Richmond (Varina), VA

Dorey Park - Old Layout

Permanent course
3.255(based on 40 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

Dorey Park - Old Layout reviews

Filter
1 2
jsemales
Experience: 19.8 years 91 played 39 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Definitely worth playing 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 1, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

It's got a good mix of left and right holes. It plays very well and allows for fine tuning on a variety of shots to improve your game. The long tees provide an additional challenge.

Cons:

Signage and tees. The course is harder to navigate when playing the long tees, it's not the easiest course to find, and some of the holes are not particularly well thought out. I don't like dirt tees. That's a no brainer.

Other Thoughts:

I enjoyed the course and will gladly play it again when I'm back at Fort Lee. However, this course could easily jump to a 3.5 with concrete tees.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 2
ncbrett92
Experience: 8.9 years 96 played 8 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Great for both experienced and novice players 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 21, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Good mix of left and right holes. Duel tee pads on most of the course make this course a great place to bring new players to learn the game while I can play the longs tees for a greater challenge. Tight lines make this shortness of the courses no draw back because you have to hit your lines or you won't have many chances at birdie. Baskets catch pretty well and all look to be in good shape. Most of the holes are easy to find from the last basket by looking for the poles to hang your bag so the lack of "next tee" sighs is no biggie. Practice basket at the start of the course.

Cons:

2 big cons and 2 little ones with this course.

1. The tee boxes.....Dirt tee boxes stink. Period. Some of them had some decent grip. But, as someone who is use to teeing off from concrete I hate teeing off from dirt.


2. The tee sighs.... None on the long tees making them hard to find on some holes. Even the sighs at the shorts did't give you much to go on and had to walk a few on the holes to find the baskets.

The two little cons are: Hole 6 long...There is no real line to hit off the tee with a driver to still try to leave yourself a chance at birdie. Way to much of a throw it and pray hole. Other one is signage getting to the course. If it was't for the comments on here and following another group up to the course it would be a challenge to find.

Other Thoughts:

This course is a solid course don't get me wrong I want to play it again when I am back in town for work. This course would go from a 2.0 to a 3.0 if it had just the proper tee sighs alone and a 3.5 with tee pads. Still a course to try if you are in town for sure.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 3
DiscinMiller
Experience: 13.6 years 4 played 4 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Ace Runs abound 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 19, 2014 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Nice little course at a pretty park. Very seldom is it busy. It is fairly well marked and offers a variety of short shots. there are few holes over 250' but is heavily wooded and requires both hyzer and anhyzer shots to get close. Have a run at it and get an ace

Cons:

Tee pads are dirt, but mostly flat and not an issue. Not a destination course, dont go out of your way.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 4
Indus
Experience: 7 played 7 reviews
2.50 star(s)

it's ok 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 21, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

pretty park and a neat little layout in the woods. many chances for aces and, unless you make huge mistakes, golden opportunities abound for birdies.

Cons:

tee pads are gravel or dirt and not level. one could easily twist an ankle or trip on the tee. signs would help navigation quite a bit. fortunately, i played this course with some guys who knew it well, or i would have spent more time than i had to spend that day looking for tees.

Other Thoughts:

a fun short course, but not very challenging. experienced players should leave their drivers at home, for the most part. not sure i would play this one again unless i had to be in the area, and given it's location, i can't think of why that might be.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 1
boursin
Experience: 12.2 years 13 played 13 reviews
3.50 star(s)

ton o fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 8, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

set in an incredible park. easy to find first hole. playing in the woods is great, good elevation, some open throws some tight throws, fairly easy to score on this course, good for beginners and long time players. a must if you are in the Richmond area, I was able to play a round before my flight left back to Florida, very convenient location right next to the airport with no plane noise issues. I played when the temperature was in the high 20s so there was some ice patches that must have been little puddles, the locals were great (they were in shorts and t-shirts) way to cold for a guy from Florida. Play this course if you are in the area

Cons:

signage signage, some holes a bit confusing to find pads were not very good can be very wet I am sure after a good rain

Other Thoughts:

place this course and enjoy yourself the locals were great and very helpful when I need to find the next hole
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 4
huckman
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Dorey Do! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 21, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Woods, woods, woods. if you like woods this is the course for you. challenging course.

Cons:

Poor tee boxes. Small too. Got confused a few times on which way to go. some sort of map would help.

Other Thoughts:

Peaceful, quiet, rustic, secluded. Felt like i was on the AT. It was a great way to get away from it all. worth the trip to play.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 2
itsbai
Experience: 13.1 years 2 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Enjoyable Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 8, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

-It's very peaceful in a very nice park
-also doubles as a nature trail
-passed by a couple people, very friendly bunch of folk
-never had to search for more than 2 minutes for a disc

Cons:

-after rain, the tees can get a little muddy
-my buddy tripped over protruding roots numerous times ;)
-no map anywhere to be found, at times it was "guess and chuck"

Other Thoughts:

This is a great course! I usually go to Goyne, but this blows it out of the water! Dorey park in it's entirety is a very nice place; nice people, nice fields, clean feel. I'm eagar to go bak now.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 0
bnbanbury
Experience: 80 played 17 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Solid Wooded Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 7, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Excellent mix of shots: forehand, backhand, tunnel shots ect. Wonderful course to practice shaping your lines.
-Short and long tees are a big pro here because the difference between the shorts and longs is a completely different course.
-Located in a part of the park that is exclusively for disc golf, there is little to no miscellaneous foot traffic.
-Well worn course which keeps the rough from getting overbearing and keeps lost discs to a minimum for a wooded course

Cons:

-Tees are natural with blocks at the front of the pads. some days this is ok but if its been wet they can be a mess.
-Signage isn't great, although the course has very little extra walking between the pin and next tee so navigation isn't much of an issue.
-There isn't a tremendous variety in distances and no holes that could be considered signatre holes.

Other Thoughts:

This is a really solid woods course that i have played many times trying to improve my line shaping, any line you want to practice is available on this site. The difference in the long and short tees is substantial lets you decide how you want to test yourself on any given day (a good round from the shorts is 9 or 10 down, from the longs one down is solid). This course won't blow you away but it will test your accuracy and provide an enjoyable day throwing discs.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 4
rar6nm
Experience: 12.1 years 13 played 5 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Technical and very annoying 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 18, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

= Very technical shots, all very short. Hones your lines in for intermediate players. The trees make you learn. Two medium holes to keep you from going stir crazy from all the 200' madness (medium at best coming from Bryan Park standards)

= Environment is very nice and peaceful, and the locals are nice too (one gave me a free millennium JLS).

= Doesn't require a variety of disc selection. Bring a VERY straight midrange for medium to power players and a VERY straight fairway driver if you're lacking power, and a putter and that's it.

= Navigation is very straight forward. If my friend can navigate this course with ease (which is REALLY saying something), you can too

Cons:

= So.....many.....trees!!! Granted the trees make it very interesting and a very technical course, but some of the holes are just ridiculous. Your best shot is going to hit a tree, the issue is will it get a good bounce. Bring a buzz or a straight roc, you'll need it. The most annoying thing that can happen is throwing a perfect shot, just to have it anhyzer a bit on you, and gets ruined by a tree. YOU HAVE NO ROOM FOR ERROR

Other Thoughts:

This course could remain nice and technical, and yet be so much better with the removal of just a couple trees on the entire course. That's it.

Be patient, and bring straight discs and you'll have fun
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 0
zewski12
Experience: 11.9 years 93 played 7 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Fun Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 24, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Easily Navigated(when you find it you have to go to the farthest part of the park)
-Located in a gorgeous park with plenty of other activities.
-Friendly locals.
-Course is located in a active park with a lot of people there but is tucked in the back so you dont have to worry about avoiding park visitors.
-Good mixture of wooded and open holes.

Cons:

-Old baskets but it didn't effect the game, I've seen worse.
-Muddy but i played the day after it rained so I'm sure its not an issue in warmer months.
-Had a hard time finding it the first time because it is tucked all the way at the end of this very large park but it will be easy to find when i return.
-Muddy tees but again probably not an issue in warmer months.
-The pars are way off... Just play "pro par" (3 for everything) and it will all level out.

Other Thoughts:

I very much enjoyed this course. Good mixture of open and wooded holes. Some difficult but if they are all easy whats the point? Of course i cursed the trees out when i was out there but there are open lanes for every hole you just have to hit them. The course was easy to navigate and both blue and white tees were easy to find. The only thing i would change about this course is put some good tee boxes in, hole maps on the signage instead of just a number, and change the Pars... I don't shoot -10 ever except here.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 0
KniceZ
Experience: 13.1 years 104 played 15 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Great Potential 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 11, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- Good variety of rights and lefts
- Good use of elevation
- Nice benches and bag poles
- Challenging
- Very limited chance of disc lose
- Some of the blue tees really add to the challenge : 100+ft, or additional tree gates, additional line shaping

Cons:

- No Overall map or Hole diagrams
- Only two open holes (one more with open fairway but basket tucked in woods
- Several holes that had very tight lines; removing just a few trees would really eliminate the luck aspect of some fairways
- Difficult to see the baskets (Paint the top basket markers)
- Dirt pads
- Difficult to find some of the blue tees.

Other Thoughts:

- Hole info on this site indicates multiple tees on every hole; however, many of the tee markers are painted both white and blue.

- Par information is messed up as well - I threw a 57 from the whites (+3) and a 58 from the blues (-14)?? Just forget par and enjoy.

- Don't get me wrong I wouldn't want to dramaticly open up the entire course, just so many tight woods and splitter trees gets a little tiring. It would nice to have 1 or 2 more holes you can relax and open up on.

This course has a lot of Potential. With a few little improvements (add a map at the entrance, some hole diagrams, cut a few small trees, and paint the top markers) this could easily be 1/2 to one full disc higher rated. Adding gravel pads would be a lot of work but would be icing on the cake.

I'll come back here rather than the overcrowed and overused Bryan Park.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 1
blackmamba5490
Experience: 11.9 years 51 played 9 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Challenig and alot of fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 25, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Easy to navigate
-isolated
-lots of tough holes and easier ones to make up for a rough one early on in the round
-bag holders at each tee
-normally pretty empty as far as people go
-lots of wildlife considering your in the middle of the woods
-nice, open area to warm up while walking towards the course
-very well kept
-Great on a windy day because trees block most of the wind!
-Hole in one oppurtunites for the less fortunate distance folk like myself.

Cons:

-One of those courses where one hole you can have it going and the next be frustrated due to the large amount of trees one must avoid on each hole
-Baskets are getting old
-Trees GALORE

Other Thoughts:

Got my best score as to date at this course so i am a tad bit bi-est in my opinions on its awesomeness. Really like the course and it gives the finesse player and the power player an even template to compete on!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 0
VistaDG
Premium Member
Experience: 12.8 years 108 played 5 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Solid Course in a Nice Park 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 28, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Even though it's located in a park where there were a good number of people out and about doing other activities, the course is in an isolated area and almost feels like it's own entity. Never had to worry about any pedestrians.

- 2 sets of tees
- Not crowded
- Lots of scoring opportunities if you hit the right lines
- Although there wasn't any signage, it was pretty easy to follow the natural flow of the course and most of the baskets you can see from the tee, so it's not too hard to figure out where you need to go.

Cons:

- Holes are kind of repetitive, so doesn't force you to use the entire bag.
- Bit of a walk from parking lot to first tee.

Other Thoughts:

- Take some bug spray with you, and beware of the spider webs if you go off the fairway.
- Watch out for the hollies as well.
- Fun course to play, could imagine it being a lot quicker to get through once you've played it a few times.
- Was in Richmond for the weekend and ran into another golfer at Bryan that told me Dorey was the oldest course in the area, so pretty neat and would recommend playing.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 0
nevets4433
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.1 years 62 played 60 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Well Manicured Woods 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 30, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is the best maintained course in Richmond.

The park around it is very beautiful. Great warmup field as you get to the start of the course, and also a nice practice basket before the start. That is always a plus.

2 sets of tees for different levels of challenge.

For a wooded course, there are very well defined shot lines that reward a good shot while fairly punishing a poor one.

Great elevation changes with some really neat approach shots on the back nine.

The holes that play down the underground lines path are really cool. It made for a really nice fairway.

Good hole signs. Navigation between holes was generally easy. Obvious paths led to the next hole which was marked by bright blue signs.

Cons:

Natural tees are very slick here. And they hold water pretty badly.

Some of the baskets are bent from recent storm damage.

Simply too many short holes through the trees. It got a bit monotonous.

Navigation to the course from the park entrance is a problem. Basically no navigation exists. The course itself is around the lake at the end of the park. It takes some wandering to get there if you haven't been there before. Look for a large wooden sign across the lake from the last parking lot. A gravel path through the woods from there will lead you to the first tee.

The "par" from the blue tees is ridiculously inflated...most every hole could still easily a par 3.

Other Thoughts:

I had been waiting to come here because I had heard it was way too narrow and in the woods, but it is actually appropriately narrow. This course most definitely holds its own with Bryan and Gillies.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 0
Wildcat_29
Experience: 12.8 years 44 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Dorey Park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 3, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

-The Layout of the course makes it easy to go from one hole to the other without looking and wandering around to find the next tee
-Lots of ace opportunities
-Well thought out with various challenges as far as basket placement.

Cons:

-While the signs help with finding the tee, Ive always been a fan of maps showing where the basket is.
-The walk does kinda suck, but I do this for exercise and to enjoy being outside so I didn't mind too much.

Other Thoughts:

I live in the tidewater area and made the short drive up here and I really enjoyed this course but with all the area around that park it would be nice if another 9 holes were placed in there, its a really nice place to play a round.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 0
H3LlIoN
Experience: 12.9 years 16 played 13 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Regular Richmond Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Nov 11, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

UPDATE: So...Just got back out and played Dorey since the storm damage. Good news, someone dropped some money and put in some fancy blue "Tee X" signs, that are really easy to spot. Bad news, there are some bent cages that presumably got hit and haven't been replaced, and some nice stacks of wood which make it fun to find discs. Also, a couple of the tees are holding water pretty well now...had to throw from behind them in order to stay dry. This seems limited to white tees...pro tees all looked fine.


Dorey is a well thought out wooded course with a range of hole styles. There are a couple of open holes that shoot down what appears to be a power line easement. The course varies, with both left and right doglegs. Trash cans abound, there is ample parking, and the course also has a few covered shelters under which one can hide from the rain. There were plenty of signs to keep us headed in the right direction, and a practice tee at the beginning of the course allows for practice putting. There's a decent bit of elevation change and, although it was raining, the course, for the most part, was not overly muddy or messy. For the most part, underbrush has been thinned, and the course is well maintained. The course is mostly heavily wooded, so you can play here without having to worry about the hot summer sun as much.

Cons:

Tee beds are natural, which can lead to slippage. Also, one of the tee pads was instead a giant puddle due to the rain, but this did not plague the entire course. There is a little ambiguity in layout of the second half, but the course is still easy enough to follow.

Other Thoughts:

It's a bit of a hike to get to the first tee but, as I play for pleasure and exercise, this doesn't bother me. If I wanted a golf cart, I'd play stick golf. Furthermore, the distance from the main part of the park provides some seclusion, meaning frosty beverages can be enjoyed away from prying eyes. This course is very enjoyable, and I highly recommend it as a compliment to Bryan, with Bryan being the place to work your arm and show your big booming drives, and Dorey being the more technical course.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 5
Stud Muffin
Experience: 18.3 years 30 played 14 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Nice Course, But Really Secluded 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 31, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

>18 hole challenging course with good lanes to throw, true challenges, not a toss and a prayer.

>Nice. It looks nice, is well thought out, and has nice appearance. Also, there are mounds that are made for challenges. It has character.

Cons:

>Have fun driving to the complete back of the park, only to walk behind a LAKE, to find the entrance, where you walk some more to find #1. Hope you like walking it, because you get to do it again when you get done. :)

Natural Tees, though sanded, are always a hazard in my book.

Other Thoughts:

Look, I like peace, but I could sneak up on deer out there, really too far out. Would be a great place for a Halloween disc golf game/scare.

Really, a nice course, just too wooded, and the open holes really are not too open. Not much variety, just woods.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 2
Auto
Experience: 18 played 6 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Where a girl can keep up! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 8, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Being a newer female player this course is my favorite. It is more of a techinical course that challenges the thrower. The short pars allow a weaker thrower to keep up. The woodage allows for disc lay ups for the longer pars. There are long and short tees that allow for more than just par 3s. Plenty of benches and trash cans along the course. Lot's of ACE oppertunities.

Cons:

No parking near the course. Preparing for a day in the sun is a challenge to keep hydrated. After a few rounds in the heat the walk becomes uncomfortable. The n
there are a few baskets that need replacement from trees falling on them and bending.

Other Thoughts:

UPDATED: Park is OPEN. 10/08/11
Thanks guys for all the hard work you did to get it up and playable. You can see down tree stumps everywhere. I love this course and the use of nature. The trees are a great challenge that allows the game to stay close. Easily able to par most on the short tees with plenty of birdie oppertunities. Disc are easily Found in he woods. Great for begginers and intermediates and advance.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
6 1
sloppydisc
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.3 years 201 played 147 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Where's the love? 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 8, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

18 hole course set in the back of a large park full of family amenities and activities. Multiple tees for each hole providing either additional length, or in some cases totally different angles off the tee pad. Course is far removed from rest of park and has a nice quiet, secluded feel to it. There are some trails through the woods for other park users, but they didn't look heavily travelled.

Course is mostly wooded, but also has a few spots where you can let a big driver fly. Hole design has good variety. Nice mix of lefts and rights. Not a ton of elevation present, but what there is is used well.

Course plays mostly as a technical wooded course. Disc control and placement ismmore important than distance. Even with the wooded fairways most of the holes have an obvious line to the basket. On a couple holes it takes a good eye to see a line, but they are there. Even if they are a little tight at times. But there are no shots that you throw and pray.

Cons:

Natural tee pads in various degrees of wear.

Signs that indicate hole number but nothing else. No distances or hole design. No navigation aids. For the most part navigation isn't too bad, but in a few spots there are multiple trails leading away from the basket. There are some walking trails out there too.

Older baskets can be a little hard too see in the woods. They could use a flag or bright tape to make them stand out.

Other Thoughts:

From the short tees this course is pretty much a putter course. From the long tees it plays much more challenging, and can be more than tough enough. There is a decent mix of shots needed to score well, decent use of elevation, and a couple cool basket positions to add to the difficulty. There is probably only one or two holes that seem kind of thrown in for convenience. Mostly the holes in the open easement. Other than those there really are no bad holes on this course. But there are no memorable or epic holes either. I enjoyed my round, but was never super excited as I stepped up to any of the tees. It's a good course, and could be even better with some decent tee pads and signage, but it's not the kind of course that you'll make a point of traveling to from a distance or dream of getting back to.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 8
Bamm
Experience: 13.9 years 113 played 14 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Dorey Park 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 15, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Cool, easy enough for the beginner but still a little challenging for the more experienced dg'er. Easy to follow holes.

Cons:

A problem that a lot of parks have, they need better signage. Other than that, I was pleased.....
Was this review helpful? Yes No

Latest posts

Top