Moundsville, WV

Grand Vue Park - Black

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4.065(based on 32 reviews)
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10 0
Countchunkula
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 18.3 years 224 played 75 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Fade to Grand Vue Black

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 12, 2024 Played the course:once

Pros:

The Black Course at Grand Vue Park in Moundsville, West Virginia is defined by elevation and distance. Situated high a top a ridge along the Ohio River valley, most every sort of elevation change related challenge is represented: uphill, downhill, sidehill, level fairway shelf that falls away on one side, and the occasional roll away green. It's all here.

This is a big course. One tee per hole plays to white (short) and black (long) baskets on the multi-throw holes and black baskets on the par 3s. The white layout comes in at 7746' and the black at 8687', but due to all the ups and downs it plays and walks much longer still.

Par is 70 for white and 72 for black, so while scoring isn't impossible for us mere mortals you need to string together big drives to do so. There aren't a ton of trees, but the hills keep you honest. Many of the multi-throw holes have a flat-ish intended fairway and if you miss to the wrong side you're likely to end up at the bottom of a big hill.

There are some excellent panoramic views from a few spots on the course. I imagine what the course would lose in beauty with the leaves down for winter would allow for near 360 degree views from the highest points.

Baskets are nice Innova Discatchers with white and black bands. Tee signs feature a nice map and distances to both pins. Most holes have amply sized, level, turf tees that are in good repair.

Cons:

Grand Vue Park is landscaped like a (very hilly) city park. Lots of mowed grassy areas with the occasional mature trees interspersed with some wooded areas. I believe hole 3 is the only fully wooded fairway and it has almost no elevation change in play. Overall, this course is more about controlling placement than controlling flight path. Not my favorite style of disc golf.

In the pros section, I mentioned that most tees are nice. The rest leave something to be desired. There is at least one undersized concrete (hole 2) and three natural (holes 16-18) tees contend with.

Hole 1 asks you to throw over a park road or a small parking lot on your 1st or 2nd throw. Hole 7 allows you to throw a huge downhill bomb, but there's a parking lot along the left of the fairway for the 2nd 2/3 of the hole. I played on a Saturday and the lot was full due to a wedding. Not the safest design on a busy weekend.

Hole 12's pin is located within a tight jail of small trees. This is sure to yield some fluky results.

Due to the fairly open terrain, you can often see the next tee area, but the navigation wasn't always intuitive. I didn't see a course map on the way from the car to hole 1 and ended up relying on the map in the other app more than I'd prefer to get around. For sure, the elevation played into that since no one was volunteering to hike way the hell down some of those hills to see if the next tee was down there. Way easier to check udisc.

Other Thoughts:

The Black Course was redesigned at some point prior to 2024. The changes included removing what looked like the "signature" hole. Old hole 18 (1000' downhill bomb with probably 200' of elevation loss) is no longer playable. As far as I could tell, the tee pad for old 18 is/was somewhere inside the fenced ropes course that covers the hill top now. Current hole 15 plays to the old hole 18 baskets. I expect you could still play something like the original hole 18 as a safari hole, but I'm not sure there's a level spot to tee from.

There is a very short 18 hole course with yellow baskets that initially overlaps with the black course, but soon separates entirely. The barn near the start and end of the course has ice cream and supplies. The ropes course mentioned above is also the starting point for a few wild looking zip line routes.
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15 0
The Last DJ
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.1 years 343 played 18 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Epic Disc Golf Experience 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Nov 27, 2020 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

+ Championship Level 18-Hole Layout Designed by 4X World Champion Johnny Sias: Fun and challenging course that uses distance and elevation as the main design features.

+ Innova Discatcher Baskets: These targets are sturdy and catch putts well. Several baskets have flags for visibility and help with reading the wind.

+ Mix of Turf and Concrete Tee Pads

+ Tee Signs: Include accurate pars and distances

+ Several "Signature" Holes: The course design here is unlike most others in the region. Unique features make the course fun and memorable.

+ Northern Panhandle Disc Golf Association: The locals that take care of the park are friendly and dedicated. Be sure to check out their events including the Grand Vue Championship. This is an annual sanctioned event held in late summer.

+ Home of the West Virginia Disc Golf Hall of Fame: Many vintage discs are on display. This exhibit gives visitors a look into the history of the game and the development of flying discs.

+ Location: Grand Vue Park is close to shopping, lodging, restaurants, and entertainment for traveling players.

+ Proximity to Other Courses: Aside from having other courses on the property players are driving distance from other quality layouts in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia including Brooke Hills Park and Tomlinson Run. Looking into Ohio you have courses in Saint Clairsville and Morristown to the west as well as Scenic Vista and Thompson Park further north. There are plenty of great courses in and around Pittsburgh as well.

+ Extra Amenities: Grand Vue Park boasts plenty of extras such as cabins, camp sites, playgrounds, swimming pool, rest room, biking, zip line & ropes course, mini golf, hiking trails, ice cream parlor, bar/restaurant, and two (2) additional disc golf courses.

Cons:

- Tees: Some tees may be a bit short for the big distance throws required of this course. The local club is currently installing large turf tee pads to make this course even better.

- Upkeep: The park was in fantastic shape when I visited in November. Due to it's huge size there may be overgrown fairways in the late spring and early summer.

- Lost Discs: Know that several holes have the ability to eat discs. Use a spotter on blind holes and play smart when in doubt. It's better to sacrifice some distance to keep your shots in the fairway rather than throwing as far as possible.

Other Thoughts:

This course is NOT for beginners. It is meant to challenge more advanced disc golfers with distance and elevation being the main features. It is quite common to experience windy conditions here which only makes the course play tougher.

Play smart! While throwing far is a definite advantage here this course rewards accuracy. Placement shots are necessary to score well on the par 4's and 5's. Aside from hitting your landing zones you will need to control the angle of your discs to match sloping fairways and precarious pin placements.

The Black Course is one of the most EPIC rounds you'll play. Be sure to pack plenty of water and a snack as you will likely spend at least 2-3 hours navigating this beast. This course has one of the best finishing holes you will ever play!

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8 0
Jags
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 10.2 years 84 played 42 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Beast of WV 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 28, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is an epic beautiful park that just so happens to have multiple courses on the property. When pulling in I realized parking would never be an issue here. Lots of parking. Elevation changes galore on almost every hole make for some epic disc golf. There are multiple holes here that are unique and memorable. Just an all around epic, grueling, round of discing that won't be soon forgotten.

Cons:

This course is a grueling, tiresome 18 holes that you feel the next day. It's every bit as much a hike as it is a round of disc golf. What makes this course unique is the elevation changes on almost every hole. That very unique aspect can also be a con. Especially if you end up over the hills like I did...multiple times. With all of the elevation changes most of the greens are on hillsides. Rollaways are going to happen sometime during your round. The tee signs have par and distances but no map or layout. The fairways also play along park roads, over parking lots, and near other park amenities. This adds OB to your round but also brings you closer to other park goers. Where as roads and parking lots are understandable OB's...there were OB's on hillsides that didn't make sense. (Ex. Hole #1, etc) Not to mention it did not show it on the tee signs as to where they were exactly since they didn't have hole layouts. Use caution around these OB areas. Luckily I came here with a group of guys who have played it before because the layout is quite confusing. The day we played it was foggy and it never lifted. We finished around 2pm and it looked like it was still 8am. Maybe this is just a West Virginia thing, idk. One of the biggest cons were the tee pads. There was only one tee pad per hole but the worst thing about them was they were asphalt. Short and uneven asphalt at times. Also, the wooden frame around them was extremely slippery if you happen to step on it. The rollaways and rough can be unforgiving.

Other Thoughts:

The Black Course was always on my wishlist of courses I wanted to play. Always heard nothing but rave reviews. Not far from Pittsburgh and was only a two hour drive for me. Was definitely worth the trip. I am an understable kind of guy. Most of my bag consists of understable discs. For some reason, most likely operator error, I kept turning stuff over the whole round and ended up in some really bad positions. The wind was only 3 mph most of the day so I cannot blame it on that. I've already decided when I go back I am going to pack more stable stuff in my bag. This course plays in at over 9000 feet. It's a monster that I like to call the Beast of West Virginia!
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1 4
OSUDSCGOLF1
Experience: 19.5 years 4 played 4 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Epic course! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 18, 2018 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Amazing views! Great baskets! Pure fairways! Cool greens! Definitely in my top 10 played courses. Great signage and benches!

Cons:

Tee pads can be slick since there asphalt. Muddy in certain places and footing can be tough in spots.

Other Thoughts:

If you get a chance to play it definitely play it!
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8 0
DiscinOhio
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.4 years 205 played 195 reviews
3.00 star(s)

A Let Down of Massive Proportions 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 15, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

+ First off, Grand Vue Park is just an epic attraction. There's so much to do and so much to see, it's alnost overwhelming. It's an epic spot to have fun just on the other side of the border!

+ The #1 pro at Grand Vue is the beauty and epic elevation changes. Most holes have pretty steep changes in elevation, making for several fun tee shots as well as approach shots. Many holes you can air out a massive bomb, but there's a few technical holes mixed in to keep you on your toes.

+ It's a very challenging and long course, so pros can really get a good challenge here. It's a par 72 with several par 5's and 4's.

+ Benches on almost every hole, and I used almost all of them. Its a hike, so I'm glad benches are plentiful.

+ Very well defined fairways on most holes. #10 really comes into mind as a beautiful carved fairway with longer grass on both sides.

Cons:

- The "necessities" are all getting pretty worn down. The baskets were pretty ugly looking because each has a pole on top of the basket, but most poles were leaning over and occasionally obstructing the baskets. The tee pads were way too short and all gravel. Some tee pads were very worn away and easy to trip on. A few had plants growing through the box. Next tee signs are rotting and a few were missing. Just not the kind of equipment I'd expect from a top tier course.

- I was so excited to play #18, as I heard it's one of the most fun holes in disc golf. Unfortunately, a parking lot was built right in front of the tee. Also, the hole was closed off due to a ground collapse, so obviously it wasn't playable. I won't lie, I was very upset.

- Only one set of tees. There are two other courses on site for each skill level, but I wish all of them would have unique tees.

- Tee signs don't have a map on them. There's a QR code with the hole maps, but it's a pain to pull it up every hole.

- Some of the 700'+ holes should have distance markers or some sort of direction as to where the basket is.

- The first few holes were very poorly designed. #2 plays over a busy intersection in the park and gets pretty confusing with navigation.

Other Thoughts:

* I drove 2 1/2 hours to play and I was a little disappointed. The biggest let down was when I found #18 unplayable! There are some fun holes here, but basic ammentities are really lacking. I was hoping for more, I wouldn't drive too far out of the way to play.
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10 0
jjtwinnova
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 9.3 years 284 played 97 reviews
4.00 star(s)

The Place I Don't Belong 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 26, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

The Black Course in Grandvue Park is an absolute monster.

First off, the park is absolutely massive, a lot of fun things to do within it's boundaries, along with a perfectly groomed interior, paired again with nice views, the location is spectacular.

The course plays at over 9,000 feet, with insane elevation and extreme line shaping, this course has every right to eat you up and spit you out.

The first hole is shared with the yellow course, and I won't sugarcoat it, it sucks. But after that hole, you won't have another experience like it.

The second hole is a nice par 4 that plays out across the open field next to the ropes course, and continues weaving through the hills, valleys and woods of the park.

Each and every hole provides a different challenge, whether it be the distance needed, the accuracy, the angle of landing, you can not take your mind off of your next shot, because if you let your guard down you will be punished.

Hole 18 is the best finishing hole I have played to date. Over 1000 feet, you are throwing a very long ways down hill. I can usually only throw around 320 feet, and I probably doubled that with the throw off this hill. It was fun to watch.

Cons:

The tee signs were nice and full color with distance and par, however there is no map on them. If you are playing here for the first time, a map is very helpful, because you are not always looking at the basket from the tee, in fact you are more likely not to see it.

The tee pads are very grippy asphalt, but they are somewhat short and are a little raised. Not bad, but not great. I don't understand why they aren't concrete, which is far superior in my eyes, because if they were allowed to use asphalt, I can't imagine concrete being that much harder or worse to do.

The course has a few duds, like hole one, as well as most of the par 3's. There could have been some better use of the woods as well, as most of the course is in the wide open after the front nine.

A lot of the holes play around, next to, and across park roads. Be careful around cars and people, as they do come in play. Wait for them to get out of your way before whizzing a disc by there heads.

Only one tee and pin location per hole. Beginners will have a very, very tough time here. Don't expect to shoot well if you can't throw far and accurately.

Other Thoughts:

Overall the course is very nice. I liked the epic views and astounding shots that could be thrown. I will definitely be returning here in the future.

Although I may not have shot as well as I would have hoped, this course is a ton of fun. Don't let the distance scare you, just come and enjoy the ride!

Bring water and snacks, the walk will kill your legs. Enjoy the beautiful piece of property!
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7 0
Jesse Santiago
Experience: 24.7 years 117 played 8 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Amazing! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 8, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

We're do I possibly start?! This course is simply awesome! It has everything you could want in a championship caliber course. I feel I've played many types of courses in a bunch of different states and The Black Course holds its own with some of the best. So to get a little more detailed:
-lots of elevation changes for cool scenic views and shots
-very clean park
-West Virginia Disc Golf Hall of Fame inside the Barn
-Hershey's ice cream parlor on the bottom floor of the Barn. Yeah, that's right. (Like 20-30 flavors....lol)
-awesome use of land with par 4's and 5's for all those big arms that want to try for birdies and eagles
-baskets are in good shape
-really friendly and helpful staff!!!!!
-great for exercise
-great flow of the course
-generous fairways with really clean greens
-great mix of long/open and tight/wooded holes
-lots of risk and reward!
-the experience of playing this course alone is a pro. It's really a blessing that courses like this one exist.

Cons:

Not too many of these. If you don't like hiking or for some reason can't, you may not like this track as much as I did. I don't see holes like these often so I didn't mind going up and down the hilly terrain. So I guess:
-quite a hike if that's not your thing
-tee pads are a touch short for some holes. The bomber holes have a 5-7 ft long pads same as the short holes. The pads are asphalt and are solid for the most part.
-take a good pic of the course map before you leave the barn. (You'll see what I mean) The signs at the tees only tell you the hole number and the distance of the hole, no direction.
-they need a few more "next tee" signs---not hard to figure out if you're a seasoned course tracker. ;)
-you cross a couple roads from the tee which was kinda confusing. No worries though, only minor stuff and it's like the first 3-4 holes and over.
-it's kind of a walk between a few holes, also minor compared to what you get when you get to that next pad. Haha

Other Thoughts:

You have to play this course! You owe it to yourself. It's worth the drive, no matter where you're driving from. These are obviously on own opinions but I feel they have an absolute gem there in the hills of Moundsville, WV. They've done an amazing job all around and I'm honored to have gotten to chance to chuck my plastic around their land. Cannot wait to go back!!! I'll be coming for that White Course!....
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1 3
billyjacko
Experience: 6 played 4 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Get a workout on The Black Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 12, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

Beautiful and extremely challenging. On top of a mountain in Moundsville and mostly fallows a zip line course through woods. Get a great workout hiking through the mountain. Awesome top of the world 1000' hole to close out 18. Very unique layout.

Cons:

Not a forgiving course. Some tight holes where if you don't hit the line, your going down a mountain. Easy to lose discs in tall grass/leafs that are in the rough. There is one ridiculously long hole up hill (13) that is right after you got done hiking through the woods, and it just eats you up.

Other Thoughts:

Just go play it. If your anywhere in the Pittsburgh area, I think it's worth coming down to play. The Play it again in Wheeling has a decent selection of discs too.
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4 1
gcoghill
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 24.4 years 77 played 68 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Goldilocks course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 16, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Very clean, well-maintained course. Manicured fairways, well thought-out holes, lots of variety of challenges. Many epic holes. Holes are mostly well-marked with tall pink poles, for the insane distances. Ample parking. Easy to find.

Cons:

Confusing layout. Fairways cross streets, parking lots and other multi-use areas. Many fairways veer near to other multi-use areas. Lack of maps on the tee signs. Drives are sometimes just ridiculously long or puzzlingly short.

Other Thoughts:

This course sits right next to the Yellow Course, which you can almost see the entire round from the parking lot. It's far too short to be fun for anyone but a novice or a kid. But the Black Course is the opposite -- insanely long drives (far beyond my recreational arm), dramatic elevation changes, and lots of trudging between holes.

Oddly, considering the epic length and size of this multi-use park, much of the course hugs the asphalt (not my kind of layout at all). That said, there are some very scenic views throughout this park/course. And there a re a few holes that get you some seclusion, only to drag you back next to a park administration office or a playground or yet another parking lot.

I could see this course being an ideal setting for a pro tournament -- players who needs these kinds of distances to shine. And plenty of park to hold a crowd. But for the typical player, the holes were almost too epic, too big in scope. Most you can't even see from the tee (and the tee signs have not even a rudimentary map).

I don't know what to say about this course. I liked it. It was clean and a pleasant setting. But it was just too much for me. Maybe for others, this kind of round is favorable. I do love a few long holes, or a serious elevation change. But this course was filled with them.

I'm glad I stopped and played a round. I agree this is a nice course. I'm sure the locals love it. I made a bit of a road trip out of getting to another destination so I could play the Black Course. I'm glad I did, but I doubt I'll be going out of my way to head back here next time I'm traveling south.
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7 0
geminiguy88
Experience: 12.4 years 13 played 12 reviews
4.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 24, 2016 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-The closest thing to a completely immaculate, trash free course I've ever come across
-The park itself is beautiful, scenic, and well organized
- Park offices offers scorecards, vending machines, cold water and clean bathrooms
-Further Information and small Pro Shop located in Red Barn by Tee #1.
-Layout of course makes excellent use of available land
-Difficulty of most holes will challenge all types of players to push their skills, and physical endurance, to the limit
-Elevation changes keep things very interesting
-On Site Cabins For Rent, Nearby Camp Sites
-Most tee pads have benches and small waste bins
-Active, Committed, Helpful, and Very Hospitable Volunteers/ Club Members Take Great Pride In the Course, and It Shows
-Reasonable, but challenging pars set

Cons:

-The complete opposite of "beginner friendly course"
-Terrain and elevation changes are physically demanding: May not be suitable for players with certain health issues
-Long distances to cover between holes
-A few temporary holes in place (ex: Hole 1) at time of writing this.
-Moderate amount of opportunities to hit a pedestrian or moving vehicles on select holes
-Most trash cans at tee pads are very small, like for cigarettes and light pocket trash only
-As the course layout is not 100% complete, not all pads are concreted
-Concrete pads were occasionally "rough"; not always flush or smooth. This was only a minor issue on two or three pads.
-Signage was decent, but not great, partly because course isn't entirely set in stone
-Duration of play: Played doubles with 3 other teams. Course took 6 hours to complete!
-Huge Ravine to lose discs on hole 15.
-Don't Believe in ChemTrails? You will once you look up into the sky for thirty seconds. Crazy amount of Air Traffic Overhead.

Other Thoughts:

Even if you are in decent shape, this beast of a course will still leave you spent by the end of the day. Just walking the property is exhausting; now try walking it and throwing 400 feet up hill! Plenty of beautiful, shaded places to rest thankfully. If you have been playing for at least three years and want to see where you are at in terms of skill, play the Black Course. It is grueling, it is challenging for sure, but it is a world class course for very good reasons. I feel like my confidence and overall skill got a noticeable upgrade from playing the Blacks just once. I would like to thank all the volunteers and the fine people at the Disc Golf Farm for their hospitality and camaraderie my friends were shown during this wonderful past weekend at Moundsville. The park itself is unforgettable, but you guys really made our whole trip a mini-vacation.
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17 0
JohtoVillage
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 24.6 years 160 played 74 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 25, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Have you ever judged a book by its cover? I certainly have. I had heard a lot about the Black Course before I decided to veer off the highway and make a trek to the course. I decided to play the Yellow Course first to get all warmed up and then walked over to the first hole of the Black course, which shares a hole with the Yellow Course. I was confused....this hole is on the Black Course? Like, the Black Course that I have heard is as hard as walking up the slopes of Mt Doom Black Course?

Yes, yes it was. I began to judge the book by its cover. Holes 2 and 3 were harder but pretty open so I still was confused. I had gone 2 3 2 up to that point and so I was feeling good about myself. I began thinking to myself, "What's the course record?"

MISTAKE. Hole 4 goes into the woods and shows its black, charred teeth. Any thoughts of comparing this course to the Yellow Course (a 3500 foot course) go out the window. Easy? Hole 4 was a winding par 4 through the woods that spit me out and gave me a 5. Was it fair? Yes. I birdied hole 5 and tasted the sweetness of a deuce. It was the last time I would taste that number for the day. I had 16 2's at the Yellow Course (who's counting?) so Moundsville, WV decided I had enough.

Hole 6 was another winding par 4 with some tough rough. It was a fair hole and I took another 5. Hole 7 was easy but I found myself unable to throw it fair enough up the hill. Its only 188 feet but my putter didn't have enough in the wind that day.

Whatever...I figured hole 8 would give me a chance at redemption. No. Redemption would not come. Hole 8 was a marvelous, downhill MONSTER. Rough to the right? Check. OB to the left? Check? Massive downhill drive? Check. Tough green? Check?

I caught my breath enough to look at hole 9 and say, I should deuce this hole. It was a neat hole with a cool green (turnover hole). It was only 228 feet but I was still exhausted from hole 8 and didn't get the deuce. Holes 10 through 12 were some nice holes with HARD written all over it. Hard has nothing on hole 13 though, especially when it was 25 MPH wind IN YOUR face. This hole is actually pretty much wide open but 848 feet is 848 feet. Into the wind? I am pretty sure I threw three straight destroyers as hard as I could and somehow made a 4.

Once again they teased you with a short hole as 14 was a wide open fairway with a brutally difficult green to access. There actually wasn't a huge gap to get to the green but it was an interesting hole. Its best for a RH flick shot (low skip at the end). 15 and 16 were more of the same....LONG, HARD and mostly open with enough obstacles to not make it boring. 17 was a breath of fresh air, but unfortunately I was so hot and wind exhausted (try playing this course in 20 MPH winds) that I misjudged how uphill this hole was and didn't make a deuce. But as Gandalf said in the Return of the King...."Its the deep breath before the plunge."

And by plunge I mean hole 18. Wow. That is all I can say about this hole. 1000 feet? Check. Massive downhill driving opportunities? Check. Amazing views of the mountains? Check. Sweet view of some random red barn? Check. Being able to see the basket from 2/10's of a mile away? Check. Throwing a MASSIVELY overstable destroyer into a 30MPH headwind on a vertical hyzer angle and not having the disc go left? Check. Getting down to my drive and having no wind after climbing down the mountain and then throwing a 500 foot destroyer over the woods to the right and fading back inside the circle to make an eagle 3? Priceless.

Cons:

Not a lot of cons but here are mine:

1) For being such an epic course the course had a few dud holes. Hole 7 seemed better fitted for the Yellow Course, as did hole 1. Hole 1 is actually part of the Yellow Course and it maybe should have just stayed there. It was kind of nice to have a few easy holes but the Black Course was designed to be an eternal beast and it would have been nice to keep it that way.

2) The tees were not up to the standards of what a championship level course should be. If the tees were concrete I would immediately raise this course to a 4.5. The tees also need to be a lit longer.

3) The back nine was brutal. Brutal as in "I want to go home I am not having any fun" brutal. It was so epic in the distance and if you play on a windy day...well....its tough. Actually, its beyond tough in the wind. Make sure to have overstable plastic if you play in the wind. Its not unfair but its just not a ton of fun. Since there's only one set of tees there are no options for easy. If you want easy go play the Yellow Course. Do not subject yourself to the Black Course if you can't handle hard.

4) The back nine does not offer a lot of protection from the sun. It literally BAKED my body. I felt like I was walking on the plains of Mordor and the great eye of Sauron was shining on me and trying to force me to melt into the ground. Be prepared to sweat. Bring lots of water. Bring lembas bread, wrapped in sweet green leaves. I ran out of water on hole 12 and it was not pretty when I found myself panting on 17.

Other Thoughts:

This course, paired together with the Yellow Course, makes for a great adventure. The Yellow Course is so easy and short that it makes the Black Course feel like 20,000 feet. Its not, but bring your A game. Don't play the Black Course expecting to have fun. Play the Black Course expecting to say....I survived.
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10 0
Qikly
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.3 years 181 played 150 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Mr. Sias Means Business 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 5, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

The Black Course is big - over 9,000'! the longest course in West Virginia! - but don't let that fool you into thinking it gets by on sheer spectacle. There's a lot of nuance here, and some particularly great usage of elevation and OB that make for a fantastic and challenging round.

Variation is abundant, with some tightly wooded par 3s that can turn from birdie to bogie in the blink of an eye, but The Black Course's bread and butter is its monstrous par 4s and 5s. Many of these are relatively lightly wooded, but use their constituent obstacles extremely well, forcing a specific angle off the tee or requiring good placement to have an advantageous second shot. The elevation on many of these holes further constrains your options, as does OB, often found on the RHBH-unfriendly lefthand side of the fairway, and rough, which is an effective deterrent that isn't overly thick. Big arms will find rarely-encountered opportunities to carve huge lines here, but even us mere mortals can appreciate the placement-challenging and hazard-rich golf. I've never played a course built to such proportions. These massive holes lodge themselves in your mind's eye, be it 8's scarily tight downhill shot, 10's hillside lined with disc-snatching trees, 13's gradually sloping fairway with a big drop off, or 18's spectacular downhill bomb that requires good placement and decent distance. The Black Course's big but technical air is really unique.

Navigation is pretty transparent, thankfully helped by consistent signage. The course was extremely well groomed on my visit. The raised gravel tees aren't perfect, but they get the job done; I rarely thought about them, which is a good thing. Parking is plentiful, bathrooms are available, and the course is easy to find within the park itself.

Cons:

The Black Course has a few duds, such as 7. These occur almost uniformly when the course steps outside its comfort zone of the long open par 4s and 5s. The effort to break things up is very welcome, as the back 9 can get very grueling - holes 8 to 18 only have three holes under 488 feet! - but it's not always successful, unfortunately. While the variety is good here, the course flow and occasional throwaways could be improved. The course presently leans a bit too heavily on its standout long holes.

Speaking of which, the grind is a real thing on this course: it's long, the elevation is significant, and there are a lot of open stretches where the sun can beat down on you. Come prepared for a hike, and to stay hydrated: water is only found at the course's beginning and end.

With only one set of tees, The Black Course doesn't provide any beginner-friendly options, although it's understandable that a course built around length and par 4s and 5s wouldn't want to compromise. The result though is a course that is decidedly newbie-unfriendly. Players without a lot of distance might also struggle to appreciate The Black Course, though my ~350' arm did fine. Beginners at least have The Yellow Course on site.

The road comes into play a lot: you're throwing over or along it at many points. Traffic isn't hopping out here but it wasn't desolate when I visited, either; I had to wait for a vehicle to pass on several occasions. On holes with extreme elevation such as 18, it's important to make sure the coast is clear before you go throwing, as the wind and long way down can cause a disc to fly unexpectedly (take it from me).

The tees could be a bit longer in a few spots, and having them level with the ground would have welcomely allowed for longer run ups on many of The Black Course's distance driver tee shots. That said, they got the job done.

Other Thoughts:

Park officials seem to be proud of this course, and with good reason. I had the opportunity to chat with someone who works at the park, and they were both knowledgeable and enthused about the course in particular and the sport in general. That investment shows, as this course is a standout, and really unique. They also said that there are plans to put in a new course lying somewhere in between Black's challenges and Yellow's casualness. Just one more reason among many to return!

I hope the West Virginia disc golf community is making a push to host World's: The Black Course, Orange Crush, and Seth Burton would make for one heck of a tournament.
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1 3
blazerico
Experience: 19.4 years 321 played 37 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great, but needs a little tweaking to be awesome 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 17, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

There are lots of really fun holes with major elevation changes. There seemed to be tons of other stuff to do at the park, including a massive zip line course. The layout makes great use of the land. The only lame hole was #1, but after that it's all good.

Cons:

The teepads could use some improvement as they are currently blacktop which is falling apart and lumpy. Also, they are kinda small/short.
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1 4
munky
Experience: 14.5 years 43 played 6 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Holy WOW!!! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 24, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Great elevation to throw from.
-Well maintained park.
-Fairways were mowed when I was there.
-Nice variation of distances on the holes.
-Has legitimate par 4s, and par 5s.
-Great views.

Cons:

No cons really other than a map of the hole on each sign would be nice.

Other Thoughts:

This is the longest course in WV. It WILL test your game and hiking. Bring plenty of water and time. A must play course for any serious golfer.
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3 0
BigAl724
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.2 years 179 played 144 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Wild AND Wonderful 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 21, 2014 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The Black Course presents a unique challenge with some massive elevation changes and very long holes. The course is spread throughout a huge, superbly maintained park that has a ton of activities available. The park consists of two disc golf courses, a ball golf course, a high-ropes course with zip lines, and has a dozen or so newer cabins that you can stay in. This really is a property where you can spend the entire weekend.

The course offers many nice amenities with benches and trash cans throughout, three different sets of rest rooms, very nice course maps and scorecards, and discs for sale at the main office. The Yellow Course starts at the same spot and is a good warm-up.

A ton of thought and effort have been put in to make the course the best it can be. The fairways have been freshly mowed and the rough trimmed every time I've been here and there are landscaped greens around most of the pins to add to the aestheticism. The tee pads are now longer and smooth (which is a big upgrade from before). Black DISCatchers have flags on top, which is very helpful in spotting them from a distance. Multiple signs pointing to the next hole make navigation easy.

Best of both worlds in that it is located on secluded, scenic property rather than your typical city park setting, but has the upkeep to rival the best maintained public parks out there. It's pretty awesome when you first drive into the park, a kind of other-worldly feeling.

This course is a beast, with a lot of risk/reward due to the fast elevation changes and several very long holes. There is a great variety in hole length - ranging from 178-1,008 feet -and pars with 4 par 4's and 7 par 5's. There is also a great mix of open holes with vast elevation changes and tight holes in the woods. My favorite holes on the course come from both of these kinds of holes, from 5, 6, and 9's tight lines, to 13 and 18's wide open shots with massive elevation changes. Using the road as O.B. also makes some of the more straight forward bomb shots more interesting like on holes 8 and 16.

Did I mention the elevation yet? It is used in so many great ways, whether it is by throwing straight up steep hills on 7 and 17, playing on side-sloping hills on 3, 10, 13, and 15, or launching down enormous hills on 8 and 18. This is one of the finest course designs using elevation that I have played. There are not many real death putts here other than the huge drop-off behind 9's basket, but fast greens will challenge your approach game on many holes.

Cons:

-There aren't really any major detractors on this course. Mostly, the cons of this course are based upon my personal preference of course design and some are a little nitpicky. No huge negatives here, more just a reflection of the type of golf I enjoy.
- I would have liked to hit more specific lines on some of the long shots instead of playing on so many wide open holes.
-To continue along the same lines, a few holes are pretty bland. I think the reason I feel this way is that, again, at least half the holes on this course are for the most part wide open. The elevation presents a great challenge for the open holes, but I would have liked to have had more specific line options to choose from.
-Some holes play dangerously close to or across park roads. Believe it or not, this park gets busy in the summer with cars constantly passing through. Not a big deal, just play carefully when the park gets busy.
-This is a hiking man's course with a lot of long walks and elevation. Not a con in my eyes but may be for some. This course can be brutal in the hot weather so bring a lot of water, more than you usually would.
-The course is in somewhat of an inconvenient location. You most likely will be traveling a out of your way to get here, depending on what direction you're coming from. Roads are a little rough and windy. Nothing that should stop you from coming here, just something to keep in mind.
-Holes 1 and 2 share tee pads with holes 2 and 3 of the Yellow Course
-It'd be nice to have a pictured layout of the holes on the tee sign, especially for the longer holes.

Other Thoughts:

This is a terrific course that I would encourage any golfer to play, as long as they don't mind the hike. It is a unique experience that will challenge your long game and cause you to battle fast elevation changes. I think that it is worth going out of one's way to play because there is no other course like it, at least that I have seen. It has great design using the park's woodenness and elevation, just too many straight-forward holes for me to bump its rating up any higher. With the Yellow Course also on site, Grandvue Park truly offers the player a satisfying day of disc golf. Come enjoy some of WV's finest golf!
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3 1
timbur3
Experience: 17.4 years 111 played 52 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Black Gold 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 5, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

- This course has every type of drive needed. A lot of the holes are very long and require a long shot or 2.
- The baskets are great and have the black strip around the top to know you are on the black course.
- This course uses its elevation changes amazingly. There are uphill shots and a ton of downhill shots which are great.
- Hole #18

Cons:

- Tee boxes are ok. Made of asphalt but some is chipping away.
- Tough to find the first hole because the Black Course's first hole is the same as the Yellow Course's second hole.

Other Thoughts:

The final shot on 18 is awesome. You are literally throwing off of a mountain to a basket that is 1008' away. It is impossible to only throw once from up there. The pictures barely do it justice. The park is nice having the 2 courses to play on.
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10 0
sidewinder22
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 18.3 years 331 played 198 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Black is a GrandVue Indeed! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 8, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Championship level 18 hole course with single boxed gravel tees and black banded Discatcher baskets. Phenomenal use of the elevation and terrain and OB. Excellent variety of pars, from ace runs to par 5s. The Yellow Course offers something for beginners and is a nice warm up for the Black Course and there are plans for 3 more courses in the park! Restrooms and pro shop. Zip lines! Cabin rentals. Lots of wildlife, even saw an albino deer. What a Grand Vue from the top of the mountain over looking the town!

Cons:

-WARNING- the Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we only recommend for the highly skilled golfer.

The boxed gravel tees aren't that great, but they didn't bother me. Moderate potential to lose a disc either into the abyss over a cliff or tall grass areas in the summer. Plays over and around park roads on a few holes, but I doubt it's much issue since traffic is very low volume here. With all the deer, there's lot's of poo, but whatever, look at the view around you and not at the ground.

Other Thoughts:

The Black Course is a difficult and challenging course that should be played only by low-handicap golfers. The course is for walkers only and its slope rating is one of the highest in the northeast. Anyone who has played will tell you it is a true test of golf skill and physical endurance. This is one of the latest courses designed by master golf course architect Johnny Sias, and is said by many to be his finest work.

The elevation and length are used to the extreme as it's a mostly open course. Don't let that fool you though, as there are a couple heavily wooded holes, and the open holes have treacherous slopes and OB galore. Many of the baskets on the open holes are tucked into woods making the drive more important to setup an easier approach to the basket which is most likely on an insane slope. If your disc goes right of the fairway on hole 9, it's gone into the abyss baby! It falls off a couple hundred vertical feet just a few feet from the basket, and you can't even see the ground!

If you are serious about disc golf, you should play here. I would love to see a NT tourney here with all the top pros. It would be awesome if it could be included in the Worlds at Pittsburgh, but it's probably just too far. The locals I played with were all great guys and golfers! Thank you Paul aka DiscGolfFarm for the tour! I was still dreaming about the course the entire 5 hr drive home. I can't wait to come back and hopefully the other 3 courses will get approved.
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2 3
hogwild428
Experience: 25.6 years 303 played 25 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Fun course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 19, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Good mix of a few short holes with plenty of opportunities to really unload some serious drives.

Cons:

Signs weren't great. they told you where to start from, but not very specific about where the baskets were. especially on some holes where you cant see the hole

Other Thoughts:

hole 18 was a lot of fun to basically throw off of the top of a mountain
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2 4
GrEaTeRNaTeR
Experience: 14.2 years 19 played 19 reviews
4.00 star(s)

cool 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 16, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

just a great fricken course!! had a blast with a couple of buddies, didnt have any trouble finding where to go on the course. Awesome use of the beautiful west virginia hills, truely a sight.

Cons:

tee pads were a little different than im used to. with wood border and gravel in the middle my buddy almost twisted his ankle.

Other Thoughts:

i would have given this course a better score if it had concrete pads. other than that there is nothing to complain about from my standing
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4 3
lildragon
Experience: 29.4 years 110 played 19 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 23, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

(This is for the Black Course)
- Lots of long holes. (seemed like 4-5 holes were 500ft+ ...Great for big arms.)
- Great scenery!
- Nice course flow, didn't have to refer to map too often.
- There are 2 courses here. A shorter Yellow Course, all the baskets have yellow tops. And the Black Course which plays quite long 9000'+ I believe, and is amazing.
- Lots of other things to do here.

Cons:

- Figuring out where to start your first time is confusing. Thankfully there was a Park Office that had brouchures, maps, scorecards, etc...

- Too far away from me :p

- Bog mud on hole...5? I think the narrow shot through the woods.

- Bring water you'll need it, lots of elevation changes lots of walking on slanted hill sides.

Other Thoughts:

Great destination course! They had zip lines installed all over the park, looks like it would be a blast to try that out.
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