Tarwater reviews
6
0
A big day of golf 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Nov 21, 2009
Played the course:once
Pros:
- 27 holes of massive disc golf
- Huge uphills and downhills
- Lefts, Rights, and straight ahead tunnel shots
- Multiple par 4's and par 5's
- Great mix of distances, from short and sweet to 1100+'
- Wonderful views of the surrounding forests and hills
- Course plays over so much elevation that neer the bottom it is in redwoods and up top it feels like a completely diffrent course.
- Holes range from tightly wooded to wide open
- Basket on top of the redwood stump is a nice version of a "volcano hole"
- Camping neerby
- Huge uphills and downhills
- Lefts, Rights, and straight ahead tunnel shots
- Multiple par 4's and par 5's
- Great mix of distances, from short and sweet to 1100+'
- Wonderful views of the surrounding forests and hills
- Course plays over so much elevation that neer the bottom it is in redwoods and up top it feels like a completely diffrent course.
- Holes range from tightly wooded to wide open
- Basket on top of the redwood stump is a nice version of a "volcano hole"
- Camping neerby
Cons:
- Not beginer friendly, maby not even am friendly
- You need to be in good shape to play this course, there are alot of uphills and downhills, and those who arn't used to long, sometimes steep, hikes will be hurting.
- Mountain lions, bears, rattlesnakes... (the usual fun stuff you find in the woods)
- Blackberries
- Poison Oak
- Not a perminant course (hopefully this will change in the future)
- No tee signs (temp course problem)
- Mixed baskets (peoples personal baskets, again only a problem of it being a temp course)
- Bring your own water, food, etc..., none neerby.
- Natural teepads (again, temp course)
- No camping on site
- You need to be in good shape to play this course, there are alot of uphills and downhills, and those who arn't used to long, sometimes steep, hikes will be hurting.
- Mountain lions, bears, rattlesnakes... (the usual fun stuff you find in the woods)
- Blackberries
- Poison Oak
- Not a perminant course (hopefully this will change in the future)
- No tee signs (temp course problem)
- Mixed baskets (peoples personal baskets, again only a problem of it being a temp course)
- Bring your own water, food, etc..., none neerby.
- Natural teepads (again, temp course)
- No camping on site
Other Thoughts:
Tarwater is an excelent example of a temp course. It is MASSIVE! 27 holes of big golf, most with some elevation change, some with HUGE elevation change (both uphill and downhill). The course plays up and down a giant hillside that goes through multiple diffrent types of plants as it weaves its way up and down. Neer the bottom it is a redwood forest area that includes a hole with the basket on top of an old redwood stump. In the middle it is a grass woodlands area that includes an 1100+' hole. And up around the top it is more of a coyote brush filled area. Giving this course a very diffrent feel from one area to another.
It's best to come well prepared if you are going to play this course, as it is a long round. Bring plenty of water and food as there are no places up in the hills up here to get such things. Make sure to have plenty of water in your bag, as you will be far away from the car most of your round, and it will be a long one.
If you are lucky enough to get the invite to play a tourny out here, and have the fiscal and physical ability to participate, take the time. It is a rare opertunity that is only there for one tourny a year. With any luck the people who live around this area will be able to make this course a year round disc golfing mecha that will outshadow its older sibling to the south, DeLa. It will never be a beginers course, but there are enough of those allready in the world, we need more like this. Be prepared and bring your A-game!
It's best to come well prepared if you are going to play this course, as it is a long round. Bring plenty of water and food as there are no places up in the hills up here to get such things. Make sure to have plenty of water in your bag, as you will be far away from the car most of your round, and it will be a long one.
If you are lucky enough to get the invite to play a tourny out here, and have the fiscal and physical ability to participate, take the time. It is a rare opertunity that is only there for one tourny a year. With any luck the people who live around this area will be able to make this course a year round disc golfing mecha that will outshadow its older sibling to the south, DeLa. It will never be a beginers course, but there are enough of those allready in the world, we need more like this. Be prepared and bring your A-game!
5
8
Billym
Experience:
16.2 years
25 played
9 reviews
2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Nov 20, 2009
Played the course:once
Pros:
Amazing course as previous poster described so well. Huge distance on some holes, big winds, huge elevation changes plus a bunch of technical shorter holes down in the redwood grove. A few holes where you drive down a fire road with cliffs on one or both sides.
Cons:
Dirt tee pads can be rough. There are no real bathrooms, water fountains etc. No benches or signs since this is still a temp course. a ton of poison oak.
Maybe a cougar or six.
Biggest con is it is a temporary course.
Maybe a cougar or six.
Biggest con is it is a temporary course.
Other Thoughts:
This course takes the best aspects of Dela and Stafford and puts them on steroids. It is a nature experience as well as a disc golf adventure.
The designers really put the land to use and made a championship caliber course.
If and when it goes in for real it will be a crown jewel in an area with some great courses already.
The designers really put the land to use and made a championship caliber course.
If and when it goes in for real it will be a crown jewel in an area with some great courses already.
12
6
Someday 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Nov 10, 2009
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
-Course tests every type of throw:
- amazing spot nestled deep in the santa cruz mountains
- county mows the main meadow areas
- takes you through several different ecosystems: oak woodlands, redwood forests, meadows, mixed forests
- fair shots for everyone, with defined landing areas on each hole.
- mixes the best of hiking with the best of disc golf
Here's a rundown of all the holes.
1- big downhill shot straight into the prevailing winds. Go left and you'll end up in a vast forest of coyote brush. Go too far and you'll be in a gully. Too far right and a different gully awaits. Play it short for a safe shot or go for the glory.
2: welcome to tarwater. Big uphill shot that will test your will and accuracy off the tee. While a 2 is possible, it is difficult and this is more like a par 3.5 hole
3. Beautiful shot over a gully to a nice open meadow dotted with trees. Hyzer out to the left and you're in trouble
4. One of the most straightforward shots at Tarwater. An aceable 300ftish downhill shot. FUN!
5. Enter the forest for a tightly wooded, slightly downhill shot that demands control off the tee
6. You can see the pin, but you ain't gonna reach it on this giant uphill shot. Going into the woods on the right is a bad idea.
7. Birdie opp! But don't go too far or you'll go all the way to the bottom of the hill!
8. The hardest 150' hole I've ever played. Steeply downhill, the tee forces anything but a standard RHBH and the pin lies precariously close to a deep gully.
9. Maybe my favorite shot at Tarwater. A downhill throw across a sloping meadow into the trees. Basket is visible from the tee, but accuracy is crucial here.
10. A great birdie or ace opportunity as you throw into a redwood forest. Some of the trees here are unreal old growth and some have been cut. The stumps are enormous. The basket is placed near a seasonal stream up on a second growth 'fairy ring'.
11. Up the hill from the redwoods, this hole is difficult in that it requires a perfectly thrown LHBH anhyzer to reach the green.
12. Tight window to a basket placed on sloped terrain.
13. Extreme uphill. The main window invites a RHBH but can be drilled with anything. However, it is difficult to get past the initial slope. I throw a tommy.
14. Flat shot but long. 2 routes possible on this dogleg right.
15. Enter the tunnels. Keep it straight or else!
16. Next tunnel is more uphill and basket is placed on bluff to the right.
17. Third tunnel in the middle of ancient coast live oak forest. Hit the gap and finish right to get to the pin.
18. Last tunnel is short but requires precision, otherwise your shot will turn into a coyote brush nightmare.
19. Out of the tunnels, this unique shot is flat at first and then downhill to the pin, set in a wooded alcove. Going into the treeline on the right will produce a bogey or worse.
20. A big blast that avoids the well placed trees will get a shot at the pin.
21. Dogleg left to the landing area, an open meadow. Then two more huge rips in the open will get you putting. But there's plenty of trouble to get into on each shot before you finish this par 5
22. Biggest uphill at the course. Your distance and accuracy will be challenged. First shot is a blast off uphill. Second shot will require a dogleg left with accuracy. If you accomplish these, you'll be putting with a chance for bird.
23. Uphill again to a gorgeous pin placement overlooking the entire area.
24. Dogleg left with danger on both sides. Accuracy a must to get a 2 here.
25. dogleg right on this touch shot. Lots of danger/reward
26. Very straightforward. Get a 2 or else.
27. Big and potentially windy, with the road OB behind the basket.
Playoff hole: 625 downhill to an open ridge. Make a mistake and kiss your favorite driver goodbye. Play it conservatively and you may end up losing the playoff. Either way, its a blast to rip!
- amazing spot nestled deep in the santa cruz mountains
- county mows the main meadow areas
- takes you through several different ecosystems: oak woodlands, redwood forests, meadows, mixed forests
- fair shots for everyone, with defined landing areas on each hole.
- mixes the best of hiking with the best of disc golf
Here's a rundown of all the holes.
1- big downhill shot straight into the prevailing winds. Go left and you'll end up in a vast forest of coyote brush. Go too far and you'll be in a gully. Too far right and a different gully awaits. Play it short for a safe shot or go for the glory.
2: welcome to tarwater. Big uphill shot that will test your will and accuracy off the tee. While a 2 is possible, it is difficult and this is more like a par 3.5 hole
3. Beautiful shot over a gully to a nice open meadow dotted with trees. Hyzer out to the left and you're in trouble
4. One of the most straightforward shots at Tarwater. An aceable 300ftish downhill shot. FUN!
5. Enter the forest for a tightly wooded, slightly downhill shot that demands control off the tee
6. You can see the pin, but you ain't gonna reach it on this giant uphill shot. Going into the woods on the right is a bad idea.
7. Birdie opp! But don't go too far or you'll go all the way to the bottom of the hill!
8. The hardest 150' hole I've ever played. Steeply downhill, the tee forces anything but a standard RHBH and the pin lies precariously close to a deep gully.
9. Maybe my favorite shot at Tarwater. A downhill throw across a sloping meadow into the trees. Basket is visible from the tee, but accuracy is crucial here.
10. A great birdie or ace opportunity as you throw into a redwood forest. Some of the trees here are unreal old growth and some have been cut. The stumps are enormous. The basket is placed near a seasonal stream up on a second growth 'fairy ring'.
11. Up the hill from the redwoods, this hole is difficult in that it requires a perfectly thrown LHBH anhyzer to reach the green.
12. Tight window to a basket placed on sloped terrain.
13. Extreme uphill. The main window invites a RHBH but can be drilled with anything. However, it is difficult to get past the initial slope. I throw a tommy.
14. Flat shot but long. 2 routes possible on this dogleg right.
15. Enter the tunnels. Keep it straight or else!
16. Next tunnel is more uphill and basket is placed on bluff to the right.
17. Third tunnel in the middle of ancient coast live oak forest. Hit the gap and finish right to get to the pin.
18. Last tunnel is short but requires precision, otherwise your shot will turn into a coyote brush nightmare.
19. Out of the tunnels, this unique shot is flat at first and then downhill to the pin, set in a wooded alcove. Going into the treeline on the right will produce a bogey or worse.
20. A big blast that avoids the well placed trees will get a shot at the pin.
21. Dogleg left to the landing area, an open meadow. Then two more huge rips in the open will get you putting. But there's plenty of trouble to get into on each shot before you finish this par 5
22. Biggest uphill at the course. Your distance and accuracy will be challenged. First shot is a blast off uphill. Second shot will require a dogleg left with accuracy. If you accomplish these, you'll be putting with a chance for bird.
23. Uphill again to a gorgeous pin placement overlooking the entire area.
24. Dogleg left with danger on both sides. Accuracy a must to get a 2 here.
25. dogleg right on this touch shot. Lots of danger/reward
26. Very straightforward. Get a 2 or else.
27. Big and potentially windy, with the road OB behind the basket.
Playoff hole: 625 downhill to an open ridge. Make a mistake and kiss your favorite driver goodbye. Play it conservatively and you may end up losing the playoff. Either way, its a blast to rip!
Cons:
- no camping on site (portola redwoods is close)
- rattlesnakes
- not permanent
- mountain lions
- some poison oak
- not your everyday course...its a mountain course for certain.
- far from anywhere, accessed only by twisty mountain roads. This might not be a con for some, who appreciate a more isolated experience.
- no bathrooms, water, or any other type of facility
- totally raw
- dirt tees
- lots of hiking (again, may not be a con)
- rattlesnakes
- not permanent
- mountain lions
- some poison oak
- not your everyday course...its a mountain course for certain.
- far from anywhere, accessed only by twisty mountain roads. This might not be a con for some, who appreciate a more isolated experience.
- no bathrooms, water, or any other type of facility
- totally raw
- dirt tees
- lots of hiking (again, may not be a con)
Other Thoughts:
As one of the course designers, I'm biased. Yet I think everyone who's played this course thinks that it was very fair though extremely challenging. One round of 27 here and I was pretty much done. This is the perfect spot for one day tournies where everyone arrives before 8am and leaves no later than 4pm. Expect a 5-6 hour tourney round here. Visit Alice's Restaurant on the way home at skyline@84 for some great food and brews!
5
11
The Most Amazing DG Course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Apr 28, 2009
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
amazing natural setting, great long, short, left, right, up, down, and every other type of hole. I know its a temp course but it is amazing. You start the course with a 650' bomb into a nasty headwind with nasty brush off to the side and park it. This course will test your game and beat you down.
Cons:
Not a full time course, rattlesnakes, no running water.
Other Thoughts:
Someday I am sure we can install baskets here and get this thing set up but for now once or twice a year will have to do. If you like the hardest and most satisfying disc golf game look no further. This is really the new De La representing that in the design of the course making disc technology irrelevant. I don't think a speed 15 driver would be good enough for hole 1 but a shockwave sure is. Somehow this course will let you feel like you are owning only to find out that you are not later, yet leaving you feeling great and hungry for more.
Everyone that has played this course just loves it to death and really has nothing but the best to say about the course. Its hard to imagine throwing a huge 1100' hole then to dive into some tunnel shots shorter than 300'. I just love what this course brings to the table and a round under par is a good one.
I just feel like I could be totally satisfied backpacking through this area and then Peter went and put a disc golf course in. I love it.
The only real improvements that can be mad to this course is making int permanent. Adding the teepads and tee signs. Every detail of this course adds to the feeling of love for disc golf while being challenged on every level.
Everyone that has played this course just loves it to death and really has nothing but the best to say about the course. Its hard to imagine throwing a huge 1100' hole then to dive into some tunnel shots shorter than 300'. I just love what this course brings to the table and a round under par is a good one.
I just feel like I could be totally satisfied backpacking through this area and then Peter went and put a disc golf course in. I love it.
The only real improvements that can be mad to this course is making int permanent. Adding the teepads and tee signs. Every detail of this course adds to the feeling of love for disc golf while being challenged on every level.
