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The Grove reviews
10
0
Prove Your Groove At The Grove
Reviewed:
Played on:Feb 21, 2022
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
+ The whole course plays within a quiet and little-known municipal park.
+ Long and wide poured concrete tee pads.
+ New eye-catching 'next' arrows.
+ New eye-catching numbered baskets.
+ Two practice baskets, but...
+ Long and wide poured concrete tee pads.
+ New eye-catching 'next' arrows.
+ New eye-catching numbered baskets.
+ Two practice baskets, but...
Cons:
- ...No lost disc box (for now) or information board (for now).
- Tee signs are just laminated paper tacked onto wooden stakes (for now).
- A bit more elevation than my home course, but The Grove still plays mostly flat.
- Rough around the edges both figuratively and literally.
- Some navigation issues between holes.
- Tee signs are just laminated paper tacked onto wooden stakes (for now).
- A bit more elevation than my home course, but The Grove still plays mostly flat.
- Rough around the edges both figuratively and literally.
- Some navigation issues between holes.
Other Thoughts:
My favorite one here is hole17 because it incorporates a fair and challenging tunnel through a pretty and varied scene. It starts off within a peaceful wooded area and then finishes off close to a lake. My least favorite here was hole10 because of how straight and flat it was for its distance and trees.
As for the course as a whole, Thompson Grove-- referred to simply as 'The Grove'-- is a welcomed alternative to the typical disc golfing fare in central Jersey. A majority of the courses in the region are either mostly open or hybrid courses. The Grove offers a densely wooded place to play for those of us who don't mind more than a little bit of punishment during our rounds. That's a polite way of saying that there are trees everywhere. Simply put: this course is not recommended for beginners with the dense woods and fairways that commonly extend far beyond 350 feet. Thankfully, there isn't much elevation. Then again, when there are so many oaks in your way, hills and valleys are details that fade to the background.
The foresty fairways are great examples of what wooded disc golf should be. You've got narrow tunnels, wide tunnels, high ceilings, low ceilings, no ceilings, with fairways finishing left, right and straight. This is a disc golfing tactician's dream.
That isn't to say that beginners ought not come here. Come one, come all! Just be prepared for what you're getting yourself into. As a result of the course being so fresh, there are pending issues that need resolving. Navigation can be tricky. For one example, after hole6, the player gets just one arrow to guide them to the next hole. Maybe I'm just clumsy, but I wandered around for a bit before finding hole7. Tree stumps and exposed roots can trip you up. There are some trees that ought to be taken down for safety's sake. Hellish thorn bushes are found here and there but especially on 17 and 18. I've already mentioned the unforgiving tree cover. The rough on either side of the fairway is mostly twiggy bushes and gnarled trees. Even your A-game will be put to the test here. If you prefer wide-open courses, then give this one a miss.
For those who do choose to play here, I would caution against expecting a mind-blowing experience. There is not much of a wow-factor here. As a direct result of being surrounded by woods at almost all times, things begin to feel monotonous. To reiterate: the disc golfing is great. You will find yourself challenged at every turn, which is the primary concern of the disc golfer. But the overall experience might feel understimulating. Then again, who has time to sightsee when you've got to focus on hitting your line?
In closing, despite its young age, The Grove already offers challenging fairways for specialized training. Anyone who regularly plays here will naturally develop laser beam throws. It doesn't engage the senses much, there is some clean-up to do, and the infrastructure needs to be finalized. But if you crave a challenge and don't mind a rough setting, then The Grove awaits you.
As for the course as a whole, Thompson Grove-- referred to simply as 'The Grove'-- is a welcomed alternative to the typical disc golfing fare in central Jersey. A majority of the courses in the region are either mostly open or hybrid courses. The Grove offers a densely wooded place to play for those of us who don't mind more than a little bit of punishment during our rounds. That's a polite way of saying that there are trees everywhere. Simply put: this course is not recommended for beginners with the dense woods and fairways that commonly extend far beyond 350 feet. Thankfully, there isn't much elevation. Then again, when there are so many oaks in your way, hills and valleys are details that fade to the background.
The foresty fairways are great examples of what wooded disc golf should be. You've got narrow tunnels, wide tunnels, high ceilings, low ceilings, no ceilings, with fairways finishing left, right and straight. This is a disc golfing tactician's dream.
That isn't to say that beginners ought not come here. Come one, come all! Just be prepared for what you're getting yourself into. As a result of the course being so fresh, there are pending issues that need resolving. Navigation can be tricky. For one example, after hole6, the player gets just one arrow to guide them to the next hole. Maybe I'm just clumsy, but I wandered around for a bit before finding hole7. Tree stumps and exposed roots can trip you up. There are some trees that ought to be taken down for safety's sake. Hellish thorn bushes are found here and there but especially on 17 and 18. I've already mentioned the unforgiving tree cover. The rough on either side of the fairway is mostly twiggy bushes and gnarled trees. Even your A-game will be put to the test here. If you prefer wide-open courses, then give this one a miss.
For those who do choose to play here, I would caution against expecting a mind-blowing experience. There is not much of a wow-factor here. As a direct result of being surrounded by woods at almost all times, things begin to feel monotonous. To reiterate: the disc golfing is great. You will find yourself challenged at every turn, which is the primary concern of the disc golfer. But the overall experience might feel understimulating. Then again, who has time to sightsee when you've got to focus on hitting your line?
In closing, despite its young age, The Grove already offers challenging fairways for specialized training. Anyone who regularly plays here will naturally develop laser beam throws. It doesn't engage the senses much, there is some clean-up to do, and the infrastructure needs to be finalized. But if you crave a challenge and don't mind a rough setting, then The Grove awaits you.
13
0
Lots of Promise - But Will Take Time to Reach it
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Sep 30, 2022
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Fall 2022 UPDATE
The course continues to break in - but slowly. Some of the fairways get pretty easily overgrown with that kind of ankle-deep green stuff that hides discs and ticks. Hole #18 has been relocated - at least temporarily. Instead of playing down along the lake (where it';s become overrun by drainage issues and growth that hides extremely dangerous footing) it's now a short island hole created in the open park area. Not a bad hole (230' or so to make the Circle 1 sized island with a large tree guarding the near side of the green), but an unfortunate finisher. You could fit in in earlier in the round and make the challenging #17 the closer.
The White and Red tees are clearly staked. Although they're still dirt tees without signage, the Whites are a really good alternative to the long Blue tees. They're not simply placed 50' down the fairway; they're often off to the side and bring in different obstacles or shot shapes. A few of them just straighten out doglegs - but two of them (4 and 12) have their own narrow alleys cut through the woods. They might be harder than the Blue tees.
You need a big arm to play the Blues, but you need to know how to shape your shots if you're going to score from the Whites
**************************
+ A newly-installed wooded course that will likely live up to it's "pro/gold level" design when finished and broken in. The hole design is excellent, and the layout is made up of two loops back to the main parking lot. Once finished and given adequate time to beat in, The Grove will be far and away the toughest in the nearby area, requiring length AND accuracy
+ The most obvious feature is the length (9000 ft par 66), but it requires much more than distance. The hole designs incorporate mild elevation changes, a few narrow chutes off the tee, some split fairway approaches, some tucked baskets, some tight gaps and some devious guardian trees
+ The layout requires lots of shot shapes, and you have to be able to move discs left-to-right. (sometimes early, sometimes late, sometimes the entire flight)
+ The two "long boys" are memorable: #6 is a 900' par 5 and #12 is a 770' par 4 - both followed by short par 3's for a little relief. The curse keeps mixing it up like this: shorts following longs, left doglegs following rights, and the tightest gap on the course (#16) immediately after the only fully open bomber hole
The course continues to break in - but slowly. Some of the fairways get pretty easily overgrown with that kind of ankle-deep green stuff that hides discs and ticks. Hole #18 has been relocated - at least temporarily. Instead of playing down along the lake (where it';s become overrun by drainage issues and growth that hides extremely dangerous footing) it's now a short island hole created in the open park area. Not a bad hole (230' or so to make the Circle 1 sized island with a large tree guarding the near side of the green), but an unfortunate finisher. You could fit in in earlier in the round and make the challenging #17 the closer.
The White and Red tees are clearly staked. Although they're still dirt tees without signage, the Whites are a really good alternative to the long Blue tees. They're not simply placed 50' down the fairway; they're often off to the side and bring in different obstacles or shot shapes. A few of them just straighten out doglegs - but two of them (4 and 12) have their own narrow alleys cut through the woods. They might be harder than the Blue tees.
You need a big arm to play the Blues, but you need to know how to shape your shots if you're going to score from the Whites
**************************
+ A newly-installed wooded course that will likely live up to it's "pro/gold level" design when finished and broken in. The hole design is excellent, and the layout is made up of two loops back to the main parking lot. Once finished and given adequate time to beat in, The Grove will be far and away the toughest in the nearby area, requiring length AND accuracy
+ The most obvious feature is the length (9000 ft par 66), but it requires much more than distance. The hole designs incorporate mild elevation changes, a few narrow chutes off the tee, some split fairway approaches, some tucked baskets, some tight gaps and some devious guardian trees
+ The layout requires lots of shot shapes, and you have to be able to move discs left-to-right. (sometimes early, sometimes late, sometimes the entire flight)
+ The two "long boys" are memorable: #6 is a 900' par 5 and #12 is a 770' par 4 - both followed by short par 3's for a little relief. The curse keeps mixing it up like this: shorts following longs, left doglegs following rights, and the tightest gap on the course (#16) immediately after the only fully open bomber hole
Cons:
- The property is pretty flat, but the course finds some minor elevation changes to incorporate around the edges of the layout
- The only real con is newness: the underbrush off the fairways is still pretty deep, and you can lose discs in tall grasses and various woodpiles where volunteers have dragged the trees from the fairways. It's just a matter of time and play to get this beat in.
- The only real con is newness: the underbrush off the fairways is still pretty deep, and you can lose discs in tall grasses and various woodpiles where volunteers have dragged the trees from the fairways. It's just a matter of time and play to get this beat in.
Other Thoughts:
~ The initial Blue layout is an excellent design; the Whites offer plenty of challenge if you don't have a 9000' arm. The Reds are typical short tees that are more beginner-friendly. I look forward to the variety the finished course will offer with multiple tees and basket combinations
COURSE AMENITIES:
Large and level poured tees; DisCatchers (initial set have red bands), excellent signage, very good next hole navigation. Two practice baskets and a big field for warmups. Very cart-friendly.
The property doesn't provide any vistas or awesome jaw-dropping holes. But on the merits of the golf alone its 3.5 - 4.0 in the current state; likely 4.5 when finished and broken in.
COURSE AMENITIES:
Large and level poured tees; DisCatchers (initial set have red bands), excellent signage, very good next hole navigation. Two practice baskets and a big field for warmups. Very cart-friendly.
The property doesn't provide any vistas or awesome jaw-dropping holes. But on the merits of the golf alone its 3.5 - 4.0 in the current state; likely 4.5 when finished and broken in.
3
2
paulymo
Experience:
1 played
1 reviews
Out of Towner 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Dec 13, 2021
Played the course:once
Pros:
-Length of holes
-Mostly wooded (ie challenging)
-Tees Signs are up now
- Great Flow
- That terrific par 5
-Mostly wooded (ie challenging)
-Tees Signs are up now
- Great Flow
- That terrific par 5
Cons:
-none really
Other Thoughts:
Was in from Rochester, where we have some nice courses as well. Last time in town played 9 holes at HS and was cute little pitch and putt. Figured couldn't play on school day so looked up some nearby courses and was surprised this course wasn't here last time I visited. AWESOME.
Sure they setup something this grand for some B-tier events and will be planning a trip next summer and hope to play in whatever they have planned.
Sure they setup something this grand for some B-tier events and will be planning a trip next summer and hope to play in whatever they have planned.
10
1
jp_allen
Experience:
4.9 years
17 played
1 reviews
Room for improvement...my skill and the course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Nov 27, 2021
Played the course:once
Pros:
It's long, it's challenging, it's technical...it'll make you rethink how good you really are.
Brand-new baskets. Fresh concrete tee pads.
Brand-new baskets. Fresh concrete tee pads.
Cons:
Hole 18 is still a minor work in progress with the drainage to mitigate the swampiness. Be careful! No tee signs just yet, but this is also a brand-new course (the final basket was installed the day I played). Lots of work to get it seasoned and ready for tournament play, but it will be even better as time goes on. Expect a long round, the course is not short and it's definitely not easy.
Other Thoughts:
Placement shots are key. There is variety as the course develops over time and gets seasoned. The leaves on the ground in the fall/winter season will definitely keep you on your toes to pay attention to your landing zone, easy to lose a disc quickly. The crew has been working on this for over 2 years, glad to finally see it in action. Can't wait to get more rounds in and maybe someday shoot par....I said someday.
