Tory Hole Park DGC reviews
5
0
Fun Beginner Course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Oct 5, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
Tory Hole Park sits down a descending driveway to the small but capable parking lot . A local told me that the park can become flooded at times when the river floods , so don't drive here with high expectations . There is a nice bathroom close to the parking lot and hole the Hole #1 tee . This is a 9 hole course .
The Equipment - There are 2 pink banded Discatcher putting baskets at the end of the lot . The tee pads a cement and plenty big . The tee signs are good and informative . The 9 baskets here are yellow banded Discatchers with numbers on all of them .
The Landscape - The park is flat on most of it , but there is a large slop on one side that is utilized on holes 1-3 and 8 . The front of the course was mowed and trimmed nice . The back , however , is starting to grow over some and needs some work . There are trees to contend with on all of the holes , just some more than others . #9 plays more like a woods hole . The course design cleverly inserts the trees into either the fairway or the basket . All lanes are more than fair , though . Wear hiking shoes if you have them . The flat parts of the course look to remain damp because of held water from the river .
Appearance/Atmosphere - This is kind of a tale of 2 courses . The front of the park looks nice . The kind you would picnic or play with your dog on . The back is less attractive but not an eyesore by any means .
Highlights - Nothing here will make you remember a hole for a long period of time . The longest hole is 243' and downhill . With the exception of the hardest hole #9 , you will lose your deuce opportunities if you become careless . #1 is only 171' but is straight uphill . #2 is down a slope , but the basket is placed where if you overshoot it just a few feet , you are going to drop off a steep embankment . #3 has an elevated tee . #5 forces you to cross a creek on your short midrange/putter drive . #8 is a short drive off of the middle of a hill , and #9 is a tight level pinball fairway drive to small trees encircling the basket .
Disc Risk - Low . The course is short and the overgrowth isn't too concentrated or deep . Perfect for trying out a midrange or for newbies getting some practice .
The Time - The transitions from basket to basket aren't seamless , but I was through the course here in less about 25 minutes or so . A group of 4 will be finished and eating up at one of the fast food restaurants in an hour .
The course is a fast play when dry and you will have chances for aces on most of the holes .
The Equipment - There are 2 pink banded Discatcher putting baskets at the end of the lot . The tee pads a cement and plenty big . The tee signs are good and informative . The 9 baskets here are yellow banded Discatchers with numbers on all of them .
The Landscape - The park is flat on most of it , but there is a large slop on one side that is utilized on holes 1-3 and 8 . The front of the course was mowed and trimmed nice . The back , however , is starting to grow over some and needs some work . There are trees to contend with on all of the holes , just some more than others . #9 plays more like a woods hole . The course design cleverly inserts the trees into either the fairway or the basket . All lanes are more than fair , though . Wear hiking shoes if you have them . The flat parts of the course look to remain damp because of held water from the river .
Appearance/Atmosphere - This is kind of a tale of 2 courses . The front of the park looks nice . The kind you would picnic or play with your dog on . The back is less attractive but not an eyesore by any means .
Highlights - Nothing here will make you remember a hole for a long period of time . The longest hole is 243' and downhill . With the exception of the hardest hole #9 , you will lose your deuce opportunities if you become careless . #1 is only 171' but is straight uphill . #2 is down a slope , but the basket is placed where if you overshoot it just a few feet , you are going to drop off a steep embankment . #3 has an elevated tee . #5 forces you to cross a creek on your short midrange/putter drive . #8 is a short drive off of the middle of a hill , and #9 is a tight level pinball fairway drive to small trees encircling the basket .
Disc Risk - Low . The course is short and the overgrowth isn't too concentrated or deep . Perfect for trying out a midrange or for newbies getting some practice .
The Time - The transitions from basket to basket aren't seamless , but I was through the course here in less about 25 minutes or so . A group of 4 will be finished and eating up at one of the fast food restaurants in an hour .
The course is a fast play when dry and you will have chances for aces on most of the holes .
Cons:
#1 Navigation - The holes are placed in an odd state . AQfter completing #7 , you need to proceed on the uphill path until it levels out . You will see the tee pad to #8 right off of that path . #9 tee pad is on the right side of where the #5 tee pad was , just going in the direction to the parking lot .
#2 Rainchecks - It was soggy here , and there was supposedly no rain in this area for days . That means that after a good rain or 2 will have you up to your ankles in water , and nearing flood stage will have you canoeing from tee to tee .
#3 Challenge - The course is really set up with the occasional or newbie in mind . It says that it has a total distance of 1637' for its 9 holes and it isn't very technical . The course might actually be a tiny bit longer , but not much .Most players will put up with taking deuces , but they will be going for aces . I am mediocre and shot a 23 while taking a 4 on a hole .
#4 overgrowth/undercare - The grass was way too high in the back of the course , and even had weeds and grass growing up through #6's basket . There are NO excuses for that .
There is a path that the locals use to drop down on the back of the course behind hole #7 . Not a con , You will see them in time , but it might hold you up for a short minute .
- It's only 9 holes .
#2 Rainchecks - It was soggy here , and there was supposedly no rain in this area for days . That means that after a good rain or 2 will have you up to your ankles in water , and nearing flood stage will have you canoeing from tee to tee .
#3 Challenge - The course is really set up with the occasional or newbie in mind . It says that it has a total distance of 1637' for its 9 holes and it isn't very technical . The course might actually be a tiny bit longer , but not much .Most players will put up with taking deuces , but they will be going for aces . I am mediocre and shot a 23 while taking a 4 on a hole .
#4 overgrowth/undercare - The grass was way too high in the back of the course , and even had weeds and grass growing up through #6's basket . There are NO excuses for that .
There is a path that the locals use to drop down on the back of the course behind hole #7 . Not a con , You will see them in time , but it might hold you up for a short minute .
- It's only 9 holes .
Other Thoughts:
The course doesn't really sit close to anything , travel-wise , but it is just what Elizabethtown area locals need to get their disc golf fix . The holes vary just enough to make it fun . I walked some of the grounds and saw where they could either lengthen existing holes ( might not after putting cement tees in ) or adding holes . Designer Andrew Duvall did a decent job making this course , and did a great job with having the parks commission sign off on grade A equipment . I'd like for him to negotiate my home improvements . With the course being unattended in the back part , I am hoping that locals will call the parks dept. and complain rather than abandoning it .
My Recommendation - Great for the into or newbie players . Good hangout for the locals to work on their game or try out a new disc . If dry , a good family or date course . Intermediates on up will likely travel up to Fayetteville to Mazarick or Castle Haynes for their disc golf fix . Kind of far away for Course Collectors or travelers unless branching out from Fayetteville or Wilmington . Don't go out of your way , but if in town or cutting through , it's a fun and recreational play .
My Recommendation - Great for the into or newbie players . Good hangout for the locals to work on their game or try out a new disc . If dry , a good family or date course . Intermediates on up will likely travel up to Fayetteville to Mazarick or Castle Haynes for their disc golf fix . Kind of far away for Course Collectors or travelers unless branching out from Fayetteville or Wilmington . Don't go out of your way , but if in town or cutting through , it's a fun and recreational play .
12
0
2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 16, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
This small-town nine-hole course was surprisingly designed by none other than Andrew Duvall, the (in)famous designer of recent Winthrop Gold USDGC layouts. For Andrew, I'm guessing that Tory Hole was like a Baby's First Disc Golf Course Design experience. And you can certainly see some thoughtful design choices that separate this course from other small-town nine-holers.
+ Large concrete tees and easy-to-spot Discatcher baskets on every hole, plus basic tee signs.
+ Two(!!) practice baskets, for players to fully warm up and prepare on, before tackling this monstrous beast of a course.
+ The longest hole here is only 243 ft. (downhill), and the semi-wooded fairways are generally wide and generous, making this a very beginner-friendly experience. More experienced players can use this for upshot practice, and fun ace runs (I nearly hit two).
+ Good use of available terrain. Hole 1 is severely uphill, and despite only being 171 ft. may actually play as the longest hole. Hole 2 is downhill and requires a soft touch to land by the basket, while hole 8 is a fun and dramatic downhill shot.
+ Trees frame the necessary shot shapes, and all fairways are wide and fair for their length. Multiple routes are often available, which is always appreciated.
+ A few holes are more wooded and technical to offer a nice contrast and a touch of challenge, in particular the closing tunnel of hole 9.
+ Large concrete tees and easy-to-spot Discatcher baskets on every hole, plus basic tee signs.
+ Two(!!) practice baskets, for players to fully warm up and prepare on, before tackling this monstrous beast of a course.
+ The longest hole here is only 243 ft. (downhill), and the semi-wooded fairways are generally wide and generous, making this a very beginner-friendly experience. More experienced players can use this for upshot practice, and fun ace runs (I nearly hit two).
+ Good use of available terrain. Hole 1 is severely uphill, and despite only being 171 ft. may actually play as the longest hole. Hole 2 is downhill and requires a soft touch to land by the basket, while hole 8 is a fun and dramatic downhill shot.
+ Trees frame the necessary shot shapes, and all fairways are wide and fair for their length. Multiple routes are often available, which is always appreciated.
+ A few holes are more wooded and technical to offer a nice contrast and a touch of challenge, in particular the closing tunnel of hole 9.
Cons:
- For such a tiny course, navigation was surprisingly confusing at times. I had to closely study the course map on uDisc multiple times, especially for reaching the tee for hole 8, and especially again for hole 9.
- A very short course, with little variation in distances. Does not present much of a challenge.
- Hole 5's tee pad points in an awkward direction, away from any of the reasonable fairways, necessitating a diagonal run-up.
- Course slightly favors RHFH or LHBH shots, which may be a Duvall family signature?
- In the past few years, the park and course have frequently been closed due to flooding of the adjacent Cape Fear River. I come through Elizabethtown a few times every year, yet this is the very first time the course has ever been available to play during one of my stops.
- A very short course, with little variation in distances. Does not present much of a challenge.
- Hole 5's tee pad points in an awkward direction, away from any of the reasonable fairways, necessitating a diagonal run-up.
- Course slightly favors RHFH or LHBH shots, which may be a Duvall family signature?
- In the past few years, the park and course have frequently been closed due to flooding of the adjacent Cape Fear River. I come through Elizabethtown a few times every year, yet this is the very first time the course has ever been available to play during one of my stops.
Other Thoughts:
Writing this review took more time than actually playing this course.
But for such a shorty, it's a pretty decent design. This is a good place to quickly stretch your legs and hopefully bag a fun ace, while not feeling like too much of a degenerate course bagger in the process.
But for such a shorty, it's a pretty decent design. This is a good place to quickly stretch your legs and hopefully bag a fun ace, while not feeling like too much of a degenerate course bagger in the process.
3
4
jjc628y
Experience:
19 played
4 reviews
Great practice 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 15, 2018
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
This course is a great practice course. This is a course a person can ace many holes.You may only need a putter. The longest hole is 247 FT. The shortest being 123 FT. Good use of left and right play.
Cons:
It is a short course at 9 holes. There is a lot of room to expand.
