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Northend Riverside Park - West reviews
8
0
Northend's bigger, badder side!
Reviewed:
Played on:May 27, 2022
Played the course:once
Pros:
(Disclaimer - some of this is copy/paste from my review of the East course on site!)
Northend Riverside Park is located in Big Rapids, MI. It's right on the north edge of town, but yet feels secluded. There are two 18-hole disc golf courses on site here, West and East. The two courses are right next to each other but do not overlap. There is some great signage between holes that allows disc golfers to easily play all kinds of different layouts within each course, and even between courses. The signs point out 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 hole layouts and honestly, even more layouts are possible. For example, this isn't signed but you could easily play holes 1-8 of the West course then skip to holes 12-18 on the East course for an easy 15-hole round. This is really almost a choose-your-own-adventure disc golf park which adds to the appeal, in my opinion. The park is very pretty, and for the most part dedicated to disc golf only.
The West course is the newer of the two, and in general it plays slightly longer but slightly flatter than the East course. The West course has what I feel are two distinct sections. Holes 1-6 and 14-18 are generally quite long (mostly over 400'), flat, and fairly open. From the long Blue tees, there are several par 4s among these holes - plus hole 3's 900' par 5 challenge. These holes are not completely open, but the obstacles here are much fewer and farther between vs. the remaining holes 7-13. This middle section of holes is much shorter (all holes under 300') and much tighter. A couple of these I would classify as "thread the needle" kind of throws. Despite having a completely different feel, these holes are also quite challenging. You will need to throw for both distance and accuracy to score well here.
As alluded to above, there are two sets of tees here. The long Blue layout will be a challenging round for most disc golfers. The shorter Red layout looked like it would still offer respectable challenge, while also requiring some different throws and being a little more forgiving for newer disc golfers.
The baskets on this West course are yellow banded DISCatchers (east course has Chainstars). Baskets #5 and #10 are raised for extra challenge. One basket per hole.
The two teepads per hole are concrete. There are trash cans at every long tee, and benches at many of them.
The tee signs are decent. Those at the long tees each have a map of the hole mounted to a sheet metal sign. The hole number and distance is cut into the metal on each sign. Unfortunately, these signs do not show the par or give any information about the shorter Red layout, and there are no signs at the shorter tees.
There is a kiosk at the parking lot that has a large map of both courses, information on some of the possible layouts, and other notices. There are also two practice baskets and a porta potty nearby. Wi-Fi is available in the parking lot too!
Northend Riverside Park is located in Big Rapids, MI. It's right on the north edge of town, but yet feels secluded. There are two 18-hole disc golf courses on site here, West and East. The two courses are right next to each other but do not overlap. There is some great signage between holes that allows disc golfers to easily play all kinds of different layouts within each course, and even between courses. The signs point out 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 hole layouts and honestly, even more layouts are possible. For example, this isn't signed but you could easily play holes 1-8 of the West course then skip to holes 12-18 on the East course for an easy 15-hole round. This is really almost a choose-your-own-adventure disc golf park which adds to the appeal, in my opinion. The park is very pretty, and for the most part dedicated to disc golf only.
The West course is the newer of the two, and in general it plays slightly longer but slightly flatter than the East course. The West course has what I feel are two distinct sections. Holes 1-6 and 14-18 are generally quite long (mostly over 400'), flat, and fairly open. From the long Blue tees, there are several par 4s among these holes - plus hole 3's 900' par 5 challenge. These holes are not completely open, but the obstacles here are much fewer and farther between vs. the remaining holes 7-13. This middle section of holes is much shorter (all holes under 300') and much tighter. A couple of these I would classify as "thread the needle" kind of throws. Despite having a completely different feel, these holes are also quite challenging. You will need to throw for both distance and accuracy to score well here.
As alluded to above, there are two sets of tees here. The long Blue layout will be a challenging round for most disc golfers. The shorter Red layout looked like it would still offer respectable challenge, while also requiring some different throws and being a little more forgiving for newer disc golfers.
The baskets on this West course are yellow banded DISCatchers (east course has Chainstars). Baskets #5 and #10 are raised for extra challenge. One basket per hole.
The two teepads per hole are concrete. There are trash cans at every long tee, and benches at many of them.
The tee signs are decent. Those at the long tees each have a map of the hole mounted to a sheet metal sign. The hole number and distance is cut into the metal on each sign. Unfortunately, these signs do not show the par or give any information about the shorter Red layout, and there are no signs at the shorter tees.
There is a kiosk at the parking lot that has a large map of both courses, information on some of the possible layouts, and other notices. There are also two practice baskets and a porta potty nearby. Wi-Fi is available in the parking lot too!
Cons:
Hole 1 plays next to what is supposed to be a private drive, but it seemed like there were quite a few cars passing through when I was playing. An errant throw on this hole could easily find the road. A couple of later holes play next to a popular paved walking/bicycling trail.
Besides the great layout maps between holes mentioned at the beginning of this review, there are not many "Next Tee" signs. There are a couple of places where it isn't quite clear where to go for the next hole, and several other places where you could waste time by walking to the Red tee instead of the Blue tee for the next hole, and vice versa. More signs that point towards both Blue and Red next tees would be nice.
Even though the variety is pretty good, for me it did kind of feel like things went from one extreme to the other on this course. From the blue tees, all holes are either shorter than 300', OR longer than 400'. I felt like a couple more trees could be cleared on the tight middle holes. Also, there isn't a ton of elevation challenge on the West course, and no water hazards to work around. Obviously these are all pretty minor gripes.
The rough on the wooded holes will be quite thick in the summer. You may want a spotter on these holes.
Road noise can be heard throughout the course, but especially on this West half which is closer to the busy road across the river.
Besides the great layout maps between holes mentioned at the beginning of this review, there are not many "Next Tee" signs. There are a couple of places where it isn't quite clear where to go for the next hole, and several other places where you could waste time by walking to the Red tee instead of the Blue tee for the next hole, and vice versa. More signs that point towards both Blue and Red next tees would be nice.
Even though the variety is pretty good, for me it did kind of feel like things went from one extreme to the other on this course. From the blue tees, all holes are either shorter than 300', OR longer than 400'. I felt like a couple more trees could be cleared on the tight middle holes. Also, there isn't a ton of elevation challenge on the West course, and no water hazards to work around. Obviously these are all pretty minor gripes.
The rough on the wooded holes will be quite thick in the summer. You may want a spotter on these holes.
Road noise can be heard throughout the course, but especially on this West half which is closer to the busy road across the river.
Other Thoughts:
As of this writing, using Google Maps to get here is a little funky. The road that the park is on is shown as a trail for some of its length as you approach the park, and I believe that road is the only way in and out of the park so Google was a little confused. I recommend checking the directions listed on the Course Info tab before you drive here.
Overall, Northend Riverside Park is a great disc golf option. I would not call it a destination for out-of-state DG travelers, but those within a reasonable drive should definitely check it out. Personally, I preferred the East course but I think big arms will like this West course more. With some of the Cons addressed this is an easy 4.0. I think that the lack of elevation change and "wow" factor hold it back from a higher rating than that.
Overall, Northend Riverside Park is a great disc golf option. I would not call it a destination for out-of-state DG travelers, but those within a reasonable drive should definitely check it out. Personally, I preferred the East course but I think big arms will like this West course more. With some of the Cons addressed this is an easy 4.0. I think that the lack of elevation change and "wow" factor hold it back from a higher rating than that.
13
0
Thank you sir may I have another? And another? And another? 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:May 16, 2021
Played the course:once
Pros:
- A truly wide variety of holes here. Left to right and visa versa. Stupid long holes and some really short ones too.
- All the baskets are in great shape
- Concrete tees throughout.
- While this course seems like it needs a lot of work it does appear that the locals are working on it and making great headway.
- Love the elevated tee pad on 13.
- Love the landscaping around the 16 basket. Basically, there was a lot of landscaping I really liked throughout.
- Never felt like any of the holes were truly unfair. Even the 900' par 5 of number three I felt was a fair par and the basket is entirely reachable for rec and above players.
- Loved the signage. Big white metal signs were easy to pick out in the woods which helps in figuring out where to go next.
- Occationally throughout the course there are signs indicating alternate loops to do with the two courses here. I've never seen this before and frankly, it's brilliant.
- All the baskets are in great shape
- Concrete tees throughout.
- While this course seems like it needs a lot of work it does appear that the locals are working on it and making great headway.
- Love the elevated tee pad on 13.
- Love the landscaping around the 16 basket. Basically, there was a lot of landscaping I really liked throughout.
- Never felt like any of the holes were truly unfair. Even the 900' par 5 of number three I felt was a fair par and the basket is entirely reachable for rec and above players.
- Loved the signage. Big white metal signs were easy to pick out in the woods which helps in figuring out where to go next.
- Occationally throughout the course there are signs indicating alternate loops to do with the two courses here. I've never seen this before and frankly, it's brilliant.
Cons:
- While I understand that big run-ups are really not needed but some of these tees are just way too small.
- I wonder if all the distances are correct. No way #18 is 240' - has to be longer than that.
- One spot that seemed like it could use some next tee signs is the walk between 6 and 7. That was a little confusing.
- I wonder if all the distances are correct. No way #18 is 240' - has to be longer than that.
- One spot that seemed like it could use some next tee signs is the walk between 6 and 7. That was a little confusing.
Other Thoughts:
Northend Riverside West is a more difficult version of its Easterly sibling. From narrow wooded fairways to stupid long sequences of holes that will challenge every aspect of your game at every skill level. The use of the rolling hills and elevation is well executed. Play here on a regular basis and you will become a better disc golfer.
