Pros:
Sawyer Ludwig is a nice park in Marion , Ohio that has the whole front of it dedicated to an 18 hole disc golf course . Parking is close to the building , bathrooms close to long hole 1 and in the back of the park near the softball fields .
THE EQUIPMENT -- There is a nice kiosk with map near the parking lot . There is also a putting basket on that side of the building . There are 2 tees for each of the 18 holes . Both are cement , 3' X 7' . For the long tees , the signage is on a white pole with hole number and distance on it ( unsure if the distance is always correct ) . The shorter AM tees are a nice looking burnt wood with a plastic coating , showing hole number , par , distance and flight path .Very unique . The baskets are yellow banded Discatchers . I think that there may be some alternate tees , because I found a few basket holes in the ground . I don't know if they switch some of the holes up for tournaments , rotate them , or if they were just replaced holes . There are some benches at the short tees .
THE LANDSCAPE -- The course was trimmed and mowed when I played here . The course is pretty spread out . The first 7 holes deal with some slopes ( Holes 3 and 4 carry downhill ) , #2 is slightly sloped down . There is a creek that you have to carry over on #3 . After hole #8 the course goes flat . The holes go from open ( 1 , 2 , 5 , 8 ) to semi wooded ( 3 , 5 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 15 ) to wooded ( 7 , 13 , 14 , 16 , 17 , 18 ) . There is what looks like an oval woods section of this park where the last 9 holes either wrap around it , go into or come out of , or go through it . So , you get park style with a good dash of woods . This park isn't what I would call Scenic , but it looks like what a disc golf course should .
THE HIGHLIGHTS -- Lots of solid holes here . #2 ( 252' , 397' ) is a more open drive to a pyramid-stepped elevated basket . #5 ( 290, 396 ) is a slowly turning left to right fairway that slopes down midway to the basket tucked in some woods #7 is short ( 233' , 284' ) , but a woods hole that doglegs to the left on a tightening fairway . #8 is your open bomber hole ( 616 , 729' ) where you can open up your arm . #12 is a tight fairway ( 239' , 299' ) drifting left to right in a narrow tree lined fairway . #18 finishes you off with a tight woods S shot . At 291' , 367' the basket sits behind 2 mature trees guarding it . The nicest thing about the longs is that besides adding length , it changes angles and some paths altogether to the basket .
SIGNATURE HOLE -- Hole #3 . ( 194' , 290' ) , an S shaped fairway that slopes down in the middle , and over a creek . Trees define the fairway . Nice bridge crosses the creek .
THE TIME -- It took me about 75 minutes to play . A group of 4 can finish in a little over 2 hours , depending on playing the longs or shorts .
DISC RISK - Moderate to low . The course is clean .and discs that land in the creek on 3 can be retrieved . There is just a small amount of overgrowth , but since there are some blind shots , and plenty of trees to ricochet off of , there is always a chance to lose one if you don't take turns spotting .
I am assuming that the reason that the course is in good condition is because the local club or the recreation department looks after it . I'm impressed . This course is popular . There were several groups out here on the Saturday afternoon that I played here .
Cons:
For the score I gave , I thought there was more to pick at , but not much .
#1 Equipment-wise . I think that the tee pads are way too small for a course that boasts 6700' + from the longs . Also , if the great signage on the short holes could be added to the longs , along with the benches , it would show marked improvement .
#2 Navigation -- The course flows well , but you can miss #7 without the map , and be confused after hole #8 , seeing baskets and tees in a couple of different spots . Use U disc , or print the online map .
It might get muddy here after a good rain because of the flatter areas ( 8-18 ) . You might want to avoid this course after a hard rain .
Other Thoughts:
Most courses that I visit are graded out as overrated . After playing here , I couldn't believe that the present DGR rating was 3.20 . It either tells me that players are not over-impressed , or the course is updating and improving . I chose the latter . The design is good ( shout out to designer Ken Rollins ) , course has lots of variety , and above all , looks to inspire a lot of play . I grade harder than most , and almost felt guilty not moving the needle up to 4.0 . This would be my kind of home course if I lived within 30 miles of here . I wasn't WOW'ed here , but I had a great time and feel this course is solid .
MY RECOMMENDATION -- The short tees provide challenge for the newbie through the local . Families and intros might want to play down the road at Battle Creek . Locals will want to call this course " Home " , and intermediates and AM players will be entertained from the long tees . Even pros will be able to work on their game . The heavy peak traffic might keep travelers away that are looking for a leg stretch , unless staying or visiting in close proximity . This is not a fast play for the Course Collector , but a quality round and combining it with Ohio State -Marion , Battle creek and the 2 courses in Delaware State park will enticing . The course deserves better . if anywhere near RT-23 , or local , PLAY IT !!!