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Grace Christian University reviews
17
0
Well intentioned, but cramped and dangerous 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Nov 12, 2020
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Grace Christian University DGC is located on the campus of the university of the same name. A web page for the course states that it covers 22 acres. I'm not sure if that is the acreage of just the disc golf holes or of the entire university campus. Either way, it appears that the course designers used every square inch of open outdoor land the university owns...and maybe a few that it doesn't (more on this below).
The infrastructure here is pretty good. The 18 Chainstar baskets are in good shape. The tee pads are all concrete. Some holes have a dedicated concrete pad, while others make use of existing concrete infrastructure like sidewalks and parking lots.
Similarly, the 18 (beautiful, large, colored) tee signs are all mounted to existing infrastructure in the vicinity of the tee - like light poles, buildings, and trees. There is a large course map posted on the side of a building next to the first tee.
There are some longer holes here, surprising for a college campus course. Based on the tee signs there are eight holes longer than 300', with one just over 400'.
A couple holes have some nice elevation changes.
Some may not care about this last Pro, but the course has a fantastic web page (link in Links/Files section). The web page has the course address, course policies, and a course summary including a course map. The web page also has a link to a downloadable PDF file showing all of the information that is on the individual tee signs for each hole. I think all courses should have a website like this, as another great resource for DG'ers to check out before deciding to come play a round (After DGCR, of course).
The infrastructure here is pretty good. The 18 Chainstar baskets are in good shape. The tee pads are all concrete. Some holes have a dedicated concrete pad, while others make use of existing concrete infrastructure like sidewalks and parking lots.
Similarly, the 18 (beautiful, large, colored) tee signs are all mounted to existing infrastructure in the vicinity of the tee - like light poles, buildings, and trees. There is a large course map posted on the side of a building next to the first tee.
There are some longer holes here, surprising for a college campus course. Based on the tee signs there are eight holes longer than 300', with one just over 400'.
A couple holes have some nice elevation changes.
Some may not care about this last Pro, but the course has a fantastic web page (link in Links/Files section). The web page has the course address, course policies, and a course summary including a course map. The web page also has a link to a downloadable PDF file showing all of the information that is on the individual tee signs for each hole. I think all courses should have a website like this, as another great resource for DG'ers to check out before deciding to come play a round (After DGCR, of course).
Cons:
Okay, so unfortunately the actual disc golf here mostly ranges between "meh" and "yikes".
Multiple holes play very near city streets, and one hole plays across the entrance drive of the university.
Multiple holes play very near private property (specifically, people's fenced-in backyards). Most of the time, these backyards are to the right of the tee so I feel it would be an even worse situation for left-handed throwers.
Multiple holes basically share fairways (throw one direction, then throw back the other direction 15-20' away for the next hole). #11/#12 is probably the worst pair for this, though #6/#7 and #17/#18 are also bad. It feels like the designers really wanted a full 18 hole course and crammed it into the available space, rather than having a more spread-out course with fewer than 18 holes.
Multiple holes pass through or near other outdoor university attractions, namely a sand volleyball court, soccer field, basketball court, and baseball diamond. Another couple holes play across a field that was being used for rugby practice when I was there.
Multiple holes where university buildings could come into play.
Several holes with few or no obstacles between tee and basket. No real need for shot shaping on many holes.
Long walks between some holes. Basically the course has three sections:
#1-#5 and #9-#12 play close to the parking lot/near the main university buildings.
#6-#8 play in a separate area on the east edge of campus.
#13-#18 play in another area of campus southeast of the main buildings.
The map is good but some "Next Tee" signs would be helpful where there is a long walk.
I noticed lots of dog poop when I played. Not sure if that was because of the proximity to private property, or what.
Multiple holes play very near city streets, and one hole plays across the entrance drive of the university.
Multiple holes play very near private property (specifically, people's fenced-in backyards). Most of the time, these backyards are to the right of the tee so I feel it would be an even worse situation for left-handed throwers.
Multiple holes basically share fairways (throw one direction, then throw back the other direction 15-20' away for the next hole). #11/#12 is probably the worst pair for this, though #6/#7 and #17/#18 are also bad. It feels like the designers really wanted a full 18 hole course and crammed it into the available space, rather than having a more spread-out course with fewer than 18 holes.
Multiple holes pass through or near other outdoor university attractions, namely a sand volleyball court, soccer field, basketball court, and baseball diamond. Another couple holes play across a field that was being used for rugby practice when I was there.
Multiple holes where university buildings could come into play.
Several holes with few or no obstacles between tee and basket. No real need for shot shaping on many holes.
Long walks between some holes. Basically the course has three sections:
#1-#5 and #9-#12 play close to the parking lot/near the main university buildings.
#6-#8 play in a separate area on the east edge of campus.
#13-#18 play in another area of campus southeast of the main buildings.
The map is good but some "Next Tee" signs would be helpful where there is a long walk.
I noticed lots of dog poop when I played. Not sure if that was because of the proximity to private property, or what.
Other Thoughts:
Since this is the first review of this course, here is a brief hole-by-hole breakdown.
#1 plays across a small valley between two buildings and towards a third. The basket is on a pretty steep slope. I thought I had a birdie but I clinked my putt off the front of the basket and my disc rolled a ways back down the hill. I ended up with a bogey.
#2 tees off right next to a building, across another small, steep valley in the back of campus. This is the only hole on the course that I would call "tightly wooded". The tee side of the valley is very steep - some stairs would be a good safety improvement.
#3 is a blind shot uphill at a sidewalk. Not a fan of this hole.
#4 plays diagonally across what is shown as university property on the map, but sure looked like someone's backyard to me. There were some hammocks strung across trees in the backyard, easily in play from the tee. Fortunately, they weren't occupied. Update: The third time I played this course, I noticed a small sign indicating that the house is actually a university residence building. It definitely started as someone's house but the university must have purchased it.
#5 plays through an open field, to a basket behind a painted wall. There was a rugby practice on the field when I played so I skipped this hole. Long walk between #5 and 6.
#6 is a straight throw towards a basket tucked behind a power line support. There are some fenced-in backyards next to the fairway on the RH side. There were "No Trespassing" signs posted on the backyard fence. I had to wonder if the signs predated the course or were a response to it.
#7 plays right back along basically the same fairway.
#8 plays about 220' slightly downhill, with a line of trees at the edge of the hill. It's a fun throw and a shot at a birdie if you clear the trees (or an ace, for you better players out there). After that it's a long walk to #9.
#9 plays back across the rugby practice field.
#10 is a fun throw, but across the entrance drive of the university. There is a double mando forcing you to shape your shot a little bit.
#11 and #12 play back and forth across a sand volleyball court, with more backyards potentially in play on the far side of #12. Long walk to #13.
#13 is a sharp dogleg left, with a building shaping that dogleg. Unfortunately, if you overthrow the turn your disc is out in a public street.
#14 is a fun downhill throw to a basket raised on a stump. The street is in play again again here (behind and to the right of the hole).
#15 plays right along the street and parallel to it. The "tee pad" for this hole is literally the sidewalk on the side of the street.
#16 is the longest hole here, and one of my favorites. It plays 402' across a field and then into a shallow valley with some scattered old growth trees. The basket is on the far side of the valley. Nice hole.
#17 plays next to #16 headed back the opposite direction. A basketball court and baseball diamond are on the left side of the fairway. #16's fairway is on the right side of the fairway.
#18 plays back across the baseball diamond and basketball court, plus more backyards in play on the other side.
I would probably feel better from a safety/avoiding private property and other activities perspective if this were a 9 hole course. Holes that could stay close to as-is would be the current #1, #2, #8, #16, and maybe #10 (yes it's over the road, but not blind and not likely that anyone would be utilizing that space). The remaining holes could re-utilize the space currently occupied by #13/#14 and maybe the wooded space at the back of the university a little more. It would still be a ton of walking though.
With a couple hole redesigns and maybe the elimination of a few dangerous holes, this course could possibly become a 2.0. On the other hand, if the course falls into disrepair over time it could easily become a 1.0 or lower. Actually, I wouldn't argue with it being given a 1.0 now. I was in college fairly recently myself and played a course somewhat similar to this quite a few times, so I might have enjoyed this campus course more than the average DG'er would.
Unless you live very close by, you shouldn't bother with this course. Johnson Park and Garfield Park are two clearly superior options less than a 10 minute drive away.
UPDATE December 2020: I have now played this course two more times. On both occasions I was trying to go to nearby Garfield Park, but after seeing multiple groups waiting at the first tee there I decided to head here instead. I really can't stress enough how close this course plays to 1) fenced-in private property and 2) city streets. The private property literally helps define the fairway on about 5-6 holes. I throw pretty cautiously but in 3 rounds here I have still managed to throw a disc into someone's fenced-in backyard, and another one into the street.
UPDATE November 2021: Nothing has changed in the past year, including my feelings about the course. If you can visit when classes aren't in session, you really just have to avoid the backyards and parked cars and it's sort of a fun round...
#1 plays across a small valley between two buildings and towards a third. The basket is on a pretty steep slope. I thought I had a birdie but I clinked my putt off the front of the basket and my disc rolled a ways back down the hill. I ended up with a bogey.
#2 tees off right next to a building, across another small, steep valley in the back of campus. This is the only hole on the course that I would call "tightly wooded". The tee side of the valley is very steep - some stairs would be a good safety improvement.
#3 is a blind shot uphill at a sidewalk. Not a fan of this hole.
#4 plays diagonally across what is shown as university property on the map, but sure looked like someone's backyard to me. There were some hammocks strung across trees in the backyard, easily in play from the tee. Fortunately, they weren't occupied. Update: The third time I played this course, I noticed a small sign indicating that the house is actually a university residence building. It definitely started as someone's house but the university must have purchased it.
#5 plays through an open field, to a basket behind a painted wall. There was a rugby practice on the field when I played so I skipped this hole. Long walk between #5 and 6.
#6 is a straight throw towards a basket tucked behind a power line support. There are some fenced-in backyards next to the fairway on the RH side. There were "No Trespassing" signs posted on the backyard fence. I had to wonder if the signs predated the course or were a response to it.
#7 plays right back along basically the same fairway.
#8 plays about 220' slightly downhill, with a line of trees at the edge of the hill. It's a fun throw and a shot at a birdie if you clear the trees (or an ace, for you better players out there). After that it's a long walk to #9.
#9 plays back across the rugby practice field.
#10 is a fun throw, but across the entrance drive of the university. There is a double mando forcing you to shape your shot a little bit.
#11 and #12 play back and forth across a sand volleyball court, with more backyards potentially in play on the far side of #12. Long walk to #13.
#13 is a sharp dogleg left, with a building shaping that dogleg. Unfortunately, if you overthrow the turn your disc is out in a public street.
#14 is a fun downhill throw to a basket raised on a stump. The street is in play again again here (behind and to the right of the hole).
#15 plays right along the street and parallel to it. The "tee pad" for this hole is literally the sidewalk on the side of the street.
#16 is the longest hole here, and one of my favorites. It plays 402' across a field and then into a shallow valley with some scattered old growth trees. The basket is on the far side of the valley. Nice hole.
#17 plays next to #16 headed back the opposite direction. A basketball court and baseball diamond are on the left side of the fairway. #16's fairway is on the right side of the fairway.
#18 plays back across the baseball diamond and basketball court, plus more backyards in play on the other side.
I would probably feel better from a safety/avoiding private property and other activities perspective if this were a 9 hole course. Holes that could stay close to as-is would be the current #1, #2, #8, #16, and maybe #10 (yes it's over the road, but not blind and not likely that anyone would be utilizing that space). The remaining holes could re-utilize the space currently occupied by #13/#14 and maybe the wooded space at the back of the university a little more. It would still be a ton of walking though.
With a couple hole redesigns and maybe the elimination of a few dangerous holes, this course could possibly become a 2.0. On the other hand, if the course falls into disrepair over time it could easily become a 1.0 or lower. Actually, I wouldn't argue with it being given a 1.0 now. I was in college fairly recently myself and played a course somewhat similar to this quite a few times, so I might have enjoyed this campus course more than the average DG'er would.
Unless you live very close by, you shouldn't bother with this course. Johnson Park and Garfield Park are two clearly superior options less than a 10 minute drive away.
UPDATE December 2020: I have now played this course two more times. On both occasions I was trying to go to nearby Garfield Park, but after seeing multiple groups waiting at the first tee there I decided to head here instead. I really can't stress enough how close this course plays to 1) fenced-in private property and 2) city streets. The private property literally helps define the fairway on about 5-6 holes. I throw pretty cautiously but in 3 rounds here I have still managed to throw a disc into someone's fenced-in backyard, and another one into the street.
UPDATE November 2021: Nothing has changed in the past year, including my feelings about the course. If you can visit when classes aren't in session, you really just have to avoid the backyards and parked cars and it's sort of a fun round...
