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Surf City DGC reviews
11
1
Tough 9-holer...not for the faint of heart 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jul 3, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
Surf City DGC is a challenging 9-hole course near the beach. If you're a disc golfer vacationing on Topsail Island, it's worth checking out. But I have to say, this course isn't a great option for rec or casual players who aren't up for the challenge -- or up for the beach jungle conditions at Surf City.
+ This is one of if not *the* most challenging wooded 9-hole course I've played (139 courses played to date). It has 3-4 par 4's. (It looks like 3 official par 4's and one that was par 4 on a tee sign, but changed to par 3...and really is a tweener hole.) For a tightly wooded course, the holes are long. On the par 4's you have to hit landing zones or stay in the fairway. Going into the rough is death. (More on that in the con's.) This course was clearly designed by disc golfers for disc golfers, and probably not with the novice player in mind. It's at least intermediate level in terms of difficulty, which you don't often see at 9-hole tracks. This course will force you to throw all kinds of different shots (spike hyzers, flex shots, and lay-ups) -- with accuracy emphasized over distance.
+ Good signage and navigation. New players to the course will not need a guide or a course map. Be aware that after hole 1, follow the signs to hole 2 or you'll end up playing hole 9 and being back out at the parking lot.
+ Nice, new baskets that are visible from the tee (for the par 3's) and the fairway (for the par 4's).
+ The layout and fairness of the holes are top notch. The designers really cut down on the luck factor of the course. There aren't any trees in the middle of fairways. Now, the fairways are very narrow in places and tough, but I never thought they were unfair. The course rewards good shot making, the way it should be.
+ There are some old, abandoned silo-looking buildings on the property that the designers incorporated into the course. On one of the par 4's, you have to throw a spike hyzer over and around the silos, attempting to land in the fairway in an open spot for your approach to the basket. It's a unique feature and hole.
+ Some of the baskets are literally placed in trees, with guardian branches on certain sides. Very unique and challenging. Good design.
+ This is one of if not *the* most challenging wooded 9-hole course I've played (139 courses played to date). It has 3-4 par 4's. (It looks like 3 official par 4's and one that was par 4 on a tee sign, but changed to par 3...and really is a tweener hole.) For a tightly wooded course, the holes are long. On the par 4's you have to hit landing zones or stay in the fairway. Going into the rough is death. (More on that in the con's.) This course was clearly designed by disc golfers for disc golfers, and probably not with the novice player in mind. It's at least intermediate level in terms of difficulty, which you don't often see at 9-hole tracks. This course will force you to throw all kinds of different shots (spike hyzers, flex shots, and lay-ups) -- with accuracy emphasized over distance.
+ Good signage and navigation. New players to the course will not need a guide or a course map. Be aware that after hole 1, follow the signs to hole 2 or you'll end up playing hole 9 and being back out at the parking lot.
+ Nice, new baskets that are visible from the tee (for the par 3's) and the fairway (for the par 4's).
+ The layout and fairness of the holes are top notch. The designers really cut down on the luck factor of the course. There aren't any trees in the middle of fairways. Now, the fairways are very narrow in places and tough, but I never thought they were unfair. The course rewards good shot making, the way it should be.
+ There are some old, abandoned silo-looking buildings on the property that the designers incorporated into the course. On one of the par 4's, you have to throw a spike hyzer over and around the silos, attempting to land in the fairway in an open spot for your approach to the basket. It's a unique feature and hole.
+ Some of the baskets are literally placed in trees, with guardian branches on certain sides. Very unique and challenging. Good design.
Cons:
I don't want my 2.0 rating to scare you off, but I do want to explain why I'm lower than the previous two ratings. As far as challenge and design elements go, I rate this course much higher. However, it's a 9-hole course (which automatically drops it a half-point to a point, for me) and the roughness of the course really drop it in the fun category.
- This track has some of the thickest rough I've seen on a disc golf course -- and not just a hole or two. The underbrush and briars are thick from holes 1 through 9. You really do not want to be off the fairway. If you do find yourself in the rough, first off, it's a challenge just to find your disc (a big con for me). Secondly, you're likely standing in briars or something else you don't want to be standing in. And thirdly, you may have no path at all to the basket and just have to toss your disc back into the fairway (if that's even possible). Saving par from the rough is tough to do...and that's if you find your disc. My son hit one of the silos (mentioned above). We thought we saw right where it landed, but couldn't find it in the think brush. The craziness of the underbrush ends up making you throw safe shots just to stay in the fairway, cutting down on the risk/rewards elements that makes average courses something special. You don't go for riskier shots simply because you don't want to look for your disc in the jungle if you misfire.
- The bugs here are pretty insane. My son and I saw a course update stating "Good course, but the most insane mosquito situation I've ever encountered." We lathered up in 40% deet and were left alone by the mosquitos, but the flies and spiders are nuts here too. I walked through spider webs on every hole. (No joke.) I guess I was glad to see so many spiders to catch the other bugs, but this gives you an idea of how jungle-y the track is.
- This track has some of the thickest rough I've seen on a disc golf course -- and not just a hole or two. The underbrush and briars are thick from holes 1 through 9. You really do not want to be off the fairway. If you do find yourself in the rough, first off, it's a challenge just to find your disc (a big con for me). Secondly, you're likely standing in briars or something else you don't want to be standing in. And thirdly, you may have no path at all to the basket and just have to toss your disc back into the fairway (if that's even possible). Saving par from the rough is tough to do...and that's if you find your disc. My son hit one of the silos (mentioned above). We thought we saw right where it landed, but couldn't find it in the think brush. The craziness of the underbrush ends up making you throw safe shots just to stay in the fairway, cutting down on the risk/rewards elements that makes average courses something special. You don't go for riskier shots simply because you don't want to look for your disc in the jungle if you misfire.
- The bugs here are pretty insane. My son and I saw a course update stating "Good course, but the most insane mosquito situation I've ever encountered." We lathered up in 40% deet and were left alone by the mosquitos, but the flies and spiders are nuts here too. I walked through spider webs on every hole. (No joke.) I guess I was glad to see so many spiders to catch the other bugs, but this gives you an idea of how jungle-y the track is.
Other Thoughts:
Surf City is likely a much different track in the colder months than it is in the warmer ones. If you do find yourself here in the summer, just come prepared!
