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Clay DGC reviews
12
0
Surreal Like a Bizarre Dream You Never Get Tired of Having 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jun 26, 2020
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
-Of the courses I have played so far, Clay would be a great nominee for the perfect course to be displayed in a movie. Many spots you'll stand at and the sight won't escape your mind. The main spot would be on top of the hill after finishing #14 on your way down to #15. A fun steep downhill walk on a trail that you could only see in the deep south. It's incredibly surreal! The view of #16's steep hill is visible for the remainder of your round, and it's one of the prettiest, and most memorable disc golf views you'll ever see if you really set your gaze upon it. A pretty background to display in a movie. And the look of the tee shot from hole five's long tee had me staring in amazement. Huge uphill passing a mando gate 280' ahead! Open hole up a gorgeous hill!
-Originality is something you'll see in the first five minutes. The first hole is basically a driving range. Many brick markers that list the distances below. They are faded out, but I know that the first brick is 250' from the long tee pad. Many fairways are topped with small rocks, making it a little more difficult to reach the 280-300' footers because of them preventing a skip. The scenery (I know I mention that a lot, but it's SO special here!), and the stacked baskets on #20 show creativity. Yet, there is some inspiration from older courses. There is a bamboo mando gate on #4, some dangerous pin placements, along with a lot of elevation change. To clarify; this course is NOT flat. No where close to it!
-The elevation is very well used here. There's a lot. You'll know it gets hilly once you get to #2 and see the land past the gate. #2 is pretty significantly uphill from the long pad, but once you get to #5, the special aspect of Clay DGC begins. You throw up a huge hill and continue throwing uphill on the next several holes #6-8. You don't play a downhill hole until you get to #16, but some are flat from #6-15. #16 is a severe downhill shot. Very severe! Very hard not to go long or left, especially from the long pad considering it's more than 20' above the short pad. The short pad is still majorly downhill and plays extremely short due to a huge elevation drop. This hole utilizes the most elevation on the entire course. You'll play a few slightly downhill holes after this one (#17-19), and one uphill (#20). You end with a top of the world downhill bomb (#21). Not extreme like #16, but probably 35' down. You play more uphill holes than downhill, and many disc golfers strongly prefer downhill. I think this course will get many players to really see the value that uphill holes can bring!
-Most holes have two pin positions and both were on some of the holes that I played. You can essentially play four different layouts. S to S, S to L, L to S, or L to L. The A pins are tougher; they play a couple strokes harder overall. The B pins are little bit shorter and easier, but still have their demands. 1000 rated on a day without much wind would probably be -7 from the Long pads to A pins and maybe -9 from the Long pads to B pins. I never played the short pads, but they are a good bit easier.
-Good mix between open and wooded. First five holes are open. You can throw hard without a lot of risk on the first few holes. Since holes four and five have mando gates, you'll have to be more cautious even though they are still in the open. Holes #6-16 are all at least partially wooded. The last few are all open.
-Green turf pads seem to really click with the atmosphere of this course. Cool color, unique course with epic views! The tee signs are very accurate and informative on the hole info.
-Many benches to sit on. You'll want to relax a little bit. You're walking uphill and then working your way downhill for the most part rather than going uphill then downhill consistently, but it'll get steep in places.
-Very quiet. It's one of the best courses in Alabama, so you'll probably see groups of players playing the course. But the area is very quiet. You are near a few churches, some homes right off the country road, and a gas station.
-Many nice pin placements that help with the mental game. In the emotional and rational sense. Some baskets are on hills with roller potential. Some are more grueling than they appear. Holes #5 and #12 stick out in my mind, while #16 is another scary placement. They are on hills with the bottom of those hills being far down. They don't drop instantly, a couple aren't entirely steep but they are high. You could stay still after a run at the pin, or you could roll. They are harder to interpret, but they do forgive sometimes. Either because the small rocks stopped a roller, or because your putter has less potential for rollaways. My advice, get comfortable with a softer, gummy putter that isn't hard.
-Many ace runs since all except one of the holes are par threes. Others are longer and harder to reach, yet still fair and very possible to birdie. #6 and #7 are nice breaks from the first five holes. Both under 300' (<200' from shorts) and aceable. They are still rather challenging, as they are uphill and wooded. But they really help with the variety in length.
-Originality is something you'll see in the first five minutes. The first hole is basically a driving range. Many brick markers that list the distances below. They are faded out, but I know that the first brick is 250' from the long tee pad. Many fairways are topped with small rocks, making it a little more difficult to reach the 280-300' footers because of them preventing a skip. The scenery (I know I mention that a lot, but it's SO special here!), and the stacked baskets on #20 show creativity. Yet, there is some inspiration from older courses. There is a bamboo mando gate on #4, some dangerous pin placements, along with a lot of elevation change. To clarify; this course is NOT flat. No where close to it!
-The elevation is very well used here. There's a lot. You'll know it gets hilly once you get to #2 and see the land past the gate. #2 is pretty significantly uphill from the long pad, but once you get to #5, the special aspect of Clay DGC begins. You throw up a huge hill and continue throwing uphill on the next several holes #6-8. You don't play a downhill hole until you get to #16, but some are flat from #6-15. #16 is a severe downhill shot. Very severe! Very hard not to go long or left, especially from the long pad considering it's more than 20' above the short pad. The short pad is still majorly downhill and plays extremely short due to a huge elevation drop. This hole utilizes the most elevation on the entire course. You'll play a few slightly downhill holes after this one (#17-19), and one uphill (#20). You end with a top of the world downhill bomb (#21). Not extreme like #16, but probably 35' down. You play more uphill holes than downhill, and many disc golfers strongly prefer downhill. I think this course will get many players to really see the value that uphill holes can bring!
-Most holes have two pin positions and both were on some of the holes that I played. You can essentially play four different layouts. S to S, S to L, L to S, or L to L. The A pins are tougher; they play a couple strokes harder overall. The B pins are little bit shorter and easier, but still have their demands. 1000 rated on a day without much wind would probably be -7 from the Long pads to A pins and maybe -9 from the Long pads to B pins. I never played the short pads, but they are a good bit easier.
-Good mix between open and wooded. First five holes are open. You can throw hard without a lot of risk on the first few holes. Since holes four and five have mando gates, you'll have to be more cautious even though they are still in the open. Holes #6-16 are all at least partially wooded. The last few are all open.
-Green turf pads seem to really click with the atmosphere of this course. Cool color, unique course with epic views! The tee signs are very accurate and informative on the hole info.
-Many benches to sit on. You'll want to relax a little bit. You're walking uphill and then working your way downhill for the most part rather than going uphill then downhill consistently, but it'll get steep in places.
-Very quiet. It's one of the best courses in Alabama, so you'll probably see groups of players playing the course. But the area is very quiet. You are near a few churches, some homes right off the country road, and a gas station.
-Many nice pin placements that help with the mental game. In the emotional and rational sense. Some baskets are on hills with roller potential. Some are more grueling than they appear. Holes #5 and #12 stick out in my mind, while #16 is another scary placement. They are on hills with the bottom of those hills being far down. They don't drop instantly, a couple aren't entirely steep but they are high. You could stay still after a run at the pin, or you could roll. They are harder to interpret, but they do forgive sometimes. Either because the small rocks stopped a roller, or because your putter has less potential for rollaways. My advice, get comfortable with a softer, gummy putter that isn't hard.
-Many ace runs since all except one of the holes are par threes. Others are longer and harder to reach, yet still fair and very possible to birdie. #6 and #7 are nice breaks from the first five holes. Both under 300' (<200' from shorts) and aceable. They are still rather challenging, as they are uphill and wooded. But they really help with the variety in length.
Cons:
-There is an OB fence that plays from holes #7-14 and is relatively hard to spot. It's really in play on #10 but the wind can get very brutal here. If it's windy, the fence will play more of a factor. Don't know if it's safe to cross or how to cross it if it's not safe.
-You don't get to tee off the big hill you walk down on #15. That would be a sketchy but awesome par four. Would be nice to have a few more par fours. There is definitely room, and plenty of potential to make a really sick championship course with a third set of pads. I seem to say that a lot, I know. But many courses do have room for that. As fun I thought #16 was, I agree with wellsbranch250. There could be a pad a little further up the hill and a pin placement a bit further down! Would be really epic! It's still a very cool hole with an unforgettable view in my personal opinion.
-You don't get to tee off the big hill you walk down on #15. That would be a sketchy but awesome par four. Would be nice to have a few more par fours. There is definitely room, and plenty of potential to make a really sick championship course with a third set of pads. I seem to say that a lot, I know. But many courses do have room for that. As fun I thought #16 was, I agree with wellsbranch250. There could be a pad a little further up the hill and a pin placement a bit further down! Would be really epic! It's still a very cool hole with an unforgettable view in my personal opinion.
Other Thoughts:
-Clay DGC is an awesome experience and instantly made it to my top 10 favorite courses! I enjoyed every hole here and am very happy that the tournament directors replaced George Ward with this one in the Mega Bowl! I think Clay should be played in the Mega Bowl from now on because it's an epic disc golf experience I think. It's a creative design with lots of elevation, scenery, and variety.
-It's relatively difficult. Intermediates will probably find the shorts to be pretty challenging, even though it's pretty short from the short pads. The long pads are still very manageable, but they are tricky. On the day of the tournament, the advanced and pro players played the longs. Earlier, even par was about 940 rated (when the advanced division played). Later the wind picked up and even par ended up being over 960 for the entire day on the longs. The wind really determines the overall difficulty here! It was very strong during the middle of my round.
-With the man made structures on holes three and four, the stacked baskets on #20, the smart use of elevation, and the variety makes me really want to come back soon. I really hope I'll get the opportunity to go to Alabama again!
-It's relatively difficult. Intermediates will probably find the shorts to be pretty challenging, even though it's pretty short from the short pads. The long pads are still very manageable, but they are tricky. On the day of the tournament, the advanced and pro players played the longs. Earlier, even par was about 940 rated (when the advanced division played). Later the wind picked up and even par ended up being over 960 for the entire day on the longs. The wind really determines the overall difficulty here! It was very strong during the middle of my round.
-With the man made structures on holes three and four, the stacked baskets on #20, the smart use of elevation, and the variety makes me really want to come back soon. I really hope I'll get the opportunity to go to Alabama again!
10
1
filobedo
Experience:
18.9 years
289 played
21 reviews
The future of golf – elevation, length, open, wooded with par 4’s 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 9, 2014
Played the course:once
Pros:
I played this course blind from the long tees during the Bamboo Classic in August 2014 and although I played badly this course is still one of the best I have played of the top courses I have played which include, BRP, Rollin'Ridge, Grand Central, Stoney Hill, Warwick, Ashe County, Trophy Lakes, IDGC courses and others. Below are thoughts on several holes,
#1 - Start off on a no frills, straight forward par 4/5 which is around 1000' in in a field. It was neat for some of the younger guys playing the hole because the fairwary is marked with distance from the tee throughout the fairway and many people warmed up here as well to measure distance.
#2 - Do not take this hole lightly. The hole is a good 350' - 400' up hill over a mound and a 2 is a great score on the hole.
#4 - Bamboo hole - Similar to #7 at Winthrop but longer and no ob but the wall has thick bamboo surrounding the green If you throw passed the green you still have a putt.
#5 - Monster uphill hole that looks much longer than expected with double mando. If you can get 30' - 50' through the mando, you still have a treacherous putt. I was told that someone aced this hole which is incomprehensible to me.
#6 - #15 - Majority are masterpieces and some of the best and most challenging holes I have ever played.
#6 - Great, short, tight hole that is a slow anhyzer for rhbh up a hill into the woods.
#11 - Accuracy is a must on the teeshot but I get the feeling that 2 for many ams is phenominal.
#15 - Another possibility for my favorite hole because it is a midrange or putter across a valley to a tight green with lots of elevation.
#16 - Great, short, downhill hole from a narrow teeshot to wide open green but do not go long or you will be in the woods. Can be played with a putter or throw a thumber for more accuracy
#18 - Another great hole that I played in the long position that can turn a 3 into a 5 due to mando, creek and elevated basket. The short pin placement also looks fun to play as the hole is on an island.
#19 - Fun short downhill with lots of ob. Great chance at 2 or circle 4.
#20 - One of the most unusual holes I have played and only about 125' - 150' uphill to a blind shot (reminded me of the tee shot at Rennaisance from the gully but the mound is much higher at Clay). It seems many private courses now have hanging baskets and a basket in the ground (the first time I ever both was Trophy Lakes in 2005 and once again TL has this now) but this hole has two (2) baskets stacked on top of each other (the top basket is for Pro, bottom basket for Ams). I have no real positive or negative perspective for this but I do think it is a throwaway hole and when I posted a pic on social media, a few people were outraged which was a little startling. The designer did a great job having a hole here due to the terrain (slope next to building ) and it would be too dangerous to make this hole longer or to the right.
#21 - Great finishing hole with a chance to bomb a drive to a well thought out green.
#1 - Start off on a no frills, straight forward par 4/5 which is around 1000' in in a field. It was neat for some of the younger guys playing the hole because the fairwary is marked with distance from the tee throughout the fairway and many people warmed up here as well to measure distance.
#2 - Do not take this hole lightly. The hole is a good 350' - 400' up hill over a mound and a 2 is a great score on the hole.
#4 - Bamboo hole - Similar to #7 at Winthrop but longer and no ob but the wall has thick bamboo surrounding the green If you throw passed the green you still have a putt.
#5 - Monster uphill hole that looks much longer than expected with double mando. If you can get 30' - 50' through the mando, you still have a treacherous putt. I was told that someone aced this hole which is incomprehensible to me.
#6 - #15 - Majority are masterpieces and some of the best and most challenging holes I have ever played.
#6 - Great, short, tight hole that is a slow anhyzer for rhbh up a hill into the woods.
#11 - Accuracy is a must on the teeshot but I get the feeling that 2 for many ams is phenominal.
#15 - Another possibility for my favorite hole because it is a midrange or putter across a valley to a tight green with lots of elevation.
#16 - Great, short, downhill hole from a narrow teeshot to wide open green but do not go long or you will be in the woods. Can be played with a putter or throw a thumber for more accuracy
#18 - Another great hole that I played in the long position that can turn a 3 into a 5 due to mando, creek and elevated basket. The short pin placement also looks fun to play as the hole is on an island.
#19 - Fun short downhill with lots of ob. Great chance at 2 or circle 4.
#20 - One of the most unusual holes I have played and only about 125' - 150' uphill to a blind shot (reminded me of the tee shot at Rennaisance from the gully but the mound is much higher at Clay). It seems many private courses now have hanging baskets and a basket in the ground (the first time I ever both was Trophy Lakes in 2005 and once again TL has this now) but this hole has two (2) baskets stacked on top of each other (the top basket is for Pro, bottom basket for Ams). I have no real positive or negative perspective for this but I do think it is a throwaway hole and when I posted a pic on social media, a few people were outraged which was a little startling. The designer did a great job having a hole here due to the terrain (slope next to building ) and it would be too dangerous to make this hole longer or to the right.
#21 - Great finishing hole with a chance to bomb a drive to a well thought out green.
Cons:
Could be frustrating for first time players or players without distance as you start out having to throw bombs on the first few holes until you get in the woods and up on the mountain which require accuracy.
Other Thoughts:
Between Inverness and Clay for best course in the area. Birmingham has fantastic courses and I wish they would host a Worlds or a US Masters as the courses are phenominal. I think I would have started the Clay course with a tee near the bottom of the mountain between #5 and #21 or have the course start on #5 as the open holes are not great but fun if you like to throw bombs. I also do not like seeing lack of originality on holes such as the bamboo hole. This happens a lot now such as baskets in the ground or hanging baskets as well at other courses. If it were not for #1 - #5 I would have easily rated it 5 stars.
0
2
AlphaGenerator
Experience:
13.1 years
97 played
7 reviews
One of the Regions Best Courses MUST PLAY! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:May 7, 2015
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Excellent design, Multiple tee pads and pin locations, Hole 1 doubles as a driving range with distance markers, very well manicured property, lots of trash cans, the great wall of Bamboo and DANNY SELF
Cons:
no restroom on site...unless the baseball fields are open.
Other Thoughts:
from the AM pads the course is relatively easy and really fun for beginners. From the Pro pads you get to experience the area's best course!
14
1
Top Notch 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Aug 2, 2014
Played the course:once
Pros:
This course is incredible. It feels out of place in middle of nowhere Alabama and would probably feel more at home in Charlotte,NC.
The variety you find on this course is perfectly balanced. When you approach the first tee to find a wide open bomb for a very, very long way, it's underwhelming, although you do have the very nice distance markers to let you know that last time you posted in the daily "how far do u throw plz reply" thread on DGCR was accurate or not.
The course immediately gets more interesting over the next few holes, with a much improved version of a very famous USDGC hole.
Upon getting to hole five, you look upon a very, very steep uphill shot. At the very top, you see trees, lots of trees, suddenly granting you tremendous energy and strength to get to possible superior holes.
And superior they were.
From hole six on, this course shows you why those first five holes are needed, this course is complete in every way, every type of shot in every type of terrain with every type of elevation. All of this in a public course that was meticulously groomed upon my visit.
All of the shots are so well thought out and visualized, and you have incredible teepads and perfectly taken care of baskets so you only have yourself to blame. I did not sense a tree branch that needed to be removed, or a stump that needed to be shredded, everything here is as it should be.
This course feels so isolated from everything else in the world, but it's only a short drive away from civilization. Complete private course feel.
The variety you find on this course is perfectly balanced. When you approach the first tee to find a wide open bomb for a very, very long way, it's underwhelming, although you do have the very nice distance markers to let you know that last time you posted in the daily "how far do u throw plz reply" thread on DGCR was accurate or not.
The course immediately gets more interesting over the next few holes, with a much improved version of a very famous USDGC hole.
Upon getting to hole five, you look upon a very, very steep uphill shot. At the very top, you see trees, lots of trees, suddenly granting you tremendous energy and strength to get to possible superior holes.
And superior they were.
From hole six on, this course shows you why those first five holes are needed, this course is complete in every way, every type of shot in every type of terrain with every type of elevation. All of this in a public course that was meticulously groomed upon my visit.
All of the shots are so well thought out and visualized, and you have incredible teepads and perfectly taken care of baskets so you only have yourself to blame. I did not sense a tree branch that needed to be removed, or a stump that needed to be shredded, everything here is as it should be.
This course feels so isolated from everything else in the world, but it's only a short drive away from civilization. Complete private course feel.
Cons:
None. It can't be a five solely because it's just not that level of golf, but it can be a 4.75 easily.
Other Thoughts:
This is a players course, truly. This is a course you can improve all aspects of your game on, you'll learn to throw big in the woods, you'll learn that your touch approach game could probably use some work. This is an absolutely wonderful job and the land is used to it's potential perfectly.
I love this course and every single aspect about it. Everyone may not feel the same, but this is a course you come to with your friends, have it to yourself, and waste the weekend away on.
Please play this course.
Seriously.
I love this course and every single aspect about it. Everyone may not feel the same, but this is a course you come to with your friends, have it to yourself, and waste the weekend away on.
Please play this course.
Seriously.
2
3
WOW!!! 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Oct 18, 2013
Played the course:once
Pros:
Loved it. Almost died climbing the hill on hole 5 but once at the top and playing along the ridge...it was wonderful. Please take more pics and post here. I tended to think this course was a bit more manmade because of the bamboo wall pic. I tend to gravitate away from some of that stuff. The views and play were awesome. Benches and signage were good. Great "get in shape" course.
Cons:
Not much bad. Need some climbing boots to get up the mountain... almost.
Other Thoughts:
Warn pregnant women, people afraid of heights, those short of breath, elderly people that just WALKING this course could be dangerous to their health...too funny. Loved it.
1
4
Bencybul
Experience:
12 years
174 played
7 reviews
Fantastic property 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 13, 2013
Played the course:once
Pros:
The course is outstanding with benches on just about every hole. I have played other courses that navigate up and down mountains but this course gets you up and down with minimal effort. The elevation change is great! There are a wide variety of shots and I was never lost in the woods ( excellent directional signs and paths already!) The 21 holes really give you an opportunity to let them fly.
I love the distance markers on the first hole!
I love the distance markers on the first hole!
Cons:
Noise could be an issue during tournaments, because of just how close some of the holes are to one another. ( great for course navigation but could be an issue for putting) I just played a recreational round so it was not an issue.
Other Thoughts:
Got to play it with the man responsible for the course. Hospitality and a phenomenal course cant beat it!
2
2
captain_d
Experience:
11.9 years
19 played
7 reviews
Tremendous course and only getting better 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 2, 2013
Played the course:once
Pros:
Intuitive layout, concrete teepads for pro and am, multiple baskets for (almost) every hole, well maintained grass, nice elevation changes, course progresses in difficulty as holes increase, a number of signature holes, 21 holes.
Cons:
It is still extremely new, so some teepads aren't concrete yet, the bamboo is only partially finished, some brush in certain areas needs to be removed.
Other Thoughts:
This is probably one of the finer courses I've ever played. The City of Clay and Danny Self have really outdone themselves here and provided a great courses for players of all skill levels to enjoy. Danny was out there when I played recently and was all too willing to help out and talk shop prior to teeing off, very friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend anyone in the Birmingham area or anyone passing through that loves disc golf to check this course out. If they can keep it well manicured and clean, this will be a top course for years to come.
4
4
Jebb
Experience:
17.9 years
50 played
6 reviews
If you play this course, your wildest dreams will come true 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 5, 2013
Played the course:once
Pros:
Every type of shot you can ask for.
Most holes have 2 tee pads, some even have two baskets.
THE BAMBOO BEAST.
Great signage, benches, bulletin board - everything installed before the baskets ever went into the ground! The City of Clay and Danny Self should be very proud of this awesome course.
Most holes have 2 tee pads, some even have two baskets.
THE BAMBOO BEAST.
Great signage, benches, bulletin board - everything installed before the baskets ever went into the ground! The City of Clay and Danny Self should be very proud of this awesome course.
Cons:
No serious issues come to mind, maybe kudzu will be an issue if the city doesn't stay on top of it.
Other Thoughts:
This course is a GEM. Cannot wait to play the first tourney!!!
