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Smith-Ryerson DGC reviews
7
0
Old Man Willow
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 20, 2022
Played the course:once
Pros:
- Smith-Ryerson DGC wends wonkishly through a multiuse park which exists as restitution, er, because of a grant from local oil, gas, and mineral extractions, according to the sign by #2. Somehow methinks Smith-Ryerson DGC got the short end of that deal.
- Baskets, signs that show information about the hole (seemingly a novelty in these parts), mixed tees consisting of whatever pavement might be nearby (mostly sidewalks and parking lots) and/or grass. Other normal park amenities such as bathrooms playgrounds and the likes.
- Hole #3 is has a great big ginormous, just massive weeping willow! Super gnarled with age. Also, a small observation deck looks over a scenic wetland. This was by far the highlight of this course for me, not the hole, the nature view.
- Just enough elevation to hold my interest for a second before things, sadly, flatten out pathetically. Hole #1's fairway is sloped downhill from right to left its entire length. Hole #3 throws downhill slightly to a basket under the massive willow.
- Hole #5 shoots out of a small, semi-"wooded" gap into the open.
- Baskets, signs that show information about the hole (seemingly a novelty in these parts), mixed tees consisting of whatever pavement might be nearby (mostly sidewalks and parking lots) and/or grass. Other normal park amenities such as bathrooms playgrounds and the likes.
- Hole #3 is has a great big ginormous, just massive weeping willow! Super gnarled with age. Also, a small observation deck looks over a scenic wetland. This was by far the highlight of this course for me, not the hole, the nature view.
- Just enough elevation to hold my interest for a second before things, sadly, flatten out pathetically. Hole #1's fairway is sloped downhill from right to left its entire length. Hole #3 throws downhill slightly to a basket under the massive willow.
- Hole #5 shoots out of a small, semi-"wooded" gap into the open.
Cons:
- This course is all criss-cross and conflicts badly with the center of the park. I have no idea why the designer decided to do what they did, there are so many other flows that could've happened at this park that would've saved the back and forth.
- Hole #6 has two sets of picnic benches directly in the killzone off the tee, like 5' and then 15' away.
- Any sort of park activity renders this one a skipper.
- The faintest traces of goose poop.
- Hole #6 has two sets of picnic benches directly in the killzone off the tee, like 5' and then 15' away.
- Any sort of park activity renders this one a skipper.
- The faintest traces of goose poop.
Other Thoughts:
- Three turkey were skulking behind the playground at the far side of the parking lot by #6's tee.
- A few good shots largely spoiled by a mangled flow and uninspiring, open, flat land.
- A massive sand dune rises to one side of this park, why couldn't they have used that? Disc Golf Uber Alles!
- A few good shots largely spoiled by a mangled flow and uninspiring, open, flat land.
- A massive sand dune rises to one side of this park, why couldn't they have used that? Disc Golf Uber Alles!
8
0
Nice park for beginners! 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Sep 25, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
Smith-Ryerson is a brand-new (as of 2020) 9-holer in Muskegon, MI. The course plays around a medium-sized, flat multi-use park.
The nine baskets here are very attractive red Prodigy models, still in mint condition as of this writing. These baskets really stand out and I think they would make a non-DG'er in the park want to walk up and take a closer look.
There are also nine tall wooden posts to mark the tees. These posts have the hole number carved in and painted red on all four sides. Again, very nice looking and also matches the baskets. Update: Beautiful cartoon-style tee signs have been added to these posts, showing hole number, distance, and par. The first tee post also has a map of the entire course in the same style.
There is decent length here for a beginner friendly/9-hole course. Most holes are in the 250'-300' range, with a couple slightly shorter or longer. A few holes curl around the thick brush at the far side of the park, meaning the basket isn't visible from the tee (the fairway on these holes is still wide though). There is one fun shot between some tight bushes and under what I think is a willow tree (not an expert botanist), off the tee on #5.
This is a well-kept park and a nice place to throw some discs.
The nine baskets here are very attractive red Prodigy models, still in mint condition as of this writing. These baskets really stand out and I think they would make a non-DG'er in the park want to walk up and take a closer look.
There are also nine tall wooden posts to mark the tees. These posts have the hole number carved in and painted red on all four sides. Again, very nice looking and also matches the baskets. Update: Beautiful cartoon-style tee signs have been added to these posts, showing hole number, distance, and par. The first tee post also has a map of the entire course in the same style.
There is decent length here for a beginner friendly/9-hole course. Most holes are in the 250'-300' range, with a couple slightly shorter or longer. A few holes curl around the thick brush at the far side of the park, meaning the basket isn't visible from the tee (the fairway on these holes is still wide though). There is one fun shot between some tight bushes and under what I think is a willow tree (not an expert botanist), off the tee on #5.
This is a well-kept park and a nice place to throw some discs.
Cons:
This course has many of the issues you might expect for a multi-use park. Holes 1-3 would be unplayable when a football game or practice is going on. Other holes play close to other park amenities that people might be using. Of particular concern is a walking path around the park, that could come into play on about seven of the nine holes and is crossed on a couple holes. Fortunately, there aren't really any blind shots towards the path.
The course is pancake flat other than a slight uphill at the end of #1 and back down from the tee on #2 (edge of the football field bowl).
There are no obstacles other than a couple trees and man-made objects. No need to shape most shots.
There are no tee pads. On a couple holes you can tee off from the walking path.
There are several tees where multiple baskets are visible, and I don't think this was indicated on the tee signs. That would be a small but nice improvement. In particular, I think it is easy to play from hole 3's tee to hole 9's basket unintentionally.
The course is pancake flat other than a slight uphill at the end of #1 and back down from the tee on #2 (edge of the football field bowl).
There are no obstacles other than a couple trees and man-made objects. No need to shape most shots.
There are no tee pads. On a couple holes you can tee off from the walking path.
There are several tees where multiple baskets are visible, and I don't think this was indicated on the tee signs. That would be a small but nice improvement. In particular, I think it is easy to play from hole 3's tee to hole 9's basket unintentionally.
Other Thoughts:
This is a pleasant park and the new baskets and tee posts are really eye-catching. I think it will help introduce new players to the sport and provides good practice for beginners/rec players who live in the area. I feel bad giving this place an inaugural review of only a 1.5, but there is simply no challenge here to attract anyone beyond beginner level. If you're a local, come relax and bring a few discs to toss. If you are just visiting or passing through, this one can safely be skipped.
UPDATE April 2022: I was in Muskegon yesterday and stopped by this course again. Everything is still in great shape, and the tee signs/course map at first tee have been added since my last visit. Also I can now say from personal experience, this one is a lot tougher in the wind! No change to 1.5 rating, but I enjoyed this quick play.
UPDATE April 2022: I was in Muskegon yesterday and stopped by this course again. Everything is still in great shape, and the tee signs/course map at first tee have been added since my last visit. Also I can now say from personal experience, this one is a lot tougher in the wind! No change to 1.5 rating, but I enjoyed this quick play.
