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DV Top Gun reviews
7
0
Fantastic, challenging, heavily wooded course outside Drayton Valley
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 30, 2024
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
- Long, challenging course with good variety of fairway shapes. One of the tougher courses in Alberta, right up there with Aspen and Nordic, almost no "gimme" holes, and the only pure ace run is 14, which downhill 240' with a tight, treelined fairway where it's very easy to end up with bogey if you pull or push your drive a bit.
- If you're like me and end up in the woods every second hole, you'll have the chance to throw a variety of shot shapes. I don't believe I've ever thrown as many tomahawk escape shots as I did playing this course.
- Decent bit of elevation throughout the course with some pretty layouts. Not a "hike", but enough elevation to make it interesting.
- Couple of memorable signature holes, the death putt on 17 where you can make birdie if you're willing to risk your putt diving 70 feet downhill, an elevated drive over a gulley on 15, and teeing off from the building with a pretty looking downhill drive on 7.
- Good signage
- Lots of parking
- Very little interaction/risk with the general public, no well defined/populated walking trails through the course or anything like that, never saw any public walking around over 4 separate rounds on a weekend.
- Cart friendly.
- Apparently restrooms are available at the clubhouse, but didn't see them ourselves.
- If you're like me and end up in the woods every second hole, you'll have the chance to throw a variety of shot shapes. I don't believe I've ever thrown as many tomahawk escape shots as I did playing this course.
- Decent bit of elevation throughout the course with some pretty layouts. Not a "hike", but enough elevation to make it interesting.
- Couple of memorable signature holes, the death putt on 17 where you can make birdie if you're willing to risk your putt diving 70 feet downhill, an elevated drive over a gulley on 15, and teeing off from the building with a pretty looking downhill drive on 7.
- Good signage
- Lots of parking
- Very little interaction/risk with the general public, no well defined/populated walking trails through the course or anything like that, never saw any public walking around over 4 separate rounds on a weekend.
- Cart friendly.
- Apparently restrooms are available at the clubhouse, but didn't see them ourselves.
Cons:
- Being Nordic trails, concrete tees are out as an option, the turf pads aren't bad by any stretch, but not ideal. Couple of the blues have limited run ups as they're pushed back against treeline.
- I'm told in spring/summer it can be very difficult to find discs. We actually found it surprisingly easy in late September, however, with no real grass left. Never lost a disc over 4 rounds in spite of some shots absolutely launched into the woods.
- Some accessibility issues for anyone unsteady on their feet, e.g. the trail up and down to/from the 15th tee box, and if you go over the edge in the wrong spot (e.g. on 12 or 17) on but overall very good for a pure forest course.
- I'm told in spring/summer it can be very difficult to find discs. We actually found it surprisingly easy in late September, however, with no real grass left. Never lost a disc over 4 rounds in spite of some shots absolutely launched into the woods.
- Some accessibility issues for anyone unsteady on their feet, e.g. the trail up and down to/from the 15th tee box, and if you go over the edge in the wrong spot (e.g. on 12 or 17) on but overall very good for a pure forest course.
Other Thoughts:
- If you live in Alberta, Drayton is definitely worth a stop.
- Check out Sign-Tific Signs in town, the owner designed the course and also sells disc.
- Course design demands a lot of long forehand or backhand understable shots (right handed), there are few situations where a standard RHBH hyzer drive is required, and if it is, it needs to go dead straight first for 250-300 feet.
- The second course in the area is in town (Ivan To Disc Golf), and is a great complement to this course for newer players or anyone wanting a more casual round. Much easier, shorter, and less technical, but still a fun course.
- Check out Sign-Tific Signs in town, the owner designed the course and also sells disc.
- Course design demands a lot of long forehand or backhand understable shots (right handed), there are few situations where a standard RHBH hyzer drive is required, and if it is, it needs to go dead straight first for 250-300 feet.
- The second course in the area is in town (Ivan To Disc Golf), and is a great complement to this course for newer players or anyone wanting a more casual round. Much easier, shorter, and less technical, but still a fun course.
