Scioto Grove DGC reviews
7
2
Here's an unused wasteland. Let's put a disc golf course on it. drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jun 3, 2023
Played the course:once
Pros:
* Hole #3 the "rock peninsula" hole is an interesting challenge.
* Tee pads are in good condition
* The baskets are new and in good shape
* this course is hidden in the back of a nice metro park
* clean park-style pit toilet right near the parking lot
* this course has good quality hole maps for those holes where the maps haven't been damaged or stolen.
* Because this course plays in a former gravel-pit wasteland, it sort of gives you the feel of what its like playing on desert courses in the American southwest. Which is kind of interesting.
* Tee pads are in good condition
* The baskets are new and in good shape
* this course is hidden in the back of a nice metro park
* clean park-style pit toilet right near the parking lot
* this course has good quality hole maps for those holes where the maps haven't been damaged or stolen.
* Because this course plays in a former gravel-pit wasteland, it sort of gives you the feel of what its like playing on desert courses in the American southwest. Which is kind of interesting.
Cons:
* Once you get into the Scioto Grove metro park, the course is hard to find. There are no signs telling anyone that there is a disc golf course here at all.
* This course stinks...literally! The course plays mostly inside the bowl of what appears to be an old rock quarry. Several deep stagnant water holes fill the entire bowl with the fetid smell of decaying sewage.
* The rough here is way overgrown and needs trimming. Several shots tee off down five-foot high tunnels of trees and vines with little to no fairway in sight. This isn't "making the course more challenging", its just lazy.
* Baskets are difficult to spot, even with the uDisc GPS map. The prodigy baskets are often hidden deep into the treeline, and then they painted them tree-leaf green.
* Lots of trash on this course. I picked up about ten crushed beer cans.
* some of the printed hole maps are missing.
* the tee pads are nicely done in concrete, but they're too short for most player's run-up. Another two feet of pad would have helped immensely here.
* Though it was dry on the day that I played, it was evident that on wet days this course is extremely muddy.
* No benches, no trash cans, no drinkable water. Not particularly cart friendly.
* Several holes throw directly at other player's tee pads. Hole 1 features a 5-foot wide fairway alongside a popular walking path. You can wait for traffic, or throw right at the pedestrians and dogs.
*several of the holes tee off blind, the basket is nowhere to be seen. This is normally fine because there is a landing zone you can hit to plan your upshot to the green. This course really doesn't bother with that. Instead there are multiple blind tee shots throwing into an impenetrable wall of trees, towards a basket 300 feet away which is also tucked tightly into an impenetrable wall of trees. The number of blind tees plus lack of landing zones makes this course almost unplayable for a solo player with no spotter.
* This course stinks...literally! The course plays mostly inside the bowl of what appears to be an old rock quarry. Several deep stagnant water holes fill the entire bowl with the fetid smell of decaying sewage.
* The rough here is way overgrown and needs trimming. Several shots tee off down five-foot high tunnels of trees and vines with little to no fairway in sight. This isn't "making the course more challenging", its just lazy.
* Baskets are difficult to spot, even with the uDisc GPS map. The prodigy baskets are often hidden deep into the treeline, and then they painted them tree-leaf green.
* Lots of trash on this course. I picked up about ten crushed beer cans.
* some of the printed hole maps are missing.
* the tee pads are nicely done in concrete, but they're too short for most player's run-up. Another two feet of pad would have helped immensely here.
* Though it was dry on the day that I played, it was evident that on wet days this course is extremely muddy.
* No benches, no trash cans, no drinkable water. Not particularly cart friendly.
* Several holes throw directly at other player's tee pads. Hole 1 features a 5-foot wide fairway alongside a popular walking path. You can wait for traffic, or throw right at the pedestrians and dogs.
*several of the holes tee off blind, the basket is nowhere to be seen. This is normally fine because there is a landing zone you can hit to plan your upshot to the green. This course really doesn't bother with that. Instead there are multiple blind tee shots throwing into an impenetrable wall of trees, towards a basket 300 feet away which is also tucked tightly into an impenetrable wall of trees. The number of blind tees plus lack of landing zones makes this course almost unplayable for a solo player with no spotter.
Other Thoughts:
This is the worst course I've played in Ohio. Its just bad, and I'm not afraid to say it. I know this is in contrast to the majority of the other reviews here, but apart from Hole#3, I just could not find anything to enjoy on this course. Your mileage may vary.
I'd really like to know what the designer was thinking when they put this one together. Did they do any kind of analysis of other nice courses in the area and try to incorporate the things that are good in those courses into this one? Go look at Brent Hambrick, go look at Simsbury, those are well put together. Scioto Grove isn't even in the same class, and doesn't deserve the same rating.
The description says, "The course design is geared toward the experienced player." and I'm here to tell you that as a disc golfer who has been playing for more than 20 years in multiple states and multiple countries, I am an experienced player and based on my experience this course rates very poor compared to the other disc golf courses available in central Ohio.
This course looks like it was slapped into an unused, unwanted piece of waste land as an afterthought. And while I'd rather have a course here than not have a course here, Scioto Grove ranks firmly at the bottom of my list for lack of fun factor.
But hey, if you didn't play a real stinker once in a while, how would you know what a good course really is? It can only get better from here right?
I'd really like to know what the designer was thinking when they put this one together. Did they do any kind of analysis of other nice courses in the area and try to incorporate the things that are good in those courses into this one? Go look at Brent Hambrick, go look at Simsbury, those are well put together. Scioto Grove isn't even in the same class, and doesn't deserve the same rating.
The description says, "The course design is geared toward the experienced player." and I'm here to tell you that as a disc golfer who has been playing for more than 20 years in multiple states and multiple countries, I am an experienced player and based on my experience this course rates very poor compared to the other disc golf courses available in central Ohio.
This course looks like it was slapped into an unused, unwanted piece of waste land as an afterthought. And while I'd rather have a course here than not have a course here, Scioto Grove ranks firmly at the bottom of my list for lack of fun factor.
But hey, if you didn't play a real stinker once in a while, how would you know what a good course really is? It can only get better from here right?
9
1
Unique Course...With One Big Downside
Reviewed:
Played on:May 1, 2022
Played the course:once
Pros:
To understand this review I should mention I'm a rec player at best, but I enjoy experiencing unique courses and try to bag as many courses as possible. As someone who primarily plays in the midwest, Scioto stands out as a fun, unique experience. The course is apparently built in and around an old quarry and utilizes the property really well. Hole 1 feels like a basic park golf hole, wide open with a wood line to the left. Hole 2 is a wooded tunnel shot which is very similar to hole 13. Hole 3 was an instant classic. This is the first hole that plays into the quarry valley. You start on the edge of the hill side and throw to a pin 270' away which sits down inside the valley with a vertical drop of 40' (I'm not good at estimating such things). There is water to the right, left, and long of the pin. It's a fun shot to watch fly, but plenty of danger. Hole 4 then plays over the same water. At around 200' feet and behind a few small bunker hills, it's enough to make you think. From there you go back into the main section of the course. Several holes play in and around the quarry, which feels like what I'd assume playing in the west feels like. Lots of short, stiff shrubs and hard packed, rocky ground. Often tees are on the hill sides with tough risk-reward putts. Still other holes play above the valley and feel much more like park golf. The round ends with a couple of holes playing back up the hillside, finishing with a 200' foot shot back to the top.
Pros:
-Unique course, especially in this region
-Great use of elevation
-So much variety that at times you don't feel like you're playing the same course from hole to hole. This includes 3-4 wooded holes, 2 water hazards, several elevation changes, ace runs, and a couple that let you air it out.
-Plenty of parking and bathrooms at the park
-Dedicated disc golf course with very little chance of interference after hole 1.
-NOTE: There is now a staircase between holes 3 and 18. Previously you would basically repel into the valley holding on ropes but a staircase is now available, though a handrail would definitely be useful with it.
Pros:
-Unique course, especially in this region
-Great use of elevation
-So much variety that at times you don't feel like you're playing the same course from hole to hole. This includes 3-4 wooded holes, 2 water hazards, several elevation changes, ace runs, and a couple that let you air it out.
-Plenty of parking and bathrooms at the park
-Dedicated disc golf course with very little chance of interference after hole 1.
-NOTE: There is now a staircase between holes 3 and 18. Previously you would basically repel into the valley holding on ropes but a staircase is now available, though a handrail would definitely be useful with it.
Cons:
-The biggest con here is mud. When I played it hadn't rained in several days but there were still several swampy spots. This course is a dug out quarry so it's basically got no drainage. Add in the 6 or so climbs up and down the quarry walls and you basically don't want to be anywhere close to this place if it's rained at any recent point.
-The teepads are short
-Hole 3 is begging to take a disc. Between the 3 sided water and the hard packed ground it's not hard to have one scoot away. I was inside the circle on a shot I loved and when I got to my lie I saw I was only 5' or so from losing a disc.
-Pars are likely off for experienced players. With the exception of hole 11 the course is best played as a par 3 course. For my rec skill set, pars were perfect
-No trash cans
-The teepads are short
-Hole 3 is begging to take a disc. Between the 3 sided water and the hard packed ground it's not hard to have one scoot away. I was inside the circle on a shot I loved and when I got to my lie I saw I was only 5' or so from losing a disc.
-Pars are likely off for experienced players. With the exception of hole 11 the course is best played as a par 3 course. For my rec skill set, pars were perfect
-No trash cans
Other Thoughts:
I know my score is substantially higher than the most here, but this reflects what I value in a course as well as hitting this course in prime condition. Assuming you play this course when it's mostly dry I think you'll enjoy yourself.
14
0
When wet: skip it or slip it! 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Oct 17, 2021
Played the course:once
Pros:
Making the most of the elevations, and providing tight intended lanes into the available rough in and around a washout low bowl area near the Scioto River in Grove City, Ohio, the Scioto Grove disc golf course is interesting, challenging for the recreational to intermediate player, and will give you all the workout you might want. Boasting level (if a little small at 4'x10') concrete tee pads, excellent signage (check your 'next tee' notes before leaving each tee), and solid, still-new, green Prodigy webbed baskets, the course begins just west of the archery structure with a path-side 300 footer to loosen your arm. Stay right of the shrub line but in-bounds left of the path.
The signature hole here is clearly throwing down to a peninsula between wings of the retention pond on hole 3, where you may not even be able to see the water from the tee (caution first timers: water to the right, water to the left, and water long). Even hole 4 has a best line of flight (for rhbh players) right through the 'no swimming' sign and fading left over the pond. The scrub grass and gravelly soil here makes it feel a little like 'death valley', as you roam up and down the edges of the bowl, throwing blind (obstructed by cedar? pines?) down to the clear (for shorter arms like mine), then back up a typically tight approach to a rollaway basket position. It's definitely a 'different' experience for central Ohio.
The signature hole here is clearly throwing down to a peninsula between wings of the retention pond on hole 3, where you may not even be able to see the water from the tee (caution first timers: water to the right, water to the left, and water long). Even hole 4 has a best line of flight (for rhbh players) right through the 'no swimming' sign and fading left over the pond. The scrub grass and gravelly soil here makes it feel a little like 'death valley', as you roam up and down the edges of the bowl, throwing blind (obstructed by cedar? pines?) down to the clear (for shorter arms like mine), then back up a typically tight approach to a rollaway basket position. It's definitely a 'different' experience for central Ohio.
Cons:
These factors were enough to have me pull my numerical rating down about a point from what might have been a 3.5: Only holes 1 and 2 will be accessible to most players if it's slippery wet. The fact that, after three years, the only way into the bowl after teeing off on 3 is to literally rappel down a rope climb. The slopes are not super long, but they are that steep …on 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, getting to 14, 17 & 18. I was a little surprised that the course seems to be fairly heavily played and enjoyed, but nobody has even tried to put in steps. But then again, steps won't help you access your disc when you've missed most of the 15' wide fairway gaps on many of these slopes anyway.
It's clear what the designer intended: to hit the gaps, and play it as it flows, but bigger arms will almost always be able to spike up and over the intended gaps anyway. The gaps are sometimes almost ridiculously tight (I'm talking particularly of the upslope on 14: the grove of trees on the green didn't cause me as much consternation!)
Finally, on the safety question, it felt like the majority of the course played away from other park activities, but this all changed for me when we got to 17, when we waited for an older hiker as she meandered around toward the end of the fairway for a few minutes, while we watched an archer shoot at a buffalo target about 100' to our right. When we almost got lost deciding whether to go right or left on the path after hole 13, we spotted what looked like a hiking trail marker, meaning there MAY be trails out her we didn't know about.
It's clear what the designer intended: to hit the gaps, and play it as it flows, but bigger arms will almost always be able to spike up and over the intended gaps anyway. The gaps are sometimes almost ridiculously tight (I'm talking particularly of the upslope on 14: the grove of trees on the green didn't cause me as much consternation!)
Finally, on the safety question, it felt like the majority of the course played away from other park activities, but this all changed for me when we got to 17, when we waited for an older hiker as she meandered around toward the end of the fairway for a few minutes, while we watched an archer shoot at a buffalo target about 100' to our right. When we almost got lost deciding whether to go right or left on the path after hole 13, we spotted what looked like a hiking trail marker, meaning there MAY be trails out her we didn't know about.
Other Thoughts:
I drew up the first map uploaded here on DGCR, so I hope it will be helpful for first timers to find the flow of the course. A quick hole by hole guide:
1 - narrow strip of grass west of the archery pavilion, but plenty of room to hyzer out over the path
2 - tight lane slightly left to right
3 - peninsula downhill fun but challenging (brig a 'disposable disc if you're going to 'go for it')
4 - 'no swimming', so disposable disc if trying that fade, or go way around left over dry land
5 - first blind bowl edger out left to right around the cedars to upslope basket position
6 - lane shot with a scattering of trees to throw over or around (private property right of green)
7 - longer lane, field grasses border the cut fairway, bigger arms simply hyzer fade in to green
8 - similar challenge, but more guardian trees, and last 50' slightly doglegs left
9 - from elevation down to flats, try to stay right of those pines
10 - back up the slope with a gap and a rollaway green to remind you of 5
11 - probably a true par 4-5, can throw down to landing zone near 14th basket, then try to sky hyzer over top
12 - right to left fade down the opening, trying to fade back to base of hill blind left
13 - a tunnel shot very similar to 2, then carefully climb down the path left to
14 - pretty much an open field fade for rhbh, and definitely 'runnable'
15 - short hole to small mound, but guarded by shrub right and pine left
16 - across death valley, sometimes stays marshy to the left of the intended line, again pines guarding green
17 - another valley crosser to just on the slope, looks like middle to right side of gap is best
18 - short but very steep uphill (tight) gap, so figure 250'ish feel, and gets you right back to the parking area
1 - narrow strip of grass west of the archery pavilion, but plenty of room to hyzer out over the path
2 - tight lane slightly left to right
3 - peninsula downhill fun but challenging (brig a 'disposable disc if you're going to 'go for it')
4 - 'no swimming', so disposable disc if trying that fade, or go way around left over dry land
5 - first blind bowl edger out left to right around the cedars to upslope basket position
6 - lane shot with a scattering of trees to throw over or around (private property right of green)
7 - longer lane, field grasses border the cut fairway, bigger arms simply hyzer fade in to green
8 - similar challenge, but more guardian trees, and last 50' slightly doglegs left
9 - from elevation down to flats, try to stay right of those pines
10 - back up the slope with a gap and a rollaway green to remind you of 5
11 - probably a true par 4-5, can throw down to landing zone near 14th basket, then try to sky hyzer over top
12 - right to left fade down the opening, trying to fade back to base of hill blind left
13 - a tunnel shot very similar to 2, then carefully climb down the path left to
14 - pretty much an open field fade for rhbh, and definitely 'runnable'
15 - short hole to small mound, but guarded by shrub right and pine left
16 - across death valley, sometimes stays marshy to the left of the intended line, again pines guarding green
17 - another valley crosser to just on the slope, looks like middle to right side of gap is best
18 - short but very steep uphill (tight) gap, so figure 250'ish feel, and gets you right back to the parking area
6
0
The Alphabear
Experience:
26 played
4 reviews
Not for the Weak at Heart 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Aug 24, 2020
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Very cool use of area
Long tee shots that make you think
Great signage
Long tee shots that make you think
Great signage
Cons:
Very hilly, but that's not a super bad thing.
Rough is rough, needs beaten down some more. Played a few weeks ago and it was barren in the lowland, now just looks overgrown.
Rough is rough, needs beaten down some more. Played a few weeks ago and it was barren in the lowland, now just looks overgrown.
Other Thoughts:
I like this course a lot. I'm always one for newer courses (It's a couple years old now) and the designers of this course definitely wanted to create a more methodical course. This course is not designed to just go out and rip it and hope for the best. This course requires you, more so forces you to think about your shots and all of the technical stuff too. You could just go out and rip it, but you will likely end up in some tall rough, down a steep hill, or in the drink on a few holes. Be prepared for a hike because it is a decent distance between tee pad and holes. Uphill and downhill shots and long drives are a favorite of mine, but can go very wrong very quick. This course is not for beginners, but is a good cardio course for those looking to improve the technical aspects of their game (Drive distance, footwork, hitting lines). Takes about 2ish hours to play if you are a consistent par golfer. I would definitely recommend.
1
3
Jesse Santiago
Experience:
24.2 years
116 played
8 reviews
Loved it! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:May 13, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
Prodigy baskets, a huge variety of shots to test your skills, great scenery, easy flow, solid hole signage, wasn't crowded, very clean
Cons:
Needs next tee signage, some tee pads were kinda small
Other Thoughts:
Can't wait to go back! Reminded me very much of a Nevada, Arizona, or Cali course by the terrain. Loved the elevation shorts!! Really cool water holes that have serious risk and reward. Amazing little hidden gem that the designers did a phenomenal job on!
8
2
Tight teepads ruin technical layout 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 1, 2019
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Creative use of space
Feels totally different than anything else in the area. Uniqueness would normally be a HUGE plus in my book.
Forces me to THINK about shots instead of just throwing. I've come up with a couple of creative lines/throws here that I'll incorporate on other courses
Feels totally different than anything else in the area. Uniqueness would normally be a HUGE plus in my book.
Forces me to THINK about shots instead of just throwing. I've come up with a couple of creative lines/throws here that I'll incorporate on other courses
Cons:
Sits in a low-lying area and retains water. It's been muddy every time I've been here.
Needs LOTS more play to beat in the rough areas. I've left a couple discs behind. This will get better in time, but it's tough out there at the moment.
The teeny tiny teepads.
Needs LOTS more play to beat in the rough areas. I've left a couple discs behind. This will get better in time, but it's tough out there at the moment.
The teeny tiny teepads.
Other Thoughts:
I really want to like Scioto Grove. It has many features I like such as high risk/high reward shots, unique feel, good use of elevation and has holes that reward all types of players. However, having been out there 3 times now I've decided it's unlikely I'll be back. The teepads are so short that they affect my run-up which leads to lost accuracy. Loss of accuracy leads to errant shots which proceed to fly into the deep rough, leading to me spending more money at DIsc Golf Mart. To be clear, we're not talking just a foot or two short. I'd guess these are 4 feet shorter than the pads at Hoover. There are a lot of flaws which I'll forgive, but tiny teepads that (usually) aren't level with the ground behind them isn't one of them. My biggest beef with this is that it's really difficult to fix teepads after the fact. Trees can be trimmed. Baskets can be moved. So on and so forth. I realize the budget may have been limited but I'd rather have seen a good 9 hole course here with better tees.
9
1
Scioto Grove 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Oct 20, 2018
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
I love the baskets out at Scioto. They are in really great shape and catch everything.
Tee pads are nice and concrete. Brand new so not a lot of wear and tear.
The maps are well done. They have good yardages.
Scioto does an excellent job of using elevation. There are a lot of downhill tee offs and uphill baskets. You have to be very accurate on these uphill shots. I love playing down into the valley.
This is in a Metro Park so there are bathrooms around.
There is running water at the bathrooms.
Great variety of hole distances. You really have to make the birdie holes count out at Scioto because the long holes are very tough.
Huge variety of shots required at Scioto. I seriously used so many discs. XXX Opto, Firebird for Thumbers and Tommys, OS Buzz, Blizzard Krait, some Westside fairway driver, Shark, Gator, Valkyrie. I used them all for specific things.
For sure a mix of tight and technical and open bombs. The valley provides some great open bomb holes. There are some some really tight holes out here like #2 and #13.
Scioto is extremely challenging. You must be deadly accurate on your mid ranges. Your putts will look easy but it will be a high to low putt or vice versa. The tight gap holes provide a challenge for the long arms and the open bombs are just a little out of reach for the more accurate players.
Parking is great and right by #1. A little walk back to your car from #18.
Scioto does provide some fantastic scenic beauty. This park is really really nice. I played it as the sun was going down and was extremely impressed with how cool the course looked.
Not very crowded as it is so new.
Tee pads are nice and concrete. Brand new so not a lot of wear and tear.
The maps are well done. They have good yardages.
Scioto does an excellent job of using elevation. There are a lot of downhill tee offs and uphill baskets. You have to be very accurate on these uphill shots. I love playing down into the valley.
This is in a Metro Park so there are bathrooms around.
There is running water at the bathrooms.
Great variety of hole distances. You really have to make the birdie holes count out at Scioto because the long holes are very tough.
Huge variety of shots required at Scioto. I seriously used so many discs. XXX Opto, Firebird for Thumbers and Tommys, OS Buzz, Blizzard Krait, some Westside fairway driver, Shark, Gator, Valkyrie. I used them all for specific things.
For sure a mix of tight and technical and open bombs. The valley provides some great open bomb holes. There are some some really tight holes out here like #2 and #13.
Scioto is extremely challenging. You must be deadly accurate on your mid ranges. Your putts will look easy but it will be a high to low putt or vice versa. The tight gap holes provide a challenge for the long arms and the open bombs are just a little out of reach for the more accurate players.
Parking is great and right by #1. A little walk back to your car from #18.
Scioto does provide some fantastic scenic beauty. This park is really really nice. I played it as the sun was going down and was extremely impressed with how cool the course looked.
Not very crowded as it is so new.
Cons:
I have to give the course design a negative right now because honestly it is a little unsafe.
The giant hill after the tee off on #3 is hard for even experienced discers to use. I couldnt imagine what this would be like after a hard rain.
Foliage maintenance is not very good either. It is new so I expect it to be cleared out a little but I have lost a disc here both times I have played it.
No epic holes that I can think off. I was going to say #11 but it there isn't anything crazy epic about it.
No Camping
This course is new so I doubt there are a lot of events out here. It is pretty hard so even if they do a tournament out here it might have to be a doubles event.
The locals are honestly not that great. The put the course right next to the archery range and talk about a completely different crowd.
The giant hill after the tee off on #3 is hard for even experienced discers to use. I couldnt imagine what this would be like after a hard rain.
Foliage maintenance is not very good either. It is new so I expect it to be cleared out a little but I have lost a disc here both times I have played it.
No epic holes that I can think off. I was going to say #11 but it there isn't anything crazy epic about it.
No Camping
This course is new so I doubt there are a lot of events out here. It is pretty hard so even if they do a tournament out here it might have to be a doubles event.
The locals are honestly not that great. The put the course right next to the archery range and talk about a completely different crowd.
Other Thoughts:
Overall the scenic beauty and challenge that Scioto has to offer makes it probably the best of the Metro Park courses. It is so new it might have to go through some of the growing pains to bring it to its best potential. The ropes on the course have to be changed into stairs and soon or someone will get injured badly. I would play this course maybe once a month if I lived in the area. Go check it out if you live in Columbus.
10
2
New Course , Great Design 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 2, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
Okay , this is the first course in Columbus where I automatically gave it a 3.5 on course design alone . I drove over from Area 51 to here , the newest of the Columbus area courses , and also an automatic must-play for southwest Columbusans just south of I-270 . FYI ; when driving in to find the course , go in the 2nd entrance ,( the main entrance ) and remember to make 3 right turns during your long drive in . You will arrive at a small lengthwise parking lot unsure if you are in the right spot or not . Better save some time and either ask someone ,or park and walk forward through and out of the lot to a basket you will eventually see and the tee pad to it on your left of the walking path . This will be one of the only times that you could come into contact with non disc players . You will make a left from the basket into some woods for hole 2 , a short 228' tunnel shot with brush and a small tree designed to make you pay for inaccuracy . #3 is the first of your top of the world shots . You can't really go check the topography of this hole ahead of time , so you will have to take my word for it . Throw a rock or approach disc downward slightly right to left off the narrow pass on the hill . The basket sits on kind of an inlet with water the length of the fairway on the right , and a big pond that is hidden from your sight on the left and behind the basket .I would have named this my signature hole if it had not swallowed up my Beast driver . The reason you will not be able to go down and see where the danger lurks is because you have to let yourself down the hill by rope . I still have a blister over a week later because of this . After this hole , you walk to your left and throw short to a basket that is hidden and protected by the same pond from 3 the guards the right of the basket and fir and regular trees that protect the . left side . Then the course pulls you up part of the hill to another elevated shot that will send you to the lower section of the course and force you back up the hill to a tight narrow shot uphill . Great basket placement ! Many of these holes are not the longest in Columbus , but are among the most unique . Holes that take you from top of the world drives almost 400' to back up the hill into narrow gaps into tight greens . The course designer spared nothing in the way of elevation . My signature hole would be #11 , a tee sitting sideways on the hill with either a safe hyzer left to right downward , avoiding most of the blocking trees , or the risky straight shot that eventually drops right to left . After your hopefully well placed drive , you have to shoot a narrow upwards approach that will drop straight down over the hill to the basket which is protected by a jail of several small trees . This is the longest hole at 418' . Another good hole is #12 , which is a downhill throw through a tight alley , spins a hard left into a tight fairway to an uphill basket . Better have a spotter for this one . The course eventually pops back out to the main low area for several remaining holes that have baskets on hills , baskets protected by bushes , etc . #17 stands out in my mind as a fairly long throw to a base of a small hill protects by bushes all around it , then go back down and tee off again toward this hill where your drive hopefully sits somewhere on this steep hill between the base and the top , where you missed all of the brush on either side . This final basket sits at the top of the steep hill and force you to use a rope to climb to the top to finish your round . The course enjoyment gauge is way up on this course .Dependable but short cement tees. Fantastic tee signs . Great visible green Mach baskets You will play holes that you never see in this area . I will surely play this course again very soon .
Cons:
Bearing in mind that this course is brand new , I still have to point out the cons . #1. The rope . With the elevation being such a great plus on this course , attention should have been made to how players can get down #3 and up #18 specifically , but not solely . PLEASE CONSIDER INSTALLING STEPS ON THESE !!! #2 . After some rain , this course could be hard to navigate . Lots of spots and hillsides could become muddy fast . #3. No trash receptacles ,no benches , and course can become a little confusing with several baskets visible in the valley .#4 maybe some course cleanup with excess brush , like the mess on #12 . #5.Even though the signage is A+ , the navigation can be taxing for first timers . A necessity would be someone from Metro to put an informative online map here .Maybe some Next tee signs or tape to show where to go . Also some Disc Golf Course Signs directing you to the course itself . The park will have to watch the parking lot carefully , because the small spot they currently have could be outgrown by the course they installed .
Other Thoughts:
I'm sure the cons I wrote down will be corrected , since the course is in it's infancy stages . Regardless of what I put down , this will soon be THE course to visit in Columbus aside from maybe Brent Hambrick ( or maybe not ) . This is a FOR SURE PLAY when in Columbus and will be a destination course soon . It may not play long , but it plays incredibly enjoyable . I don't want to fist bump or high five the person that made this course possible , I want to buy him some beer !!!
9
0
Rough but decent 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 27, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
* Mixes up distances and appearances of throws
* Elevation and water in play
* High-vis baskets
* Decent but not amazing signage. The course is farily easy to get around; I only had one point where I had to backtrack.
* Concrete tees
* The repelling ropes to get down #3 and up #18 give the course a certain flair. This is both a positive and a negative.
* Elevation and water in play
* High-vis baskets
* Decent but not amazing signage. The course is farily easy to get around; I only had one point where I had to backtrack.
* Concrete tees
* The repelling ropes to get down #3 and up #18 give the course a certain flair. This is both a positive and a negative.
Cons:
* Seriously needs landscaping. Scruffy appearance, and you may trip once or twice over rocks or low-cut tree trunks.
* Tees are short and small
* The baskets aren't numbered. This isn't a major problem (the course has a reasonably obvious layout), but there were a couple times I had to check twice to make sure I knew where I was throwing.
* Road noise in spots; part of it is near a major throughfare.
* Some areas of rough are overgrown enough to make disc-hunting a pain
* Until they put in a few sets of stairs, getting down #3 or up #18 requires use of a repelling rope (provided), unless you want to risk a nasty fall down a hill
* Tees are short and small
* The baskets aren't numbered. This isn't a major problem (the course has a reasonably obvious layout), but there were a couple times I had to check twice to make sure I knew where I was throwing.
* Road noise in spots; part of it is near a major throughfare.
* Some areas of rough are overgrown enough to make disc-hunting a pain
* Until they put in a few sets of stairs, getting down #3 or up #18 requires use of a repelling rope (provided), unless you want to risk a nasty fall down a hill
Other Thoughts:
Based on some of the other reviews here, I went in with high hopes. The course didn't live up to my hopes, but I wasn't disappointed by going, either.
The course is set at the back part of a large park with some activities, but a lot of wetlands reserve areas. The part with the course looks like it was a dumping ground for rocks over the years, and a few other things (there's a car frame with tires, but nothing else, by one of the holes). It's nice that they're finding a constructive use for the area, but the large number of rocks poking up mean that grass is nearly impossible to grow, and most of the trees in the area are short and scrubby. I tripped over a couple roots from where they cut trees down but didn't fully clear out the stumps. Hopefully, that will clear up over the years, but given the number of rocks, I'm not expecting any nice lawn-type grass growing on the course ever.
The baskets are real nice, high-vis coating on both the rim and the basket. Tee pads are big enough for most people, but not for anyone who wants a good run-up on their drive. Some of the tees aren't flush with the ground, so be careful if you have a big follow-through with your drives.
The course itself... I want to like it. I really do. I like the way they mixed technical with distance throws, elevated with flat, and varied enough from hole to hole in both distance and appearance that I rarely thought that I had just seen that hole before, hadn't I? until near the end, when there comes a number of distance throws through the scrub in a row.
There are some unique holes (#3 and #5 have been mentioned elsewhere, and I'll add in #7, a decently long throw that combines technical, distance, and a bit of elevation all in one package, with multiple possible throwing lanes), and if I got tired of the number of long, straight throws with stubby trees scattered at random toward the end, that's a personal preference (I'm a technical thrower more than distance) than a flaw in the course.
I wish I liked the course more, and I'm having troubles figuring out why I don't. I have two guesses: first, a few of the holes seemed like they were designed simply to be difficult, rather than fun. Second, I think that the scrubby nature of the place got to me. I know this sounds silly, maybe even petty, but graceful distance throws over nicely cared-for lawn have a certain beauty to them. Long throws over rocks and weeds...less so.
That doesn't mean this is a bad course. I did give it a better-than-three rating for a reason. And it has a few really cool holes. This course will be a welcome addition to the rotation of anyone who plays Columbus regularly. And it's not a bad course to hit if you're in the area--probably the best in Columbus, definitely the best on the south side of the city. But it's not worth heading out of your way to get to.
The course is set at the back part of a large park with some activities, but a lot of wetlands reserve areas. The part with the course looks like it was a dumping ground for rocks over the years, and a few other things (there's a car frame with tires, but nothing else, by one of the holes). It's nice that they're finding a constructive use for the area, but the large number of rocks poking up mean that grass is nearly impossible to grow, and most of the trees in the area are short and scrubby. I tripped over a couple roots from where they cut trees down but didn't fully clear out the stumps. Hopefully, that will clear up over the years, but given the number of rocks, I'm not expecting any nice lawn-type grass growing on the course ever.
The baskets are real nice, high-vis coating on both the rim and the basket. Tee pads are big enough for most people, but not for anyone who wants a good run-up on their drive. Some of the tees aren't flush with the ground, so be careful if you have a big follow-through with your drives.
The course itself... I want to like it. I really do. I like the way they mixed technical with distance throws, elevated with flat, and varied enough from hole to hole in both distance and appearance that I rarely thought that I had just seen that hole before, hadn't I? until near the end, when there comes a number of distance throws through the scrub in a row.
There are some unique holes (#3 and #5 have been mentioned elsewhere, and I'll add in #7, a decently long throw that combines technical, distance, and a bit of elevation all in one package, with multiple possible throwing lanes), and if I got tired of the number of long, straight throws with stubby trees scattered at random toward the end, that's a personal preference (I'm a technical thrower more than distance) than a flaw in the course.
I wish I liked the course more, and I'm having troubles figuring out why I don't. I have two guesses: first, a few of the holes seemed like they were designed simply to be difficult, rather than fun. Second, I think that the scrubby nature of the place got to me. I know this sounds silly, maybe even petty, but graceful distance throws over nicely cared-for lawn have a certain beauty to them. Long throws over rocks and weeds...less so.
That doesn't mean this is a bad course. I did give it a better-than-three rating for a reason. And it has a few really cool holes. This course will be a welcome addition to the rotation of anyone who plays Columbus regularly. And it's not a bad course to hit if you're in the area--probably the best in Columbus, definitely the best on the south side of the city. But it's not worth heading out of your way to get to.
10
0
Now THIS Is What Columbus Has Been Missing! 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Aug 1, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
+ Man, was that an experience. First off, shout out to everyone who made Scotio Grove DGC a possibility. It's an awesome place to throw, and easily takes my top spot for best course in the Columbus area (And one of the best I've played to date).
+ Scotio Grove Metro Park is just acres upon acres of beautiful meadows and woodlands. There's a ton to do within the park itself, and adding disc golf is going to be a huge hit with the locals.
+ So you'll be hard pressed to find a course in Ohio as unique as this one. You just feel like you're in another country, it's like nothing this area has seen before in terms of disc golf.
+ Almost every hole is really unique in some way, shape, or form. From intense elevation changes, to scenic views and water carries, you won't be short on fun or challenge on any hole.
+ The tee signs are awesome! Colorful with just the right amount of detail. Concrete tees on every hole, some elevated to avoid water build up.
+ While a good portion of the course plays in a large meadow with scattered trees, there's a few holes that take advantage of the wooded area towards the back end of the property.
+ Like I said, there's a ton of awesome, signature tosses here. My favorite hole here, and probably one of my favorites to date is #3. This guy plays off of a huge drop off with a peninsula green. I picked up a birdie, but anyone who miscalculates the distance will be in the drink. DO NOT go and try to retrieve your disc, because there's a chance the hole gets removed if people keep going in. So DO NOT retrieve discs out of the pond.
+ Navigation is pretty straight forward, just use the UDisc app to navigate around.
+ Scotio Grove Metro Park is just acres upon acres of beautiful meadows and woodlands. There's a ton to do within the park itself, and adding disc golf is going to be a huge hit with the locals.
+ So you'll be hard pressed to find a course in Ohio as unique as this one. You just feel like you're in another country, it's like nothing this area has seen before in terms of disc golf.
+ Almost every hole is really unique in some way, shape, or form. From intense elevation changes, to scenic views and water carries, you won't be short on fun or challenge on any hole.
+ The tee signs are awesome! Colorful with just the right amount of detail. Concrete tees on every hole, some elevated to avoid water build up.
+ While a good portion of the course plays in a large meadow with scattered trees, there's a few holes that take advantage of the wooded area towards the back end of the property.
+ Like I said, there's a ton of awesome, signature tosses here. My favorite hole here, and probably one of my favorites to date is #3. This guy plays off of a huge drop off with a peninsula green. I picked up a birdie, but anyone who miscalculates the distance will be in the drink. DO NOT go and try to retrieve your disc, because there's a chance the hole gets removed if people keep going in. So DO NOT retrieve discs out of the pond.
+ Navigation is pretty straight forward, just use the UDisc app to navigate around.
Cons:
ISSUES THAT WILL BE ADDRESSED
- Some more clearing needs to be done around a few of the baskets. Since the course is so new, I'm sure this will be addressed down the road.
- The steep elevation areas don't have stairs yet. There's a rope to help you down, but it's extremely dangerous, especially after rain. I took a tough fall on #17 leading to some blood
- Could use some benches along the way, I'm sure that will be an addition down the road as well.
ISSUES THAT ARE PROBABLY HERE TO STAY
- The parking lot is already pretty small, and it's shared by other park goers for the archery range and trails.
- Concrete tees look solid but they're on the shorter side. Also, the tee signs are a little too close to the boxes for my taste.
- There's going to be a little bit of overgrowth until things get worn in, so don't expect beautiful fairways yet. It'll be a little rocky and long for now.
- Some more clearing needs to be done around a few of the baskets. Since the course is so new, I'm sure this will be addressed down the road.
- The steep elevation areas don't have stairs yet. There's a rope to help you down, but it's extremely dangerous, especially after rain. I took a tough fall on #17 leading to some blood
- Could use some benches along the way, I'm sure that will be an addition down the road as well.
ISSUES THAT ARE PROBABLY HERE TO STAY
- The parking lot is already pretty small, and it's shared by other park goers for the archery range and trails.
- Concrete tees look solid but they're on the shorter side. Also, the tee signs are a little too close to the boxes for my taste.
- There's going to be a little bit of overgrowth until things get worn in, so don't expect beautiful fairways yet. It'll be a little rocky and long for now.
Other Thoughts:
The fun factor is on another level with Scotio Grove. I was a big fan of Mr. Andrick's design at Clear Fork in Mansfield, but this one takes course design to an incredible new level!
PSA:
This is a Metro Park, not some random city park in the middle of dumpsville. I'm already noticing litter and other issues, so PLEASE be respectful and don't be a you know what. Show the Metro Parks that disc golfers can co-exist with the beautiful property so we can have more opportunities like this in the future. Just don't go jumping after discs in the pond, and take out what you bring in.
PSA:
This is a Metro Park, not some random city park in the middle of dumpsville. I'm already noticing litter and other issues, so PLEASE be respectful and don't be a you know what. Show the Metro Parks that disc golfers can co-exist with the beautiful property so we can have more opportunities like this in the future. Just don't go jumping after discs in the pond, and take out what you bring in.
6
0
Cplage45
Experience:
3 played
3 reviews
“Different” Course in a super nice park 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 19, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
- Nice hole designs
- good tee signs
- in a huge metro park with lots of activities
- makes you throw all types of shots
- good tee signs
- in a huge metro park with lots of activities
- makes you throw all types of shots
Cons:
- fairways in the main area of the course are pretty much dirt and rock
- trails/paths (hole #3 has a steep hill but there is a rope to help)
- other tee pads and baskets are in range on some holes
- trails/paths (hole #3 has a steep hill but there is a rope to help)
- other tee pads and baskets are in range on some holes
Other Thoughts:
Ignore the 1 star review. This course is in an area with not many other options. I was skeptical after reading the 1 star review, but man was I glad I tried it. The course has some of the best hole layouts I've seen in Columbus. Sneaky elevation. Hole #5 is my personal favorite with the straight shot going down hill and back up and steep hill and OB lining the right side right side. Hole #3 is also great as others have mentioned but hopefully the City installs some kind of steps on this hole to get down. Some of the holes are in the same area (6-7 holes) and it's very open, but they are still great holes. Many blind shots, which can be scary, but make for a good change of pace. Also, the course is of good length, right in the middle where a beginner can play and an experienced player will still be challenged. Definitely give this course a try.
PS: hopefully the course breaks in nice after it is played on, and the city will most likely help out. Great potential with time and some care and love
PS: hopefully the course breaks in nice after it is played on, and the city will most likely help out. Great potential with time and some care and love
8
1
BossStar420
Experience:
26.1 years
9 played
1 reviews
Scioto Grove DGC 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 18, 2018
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
This course offers you every shot in the bag. BH, FH, OH even some crazy rollers (if you're brave). It has up hill shots as well as downhill shots. Water will test you on a few holes which I personally loved. The pin placements on the water holes are ideal and leave plenty of bail out room, but is still an awesome challenge. #3 is my favorite hole out there. While there are some longer holes, there are many within reach which is a great mixture. The course flows extremely well. Anyone who has spent any time on a DGC should find this easy to navigate and newcomers should find very minimal confusions points. Concrete pads and brand new Prodigy baskets as well as very nice tee signs line the track.
Cons:
While this is a new course, the rough is high in just a few spots making a shank or a simply bad throw kind of hard to find at times. I am sure with the crew this course has that will be maintained and under control within no time. That would really be my only complaint.
Other Thoughts:
This really is a wonderful course for central Ohio. It is like nothing else I have ever played around the area. You almost feel like you're somewhere else, and lets face it, we need that sometimes. Just like any other course, play smart, play within your skill level and dont try to be a hero and you will be just fine at SGDC. I can not wait to see how this course progresses over the seasons with the land it is on and the crew it has working on it. Get out and play it!!!
I would have rated this course a 4 alone on design, but the fact you get that somewhere else feeling bumped it up!! #LetsGo
I would have rated this course a 4 alone on design, but the fact you get that somewhere else feeling bumped it up!! #LetsGo
10
1
All Day
Experience:
13.6 years
52 played
4 reviews
Great new addition to Central Ohio 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 15, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
-Easy to navigate
-Great signage
-Challenging for all skill levels
-All shots required
-Elevation
-Great signage
-Challenging for all skill levels
-All shots required
-Elevation
Cons:
-Rough is thick in some areas, but this is expected with a new course.
Other Thoughts:
Disregard the one star wonder reviewer who clearly has no idea of the work involved to design and install a disc golf course. Scioto Grove will test your backhand, forehand, and overhand, and it reminds me of a bit of an Eagles Nest and Buck Creek hybrid. Uphill shots, downhill shots, dogleg holes, and water hazards provide an exciting and challenging round, and this course will only get better with traffic and continued hard work from those who donated their spare time and free labor so that others can trash it with an unwarranted low rating.
The signature hole 3 is indeed surrounded by water, and requires accuracy off the tee. Want to know how I solved it? I parked it with a backhand and banged out a birdie. Boom.
Check this course out for a nice new addition to Central Ohio. Just don't invite that last guy, because nobody wants to play with that guy.
The signature hole 3 is indeed surrounded by water, and requires accuracy off the tee. Want to know how I solved it? I parked it with a backhand and banged out a birdie. Boom.
Check this course out for a nice new addition to Central Ohio. Just don't invite that last guy, because nobody wants to play with that guy.
3
23
Chain Clanger
Experience:
22 played
1 reviews
2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 15, 2018
Played the course:once
Cons:
I don't want to just sit in harp on this course but being that we've had 35 years of developing and designing courses and this is the best that someone could do with the city's money is sad. The pads are too short, there's nowhere to putt everything's up against the bush and shots are blind for no reason and they put baskets by water hazards just to be cute in areas that are just going to cause people to lose their discs so the people who built it can come along and fish them out (There was already two guys doing specifically that on hole 3 because they didn't continue playing the round they collected discs and went back to their car. My buddy and I both watched them.) Anyone new to the sport will surely be uninterested in coming back.
7
1
PRA88
Experience:
28.1 years
54 played
2 reviews
Legit Course!!! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 15, 2018
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Well designed, very challenging course that has a lot of good throws. Easy to navigate w/ nice tee signs. Hole 3 is a fun throw w/ punishing water hazards (a con for some people). Plenty of elevation especially for Grove City. Concrete tee pads are nice although a few may be on the small side.
Cons:
The rough is being addressed soon but is a little thick still. Not much shade & as always in nature there will be bugs. A few of the tee pads are on the small side as stated above, but not too big an issue. No trash bins, but not sure Metro Parks believes in them, believe it's carry trash in carry trash out. No benches (yet).
Other Thoughts:
Still needing some cleanup & clearing, the course looked pretty good at its opening. I suggest bringing a couple discs you don't mind losing, to the rough & water. Although water is in play you are never "forced" to throw over water. On hole #3 the water sneaks up quickly, if you don't want to lose a disc, you might want to lay it up short (it is a quarry 20-40ft deep). Having a spotter on some holes will help (7,8,11), but definitely on hole #12. This course will be rough for some people, but I think it offers a challenge most will gladly accept. Bring plenty of water!!! Reminiscent of off-trail hiking, course can be very straining at some points. Alternate pins in the future. Legit course!!!
