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Dolly Cooper Park reviews
12
0
DiscGolfCraig
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
20 years
604 played
549 reviews
Dressed up like a million-dollar trooper. Tryin' hard to look like Dolly Cooper (super duper) 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Aug 3, 2019
Played the course:once
Pros:
There a push for new courses to test the limits of players with longer layouts and more extreme challenges. Dolly Cooper reminds you that smart, creative designs are what ultimately make a solid course.
- This is a solid, well-thought out layout. Course has an excellent flow throughout where every 4-5 holes you seemingly get a mix of open & tight layouts, easy birdie chances and tougher, earn-your-par holes, from scenic layouts to not-so-much ones. The course offers about four of these hole clusters throughout the round, keeping things fresh.
- Scenic and isolated. The only other thing at the park as of this writing is a ball field (football/soccer). You're less than five minutes from a main, 4-lane road, but you might as well be 45 minutes out of town based on quiet and calm it is here.
- Course has an easy flow to it with the layout in the shape of a figure 8. The front nine is one loop on one side of the parking lot, and the back nine the other loop across the parking lot. Signage & navigation should be improved as the course gets better established.
- There are some instant classic hole layouts. The first is #5, an uphill, 330-footer that plays over the edge of a retention pond (?) to a protected landing area. From the tee, the only basket you see is #9, but #5 is shorter & left, slightly further into the woods. Challenging and scenic.
- #9 is a fun, short risk/reward layout. A downhill, 160-foot straight shot. The slope picks up and leads to a wide-open field just steps past the basket. An ace here is either a lucky bad-shot or a gutsy shot. If your shot is basket height and misses the basket, you could easily be looking at a second shot even longer than your tee shot. The smarter, yet still testy, throw is low and short, letting your disc hug the ground.
- The course ends on a high note, with #17 serving as one of the toughest tee shots. At 395-feet, the fairway narrows around the 275-foot mark, with a line of trees protecting short and right of the elevated tee. If you end up in this area, it's going to take great shot making to get a 3. A score of 2 on this hole, and on #2, is exceptional. Even getting a 3 requires a couple excellent shots.
- People are going to love or hate #18. It's a downhill 250-foot island green. It's a small island green. Personally, I think have solid OBs is better than the island green concept. Regardless, you'll probably throw a second disc here.
- This is a solid, well-thought out layout. Course has an excellent flow throughout where every 4-5 holes you seemingly get a mix of open & tight layouts, easy birdie chances and tougher, earn-your-par holes, from scenic layouts to not-so-much ones. The course offers about four of these hole clusters throughout the round, keeping things fresh.
- Scenic and isolated. The only other thing at the park as of this writing is a ball field (football/soccer). You're less than five minutes from a main, 4-lane road, but you might as well be 45 minutes out of town based on quiet and calm it is here.
- Course has an easy flow to it with the layout in the shape of a figure 8. The front nine is one loop on one side of the parking lot, and the back nine the other loop across the parking lot. Signage & navigation should be improved as the course gets better established.
- There are some instant classic hole layouts. The first is #5, an uphill, 330-footer that plays over the edge of a retention pond (?) to a protected landing area. From the tee, the only basket you see is #9, but #5 is shorter & left, slightly further into the woods. Challenging and scenic.
- #9 is a fun, short risk/reward layout. A downhill, 160-foot straight shot. The slope picks up and leads to a wide-open field just steps past the basket. An ace here is either a lucky bad-shot or a gutsy shot. If your shot is basket height and misses the basket, you could easily be looking at a second shot even longer than your tee shot. The smarter, yet still testy, throw is low and short, letting your disc hug the ground.
- The course ends on a high note, with #17 serving as one of the toughest tee shots. At 395-feet, the fairway narrows around the 275-foot mark, with a line of trees protecting short and right of the elevated tee. If you end up in this area, it's going to take great shot making to get a 3. A score of 2 on this hole, and on #2, is exceptional. Even getting a 3 requires a couple excellent shots.
- People are going to love or hate #18. It's a downhill 250-foot island green. It's a small island green. Personally, I think have solid OBs is better than the island green concept. Regardless, you'll probably throw a second disc here.
Cons:
The cons are most connected to new course issues: lack of signage, poor navigation, and a little more clearing needed. Throw in the general lack of amenities on the course, and you can see more work is needed for the course to reach its potential.
- Navigation needs improvement. I already mentioned the confusion about the basket on #5. Besides that, there are bike/walking trails that intersection with paths between holes.
- Also, I threw completely backwards on #15. You stand on the tee, you see the hole length is 150 feet, and you see a basket on a slight hill about the distance away. You then throw to it, finish the hole and then realize the tee immediately behind there is for #18. At that point, you conclude you probably just throw to basket #17, and accidentally skipped two holes. At least it was a short walk back. To be honest, #16 was probably the least memorable hole, a true 'filler' hole.
- Tee signage would help, especially on blind tee shots. I would have shot several strokes better if I knew where the baskets were located on multiple holes. I played the safe 250-foot straight down the middle tee shot on several of the blind holes.
- The biggest long-term issues are the long walks between the front and back 9s. Going from #9 to 10, you hole #1 and the basket for #18.
- It would be nicer to see one or two holes toughened to add a bit more spice to the layout. #10 for example could be a great, multi-shot par 4 if it were 100-150 feet longer. It looks tough from the tee but plays as a simple par 3 as it's an easy approach and putt.
- Navigation needs improvement. I already mentioned the confusion about the basket on #5. Besides that, there are bike/walking trails that intersection with paths between holes.
- Also, I threw completely backwards on #15. You stand on the tee, you see the hole length is 150 feet, and you see a basket on a slight hill about the distance away. You then throw to it, finish the hole and then realize the tee immediately behind there is for #18. At that point, you conclude you probably just throw to basket #17, and accidentally skipped two holes. At least it was a short walk back. To be honest, #16 was probably the least memorable hole, a true 'filler' hole.
- Tee signage would help, especially on blind tee shots. I would have shot several strokes better if I knew where the baskets were located on multiple holes. I played the safe 250-foot straight down the middle tee shot on several of the blind holes.
- The biggest long-term issues are the long walks between the front and back 9s. Going from #9 to 10, you hole #1 and the basket for #18.
- It would be nicer to see one or two holes toughened to add a bit more spice to the layout. #10 for example could be a great, multi-shot par 4 if it were 100-150 feet longer. It looks tough from the tee but plays as a simple par 3 as it's an easy approach and putt.
Other Thoughts:
Dolly Cooper is a great addition to the Upstate disc golf scene. Just another solid course to play along the I-85 corridor.
- Copy & paste observation: course will get better with age. Navigation issues will be fixed. A branch or tree will be cut down, additional underbrush will be cleared out. Course will be broken in.
- I like the dichotomy of the front and back nine. Front nine is the 'wooded' half and back is the 'open' half. By that I mean the front side feels like you're in the woods, stepping out to play open holes. The back nine feels mostly open, with a few holes skirting up alongside the woods. Yes, both sides have a mixture of both. It's a feel thing.
- I'm surprised by how close you are to downtown and still feel like you're out in the country. Over the years, that isolated feel many disappear due to urban sprawl. In the meantime, enjoy this rural pocket.
- It'd be nice to find a way to better incorporate the Saluda River. There are some nice encounters - basket on #4, tee on #13 - but it'd be a nice touch to really get up close to the river. Perhaps push the tee on #13 a little further back.
- The course has one the best intangibles for me. The layout has a great flow & feel to it. From a simple warm-up hole on #1 to a tougher close to the round on #17 & 18 (especially if you incorporate the island green on #18), I love the ebb and flows throughout.
- With the split of the front and back, it also allows people to get in a quick 9, perhaps on a lunch break or right after work before the wife gets suspicious.
- Another excellent course in the Upstate. Fun and challenging throughout makes this worth a visit. Job well done!
- Copy & paste observation: course will get better with age. Navigation issues will be fixed. A branch or tree will be cut down, additional underbrush will be cleared out. Course will be broken in.
- I like the dichotomy of the front and back nine. Front nine is the 'wooded' half and back is the 'open' half. By that I mean the front side feels like you're in the woods, stepping out to play open holes. The back nine feels mostly open, with a few holes skirting up alongside the woods. Yes, both sides have a mixture of both. It's a feel thing.
- I'm surprised by how close you are to downtown and still feel like you're out in the country. Over the years, that isolated feel many disappear due to urban sprawl. In the meantime, enjoy this rural pocket.
- It'd be nice to find a way to better incorporate the Saluda River. There are some nice encounters - basket on #4, tee on #13 - but it'd be a nice touch to really get up close to the river. Perhaps push the tee on #13 a little further back.
- The course has one the best intangibles for me. The layout has a great flow & feel to it. From a simple warm-up hole on #1 to a tougher close to the round on #17 & 18 (especially if you incorporate the island green on #18), I love the ebb and flows throughout.
- With the split of the front and back, it also allows people to get in a quick 9, perhaps on a lunch break or right after work before the wife gets suspicious.
- Another excellent course in the Upstate. Fun and challenging throughout makes this worth a visit. Job well done!
10
0
A little sumthin' for everyone! 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 7, 2019
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
This is a course I have been wanting to play for a while and was not disappointed. Course reminds me of a slice of all the Greenville/Spartanburg SC course. You have some WIDE OPEN grip-and-rips like Holston Creek. You have fun, easy birdie runs like Timmons. And there are some tiiiight holes that take incredible precision like Foothills.
And there's more elevation here than you would expect. On a mild day you'll work up a sweat playing Dolly Cooper. On a hot blistering July day you will freakin' melt on the open holes. But there is a river flowing by the course you can splash in should the heat get to be to much.
The designers of the course placed the baskets where roll-aways are in evitable (Think Timmons!) Holes 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 14 can be bad news if you clank of the cage. That 15' foot putt can become a 45' roller!
# 2 is your first grip-and-rip. A super drive doesn't always work out as the green is well protected. I found staying right of the pin gives the best chance for par or birdie.
The tight shots on 3 & 4 are REALLY tight. These tight short can easily go from birdie to double bogey with a slight tree kick. Not quite a poke-and-hope, but close.
#5 is a CRUSH for the average player. Gotta throw everything you have into an uphil, hyzering back shot. Come in early and you have nada to approach from
#6 is a fun hole For righties is a touch-shot forehand (260') with a fairly low ceiling and close fairway.
#7 & #9 are nice little downhill birdie runs that can become disastrous if you juice it just a bit much. Another place you can go from birdie to bogey with a roll.
#10 takes you back to the grip-and-rips to a protected basket
.
#11 HIGH anhyzer, tight rip to a basket on a ridge. Lots of roll away potential
#12 is a flat hyzer rip from a ridge to a basket down below. Not tough to throw, just need the right power to park the basket.
#13 is TOUGH. Sorta tight uphill, right-turning anhyzer shot to a sloping green. If you don't get up the hill you'll be hoping for a 4
#14 is another slight uphill, left turning shot that you gotta smoke high and forward before it turns back to a basket - on a slope! More roll away potential.
#15 is a short anhyzer shot to a basket protected by lots of small trees. This hole might have to be redesigned in a few years if these trees leaf out more
#16 is essentially a classic filler hole, relatively short uphill with a drop off behind the basket. Too much arm and you're going sailing away!
#17 is a long, fun crush of a shot. You're above the basket throwing 390' to a basket on a hill top. Come in short and you're in a mild ravine with briers and other bramble.
#18 is you classic 'let's empty the bag and let 'em fly' hole. You're up on a hill throwing a blind shot to a basket behind a row of trees. it's only about 200' as the crow flies, but you have to clear the trees first. And you DON"T want to come in early!
And there's more elevation here than you would expect. On a mild day you'll work up a sweat playing Dolly Cooper. On a hot blistering July day you will freakin' melt on the open holes. But there is a river flowing by the course you can splash in should the heat get to be to much.
The designers of the course placed the baskets where roll-aways are in evitable (Think Timmons!) Holes 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 14 can be bad news if you clank of the cage. That 15' foot putt can become a 45' roller!
# 2 is your first grip-and-rip. A super drive doesn't always work out as the green is well protected. I found staying right of the pin gives the best chance for par or birdie.
The tight shots on 3 & 4 are REALLY tight. These tight short can easily go from birdie to double bogey with a slight tree kick. Not quite a poke-and-hope, but close.
#5 is a CRUSH for the average player. Gotta throw everything you have into an uphil, hyzering back shot. Come in early and you have nada to approach from
#6 is a fun hole For righties is a touch-shot forehand (260') with a fairly low ceiling and close fairway.
#7 & #9 are nice little downhill birdie runs that can become disastrous if you juice it just a bit much. Another place you can go from birdie to bogey with a roll.
#10 takes you back to the grip-and-rips to a protected basket
.
#11 HIGH anhyzer, tight rip to a basket on a ridge. Lots of roll away potential
#12 is a flat hyzer rip from a ridge to a basket down below. Not tough to throw, just need the right power to park the basket.
#13 is TOUGH. Sorta tight uphill, right-turning anhyzer shot to a sloping green. If you don't get up the hill you'll be hoping for a 4
#14 is another slight uphill, left turning shot that you gotta smoke high and forward before it turns back to a basket - on a slope! More roll away potential.
#15 is a short anhyzer shot to a basket protected by lots of small trees. This hole might have to be redesigned in a few years if these trees leaf out more
#16 is essentially a classic filler hole, relatively short uphill with a drop off behind the basket. Too much arm and you're going sailing away!
#17 is a long, fun crush of a shot. You're above the basket throwing 390' to a basket on a hill top. Come in short and you're in a mild ravine with briers and other bramble.
#18 is you classic 'let's empty the bag and let 'em fly' hole. You're up on a hill throwing a blind shot to a basket behind a row of trees. it's only about 200' as the crow flies, but you have to clear the trees first. And you DON"T want to come in early!
Cons:
I know concrete tees are coming, but dirt tees eat me up. When these come in, this course will be even better.
The navigation from 9 to 10 is LONG. Without someone giving us directions, it would have taken us an hour to find 10! Course is two 9 hole loops. Hole 10 is to the far left of the parking lot.
If you play this course in the rain, some of the uphill/down hill slopes could be treacherous
The navigation from 9 to 10 is LONG. Without someone giving us directions, it would have taken us an hour to find 10! Course is two 9 hole loops. Hole 10 is to the far left of the parking lot.
If you play this course in the rain, some of the uphill/down hill slopes could be treacherous
Other Thoughts:
Overall this is a blast of course that will use all your shots. It's a great mix of lefty/righty holes, open/tight holes, up and downhill holes.
5
0
Oh Dolly! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Apr 3, 2019
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
-Good mix of open and wooded holes with elevation.
-Beautiful river runs beside it.
-Course has a ton of upside.
-Outstanding baskets.
-Turf tee pads
-Beautiful river runs beside it.
-Course has a ton of upside.
-Outstanding baskets.
-Turf tee pads
Cons:
-New tee box needed for the new 8 and new long 9
-Needs play to break in new course configuration.
-Needs play to break in new course configuration.
Other Thoughts:
I tried this course out for the first time this week. I would say this course will definitely give up some birdies, but there are quite a few challenging holes as well. There is a great mix of fun open holes with some technical mixed in.
My favorite hole was 17. It was really nice to let a drive fly at this 420 ft beauty. It is not a hard hole, just long and fun to throw to. Hole 1 is a nice starter hole. Nothing hard here except maybe a death putt if you are short, but it is a great place to warm up all of your throws before you start the course.
There were a handful of very tight holes, but overall the course is well balanced. This will be a gem when the tee signs and tee boxes go in, but it is definitely playable as is.
It would be awesome if arks and rec would mow that old baseball field on site. It would be great as a driving/practice range.
8/25/20 Update:
There is now a new hole 2 basket location that is a little deeper in the woods beside the retention pond. The old wooded path will not get you a clean shot at the basket anymore!
The old hole 4 is gone, the remaining holes have been renumbered accordingly and a new hole 8 has been installed that leads you to the new longer hole 9 tee pad.
The back 9 remains unscathed.
Out of the 66 courses I have reviewed, this is where this course ranks along with similarly rated courses:
Rank-Course, Location
9-N.E. Lions Park, Norman, OK
10-Grand Central Station, Central, SC
11-Stoney Hill DGC, Newberry, SC
12-Mekusukey DGC, Seminole, OK
13-Regional DGC, Ardmore, OK
14-Dolly Cooper Park DGC, Powdersville, SC
15-Woodruff Leisure Center DGC, Woodruff, SC
16-Shaver Recreation Center Original, Seneca, SC
17-Foothills DGC, Easley, SC
18-Langley Pond DGC, Burnettown, SC
My favorite hole was 17. It was really nice to let a drive fly at this 420 ft beauty. It is not a hard hole, just long and fun to throw to. Hole 1 is a nice starter hole. Nothing hard here except maybe a death putt if you are short, but it is a great place to warm up all of your throws before you start the course.
There were a handful of very tight holes, but overall the course is well balanced. This will be a gem when the tee signs and tee boxes go in, but it is definitely playable as is.
It would be awesome if arks and rec would mow that old baseball field on site. It would be great as a driving/practice range.
8/25/20 Update:
There is now a new hole 2 basket location that is a little deeper in the woods beside the retention pond. The old wooded path will not get you a clean shot at the basket anymore!
The old hole 4 is gone, the remaining holes have been renumbered accordingly and a new hole 8 has been installed that leads you to the new longer hole 9 tee pad.
The back 9 remains unscathed.
Out of the 66 courses I have reviewed, this is where this course ranks along with similarly rated courses:
Rank-Course, Location
9-N.E. Lions Park, Norman, OK
10-Grand Central Station, Central, SC
11-Stoney Hill DGC, Newberry, SC
12-Mekusukey DGC, Seminole, OK
13-Regional DGC, Ardmore, OK
14-Dolly Cooper Park DGC, Powdersville, SC
15-Woodruff Leisure Center DGC, Woodruff, SC
16-Shaver Recreation Center Original, Seneca, SC
17-Foothills DGC, Easley, SC
18-Langley Pond DGC, Burnettown, SC
