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Ogilvie, MN

Chains Edge - Red

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4.445(based on 8 reviews)
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Chains Edge - Red reviews

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12 0
jcbnxll
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16 years 73 played 23 reviews
4.50 star(s)

A lot to love

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 1, 2022 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The three courses all start at about the same place. I'm sure this makes for a really fun start for events with everybody gathered together. The campsites are neatly laid out, and I saw several stacks of wood. It just felt welcoming!

The signs are clear about which course starts where. The signs on the teepad tell you the number, and there are probably a couple of spots where you could accidentally jump from one course to another, but they're well spaced that this seems unlikely. I also enjoyed seeing all the names of the sponsors and people who had aced holes and the like. Again, it provided a very strong community feel that I enjoyed.

The baskets are *beautiful* and catch well, and it's wonderful that each course has baskets that correspond to the course color. (Red baskets on the red course, green baskets for green, blue for blue.)

The layout makes excellent use of the property. There are hyzers and anhyzer shots. There are a couple of longer throws and a couple of ace runs. MInnesota isn't known for its mountains or hills, but Chad makes good use of the elevation changes that he has. I like that there were true par 4's and even a par 5. I'm anti-mando in general, but I thought the two mandos were reasonable. What I mean to say is that they weren't a gimmick: they just forced you to play the hole along the fairway and weren't the thing that made the hole the hole if that makes sense.

The care and attention was evident everywhere. All of the paths were very obvious. The little signs on the baskets pointing you in the right direction, even when it wasn't necessary, were great. The landscaping wasn't over-the-top but added to the experience. Not even a cigarette butt on the ground. Just fantastic.

Cons:

I would call the below "negatively-tinged thoughts" more than cons. It truly is a gorgeous course.

A couple of times it was pretty hard to see/find the baskets. The signs for the holes give good footage and sometimes have extra information, but on more than one drive I was surprised to see where the basket actually was. I suspect that Chad made a conscious choice not to put flags on the baskets, but in some cases it might help. (I played 9-10 holes on the green course and the green baskets were very hard to see on most of the holes.)

While the fairways are by and large very fun and fair, there were a couple of what I call "gotcha" trees. You're on the teebox, you can see the fairway and the line you have to hit, and then there's just one tree right in the middle of the line. I think these ultimately detract from the course since the fairway is asking you to hit a line and then punishing you anyway. This happened to me a few times and left a sour taste in my mouth.

I mentioned this in the pros section, but I think there's an inherent con to it as well. There just isn't much risk/reward or agency. What you see from the teebox is what you get. You've gotta hit the lines and hit 'em well or you're going to throw a par or a bogey. I don't think there's anything wrong with that if a course does the fairways well (and Chains Edge does them very well), but I do love some risk/reward in my disc golf.

Most of the "action" is off the teepad. There aren't many protected baskets on the red course. So, if you hit your line off the box then you're likely looking at a good shot at a birdie. To be honest, I think that's fair: we like to be rewarded for good shots. But I think there's something to be said for a basket that has protection within 50-60 feet.

Other Thoughts:

I typically don't like to review a course until I've played it at least a few times, but with only 7 reviews at the time of writing, I think it's worthwhile to add my two cents.

Playing on a private property course can be hit or miss. Chad has really put his heart and soul into this course. When I played it, he was on his ATV cruising around working on teepads and the like. I could hear him all over the place, but he still took the time to chat with me a couple of times. He even humored me by looking at my score and patting me on the back "Good job, buddy." Paying $8 felt like a steal, to be honest. Chad told me he used to work at Blue Ribbon Pines until he got his hands on this property. The style and grace of BRP is very evident on this property.

I like to end my reviews by imagining what kind of a player I would be if this were my home course. This is a tricky question to answer since there are three full courses on this property. Focusing just on the red course: My accuracy at all distances would have to go way up. It's not just tight fairways off the teebox. The par 4's and the par 5 had me carefully shaping shots to make good progress. In addition, all of my throws would improve. I didn't throw a tomahawk, but I did throw a mid-range roller or two. However, I could've easily been in a situation where that was necessary. I used most of the discs in my bag. I think that even if you had a great round, consistently hitting the fairways, that you would end up using a lot of different plastic.

This is an incredible piece of property. I visit my mother-in-law down in Cambridge (about 30 mins away) about once a year. I will definitely return. For those of you who don't have a reason to be so close, I strongly recommend setting up a trip and playing all the courses on the property. The camping looked like a good setup, so an overnight could be a great time.

With the blue course at a 3.5 for me, the green a 3.75, and the red a 4.5, I think I would give the entire property and experience a solid 4.25. That's more than the average of the 3 courses. At $8, it's such a good value to be able to have such different experiences on a well-maintained course. I solidly recommend Chain's Edge.
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5 1
Bitter Mouse
Experience: 28.9 years 92 played 14 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Solid course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 18, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

Very technical (I like technical courses) and nice terrain including varied elevation. Fantastic course flow - meaning once you enter onto the course it flows naturally and sensibly, no crossing itself or super long walks. Very easy to navigate.

Very clearly the course is a labor of love, new (with all that implies) but a ton of effort put in to improve the course in flight. It is very playable right now and there are signs it will keep getting better.

My favorite holes were the middle section when you break out of the woods for a few holes and get to change up a bit, but there are no real bad holes anywhere on the course.

The baskets are new and color coordinated by course color, making them easy to spot. I am not super fond of the Prodigy baskets, but these were in fine shape and seriously everyone shoots into the same basket, so no complaints.

The "pads" are natural, but they are among the best natural tees I have used and I never had a problem, which is saying something because I have a stupid long run up on my drive.

The owner and in fact everyone we met was very nice and helpful.

Cons:

The course is very solid and the terrain is great, but the individual holes did blend together a bit. Many similar tunnel shots with the basket straight or slightly to one side or the other.

The pin positions were OK, but none of them were inspired, I never really got a "wow, what a neat pin position" or "that is really mean how it was placed" or anything like that.

Nothing bad about it, but nothing special either.

Similarly each hole had a nice challenging line to throw, but only in a couple holes did it feel like there was more than one possible line.

Maybe once did I have to stop and decide how I was going to attack a hole, which possible path I would try to take. Instead it was "here is the hole and the line, now I have to execute".

Hopefully, as the course matures it will develop and improve, because it is a fabulous piece of land and clearly a ton of work and love has been put into it, but it is not there quite yet.

Other Thoughts:

Pay course, but a perfectly reasonable amount. And for a new course there were plenty of people on the course (which is great), but it didn't feel crowded or anything (maybe belongs in the positives).

It is kind of isolated, and so have food and beverages, and pack in and pack out. Be ready for not many benches or garbage cans (or restroom facilities), but come on all that is pretty normal for a course like this, and the trade off is the camping on sight and the pretty terrain and wildlife in the area.

But be prepared for the bad wildlife. The bugs were horrendous, and according to the locals were much worse the last few weekends. So bring bug spray and whatever else you need to combat blood loss.
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6 0
TCDGFAN
Experience: 19.9 years 44 played 7 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Field of Dreams 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 27, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

24 unique holes. Prodigy baskets. Plenty of elevation and distance. Wooded doglegs and tunnel shots. A couple open field shots. Very well-designed and fair layout. Easy to follow. Very forgiving rough and surprisingly hard to lose a disc despite the technical setup and sheer vastness of the property. Chad the owner is awesome.

Cons:

Not a ton of room to stretch out drivers. Natural teepads are really hard and among the nicest of played on but some could consider that a con. Could use some more trashcans. Only one over-water shot but for some that's plenty. Very few holes under 300ft which can be draining, but that's why Chad also has the Green Course which is nearly half the length of the Red.

Other Thoughts:

This place is like a Field of Dreams for disc golf. If you have not been out there yet, you should really make it a point to do so as soon as possible. This is the longer of the two 24-hole courses on the property (9,500ish ft, only a handful of holes under 300) and it is has just about everything - elevation, water, distance, woods, fields, etc. - making it one of the best MN. It's only been in operation for a couple years so it's still a "work-in-progress" although one could argue it's nearly perfect as-is. Chad, the owner, is a one man wrecking crew and has spent the last five years building out the property, and he definitely knows what he is doing having also worked on BRP in the early days. While already destination-worthy word on the street is that there is a 3rd course on the way which would be the longest in MN. If all that isn't enough, cheap tent and cabin camping are available overlooking a lake, which I'm definitely going to utilize when I make a trip back there this fall.
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3 0
ThomasOrion
Experience: 20 played 10 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Awesome 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 1, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

It's a great course. Nice Prodigy Baskets, one course of Red, one course of Green. Reds are longer, Greens are still a solid course, but shorter than Red. Both great to play.

Some real incredible shots. Standouts are a 500 ft slight downhill with a tunnel of trees. Chad was a great host and this course is absolutely worth the trip. Not too far really from the Twin City area.

Cons:

Only Con - the teepads are natural - and I do imagine making some improvements, even if it were just gravel and signage, would greatly improve the overall experience. I believe Chad mentioned he wanted to improve them in time. We played after the first snow so the tees were a little slippery - Also some of the paths could be a little dangerous if you're not taking it seriously. But for the most part its just fine - If they somehow get Tees like VisionQuest it would make this course an easy 5/5 (I think concrete would be almost impossible to install and costly)

Other Thoughts:

Overall its a great course (both of them) - Fun layout, Elevation, hills, trees, some open and flat, a very impressive design. He did a ton of work and it shows there was heart in it.

The baskets are SOLID (which makes a HUGE difference) Some of the holes are still some of the coolest I've ever played. This place is a gem, please support and keep the respect. Can't wait to play this again.
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1 4
BirdieMachine
Experience: 33.1 years 58 played 9 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Every hole is a signature hole 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 11, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is the best course in Minnesota. The owner Chad has created a majestic course through very hilly woods in central MN. Every hole was unique and challenging at the same time.

Mega ups and downs you won't see on most courses around the area (TC Metro), the pictures don't do it justice! Like I titled it, every hole is a signature hole on any other course!

Cons:

Dirt/clay tee pads were somewhat slippery but not bad. If the design wasn't so great I would have docked a point for not having turf or concrete, but the design was so good I still have to give it a 5.

Playing both courses is fairly tiring. If you are in good shape you shouldn't have a problem. I was tired after 48 though.

Some of the walking paths are steeper as well. Could get hairy after a rain.

My only "design" flaw I would say were the two long holes, they might be marked par 5's. Anyways, neither allows really for a chance to go for it in two. Both are layups off the tee. Would have liked to see it a bit more open so 3 opportunities would be more realistic.

Other Thoughts:

Course is off the beaten path relatively to the Twin Cities but is a must play in my book. You will not regret it!
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8 0
Money_Shot
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 19.9 years 127 played 39 reviews
4.50 star(s)

True Rating of 4.7 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 8, 2017 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-Downhill awesomeness. This course has some of the coolest downhill shots i have thrown. You walk up and look down a massive hill that requires you to have a decent line to watch your disc soar all the way down to the basket. Fun!
-Tons of fun holes out on this course. If walking up to the next hole and getting excited about what you see sounds like a good time....play this course.
-Chads course design is second to none when it comes to understanding technical lanes. He knows what he is doing and it shows out here. Nice work Chad.
-Out house before hole 1 and another about halfway through the course (new update from last year)
-Camping on site is convenient as the 48 holes out on this property require a lot of time to throw and you likely will want to play the courses several times.
-All newer prodigy baskets. You aren't playing on some second hand rust buckets out here.
-Cabin on the property if you don't prefer to set up a tent. The view from the campfire at this location is phenomenal.
-with how many kick butt downhill throws these courses have out here, there really aren't that many times you are winded, wishing you didn't have to trudge up another hill. Its odd how you can go downhill several times and end up back on top of the ridgelines with minimal amount of work.
-There are several signature holes throughout these courses. Any of the downhill throws could likely qualify for signature on 90% of courses.
-This course is longer than the green so it gives the guys with maybe a bit more arm a chance to shine over there smaller armed buddy. However, you aren't going to beat many out here if all you have is a big arm. These courses cater to the player that can hit lines and work discs.
-Play these courses!

Cons:

-2 separate courses that honestly feel like 1 48-hole course.
-Outhouses are all at the beginning and then you can be a long ways from grace once out on the course.
-No garbages out on the course. When the traffic picks up out on these courses and considering how awesome they are, it will, the garbage could be an issue.
-Lack of water or another variable to deal with beyond trees. This doesn't really bother me a whole lot, but i try to be as descriptive as possible to what some may find a con.

Other Thoughts:

I rated this course a 4.5, but truly feel it is better and has a slight edge over the shorter green course on the property. DGCR needs to make more rating variations because although this is not a 5, i do feel it is better than a 4.5. Chad is doing an awesome job out on both the courses on this property. It is very difficult to distinguish the 2 courses which is somewhat of a drawback. This property truly feels like 1 course containing 48 holes. However, the 48 holes Chad has designed out here are 48 holes of complete awesomeness for anyone who enjoys a good technical course. If you prefer a more routine, long holed "championship" style course only, this may not completely satisfy your needs, though you will have fun. Beginner players and those who never developed their game much will have a hard time out here as the lanes require you to understand how discs fly and good technique. I came out with a group of 3 and wasn't sure if we would be staying 1 night or 2 nights. As soon as I drove into the place I had a better idea I would be wanting to stay here longer. Chad was very hospitable and we stayed in the cabin. The cabin is a shell, wooden cabin that gets the job done. Look at it this way, it saves you from having to set up a tent basically and protects better from the elements than a tent if needed. If you are a big arm guy that really has no technical game, you will likely not like either of these courses. Be honest with yourself, come out with the right expectations and work on your technical game out here because it is probably the most fun I have had throwing technical courses. An easy comparison for those that have played it would be Standing Rocks in Wisconsin. These courses are awesome and I recommend every avid disc golfer to get out here immediately before everyone is out here. Top 5 in MN no doubt in my mind and when you add in the ability to sleep right out on the courses, it makes it a top disc destination in MN.
Update: After more time to let the honeymoon period with this course settle, i have decided that this course is my top course in both minnesota and wisconsin. I know it won't be that way for everyone, but there is no doubt in my mind that it offers more "wow" factor and fun shots than any other course in both states. If you have no played it, get out there.
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2 1
sdmaas
Experience: 17.9 years 24 played 11 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Best course in Minnesota! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 8, 2017 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

well designed, well maintained, bathrooms on-site, beautifully technical (but not impossible for good shots), amazing scenery, many elevation changes on almost every hole, well placed tee boxes, no overlapping, next tee signs on every hole, lanes for almost any throw from tee boxes, new baskets

Cons:

pack-in/pack-out course with no garbage receptacles, restrooms are only in the parking lot (can be a problem with 24 holes), signage is pretty minimal for the course property entrance,

Other Thoughts:

This is the best course I have ever played. There are only a few improvements that could be made, other than that, this is superior to most courses in the upper-midwest. Expect to have your mind blown from how much this course has to offer. Chad, the owner/designer is awesome and very helpful. Plan on 3-4hrs to throw the course and be ready for a good leg workout.
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11 2
Aim For The Chains
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.9 years 134 played 25 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Ferns and Flowers... No walk in the park! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 3, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

Two 24 hole courses one "short" and other "long" both are technical/tight golf which dont require much power but a lot of carving up the woods.

Holes are well maintained for a small time private operation and courses are constantly being improved.

Tees are currently natural dirt but area has lots of rocks so it isnt an issue at all plus owner had them all perfectly level/ even and sized. Signs on every hole and next tee directional arrows. Both courses flow very well with short course looping by main camp area and long finishes right at hole 1 starting tee. No wasted walks here just lots of up and down rolling hills.

Multiple (prodigy) basket positions possible on each hole. Current set up we played on the shorter course was a lot of straighter ace runs but other marked spots looked great to play for a little more difficulty.

Surprisingly a good amount of elevation with rolling hills/valley's in the woods. Only a few holes that are flat and just a few holes on longer course which open up into a old farm field that play more to the big arm distance peeps.

Tons of nature to enjoy (my buddy almost stepped on a baby deer) and didn't get run off by mosquitoes! Owner is cleaning up leaves etc which helps.

Camping/fire pits and primitive cabins.

You're in the middle of nothing. It is pro IMO being a "getaway" from the city but could see some seeing it as a con. Small bar just down the road.

$7 a day is a great deal considering what this place "could" be and amount of work being done. Hell moving the hundreds of large rocks all around is respectable given the terrain and resources. This isnt some giant landscaping operation with a disc golf course on site. It is a course built by a guy who loves DG and just gets it.

Cons:

Entry road to property is rough dirt and only big enough for 1 car to move on lined by trees and thick growth. Not a huge deal being no one else was there but could get tricky if ever "busy" same with parking but there is plenty of room here to work with.

No real "signature" hole that stands out from the 48 i played.

I dont love prodigy baskets but thats just me. (hell i cant putt anyway...)

In current pin postions there seemed to be a lot of straighter tunnel type shots. Nice to see each basket first time playing though and understand what owner is currently going for with layout. Just got a little boring on the "long" course. (Im stretching for cons now...)

Like any new course it needs some trees taken out or trimmed and general maintenance but in current state it plays great just has a unfinished feel. (duh)

Its a rustic feeling place for sure without any fluffy stuff. (i personally care about the DG but some like snack shacks and other BS like trash cans etc... I packed some food and took my shit with me)


Other Thoughts:

Go play these courses. Amazing disc golf and support a owner who is working hard to give us a great new course. He can actually can throw a disc too!

I love this kind of disc golf. It challenges you physically and mentally while still being a lot of fun. I look forward to visiting again and seeing the future improvements. Owner mentioned he has plenty of room for even a 3rd course.

With any updates similar to that of other top courses listed on this site I could move this to a 5 disc review. It is very close to being one of the best courses Ive played in MN and has a fraction of the fluffy stuff BRP/VQ or three rivers etc offer. Has the potential to be an epic DG property. "GO SEE IT!"

*Thanks for letting me enjoy a great day of DG and opening a labor of love to the public

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