Movement in top 10

[nothinbuttree]

8 of the top 10 and 14 of the top 20 DGCR courses are pay to play as well. I do think these courses tend to be better maintained overall on average, and if the owner is present, just getting to chat with someone who loves disc golf so much that they would install a course on their private land can be worth half a star--its the entire disc golfing round experience, not just the throws in other words. And we all know money isn't the thing--I would venture only a few courses are profitable in any real sense. Not when land costs, clearing, maintenance, equipment, facilities, labor, etc are all taken into account. Private courses are someone's labor of love. For the sport, and the people that play it.

All that said, I appreciate the Idlewilds and Harmony Bends of the world (both in my top 5), it is amazing how well those courses are maintained given they are typically city or county parks.

 

[DavidSauls]

I'm not dismissing a ratings boost when players meet or personally know the owner -- not so much for top courses, but for lesser courses, where's it's hard to give a bad review.

As for the pay-to-play, I think it's more than just maintenance that elevates them. Private courses have more freedom of design, and often better property to start with. Plus, they can be less crowded, and have less overlap with non-disc-golfers than you encounter on public property.

 

[WD09]

As for the pay-to-play, I think it's more than just maintenance that elevates them. Private courses have more freedom of design, and often better property to start with. Plus, they can be less crowded, and have less overlap with non-disc-golfers than you encounter on public property.

Absolutely. Also, many of them have significant amenities that aren't within the realm of public parks' missions. I've visited courses with pro shops, warm-up areas, clubhouses, driving ranges, a three-story gazebo, restaurants, food trucks, a swimming pool, paintball, cabins for rent, fishing poles for rent with a stocked pond... It can be tough to decide how to factor in those amenities when rating a course, but those things certainly add something positive to the experience.

 

[Monocacy]

Looks like Holler in the Hills will be dropping out of the top 25.

I greatly appreciate the recent review. It would have been extremely disappointing to drive out of the way to play there, only to find decay and knee-high grass.

I hope that the locals are able to resurrect the course's former grandeur.

 

[Countchunkula]

I played Holler in 2015 and absolutely loved it. Strong 4.5 course with many spectacular holes combining woods, elevation, and rock formations.

It was in good shape then, but the ownership was in flux. Old owner had very recently got arrested and I got a really weird vibe from the young guy who seemed to live in the trailer by 18s tee. I remember reading that a section of the course was partially logged within a year or so of my visit. Really sorry to hear that it's continued to decay since then. Just goes to show how much effort it takes for a private course owner to maintain a place like that.

Echo the hope that THEY can get the course back in shape. The property is amazing.

 

[BogeyNoMore]

Played Holler a couple of months before Covid hit, and it was in pretty good shape. Spectacular course. You gotta be part billy goat to get through the back 9.

Shame it's gone downhill. I hope the locals can find some way to restore it.

 

[porkturtle]

...and awesome to see Tyler State Park East in Newtown, PA make #25! This course has been constantly improving - well-earned.

 

[wellsbranch250]

Mayflower Hills got one review closer to making the top 25 today. It's at 19 reviews now and needs 2 more. A 4.63 Rating with only 4.5s and 5s.

A couple comparison quotes from Craig's review.

Here's my controversial take. I live in Charlotte. If it's not the best disc golf city, it's top 3 at worst. I'd trade any of our courses for Mayflower.

Out of my 510+ played courses, this will easily be in my top 20

 

[Cerealman]

Mayflower Hills got one review closer to making the top 25 today.

I came here to say this and wellsbranch beat me to it, of course.

Mayflower Hills would currently be at No. 19 on the Top 25 list, pending enough reviews.

 

[Shallows]

I came here to say this and wellsbranch beat me to it, of course.

Mayflower Hills would currently be at No. 19 on the Top 25 list, pending enough reviews.

Excited to play it at the end of the month!

 

[DiscGolfCraig]

I came here to say this and wellsbranch beat me to it, of course.

Mayflower Hills would currently be at No. 19 on the Top 25 list, pending enough reviews.

I've got it at #10 on my unofficial 'official' list. Tremendous use of the rolling hills to create some outstanding layouts. Throw in great views of the mountains, and it's a must play.

 

[thrembo]

Looks like my review of Harmony Bends put it back to #1!

 

[Tyler V]

Back to back reviews of Eagles Crossing by Wolfhaley and Pizza God mean that it has reached the threshold to make the Missouri list. It is now the #1 course in Missouri at a 4.91, bumping Harmony Bends to second in the state.

 

[porkturtle]

Back to back reviews of Eagles Crossing by Wolfhaley and Pizza God mean that it has reached the threshold to make the Missouri list. It is now the #1 course in Missouri at a 4.91, bumping Harmony Bends to second in the state.

Wish Wolfhaley and Pizza God would "bump" up some PA courses in our very strange and lacking top 25 list!
A lot of semi-new courses with minimal reviews as well as ones with silly reviews that got them off to a bad start in the rankings. Pinebrook, Ryan Kelly Green Monster, Klines Run, Hidden Hollow, Hasson Park, and Aga Farms are just a few that almost assuredly should be firmly embedded in those rankings.

 

[elmexdela]

Wish Wolfhaley and Pizza God would "bump" up some PA courses in our very strange and lacking top 25 list!
A lot of semi-new courses with minimal reviews as well as ones with silly reviews that got them off to a bad start in the rankings. Pinebrook, Ryan Kelly Green Monster, Klines Run, Hidden Hollow, Hasson Park, and Aga Farms are just a few that almost assuredly should be firmly embedded in those rankings.

tyler sp surprises me as a top 25 worthy course currently on here

i thought it was pretty standard for the region

(i thought tyler sp was better than muddy run tho but neither would crack my top 25 list at all)

nobo doesnt get enough love imo

 

[porkturtle]

Wait, so fill me in: If Eagles Crossing is now #1 in MO over Harmony Bends, how come it is not in the top U.S. rankings? Are the DGCR criteria different between state rankings and the country?

 

[MikeK]

Wait, so fill me in: If Eagles Crossing is now #1 in MO over Harmony Bends, how come it is not in the top U.S. rankings? Are the DGCR criteria different between state rankings and the country?

Yes, the state rankings have a minimum of 10 or 11 reviews and the national 19 or 20 or 21. Sorry I can’t give an exact answer.

 

[wolfhaley]

Wait, so fill me in: If Eagles Crossing is now #1 in MO over Harmony Bends, how come it is not in the top U.S. rankings? Are the DGCR criteria different between state rankings and the country?

I believe it's a minimum of 11 for the state ranking and 21 for top overall.

And if you hook me up with some gas money maybe I can help out some of your discriminated PA courses

 

[DiscGolfCraig]

Only 20 more drive by reviews needed for Almendros DGC to be #1.

 

[porkturtle]

Only 20 more drive by reviews needed for Almendros DGC to be #1.

I actually just looked that one up 'cause of you! LMAO.