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Davis Spring DGC reviews
18
0
Hard To Reach Holes on Hard To Reach Course
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Dec 30, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
This dedicated disc golf space will thrill dedicated disc golfers.
+ several challenging, "two-shot" holes (classic Houck design)
+ good use of terrain and available land, including progression from hole to hole
+ long and short tees to accommodate different skill levels
+ balance of short and long holes
+ accurate tee signs that include length, hole illustrations and next hole indicators
+ additional course signs between holes that clearly indicate directions to next hole
+ welcome sign that includes course map
+ several challenging, "two-shot" holes (classic Houck design)
+ good use of terrain and available land, including progression from hole to hole
+ long and short tees to accommodate different skill levels
+ balance of short and long holes
+ accurate tee signs that include length, hole illustrations and next hole indicators
+ additional course signs between holes that clearly indicate directions to next hole
+ welcome sign that includes course map
Cons:
The course lacks basic amenities, including easy access.
- lack of adjacent parking, requiring long walk to and from course
- (minor consideration) lack of amenities such as benches or trashcans
- lack of adjacent parking, requiring long walk to and from course
- (minor consideration) lack of amenities such as benches or trashcans
Other Thoughts:
INFO
This course at Davis Spring Special Park lies on the south side of Neenah Ave. and opposite from The Trailhead Park on the north side. A lack of adjacent parking makes it not readily accessible, and thus somewhat hidden. The course starts and ends near a tunnel under Neenah Ave. that provides sidewalk access from The Trailhead Park. The nine holes weave in and out of pockets of trees which comprise the majority of obstacles on the course with additional challenges from long fairways and elevation changes on a few holes.
EVAL
Long holes start and finish this course that has John Houck's fingerprint all over it. The holes all seem to be either really, really long or really short without much in between. The long holes aren't just long for the sake of being long, though. They are deliberately designed to require two fairway shots to reach the green, often requiring careful consideration of where to place that first shot. Similarly, the short holes aren't just gimme shots despite their short length. Narrow gaps and plenty of trees threaten to turn those probable birdies into pars or, even worse, bogeys.
I find a lot to my liking on this tough course. There are plenty of chances to air out long throws as well as toss tighter, finesse shots to get around and through trees; but there are also plenty of chances to have discs arrested by limbs and branches to derail intended throws and force shaped upshots to catch back up. Many of the holes have memorable challenges. For example, #4 is especially tricky once you reach the green with its basket perched on a slope and a deep, ditch lying just a few feet beyond. Hole #5 offers a tantalizing ace run opportunity. Hole #8 is my favorite with its uphill/downhill fairway that proves tough to land a drive atop the hill (blue tee) as well as hard to negotiate downhill approaches through trees to the sloped green.
NOTE
This course was planned and designed by John Houck in close partnership with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department due to a developer deeding this land to the city to satisfy Parkland Dedication Ordinance requirements for apartments that were built nearby.
LAYOUT
(A tunnel under Neenah Ave. provides sidewalk access from The Trailhead Park to the start of this course at Davis Spring Special Park.) Hole #1, the second longest of the course, throws from an elevated blue tee down a wide, lengthy fairway that veers left midway through with plenty of short trees to avoid along the way to a green hidden from view off the tee. Holes #2-3 are shorter throws (#3 being much shorter) with slightly curved and narrower fairways closely bordered by trees. Hole #4 features another wide, lengthy fairway filled with stands of trees that leads to an inclined green on the side of a small berm. Hole #5 is a short hole that throws from atop the berm's blue tee to a green surrounded by trees. Hole #6 follows a narrowly defined fairway lined with trees. Hole #7 offers a wide, mostly open and long fairway with scattered trees that leads to an umbrella green beneath the crowns of large trees. Hole #8 travels the longest distance, going first uphill and then downhill, veering right midway through with several narrow gaps between trees along the way, and ending at an inclined green on the sloped border of the park far from view off the tee. Hole #9 features another lengthy fairway lined by trees leading to a green partially tucked inside trees.
This course at Davis Spring Special Park lies on the south side of Neenah Ave. and opposite from The Trailhead Park on the north side. A lack of adjacent parking makes it not readily accessible, and thus somewhat hidden. The course starts and ends near a tunnel under Neenah Ave. that provides sidewalk access from The Trailhead Park. The nine holes weave in and out of pockets of trees which comprise the majority of obstacles on the course with additional challenges from long fairways and elevation changes on a few holes.
EVAL
Long holes start and finish this course that has John Houck's fingerprint all over it. The holes all seem to be either really, really long or really short without much in between. The long holes aren't just long for the sake of being long, though. They are deliberately designed to require two fairway shots to reach the green, often requiring careful consideration of where to place that first shot. Similarly, the short holes aren't just gimme shots despite their short length. Narrow gaps and plenty of trees threaten to turn those probable birdies into pars or, even worse, bogeys.
I find a lot to my liking on this tough course. There are plenty of chances to air out long throws as well as toss tighter, finesse shots to get around and through trees; but there are also plenty of chances to have discs arrested by limbs and branches to derail intended throws and force shaped upshots to catch back up. Many of the holes have memorable challenges. For example, #4 is especially tricky once you reach the green with its basket perched on a slope and a deep, ditch lying just a few feet beyond. Hole #5 offers a tantalizing ace run opportunity. Hole #8 is my favorite with its uphill/downhill fairway that proves tough to land a drive atop the hill (blue tee) as well as hard to negotiate downhill approaches through trees to the sloped green.
NOTE
This course was planned and designed by John Houck in close partnership with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department due to a developer deeding this land to the city to satisfy Parkland Dedication Ordinance requirements for apartments that were built nearby.
LAYOUT
(A tunnel under Neenah Ave. provides sidewalk access from The Trailhead Park to the start of this course at Davis Spring Special Park.) Hole #1, the second longest of the course, throws from an elevated blue tee down a wide, lengthy fairway that veers left midway through with plenty of short trees to avoid along the way to a green hidden from view off the tee. Holes #2-3 are shorter throws (#3 being much shorter) with slightly curved and narrower fairways closely bordered by trees. Hole #4 features another wide, lengthy fairway filled with stands of trees that leads to an inclined green on the side of a small berm. Hole #5 is a short hole that throws from atop the berm's blue tee to a green surrounded by trees. Hole #6 follows a narrowly defined fairway lined with trees. Hole #7 offers a wide, mostly open and long fairway with scattered trees that leads to an umbrella green beneath the crowns of large trees. Hole #8 travels the longest distance, going first uphill and then downhill, veering right midway through with several narrow gaps between trees along the way, and ending at an inclined green on the sloped border of the park far from view off the tee. Hole #9 features another lengthy fairway lined by trees leading to a green partially tucked inside trees.
