very fun holes. They are the easiest holes if you play longs to longs. Four different layouts available here.......
-That being said, Buffalo Mountain will attract just about anybody. The short pads to short pins are for the most part pretty beginner friendly. Few holes on that layout are more challenging (such as #2, #8, #10, #12, and #17). #16 is the shortest hole on this layout. Only 135' and steep downhill with the pond 35' behind. It's begging you to ace it. Buffalo Mountain is a real monster from the longs to longs. Multiple par threes that are debatably par fours. This layout utilizes the most elevation. #2 is terrifying! You throw up a huge hill in the woods. The line is wide but twists a bit left toward the top of the hill. The short basket is down the ridge and to the right side past some bushes. The long pin is to the left and plays as a brutal double dogleg up another hill. Rises over 50' in elevation. The next hole? Back down a huge hill through a canopy! Extreme elevation is present. Only 296' from the long pad to long pin. So definitely a hole you want to birdie since it plays essentially as a drop shot. Miss this one, and you'll get a second chance on #16. It's only 200' from the long pad and the basket is down more than 40' below. You'll be jump putting with the risk of going in the water.
-The par fours are all fantastic holes. #2 is probably at its best from the long pad to short basket since it plays as a rewarding pro par four. The top of the hill is probably 280' from the long pad and the basket plays on top of the hill. The long pin offers more shock value than the short pin since it is farther uphill near the top of a mountain. Birdies would be incredibly rare from the long to long. Even from the short pad, it's still a well executed par four.
#8 is down a grassy pasture like fairway with the woods on the left side and some serious rough on the right. The short pin is in the open and makes for a great stationing par four from the long pad. Throw up a small but steep hill and try not to curl to the left side. The long pin isn't much longer and is still relatively attackable; but only if you play smart. It's 614' from the long to long. Throw an understable mid or fairway and throw a slightly overstable mid that'll hook left into the wooded green. #9 was intimidating being down a tight path edged with pines. This is a dogleg right and the hill steeply declines at the landing zone, making it tough to not go long with a straight shot. Both pins are further downhill with the long pin being far left in the open and the short being straight ahead behind an old tree.
#13 and #18 are more open par fours. #13 is a real grip and rip par four. Even if you play the short pad to short pin, it's still a pump to reach with it being significantly uphill. The short pin is straight ahead, and is a pretty easy hole considerably even from the long pad. The long pin makes this a true multi shot par four. The long pin is to the right side instantly past the short pin. It's 676' from the long pad and plays maybe 740'. The approach shot is generous enough, but edged with pine trees on both sides close in proximity to each other. A birdie is within reach for pros if they throw a big enough drive and hook a bit left on the wide fairway. It would leave with a lengthy second shot from the open field to the end of the tree line. #18 is maybe the signature hole. You tee off beside the cabins down a large hill and get to watch your driver fly! Distance throwers, be wary of throwing a driver since the bank of the pond is about 520' from the long pad and very reachable from the tee if you can comfortably throw 400' on flat ground. The short basket is shy of the water, so it's a reachable par four from the long pad to short pin. The long pin is over the pond making this an epic downhill bomb over a water hazard!
-Love the fact that even from the longs to long, as hard of a course it is, it still has a couple of easy holes that'll boost your confidence. Help you catch up and impact your mental game for the better. #11 is up and over a small hill. Basket is on the drop off, so it is a placement shot. #3 and #16 are two of some of the funnest downhill ace runs that I've ever played.
-#17 from the long gives a nice option to throw a high spike hyzer over tons of pine trees. Especially if you play long to short. The fairway plays as a dogleg right, but since you start in the open, there is room to attempt to throw high over the trees on the right and have a possible chance for birdie if you have a big arm.
-Every transition consists of multiple next tee arrows in different colors. Gold, blue, red, and white. Gold and blue pointing you to longs, and red and white pointing you to shorts.
Cons:
-What you would expect for a new course. It's being broken in. Lots of tall stuff in some of the fairways. So along with paying $10, expect to lose a disc. I didn't lose any, but keep an eye out since the rough is hard to see through at time. Mainly on the first four holes, and then on holes six through nine.
-The chicken: A chicken was hiding in the rough on #7. It made a sudden and loud move from the trees and made an incredibly loud squawk. It scared me half to death. The whole town of Willis may have heard me shriek. Beware of the chickens on #7 and #8.
-#10's long tee is tangent to #1's fairway from the long pad. Both holes are excellent and fun to play, but this would for sure cause a yield in tournament play.
-The chicken: A chicken was hiding in the rough on #7. It made a sudden and loud move from the trees and made an incredibly loud squawk. It scared me half to death. The whole town of Willis may have heard me shriek. Beware of the chickens on #7 and #8.
-#10's long tee is tangent to #1's fairway from the long pad. Both holes are excellent and fun to play, but this would for sure cause a yield in tournament play.
Other Thoughts:
-Destination course without debate. It's incredible. With it being broken in currently, it's going to possibly be more of a destination course than Ashe County and Mayflower Hills. I already like Buffalo Mountain slightly more than Ashe County and Mayflower Hills. Both courses are in the top 50 on this site. Buffalo Mountain should get there within a year once it gets a little more foot traffic. It needs to get there, so come on out! There are even cabin rental options that you'll spot beside #18's tee pad.
-Two of the par threes from the long pads to long pins are definitely par fours in my opinion. #7 is 449' and uphill at least 25' in elevation. The line to get there is not straight. It starts off a bit wide and gives room to throw a driver. You are still then left with a very tough approach that is more than 150'. The approach is down a very tight, left turning trail. It's a hard enough par three from the long pad to short pin. #10 is about 450' and uphill as well. It's more open and doesn't play as a dogleg. But you are throwing uphill through a canopy. It's an excellent looking hole, and same with #7. But even with Buffalo Mountain being a pro course from this layout, these holes are too hard to reach. If they are reached, a two would feel like an eagle. I think par should be adjusted.
#12 is up about 20' in elevation. It's very open with the OB road on the left. #4 at Rolling Pines has a doppelgänger. #12 at Buffalo Mountain is over 440' with an OB gravel road left and some serious rough on the right side. I liked this hole better since it's over a valley and gives an excellent view of the clubhouse on the green. The short pin is a little more attackable, since it isn't quite as long or further up the hill. This hole in my opinion, from long to long is right at the cutoff between par three and par four. It's incredibly tough, but still a ton of fun.
-#6 will be a love or hate hole. I enjoyed it simply because of the dramatic elevation incline. The short pad to short pin is only 137'. It wouldn't feel good to throw a mid range or even possibly a fairway driver on a hole this short, but the elevation is instant and makes it play a lot longer even from the shortest option possible. The long pin is farther up the hill and slightly to the right, probably 20-25' higher up. Basket is in a tree stump! If you have a really mean sidearm, then you'll have a blast on this hole since there is a tree that divides the fairway by creating two smaller gaps. The right gap is much tougher to hit, while the left gap is more accommodating, yet has more roller potential. The long pad to long pin is only 229' but the rise is so instant and high to where a mid range would not do the trick. Again if you have an impressive sidearm, this hole will come more natural. It will still intimidate every single player that steps to the tee. You think #2 at Sam Brown Park in Sparta is a monster? #6 at Buffalo Mountain is a much bigger one from long to long. And it's not even the toughest hole here!
-You'll be throwing multiple shots on the big downhill holes. You'll be watching drives sail down the hill on #18 and you'll be trying to ace #3 and #16. And you will have a blast doing it! These downhillers will blow you away. If you like the downhill holes at Panther Creek, you will LOVE these three holes. #9 is another big downhiller. The approach shot to the long pin position from the landing zone is a ton of fun to throw from. You'll be compelled to throw multiple shots from there too.
-My favorite course in Virginia. I haven't played many in Virginia but if did, Buffalo Mountain would high likely still be my favorite. There's almost no doubt in my mind about that. I do hope #7 and #10 become par fours though. Once it's more broken in and polished, I'll give it a 5 for sure. I just want to see it evolve!
-Do not play until you make a reservation on buffalomountaindiscgolf.com. It's $10 and I'm happy to pay that every time I stop here. It's probably even funner than Busch Gardens (which costs a lot more than $10 for a day of rides). This is a disc golf amusement park and there's no waiting thirty minutes in line for a ride. Come on out, but sign up and pay the $10 first. Here's an alert, you won't have service when leaving so your GPS may not work. You may have to drive back from where you came from and find service. You don't want to be nearly empty on gas on arrival either. The nearest gas station I passed after I left was a good fifteen miles away. So yeah, it's far from civilization. If coming from NC, stop at the gas station in Jonesville on your way over and buy a couple of drinks. Guava nectar, strawberry, mango, peach. Those nectar drinks, they are all winners. They are cheap too. Can't get enough of them!
-Two of the par threes from the long pads to long pins are definitely par fours in my opinion. #7 is 449' and uphill at least 25' in elevation. The line to get there is not straight. It starts off a bit wide and gives room to throw a driver. You are still then left with a very tough approach that is more than 150'. The approach is down a very tight, left turning trail. It's a hard enough par three from the long pad to short pin. #10 is about 450' and uphill as well. It's more open and doesn't play as a dogleg. But you are throwing uphill through a canopy. It's an excellent looking hole, and same with #7. But even with Buffalo Mountain being a pro course from this layout, these holes are too hard to reach. If they are reached, a two would feel like an eagle. I think par should be adjusted.
#12 is up about 20' in elevation. It's very open with the OB road on the left. #4 at Rolling Pines has a doppelgänger. #12 at Buffalo Mountain is over 440' with an OB gravel road left and some serious rough on the right side. I liked this hole better since it's over a valley and gives an excellent view of the clubhouse on the green. The short pin is a little more attackable, since it isn't quite as long or further up the hill. This hole in my opinion, from long to long is right at the cutoff between par three and par four. It's incredibly tough, but still a ton of fun.
-#6 will be a love or hate hole. I enjoyed it simply because of the dramatic elevation incline. The short pad to short pin is only 137'. It wouldn't feel good to throw a mid range or even possibly a fairway driver on a hole this short, but the elevation is instant and makes it play a lot longer even from the shortest option possible. The long pin is farther up the hill and slightly to the right, probably 20-25' higher up. Basket is in a tree stump! If you have a really mean sidearm, then you'll have a blast on this hole since there is a tree that divides the fairway by creating two smaller gaps. The right gap is much tougher to hit, while the left gap is more accommodating, yet has more roller potential. The long pad to long pin is only 229' but the rise is so instant and high to where a mid range would not do the trick. Again if you have an impressive sidearm, this hole will come more natural. It will still intimidate every single player that steps to the tee. You think #2 at Sam Brown Park in Sparta is a monster? #6 at Buffalo Mountain is a much bigger one from long to long. And it's not even the toughest hole here!
-You'll be throwing multiple shots on the big downhill holes. You'll be watching drives sail down the hill on #18 and you'll be trying to ace #3 and #16. And you will have a blast doing it! These downhillers will blow you away. If you like the downhill holes at Panther Creek, you will LOVE these three holes. #9 is another big downhiller. The approach shot to the long pin position from the landing zone is a ton of fun to throw from. You'll be compelled to throw multiple shots from there too.
-My favorite course in Virginia. I haven't played many in Virginia but if did, Buffalo Mountain would high likely still be my favorite. There's almost no doubt in my mind about that. I do hope #7 and #10 become par fours though. Once it's more broken in and polished, I'll give it a 5 for sure. I just want to see it evolve!
-Do not play until you make a reservation on buffalomountaindiscgolf.com. It's $10 and I'm happy to pay that every time I stop here. It's probably even funner than Busch Gardens (which costs a lot more than $10 for a day of rides). This is a disc golf amusement park and there's no waiting thirty minutes in line for a ride. Come on out, but sign up and pay the $10 first. Here's an alert, you won't have service when leaving so your GPS may not work. You may have to drive back from where you came from and find service. You don't want to be nearly empty on gas on arrival either. The nearest gas station I passed after I left was a good fifteen miles away. So yeah, it's far from civilization. If coming from NC, stop at the gas station in Jonesville on your way over and buy a couple of drinks. Guava nectar, strawberry, mango, peach. Those nectar drinks, they are all winners. They are cheap too. Can't get enough of them!
