Your personal top 5 to 10 courses and how and why you rated them that way...

[apdrvya]

this may have been done before (sorry 'rube) but here we go, lets see your top 5-10 courses, how you rated them, and why.

Flip City Disc Golf Park my only "5" rated course. I think it comes down to what Flip City means. Flip city is the vision and baby of one man, Bill McKenzie. Since 1983 Bill has be refining and redefining northern Michigan Disc Golf, not only building Flip City but helping design Branstrom Park in Fremont, MI. I now play leagues here (even though it's a better than an hour drive). Best course in my opinion. I still find new things to love ever wednesday at 6.

Mason County Parks-Goliath. Rated 4.5 discs. I think more than anything this course intimidates people. the fact that it's the least played and least reviewed at mason county proves that. This couse has a bit of everything that mason county has to offer. HUGE Bomber 700+ft. holes, short tight and technical, rights, lefts, you name it, it's here. Highly underrated and most definitely a destination.

Hickory Hills Traverse City, MI. Rated 4.5 discs. Hickory poses one of the most physical challenges of any of the courses I've played. Playing UP then DOWN a ski hill provides a superior course. There are definitely improvements that could be made in terms of variety but in terms of ski courses, this is tops. beautiful vistas, old growth forests, beautiful course!

Cranbury Park Norwalk, CT. Rated 4 discs. The single most beautiful course I've ever played. Playing on the grounds of a 200+year old mansion, through an old growth forest, over ancient stone fences. This course has a little of everything. even though I played it when I was a relative noobie, it is a course that I ache to return to!

Leviathan Ludington, MI. Rated 4.5. In my opinion, Leviathan is good, not great. Hard for the sake of hard is annoying to me. Disc golf should not be punishing through the entire course, there has to be some relaxing to be had. This is just my opinion. Leviathan is a beautiful course but I think a lot can be said for thinning the rough. I had a blast playing leviathan, I don't care how my score went that day as I was heading to traverse city and this was a stop over.

I rated other courses higher than 4 that I would put in my top ten:
Shore Acres Park at 4.5 discs
Branstrom Park at 4.0 discs
Whitehall Township DGC at 4.0 discs
Fallasburg Park at 4.0 discs
and
Myles Kimmerly at 3.5 discs


my hope with this is to make us re-examine our ratings of courses and update where appropriate!
lets hear yours!!

 

[New013]

Cranbury Park needs better pics; I added a few of those to my wish list. I've only played about 50 courses and most of those are in NC so keep that in mind.

1. The course that doesn't exist - Charlotte...ish, NC (5.0) - It gives you everything... fun, hills, technicality, length, signature holes and absolute sheer wooded bliss. I've never seen a course manicured so painstakingly well and when you see what the course was carved out of it will put you in awe. Everything little thing was thought of when they put this course in. Every magnificent feature of the property is thrown in perfectly. It's the one course I feel like I have to play every time I go to Charlotte from now on.

2. Flyboy (5.0) - It's not just a course, it's a disc golf experience. It's the Disneyworld of disc golf, it doesn't have the biggest baddest rides but everything else is presented so perfectly that it creates an atmosphere like no other. If I had to rank my top ten of most beautiful holes I've played Flyboy would have almost half of them. Where else can you play disc golf and watch and air show at the same time?

3. Castle Hayne (4.5) - It has the best technical layout I've played so far. It doesn't have to punish you with crazy tight fairways and ridiculous twists to get the job done. It makes you hit gaps off the tee while placing your shot good enough to have a decent look on approach. It gives you length and dares you to go for it; and unlike more nasty courses it actually looks inviting enough to try. On top of that it's easily the best kept public course I've seen, props to the local club. The one thing this course lacks is elevation but it's a few miles from the ocean so you can't fault it for that.

4. Cedar Hill Park - Nashville, TN (4.5) - It's a pleasant monster carved out of beautiful cedars and rolling hills. It's got more basket locations than you can shake a stick at and they can make a hole go from 293' to 580'. When you're out there it feels more like a country club than a public park. It's a great place to go watch discs fly.

5. Fox Chase - Albemarle, NC (4.5) - It's a beautiful wooded course that probably gets overlooked by many because it's not right in the Charlotte area. Huge elevation changes along with tight gaps and tricky greens makes for a great round. It has an excellent balance between open, wide/narrow fairways all placed extremely well in a beautiful park.

The other 5 -

Renny - Charlotte, NC (4.5) - a true test of your ability
Richmond Hill - Asheville, NC (4.0) - mountains + disc golf = fun
Hornets Nest - Charlotte, NC (4.0) - it's just fun
Horseshoe Canyon Ranch - Jasper, AR (4.0) - A ranch in the Ozarks that just happens to have a disc golf course.
Buckhorn - New Hill, NC (4.0) - it's home.

 

[notapro]

Myles Kimmerly?!?!??

You got to travel more. :|

 

[bradharris]

1. Maple Hill, Leicester, MA - The only 5 I've given. It features four layouts that are all well manicured with great tees and fair greens.

2. Borderland State Park, North Easton, MA - Just played here for the first time last weekend and loved it. Might even top Maple Hill as my favorite place to play. It features four layouts playing over a well manicured 1900 era estate. The long layout has the best collection of par 4s that I've ever seen.

3. Seneca Creek State Park, Gaithersburg, MD - I play here whenever I'm in DC. The 27 holes are well maintained and will challenge every aspect of your game.

4. Wickham Park, Manchester, CT - A very nice mix of holes using different terrain and shot types on very well maintained grounds.

5. Walnut Creek Park, Charlottsville, VA - I played here many many years ago. It's a beautiful park with well designed course that offers some very creative shots. I really need to find a chance to get back here.

 

[prerube]

Cranbury Park needs better pics; I added a few of those to my wish list. I've only played about 50 courses and most of those are in NC so keep that in mind.

1. The course that doesn't exist - Charlotte...ish, NC (5.0) - It gives you everything... fun, hills, technicality, length, signature holes and absolute sheer wooded bliss. I've never seen a course manicured so painstakingly well and when you see what the course was carved out of it will put you in awe. Everything little thing was thought of when they put this course in. Every magnificent feature of the property is thrown in perfectly. It's the one course I feel like I have to play every time I go to Charlotte from now on.

2. Flyboy (5.0) - It's not just a course, it's a disc golf experience. It's the Disneyworld of disc golf, it doesn't have the biggest baddest rides but everything else is presented so perfectly that it creates an atmosphere like no other. If I had to rank my top ten of most beautiful holes I've played Flyboy would have almost half of them. Where else can you play disc golf and watch and air show at the same time?

3. Castle Hayne (4.5) - It has the best technical layout I've played so far. It doesn't have to punish you with crazy tight fairways and ridiculous twists to get the job done. It makes you hit gaps off the tee while placing your shot good enough to have a decent look on approach. It gives you length and dares you to go for it; and unlike more nasty courses it actually looks inviting enough to try. On top of that it's easily the best kept public course I've seen, props to the local club. The one thing this course lacks is elevation but it's a few miles from the ocean so you can't fault it for that.

4. Cedar Hill Park - Nashville, TN (4.5) - It's a pleasant monster carved out of beautiful cedars and rolling hills. It's got more basket locations than you can shake a stick at and they can make a hole go from 293' to 580'. When you're out there it feels more like a country club than a public park. It's a great place to go watch discs fly.

5. Fox Chase - Albemarle, NC (4.5) - It's a beautiful wooded course that probably gets overlooked by many because it's not right in the Charlotte area. Huge elevation changes along with tight gaps and tricky greens makes for a great round. It has an excellent balance between open, wide/narrow fairways all placed extremely well in a beautiful park.

The other 5 -

Renny - Charlotte, NC (4.5) - a true test of your ability
Richmond Hill - Asheville, NC (4.0) - mountains + disc golf = fun
Hornets Nest - Charlotte, NC (4.0) - it's just fun
Horseshoe Canyon Ranch - Jasper, AR (4.0) - A ranch in the Ozarks that just happens to have a disc golf course.
Buckhorn - New Hill, NC (4.0) - it's home.

I played Cranbury yesterday and gave it a 4.5 rating. It is a great course.

I think I have 14 courses rated at 4.5 (not counting Flyboy)

 

[DavidSauls]

The 5 courses I've played that, to my taste, are a level above the other 100+.

1---Ashe County, West Jefferson, NC
Public, average length, mountainous

2---Gran Canyon, Brooksville, FL
Private, extinct, long (27 holes), very hilly

3---Stoney Hill, Newberry, SC
Private, a little long, very hilly

4---Hampton Park, Charleston, SC
Annual Temporary Course, average length, completely flat

5---Still Waters Farm, Govan SC
Private, extinct, very long (10,000'), very slight elevation

Elevation varies from extreme to flat. Length varies from about 5500-10000 feet. Three are private (plus one is only available once a year). Sadly, except for the first weekend in December, 3 of my 5 favorites can't be played.

 

[prerube]

1. Flyboy. 27 holes, 75% would be signature holes anywhere else. perfection
2. Hawk Hallow. 18 of some of the best designed holes. risky OB and cow factor
3. Parma. It is one of my old local courses that they took and upgraded into an awesome course.
4. The Blockhouse. The courses themselves are great, but not the greatest, but the experince is one of a kind.
5. Brakewell Steele / Warwick Town: 2 attractive near flawless courses.
6. Renaisance Park. It is a disc golf destination and it did not disappoint.
7. Cranbury Park. tight, elevation, rec layout along with regular layout. only a few issues.
8. Jorelemon. Possibly the most aestetically pleasing course I have ever been to.
9. Deer Lakes. Maybe if I replay this course it can jump higher on the list, but right now it squeaks in.
10. Maple Hill. This one may be #4, but I forgot to add it and do not feel like retyping all my numbers

Honorable mention to Signal View, best 9 holer!

 

[b-mart]

1. Bud Pell - This course is a beast. It has giant versions of the holes that you're used to playing. Hole 16 is an S-curve that curves left just about when you'd expect most courses would have a basket. Hole 2 is a 1200' par 5. In between are all sorts of holes that range from shorter and tech to monstrously long and still tech. There is no safe hole on this course. Period.

2. Spirit Ridge (original layout RIP) - This course is the epitome of disc golf. You can't go there without a guide even if you know where it is. The baskets are almost all natural, made of native woods and copper piping. To get there you drive down nearly five miles of dirt road into the middle of nowhere. Nearly all of the holes are short enough for a mid or putter, but it's fun and still challenging. Lost disc potential is high, but it's private, so nobody cares. The absolute best night golf experience ever. If you send an errant shot down the hill you can forget about it til morning, because "that area belongs to them now".

3. Pier Park - Not extremely long, but longer than many courses that I've played. Very technical, with no underbrush to speak of. Great variety in elevation and right or left turning holes. Hole 15 is beautifully frustrating.

4. White River - This was a very close tie with my number five, but this one is free and closer to home, so it gets the nod. White River is great. It has alternate tees that mix it up just enough to keep it fresh, plenty of variety in length and direction of fairways, and a hole 13 that is short but so narrow and close to the river that it scares the crap out of you every time. I've never seen this course packed, but it's one of the main courses to play if you come to the Seattle area. I would recommend it over Lakewood or SeaTac any day (unless you're a pro... Then you'll prefer SeaTac). There are maddening holes like hole 9 here, but those are the ones that can make your round if you miraculously hit a line up to the basket for a birdie.

5. Dabny State Park - Very similar to White River in feel. This layout is probably a tad bit better, but as I said... $5 vs $0 kind of makes the difference. Dabny is wonderful though. It starts you out throwing across a ravine for a short hole 1, sends you across a pond for hole 3, gives you long, open field shots for 4 and 11, and has technical and/or scary holes on most of the rest of the course. The end isn't quite as close to the car as the beginning, but it's a fun course that earned its place in the top 5. It's also great because you can score relatively low here while still being challenged.

6. Terrace Creek - (one of the first courses I played, hole 18 alone earns honorable mention)
7. NAD - (a smaller Pier)
8. Lake Stevens - (NAD and Pier's annoying little brother. Weird baskets can make or break you)
9. Lakewood King County - (new layout has flaws, but new teepads don't)
10. SeaTac - (front 9 is normal, back 9 will make you hate your discs)

 

[Dave242]

Of 340 courses played, here are my twelve 5.0 courses and my number grade I assigned for the A+ rating grade. Also included is my rationale for the categories that are important to me.

[COLOR="White"]aaaaaaaaaa	aaaaaaaa	aa	aa[/COLOR]	[B]R/R	RB	SV	NB	MTB[/B]
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=2030&page=1&mode=rev#23319"]Winter Park[/URL]	Kewaunee	WI	100	A+	A+	A+	A+	D
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=730&page=6&mode=rev#9272"]Banklick Woods[/URL]	Independence	KY	99	A	A	A+	A+	n/a
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=659&page=2&mode=rev#9314"]Fox Chase[/URL]	Albemarle	NC	98	A+	A	A+	A+	B+
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=1869&page=3&mode=rev#9224"]Steady Ed[/URL]	Appling...	GA	98	A+	A+	A+	A	B
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=3701&page=2&mode=rev#17274"]Hippodrome[/URL]	N. Augusta	SC	97	A+	A+	A+	B-	B-
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=1476&page=2&mode=rev#23320"]Leviathan[/URL]	Ludington	MI	97	A	A+	A	A	A
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=3658"]Nevin[/URL]...	Charlotte	NC	97	A+	A	A	A	A
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=704&page=2&mode=rev#11491"]Campton Hills[/URL]	St. Charles	IL	97	A	A	A+	A+	n/a
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=1853&page=1&mode=rev#37003"]Magnolia[/URL]	Live Oak	FL	96	A+	A+	A	A	B+
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=1773&page=3&mode=rev#14802"]Rogers Lakewood[/URL]	Valparaiso	IN	96	A	A+	A+	A	C
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=1866"]Standing Rocks[/URL]	Stevens Pt	WI	96	A	A	A+	A+	n/a
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=857&page=2&mode=rev#9553"]Yadkin County[/URL]	Yadkinville	NC	96	A+	A+	A+	A	n/a

My "personal addiction factor" categories:
R/R = Risk/Reward design elements
RB = Rewarding Birdies for me (big part of the fun factor)
SV = Shot Variety - how well does to course test real and varied DG skills?
NB = Natural Beauty
MTB = Multi-Throw Bonus points - well designed par-4's and -5's deserve extra credit

 

[jasonc]

I'm going with short summaries for this list...

1) Stafford Lake. Extreme elevations, breathtaking scenery, wildlife everywhere. If you have never been, add it to your wish list and get out there!

2) Coyote Point. Extreme elevations & breathtaking scenery around Lake Casitas. My solo round here included about 1 hour devoted to taking pictures.

3) DeLaveaga. If you are reading this thread and still don't know about DeLaveaga, I feel sorry for you. :|

4) Sloterpark. Disc golf in Amsterdam...'nuff said.

5) Water Works Park. Hills anyone? Be prepared for a workout here. Lots of wooded holes...also lots of fun here assuming you are ready to climb.

6) West Lake Park. Great variety between wooded and open holes. Water comes into play on several holes here.

I was going to do 7--10 but it just feels like torture while I am stuck here in the office! :\

 

[jasonc]

Of 340 courses played, here are my twelve 5.0 courses and my number grade I assigned for the A+ rating grade. Also included is my rationale for the categories that are important to me.

[COLOR="White"]aaaaaaaaaa	aaaaaaaa	aa	aa[/COLOR]	[B]R/R	RB	SV	NB	MTB[/B]
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=2030&page=1&mode=rev#23319"]Winter Park[/URL]	Kewaunee	WI	100	A+	A+	A+	A+	D
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=730&page=6&mode=rev#9272"]Banklick Woods[/URL]	Independence	KY	99	A	A	A+	A+	n/a
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=659&page=2&mode=rev#9314"]Fox Chase[/URL]	Albemarle	NC	98	A+	A	A+	A+	B+
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=1869&page=3&mode=rev#9224"]Steady Ed[/URL]	Appling...	GA	98	A+	A+	A+	A	B
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=3701&page=2&mode=rev#17274"]Hippodrome[/URL]	N. Augusta	SC	97	A+	A+	A+	B-	B-
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=1476&page=2&mode=rev#23320"]Leviathan[/URL]	Ludington	MI	97	A	A+	A	A	A
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=3658"]Nevin[/URL]...	Charlotte	NC	97	A+	A	A	A	A
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=704&page=2&mode=rev#11491"]Campton Hills[/URL]	St. Charles	IL	97	A	A	A+	A+	n/a
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=1853&page=1&mode=rev#37003"]Magnolia[/URL]	Live Oak	FL	96	A+	A+	A	A	B+
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=1773&page=3&mode=rev#14802"]Rogers Lakewood[/URL]	Valparaiso	IN	96	A	A+	A+	A	C
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=1866"]Standing Rocks[/URL]	Stevens Pt	WI	96	A	A	A+	A+	n/a
[URL="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=857&page=2&mode=rev#9553"]Yadkin County[/URL]	Yadkinville	NC	96	A+	A+	A+	A	n/a

I am surprised to see Campton Hills on your list. Although I have not been there yet, I have not felt the urge to get out there b/c everything I read previously made it sound like another Chicagoland nasty niner.

Guess I will have to finally make it down there this summer.

 

[Dave242]

It is indeed a bit of a curveball to include it in there. Read my review (linked) and you will know why I included it and how I justify a 5.0. But you are sorely wrong that it is a typical nasty niner (great phrase btw!). It is a really cool course actually and an absolute blast to play with just a putter. Its the best (highest addiction factor) 9-er of 125 I have played.

 

[BionicRib]

^^Campton hills.......IMHO....is just another 9 hole deuce or die chicago area course. I do understand the fun factor of grabbing a couple putters and playing a "fun" round. It does have some elevation that you don't see in northern Illinois, but I personally wouldn't put it in my top 50. Everybody is definitely entitled to their own opinion though. There are no right or wrong answers in this thread.

I would assume you knew people were gonna give you a little scuff about that one though.......

 

[jasonc]

It is indeed a bit of a curveball to include it in there. Read my review (linked) and you will know why I included it and how I justify a 5.0. But you are sorely wrong that it is a typical nasty niner (great phrase btw!). It is a really cool course actually and an absolute blast to play with just a putter. Its the best (highest addiction factor) 9-er of 125 I have played.

I am officially intrigued.

I will make it a point to get down there soon. If you are interested in another round at Campton, let me know...maybe we can work out a tee time. I think there are a few others in the St. Charles area that I still need to play as well.

 

[harr0140]

It is indeed a bit of a curveball to include it in there. Read my review (linked) and you will know why I included it and how I justify a 5.0. But you are sorely wrong that it is a typical nasty niner (great phrase btw!). It is a really cool course actually and an absolute blast to play with just a putter. Its the best (highest addiction factor) 9-er of 125 I have played.

I could look but I am lazy right now . . . have you been to The Brickyard in menomonie, WI? If not go, if yes, how high does it rank in your 9 holers?

 

[gdub58]

My ratings here are based on the course itself rather than the whole "experience" aspect. While going to a place like Flyboy or Flip on a road trip is certainly nice, I'm looking for a well-designed, challenging course that makes you work for your score that you can't wait to play again ("Thank you sir - may I have another??!!").

#1 - Idlewild. While other courses have a number of special holes, virtually every one here is special. The elevation, the creeks/ponds/island greens with as much OB as you can handle. Clearly defined lines on every hole yet punishing if you miss. The best example of what disc golf design should be in order to be as much of a challenge as ball golf.

#2 - WR Jackson course @ IDGC. So beautiful yet so punishing. Long and difficult but with good lines and a great variety of holes. The stretch of three short holes in the middle of the course makes it my favorite of the three courses on this property.

#3 - Deer Lakes. Great design, some really challenging holes, and the multiple tees provide a nice variety in the degree of difficulty. Tons of fun to play and very rewarding if you happen to score well (which isn't easy).

#4 - Lemon Lake Gold/Silver. Really strong variety in its design, with length and challenging lines which force you to think your way through the course. Extra points for me because of the two courses in one and they are different enough to keep the interest level high.

#5 - Flyboy Aviation. A number of fantastic holes, great use of the land, and a lot of water to play over/around. If there were no restrictions, this could be the top course on my list. But, with the lack of permanent tees, some blah holes added just to get from one great hole to the next great one, I just can't rate it any higher than this.

#6 - Jim Warner course @ IDGC. Also a great challenge. Heavily wooded but with clear lines, and a lot of elevation change to deal with which really adds to both the fun and the pain.

#7 - Trophy Lakes. Water, water everywhere. Two sets of tees, lots of variety in the shots necessary to score well, and then there's the water. If you can play an entire round from the long tees and not get any of your discs wet, then you've accomplished something.

#8 - Mt. Airy. Admitted local bias, but it's such a nice challenge and now that they have added multiple basket locations, it stays fresh for those of us who play it a lot. A real beast when they are all in the longs.

 

[Dave242]

My ratings here are based on the course itself rather than the whole "experience" aspect. While going to a place like Flyboy or Flip on a road trip is certainly nice, I'm looking for a well-designed, challenging course that makes you work for your score that you can't wait to play again ("Thank you sir - may I have another??!!").

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Love the methodology! Afterall, this is not www.ILoveAllTheHardWorkPrivateCourseOwnersDo.com
While I appreciate them a ton and am astounded by what many of them do (I want to be in that category one day myself), that does not in and of itself make a course that is a good test of disc golf skills.....which is the essential element for a course in the sport of disc golf.

 

[discRabbit]

OP - you do indeed need to travel more...much more!

PS - Flip City wouldn't even crack my top 10% much less top 10 ordinal. The groupthink about that place on DGCR confuses me! It is indeed a very fun course with a few really technical shots amidst an underwhelming barrage of putter shots and relatively easy hyzer bombs...Giving it a lower rating (4.0) is not IMO an attack on the owner or anything but trying to be fair about what the course is. He has done A TON to make that place awesome for disc golf and I greatly appreciate it!!! There are others who, likewise, have done A TON to host courses for us

I'd put (in no particular order): Maple Hill, Hawk Hollow, IDGC, Stafford Lake, Idlewild, Nockamixon, Tyler, Highbridge, probably many others I'm forgetting about at the moment


+1 on the Campton Hills LOL - Sorry Dave 242

 

[Dave242]

Hey - "best" or favorite is a measure of how much a course has to offer that makes you want to play it over and over and over and over. If Campton Hills was 5 miles away from home and each of the other courses on my list were also 5 miles away, I would find myself going to Campton (with my putter only) around the same amount as the others to get my DG fix. That is how addicting that course is in what it takes to "scratch my itch".

I cannot come up with a better and more meaningful way to rate courses (a very subjective thing including a ton of variables in courses and motivations for playing) into a very objective rating scale. The putter-only caveat is a monkey-wrench in my normal methodology, but the course sets up so perfectly for that that it makes perfect sense to make that allowance. And, no....I really don't care if people disagree with me and give me a little scuff....I expect it.

 

[apdrvya]

OP - you do indeed need to travel more...much more!

yeah, the reason that I made this thread isn't for a pissing contest, more about why did you rate the courses what you rated the courses.. I understand I don't have the travel experience that most folks do but these are my opinions. Dave242... you're a funny dude.