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Dix Park - East reviews
14
0
Make Dix Park Permanent! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Aug 29, 2020
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
UPDATED to note that Raleigh Parks & Rec designed and installed this pop-up course -- and did a fantastic job!
Let me say off the top that I'm a pretty tough grader on 9-hole courses, so a 3.0 rating may seem ho-hum, but I actually have the Dorothea Dix Pop-Up course ranked as my favorite all-time short track. This course is a temp design to gauge interest in a *possible* permanent (hopefully 18+ holes) course at Dix Park in the future. Let's make it happen, as this property -- and the views to downtown Raleigh -- are amazing. This is quite simply the perfect spot for an urban disc golf course in the heart of a large and growing disc golf community.
+ Simply a beautiful park with terrific views of the buildings in nearby downtown Raleigh. Manicured grass, mature trees, rolling hills. Gorgeous setting.
+ The design is top-notch: great flow, perfect signage and directional arrows, starts off easy, then some tougher elements (tree obstacles and elevation) are introduced. This course is perfect for introducing new players to disc golf (which is obviously the point), as each hole is very lightly wooded. However, the hole designs are such that intermediate to advanced players will have to hit precise lines and require a good bit of distance to challenge shooting under par.
+ Park at the Tate Dr. parking lot right off of Western Blvd. Then the course starts off with an easy, deuce-or-die warm-up type hole #1 (wide open, 225 feet). Pretty low-key start.
+ Hole #2 is a long bomber hole (375 feet) with a tree line bordering the left side of the fairway. Also pretty straight-forward.
+ Hole #3 is where the fun begins, in my opinion. It plays dogleg left around some early trees, finishing uphill to a very fast green. The hill is steep enough and the basket placed to where missed putts can easily result in roll-aways.
+ Hole #4 is a valley hole with a specific gap in trees about 2/3 to 3/4 up the fairway on the ridge. Make it through that gap and you're putting.
+ Hole #5 is the longest holes and the best opportunity to just grip-and-rip. It's dotted with trees to avoid and rewards not only distance, but accuracy. It plays downhill and is the first of several spots to see the full flight of the disc.
+ Hole #6 is one of the easier holes on the course (probably second behind hole #1), although there are a few low-ceiling trees to avoid. Play a nice, low, skipping hyzer to the basket and you're putting for birdie.
+ Hole #7 is longer and more challenging. Again, it's not heavily wooded, but there are enough trees in strategic spots to make you commit to a line and execute.
+ Hole #8 is one of two "signature holes," in my opinion. First, if you look right you have the great vista of downtown Raleigh. Second, the hole is a major downhill, but the basket perched on a big grassy hill, so it's somewhat of a valley shot, but unlike the shorter hole #4, it finishes waaaaay downhill and requires more finesse and touch than power. And depending on where your drive lands, you have a risk/reward putt and potential roll-away waiting for you.
+ Hole #9 is the other signature hole, for me. It's also a massive downhill hole with scattered trees dotting both sides of the fairway. A dead straight or well-executed flex shot lands you on the green. So holes 5, 8, and 9 are all long, downhill holes -- fun to play and fun to watch the flight of the disc.
Let me say off the top that I'm a pretty tough grader on 9-hole courses, so a 3.0 rating may seem ho-hum, but I actually have the Dorothea Dix Pop-Up course ranked as my favorite all-time short track. This course is a temp design to gauge interest in a *possible* permanent (hopefully 18+ holes) course at Dix Park in the future. Let's make it happen, as this property -- and the views to downtown Raleigh -- are amazing. This is quite simply the perfect spot for an urban disc golf course in the heart of a large and growing disc golf community.
+ Simply a beautiful park with terrific views of the buildings in nearby downtown Raleigh. Manicured grass, mature trees, rolling hills. Gorgeous setting.
+ The design is top-notch: great flow, perfect signage and directional arrows, starts off easy, then some tougher elements (tree obstacles and elevation) are introduced. This course is perfect for introducing new players to disc golf (which is obviously the point), as each hole is very lightly wooded. However, the hole designs are such that intermediate to advanced players will have to hit precise lines and require a good bit of distance to challenge shooting under par.
+ Park at the Tate Dr. parking lot right off of Western Blvd. Then the course starts off with an easy, deuce-or-die warm-up type hole #1 (wide open, 225 feet). Pretty low-key start.
+ Hole #2 is a long bomber hole (375 feet) with a tree line bordering the left side of the fairway. Also pretty straight-forward.
+ Hole #3 is where the fun begins, in my opinion. It plays dogleg left around some early trees, finishing uphill to a very fast green. The hill is steep enough and the basket placed to where missed putts can easily result in roll-aways.
+ Hole #4 is a valley hole with a specific gap in trees about 2/3 to 3/4 up the fairway on the ridge. Make it through that gap and you're putting.
+ Hole #5 is the longest holes and the best opportunity to just grip-and-rip. It's dotted with trees to avoid and rewards not only distance, but accuracy. It plays downhill and is the first of several spots to see the full flight of the disc.
+ Hole #6 is one of the easier holes on the course (probably second behind hole #1), although there are a few low-ceiling trees to avoid. Play a nice, low, skipping hyzer to the basket and you're putting for birdie.
+ Hole #7 is longer and more challenging. Again, it's not heavily wooded, but there are enough trees in strategic spots to make you commit to a line and execute.
+ Hole #8 is one of two "signature holes," in my opinion. First, if you look right you have the great vista of downtown Raleigh. Second, the hole is a major downhill, but the basket perched on a big grassy hill, so it's somewhat of a valley shot, but unlike the shorter hole #4, it finishes waaaaay downhill and requires more finesse and touch than power. And depending on where your drive lands, you have a risk/reward putt and potential roll-away waiting for you.
+ Hole #9 is the other signature hole, for me. It's also a massive downhill hole with scattered trees dotting both sides of the fairway. A dead straight or well-executed flex shot lands you on the green. So holes 5, 8, and 9 are all long, downhill holes -- fun to play and fun to watch the flight of the disc.
Cons:
Only a few to mention here. Overall, this is a great temp course and hopefully it gets enough support in the community to build momentum for a permanent track.
- The all-grass tee areas have gotten a lot of use already and can be slick. Not terrible though. And you wouldn't expect permanent tees yet on a temporary course.
- Heavy traffic on the course, which is understandable! Everyone wants to try it out while they can! Be prepared for some large groups and some long waits. It's well worth it though!
- I can understand why hole #1 is designed the way it is, but it's the only hole on the course I would change or add some kind of challenging element to it to fit in with the rest of the holes.
- Only 9 holes. Let's get at least 9 more on this amazing property!
- The all-grass tee areas have gotten a lot of use already and can be slick. Not terrible though. And you wouldn't expect permanent tees yet on a temporary course.
- Heavy traffic on the course, which is understandable! Everyone wants to try it out while they can! Be prepared for some large groups and some long waits. It's well worth it though!
- I can understand why hole #1 is designed the way it is, but it's the only hole on the course I would change or add some kind of challenging element to it to fit in with the rest of the holes.
- Only 9 holes. Let's get at least 9 more on this amazing property!
Other Thoughts:
Fantastic new disc golf opportunity in Raleigh. I'll be sad to see it go and the end of September...but hope it can become a seasonal course or the beginnings of a future permanent track!
