Richmond (Varina), VA

Dorey Park - Old Layout

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3.255(based on 40 reviews)
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2 0
w8nforhim
Experience: 15.8 years 75 played 21 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Nice Wooded course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 15, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course is a nice wooded course that offers some challenging shots around trees, but balances it out with pretty nice fairways within the woods. No hole was impossible if you placed your disc well.
It was pretty easy to follow the course, once you actually found the first tee. For those wanting to play the course, hole number one is behind the pond, in the woods to the right.
Each hole was marked with a metal tee sign.

Cons:

The tee boxes were just blocks on the ground, many were missing, and the blue tees were very difficult to find at times, if not nonexistent.
The par was ridiculously generous, but maybe that isn't a con. ;)

Other Thoughts:

This is a great course for a beginner. Not much of a challenge for an experienced player, but it was a fun course to play. It was enjoyable to play a woods course that actually had fairways in the trees. All in all, a nice course.
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4 0
jkdisc
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.1 years 117 played 110 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 11, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Dorey Park is a mostly wooded course that will offer plenty of fun. The entire park was very clean and felt safe. Perfect for a quick round because there aren't many holes over 300 ft. from the short tee. Holes #9 and #18 end near the start.
Other Pros:
-easy to navigate without a map (arrows on baskets when the next tee isn't obvious)
-fairways are tight but fair
-obstacles (trees, elevation, earth mounds)
-tee signs, benches, garbage cans
-practice basket
-2 tees

Cons:

Wish I had brought the bug spray!
-no real fantastic hole

Not a "big deal" cons:
-some signs and baskets were slightly damaged
-not a great amount of variety
-a somewhat long walk from parking lot to course
Really just pointing these out they weren't a huge problem.

Other Thoughts:

My favorite hole was #12. It was short but there were really cool earthen mounds as obstacles. It is a large park used by many non-disc golfers but the course is mostly set away from the other activities. Porta-potty near the parking lot. The course is in the woods, from the parking lot walk along the fountain pond until you see the practice basket, from there follow the gravel path. This course will be a nice compliment to the other Richmond courses.
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1 7
PauOnePunch
Experience: 3 played 1 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Nice and Quiet 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 13, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Quiet. Not many people around and plenty of places to chill out. Almost all wooded.

Cons:

Seems like rain could wreck this course. Looks like it would get muddy fast.

Other Thoughts:

I will absolutely be going back on a regular basis to this course
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0 6
xxxvictimizerxxx
Experience: 21.4 years 12 played 9 reviews
3.50 star(s)

9 or 18 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 2, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Love how holes 1, 9, and 18 are all in the same spot in case you want to only play 9. Lots of fun woods holes. Great use of the area, Every hole is something different and the course makes great use of different levels of height even though the are itself is relatively flat.

Cons:

I've lost and found more discs here than anywhere else. A few blind shots through the woods where if you miss, you could end up hunting for a while.

Other Thoughts:

A must play Richmond course!
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0 7
indigo
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

One of the Better Ones 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 1, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

I really like this course. This is my "home course" and I enjoy playing here. My husband and I have been trying out other courses, we haven't found one that we like more than Dorey.

Other Thoughts:

The course moves pretty fast, so even when there are a lot of people playing, you really don't have to wait. As far as the trash and graffiti, that is suppose to be maintained by Henrico parks and Rec (I think!). You could always give them a call to let them know about the condition it's in.
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0 9
mrjohnahawley
Experience: 21.8 years 19 played 6 reviews
4.00 star(s)

A walk in the woods. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 15, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Secluded, quiet, and natural. Well defined fairways, even on wooded holes.

Cons:

Could be kept up a bit better. People need to stop littering. Needs bag posts.

Other Thoughts:

Not much else to say. This was my first course and I love it dearly.
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3 6
Gran Pa Fibbz
Experience: 21.3 years 13 played 9 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 11, 2007 Played the course:once

Pros:

Not a lot of traffic. The course is far enough away from the rest of the park that you don't have a lot of Casuals wandering down the fairways. The holes favor the accurate over the boomer. Two open holes. Fun to play.

Cons:

Some of the baskets need some work. The T pads are rutted and uneaven. Run ups are a little tricky. It would be better if they trimmed some of the brush back.

Other Thoughts:

I will play Dory park again. It is cool under the trees during the summer. I love the work in the park feel. The fall is beautiful.
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12 1
DaKineSurfer32
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 23.5 years 577 played 57 reviews
3.00 star(s)

another good Richmond course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 16, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-dual tees on every hole
-great basket placements
-great course layout (you can leave after 9 if you want a short round)
-Dorey park as a whole is an AMAZING park, very nice
-fun elevation changes
-the white tees are very beginner friendly but still provide a challenge
-the blue tees are not overly difficult but will still provide a minor challenge to a more experienced player
-a few ace runs
-practice basket before you head into the woods where the course is

Cons:

-the upkeep. the course is in the woods at the back of the park and its not exactly easily accessible for cleaning or pruning so there can be trash around, and in the spring/summer it can get quite overgrown
-natural tees that are getting a bit too worn, and not all of the marker blocks are there anymore
-about half the signs are inaccurate
-the baskets on 13 & 14 are damaged, but not unplayable. the trays are just bent up, so if you don't putt just right you disc can fall out more easily
-long walk from the parking area to tee one (probably like 300 yards +)
-holes 10-13 become quite flooded after it rains, so if that's the case be prepared to get wet feet (but it does add a really fun lake as a water hazard to 11)

Other Thoughts:

Dorey is a mostly wooded course with a few select open holes (9, 10, 13). Honestly if it had cement tees and the foliage was trimmed every once in a while it would be on the same level as Bryan and Gillies in the Richmond region.

Dorey is outside of Richmond, by the airport, but if you're in the Richmond area definitely play it as part of the Big 3 in the area (w/ Bryan and Gillies), you won't regret it.
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4 1
CMS8
Experience: 16.4 years 4 played 4 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Nice woods course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 31, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Some woods courses have so many trees in the fairways that you just have to throw it and pray, but for a woods course Dorey has clearly designated fairways so the trees are still a challenge, but you won't feel frustrated by not having throwing lanes.
Even though some signs were missing or wrong, it's still pretty easy to find your way.
Beautiful park setting, picnic shelters, restrooms (port-a-johns).

Cons:

Dirt tee pads. But they are mostly in good shape for being dirt.
Par is way too high. Intermediate/beginning players should/could play this as a par 3 course.
Some signs are missing or just wrong, especially regarding the location of blue tees.

Other Thoughts:

I've only played Dorey once but will definitely return. I'm from Williamsburg and found that playing Bryan Park, Gillies Creek, and Dorey Park in one day makes for a great 54-hole day.
A Richmond disc golfer told me that lots of downed leaves in the fall and winter means lots of lost discs at Dorey, and I can see that happening.
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5 0
dobsonr
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.4 years 40 played 33 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Dorey 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 5, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Dorey is one of the better courses in Richmond. There are several courses that are closer to my house, but I still make the trek out to Dorey a few times a month because I like playing here so much. The open field for practicing drives is nice, and I'm always a fan of a course with a practice basket. The course is nicely wooded, allowing for privacy even when the fairways are close to each other. The holes all very in length and design, which makes playing here really enjoyable. It is also usually the least crowded of the Richmond area courses (except for maybe Goyne), and even on a nice weekend there aren't too many other people playing.

Cons:

Dorey could be the most well-designed course in Richmond, but it's also the most neglected. Many of the baskets are either damaged or have graffiti on them. Most of the tees are either muddy or covered in roots, and the course doesn't recover from a rain very quickly. There should probably be another wooden path or two added to make it easier to get through some of the areas where the drainage problem is the worst (the holes that play closest to the giant pipe at the end of the opening in the trees). New teepads would improve this course greatly. The markers and signs on many of the tees are in pretty bad shape.

Other Thoughts:

All things considered, I love playing at Dorey and will continue to play there regularly. Another point that most of the other reviewers have not addressed - the pars on this course are not appropriate for anyone playing at an intermediate level or higher. They should all be par 3's. Many of the par 4 and par 5 holes are very short and would be par 3's at other area courses. I play par 3 from the white tees on the whole course and find it challenging but practical. If you play often and play the pars as marked you will end up 10 under par at the end of the day. Could be a good way to boost that self esteem but not nearly as challenging.
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10 1
ishelost
Experience: 18.6 years 60 played 4 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Change of Pace 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 24, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

I like to get away from Bryan at least once a week and play Dorey. Dorey is a nice big park just outside of Richmond with a big field for throwing practice and a nice driving entrance reminiscent of the Michigan courses I started playing on. It has a feeling of privacy and serenity absent from the big and bustling Bryan. The tight fairways are challenging but not ridiculous (except on 17 blue, what?). There is a nice variety of shots and no specific style of play will give one an advantage here. The forest dampers gusts even on windy days. There is also a nice little bit of elevation change to make you think. The two open holes down the power line in the middle of the round allow a big armed player to break loose for a few as well. 11 and 12 are cool because they have more pine trees and when you play them it seems you are temporarily walking onto another course. I tend to play this course alone a lot and it is always soothing, a nice walk in the woods.

Cons:

The biggest complaint I have is the tees. They are natural and in various stages of decay. Some are slanted, some are muddy, some are root ridden, some rocky, and some just way too short. I would raise the course a whole star if it had nice composite or concrete teepads. Also, a few of the baskets, especially on the back nine, are bent and need work, but I hear this is coming. There are many, many leaves on this course, the fairways could definitely stand to be raked a little. Watch where your disc lands closely because it may very well be buried. I like to throw practice shots when playing alone but I throw less and less every time I go out to Dorey. You won't have too much trouble finding the next white tee, but good luck finding all the blue tees. It took me 5 or so trips to figure them all out.

Other Thoughts:

This course is too easy from whites and too hard from blues. sometimes it seems like the distance between tees is larger than the distance between the white tee and the basket. Don't trust the signs if you are trying to find the blue tees, trust your gut and look at the ground closely.

Many of the greens have trees so you have to avoid them on more than just your drive. This course is definitely not very busy and if it were closer I would play it as often as I do Bryan.
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2 10
Ragmagnet
Experience: 8 played 8 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Dorey Park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 27, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Dorey Park is well put together, as well as well maintained. It is a walk in the woods.

Cons:

There are no cons to Dorey Park, if you are a religious disc golfer. However it can get muddy in wet weather.

Other Thoughts:

Dorey park is the ideal disc golf course. It's not as challenging as Bryan Park, and it's not as easy as Dunncroft. However it is the perfect first course for anybody willing to try the sport out. Some shots are challenging, but most of the challenges are due to the trees. You may find yourself resorting to the tomahawk throw to navigate through the intense foliage.
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7 0
Disc Dog
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.3 years 116 played 49 reviews
3.00 star(s)

A quiet place to play. 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 1, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is a great technical course with some long drives down a power line. If you like a quiet place to play and is in decent shape you have it here. This course grows on you. The dual tees add variety and will challenge the better players while still making it enjoyable for the average person or beginner.

Cons:

There is some drainage problems. Some of the direction and tee signs are in bad shape. There are signs to get you to the proper parking area but none that tell you to walk about 1/4 mile across a very beautiful area to the first tee. Some of the tees need work because they are uneven or have roots.

Other Thoughts:

I got my first ever ace here in August on 18. Also the first time I lost a disc was here on 11. This could be a great course if a local club took up the job. I do not think its possible to find a park that is better to play for a group of people of various skill levels who just want to have a great time together.
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1 11
Wildcattamer
Experience: 21.1 years 5 played 5 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Dorey park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 24, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Very Forgiving course.. if your off line you can get it back on line

Cons:

Need a little bit of tidying up

Other Thoughts:

Great course to play 18 holes
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3 2
mviemaker07
Experience: 16.3 years 7 played 3 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Wooded, challenging, must be accurate 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 18, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

I found this course to be somewhat challenging, but forces you to be accurate. Great small course to practice accuracy.

Cons:

Challenging course, trees claimed many of my shots. The undergrowth was thick in spots, some drainage issues. Blind shots. Navigation through the course may be difficult for a first timer due to the thick woods.

Other Thoughts:

On this course you must be accurate or it will become very frusterating. It is not a "grip and rip" course by any means. I would recommend this course if you wish to work on accuracy because you could get yourself into trouble if you miss-throw.
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8 0
nygfaninva
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.7 years 38 played 36 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Nice short course in Va. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 26, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Very nice setting. Shaded wooded course. Well placed baskets. Easy to follow from hole to hole. Almost all holes marked off with tee signs. Overall fun course with many Ace possibilities. Its an easy course for beginners to jump in and have a great time with. At the same time it can be as challenging as you want it to be. The Blue tees are much further back to accomadate the experienced player and just the challenge of going for an ace on many of the holes makes Dorey tough and fun for the advanced player as well. An all around good time of Disc golf!

Cons:

Old. Not sure but I believe this is one of the older courses in Virginia and it shows. Some of the baskets are beat up and the signs have been there for a while. The sign on Hole 13 is gone except for the frame. Many of the signs are sitting against a tree or a stand due to the fact that they have been torn from there original spots. The par settings are also far too easy. This I believe comes from the fact that the course was probably built a long time ago. Most courses I've played on have the same par for both white and blue and if Dorey is set up the same then playing from white is way too easy to make par. It is very wooded so bring your bug spray. One errant throw and you will be visiting Tick City.

Other Thoughts:

Dorey is a nice little park. The setting is amazing and as you walk to the actual course you pass a huge open field perfect for practicing long drives. Not that you'll need them on the actual course. I threw the entire course with a mid range and a putter. Because of its easy level I can't make the rating any higher, but Dorey is really a great fun time of disc golf and truly earns its 3 disc rating. I highly recommend it for a wonderful time of golf with a friendly competitor (where one errant throw will lose the match for you) or with a group or family of first timers. You can't go wrong here.

Update 07-01-2011: The messed up signage, with high par markings, have all but been removed. Now the signs are newer, but only have the hole number and are stationed at the whites.
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8 0
WorldFamousDiscGolfr
Experience: 12 played 2 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Dorey Park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 4, 2008 Played the course:never

Pros:

Nice course.
If you like to hike this is the course for you.
Bring boots - some of the early holes are up hills sewn with river rocks and exposed tree roots.
Seemed easy and I'm new to this.
If you like mid-range game play this is the place.
Only holes 10 and 11 are straight shots, and they are easy.
No bugs.
Thin foliage makes finding errant discs easy.
It was 95 degrees and sunny but the heavily shaded course kept me from cooking
Quiet area accept for the jets landing at the nearby airport.
Lots of benches for old people like me

Cons:

This course needs some maintenance. Some of the tee sign/maps were knocked over. Hole 13s tee sign/map was missing altogether.
Many of the Blue markers were missing and a few of the White markers. Making knowing where to start difficult to impossible.
Some of the course tee sign/maps have been edited by players correcting distances or movement of tees.
Tee markers need to painted

Other Thoughts:

This course is looking rough. Dorey Park itself is really nice - but the disc golf course looks forgotten.
I could easily give it a 4 if I could find the tees and where the holes were without wandering around looking for unpainted wooden blocks in the woods.
Henrico County please fix these problems.
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10 0
jaymon1
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 23.4 years 87 played 86 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Richmond's Most Relaxing Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 3, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Quiet setting, varied elevation.

Other Thoughts:

Dorey Park is typical of several of the older disc golf courses in Virginia; it's a relatively short course in a big, nice park but is set away from the main park in a set of woods that otherwise probably wouldn't see much use. But that said, Dorey Park is another of my hometown courses that perhaps doesn't stand out at first, but really grew on me.

Except for three holes set out along a pipeline easement, this course plays entirely in the woods, with a decent amount of up and down on most holes. A lot of players, I think, can get easily frustrated with a woods setting, but I always recommend this course for several reasons: 1) the hills make it actually a bit of exercise; 2) I find the quiet setting most appealing; 3) it's never crowded; 4) this course makes you get good at throwing accurately, which has helped me immeasurably on more open courses; and 5) throwing a good drive here, especially on the downhill holes, that skims high among the trees but doesn't hit any of them, is a great feeling.

The tees at Dorey Park are marked but not even graded, and the slope or rocks or roots can make teeing off a challenge sometimes, especially if you're not used to courses with "natural" tee pads. Dorey does feature both am and pro tees, however, and many of the holes are made considerably more challenging by the pro tees. Tee pads and basket placements never change.

While woods courses like Dorey Park can be an acquired taste, I always relish a round there. The game is all about distance AND accuracy, and Dorey makes you use both, but is not unreasonable in its demands. Learning the skills necessary to throw a good round at Dorey Park has improved my game more than any number of rounds at a more scenic but open course would. And the serene playing environment is always a good thing.

Favorite Hole - #16 - Steep downhill shot with stream just before basket.
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5 4
Olorin
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 45.5 years 1002 played 118 reviews
3.50 star(s)

A peaceful walk in the woods 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 15, 2007 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

A nice mostly wooded course. There are some scenic fairways and some fun holes.
*It's very peaceful and secluded and not crowded.
*2 Sets of tees adds variety.
*A creek comes into play on some holes.

Cons:

There are drainage problems on some tees and fairways after it's rained.

Other Thoughts:

Long Tees Course Level = Blue

Hole lengths-- White: 17 <299/ 1<399, Blue: 12<299/ 4<399/ 2>400. Longer throwers will probably think that the White tees are too short for their game.
-My favorite holes were 16. A straight downhill ace run in a tight tree lined alley, and 14. Left and downhill to a great green.
-For people who like courses in the woods this should be a fun one to play.

For more detailed information check out the my Review notes in the Files section.
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2 3
NIBSTOOLS
Experience: 35 played 35 reviews
3.50 star(s)

very fun course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 24, 2006 Played the course:never

Pros:

very fun course with a good variety of holes. Challenging with alot of woods.

Cons:

Poor drainage on some holes. bring your muddy sneeks if you play after rain.

Other Thoughts:

difficult to find the park for the first time. Once in the park I had to ask around "where is the disc golf course?" Some nice old man fishing in the pond told me where it was. Its way in the back of the park.
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