Short and technical course. Fun layout. Maintained very well.

Hard to say anything negative here. Just a fun round with friends.

One of two courses at Binder Park, Joseph Miller is the easier of the two.

Joseph C. Miller is a nice 18 hole course that has good elevation change on several holes, woods ranging from sparse to fairly dense, and a stream that might dampen your disc but is not likely to swallow it forever. Tees are concrete and they do have signs. The baskets are all there, and serve their purpose.

The fairways are commonly grassy, but pins are on the edge of tree lines to limit the angles. A few do have more trees, with gaps that restrict flight lines to narrow windows. Elevation is a big factor on hole 8, an open run downhill with the stream running right behind the basket. The long pin on 11 also crosses the stream right in front of the basket, with a tight squeeze through trees raising the risk another step. 15, 16 and 18 were also among my favorite holes, all heavily wooded with some distance. Making the drive and following with a
nice approach on those type of holes is always super satisfying for me.

A lot of the holes have many possible pin placements. Difficulty levels may increase significantly depending on what the layout is. Those really long ones drastically increase overall distance. The shape of fairway and the strategy from the tee is often impacted quite a bit also.

Hole 4 had two baskets, with the short pin several feet off the ground and a circular staircase to aid in retrieval. Hole 10 short pin also was on a bit of a raised terrace, but not nearly as high. Just a single or double layer of landscape blocks.

I had trouble spotting the baskets on several holes. A bright new coat of paint would help for sure. The dark metal blends in to the woodsy surroundings easily. I would have loved to have an indicator to signify what location the pin is in from the tee on blind shots. Many times best you can do is guess unless you walk the hole in advance to seek it out. My girl isn't waiting on me to do that all of the time.

JCM is less than two miles away from the Dam Course, which is also a really solid 18 hole layout. Throw in a visit to Holts Summit DGC and Harmony Bend and you have a killer day or two of disc golfing. I am searching for any reason to get to the Columbia area for a couple of days every chance I get now.

Miller beat me up pretty good. No birdies and a lot of red on the scorecard. Shot a 66, which is around 10 over I think, but I didn't note exactly where every pin was or if the par varies based on location. I would think it does. It would be worth hitting Jeff City again to play either one or both of these courses. I liked the Dam Course slightly better, but both are really pretty good.

There is a reason that The Joseph C. Miller (Binder Lake) Disc Golf Course always has a slew of players. It's that much fun. It's enjoyable without being threatening. It's a nice workout with being grueling. It has just enough elevation to enhance your rounds, enough trees to challenge but not so many as to frustrate. There is a nice mix of open versus wooded holes and distances are nicely varied.

There is a kiosk at the beginning. Also, a gathering in the woods where players can socialize before and after rounds. The tee pads are nice sized concrete ones. The Mach V baskets are a pretty maroon color. The signs are decent enough fiberglass types. They use the wonderful washer system to indicate which position the basket is set. I really liked the unique way that tree branches were cut short in order to serve as bag holders.

I liked # 8 a lot, a 315' downhill throw with the creek close behind the basket. # 17 was a very pretty hole at 388'.

The course might be a little tame for some better players. I'm sure some players would like to see more par 4's and a couple of 5's.

Long walk back to the car after # 18.

The maroon baskets are a little difficult to pick out sometimes. I prefer the yellow Discatchers.

Binder Lake fits the skill level of a large percentage of the disc golfing population. I think this course can be enjoyed by anyone from older recreation (such as myself) all the way up to advanced players. The course has such wonderful terrain and a great design to go with it. There's a reason it merits such a nice lofty rating. Super enjoyable course! Can I take it back to Washington with me?

(EDITED on 7/10/23: I played Joseph C. Miller again six years later. And wow, a very good course has delivered significant improvements and deserves a promotion to the 4.5 phenomenal rating. Every hole has two baskets, shorts and longs, and several possible pin placements. The long layout now includes 11 par-4s and one par-5. The new signage is incredibly detailed and some of the best I've ever seen. This is a top-notch course.)

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In Binder Park, on the outskirts of Missouri's state capital, is an extraordinary course with an ordinary name. The Joseph C. Miller DGC offers enjoyable disc golf with a variety of hole designs while including several engaging elevation changes.

The course conditions at Joseph C. Miller DGC were excellent when I played. Well-mowed and clearly defined fairways complemented easily navigable terrain, even in areas with wooded obstacles.

The variety of hole designs is excellent and provides a good challenge. The first three holes are decently wooded, and Hole #1 requires an accurate uphill drive immediately.

Hole #8 might be the signature hole - a picturesque and downhill 310-foot run that offers an opportunity for an ace run toward an edge-of-the-woods basket while facing the risk of sinking an inaccurate drive deep into the bushes. The long (white) basket is elevated and is sitting atop the short (pink) basket.

The back nine continues with a variety of holes that include nicely outlined fairways. The par-4s provide lots of challenges with opportunity to score birdies or get punished with bogeys.

After the changes in the last few years, there aren't many cons at Joseph C. Miller. There are a couple holes where the long basket is in a difficult area. There's some rough areas near the fairway. The walk from Hole #18 to the parking lot takes a few minutes. Hole #14 is a wide-open hole from the longs that fills the gap between holes but is fairly plain.

The design and diversity at Joseph C. Miller is impressive. The terrain is used well and none of the holes appear to copy a previous design. The elevation is incorporated flawlessly without feeling forced or unnecessary. This course is another mouth-watering treat on the tasty menu of disc golf in the central Missouri region.

Reachable, ace runs for a thrower
Fair and complete with typical Dave McCormick design elements. (most) baskets are behind or among trees/shrubs.
The "creek" comes into play on a few holes
Cool mix of open, wooded, uphill, downhill, etc.
Quiet surroundings

A long-ish drive from St. Louis
Lacks clear parking signs
Navigation takes a course map

I really enjoyed the few times I've played at Jos. Miller DGC. It's a nice challenge, a good walk and very fair. If you happen to bump into other players, they'll be friendly!

It's a good example of South/Central Missouri geology and is covered with an assortment of mature trees and glades, up against woods. Enjoy-

Awesome elevation changes making for some really cool holes.

not really any unless your new to dg you could easily lose a disc due to thick woods and tall grass on a few holes.

One of my favorite courses I've played

Good variety! There's not a ton of wide-open shots, but it's not just tunnel shot after tunnel shot. I loved the variety of range in distance as well.

I like the way they mark which pin position is active, by using a simple wing nut and big red plastic marker. Each sign by the tee box also gives the location of the next tee; I highly reccomend you pay attention to it! (see below)

Course was well mowed and well maintained when I played in early October.

Nice, long, grippy concrete tee pads, with a bit of pea gravel after them which helps with erosion.

Very pretty scenery; there's houses and ball fields visible from a few holes, but I saw tons of squirrels/wildlife milling about and felt like I was taking a nice walk through the woods while playing, without being frustrated.

Although this course is fairly wooded, the trees are avoidable with a good shot and it's not maddeningly frustrating, even for this beginner.

I like how there's steep drop-offs near several of the holes, forcing you to make tough choices about whether to putt for the basket, or just layup rather than risking losing your disc in a dried-up creek bed. Nice touch to the game.

Even the tunnel shots that are there are very thoughtfully laid out, and just generally gorgeous. I think I was most impressed with the scenery on this course; I wasn't expecting it to be this pretty!

The designer generally did a good job using elevation, woods, rough, and everything available to create a wide variety of elevation changes, directional changes, and different "feels" on the holes. Even for someone who has a real affinity for finding trees, the wooded holes weren't boring or monotonous and I thought the trees were used very well as obstacles, instead of just being irritating.

The area is just dedicated for disc golf. I know a few other reviewers had trouble with people milling about; I played on a Wednesday afternoon after work and it was perfectly fine. A couple guys behind me, but other than that, nothing. And nobody wandering around the course either.

I didn't run into any burrs or poison ivy on my trek out here; a nice departure from some of the courses I play back in Kansas City.

Overall, this was just a very fun play for me; I was in town on business and was able to fit in a full round in a little over an hour after meetings. Great variety and fun factor is definitely there!

The navigation got tricky on parts of the course. Even if you pay attention to the tee signs, it's still very possible to get lost, in particular from 11-12, and 14-15. On 12, the tee box is in the woods directly in front of the basket; on 15, you walk right by 17's tee box on the way, so keep walking and look for the sign a ways up ahead.

Some of the baskets, benches, and signs look a bit worn and tired; doesn't really affect the game play, but it didn't feel as well kept up in this regard as most of my home courses back in KC.

The marking system for the active pin is nice, but on hole 11, it was on the wrong pin position and probably cost me 2 strokes. It's still a very fun hole and I loved the design, but it was aggravating to hurt my game over an incorrect marker.

The baskets for some of the holes are very close to others, especially 11 and 17. Also, on 9, it's easy to mistake the practice basket for the real basket, going off the sign.

The back 9 in particular felt like it zig-zagged across itself quite a bit; it wasn't overly busy when I played, but this could pose a problem if you're not careful. Pay close attention to the numbers on top of the baskets, or you'll end up throwing at the wrong one like I did!

Adding to the navigational woes, there's not a great map at the entry to take a snapshot of on your phone for reference. It's fairly well signed, but keep your eyes peeled and check the alternate pin positions if you get stuck. Sometimes the next hole is by one of those instead.

This course is just west of town, near St. Martens. It was about a 15 minute drive from my hotel on the south end of town, so not bad at all.

I wouldn't call this a destination course at all, but it made for a very fun round and is worth stopping at if you're in the area! The scenery is nice and the walk through the woods is a lot of fun without being overly aggravating, even for a less experienced player.

Several of the tees were much farther away from the preceeding pins than most of the courses I've played. This can be both good and bad; if you get lost, look near the other pin positions. There's generally signs up on the trees to let you know where to go.

Stop by for a super fun round of DG if you're in the area, it's worth it!

Big tee pads, plenty of signs even if made up with regular paper 1st time ever played and flew thru course nice mix of shots one of the best flows to a course ive seen good tech shots good places to air out hyzer and anhyzer

random walkers, cant say much bad first time playing I like it compared to some of my home courses

i would try to find a way to add more pin locations as well as add a few new baskets maybe extra 9 on course

Excellent variety of shots needed. Good use of the terrain. There are short holes and longs ones, too. Trees in play for many of the holes, but also a few wide open fields.

I agree with some other reviewers that par is marked too easy on some holes, but this could be due to currently close pin placement. There were some really muddy spots even though it had been several days since last rain. Had to pick carefully around marshy areas. Basket to next tee was sometimes quite a hike and need to watch out for 15 being on past 17 or you'll end up playing out of order.

Beautiful scenery all around the course. Even a camp ground right across the street if you want to stay and play a few days in a row.

Great shot diversity, you will definitely need to bring out your entire arsenal for this one if you want to score well.

Enough elevation change to keep things fun. hole 8 is a great example of this. Toss a wizard down the hill and start begging for chains.

Immaculate upkeep. Whoever keeps the course clean does a great job. Grass is cut every time I roll through town.

The course is laid out such that most every hole is able to be made in 2 with a good drive and a good put (that's not to say that birds are exactly easy here.)

Laid out in 2 loops, if you only wanna play 9 holes you are right by the parking lot after the front half.

Its been said time and time again that the 18th pin is nowhere near the parking area. True. But the most interesting holes are definitely on the back 9 and are well worth the walk back.

Course should probably be a par 54 course, having par 4s and 5s out there is a heck of a confidence builder when you shoot 10 down. It does make for a tough 54 though and a lot of fun when scored that way.

All I can say is that I wish I had more reasons to make trips either to or through Jefferson city because this course is absolutely worth the stop every time.

One of the most underrated courses I have played on this site. (I haven't played that many but this was the first one where I'm more than willing to give it a better rating than what its average already is.)

This is one of the hardest corses ive ever played and iv played corses in many different states. You'll need a strong and accurate flick shot and back hand shot just to say the least! if you don't have either then I hope you have a great roller shot And you need to bring your Pro game as well any mess ups and you will be deep in the woods. There's a great variation of shots. This is the best corse ive ever played! I love how my dad lives just a couple miles down the road. They have brought. This corse so far sence the last time I played with the new bridges it makes it even better to play here. The corse is well layed out the tee pad are awesome huge. The tee signs are easy to read and are all there unlike a lot of corses ive played. The change in elevation shots are tricky a must if your looking for something challenging. The baskets are all dga my favorite I think there the best!

During the summer it gets super hot so you'll need to bring a couple gallons of water with you so you don't pass out. There's really nouthing bad to say about the corse at all!

This corse is well maintained. The baskets are moved to different locations regulary. Just to start. I love playing this corse you don't have people in the way Like you in corses that are located in a lot of other parks. I hope you play this cores and have a ton of fun and if you can't get out there make sure you make plans to do so! Jefferson city strives for the best and you can truly tell here.

Challenging holes of all lengths from 200ft-600ft, requires a versatile backhand or a backhand with a forehand/overhand, concrete tee-pads, top notch maintenance, white poles indicating where alternative basket placements would be, trash cans at nearly every tee, beautiful baskets that haven't seen much wear yet, stunning natural Missouri landscape (small rolling hills and old growth trees - with prairies in between clumps),

The tee-pads are a little short, the route to the next hole can be tricky (look for arrows on trees and follow beaten paths), no indication from the tee of what placement the basket is in on a given day, the real rough stuff can get sticky with thorns and other nasty things, hasn't been in the ground long enough to have that 'nicely worn in' feel.

Difficulty: Intermediate - Pro. I typically play the courses in Columbia (30 minutes north), and this course compares very favorably. It's well taken care of (nicely done Jefferson City parks dept.), quieter than the Columbia parks, and features alot of old growth areas and clearings that make for a great mix of finesse and power as you play a round. The front 9 is packed pretty tightly into an area of land with long clearings and huge clumps of trees, while the back 9 has some longer holes and is more spread out. A great mix of open and wooded areas really makes this a players course (requiring lines, accuracy, shot variety, and good length). This is a great course for novices to pros - but might be a bit much for newbies. Hole #8 may be the best hole in the central Missouri area - a wide open, gentle downhill 310ft to a basket sitting visibly in the tree line directly straight ahead from the tee. Basically you are teeing off from a wooded hill across a beautiful sloping pasture to the bottom; gorgeous.

Nice concrete tee pads but they are a little short.

Nice new bridge to get to the back side

Great basket locations that make you pay for a mistake

Long walk back to the parking lot after 18

Tee pads could be longer

Look forward to playing this course again after I get some playing time under my belt

Well maintained, good variety of holes. I would play again, with some exceptions.

Location of some baskets makes absolutely no sense. Too many holes that require throwing into a forest of trees or out of a forrest. I'm just not lucky enough to miss every tree.

My wife accompanied me, not to play but just to walk along. On hole nine the basket was located at a setting across a creek. The only way to get to the hole that we could see was to go down the bank and back up the other side. The only way across the creek(that we knew of) was by stepping down using a trees roots and some smooth rocks. She decided to go first and fell. She cut her hand catching her fall. I just want to know who thinks it's a good idea to put a basket in a location like that when there were better options for it's location?

Nice tight hole locations on the front nine take your time and there are many ace run holes. The longer but open back still takes careful shots to navigate to the basket. Multiple hole placements, concrete pads and good signage.

Concrete pads could be a bit longer in my opinion. Some of the work being done on front nine would be very muddy if it would rain. The walk past seventeen would be confusing to someone playing for the first time.

Meet a local Brian I have to thank him for guiding me through his home course made it very enjoyable not having to scout every hole.

Really liked the layout. Lots of variety, and easy enough for a beginning hack like me. But not TOO easy, so it gives me an incentive to go back to do better.

As other reviewers have said, do not like that after 18, there is a little walk to get back to parking, but it really isn't that bad. Don't like trees, or the gully, but I'm just whining.

Thanks to Todd for taking me out and showing me the course!

This course has many different and well laid out holes. There is a need for backhand and forehand shots alike. The holes are unique and almost all of them have multiple basket locations.

The next tees are easy to find...just follow the dirt path from the previous basket and it will always lead you to the next hole.

Good baskets and concrete tees also make this course excellent!

The 18th hole is kind of far away from the start which makes for a bit of walk to get back to your car but other than that it's a good course!

This course made a great impression on me for the first time! I only went here because we are vacationing nearby but I would definitely go again and wish this was closer to home!

Hills, trees, long fairways, blind tee shots. All the things that make disc golf fun and challenging.

Hills, trees, long fairways, blind tee shots. Uphill in to trees. Downhill into trees. Man I hate trees. Many thanks for champion plastic.

Other than Hole 18 not ending by Tee 1 it is an amazing layout. Can't wait for the 2010 Disc Golf Monkey stop there.

I really enjoyed this course. Being from the St. Louis Mo. area originally it reminded me a lot of Sioux Passage Park DGC. A tighter woodsy front nine with a wide open and long back nine. The Park and course were very well maintained and the course was very easy to follow. You need a good arsenal of shots to play this course. A booming drive doesn`t hurt on the back nine.

A couple places the course got confusing because it appears they may be in the proccess of redesigning a couple holes. There was orange spray paint near some of the baskets indicating where to go for the next tee, then spray painted tees in the grass. Upon looking further I found the CORRECT concrete tee pads for each of the holes. The spray paint might have just been somebodies idea of a joke, it wasn`t funny.

Some very long and straight holes, great natural break holes, challenging for the starter, back nine is interesting to say the least.

Trees in stupid spots that just ruin every good shot you thought you had. 15 is in a weird spot that new people can't see at all.

I love this course. This is my home course. I play at other places and play better than most there because of the setup of this course. Binder Park is a great place to play.