First, I think all course reviewers on here know, but it needs restating how difficult it is to review a private course. Everywhere you look you see dedication to a passion and someone willing to create something that wouldn't exist otherwise. It's impossible to be completely objective in that situation. Cabin Creek falls squarely in that category, an amazing labor of love that shows signs of great care all throughout, from the (possibly) homemade baskets to the hand built bridges and stairs. Still, it's important for reviews to give a fair assessment of a course so that future players will know what to expect, so that's what I'll endeavor to do here.
Pros:
-Concrete Pads on every hole, with the occasional alternate pad as well.
-Baskets, which appeared homemade, caught really well and often had alternative pin placements.
-The real beauty of this course is the variety, longish par 4s, woods, open, elevation, water hazards, death putts...This course really had a little bit of everything.
-The natural beauty of this course was outstanding. Since this is private land you really are the only person around and can appreciate the sights and sounds. There's a creek running throughout the course that is just lovely.
-My favorite stretch was holes 16 and 17. 16 plays downhill and over a 10' wide creek to the basket on the opposite bank. It's a classic risk reward moment. Then 17 plays 250' across an open field into a difficult wooded area that forces you to pick a gap.
-This course has pedigree, as others have mentioned Cabin Creek was the site of the 1998 Worlds Final 9 between Climo and Stockley. While the layout was modified for that event, it's still great to be able to play the same course.
-Private course means it's nearly always empty.
-Owner was extremely friendly and responsive when I messaged them. Facebook appears to be their preferred form of contact.
-Porto-Potty by the parking area

-I've avoided the elephant in the room to this point, but now it must be stated that Cabin Creek is first and foremost a paintball retreat. The paintball courses clearly take priority to the disc golf, both in land usage and time. While this is perfectly understandable for the owner to do (I'm sure he makes significantly more from large paintball groups then from disc golfers), it does put a damper on the disc golf course. You first run into it on hole 6. A lovely, slightly downhill shot to a protected green by the creek must first play overtop of 200 feet of paintball barriers. Later, hole 8 plays uphill over several paintball walls and hole 9 and 10 play through a similar obstacle course as does 14. Every one of these holes are still excellent, but it does leave a part of you thinking "what if". Still, this is not a slight on the owner, who has created an amazing duel facility.
-The ever present creek results in plenty of flooding which makes a lot of the holes tough to maintain. I played in the winter so high grass wasn't an issue, but it's a much different story in the summer.
-Holes 1 & 2, as well as 17 & 18 play near the owner's home. This brings multiple parking areas and driveways in to play. I accidently parked in 2s fairway unknowingly.
-Some discarded tractor equipment in 1's fairway, nothing major.
-2 plays near a shed and a few cars
-No real signage to speak of, just have a course map handy and you'll be fine.
-Costs $5 a round and requires advanced notice to the owner. This isn't a con, but you should be aware of it. There's a collection box by hole 1 or you can send them the money via Venmo. It's also $40 for a year's pass and they run a couple of tournaments a year where they wave the course fee.

I'm really making an effort to give a complete look at Cabin Creek so that anyone making a trip here knows what to expect. Most factors are just a result of it being a private course on someone's property and none of this should deter you from going out there. Genuinely, the shot variety and natural beauty alone make this course memorable. If it didn't share the space it would likely be an easy 4/5 but I still going to get to experience one of the best home courses I've ever played.

This course has a lot of pros, first of which is the family that did the clearing and design and now does the maintenance they are just wonderful people. The landscape of the property itself seems as it was just made for this layout/design there's a little bit of everything here so bring a disc for every shot. Hyzer, anhyzer,helix shots on the 2 500 footers 2 and 15. I watched Climo and Stokely just put on a clinic here on a modified layout for the final 9 for the 98 Worlds when Climo won his 9th straight world championship. They both were putting from around 50 ft on the 501ft hole 2 which was the starting hole for the layout. Then it was 3 long which is a rip in and of itself but Stokely took it up a notch.Climo took the traditional fairway route and went well past where 3 short is right up to where you have to step up about 3ft to get into the little cave of trees the basket for 3 long is in. Stokely you could say took the alternate route he crushed a hyzer out and around the 2 sycamores that you have to throw through on 16 and came crashing in behind 3 long. And there was a lot more but sorry I got sidetracked. The courses major issue as a pay to play was no one knew it was there. But even though that was the case Midge and Scott always kept the course in pristine condition. Preparing for the 98 worlds me and some friends walked around the whole course with Scott he had the tractor and the trailer and we picked up every branch,limb, twig you name it on that course. Scott was always coming up with and installing new pin placements and the long tee on 14. I took him to buy and helped him plant the pines around 1's green, 15 and a few other places. They were about 5 ft tall then now they're about 25ft. It was just the amount of pride that went into every step of the course's development. And it definitely showed in the end result I pretty much lived out there when Scott didn't have time to do the weedeating I would do it for him. There's a street light right above 1's basket and I would be leaving at dark to go home and end up pulling over and putting until 11p.m.

The biggest and only con I can think of is the course has to be shared with paintball now since no one knew it was there and disc golf wasn't making any money paintball started. It started out small but when I got back from my ten year hiatus from disc golf due to my second wife I was heartbroken. The perfectly groomed disc golf course I came to know and love was littered with tractor tires, pallets, corrugated pipe you name it. I'd stand on the tee looking for the line I had aimed for 100 times and there is a pallet a tire or a big piece of pipe right in the middle of it. And god forbid I shank a shot or not be throwing from an upper elevation because all them obstacles are at perfect disc line height you have to change so much about your throwing style to avoid them. I'll never quit playing there and I'll never stop helping Bill and Midge when they need it. They had to do something to bring in the extra money disc golf was supposed to.

I don't know what happened but I ended up with a different username. I just did this review and wanted to make an edit to it to let everyone know because I saw it brought up a couple times. The issue with the baskets for the 98 worlds wasn't about them not conforming to PDGA standards it was that they were made by a manufacturer that didn't hold the patent. So they had to get permission from who did hold the patent to use them for a sanctioned PDGA event.

The pros about this course can go on for some time. No doubt if I was rating this course before paintball took over it would get a 5 hands down. The rural atmosphere that make it feel like it's nothing but you and the course is so calming. In the fall when all the leaves start to turn it makes it even more stunning. There are alternate pins on nearly every hole and 14 has a long tee. The Erkenbrechers are some of the nicest people I've met they go out of their way to make you feel welcome and will answer questions about the layout if you have any. Of course I have the benefit of having a lifetime membership for all the work I helped do on the course it was only 15 minutes from my house. I helped plant all of the pines on the course and did a ton of weedeating. The property just seems like it was designed for this layout one hole just flows to the next. It was used in the 98 Worlds and a modified design was used for the final 9. That was the year Climo won his 9th straight World Championship him and Stokely just put on a clinic. Rolling hills, a creek that runs straight through the heart of the entire course meaning water hazards on nearly every hole, and just a beautiful layout.

The first big con for me is all the paintball obstacles that now litter the course you not only have to fight the terrain, the design, and the foliage you have countless pallets giant corrugated pipes and tractor tires stacked so high there's just no line when there really should be sometimes and it will drive your score up. Mother Nature has taken her toll on the course as well and with Scott focused on paintball that leaves his mom and dad to do all the upkeep. They do their very best but age takes it's toll I know I met them 20 years ago and I've lost a step or two as well. The distances used to be spray painted on the tees but have long since worn off. That's one of my projects I have to do. I can see how having no next tee signs or marker to show you which pin placement is in can cause problems but I've probably played the course close to 100 times so I generally know where to look. So for me I guess the paintball is the issue. The course never had bridges across the creek and Scott wanted it that way so that never bothered me.

Beautiful layout and if you're a lucky one that got to see the fairways and how manicured everything was before paintball you know what I mean. I'll still be a regular it's my home course and I want to help Bill and Midge all I can.

+ Unique in every way. All 18 holes were designed with maximum creativity. Every hole features some combination of elevation, obstacles, and water hazards.

+ Challenging. Most older courses are so elementary it makes for a boring round. Not at Cabin Creek. Lines are kept intentionally low and narrow to keep you honest from tee to pin.

+ Incredible atmosphere. When I first played here I was mesmerized by the ambiance of the property. Because of its distance from highways and urban features, it can even feel a little spooky at times. The only man-made sounds you'll hear are the occasional drone of a train in the distance. Play here in the Fall for the optimal wow factor.

+ Low traffic. I've played Cabin Creek over 20 times and have seen other groups playing only twice. You'll never have to worry about playing through another group or vice versa.

+ Hole 3 literally takes you over the river and through the woods. Try not to get a six!

+ Hole 8 forces you over a bunker constructed for paintball competitions.

+ Hole 11 is a long downhill bomb to the pin, which is surrounded by a small ravine created by the creek. Gorgeous scene from the tee.

+ Hole 16 asks for a tall anny flex (RHBH) if you have any chance of crossing the creek to the basket. To slow the erosion occurring in the creek bed, Midge has asked all players to use the concrete bridge on the left when approaching the pin.

+ Amos! The course mascot is a mid-sized black dog with plenty of love to give. He knows not to mess with your discs, but he'll pop in every couple holes to say hello.

- Remoteness (also a 'pro'). I live about 10 minutes away in Hamilton, but for those traveling from Cincinnati, Dayton, or beyond, the commute may take a while. This adds to the relaxed feel of the course however.

- Weekdays only (usually). Because the paintball course is typically reserved on weekends, your best bet is to play this course on a weekday. Always call ahead!

- No signage. Not an issue after you've played a couple times, but until then you should print a course map or save it to your phone.

Bill and Midge are both wonderful people who go out of their way to make you feel at home. When you call ahead, they'll often apprise you of the weather forecast and advise you on course conditions (high water, tall grass, muddy spots, etc.). They've spent nearly three decades curating this course to the point of legendary status. If it's feasible at all. you MUST play this memorable course at least once.

This could be a good course.Dont want to pay 5 for it though.Not really into this course,Doesnt have much to offer really.

Everything, no signs,too much woods etc

Not my favorite course.It could be much better.Needs more upkeep and new baskets.

Cabin Creek is a private, pay to play course between Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, located on over thirty acres of land used primarily for paintball, which includes the paintball obstacles in a clever way to add interest to the DG holes. But the Disc Golf is not neglected in any way.

The design incorporates the clearings, elevations, obstacles, and natural elements to create interesting, challenging, and fun lines of flight for all levels of players.

Though Novice and Rec players may not score well here, it's very much worth the effort, just for the unique experience.

The first time I played here was in the spring, with flowers blooming, and the weather was just perfect. The owner was awesome: she provided a great map w/ tips, mowed some fairways ahead of me (!), and checked twice to make sure I wasn't getting lost...which is amazing.

There's plenty of parking, a port-o-let, and usually extra paintball pellets lying around!

As far as the DG play, you start out with a 300 foot hyzer (rhbh) around the pine trees toward the entry drive, then a straight open second hole usually out the full length of a football field. Now that you're loose, you need to shape shots downhill to the right, and near the creek, uphill through the trees a couple of times, and over the main paintball battle arena.

After a blind, shorter (285) hyzer #7, the very cool, uphill #8 basket is behind a barricade 'castle'. If the ninth basket is in the long position, you've got a challenging dogleg left, followed by a precision-required, shorter #10.

The eleventh is a pretty downhill shot off the small rolling bluff, threading through some sparse trees, and landing at the basket snuggled in the bend of the creek.

(Jumping ahead) I really enjoy the challenge of parking the downhill #16 through the trees and just a few feet past the creek bed. # 17 plays over an open field where they sometimes have inflatable paintball obstacles, and into a grove of saplings for the pin, which sits between the creek on your left, and some potentially marshy wetlands on your right.

Then you have to shoot through the trees, up over the bluff and back into the open field near the parking area for a really different final hole.

This course will use all the shots in your bag, ranges from 184' to 505', goes left, middle and right, up and downhill, and has open bombs and threaded needle shots. Adequate concrete tee pads and multiple pin positions really help with the replay factor.

Since the disc golfer in this family has gotten a little older, so have the baskets, which are quality, but beginning to show their age. On the positive side, I noticed my second time there that some had three (!) layers of chains, and the baskets were deep and forgiving.

They work very hard here to make sure DG players have a great time, and to keep the course in as good a condition as possible, but this is an established, older course now, and, seeing limited DG use, isn't always as pristine as courses that get daily traffic. I am absolutely not complaining, but want to make sure expectations aren't up there for a perfectly groomed fairway all the time.

I know from personal experience that the folks here work very hard to get things ready ahead of visitors if they schedule the course open for disc golf play.

As far as the layout and the enjoyment factor at Cabin Creek, it's very difficult to list any 'cons', at least as far as I am concerned. Well, maybe just a couple: It's fairly far out from town (and therefore about an hour from my home), and isn't open for disc golf every day.

You should know that I've only played here twice, and am near the end of my first year playing. I usually want to play a course five times before writing a review, but this is a special place.

Play is by appointment on specified days sporadically throughout the year. Please visit the GCFDA website forums, where you can find further info.

The owners usually only ask for $5, and you need to sign a waiver (probably derived from the paintball, and only to be sure they are protected, not because you have much - or any - chance of getting hurt).

If you ever get the opportunity to play this course, it's worth it!!

Charming and scenic combination Paint Ball/Disc Golf course is set across rolling terrain with continuous elevation changes ranging from minor to major. Wonderfully treed and well laid out to provide interesting lines, well-guarded baskets, and quite a significant challenge.
• Superb disc play with a range of offerings that runs the gamut: long/short, up & downhilll/flat, over valleys/gullies, left/right/straight. Many (if not most) holes really make you think about your tee shot and what line to take. This really varied among players depending on their particular comfort zone. Bring your entire arsenal... this course will take every shot you can throw at it.
• Paintball obstacles scattered about some of the holes (about 6 or so?) provide an incomparable element to ramp up challenge and add an inimitable flavor to the course; paintball obstacles down low, with mature trees creating a ceiling or otherwise restricting routes you can take.
• Plenty of pins that are blind or well tucked, as well as the trees and obstacles, really put a premium on placement - distance is only rewarded if you can snake it through.
• Moderately to very well wooded for the most part, there are a few fairly open holes where you can let rip; but trees can be a factor on every hole.
• Well placed baskets may have you putting significantly above or below your lie.
• While the course is certainly challenging, there are some Ace Run/ Birdie holes to boost confidence and drop scores - but even these aren't gimmes, and must be earned.
• Dry when I played, but there is a creek that can come into play if the water level is up.
• Multiple pin locations (changed between rounds for the tourney) and a couple of add'l long pads give several holes a different look.
• Concrete pads were decent, although some may find them a tad small.
• Porta-potties on site

Although it's not perfect, I really can't knock the course much. Some of the cons I listed are relative - I'm not going to hold some of these against them and don't feel they necessarily merit dropping the ratings. However, they're included for the sake of completeness so that anyone thinking of playing here knows what to expect.
• Poision Ivy in spots, but not widespread (leaves of 3, let it be).
• You really need to scout ahead to see where the pin is on many holes, plan on walking a bit.
• No tee signs or markers, so solo navigation might be pretty tough. Print the map, it should help a lot, but most likely, if you can get on the course, you'll be able to get a guide.
• No public restrooms with running water.
• A bit off the beaten path, but not really that far from food and shopping, and not too hard to find if you just follow the directions.

If you have the opportunity to play here, DO IT! Excellent course whether you're looking for a challenge or just want a fun round. Cabin Creek is genuinely one of those things that is better in person than it is on paper. Judge this place "by the numbers" and you're entirely missing the point. After two rounds worth of un-popped paintballs bursting underfoot, I left this place with techni-colored socks; my teenage daughter wanted to know where I got them (don't worry, it's water soluble).
Played a tourney here Labor Day 2011, and had a complete blast. Not positive, but I have a feeling they host an event here every Labor Day (check cincinnatidiscgolf.com). Keeping this place in good shape would require plenty of time, money and effort; I can see how it could get overgrown if not maintained, but it was looking splendid when I played, which is all I have to go by.

The owners (WONDERFULLY nice people by the way) bought this plot of land specifically for how well they thought it would work for a course (they were right), and only later opened it up for paintball. Those into Old School plastic will enjoy seeing some of the stuff they have in their garage/shop (not sure if it's for sale).

Baskets: not necessarily a con, but they seemed different somehow. I didn't recognize them, but a more experienced player said they were "Spiderwebs" (which are recognized on the PDGA site). They were definitely deeper - if your disc hits the floor, it's staying put, no bounce outs. Maybe it's just me, but somehow, I thought there was a tad more exposed chain than most baskets, so your disc had a bit further to fall after hitting chains, and in some cases flop onto edge of basket and out. Nonetheless, if you hit chains well, they held.

Concrete teepads, although a bit small.
Really fun design, with some longer holes and opportunities for both RH and LH shots. Pin placements were well thought-out and accessible.
Real potential if a little time and money is able to be spent on it.

A bit overgrown in places since it hasn't been played in a while. Update: A lot of clearing has been done, and if they clear a reasonable line for the tee shots on holes 4 and 18 they'll be just about done.

The baskets were extremely rusty and as a result were really hard to see at times.
No signage so hard to find your way around, even with a scorecard.
Paintball obstacles are sometimes in the way.

The owners opened the course for Labor Day - it is on private property and is a 35 acre facility dedicated to paintball with multiple playing fields. Part of the disc golf course runs among the paintball fields, so the paintball obstacles become part of the course, sometimes adding and often detracting from the course play.
The baskets are unusual in that they have three sets of chains - I heard that they caused an issue during the 1998 Worlds because they were non-conforming. Today, they are completely rusted but still catch well.

Would like to see them re-open the course, as it is a cool design with nice elevation changes, moderately wooded, and a challenging layout.

I'd rate this course a 4 or even 4.5 if they got some decent signs, did a bit more clearing, and galvanized the baskets.

It's still private and some holes are playable.
Update: 11/26/10

Cabin Creek has been cleared some and is now playable. Half of the obstacles have been removed, trees and bushes have been cleared.

8-17-2011
This is once again a great course. The clearing they have done is amazing. Most paint ball obstacles are gone, trees and limbs have been cleared.
Play this course! (call first)
I'm changing my rating to 4 stars.

This nice 35 acres of land is now a junk yard for paint ball obstacles with no evidence of paint ball activity. Some holes have over grown to the point of blocking any possible shot. Others are blocked by the obstacles.

Update: 11/26/10

No tee signs and still no tee for 17, but there is a tee area. You will need a course map or some one who has played it before.

8/17/2011
No tee signs or markers of any kind. They don't ever plan on installing any.

Make sure to call ahead and make sure the course is available when you want to play, the land is also used for paint ball and both can't happen at the same time.