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NGCT - Red Hawk reviews
16
0
Cerealman
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
15.8 years
588 played
179 reviews
Walk the walk at Red Hawk
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jul 28, 2023
Played the course:once
Pros:
As a companion to the classic North Georgia Canopy Tours (NGCT – Original) course, the Red Hawk version combines heavier woodiness and shorter holes to provide an enjoyable layout that ensures Lula is a day-trip-worthy destination.
There are two concrete teepads on every hole. From the short teepads, the course offers 12 holes that are under 260 feet, meaning that a plethora of birdies can be found here. The variety on those holes is solid as significant elevation is in play frequently and there are several holes where missing the fairway can result in finding the bottom of a chasm or being 50 feet deep in the woods. And while the shorter version features plenty of birdie-or-die options, the longer version adds an average of nearly 100 feet of distance per hole and will make most disc golfers work for their scoring opportunities.
The signage is simple: wooded stakes in the ground but the handwritten info is legible and sufficient to know the hole number, distance and par.
Water is visible on several of the last holes. On Holes #15 and #18, the drive goes over the water, and on Hole #17, the pond is on the left side, but it shouldn't be a threat for decent throws from the short teepads.
The views at Red Hawk are above average. There are some picturesque wooded holes, some lovely looks around the ponds, and Hole #8 is a gorgeous downhill bomber on a grassy canvas.
There are two concrete teepads on every hole. From the short teepads, the course offers 12 holes that are under 260 feet, meaning that a plethora of birdies can be found here. The variety on those holes is solid as significant elevation is in play frequently and there are several holes where missing the fairway can result in finding the bottom of a chasm or being 50 feet deep in the woods. And while the shorter version features plenty of birdie-or-die options, the longer version adds an average of nearly 100 feet of distance per hole and will make most disc golfers work for their scoring opportunities.
The signage is simple: wooded stakes in the ground but the handwritten info is legible and sufficient to know the hole number, distance and par.
Water is visible on several of the last holes. On Holes #15 and #18, the drive goes over the water, and on Hole #17, the pond is on the left side, but it shouldn't be a threat for decent throws from the short teepads.
The views at Red Hawk are above average. There are some picturesque wooded holes, some lovely looks around the ponds, and Hole #8 is a gorgeous downhill bomber on a grassy canvas.
Cons:
Navigation without a map can be a bit tricky in a few spots and there's a significant walk between Holes #7 and #8 in which you might question if you're going the right direction. For most of the wooded holes, the next teepad or path can usually be spotted from the previous basket.
The short teepads feature enough design deviation with the birdie-or-die holes to not blur together, but there is a touch of repetition on a few of the fairly straight holes.
The five holes that aren't par-3s feel a bit like "tweeners" from the short teepads and are definitely an opportunity to snag some more birdies.
Hole #6 is weirdly shaped. It's marked as a par-4, 300-foot hole but the drive requires a short and accurate throw into the uphill fairway that is obscured from the teepad.
The course still feels a bit green and needs some more beating in and cleaning up, but no points off for this.
The short teepads feature enough design deviation with the birdie-or-die holes to not blur together, but there is a touch of repetition on a few of the fairly straight holes.
The five holes that aren't par-3s feel a bit like "tweeners" from the short teepads and are definitely an opportunity to snag some more birdies.
Hole #6 is weirdly shaped. It's marked as a par-4, 300-foot hole but the drive requires a short and accurate throw into the uphill fairway that is obscured from the teepad.
The course still feels a bit green and needs some more beating in and cleaning up, but no points off for this.
Other Thoughts:
My playing partner and I didn't make any reservations on our recent visit to NGCT. It seems that you can just show up and play. There's a $10 fee/day that covers playing both courses. If the clubhouse isn't open, you can pay at the front door. The clubhouse has very nice bathrooms and cold drinks inside. My buddy and I took a break in between our two rounds and enjoyed the air conditioning while chatting with a couple of the guys who run the course.
While the Original NGCT has more teeth, the Red Hawk version was a fun round to play afterward. That said, there is plenty of elevation, both on the fairways and the walking paths between holes. Granted, we picked a hot July day to tackle Red Hawk and were thankful for the mostly shaded course. Perhaps the blame falls more on the shoulders of the humidity, hilliness and three courses we played earlier in the day, but Red Hawk was one of the most exhausting rounds I've played. We only saw three other disc golfers during our two rounds at NGCT, so we were able to choose our pace and take breaks when necessary. After climbing the hill following Hole #16, we found the bench next to the Hole #17 teepad to be a welcomed sight, allowing a much-needed respite.
The Red Hawk course is just over a year old and still needs a bit of work. For now, it's a solid 3.75 course with potential to go higher by adding benches, better signage and a few navigational aids.
While the Original NGCT has more teeth, the Red Hawk version was a fun round to play afterward. That said, there is plenty of elevation, both on the fairways and the walking paths between holes. Granted, we picked a hot July day to tackle Red Hawk and were thankful for the mostly shaded course. Perhaps the blame falls more on the shoulders of the humidity, hilliness and three courses we played earlier in the day, but Red Hawk was one of the most exhausting rounds I've played. We only saw three other disc golfers during our two rounds at NGCT, so we were able to choose our pace and take breaks when necessary. After climbing the hill following Hole #16, we found the bench next to the Hole #17 teepad to be a welcomed sight, allowing a much-needed respite.
The Red Hawk course is just over a year old and still needs a bit of work. For now, it's a solid 3.75 course with potential to go higher by adding benches, better signage and a few navigational aids.
14
0
Beautiful & Challenging New Course drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 19, 2022
Played the course:once
Pros:
Excellent use of terrain and course design to keep things varied & interesting. Uphill, downhill, over valleys, over water, fairly open, technical woods, all are here. There are no throw away holes or gimme pars and distance varies to make use of the landscape.
The course was definitely well planned and no matter how challenging some of the holes were, they all seemed fair and doable.
Natural beauty is here in spades and even without playing disc golf, the hike thru the property would be worth it.
The fun factor is here as well with many of the holes you just want to reach in your bag and try another shot and not just because of an errant throw.
The course was definitely well planned and no matter how challenging some of the holes were, they all seemed fair and doable.
Natural beauty is here in spades and even without playing disc golf, the hike thru the property would be worth it.
The fun factor is here as well with many of the holes you just want to reach in your bag and try another shot and not just because of an errant throw.
Cons:
Since its new the rough can be pretty thick in places & the signage is still temporary. Paths are there and marked with surveyors flags as well as next tee signs, so navigation wasn't an issue but could be improved on & I'm sure will be as the course matures.
The chance for a lost disc is real as there are 3 over water shots and the afore mentioned rough.
Not really a con per say but this is not a beginner course and will require you to be able to hike up & down hills in a few places on dirt paths, so be prepared.
Only bench I recall was on 17 and didn't see any sign of alternate pin placements but that again may come as the course gets played more.
The chance for a lost disc is real as there are 3 over water shots and the afore mentioned rough.
Not really a con per say but this is not a beginner course and will require you to be able to hike up & down hills in a few places on dirt paths, so be prepared.
Only bench I recall was on 17 and didn't see any sign of alternate pin placements but that again may come as the course gets played more.
Other Thoughts:
After playing this course I just want to go back and play it again and not just because of the novelty of a new course. I've only played it once but its easily in the top 5 of courses I've played and my rating will probably go higher as the finishing touches are put on and it gets more worn in.
