Norrie Park DGC reviews
6
0
EspressoPatronum
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
19.4 years
316 played
302 reviews
Are We In Michigan Yet?
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 18, 2024
Played the course:once
Pros:
- basic but serviceable baskets
- Montreal River incorporated on holes 1 and 2
- some holes have multiple pin positions (only one populated at a time)
- good use of the available trees in the park to make some interesting shots
- well maintained park
- nice challenge level for a quick, casual round or for newer players
- Montreal River incorporated on holes 1 and 2
- some holes have multiple pin positions (only one populated at a time)
- good use of the available trees in the park to make some interesting shots
- well maintained park
- nice challenge level for a quick, casual round or for newer players
Cons:
- mostly flat
- no navigation aids
- more use of adjacent wooded area would improve course
- no tee signs
- small rubber tees
- some weird backtracking
- no navigation aids
- more use of adjacent wooded area would improve course
- no tee signs
- small rubber tees
- some weird backtracking
Other Thoughts:
I had Norrie Park as an "optional" on my road trip if I finished at Highbridge Hills early, and I'm glad I was able to head over to the UP while I still had some daylight. This is an interesting course because as I list the pros and cons, I don't have all that much to say about it, and a 2.5 almost feels too generous. The equipment here honestly isn't great. However, the course still had some nice lines to hit and was fun.
In particular, hole 2 is really cool since you throw to a basket right on the banks of the Montreal River. It's a shame you can't throw a shot across this relatively small river - not many opportunities to play a course in 2 states, and Wisconsin is right there!
A few of the middle holes are pretty open and basic but there are some more moderately wooded shots near the end. Some of the navigation is funky and you really do need the map with no navigation aids or tee signs, but there is a good light level of challenge for a casual round here. The distance is acceptable for a niner but with the exception of a couple holes most are pretty short.
It would be cool to play into the woods more where the Norrie Park Trail goes but alas, that's not the design here. The park seems well maintained and there is ample parking. This course is nothing to go out of your way for, but I had fun playing a quick round here, and with proper expectations I think most people can enjoy it. There is some pretty thick rough to the right of the last couple holes so it's best to try to stay out of there.
This is literally right on the border and very close to Ironwood if you need a bite to eat or anything like that. If you're passing through, it's worth a quick round.
In particular, hole 2 is really cool since you throw to a basket right on the banks of the Montreal River. It's a shame you can't throw a shot across this relatively small river - not many opportunities to play a course in 2 states, and Wisconsin is right there!
A few of the middle holes are pretty open and basic but there are some more moderately wooded shots near the end. Some of the navigation is funky and you really do need the map with no navigation aids or tee signs, but there is a good light level of challenge for a casual round here. The distance is acceptable for a niner but with the exception of a couple holes most are pretty short.
It would be cool to play into the woods more where the Norrie Park Trail goes but alas, that's not the design here. The park seems well maintained and there is ample parking. This course is nothing to go out of your way for, but I had fun playing a quick round here, and with proper expectations I think most people can enjoy it. There is some pretty thick rough to the right of the last couple holes so it's best to try to stay out of there.
This is literally right on the border and very close to Ironwood if you need a bite to eat or anything like that. If you're passing through, it's worth a quick round.
7
0
jimjohnmarks
Experience:
15 played
15 reviews
Could Be Great drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 30, 2024
Played the course:once
Pros:
A nice mix of technical & distance, especially if you play the mandos (#3) & strict OB (anywhere roads, paths, fences, woodsline & the abandoned tennis courts are in play).
A good course for groups or even a small league as few links impact each other, allowing players to be active across almost all 9 links at once.
Shockingly more fun than the 18 baskets at Mt Zion. On paper, that makes no sense.
A good course for groups or even a small league as few links impact each other, allowing players to be active across almost all 9 links at once.
Shockingly more fun than the 18 baskets at Mt Zion. On paper, that makes no sense.
Cons:
The two biggest risks for disc loss impact LHBH far more than anyone else. This is far too common on courses & a constant complaint.
Tee pads are way too small. Although I like the material when dry, if at all wet, they're an ice rink.
Tee pads are way too small. Although I like the material when dry, if at all wet, they're an ice rink.
Other Thoughts:
If, come this autumn when the undergrowth dies back, someone finds a blue, white & pink Ibex near basket 9, please text the number on it, I'll pay for shipping to get it back.
13
0
"Mondays with Norrie" 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Sep 27, 2021
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Norrie Park DGC is a 9-holer in Ironwood, MI. It is roughly in line with nearby Mt. Zion DGC as the westernmost course in Michigan. It is so close to Wisconsin that you could probably throw a disc across the Montreal River and land there (fortunately - or unfortunately? - the course is not laid out this way).
This is a mostly well-executed course in a multi-use park, with some interesting holes. The first hole plays only 120' across a flat open field with no obstacles. It's not a risk-free ace run though! Right behind the basket the terrain slopes down to the river. You could easily lose a disc here if you aren't careful.
The second hole plays along the river as well. Later holes make use of various trees and also man-made structures, some of which are marked as OB. None of the holes are tightly wooded, but most of them have at least a couple obstacles between tee and basket.
A couple of the later holes were nice as well. Hole 6 plays 340' across the park, with a few old-growth trees scattered around to force you to think about your line. Hole 8 is a little more open, but stretches the distance out to 500'.
The infrastructure here is decent. The baskets are DGAs that are numbered and catch well. The teepads are some kind of rubber/plastic board. They were a little small but in good shape, and I didn't have any slipping issues on them. The tee signs are simple black and white laminated pieces of paper that show a map of the hole with any OB areas, hole number, par, and distance. They do the job.
No practice basket, but there is a vault toilet near the parking lot. A pavilion with picnic tables and trash cans is located near the lot as well. A nice course map and other DG-related info are pinned to a fence in front of the pavilion.
This is a mostly well-executed course in a multi-use park, with some interesting holes. The first hole plays only 120' across a flat open field with no obstacles. It's not a risk-free ace run though! Right behind the basket the terrain slopes down to the river. You could easily lose a disc here if you aren't careful.
The second hole plays along the river as well. Later holes make use of various trees and also man-made structures, some of which are marked as OB. None of the holes are tightly wooded, but most of them have at least a couple obstacles between tee and basket.
A couple of the later holes were nice as well. Hole 6 plays 340' across the park, with a few old-growth trees scattered around to force you to think about your line. Hole 8 is a little more open, but stretches the distance out to 500'.
The infrastructure here is decent. The baskets are DGAs that are numbered and catch well. The teepads are some kind of rubber/plastic board. They were a little small but in good shape, and I didn't have any slipping issues on them. The tee signs are simple black and white laminated pieces of paper that show a map of the hole with any OB areas, hole number, par, and distance. They do the job.
No practice basket, but there is a vault toilet near the parking lot. A pavilion with picnic tables and trash cans is located near the lot as well. A nice course map and other DG-related info are pinned to a fence in front of the pavilion.
Cons:
This course has a few safety issues. I didn't like hole 7, which has you tee off over the park road. The road is in front of you off the tee and curls off to the left. Your shot should curl off to the right, but novice RHBH throwers have a good chance of landing in the road. At least it's not a blind throw. Hole 9 is also concerning, with the parking lot in play along the left side of the fairway.
There isn't a ton of distance or challenge here. I think it is adequate for this type of course, but bigger arms will only really be able to air it out on a couple holes in the middle of the round.
The course is flat.
There aren't any "Next Tee" signs. They aren't really needed on much of the course, but there are some longer walks between holes 5-8 where a couple arrows would be nice.
There isn't a ton of distance or challenge here. I think it is adequate for this type of course, but bigger arms will only really be able to air it out on a couple holes in the middle of the round.
The course is flat.
There aren't any "Next Tee" signs. They aren't really needed on much of the course, but there are some longer walks between holes 5-8 where a couple arrows would be nice.
Other Thoughts:
I am not sure where the park boundaries are, but it seemed like there might be room to add a back nine in the woods behind the main park. A few tighter woods holes could increase the variety here and force more shot shaping. That said, this course as it stands today is a nice option for beginner to intermediate level DG'ers looking to practice or get a round in. It is a nice contrast with Mt. Zion and its tighter wooded, hilly holes.
I enjoyed my round at Norrie Park. I played at the end of the day on a Monday in late September, and shared the course with a couple of other groups. If the layout could be tweaked to stay further away from the park road and parking lot, I might consider increasing my rating to 3.0. Norrie reminded me of one of my favorite 9'ers, Heritage Park near Grand Rapids. This is by no means a destination but if you are in the area and have half an hour, it's a fun place to get a quick round in!
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2022: Stopped by the course again today. No change to my 2.5 rating. I believe hole 4's basket was moved a little closer to the woods than it was before, which turns it into a nice right turning hole. A couple of the tee signs were missing. More permanent tee signs and concrete pads would, I think, cement this one in as one of my favorite 9'ers. If I were local, I would play here all the time.
I enjoyed my round at Norrie Park. I played at the end of the day on a Monday in late September, and shared the course with a couple of other groups. If the layout could be tweaked to stay further away from the park road and parking lot, I might consider increasing my rating to 3.0. Norrie reminded me of one of my favorite 9'ers, Heritage Park near Grand Rapids. This is by no means a destination but if you are in the area and have half an hour, it's a fun place to get a quick round in!
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2022: Stopped by the course again today. No change to my 2.5 rating. I believe hole 4's basket was moved a little closer to the woods than it was before, which turns it into a nice right turning hole. A couple of the tee signs were missing. More permanent tee signs and concrete pads would, I think, cement this one in as one of my favorite 9'ers. If I were local, I would play here all the time.
15
0
wolfhaley
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
20.6 years
1176 played
760 reviews
2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 15, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
Norrie park's little 9 holer is set up in a pretty little park right by the border of WI and MI. The park is multiuse but the disc golf generally stays away from most other things going on. Probably not a real busy park anyway.
The baskets are older Mach 3's that are still in decent shape. Not great but plenty serviceable. I had no issues with them on my visit, caught pretty well which is all that counts. I'd assume one pin position per hole.
The tees are rubber mats. They aren't the largest I've seen but are better than nothing. These are made out of a pretty grippy kind of rubber too. I had no issues with these. One tee per hole.
The design is pretty excellent for the space available. It traverses through pretty much all the open, grassy areas of the park and incorporates the best features there to add challenge. Very well done. The river can come into play on 2 holes pretty easily, holes 1 and 2. And is technically in play on 8 and 9 too, but would require a massive misfire to end up in it. Hole 3 has the brick foundation of some old structure in the way and most holes have at least a few trees to navigate. Hole 7 is probably the signature hole. A big dogleg going right with an OB road in play ahead and along the whole left side. The pin is blind off the tee and there's pretty thick rough if you're short or long off the tee. Cool hole.
The distances are all under 400 feet. Most are around 200 or so I'd guess. Hole 8 is the longest with hole 6 not too much behind it.
The course is free to play and permanent. Good compliment and contrast to Mt. Zion's style of golf just up the road.
The baskets are older Mach 3's that are still in decent shape. Not great but plenty serviceable. I had no issues with them on my visit, caught pretty well which is all that counts. I'd assume one pin position per hole.
The tees are rubber mats. They aren't the largest I've seen but are better than nothing. These are made out of a pretty grippy kind of rubber too. I had no issues with these. One tee per hole.
The design is pretty excellent for the space available. It traverses through pretty much all the open, grassy areas of the park and incorporates the best features there to add challenge. Very well done. The river can come into play on 2 holes pretty easily, holes 1 and 2. And is technically in play on 8 and 9 too, but would require a massive misfire to end up in it. Hole 3 has the brick foundation of some old structure in the way and most holes have at least a few trees to navigate. Hole 7 is probably the signature hole. A big dogleg going right with an OB road in play ahead and along the whole left side. The pin is blind off the tee and there's pretty thick rough if you're short or long off the tee. Cool hole.
The distances are all under 400 feet. Most are around 200 or so I'd guess. Hole 8 is the longest with hole 6 not too much behind it.
The course is free to play and permanent. Good compliment and contrast to Mt. Zion's style of golf just up the road.
Cons:
Not the hardest course you're ever going to see, but won't be too exciting for advanced players. Not a con for everyone, but will be to some.
Lack of tee signs makes navigation a little goofy in a couple spots if you're without a map. Luckily Udisc had a map and this was a non issue. It appears there used to be tee signs but they're non existant at this point.
Could be a bit dangerous if the pavillion is in use and you're errant with a shot on hole 9. Hole 1's tee is right next to the pavillion as well. A walking path and the road cross through the course for a couple holes, but like I said, it's probably rarely busy.
Lack of tee signs makes navigation a little goofy in a couple spots if you're without a map. Luckily Udisc had a map and this was a non issue. It appears there used to be tee signs but they're non existant at this point.
Could be a bit dangerous if the pavillion is in use and you're errant with a shot on hole 9. Hole 1's tee is right next to the pavillion as well. A walking path and the road cross through the course for a couple holes, but like I said, it's probably rarely busy.
Other Thoughts:
This was a fun little course and the park itself is beautiful. It's nothing to go too far out of the way to play but is a good little course. If you're nearby I'd say it's definitely worth a quick spin. Not much else that close, so it's great for the area. Great warmup for Mt. Zion or Whitecap. But not nearly as epic as either.
7
0
F.U.N. 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 8, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
Aesthetic - Plays through a small multi-use park on the Michigan/Wisconsin border (plays right on the river). Water in play on multiple holes. Old foundation in play on a couple holes.
Teepads - Rubber. These were a bit slick when we were there but nothing overly dangerous or distracting.
Teesignage - These were great signs. Burnt wood signs with hole layout and distance. A few were not installed yet.
Routing and Nav - Easy/Peasy. Bring the map, it may be helpful
Baskets - Recycled. Definitely recycled. a little wonky in places but not bad overall.
WATER! - In play and dangerous on a few holes. Be mindful of picnic tables near the water in the summer.
Unique looks - loved #7, #3 and #4. 7 is a huge turover (or hyzer bomb) depending on how you look at it. HUGE risk reward.
Teepads - Rubber. These were a bit slick when we were there but nothing overly dangerous or distracting.
Teesignage - These were great signs. Burnt wood signs with hole layout and distance. A few were not installed yet.
Routing and Nav - Easy/Peasy. Bring the map, it may be helpful
Baskets - Recycled. Definitely recycled. a little wonky in places but not bad overall.
WATER! - In play and dangerous on a few holes. Be mindful of picnic tables near the water in the summer.
Unique looks - loved #7, #3 and #4. 7 is a huge turover (or hyzer bomb) depending on how you look at it. HUGE risk reward.
Cons:
Short course - on 8 and 9 you really get a chance to open your arm up on these long, flat, sparsely wooded holes. Kind of a tame way to finish the round but whatevs.
Other Thoughts:
Though this course is only 9 holes and definitely NOT a destination. Play this course if you find yourself in Ironwood. Definitely the stronger of the two courses in town.
9
0
oldiscer
Experience:
1 played
1 reviews
Great little wonder 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 25, 2018
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
1. This course is new. A lot of work is needed but the design is solid with useing what they have to make every hole interesting.
2. Enough short holes to make it fun for beginners but some long holes for the more experienced player.
3 baskets are placed behind trees. Around corners and next to a river
4. Rubber tee pads were grippy even in the rain
5 shelter with picnic tables and a restroom
6 temp signs were up with permanent ones coming soon I've been told!!
2. Enough short holes to make it fun for beginners but some long holes for the more experienced player.
3 baskets are placed behind trees. Around corners and next to a river
4. Rubber tee pads were grippy even in the rain
5 shelter with picnic tables and a restroom
6 temp signs were up with permanent ones coming soon I've been told!!
Cons:
1. Multi-use Park. Most of those users don't know about disc golf and had no clue what was going on! Local education on disc golf will be needed
2. The ruff or I should say the jungle is intensely thick! Keep it on the fairway! 3. When the new signs are done this course will be easier to follow but the temp signs were well thought out!
2. The ruff or I should say the jungle is intensely thick! Keep it on the fairway! 3. When the new signs are done this course will be easier to follow but the temp signs were well thought out!
Other Thoughts:
1 overall this course was really fun to play
2 also I got to meet the designer and many of the local discers from the area! These guys will make this course great!! They were friendly and great to play disc golf with and they will make this a must play course. If you don't like 9 hole courses. Play it twice!!
2 also I got to meet the designer and many of the local discers from the area! These guys will make this course great!! They were friendly and great to play disc golf with and they will make this a must play course. If you don't like 9 hole courses. Play it twice!!