Homer, AK

The Moose Pretzel

3.615(based on 9 reviews)
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6 0
Upshawt1979
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 21.4 years 562 played 429 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Moose Pretzels are Making Me Thirsty 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 22, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

The Moose Pretzel has the shots that rock. I only took one lap around, so I didn't get to try every configuration but that was enough to convince me it is awesome. 18 holes that had multiple tee pads that really change the personality of each hole. My round was played mostly from the red tees, but I think I might have mixed a few of them up and hit a couple of greens. I was rushing to get in 18 before dark and didn't want to stop and really study the map to figure it out. Layout was easy enough to follow that I didn't have to search for transitions very much.

The course features so many good attributes for disc golf. Private land that is secluded and its dedicated to disc golf. There are plenty of trees, with enough space in between to get nice lines for throwing. Not a lot of big elevation change, but rarely flat.

Red layout was listed as all par 3, and I thought it is a fair 54 overall. It isn't easy, but you get birdie chances. The baskets are usually in sight, or at least you have a good idea where to put the drive. A few mandos and some fun basket locations thrown in to spice things up. A good variety of throws will be needed by the time you finish a round.

All tees were concrete now if I'm not mistaken. Color coded numbers posted at most of them, as well as electrical tape on the spokes of each basket to help navigate to the next one.

Cons:

This is a private course, and is labeled as pay to play. $5 per round is posted on the course DGCR page, but I didn't see a pay station anywhere. I waved at someone as they got in their truck to leave the residence, but did not get to stop and talk with them. I left my fiver stuck in the screen door and hoped they found it. Worth the dough.

I wish I could have been there long enough to play the alternate layouts and get photos to add for each one. I can't give the most accurate description. There is a lot of versatility, which can be confusing if you don't have a guide or time to make sense of the detailed, complex maps.

Other Thoughts:

Driving to Homer made it a very late night getting back to Anchorage but I'm glad I did. The disc golf was great and that view from Skyline Drive on the way in was too.

I was not golfing with any moose that I saw here, just a few other folks also there to fling some plastic. Prime conditions, with little brush and no bugs. Maybe one day I'll come back for the extended session to get all the layouts.

My round was a 59 for five over par. Birdies on 7 and 18, along with seven bogies sprinkled throughout. You can tell this course has evolved and improved over its lifetime. I think they have it figured out pretty well by now. You can tell a lot of work has been put in to get it to where it is.
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6 0
mikeyg
Experience: 23.5 years 42 played 3 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Lived up to the hype. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 11, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Great shot variety
-Elevated/hanging/protected baskets
-Quiet and secluded (by reservation only)

Cons:

-Can be difficult to navigate first time (No maps, inconsistent signs)
-Varied Tee pads, concrete, rubber, dirt

Other Thoughts:

I hadn't realized this course was by reservation only. We wound up driving up to this dudes house looking for where to park for the first hole. We happened to catch him loading his car. He told us we could play, he was really nice about the whole thing.

The amount of work Edan has done on this course is obvious and impressive. There are multiple courses, maybe 4 or 5? He suggested we play the red as first timers. He has made an effort to make it navigable, putting colored tape on the rim of the baskets to direct you to the next hole. Unfortunately a lot of the tape has faded so there is a lot of, is that red or pink? We did get a good workout scouting to find the basket or the next hole, but only one or two holes gave us any real difficulty.

Overall, this course was awesome. There is a great balance between open enough fairways and wooded protection. There are no dramatic elevation changes but definitely enough to be aware that you are not playing a flat course. The flow of the layout is super fun with some really unique lines. I found myself using most of the discs in my bag, hyzer and anhyzer, backhand and forehand.

Overall I was super impressed with the thought and execution that went into creating this course. I don't think I would head back to Homer without planning on playing one of his other courses. Thanks Edan.
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7 1
pearlybakerbest
Experience: 20.5 years 64 played 6 reviews
4.00 star(s)

favorite in Alaska 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 3, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Great variety with multiple layouts offering shot selections like none other. You will be forced to find your way through and around exquisite pine forest terrain with lines that really make you work a disc.
- The amount of thought that went into each hole is apparent. Often two or more lines are given to a tricky green making one really consider landing zones from the box.
- Executed lines are rewarded with a clear and reasonable path on every hole.

Cons:

- The rough is rough, but that's usually user error. Spotters are very helpful for the first round on any given layout and will save much time searching for discs.

Other Thoughts:

This was the most enjoyable course I played on my trip to Alaska, and Kincaid was nice, but the challenge, overall vibe and Alaskan feel the Pretzel offered was second to none.
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8 0
Mr. Butlertron
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 21.7 years 684 played 131 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Alaska's Best 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 12, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- challenging layouts
- multiple pin placements
- multiple tees
- mostly rubber mats to throw from
- multiple layouts
- good mix of hole lengths
- variations in elevations
- lots of risk vs reward
- low traffic
- free camping

Cons:

- some natural tees
- confusing layout
- blind pins
- needs spotters
- easy to lose a disc
- pay to play (well worth it)

Other Thoughts:

Honestly, I didn't exactly know what to expect from the course on my first visit at this course. I thought maybe Lou could have embellished how good the course is/was, but he actually nailed it with his review. It was a pleasant surprise to say the least. Moose Pretzel's eclectic arrangement of elevated baskets, creative assortment of alternate tees and fairways, plus the risk/reward mix make great use of the 40 some odd acres of unique landscape. After throwing all 4 layouts during my trip to Homer (pink twice), I can confidently say that this course is one of my all time favorites.

Navigation can be pretty tough, especially on the tee pads with blind pin placements. If you're not careful the rough will eat up errant throws. Finding the next tee between holes can be equally as tough. Pro tip: If you look close you'll notice each basket with have electrical tape facing the direction of the next tee. I had the luxury of playing every round with at least someone that knew the layout, but even then we had some difficulties. Watch out for bears, moose, and be prepared to battle bugs.

It's hard rate a course like this because it is so different than what I would call a traditionally great course. The course lacks quality tees, placards with distances, and has a complicated layout. These are the biggest cons. I don't think most baskets are numbered either. Everything else about the course was amazing. You can tell a lot of thought went into the design. The fairways mainly require the ability to throw straight 300-400 feet. If you can do that paired with the occasional hyzer bomb or massive sky anny over the tree line, you'll have a fun time. Lower level/power players will probably have a more frustrating time. Some fairways have tall bushes that obstruct paths to the basket that power players can easily bypass.

The course forced me to use my whole bag, which is always a good sign. Each color layout was like playing a completely different course. I especially liked how blue layout is the red layout played backward.
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5 1
Lou Dogg 31463
Experience: 3 played 3 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Best Course in the Kenai Penninsula 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 28, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-This is on private property so it's easy to have the course(s) to yourself. And because of that it's one of the cleanest courses out there. Please do your part to keep it that way. If a can, bottle or butt is left out there Edan will know who it was as there's not a lot of traffic out there and he plays his courses daily. Don't be that person!

-The Moose Pretzel is made up of 4 courses on one 40 acre plot of land. There are Reds (shorts), Blues (longs), Greens (backwards) and Pinks (a Safari 12). I may have the Blues and Greens mixed up but either way...

-All the different layouts offer a little something different.

-If you attend one of the 2 or 3 tournaments at the MP you'll be back time after time. Most people head down on Friday and leave after dinner on Sunday. They usually have a player's party at his place. I'll let you find out what all that entails on your own ;-) He lets all the out of towners camp out on his property which can save you a Bill since it's summer time in Homer, AK. and the smallest of hotels will easily cost you $120-150 per night.

-Edan has custom and regular discs for sale.

-This is a true disc golf destination!

Cons:

-Like you'll see on a lot of these reviews, the course needs tee pads. It'll happen.

-Also, tee signs would be great and directional signs too.

-It does get overgrown but again, it's one person maintaining 40 acres. Plus, one of the tournaments is called the Tall Grass Open. He'd have to change the name for that one if he mowed it all the time, haha!

Other Thoughts:

-It's a pay to play but in my opinion, every worthy course should be.

-At the time of my review, this property was rated at a 2.88. This is not accurate! Please add 1 to 1.5 to that rating.

-Edan is a great guy! If you are going to play his property please have the decency to give him a heads up.
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2 2
edanori
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Wilderness Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 1, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Pristine Alaska Wilderness Course, private, quite, and intimate. Multiple tee pads and configurations ranging from recreational to challenging.

Cons:

Can be covered in snow in the winter and tall grass in summer. Tee pads are still a work in progress.

Other Thoughts:

Owner and club members have been working hard to improve the course and every year it becomes more playable!
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1 2
Slider
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
2.00 star(s)

NO TEEPADS! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 20, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great lines, very fun and challenging and there are many different holes to play!

Cons:

No teepads!! And a lot of the ground for their "teepads" are uneven and can be slick when wet, can be a little dangerous for that reason. The shots are challenging enough and to make it even worse are no teepads. For a lot of the holes, you have to step over roots off the tee and a lot of the tee areas are not flat i.e. you are throwing on slight dips/slopes and sometimes there are places on the tee where you don't want to step.

Other Thoughts:

Has a lot of potential, but the teepads can make this course almost unplayable and a little dangerous.
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3 3
oldpath777
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Good Idea...Poor Execution 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 12, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Challenging
Pristine enviroment
Owner is super nice

Cons:

Tee pads are horrible
Course is very confusing
Covered with snow in winter, a complete the rest of the year besides a choice few weeks in spring and fall
Looks that just don't make sense(impossible)
Very out of the way
Unmaintained
Hanging Basket
Non Matching baskets, baskets non regulation heights
Spruce Trees eat discs

Other Thoughts:

The beginning of the course is kind of nice.....
This would have been way better as a 9 or possibly 12. The front 9 itself is a jungle and the back 9 is just ridiculous. Some looks require you throw through a tiny window and then somehow crash through an absolute wall of spruce.....?? why?
There is no way you will not get lost unless your with a path finding indian guide....almost like it was made intentionally challenging, as if you needed more to concentrate on than searching for your disc for 45 minutes on each hole in 3 feet of grass.
There are alot of just plain stupid things like that on this course. A hanging basket....and different basket heights just further add to the annoyances of this course. I would highly advise cutting this course back to 9 with dual tees, making(LEVEL!) pads and taking proper care of the course and reconsidering the wacky looks presented here.
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2 0
AKeZtArGeT
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great course 2+ years drive by

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

Pros:

Great course, the holes were awesome, nice pins and the tees were pretty clear. Great terrain and the difficulty makes competition fun and enjoyable.

Cons:

Needs to be cleared and the trails were a little iffy if they were the right direction or not. The map that was given didn't show the flight path, but just were the general direction of the pin.

Other Thoughts:

If the tees were better marked and the flight path was given, this course would be a 5*. Edan wasn't there due to Championships in Anchorage and would have been nice to play a round with him and have him show us were the pro tees were. They let us have Brutus their dog follow us, which was nice due to the nature setting and possible bear interaction. He took off when it started to rain. lol!
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