Chugiak, AK

Peters Creek DGC

Permanent course
3.685(based on 11 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

Peters Creek DGC reviews

Filter
17 0
DFrah
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 6.4 years 300 played 287 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Solid introduction to Alaska disc golf! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 22, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

Peters Creek DGC lies about a half hour's drive northeast of Anchorage, AK. It is very easy to get to, just off of the AK-1 highway on a paved road. The only activities here appear to be disc golf and a short walk to the creek and back.

The 18-hole course plays through a thick forest that mainly consists of birch trees. There are lots of roots and rocks on the fairways. Berry bushes lie in the rough (but not enough of them that you will struggle to find discs). All of this makes a very picturesque setting for a round of disc golf. I bet it is breathtaking in the fall with all the birch trees changing colors.

Not to mention the course's namesake creek. The creek runs along one edge of the course and can come into play behind/to the left of the basket on hole 17, or possibly on a very errant throw/very unfortunate tree kick on holes 15, 16, and 18. The creek is very likely to swallow your discs if it does see them, but is pretty easy to avoid.

This plays as a technical par 3 course. A good variety of left turning, right turning, and straight fairways are cut through the trees. The hole lengths range from about 175' to about 400', but most holes are probably in the 200'-300' range. Despite the shorter length, the holes are tight enough that this is definitely not just a pitch-and-putt. A birdie will require a very well shaped tee shot, and possibly a little luck as well on some holes. A few of the longer holes are a little more open (still in the woods though).

The baskets are all in good condition. I think they are Mach V models. The tee pads are all concrete and also in good shape. Every tee pad also has a trash can, with a board over the lid to deter bears and other wildlife.

There is a porta potty at the parking lot, as well as a kiosk that proclaims this is the "Joel Fletcher Armstrong Memorial DGC". A plaque on a nearby rock also gives tribute to the person of the same name.

Cons:

The signage here needs a refresh. It looks like at one point the holes each had a green tee sign with a rough flight path and distance. However, as of this writing many of these signs are missing, and I think some of the remaining ones are incorrect. Some of the paths shown seemed misleading and I think many hole distances are longer than what is shown on the sign, or on here. It isn't a terribly long course, but a bit longer than shown I think.

There are also no Next Tee signs, and a couple places where incorrect tees are more visible than the correct tee to proceed to. It would be easy to play the wrong hole if not paying attention. There was also no course map posted on the kiosk, and the layout has been updated since the map here was posted.

The walk from hole 5's basket to hole 6's tee is up a steep hill. Some stairs would be a nice safety improvement. Also, a couple tees are too close to the previous basket for my liking.

Other than hole 6 which plays on a gradual downhill, the course is pretty much flat. It's not pancake flat, but flat enough that elevation isn't a major factor.

There aren't any open holes to really air out a long drive, if that is your thing. Also, a couple of the holes are so tight that it feels like poke and hope especially approaching the basket.

No practice basket.

Road noise from the highway can be heard throughout the course, detracting from the aesthetic a bit. The exception is the holes near the creek where the noise from that drowns it out.

Other Thoughts:

There is solid cell phone service here.

On a personal note, this was my first course ever played outside of my home state of Michigan. I know what you are probably thinking...why not Wisconsin or Indiana or Ohio? I will get there eventually, but my girlfriend and I decided to go on a trip to Alaska so I decided I had to get a couple rounds in!

Through that lens, I can say that this course provides a solid introduction to disc golf in Alaska. It is easy to reach from Anchorage and accessible for all skill levels. It is somewhere you can bring a non-DGer and they will probably still have a good time walking through the beautiful birch forest.

With better signage I would have given a 4.0. it would take a redesign using the creek and elevation around the edges of the property more for me to raise my score higher than that. But while that would make it a better option for serious DGers, it might detract from the experience for recreational players on vacation. As is, this course provides a fun round in a beautiful location. My recommendation: Play it!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 0
Upshawt1979
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 21.4 years 562 played 429 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Creek Freak 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 22, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

Peter's Creek has fun, wooded fairways that require controlled throws on fairly narrow lines. Some are wider than others, and a couple are paper thin. Mostly they are on the shorter side and flat, but there are some exceptions.

There are natural tees that are usually level and fair sized. Trash cans are at every tee, and most of them have signs. The baskets are in decent condition, and often in sight from the tee box. All holes are par 3 to total par 54, and mix up a nice combo of difficult and fun drives.

I prefer holes that have fairways with lines constricted by trees, and Peter's Creek has nothing else. The trees are not the behemoths I saw at Girdwood that morning. This forrest is far more densely populated with thinner trees, and the variety of shots is better. Walking trails cut through with passing dog walkers occasionally, but there are not any other activities that might interfere with play. The creek runs alongside the final 3 holes, but it isn't extremely close to them. You might wind up losing a disc if you really shank one or a trees redirects a throw in the wrong direction.

Cons:

Signs are missing on a few holes. The layout has some tees that are near baskets for other holes, and sometimes the transition to the next hole is not the tee that is easiest to find. Pay attention to signs and the map so you don't skip any holes.

One or two holes have impossibly narrow lines through the trees. It's a pitch and pray situation at times. The roots and stones on the forrest floor can rob you of a skip that might have resulted in an easy putt and leave you with a longer second shot.

Other Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this course. The defined fairways that offer a decent challenge, and range from short to long with nice shaping. Navigation was an issue once or twice and I had to stop and check the map or scout around a bit to find the next tee.

It is a beautiful and quiet location. I played toward the end of August. Conditions were very nice and the bugs were not an issue luckily.

I didn't score well at all, despite the fun I had trying. My final tally was 7 over par (61). My only birdie was on hole 12, which ended a run of six consecutive bogies on holes 6-11. 14 and 17 also got me with bogies. This is one I would play on a regular basis if I lived nearby. Might have gotten consideration for a 4.5 rating from me if the tees and signage were improved.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
6 0
Matt Baxter
Experience: 42.5 years 382 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Great course in transition 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 28, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Drove in from California and found this excellent course. Lovely setting that really challenges your accuracy through the trees. On this late August Sunday morning there was plenty of parking and no bugs. No other players either. Nice field and gazebo at the end. This is one of my favorite courses of the last two years, out of 50+. Would probably rate it 4.5 but...

Cons:

Another review mentions upcoming changes, and there is some info on the sign about what was taking place during the summer of 2016 (now?) to some tees and pin placements. But there is no map there as is stated, and the erroneous map on DGCR has not been replaced. A review from 2014 refers to 6-10 missing signs and being misnumbered. We were befuddled in that section as well. Early and late on the course it was more clear.

Other Thoughts:

I realize that such courses are run and supported by volunteers, we do the same in San Jose. And it sounds like the volunteers have been taking care of new concrete tees, some tape arrows on trees, and general course maintenance. Thanks volunteers! And thanks to whoever empties 18 trash cans on occasion. But for a few items that appear to be a year or more in planning, I would have liked to have seen:

1. An updated map online
2. An updated map on the course sign
3. Baskets clearly numbered
4. Creek caution on tee 15

Hopefully new hole signs can have "next tee" indicators. And there are indications that the course name is, or is being changed to, Joel Fletcher Armstrong Memorial Disc Golf Course. Clearing that up would be nice.

Don't know how soon I'll be back since it is 3000 miles from home, but I will definitely be recommending this course to folks who will be in the area.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 1
Lou Dogg 31463
Experience: 3 played 3 reviews
4.50 star(s)

My Favorite Course in AK 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 28, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-This course is just a short drive from Anchorage.

-It offers 18 holes in what was once a campground within a birch tree forest.

-This is also one of the cleanest courses in the State as all 18 have a garbage can.

-This course will force/teach you to throw straight.

-Tee boxes were put in just a couple of years ago. It was much needed.

-Alternate pins will be completed in the summer of '16.

-On rainy/sunny/windy days you'll be glad to be there.

Cons:

-Because it's secluded, a lot of the Yahoo's like to play there.

-Parking can be a problem during summer days.

-The bugs/mosquitos are a problem but who can you blame for that?

Other Thoughts:

If there was one course I could put in my back yard it would be Peter's Creek. This course taught me how to throw straight and I will forever be thankful for this course as it taught me the sport.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 1
bwallander
Experience: 40 played 3 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Good but unorganized 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 4, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Excellent technical course shooting through the woods for the entire time.

Cons:

They must have just changed holes are because when you get between holes 6-10 there are very few signs and the numbers are off.

Other Thoughts:

Definitely one of the better courses.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 0
Mr. Butlertron
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 21.7 years 684 played 131 reviews
2.50 star(s)

The "other" Anchorage course 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 24, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

There are only two non paying courses worth checking out in the Anchorage area, this is one of them. It's a course that you don't have to bring a lot of discs for and hard to lose the ones you do bring. The holes are challenging for their length with good flow. There is lots of shade from the sun on hot days and it's relatively quiet with few distractions. It's also a great place to just pop in for a quick game because of the hole lengths, low usage, and its proximity to the highway. This course is the perfect place to learn how to control your shots. Wind isn't usually a factor in these woods. Since I last played this course concrete teepads were added and the layout changed a little, likely for the better overall. I especially liked the new hole 7

Cons:

Bugs, it's bad. Worse than any course I have played before. It gets pretty muddy after a rain, which happens far too much in the summer unfortunately. These fairways are covered in tree roots that sometimes make approaches unpredictable and become big tripping/slipping hazards when wet. I found it hard to get a good stance or footing for throws because of it too. The directional signs aren't that bad, but the tee signs are a mix of permanent and laminated paper. Some baskets were a dangerously close the the teepad of the next hole. Hole 8 has no line or fairway. The fairways are tight and short with a lot of trees on either side, which isn't a con, but there aren't necessarily lines or fairways on some holes either.

Other Thoughts:

Sometimes you have to be thankful for what you got. It's not Kincaid, but it does do a decent job as a short technical course. This is the type of course demands accuracy and patients. The course itself is very quiet and tranquil and it's a real full 18 holes, which is more than you can get at most of the other courses in Anchorage.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 2
akguanja
Experience: 18.8 years 15 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Peters Creek DGC 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 23, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Nice lines and a few long drive par 3's The creek makes this course almost relaxing. the grounds keepers do a good job of keeping the course fairly clean and its always a fun course to play.

Cons:

Tee's could be better marked and or pro tee's would be nice on some of the shorter holes.

Other Thoughts:

Be careful on Hole 15 to not over throw your first or 2nd throw. its about 300' to a un see able drop off to the creek and death of your disc... unless you know the course and or scout the hole first.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 0
Umshewa
Experience: 30.4 years 8 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Nice Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 18, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This course uses the grounds very well. Nice long holes make you work your arm to get par.

Cons:

Like others have stated, it is quite muddy and you should be ready to get a little dirty. Nothing major as long as it hasn't rained recently. Lots of trees but that's the fun part...always fun to chop trees while playing golf. No really markers to tell you where the next hole is. Must take map if never played, it is easy to miss holes.

Other Thoughts:

Great for the family and very popular. Lots of trees but that's the fun part...always fun to chop trees while playing golf.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 0
kylescott91
Experience: 19.6 years 1 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Good Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 16, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Great setup, nice variation of holes. Very good use of the area.

Cons:

Can be pretty muddy, easy to lose a disc if not watching carefully.

Other Thoughts:

hole #8 really neat you end up playing over people. Go on a sunny day, that way the ground isn't so muddy. also a good amount of right banks do if your right handed good to use the tomahawk.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 5
CC35
Experience: 17.4 years 7 played 4 reviews
4.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 14, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great setup and design. Not much to complain about.

Cons:

Could have better tee boxes.

Other Thoughts:

Great design and beautiful location. On sunny days the sun peaks through the course in almost a majestic way. As you approach the last three holes the creeks roaring waters create a refreshing environment as you finish the course.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 2
Nord117
Experience: 15.7 years 9 played 3 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Peters Creek Review 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 14, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Awesome course, Has a good mix of distance and controlled tee offs.

Cons:

A couple signs are missing directing you to the next whole but most are self explanatory. Very wooded.

Other Thoughts:

Is a great course for more experienced players.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Top