Shelton, WA

Shelton Springs DGC

4.425(based on 37 reviews)
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5 0
jedimasterbryan
Experience: 13.4 years 18 played 11 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Nice Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 19, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

-2 tees on every hole(red and black)
-Good signs at the tee breaking down distance, par, etc.
-Course is very well maintained, don't really have to worry about looking for discs unless you have a really poor shot
-Good Variety of holes, allowing you to use all the shots in your arsenal

Cons:

-I would've liked to see a kiosk at hole 1 with some course info and such
-Some of the next tee signage could've been better placed. This is a minor concern and once you play the course once the layout is natural
-Seems like parking could be a bit of an issue on a busy day

Other Thoughts:

Overall I would say this is a great course. I really like the variety, long and short holes, some wooded, some wide open. It really allowed me to mess with a variety of shots. My favorite hole was probably 11, which wasn't very long but had a mandatory 'island' you needed to land in. Seems like the local club is doing great things here, you can tell the course gets a lot of love and i'm sure it will continue to get better and better.
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1 4
ajjrt
Experience: 14 played 13 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Love this course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 10, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Love to play here. Course is very challenging yet very playable. Playing from the red tees is as hard as playing from the black tees. Both set of tees have different challenges and types of throws from the pads. If you get in the thick stuff...hard to find your disk. Wish this course was closer, would play it more!

Cons:

Not really a 'con' but course could use a locked 'found-lost' disk box. Drove to disk shop to turn one in this week.
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10 1
puaahunter
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.4 years 45 played 37 reviews
5.00 star(s)

A "destination course" 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 25, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This course has it all from a challenging and varied playing experience to benches and trash cans. The tee pads and baskets are in exceptional shape and the volunteers keep the course well manicured.

The concrete stamping in the dyed tee pads really show off the talent and creativity of the course designers and reveals how much thought and effort was put into the course as a whole.

Cons:

The parking situation is not desirable. I hear there is a grassroots movement to pay for a paved parking area, but at this point it's a short walk from the existing (shared) huff n puff parking lot to hole 1.

Honestly, this is the only "con" I can see.

Other Thoughts:

Mason County Disc Golf club has really made a large investment into our sport and the community of Shelton. This course was carved out of the wild woods in just a few short years and has become a worthy destination for the region's disc golfers, bringing their money to Shelton to support local businesses before and after playing a round or two.

Great work, MCDG!
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15 0
Skookum
Experience: 16.3 years 40 played 2 reviews
4.50 star(s)

The Break Down 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 19, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Tees 5.0
36 5x12 Dyed launch pads surrounded by crushed rock.

Tee Signs 5.0
36 300lb Dyed plinths w/plexiglass covered full color 9"x11" vinyl.

Holes 4.5
Two unique layouts offering great variation. The Red course is fun with 6 par 4s. The Black course will make you a better player. No elevation to speak of but no real "throw away" holes almost balance that out.

Environment 4.5
Single use park with lots of space, you can be on the course and feel like the only one their even with 6-7 groups on the course. For being inside the city limits this course can make you feel like your much father out of town.

Amenities 3.5
Parking lot is a small hike, no bathrooms on the course itself only one in the parking lot. Nice metal trash can place around. Has some benches with more on the way.

Maintenance 5.0
Grass is always mowed, garbage picked up, logs and branches cuts and removed. This course is very playable and looks good all year.

Other Thoughts:

If I was grading on a curve with other courses in Washington I would be temped to give a 5 because I believe that compared to the other 15-16 courses in the state in the same category (18 baskets and concrete tees) It is the best. But as this website is global I have to compare Springs to courses in Oregon or Texas I have played, it's still a great course but more like a 4.5 if Milo is a top 10 5.0 rated course.
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3 7
All thumbs
Experience: 2 played 1 reviews
4.50 star(s)

great course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 4, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is my home course and I feel lucky to play such a fun and beautiful place. The local disc golf club is always making improvements. Ive played quit a few courses and this is by far one of the most well rounded.

Cons:

Well marked,nice t-pads,great variety, and organized play direction.

Other Thoughts:

No big elevation change.
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2 7
cmoney49
Experience: 10 played 3 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Great course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 14, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Very nice course. Heavy woods and a good test of skills. Hole number 18 is a beast.

Cons:

It was hard to find my way around the first time played.

Other Thoughts:

If you are out there play it if you can. You won't be disappointed.
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1 6
Superman-Wonderwoman
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
5.00 star(s)

A course to travel for 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 25, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The best thing about Shelton springs has to be the feel of clear fairways. The course was built around pathways somewhat carved out by old logging which creates defined pathways through the wooded areas. It a par 60 from the red and 63 from the black. In which both layouts force you to play smart with placement and variety of flight patterns.

Cons:

There are only a few things this course lacks, ... elevation is the biggest. The land is relatively flat which limits on some variety of challenge. The tee pad signs are yet to be finished, so for some first timers to the course knowing the flight patterns (especially longer holes) may be a bit of a mystery. There is no kiosk and the walk from the parking lot to the course is a bit long.

Other Thoughts:

Springs is the best course in Washington I've played. With it's technicality and variety of distance and shots, playing it has forced me to be a smarter and more versatile player. I would recommend it for players of all stages.
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8 4
jbl39
Experience: 6 played 6 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Best of the Best. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 9, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

I gave this course 5 stars. Here's why:

-This course is one of the most first-timer-friendly courses I have ever come across. Signs are all around and easy to follow. You can easily get in 18 holes with no problems.
-Super easy to locate amateur and pro tee pads.
-Baskets have string that point golfers in quickest path to next tee.
-Course has super-long distance shots (if you want them), or the more close-up skill shots. Caters to all different types of players.
-The amount of wooding in the course is just right. Makes the golfer utilize every shot in his arsenal.
-There are some wide-open field shots that will please the strong-armed drivers out there.
-Some of THE MOST picturesque holes I have seen thus far.
-Course was clean, and maintained very well. Which is surprising, considering it is right next to a high school and borders another park.
-Some elevation shots, too. The last hole has a raised basket which forces precision putting.

Cons:

-I see a lot of complaints about the tee pads. And though they could be more developed, it it such a nit-picky con. It has little-to-no effect on the overall experience.
-MCDG needs to put the occasional trashcan here or there throughout the course. Again, I didn't see a lot of litter.
-Some might consider this a con, but the course really is a long-haul. You will be exhausted by the time you've done all 18 holes, especially if you've done the pro tees.

Other Thoughts:

You're not going to get a better course in Washington. My personal favorite is White River just because of the number of birdies I've gotten, but you cannot deny how good the Shelton course is. It really is a special course that is worth any player's time.
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1 5
[email protected]
Experience: 15.3 years 11 played 3 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Sweet course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 26, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Fantastic, really good job MCDG. I played it yesterday for the first time. Too long for me, but a good challenge, something to shoot for.
Now that Yauger park doesn't have baskets, Shelton is the closest place to play.

Cons:

Signage a problem. I talked to an MCDG guy who was cleaning and he said that signs have been vandalized and ripped down, so that explains why there is less signage than we'd like.

Other Thoughts:

Maybe we can think of some non-vandalizable forms of signage to help them out?
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4 2
CajunMike718
Experience: 21.7 years 20 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

One of my Favorites!!! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 10, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great layout! mostly through the washington forrest, uses all of your throws,challenging, some actual par 4's from the pro tees! fun! stroller friendly. great all around local course!

Cons:

wish it had some elevation...but i guess you cant have everything. on some holes if you make make a bad throw or hit a tree, there is some thick ground brush or foliage that will "devour" your disc...

Other Thoughts:

awsome tee pads, good sign placement, pro and am tees for every hole...good stuff!
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8 1
Potter
Experience: 26.4 years 12 played 1 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Shelton is Top Notch 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 17, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Beautiful tee pads are done on all black and red tees. Concrete tee signs are in with actual signs and distances coming soon on them, only temp signs on them for the moment. Plans are in the works to add alternate hole locations in addition to the two sets of tees. The MCDG group works very hard to keep this course in great shape and are trying to get it to be a premier location for disc golf in the state. I personally think it's already there. It is my favorite course I've played anywhere.

Cons:

Just need to finish their plans to advance the course, but it's great as is too.

Other Thoughts:

If you haven't played this course, find time to do so, it is a great experience and the true advancement of disc golf in this country. Par 4s and 5s need to start showing up more in courses to make this sport continue to grow. This course has this and great par 3s and great distance. Come play SS!
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1 13
211 Leprechaun
Experience: 3 played 3 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Solid 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 21, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Variety of hole length and shape challenges you to use lots of shots. Good trails. Not too many bushes and plants. Shot +1 on the red tees. Black tees look pretty challenging. Will be a very nice course if tee pads get finished.
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1 12
poledancer
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Very nice park to play DG in. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 30, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Not too many hills to climb. Well defined trails.

Cons:

Needs a picture of the hole at each tee. Some holes were difficult to find. Concrete tee pads would be nice as well.

Other Thoughts:

I really liked this Park it has plenty of trails to walk run or jog on and the disc golf course doesn't interfere with that.
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23 1
JR Stengele
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 24.5 years 255 played 191 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Shelton Springs DGC 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 24, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Located in the city of Shelton across from the local High School/Jr. High, Shelton Springs DGC is one of the premier courses in the state of Washington and eventually perhaps the entire northwest! With ample parking near the entrance thanks to the local park and ride, the course can be accessed through the Huff n' Puff Trail, just stay to the right. As players make their way toward hole one there will be wooden tee signs in black and red indicating where the next tee is located. Just look up as they are nailed in to the trees about 15 feet high. There are also white arrows indicating where the bends in the fairways are that are essential to players reaching the pin.

As other reviewers have stated, a lot of time and effort went in to the design and development of this course in order to make it a champion level course. Originally, the MCDG crew installed wooden posts as targets rather than permanently installing baskets at first so that they could get feedback from local pro's, course developers, and fellow disc golfers to ensure that everything was done right! Duel tee pads were installed on every hole (red/Am and black/Pro) to offer variety and difficulty, as well as another unique look from the tee. None of the Am tee pads are the same as the Pro tee's which is a rare feat, and allows for two completely different rounds. A year installing the targets, and after many work parties and fundraising tournaments, Shelton Springs DGC fianally installed 18 brand new Chainstar baskets and officially put this course on the map!

Due to selective cutting over the years, Shelton Springs has beautiful natural fairways with massive Douglas Firs separating the holes. Although there are some open areas, the course is mainly heavily wooded. However, every fairway is fair and requires a great deal of accuracy off the tee and then again near the pin. The course offers three Par 4's and three Par 5's on the Black course and six Par 4's on the Red course, paving the way in the state of Washington as to where disc golf is headed in the future. Accuracy and placement are heavily rewarded, where raw strength and luck can be brutally punished. There are some opportunities to let you disc rip, but for the most part your mids and fairways drivers will be getting the most use on the course. Holes on the course range anywhere from 215 feet (Red) to 965 feet (Black), with little elevation but lots of variety.

Cons:

For being such a new course, MCDG has done a tremendous job with the installation and upkeep. However, in order to truly be a championship caliber course they need to make a few minor improvements to help solidify itself as one of the best in the state.

First, accurate tee signs that offer distance, par, pin placement, and any major obstacles players might face. Something like Horning's Hideout would be amazing!

Second, a kiosk near hole one or at the park entrance that tells players about upcoming work parties, local vendors, PDGA tournaments, weeklies, and includes an aerial map showing the layout of the course so that players can get a sense of where they are and where they are going during their round.

Third, the continual development of fairways and greens. Those issues will be addressed as the course is played more.

All in all, this course has made tremendous progress including the recent addition of cement tee pads!

Other Thoughts:

The Mason County Disc Golf Club, since first being created in 2009, has come a long way in the short amount of time they have been together. They have done a lot for the city of Shelton and our state, and feel very fortunate to have had a chance to play in their city. Although I live 2 hours north, I have had the privilege of playing with this club in the Cedar Arms tournament they hold each year as well as team disc golf at Lake Isabella. I am so pleased to see that they finally have Shelton Springs DGC, and feel that the club continues to be wonderful advocates for this sport. Steady Ed would be quite proud of these guys as they truly represent what the spirit of this game is all about. Thank you.
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7 5
pablocruz1
Experience: 109 played 6 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Long and Tight 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 20, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Massive number of trees and beautiful setting. Loved the moss covered fairways and it was easy to find most discs. I probably shouldn't have played the Black course first cause it was LONG!! Great marking and arrow signs to get around.

Cons:

No much elevation change. Looking forward to those cement tee pads. Too many trees but that's also a Pro.

Other Thoughts:

Nice work MCDG.
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15 0
KG_MCDGC
Experience: 29.4 years 11 played 6 reviews
4.50 star(s)

A Course From the Future? The Future is Now! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 11, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

I've decided that my Rating for this Course will change as the Course changes, as it should be. I am confident that, with the additions Mason County Disc Golf (MCDG) intends to put into this Course, Shelton Springs DGC is destined to be a true "Destination Course".

***UPDATED 5/22/12***

Shelton Springs DGC is the culmination of the partnership of MCDG, the City of Shelton (namely Parks and Rec Director, Mark Ziegler) and the greater Puget Sound Disc Golf community. The Course is located on City of Shelton owned property, near both The Huff and Puff trail systems and the local High School/Jr High. The Huff and Puff trail systems are currently used by the neighboring schools for cross-county meets. This situation creates a unique ability for MCDG to introduce Disc Golf to the local school as possible curriculum/after-school activity. This is a long term goal MCDG intends to pursue, further bringing the local community closer to Disc Golf.

Over a year has passed since the Shelton Springs had baskets permanently installed. A great deal of time and effort was put into creating a uniquely challenging course. MCDG began their design and development process by first designing the Course, and then adding wooden posts as targets. The wooden posts served as an opportunity to fine tune the Course before adding permanent baskets. MCDG also used the input of the Disc Golf community by hosting a series of fundraising tournaments, complete with portable baskets, while picking the brains of the participants. This unique method of Course design and development is directly responsible for the current Course design. In my experience, this Course design is of high quality.

The Course is located on a 50+ acre plot, which meanders through classic Douglas Fir forest and an open spaced area underneath power lines. About 20+ years ago, the City of Shelton practiced selective foresting methods throughout the area. What was left behind are seemingly natural, moss covered fairways under the canopy. There are two tee boxes per hole, a Red/AM and a Black/Pro (Red and Black being the school colors of the neighboring H.S.). MCDG has decided to break the mold of "everything's a par 3" and create a par appropriate Course. The Red/AM Course plays to a par 60, boasting six par 4 holes, and is suitable for the casual player or a "quick" round. The Black/Pro Course plays to a challenging par 63 (totaling nearly 8000 ft!), complete with three par 4 and three par 5 holes. Although there are two tee boxes per hole, each tee box offers unique experiences and challenges. Throughout the Course, off the tee, there is a blend of straight, hyzer, forehand and flex shots. A little something for everyone.

MCDG put a great deal of work into creating sustainable fairway conditions. In the year since permanent baskets were installed, Shelton Spring's fairways are well defined and free of debris and underbrush where needed. These fairways are intentionally large and narrow where needed, and each dogleg is well marked with large white arrows approximately 15 feet high at the turn. As mentioned, this is a heavily wooded Course, but often when faced with throws from the "rough/schule" one can find themselves with options on how to get out. That's not to say that one could throw anywhere and still expect to get par, a player needs to play "smart golf" to score well at Shelton Springs. Given the new baskets, and the reputation Shelton Springs is receiving, the influx of players to the Course will help to shape the fairways and the outlying areas. With the set pars being what they are, each hole should/could be birdied. It's a great feet to be able to string those birdies together, especially while staying bogey free. It's in that spirit, the spirit of "Man, I could play that Course better next time!", that Shelton Springs DGC will keep you coming back for more. And, that's what a great Course should do. Right?

Cons:

It's hard to find many things wrong with this course -Shelton Springs DGC has a very creative and demanding course layout. It's a young course, which will see some major maturing given the epic 'must play' potential for this course.

***UPDATED 5/22/12***

Problem 1- Tee Pads
Nope. Not anymore. Permanent tee pads were installed on all 36 tees, including a tee pad for drop zone on Hole 3(Black/Pro layout). PLUS, all the tee pads are dyed and COLOR COORDINATED! So, when you are standing on the Red/AM tee box, you are literally standing on a RED tee box!

Problem 2- Signage
Again, nope. Not anymore. All tee pads have accompanying 3ft high concrete "plinths" with hole information; including hole length, hole shape/design, obstacles, and landmarks where needed. Oh, and all the tee signs are COLOR COORDINATED too!


The only other problems I could come up with are: lack of restroom on the course itself (there is one at the parking lot) and no water fountain. These problems are easy fixes, and the others can be alleviated by the player being prepared.

BUT, none of these problems detract from the overall enjoyment, beauty, a scope of Shelton Springs Disc Golf Course.

Other Thoughts:

Though Shelton Springs Disc Golf Course is a great course, I believe that the best thing to come from Shelton Springs is the great people of Mason County Disc Golf. True 'doers'. The entire Disc Golf community is fortunate to have a group like this as advocates.

Mason County Disc Golf, since it's inception in '09, has diligently worked to bring a unique Disc Golf experience to it's local area. The group has worked with nearby Disc Golf Clubs to pave a new direction for Disc Golf. There are great things on the horizon for Disc Golf in this area. Look for announcements of events that will take full advantage of this great Course and MCDG's relations with other local Clubs.

***The bottom line is that you should make plans to play Shelton Springs Disc Golf Course. There are few courses that can compare.***
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19 0
Thomashasfun
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 22.8 years 496 played 494 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Top 5 in WA State 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 10, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The Mason County Disc Golf Club has been working on this course for more than a year, doing work parties and taking suggestions from players about the course including Discraft sponsored player Scott Papa. Finally the baskets are in for good and the hard working members of the club are seeing their hard work paying off. Shelton Springs is located in town and once you park you must follow the Huff N' Puff trail until you see the tee pad(s) for hole number one. First thing you will notice are the two tee pads of the course that are very different and make an almost new course compared to the other, we aren't talking about tee pads that just add length we talking pads that add another landing area and different avenues for the flight of your disc. The Red tee pads are a little shorter and a little more straight forward, maybe a little more appropriate for less than skilled golfers while the Black tee pads are the more challenging tee pads that are the equivalent of PDGA Gold level pads. Navigation is fairly easy because of the color coordinated signage that tells you where to go no matter which of the tee pads you are playing. The course has very little elevation to it, I'm not sure if this is a bad thing or not because it lets you play multiple rounds out here in one day and not feel too tired.

This course is very wooded and makes players shape their shots very well and also makes players play smart. If you don't learn where and when to go for a birdie instead of going for the basket on every shot like most disc golf courses have trained us to do you are going to be punished. This course also teaches you how to pick landing zones in the fairway to shoot for instead of just throwing it as hard as you can towards the basket with reckless abandon. If you can't throw it far and accurate Shelton Springs is going to have its way with you. You may find yourself at times throwing forehand rollers and trick shots to get you out of trouble or even swallowing your pride and throwing it thirty feet into the fairway. Still There are holes where long players are going to have a big advantage like holes 3, 7 and 8 as these are the open fairway drives where distance plays a larger part or the only part of the drive.

Cons:

The main con that I found while playing here are the natural tee pads dug out of the earth. There are some roots still in the tee pads that aren't too bad to navigate around and some rocks and sticks but again not too hard to avoid. My main concern is that when this course gets some age and more play is that those tee pads are going to have holes all over. If you have ever played Lake Stevens DGC then you know what I am talking about. I also wonder how muddy they get when it rains hard. Not too many other cons, very solid all around course.

Other Thoughts:

The Mason County Disc Golf Club really has their stuff together in knowing how to build courses. Like I said they have been working on this course for a very long time having many fund raising tournaments and even more work parties to prepare the course and now they have one of the best courses in the entire state of Washington. I played one of these fundraisers last year and the club was very instrumental in getting feedback from all of the players who played, this is a rare thing with a Club, especially a Disc Golf Club.
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