Paw Paw, WV

Whippin' Post

4.45(based on 25 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

Whippin' Post reviews

Filter
18 0
EspressoPatronum
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 19.3 years 316 played 298 reviews
4.50 star(s)

My Feet Felt Whipped After This One

Reviewed: Played on:May 12, 2023 Played the course:once

Pros:

- not quite as heavily wooded as the woods holes on Woodshed, but still has a lot of technical challenge
- some epic elevation change in the wooded portion of the course (which is utterly exhausting)
- larger lake hazard vs. pond on Woodshed
- long distance, challenging holes
- another very picturesque setting, very well maintained
- equipment is serviceable
- cool shots over ravines with huge dropoffs if you hook your shot

Cons:

- lots of dead oak leaves on the steep hills will cause you to slip a lot, hides discs, and can really wear you out - but that's nature!
- turf tees and Mach 3 baskets are just ok
- navigation can be confusing and a map is needed
- temporary tee signs only; would be more confusing when not in place
- some basket numbers are wrong/missing

Other Thoughts:

I went on at length about the property in general in my review of Woodshed, so I won't repeat it verbatim here. After playing Woodshed I moved over to Whippin' Post, thinking this was all contained to the right side of the road through the proerty. To my shock, the majority of the course was back across the entry road on more property I didn't realize was part of the owner's land. This place is unbelievable!

The biggest con of this course was navigation, same as Woodshed. It can be very confusing, and I think several next tee signs would make a world of difference. Even with the map, I spent longer than I would have liked turned around looking for the next tee. The ground-based temporary tee signs don't help locate as much as I'd like either.

At first glance, Whippin' Post may seem a bit underwhelming if you start with Woodshed. The elevation change doesn't seem as impressive and it's a bit more open and average feeling. Then you get to hole 7 or so and it really gets thick and technical, and the elevation change gets pretty crazy. This is when you see what Whippin' Post really brings to the table. Holes 8-9 were some of my favorites - 8 is a shot over a ravine that then winds its way further into the woods. Hole 9 shoots over a deeper ravine right on the side of another one, with a huge risk of losing your disc forever if it drifts off to the right.

Hole 13 was the only one here I felt was getting unrealistic, with a very difficult line to hit. The whole course is challenging, but some of the wooded holes will be immensely frustrating if you aren't at least an experienced intermediate player. From 14 to 18 the course goes out in the open again and focuses more on distance in the rolling hills, with a throw over the pond hazard on 18. The throw is from elevation and I convinced myself I had a chance of getting over it - ended up right dead center in the pond and too far to fish it out with my pole - woops.

This is another awesome course on the property. I rated this one higher, and I think it is deserved - the elevation change and wooded ravines on Whippin' Post just set it apart as a more unique course for me. Which did I personally like more? I'm not even sure. They are both unique in their own way, and I think coming and only playing one would be kind of a travesty. Even solo, it took me around 4 hours to play both courses, which is about what I expected. These are punishing, grueling courses so I recommend hitting them early in the morning before heat hits, and not planning too intense a courseload after these ones.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
24 0
Cerealman
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 16.3 years 660 played 186 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Time for a whippin’

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 11, 2023 Played the course:once

Pros:

Like its sister course, the Whippin' Post delivers an impressive and formidable combination of beautiful bomber holes and punishing wooded holes that especially appeals to those with a slightly masochistic bent, and all of this disc golf debauchery is offered up in an extremely rural and isolated setting.

There's a six-mile entrance road full of turns and twists all over the tree-laden mountain that may seem like a tease until you reach the entrance to the classic courses. Upon parking, my playing partner and I were greeted by the owner, who provided us with a map and a brief overview of both courses. Thanks to his descriptions, we opted to play The Whippin' Post second, which seemed slightly more challenging and is a bit longer. But there is no right order ... as long as you play them both.

The path to the first hole travels through a bamboo tunnel, popping out in front a grassy fairway that meanders uphill and disappears into the forest. The Whippin' Post threatens to hand out a spanking early, as the following three holes stay in the woods with spotty, pick-a-line fairways and some elevation.

About half the holes are par 4 or 5, so there are plenty of opportunities for multiple shots. There's a good mix of open and wooded holes throughout, and a couple of the best open holes have well-defined fairways with some shot shaping and aiming at landing zones required. After battling and completing the rugged woods section of Holes #7 to #13, you might be ready to say goodbye to the timbered toughness and enjoy the openness down the stretch.

The pond only comes into play on Hole #18 (though it might be close enough behind Hole #17's basket to affect your nerves). However, it's a well-designed hole that will force you to decide and execute your strategy.

The teepads are turf and were adequate, though a couple of them are placed precariously close to a drop-off.

I thought the overall par was fair. There were holes where par felt like a bogey and other holes where par felt like a birdie.

Cons:

Several of the most wooded holes have some rough patches of brush and briars to avoid. There are also too many wooded holes with only semi-defined fairways, and though most of these holes are par 4s and under 500 feet, the challenge gets a little repetitive and could be frustrating.

A few of the holes, including Hole #9, which travels over a steep ravine and further uphill, can be tricky to traverse, especially in muddy or leaf-covered conditions.

This course is a beast to walk, especially for a second round of the day. A noticeable amount of extra walking from the previous basket to the next teepad is required on several holes near the end.

The navigation isn't always instinctual. Several teepads converge in one area before heading out in several directions. My playing partner and I finished Hole #2, walked to the nearby Hole #5 teepad, looked directly at the sign, and proceeded to play the entire hole before realizing we had skipped two holes and kicked ourselves for not consulting the map.

Other Thoughts:

Playing the Whippin' Post (and The Woodshed) is a wish list-checking experience. Yes, it's demanding and grueling and exhilarating and a hefty hike on rollercoaster hills in the middle of nowhere.

But it's worth visiting at least once.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
24 0
wolfhaley
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.5 years 1165 played 745 reviews
4.50 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 30, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

Whippin' Post is the newer of the two courses onsite, having opened in 2000. It's also the more wooded of the two courses. There's a couple of more openish holes towards the beginning, then the last 5 are mostly open. The meat of the course though, is thickly wooded. A few holes play next to a 100+ foot dropoff down the hillside. The more technical of the two, I'd say.

The baskets are Mach 3's. Older for sure, but these caught just fine. Flags on the top of quite a few. Most actually, that aren't visable from the tee or early on in the fairway. Number plates on top as well. Judging from the map only hole 3 might have 2 pin locations.

The tees are carpet/turf. These were fine in the dry conditions we had the day I played. These are definitely older than the Woodshed's turf pads. One tee pad per hole. A couple tee pads were precariously perched alongside the steep dropoff. Not for the faint of heart.

The tee signs are laminated paper with just basic info. Hole #, distance, par, hole sponsor and nickname for the hole. Nothing special but they serve their purpose,

The design of this course is excellent. You'll need all the shots in your bag to score well. You'll also need to scramble because you will hit trees. There's no way around it. Great risk reward with rollaway greens and numerous death putt situations. Fair but sometimes small landing zones present on all holes. Bring your A game.

The course is gorgeous. You are literally in the middle of nowhere. It's one of the most peaceful courses I've played to date. You'll see all kinds of wildlife and they won't even blink an eye that you're there. My personal favorite kind of place to play. The flow of the layout is actually pretty easy to follow. There are a couple spots where you have to backtrack a bit, but nothing too major. I'd still recommend you get a map from the owner or use the one in the Links/files section of DGCR. It's the same one you'll get from the owner's anyways. There is NO map on Udisc as of this writing.

$10 per person per day to play is a bargain if you ask me. Especially with 2 championship level courses onsite. $5 per person per night for camping too. They also sell bags of ice for $3 in the clubhouse/barn by the lot. The owner's are very friendly, welcoming people.

The distances range from the shortest, hole 1 at 297 ft. all the way up to 874 ft. on hole 6. Most are in the 300 to 500 foot range. Good mix of par 3's and 4's with a couple par 5's.

Cons:

Like I said in my Woodshed review, I personally don't have much for cons but I will list some things other's might not like.

The carpet/turf pads aren't the best. They were dry when I played but I could see these being problematic if wet. These especially moreso the the Woodshed. They're also a little harder to spot due to the natural/black color of them.

Like I mentioned earlier there are a few spots you'll have to backtrack a bit to get to the next tee. 14 to 15 and 17 to 18 are two examples. Also the tees for holes 7, 10 and 13 are all located right by each other. Be sure to check the tee sign to make sure you're on the right tee. Having a map will alleviate most of these problems. So get a map beforehand and you'll be good.

Losing a disc here is a real possibility (looking at you pond on 18). Between the pond, a bad tree kick and the cliffside along a few holes.

Not really a con but worth noting. As others have said in basically every review. The road to get here is sketchy. It's some of the most nerve wracking driving I've ever had to do. Definitely the most. Get here during daylight and get out during daylight.

Other Thoughts:

I had been wanting to play this courses for years and never thought I'd get here. Well, I finally did and I couldn't be happier. Love this place. Both of these courses instantly jumped into my top ten. Destination worthy in every possible way. I'd recommend this course and it's counterpart if you're anywhere nearby. I'd recommend you spend hours to drive here. You won't be disappointed.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
21 0
DiscGolfCraig
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.4 years 622 played 569 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Bring your Energy Dome. Whippin' Good. 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 10, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

Whippin' Post is one half of this magnificent 36-hole destination. Whether you thrive here, or merely survive your round, make sure you enjoy this place. It won't be easy getting back.
- Pure brilliance. Wonderful West Virginia terrain plus creative hole layouts equals a must-visit, must-play course. It seems like my 36 holes came and went in a flash.
- There's not a weak spot on the course. It seems like you'll play one fantastic hole, get a chance to catch your breath, then play another beast shortly thereafter.
- Hole #1 is a solid, non-flashy start to your round. Don't do anything stupid here because #2 is when things pick up. A 509-foot tight, downhill, dogleg left is all your facing off the tee. Suddenly, you're wishing you had played #1 safely and take a par. You don't want your round getting away from you after 2 holes.
- The entire front 9 is a thing of brilliance. Just trying to write up this review, I'm trying to decide which holes to highlight. I think about #4, 5, 6 (obviously), 8, & 9 and realize any of these could be the signature hole on most courses. Here, one of those holes, plus #2, is only the sixth best on your front 9. How is that possible?
- #6 is an epic long layout. A three-shot hole for us mortals; a two-shotter for the big arms. I thought #8 was going to be the elevation hole. That thought lasted for less than two minutes once I stepped on the tee on #9.
- On #9, you're teeing off across a ravine, then have another 200 feet or so to the basket. If you somehow end up in the valley, good luck with that. Prepare for a double or triple bogey and a treacherous 10-minute delay.
- #14 is such a stark contrast as you're suddenly on a wide-open, 675-foot hole in the field. You finally can let out all your frustrations by uncorking a big throw. #15 - 17 are almost complete afterthoughts. And before you know it, here's the scenic, risk/reward closing hole #18.
- #18 is a 402-footer that plays over the pond. You either layup, throwing 250 downhill. From there, you should be able to get up and down for your 3. Your other options are to throw left or right of the pond, or to throw 375 and clear the water. For big arms, this has got to be a fun closing hole. For me, it's slightly disappointing having to settle for a 15-foot par putt to finish up my Paw Paw adventure.

Cons:

Signage could be better. I only mention for the intercourse junction (or whatever term Spencer coined) where holes #7, 10 & 13 all tee off together. If you're not paying attention and you accidentally skip holes, you might not realize until a couple holes later. Then you'll have a nice walk backtracking. Spencer warned me about this area, and I still nearly went from #6 to 13.
- Tee pads aren't concrete. You know this going in, so embrace it.
- It's in the middle of nowhere. You know this going in, so embrace it. Or, accept responsibility for not bringing the proper supplies - drinks, snacks, bug spray, etc. - if you must drive back into town.
- You're in nature, course conditions could be an issue - trails/hills could be slick, especially after rain.
- Lost discs could be an issue. The day I was there, Spencer was fishing discs out of the pond. He said it was the first time he had been in there to fish them out. You lose a disc, it'll be lost.

Other Thoughts:

Whippin' Post was great. Why waste time reading reviews when you can spend that time planning your trip to Paw Paw?
- I keep going back and forth on which course I enjoyed more here. They're virtually indistinguishable as you're going to play them both. The only reason you must choose one course over the other? It's when you've only got enough time to play a third round.
- Spencer was a great host. He's a true free spirit. My favorite Spencer story? The entire time he's wading through the pond retrieving discs, he's holding a tall cup full of a specialty beverage (moonshine or something of that ilk). Not once does he spill a drop. Watching him with a drink in one hand and pulling discs out of the water with the other? Now that's how I'll remember Spencer.
- #6 just has the feel of being a signature hole. It's the spot in my round where I just stopped for a minute or two, looked around and soaked in the experience. There may be better holes here. There may not be a better spot to soak-in disc golf.
- I love the symmetry of this course. Playing Woodshed first, hole #1 there puts the water into play. Finishing up my day with #18 at Whippin' Post, I'm playing back over the water back to where it all began. A picturesque beginning and ending to my visit.
- This course is the closest thing I've played to another Harmon Hills. 36 holes of Paw Paw is a good first-cousin to 27 holes of Harmon Hills.
- Play here. Celebrate the game. Relish in these courses Spencer has created. I'm already ready for another 7 hour drive to play here again.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 40
Jmk5704
Experience: 10 years 58 played 32 reviews
1.00 star(s)

This is a awful corse 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 13, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Decent layout

Cons:

The holes were all over grown. The place was very hard to find. The baskets were in bad shape. The course was poorly marked. Just all around poorly maintained.

Other Thoughts:

No were near the best course in WV
Was this review helpful? Yes No
24 0
New013
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.3 years 179 played 120 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Whip it Good 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 11, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Paw Paw is everything you could want in a disc golf venue; an incredible landscape with giant rolling hills and two courses weaving in and out of the woods. Whippin' Post is not just the best of the two on site, it's one of the best there is.

It's a combination of everything that makes a layout great and forces you to throw every shot you have and then the shots you don't have.
Let's start with the variety; open / open to wooded / wooded to open / wooded to wooded; and every single hole requires accuracy and usually accuracy over distance to score well. Not only are you being forced to hit gaps over hundreds of feet but you're dealing with fairways that bend back and forth and slopes that make you consider every possible kick and landing. It felt like every hole here needed to finish one way or the other just to be safe or have a solid look at the basket.

The kicker for this course is that all of this is playing out over a massive amount of land and elevation change. The open holes roll over huge slopes and the wooded holes teeter on e the edge of sheer drop offs that would make anyone who kicked down the wrong way regret doing so. The elevation changes not only make you throw up, down and over but they force you to take away entire parts of the course as possible avenues unless you want to pay a steep price for missing your line.

Now the open holes here aren't your garden variety bomb it out and not worry about where it lands type. Yeah you can really let some fly here but the basket positions coupled with the elevation changes and the old growth trees make you work the disc over huge distances and make you really consider what part of the fairway you're landing on.

The greens are very well designed and on the multiple shot holes how you approach the green and where you landed off the tee really come in to play. In many cases the lines shrink to fair but tight alleys that really make you want to push your distance off the tee so you can have a shorter more finesse approach. If you are looking at some of these wooded holes and didn't get far off the tee you can pretty much forget about getting to the basket unless you pull off a miracle shot and to me this all just adds to up to what disc golf at its highest level should be about.

On top of how the land creates one of the perfect settings for a course of this magnitude it also gives you a gorgeous rolling pasture and one memorable shot after another.

There's one pond on this side of the property that comes in to play twice. Once giving you a real thinker of an approach as the land goes sharp downhill towards the water where the basket sits and then another shot off the hill and over the pond as the finishing hole. Every great course needs a great finishing hole and this course really gives it to you.

I could keep going about all the details that make this course easily in my Top 5 and quite possibly my favorite pure course yet. It's challenging yet fair and gives you options on how far you want to push off the tee or how close you want to push your approach to that edge. It makes you think on a level most courses just fail to do and that coupled with the landscape it's built on creates the monster that is Whippin' Post. If you don't bring your A game to this course you will get whipped.

Equipment - The baskets are in solid condition and caught well even though they've seen some weathering. The tee signs are in poor condition and on some holes not really there or faded but on arrival you are given a map which shows the layout and hole distances. I've seen some people say it was confusing and hard to follow but with the map we found our way pretty easily.

Cons:

Layout - One of the few cons for this course is what I think are a few over-guarded greens that take away solid lanes for really good drives on multiple par holes. There's only a few but I do think some could have a few more trees taken down without taking anything away from the challenge.

Without a map there are a couple intersections where multiple holes have tee and basket in the vicinity so I can see where someone could get confused. However as I said it really isn't that hard to figure out if you pay attention. Definitely download the map off the site in case the owners are not there to give you a map on arrival.

Equipment - The pads here are crush and run and in some places not level and being overgrown. I was not a fan of these pads and many times when able I threw off to the side off the grass. Secondly the teesigns here are in bad shape and in many cases don't give you a great idea of what to do. The map is actually what you should rely on. With this type of course it's easy to understand why these two features aren't more advanced but to me this is the one real drawback to both courses at Paw Paw.

Other Thoughts:

As I write this review I have this course #1 in my top ten and after the recent trip I took with this course included I really had to think about how things would shake out. I've gone back and forth but when you combine every aspect of this course together it just gives you the most balanced epic course I've played to date.

Also, Paw Paw is remote. Bring whatever you might need with you because once you're up there the closest store is miles down a mountain.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
21 0
Qikly
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.3 years 181 played 150 reviews
5.00 star(s)

18 Ways to Say "Awesome" 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 6, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

While there are many, many pros here, what makes Whippin' Post truly special is how packed it is with character across the board. There isn't a bad hole here, to say nothing of throw-aways: the top-level consistency is amazing, with each hole chock full of wrinkles, surprises, and brow-furrowing challenges. You'll find yourself doing battle with an astonishing range of shots, terrain, and obstacles, in combinations you've never dreamed of. Many of those dreams can easily turn into nightmares if you're not careful, but the uniqueness and beauty help temper the sting. When you gladly take a 6 on the tree-studded 4, if your putter kicks into the terrifying abyss bordering hole 8, or in case your favorite driver gets swallowed up by the pond on 18 because you fooled yourself into thinking you could throw 400', just take a deep breath, admire your gorgeous surroundings, and remind yourself that disc golfing here is the definition of the good life.

There are just so many individual nuances here that it makes singling out shots or holes difficult. Whippin' Post's awesomeness pervades throughout. I could almost say that my favorite holes are something like 2-17. The exceedingly varied terrain the course plays across helps keep things fresh throughout the round: the middle third of the holes play through thick woods, but the progression to this point is paced, with the level of woodedness slowly building over the first seven holes. Hole 14 brings you back out into the more spacious terrain that closes things out, but the excellent use of available obstacles keeps the challenge up, only shifting the focus. Overall, the mix of shots and looks is nothing less than superb. "You'll need every shot in your bag" gets thrown around a lot in course reviews, but it's the only way to describe Whippin' Post. Versatility beyond one throwing style is in high demand here: if you throw exclusively one style, be it BH, FH, OH, whathaveyou, you'll be behind the 8 ball at some point. Elevation plays a major factor throughout, as a direct challenge, OB-like deterrent, or secondary factor that further complicates your shots. The course emphasizes obstacle-laden multistage holes, with an extremely high challenge level wherein every shot counts, but within that theme Whippin' Post presents some very varied takes.

The setting is beautiful, and I was very impressed with how well the course was groomed, especially considering: 1) it's private, 2) it's huge, and 3) it plays through some crazy-thick woods. The tees are hard-packed gravel, which may not sound attractive on paper but do a great job in practice. Run-up and footing are essential here with the long holes and precise demands, and the tees were never anything less than completely reliable. Navigation is mostly intuitive, though having the map on hand can be helpful at a few points.

Cons:

Whippin' Post is the most uncompromising course I've played. It's hole after hole of extreme challenge, with seemingly no concern to mix this up. Only one set of tees further hammers home that there is only one way to play this course. This intensity distinguishes Whippin' Post and is part of the fun (more like "fun" at times), but probably the biggest design critique I have is the lack of variety on the challenge front, and the accompanying focus on long, multistage holes. This is of course a huge matter of preference, especially since its this focus on demanding golf throughout that helps make Whippin' Post unique and incredible. It bears mentioning, though.

The immense challenge offered here means this course is only for experienced players. You don't by any means need to play Open - I'm a high Rec/low Intermediate golfer, and I was blown away by Whippin' Post - but the course is certainly not for everybody. The physical challenge associated with navigating the hilly, wooded terrain could also deter some. It's not an unreasonable trek, though.

The long holes and lack of adequate signage often force you to scout ahead to put eyes on the basket. This makes an already-long course play even longer. Two of us played our round here in three hours, perhaps a little more, and we weren't dilly-dallying. That's on top of an even longer round on Woodshed, too.

Though the rough is for the most part very well thinned out given the environment, there are still a lot of opportunities to lose discs, be it the extreme drop-offs, the occasional high grass, the thick woods bordering some holes, or the pond. Be mindful of the many disasters that could strike before you throw that uber-rare CE Eagle of yours.

Other Thoughts:

I did not know what to expect from my visit here, with the minimal amount of pictures and the lack of recent reviews. What I found was a truly top-level course in Whippin' Post, one of the best I've ever played. It's presently one of only two 5.0s I've given out of the nearly 60 courses I've played, ranking ahead of stalwarts like Moraine, Deer Lakes, Shawshank, and Selah Creekside. I cannot urge you enough to make this trip, as long as you're willing to make a day of it and take on the challenge here.

I preferred Whippin' Post to Woodshed pretty handily: the design was more varied, more challenging, and altogether better. The navigation was significantly easier, too. I was impressed with how distinct the two courses were.

My rounds at Woodshed and Whippin' Post made for the most demanding day of golf I've ever had (and this is from a guy who has played five courses in a day). Don't expect to do anything other than play these two courses on the day you visit. They'll bring you really out of the way of civilization, so come prepared food-wise.

Play here!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
18 0
BigAl724
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.2 years 179 played 144 reviews
5.00 star(s)

True to its Name 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 6, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Hole 3 at the Whippin' Post is cleverly named "Surprise" with its basket tucked away among many trees on an uphill slope. This name would be appropriate for many of the holes here, as every time I stepped up to the tee, I was greeted with another gem of a hole, unique to others I have played: Surprise, here's another heart-pumping, one-of-a-kind hole. The Whippin' Post offers hole after hole of greatness and maintains this high-level consistency throughout the round.

It is located on an awesome piece of property with its rolling hills and dense woods that was made for disc golf. Far from anything else, you will most likely have this land all to yourself. While I didn't meet Gabbi when I was there, I had a very helpful phone conversation with her as she gave me precise directions for how to journey to their property. She was kind enough to have her son welcome us, give us a course map, and show us where each course began. "Rustic" doesn't quite adequately describe the property, which offers bathrooms and a practice basket near the parking area. There are couches to relax on between rounds and they even set out jugs of water for us in the barn.

This is one of the best courses I have played in regards to technical design, variety, and fun factor. This course truly has everything as it offers extremely tight lines in the woods, more open shots over the rolling hills and pond, and multi-stage holes playing from open to tight woods and vice versa. There are multiple holes with EXTREME elevation and ravines come into play on many occasions.

The course starts with a fairly open shot into the woods and hole 2 throws you a dauntingly tight ravine hole. Holes 3-6 play through a moderately wooded area, allowing you to throw calculated bombs through multiple lane options to tight pin positions. Holes 7-11 is one of the most intimidating stretch of holes I have played, incorporating different looks around a vastly deep ravine. 12 and 13 take you to the edge of the woods, while 14-18 offer welcoming open holes that play over huge rolling hills and near the pond.

Great risk/reward factor throughout, whether it's trying to avoid a tree kick down to the bottom of the ravine, parking an upshot without rolling down yet another steep hill, or avoiding the pond as you approach the basket.

The course has such a great replay value, as every hole could be played differently again and again. This is due to the fact that most holes are multi-dimensional, combining elevation, different lines, and different levels of woodenness. There was never a hole where, "Ok, here is a straight-forward, super tight tree-lined path to the basket, you either hit it or you don't." Even as you play through dense woods, multiple lanes are offered and catering to a FH or BH player. While most holes are very heavily wooded, it isn't devastating to scramble back onto the fairway. The course has been very well groomed and discs were always easily located.

Navigation is not really an issue here and is intuitive to finding the next tee. The map was helpful for the few confusing points and in listing the hole lengths.

I have to say, I enjoyed using these huge gravel tees and the tee signs here were well-appreciated.

Cons:

-The bookend holes would be brutal to play if maintenance was an issue, but it seems as though the owner will mow ahead of time if he knows you are coming. All of the fairways were freshly mowed for us, so our experience was great in this regard.
-I wouldn't want to make the trek to this course in the rain or snow, but even my low-riding Altima with worn-out tires was able to make it here fine. Getting here isn't an issue, but the steep, winding roads encourage careful navigation. As others have said, come prepared with food, water, and gas, as not much is around this area at all.

Other Thoughts:

The owners clearly love hosting these awesome courses and do their best to enhance your experience. There isn't even a remotely bad hole at The Whippin' Post. This course flows so well in variety of shots and hole types. You will use a seemingly endless multitude of discs in your bag and will want to empty it on many occasions. Even though this course gave me a severe beat down, I would come back in a heartbeat. Hole after hole greets the player with something truly special. I kept waiting to see if the course would let up in terms of its Gold-level design and variety, but it did not at any point.

Each hole was a pleasant surprise because it was unreal how time and again the player is offered yet another unique, masterfully designed hole. Heading north on 51, surprise, we saw a bear run across the road. This was Paw Paw's way of saying, "Yes, you were truly in the middle of nowhere. Yes, this is a one of a kind experience. And, yes, it was awesome!"
Was this review helpful? Yes No
7 0
Kent18
Experience: 15.6 years 193 played 17 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great course needs some TLC 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 19, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great mountain golf experience. Is one of two courses located on a remote private property. Very friendly owners/operators. Lots of interesting shots over crevices, down/up mountains. Long championship styled course. Baskets in great condition. Camping is available.

Cons:

Tee signs are in bad shape if they exist at all. Earthen tee pads have eroded pretty bad. This course has more woods then its sister course and thus has more down trees from weather that needs to be cleared which makes navigating in some instances a little annoying. Some "landing zones" designed on some of the longer holes in the woods have too much growth associated with them that even if you do make a good fairway shot your still punished.

Other Thoughts:

The whipping post is probably the more difficult course on the property. Besides the last few open holes the beauty of this course can be easily forgotten with the challenging lines your discs need to find on some really intriguing wooded holes. Again like its sister course I loved this place but you could tell the course had either a very hard fall/winter or hasn't had as much attention the last year or so that it probably had in its hey day. Here is to hoping it has many years left!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
22 0
sidewinder22
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 18.3 years 331 played 198 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Totally Friggin' AWESOME!!! 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 26, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

18 Championship caliber holes (36 really) on a private course with some of the most ideal terrain and scenic quality you can imagine to play on. The variety of open and wooded holes combined with the distance and elevation really test a player's mastery of skill through the air and mental toughness. There is rolling on elevation on most holes which always makes shots more interesting. There are big downhill and uphill bombs, as well as some long holes through the tight woods, and shots around the pond. Baskets are well placed with high risk and reward in most cases. Some huge flags on the baskets where they are blind from the huge elevation change. There were decent tee signs.

The Whipping post features another pond, a little more elevation, and a little more woods than the Woodshed but plays a little more fair but harder. You also could lose your disc off the side of a mountain here never to be seen again.

The course is typically groomed like a 5 star ball golf course when I've played on Holiday weekends. There is tall grass off the fairways on the open holes, but the fairways are really generous like 50' wide, and there was little underbrush off the tighter fairways in the woods, so losing a disc is fairly hard unless it's a really bad shot or really unlucky.


Camping is available on site, so you can spend the weekend. Two very clean portapotties by the shed.

Cons:

There are cons to the course, but I don't really care about amenities when the golf is the best of the best. For the uninitiated first timer to the course, the number one issue is navigation. The signage is lacking here, but if you have a map it's not hard to figure out. The other issue people may have is with the natural/gravel tees, while not ideal, it's sufficient.

Don't know if it's con but this course maybe too much a beginner or intermediate player, it really wasn't designed as such. It was designed for the best of the best. With that in mind I know some local beginners that do play the course and do ok, but can get frustrated.

Other Thoughts:

For anyone traveling through Berkley Springs the experience begins with the drive to the course. It is simply breathtaking overlooking the valley of the mountains with the Potomac river below. The roads do get a little scary as you get closer to the course, but it also adds some thrill and anticipation. In some cases you may have to pull off to the side to let vehicles pass from the other direction. I would not want to drive here in the snow, it's scary enough in the dark, or even daylight. If you are arriving from the west side of Paw Paw the drive is even scarier and not as scenic.

Upon arriving I put $20 in the can in the shed where the money to play and camp goes. I was only here to play both courses one day, but just looking at the property and work that has gone into here I felt obligated to pay more, and have payed more for some dinky courses comparatively. Gabby came out almost immediately to greet me with a smile and give me course map. This map is better than the ones on the website here. She also gave some quick pointers about the course and warned to watch for copperheads as one of her dogs was recently bitten. I know there are also bears, bobcats, and coyotes in the area.

Come here prepared not only as far as your golf game goes, but with enough water and food for your stay. There is hardly anything locally, and you really don't want to venture away for a few good reasons.

Spencer Thurman created The Woodshed to pay homage to the Boylan Christmas Tree Farm DGC which was one of the first epic North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountain courses that had par 4 and 5 holes and everyone was throwing lids. The Whipping Post was built after acquiring the neighboring land several years after the Woodshed and together this is truly the best disc golf experience I know of, and if you consider yourself a disc golfer this is an absolute must play and totally worth the journey from wherever, and I will hopefully be back sooner rather than later! What more can I say other than Paw Paw or as some call it Wap Wap is totally friggin' AWESOME!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
5 2
crystal haze
Experience: 30.4 years 58 played 9 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Awesome! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 15, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Variety of long, open, wooded. The shot across the ravine is cool. Great drive just to get to the course. Not far from Berkeley Springs, WV if you are not camping at Paw Paw. That made it easy for me to bring my family and bust away for a half day to play.

Cons:

Some signs are fairly weathered, but decent. I didn't have a chance to play the 2nd course of the two on this same property, but heard from others that some of the wooded shots were more luck than skills as I've read in other reviews. I did not find that to be the case with Whipping Post at all.

Other Thoughts:

I met a group of guys who were camping there. Seemed like an ideal long-weekend place to go and play, then jump in the lake and fish out discs.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
13 1
culinarywiz
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 36.2 years 316 played 67 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Paw Paw magic 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 5, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

This land is simply gorgeous. You have everything needed for an elite disc golf course. Diverse elevations that include rolling open hills and steep mountainous climbs. Two sister ponds that are clear and just the right size for hucking over. Dense, rough woodlands and wide, windy grass land. Amazing. Of the entire experience here in Paw Paw, it is this beauty that will be remembered most.

Incredible technical challenge. The long and often insanely tight holes will challenge even the most skilled marksman. This course spans over 8000 ft. for 18 holes. Approx. 2/3's of the holes are wooded. Expect 500 footers through 10ft wide gaps. Bring some patience with you. You will need it.

The lines are as diverse as it gets. You will need every shot in your arsenal. The extreme elevation changes will affect your disc selection...as will the density. Even though this is a big, long course, discing down for control could very well be your best option. In the woods, you rarely need to shoot strait. This course is loaded with flex lines and winding fairways.

I loved that after you play the Woodshed, you are taken through a bamboo garden (that seemed entirely out of place) to get to the Whippin' Post. It sort of wipes away the last round and sets the stage for a new and unique experience.

Cons:

There was consiberable wear and tear in the woods. Also, there was debris that took away from the natural beauty.

I felt there were some undefined fairways here. I expected and respect the fact that its tight, but a few holes were just too convoluted for a clear fairway.

Other Thoughts:

This course is a nature hike with some disc golf mixed in. It is big. Don't expect a quick round here. Nor should you. Take your time to experience this place.

You will most likely be greeted upon arrival by Gabby - the owner. She greeted me warmly and explained many details of the layout. Make sure you get a map. You will certainly need it.

I can only imagine what it must take to maintain such a property with 2 mammoth courses. Be kind with your fees and tips and make sure you leave this place in better shape than it was when you arrive.

I would be remiss to not at some point make a comparison between the Woodshed and the Whippin' Post. The biggest difference is density. The Whippin' Post is a lot tighter. It also has more elevation, particularly in the woods. Beware of the hard sloping greens.

Good times all around. This is absolutely a destination property. Any and all serious disc golfers should experience the magic of Paw Paw
Was this review helpful? Yes No
27 2
discRabbit
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 25.4 years 1329 played 136 reviews
5.00 star(s)

My Bum is Red! 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 19, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The Paw Paw courses in rural West Virginia are without a doubt one of the top disc golf destinations in the US. Not only is the disc golf fantastic but beautiful scenery and wildlife abounds. Both courses, Woodshed and Whippin' Post have extreme variety in the types of shots, both off the tee, and off the fairway. If you haven't thrown a sidearm, flick roller, tomahawk, etc. during your round, you probably weren't paying attention because you likely were in a position where 'X' shot could have saved you a stroke. This course will expose any weakness in your game, skillwise and especially mentally.

Do you have confidence in all of your shots? Can you make them under adverse conditions (footing, intimidating lines)?

How do you deal with a bad kick? Can you shake it, can you recover from it even under pressure?!?

Like the Woodshed, Whippin' Post also demands that you 'learn it' rather than just play it. Many of the holes have subtle scoring differences that aren't immediately apparent upon first glance. A hole that may appear to be a tight hyzer might in fact yield better scoring to a turnover sidearm. Some landing zones might be in unexpected places requiring several rounds to figure out or careful study of the hole. Some might say that this creates a bit of "home-boy" bias, but putting in a few rounds of work to figure out the course is well worth the time. I'd recommend to play with a player who knows it and you will get an idea of where to attack and where to be conservative. The usual knock on this course is that it is all "luck" because of the tight fairways but you will find players who can consistently shred this course. Luck? I would argue that they put in the work, developed the skills, and mindset to succeed where others lose patience. While I prefer the consistency of Whippin' Post to the Woodshed, you'll find better variety of holes on Woodshed along with a few of the most creative ones such as "Circles".

Hole Profile
Chloe's Run
Certainly one of the classic holes at Whippin' Post, Chloe's Run is a fiendishly long but relatively open (for this course anyway!) bomber hole on the front nine of Whippin' Post. Woods line both sides of the hole and several trees near the basket offer a stiff but penetrable defense. There is a narrowing of the fairway right near the ideal landing zone for the drive creating a classic golf-hole feel. All players will need to weigh bonus distance against increasing odds of a bad lie for the second shot. From a well-placed drive there are several routes to reach the pin from a tight, wrapping RHBH hyzer to the ideal bomb left to right finishing route ideal for a LHBH hyzer or big sidearm. This hole really rewards those who can throw 350+ from both sides as a RHBH drive combination with a sidearm or LHBH can frequently card an impressive birdie. But confidence is needed for both shots because a shank will certainly result in 4 or more strokes.

Cons:

As with the Woodshed, new disc technology is starting to erode the design of a couple of the field holes. The open par 4's, while still requiring great shots, are becoming more routine birdies and the upshots are looking much easier. A good example of this can be seen in the awesome finishing hole "Ed is Watching". At 402 downhill, this hole used to allow birdies for only the most confident and skilled players (back in the days of <10 speed discs). Now, to huck an Xcalibur far over the pond is an easy three with birdie potential.

Other Thoughts:

As other reviewers have stated, these courses really should be experienced at some point during a disc golfers career.

The owners are some of the best folks you'll ever meet, they have put and continue to devote a big piece of their lives to Paw Paw, so feel free to kick in an extra few $$$ if you appreciate the course!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
11 1
swatso
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.3 years 776 played 417 reviews
4.00 star(s)

West Virginia Classic 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 18, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

The setting is idyllic - a large, sloping, V-shaped open space with two small ponds and a smattering of large trees scattered along and across the fields. Thicker woods on the edges define the property boundary, and the combination of the two provides the raw resources for a course that offers a blend of both openness and tightness, while mixing in elevation changes. Owner Gabi was quite friendly as she came out to meet us with a map, explain the current basket configuration, and forewarn us of potential navigation issues. Red arrows on some trees to aid in navigation. Two port-a-johns on site. Another 18=hole course at same location.

Cons:

In mid-September, plenty of bugs - gnats in the open and mosquitoes in the woods. Natural tee locations are a bit short and rough, but within character for the course. Tee signs are well-battered, like a DX disc that has interacted with too many trees. At least thirty minutes from any sign of civilization, and about an hour from the nearest interstates (I70 and I81), so come prepared, because food/petrol/other options are NOT nearby.

Other Thoughts:

A map is a necessity for a first-time/infrequent visitor, as holes 7, 10, and 13 all start near the same location, and a number of baskets are not easily visible from the tee. A few holes play across, and a few baskets are located near, deep gullies filled with dead leaves, so the chance of disc loss is high on some holes - spotters advised.

Approximately 1/3rd of the holes are primarily open and long, with obstacles (trees, pond) somewhat guarding the basket positions. The wooded holes require a variety of shots from the tee - left-, right, S-,a nd no-turners, and they are every bit as long as the open holes. Most holes are fairly flat or have minor elevation changes, but 7-12 play near some very steep slopes. Favourite hole: Number-11, a long, blind, right-turner across a leaf-filled ravine. Least favourite hole: Number-4, mucho trees to deal with early, only to find the basket within a prison cell! :-O

The length, pond, and tightness of most of the wooded holes makes this course inappropriate for beginners, low-level intermediates, and those who can't tolerate multiple challenging wooded holes. If you like your courses long, rough-n-tough, more wooded-than-open, and away from it all, certainly make the trip to play both courses at this location.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
15 0
jkdisc
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.1 years 117 played 110 reviews
4.50 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 2, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

The Whippin' Post is a tough, challenging, and fun course. This course has many of the same pros as The Woodshed as far as beautiful mountain scenery since they are right next to each other. The property owners are great people, the 5$ to play is worth it.

Course Pros:
-long open shots and tightly wooded technical shots
-great use of land and elevation
-risk/reward including water hazard and challenging fairways
-well maintained
-arrows pointing to the next tee
-secluded and peaceful

There is onsite camping available is a huge bonus!

Camping Pros:
-5$ per person is a bargain
-soft grass for sleeping and walking barefoot

I star-gazed for a long time, the sky was brightly lit with so many stars, more than I ever remember seeing before. It was amazing and I must have seen half a dozen shooting stars.

Cons:

The narrow road into the courses can be scary, especially driving in at night like I did. It is far away from most of civilization but it keeps it more secluded and you do get 2 first classes courses. Spend the night, it's just easier that way!

-beginners may get frustrated
-tee signs aren't very good (bring a map and you will be fine)

Other Thoughts:

My two favorite holes were #9 and #18. 9 is an amazing shot across a large ravine. 18 is a downhill shot with a large, clean pond before the basket. I chose to lay up before the pond (my arm is not ready to go for it yet!) The greenery grows in alot thicker than the pictures let on. Bring all your food/drink/supplies because you are not going to want to run out for anything. The Paw Paw courses are worth the trek!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
11 0
jblough
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.5 years 85 played 85 reviews
4.50 star(s)

The more technical of the twin Paw Paws 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 16, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- Lots of wooded shots. This course is the more technical of the two Paw Paw courses IMO. Like the Woodshed, many of them require a tight fairway driver and of course, several miracles!

- Immaculately manicured greens (I don't know how Spencer does it) and amazing scenery make for one of the most beautiful courses in the world!

- Great par 4's that really test your ability.

- Spencer and Gabby are amazing hosts, as usual. Take advantage of the area and camp over a night!

- Notable holes:

#1 is not so much notable for its length of difficulty, but rather for the amazing bamboo that guards you to the right. Very unique and scenic!

#6 is a super long drive (~800 feet) that leads to a well-guarded pin placement. The best test of arm strength.

#9 is my favorite hole on the course. It's a drive across a super steep ravine. You drive off a tee and watch it sail across the wide expanse. The challenge here is that you have to get it uphill to the basket. Phenomenal!

#18 is a great way to finish. Can you clear the pond? Better have a nice tailwind to help.

- Best of all, it's just fun! Don't let the challenge keep you from having a blast!

Cons:

- Like most of central WV, this area is almost completely detached from civilization.

- Signage and tees need some improvement. Many of the signs are laying down on the ground and the tees could use some gravel.

- Compared to the Woodshed, the holes seem a little more repetitive. There's a reason hole #13 is called the Twilight Zone! Others feel the same way, too. Many of the holes on the front nine seem kind of bunched together a bit.

- You will hit wood many times. They will ricochet. You will curse. However, can you really expect NOT to given the tree placement?

Other Thoughts:

- It's very hard reviewing these courses individually, as it naturally seems like more of a comparison to the other than a true review. Take my word (and the word of the other reviewers) and see all 36 holes for yourself!

- The Whippin' Post is definitely one of the top 5 courses I've ever played. On a very small margin, it has a little less variety than the Woodshed, but it's still one of the most beautiful, challenging, and serene locations in the DG universe.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
13 2
gottafixit
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 21.6 years 938 played 71 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 12, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The Whipping Post is a great mix of open holes and nasty woods holes, with many true par 4s and tons of elevation changes. Overall, I feel that the Whipping Post is more balanced in terms of giving you a tremendous variety of different types of holes with very little repetition (there are a couple of holes on the Woodshed that inspire a touch of dejavu). There are big uphills, downhills, tight fairways, roller holes, huge dropoffs, shots over valleys, places for max-D bombs, places for touch shots, lots of fast greens, risk/reward challenges, beautiful vistas and everything else you could ask for.

Other Thoughts:

The camping opportunities at PawPaw are awesome -- lots of barefoot grass and flat places to pitch a tent. A clean pond for swimming. Enclosed areas for fires are provided, and Spencer usually has firewood and ice he'll sell you at a reasonable price if you've forgotten to bring your own.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
20 0
Jimb
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.7 years 126 played 54 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Almost as good as Woodshed on same site. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 7, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Much like it's sister course, The Woodshed, The Whippin' Post offers a lot of variety and demands a lot of different shot-making skills to score well. It has everything from 800'+ grip-n-rip holes to very technical wooded holes. It includes a lot of elevation changes and you do get a workout traversing the hills. There are a couple nice holes where you're throwing over a ravine. And the closer hole is a 402', somewhat downhill, shot over water. You have to carry about 385' of that to clear the pond... unless you skip your shot off of the dock that is. Check this out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?...ature=related

This is a pro level course that will punish bad shots. It's not for the weak hearted. And beginners beware, this course is long and has some very difficult, potentially frustrating, wooded holes. Be prepared to meet some trees.

The baskets are all in good shape. The tee boxes are large enough and most holes allow for a nice run-up area. There are signs for each hole and signs pointing to the next tees, although they're pretty run down at this point.

The mountains of WV are absolutely beautiful and this place is a prime example. Come and camp... stay a while. You'll have a great time. And Gabby & co. are always pleasant hosts.

Cons:

Just like the Woodshed, the gravel (finely crushed) tees are ok when dry but can get rutty. And when wet they can be a muddy, slippery mess.

The signage, as I mentioned above, needs some work. It's just gotten old and is in need of some TLC.

The same thing that makes it so nice, being able to get away from it all, can also be a bother. The course is a long way from anywhere substantial.

Other Thoughts:

I was going to list this as a con, but it's really more of a pet peave of mine. Holes #3 & #4 are both pretty nice holes. But they both play through dense woods and are 354' and 369' respectively. They're both considered par 3. I'm normally all about using the lowest par possible for holes. But I question whether the best pros would regularly make 3 on these holes. There is a subsantial element of chance involved which makes me think that they should be par 4. I could be totally wrong based upon how other people play the hole, thus this isn't a con.

There are a few great holes on this course that I absolutely love... #6 & #14 are two of them. I don't have a big enough arm, yet, to have a chance at birdies, but they're a ton of fun.

With both courses on the same site, the option to camp and great hosts, Paw Paw, WV should be a serious disc golf destination. If you're trying to get in 20 different courses on a two day marathon, then this probably won't work into your plans very well. However, if you just want to be able to sit back and relax after an awesome 36 holes, this is definitely the place for you. I highly recommend coming to play these courses to anyone who plays the game. It will be well worth your time.

There's a lot of property for sale nearby... hmmm.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
17 3
craigg
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 43.2 years 186 played 37 reviews
5.00 star(s)

The Other half of DG MECCA 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Sep 1, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Elevation, Water, woods, wind, huge variety, scenic, the hosts, the neighbors, the STARS :)
Together with the Woodshed, the two courses here at Paw Paw are really the ultimate test of your physical and mental DG skills. The Whippin Post has a couple of the all time classic DG holes anywhere.
The course's namesake is hole #2 - off the tee you throw through about an 18' wide gap about 40' in front of you and across a gulley to a landing zone about 20' round (it's about a 220-250' shot). If you hit that spot, you hang a left to an angle at about 9:30 and go another 350' through a very narrow alley and ever slightly uphill. Even when you hit a perfect drive - your second shot has to be absolutely perfect AGAIN to have a chance at 3. This hole has a HUGE scoring spread and can yield anything from a 3 to a 10.
Hole 7 (Cloe's Run) is a big boomin 800+ foot hole that can also be 3'd, but more often yields 5's, 6's & 7's as placemet is absolutley key to advancing across the big field. Hole 9 is another classic - crossing a huge ravine, and requiring 2 perfectly placed shots to card a 3.

It's hard to say enough about this course OR the Woodshed, as both have so many daunting, picturesque shots.

Cons:

It's 100 miles from my house.

Other Thoughts:

The brother of the original Paw Paw course (The Woodshed), the Whippin' Post was developed after Spence and Gabi acquired the adjacent property, and got access to an additional 30 or so acres in the mountains. This course plays a stroke or two easier than the WOODSHED, but has the ability to play 10 strokes harder. Accuracy is at a premium on this course, as is the requirement to get off the tee well, Hit an early obstacle, and your chances for big numbers go way up, as recovery efforts are significantly hindered by the extreme topography. Three are a few duece opportunities, but only a few, and they rarely offset the MANY oportunities for 4, 5 or more.
This is a must play for anyone who thinks they've seen a tough course. It's almost sad though - because after 36 holes at Paw Paw, everything else you'll ever see seems sort of well...........easy!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
22 1
optidiscic
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.4 years 156 played 149 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Twin Sister is Just as Pretty and Mean 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 18, 2003 Played the course:once

Pros:

Like the Woodshed, the whipping post has many tight wooded holes and many open bobmbs that demand a precise landing to score well. Variety of holes that utilize elevation, water, trees, and length to extreme degrees. What I love is that it is built without short pin placements. So unlike other courses, every time you play here it's gonna be really challenging and you will always get the ultimate PAW PAW experience. I also enjoy the dramatic ravine holes of the whipping post. You can place a precise drive across the chute like fairway or you can hit a tree, wap wap, and end up losing both elevation and a clear path. Just plain mean but like a sucker I loved it. I imagine it's funny to see top players bitch and moan just like the rest of us. I agree with the mantra here. You can take a tree out easily but putting one in is tough. Keep your head and play smart and you will be rewarded. If you get cocky you will be humbled. I was conservative and humbled but I enjoyed the challenge anyway. Also the open holes of whipping post are dramatic with elevation and the infamous swimming hole hole to finish your day. I also am amazed that not many discs are lost here due to minimal heavy underbrush/shule. Hole 9 is the greatest Disc Golf hole I have ever played. Wow! It's like your expecting the ewoks to come running out at any minute. It's a huge drive over a deep gorge to the other side and then up to a protected pin. One of the few fair fairways on the course!

Cons:

Not much to say here. The woods will beat up your discs and ego. You need to bring your own food, drink, and supplies. But to me that is all part of the adventure and fun. I scored just as poorly on thewooded hell holes as I did 5 yrs ago when I was a relative noob. This shows that luck is needed moreso than skill. If Spence would just swallow his pride and just thin out some of the trees, not an overall clearing just maybe thin it out a bit I would be able to in good conscience keep Paw Paw a 5 but I have to be honest as great as some of the holes are the abundance of trees in the fairway (not off the fairway) really spoil this place.

Other Thoughts:

I find myself making Paw Paw miniatures out of my mashed potatoes. Some say I am obsessed with the place. I would just dare anyone who has not made the trip to take the time to experience it just once and see how they feel afterwards. In the meantime, pass the potatoes.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Top