Disc Golf Course Analysis

Before I do hardest courses...here's the course with the lowest SSE / Basket.

Autobahn Indoor Speedway

It's probably worth noting that the SSE formulas likely really start breaking down in terms of accuracy as number of holes drops much below 9 (Authbahn is a 3-hole layout, apparently).. I've in the past looked into trying to improve the accuracy of the SSE formulas by using a per-hole-SSE approach, rather than a total-layout-length approach, but unfortunately those would all require a fair amount more descriptive information (i.e. new data fields) about each hole on each course in the whole DGCR database. :p
 
On a quick first run, it looks like Ozark Mountain is the 18 holer with the highest SSE per hole.

Interestingly, the course description even touts "Dave McCormack has transformed this property in to the most challenging, yet fair course on the planet. This is further confirmed by having the highest World Class Par as published by the Professional Disc Golf Association. The Ozarks is a 10,000' par 72 that has creeks and ponds, huge elevation changes, open and tight shots, and long and short holes. You better bring your best game, and some climbing shoes!"

In 2nd place, you have Highbridge Hills - Bear

And the bronze medal goes to Blue Lake Regional Park

Honorable Mention (4th) goes to the previously mentioned Edgebrook DGC. RIP.
 
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Like I wrote earlier, I think it's going to be tricky to find a metric that everyone agrees on to determine which state has the "best" disc golf, but I think it's safe to say after looking at these rankings that DG in Wyoming sucks.

I think the real crux of metrics based on user reviews is the reviewer. It would be interesting to limit course ratings to reviewers with 5 or more reviews, then normalize their ratings (say, z-transform). Probably lose some courses, but I think the analytics would be more persuasive.
 
It's probably worth noting that the SSE formulas likely really start breaking down in terms of accuracy as number of holes drops much below 9 (Authbahn is a 3-hole layout, apparently).. I've in the past looked into trying to improve the accuracy of the SSE formulas by using a per-hole-SSE approach, rather than a total-layout-length approach, but unfortunately those would all require a fair amount more descriptive information (i.e. new data fields) about each hole on each course in the whole DGCR database. :p
So you're saying that an SSE of better than an Ace/hole is breaking down??? :p
 
I wish I could go back and edit posts. The previous list was unknowingly filtered on Multiple Pins/Tees = No.

Here is a more comprehensive list of highest SSE/hole.

18 holes:

1. Iron Hill 4.3
2. Renny Gold 4.1
3. Ozark Mountain 4.1
4. Nockamixon 4.0
5. Nevin Park 4.0
6. Foundation Park 4.0
7. Blue Mountain 4.0
8. Black Diamond 4.0
9. Rollin Ridge 3.9
10. Wildlife Prairie State Park 3.9

9 holes:

1. Sea Pines 4.0
2. Linbrook DGC 3.9
3. Bogue Chitto 3.9

Sorry for the mistake!

Also, today's the last day I can devote to doing DGCR analysis full time. It's been fun and I've learned a lot. I hope you guys have enjoyed this as well!
 
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Iron Hill is fantastically difficult, but in a fair way. So insane to see Feldberg tear it up last year and set the course record.
 
Very, very interesting stuff ElementZ. Thank you!
 
I believe the special tournament layout at Patterson Lake in ND is the highest SSA I've seen (~76) but it wouldn't show up in the SSE stats.
 
Best thread ever! ElementZ - thank you.

Pretty cool to see Michigan having the second most >18 hole courses. (post #75) I had no idea.

So, highest concentration of 18 hole courses.. This clearly then makes us the best state for DG :D :p
 
27+

Looked thru the past posts but couldnt see anything that addressed the fact that once you get over 27 holes, most designers/parks will break them into two 18 hole courses or more (like Codorus, Blockhouse, & PawPaw here in the midatlantic).
 
I think for marketing purposes, it's better to promote two courses - one 18 and one 9 on your site rather than call it one 27-hole course. If you make the 9-holer with two different tees per hole and number them 1 thru 18, you could legitimately call it two 18s.
 
Codorus is listed as two 27 hole courses, it's kind of weird layout because you can play 18 or 27 on each course, but trying to combine the two extra 9's as a separate 3rd 18 hole course doesn't really work because they aren't really close. It could be listed as two 18's and two 9's and make sense, but the course ratio would likely suffer.

Seneca would be weird to list as an 18 plus a 9 because there are 3 loops of nine to the parking lot but the layouts intertwine with each other. It might make sense to list as three 9's because they are loops but the course rating overall would likely be lowered doing that as well.
 
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