Monarch Bay reviews
8
0
Hurry up and wait 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Oct 29, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
• Easy to find
• Warm up basket across from #1 to the left
• Restrooms onsite
• Baskets are in good shape
• Decently manicured course
• Nice mix of shots
• Warm up basket across from #1 to the left
• Restrooms onsite
• Baskets are in good shape
• Decently manicured course
• Nice mix of shots
Cons:
• Cost
• Goose poop, duck poop, who knows what else poop
• Navigation is (currently) tricky
• No signage
• Tees are a mixed bag of either grass, synthetic grass, or partial cart path. The synthetics ones are mostly green, although we came across random red ones that weren't on the map for reasons unknown (Tourney?).
• Goose poop, duck poop, who knows what else poop
• Navigation is (currently) tricky
• No signage
• Tees are a mixed bag of either grass, synthetic grass, or partial cart path. The synthetics ones are mostly green, although we came across random red ones that weren't on the map for reasons unknown (Tourney?).
Other Thoughts:
Tips:
I read on the course's Facebook page that costs are between $9-$18. We were there on a Thursday morning and it was $15 which seems high for a weekday so I'm guessing the cheaper costs are twilight times.
The map located here (https://www.dgcoursereview.co...a4956df6.jpg)is not totally accurate. More on this below.
Tees are currently marked by orange traffic cones and painted marks on the grass.
Get a sense of the course here (but just a sense): www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KdwCsUcHy8
Random Thoughts:
This course is fairly new. Months, not years old, so it's likely things will change in the future. There was also a tournament here about 5 days before we arrived, which may have played a part in our experience. That is uncertain. But with all that said, let's get to it.
Monarch Bay is a mixed ball/foot/disc course, and the morning we were there, there were 5-6 groups of ball golfers, 1 group of foot golfers, and my wife and I as the only disc golf group. We were behind a threesome of ball golfers and in front of a twosome of ball golfers, which meant we felt a certain pressure to keep things moving but we were frequently held up by the group in front. After all, this is an executive ball golf course which means duffers are the norm. What added to the pacing challenges were that in a few spots, you have to criss-cross the fairway to accomplish 1-2.5 disc holes per ball golf hole, which is an odd experience, as you're waiting waiting waiting, then going, then rushing over to the next tee so you can tee off and not to slow the group behind you, and then waiting again for the group in front. We also had some navigation challenges that added to the stress. Fortunately, both groups were very cool to us and didn't seem to mind us discers doing our thing. Still, I'd recommend going when it's light on ball golfers so you can go at your leisure.
As for the course, tees are a mix of conditions, some better than others. Par is fair, and here's the breakdown of each hole:
#1: Stafford Lake has the meanest #1 ever, because after trekking to the course, you're presented with a straight uphill, slanting left, loooooooong hole. Not a great way to start a round. This #1 is fighting for second place on my list, because it's 351 feet, which means it's not a short shot. Water wraps front and left with the green (OB) and sand trap (stroke penalty) straight ahead. So your options are: Be good and warmed up and fire away and hope, or play right and short. I like the hole, but it'd be better if it were a few holes later after getting warmed up.
#2: The tee on this hole is directly behind a tree with water on the left. An...interesting choice. Other than that it's a straight shot.
#3: A soft left to right shot.
#4: Time to uncork a couple for a par 4 although it's a fairly low ceiling on the first shot.
#5: Your first tunnel-y shot. Throw straight and you're good.
#6: Straight ahead.
#7: Your only danger is the green/trap which is easily avoided right.
#8: A fun shot into the trees with multiple lines. Don't accidentally throw at the wrong basket to the right.
#9: Another chance to uncork a couple bombs.
#10: Here's our first 'the map is wrong' hole. When we were there, the basket was dead straight ahead with a tricky-ish straight shot through the trees.
#11: The basket is buried in the trees waaaay in the back. Either go straight/low at it, or bomb it in the trees and hope.
#12: This is a fun tunnel shot. Nice find course crew!
#13: Our next 'the map is wrong'. When we were there, the basket was on the right of the fairway, about 2/3s of the way down versus all the way in the back as per the map. There's a white flagged area there which we assumed was OB.
#14: This hole is flipped on the map meaning the tee is where the basket is marked. Other than that, it's the same. It was a good idea to flip this one as it's better to drive with the ball golfers.
#15?: The basket is under the tree on the left of the fairway. Stay right, as the trees are low. However, when we arrived the basket was marked #16, which we've yet to figure out.
#16?: Another chance to uncork a couple, however, water is right and the shed is straight ahead so be a touch left on your first drive. Again, the basket was marked #17.
#17?: Was gone. Nowhere to be found.
#18: There's water right in front but it's a non-issue. The real issue is the green right in front of the basket. It's decision time as to go for it or layup.
So yea, the map got progressively more untrustworthy and it's unclear what ultimately was going on and where #17 went to. Maybe after the tourney, someone forgot to put it back? I don't know. We mentioned it to the Timekeeper, who was no help and told us to tell the Pro Shop. We did and they looked like they could care less. If we didn't love disc golf so much, we would have made a bigger stink about it as we paid $15/each for 18 holes and not 17, but alas, we do love the game and the effort, so we grumbled to ourselves and left.
Bottom Line:
There's potential here for this course. The layout needs a tweak or two but there's a decent variety of holes with the tunnel/tree shots being probably the most fun. However, for the cost, the map at a minimum, needs to get sorted, and you need the full 18. With that, and a few tee improvements, you'll be on to something, as long as it's not too crowded the day you play. Best of luck, course crew!
Update 10/31/2020:
Leonard from Whirlwind Disc Golf was kind enough to update the map here: https://www.dgcoursereview.co.../fec9bf4e.jpg Looking at the updates, it looks like we somehow missed #15 altogether. So #15 in my review is #16 on the new map and #16 in my review is #17 on the new map. He also confirmed the red tees were for a safari event. With that, you should be good to go on navigation. I also learned that sometimes the maintenance crew won't always put the cones back where they're supposed to be so look for the marks on the ground. In looking at the pic of #2, it was definitely more right when we were there so it probably got moved accidentally.
I read on the course's Facebook page that costs are between $9-$18. We were there on a Thursday morning and it was $15 which seems high for a weekday so I'm guessing the cheaper costs are twilight times.
The map located here (https://www.dgcoursereview.co...a4956df6.jpg)is not totally accurate. More on this below.
Tees are currently marked by orange traffic cones and painted marks on the grass.
Get a sense of the course here (but just a sense): www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KdwCsUcHy8
Random Thoughts:
This course is fairly new. Months, not years old, so it's likely things will change in the future. There was also a tournament here about 5 days before we arrived, which may have played a part in our experience. That is uncertain. But with all that said, let's get to it.
Monarch Bay is a mixed ball/foot/disc course, and the morning we were there, there were 5-6 groups of ball golfers, 1 group of foot golfers, and my wife and I as the only disc golf group. We were behind a threesome of ball golfers and in front of a twosome of ball golfers, which meant we felt a certain pressure to keep things moving but we were frequently held up by the group in front. After all, this is an executive ball golf course which means duffers are the norm. What added to the pacing challenges were that in a few spots, you have to criss-cross the fairway to accomplish 1-2.5 disc holes per ball golf hole, which is an odd experience, as you're waiting waiting waiting, then going, then rushing over to the next tee so you can tee off and not to slow the group behind you, and then waiting again for the group in front. We also had some navigation challenges that added to the stress. Fortunately, both groups were very cool to us and didn't seem to mind us discers doing our thing. Still, I'd recommend going when it's light on ball golfers so you can go at your leisure.
As for the course, tees are a mix of conditions, some better than others. Par is fair, and here's the breakdown of each hole:
#1: Stafford Lake has the meanest #1 ever, because after trekking to the course, you're presented with a straight uphill, slanting left, loooooooong hole. Not a great way to start a round. This #1 is fighting for second place on my list, because it's 351 feet, which means it's not a short shot. Water wraps front and left with the green (OB) and sand trap (stroke penalty) straight ahead. So your options are: Be good and warmed up and fire away and hope, or play right and short. I like the hole, but it'd be better if it were a few holes later after getting warmed up.
#2: The tee on this hole is directly behind a tree with water on the left. An...interesting choice. Other than that it's a straight shot.
#3: A soft left to right shot.
#4: Time to uncork a couple for a par 4 although it's a fairly low ceiling on the first shot.
#5: Your first tunnel-y shot. Throw straight and you're good.
#6: Straight ahead.
#7: Your only danger is the green/trap which is easily avoided right.
#8: A fun shot into the trees with multiple lines. Don't accidentally throw at the wrong basket to the right.
#9: Another chance to uncork a couple bombs.
#10: Here's our first 'the map is wrong' hole. When we were there, the basket was dead straight ahead with a tricky-ish straight shot through the trees.
#11: The basket is buried in the trees waaaay in the back. Either go straight/low at it, or bomb it in the trees and hope.
#12: This is a fun tunnel shot. Nice find course crew!
#13: Our next 'the map is wrong'. When we were there, the basket was on the right of the fairway, about 2/3s of the way down versus all the way in the back as per the map. There's a white flagged area there which we assumed was OB.
#14: This hole is flipped on the map meaning the tee is where the basket is marked. Other than that, it's the same. It was a good idea to flip this one as it's better to drive with the ball golfers.
#15?: The basket is under the tree on the left of the fairway. Stay right, as the trees are low. However, when we arrived the basket was marked #16, which we've yet to figure out.
#16?: Another chance to uncork a couple, however, water is right and the shed is straight ahead so be a touch left on your first drive. Again, the basket was marked #17.
#17?: Was gone. Nowhere to be found.
#18: There's water right in front but it's a non-issue. The real issue is the green right in front of the basket. It's decision time as to go for it or layup.
So yea, the map got progressively more untrustworthy and it's unclear what ultimately was going on and where #17 went to. Maybe after the tourney, someone forgot to put it back? I don't know. We mentioned it to the Timekeeper, who was no help and told us to tell the Pro Shop. We did and they looked like they could care less. If we didn't love disc golf so much, we would have made a bigger stink about it as we paid $15/each for 18 holes and not 17, but alas, we do love the game and the effort, so we grumbled to ourselves and left.
Bottom Line:
There's potential here for this course. The layout needs a tweak or two but there's a decent variety of holes with the tunnel/tree shots being probably the most fun. However, for the cost, the map at a minimum, needs to get sorted, and you need the full 18. With that, and a few tee improvements, you'll be on to something, as long as it's not too crowded the day you play. Best of luck, course crew!
Update 10/31/2020:
Leonard from Whirlwind Disc Golf was kind enough to update the map here: https://www.dgcoursereview.co.../fec9bf4e.jpg Looking at the updates, it looks like we somehow missed #15 altogether. So #15 in my review is #16 on the new map and #16 in my review is #17 on the new map. He also confirmed the red tees were for a safari event. With that, you should be good to go on navigation. I also learned that sometimes the maintenance crew won't always put the cones back where they're supposed to be so look for the marks on the ground. In looking at the pic of #2, it was definitely more right when we were there so it probably got moved accidentally.
4
1
Ioreks
Experience:
12 years
133 played
7 reviews
Ball Golf and Disc Golf in One Course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Feb 14, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
There are 18 very easy to stroll baskets and two cone demarcated tees. Very cart friendly. Disc golf holes run semi-parallel to the ball golf holes. Maps and score cards are provided at the clubhouse where one also checks in and pays. There is plenty of parking. Restrooms are available right by the course monitor's station. The restrooms are also easily access between hole 7 and 8 and again at the end of the round. The course seems ball golfy as you can even have a tee time.
Cons:
A little pricey by disc golf standards. One round of eighteen holes was $15.00. There are optional membership dues of $19.00 a month which then reduces the round to $5.00 after 1:00 p.m. most days. The map is quite accurate.
Other Thoughts:
Since the flow is a bit awkward at times, it would be nice if the course manager added hole numbers on the two orange cones which are the tees for each basket. Par for the course is 58. There are 3 par 4 holes. (500-663 ft.) Some of the baskets are nicely tucked into corners to provide some challenge. Sand traps, paths, etc. should probably be considered OB or hazards. Also, some strategic mandos would increase the challenge that most discers crave.
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