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Haw River Nature Trail reviews
11
0
DiscGolfCraig
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
20 years
603 played
546 reviews
Nice and Scenic 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Jan 5, 2021
Played the course:once
Pros:
HRNT is a scenic, wooded course located in a small state park. This course isn't built for serious disc golfers, but the sights and sounds are meant for everyone to enjoy.
- This is a short, simple wooded course. With an average hole length of only 211 feet, course can be handled by casual and beginning players.
- The course is all about the terrain. Three true uphill shots and four downhill layouts provide the challenge & fun.
- #2 is a tight downhill shot. Just throw a putter or mid-range and let it glide down towards the basket. #3 plays back up the same hill, but isn't nearly as much fun.
- #6 & 7 are two more fun downhill holes. #7 has the added challenge and appeal of a drop-off just past the basket. This is one of only two holes (#9 being the other) that clearly are targeted for more advanced players. You go right of the basket by 15 feet, you may be 20 feet below and 100 feet away from the basket.
- #8 is the best of the uphill shots as it's the best ace-run shot off the tee. It's only 185 feet so you've got option to park your tee shot.
- Some great scenery throughout the course. There's a cool amphitheater to the right of #9. From the top of the hill between holes #5 & 9, you're also overlooking the lake. Fun trails walking from the parking lot to the first tee. Just note they get extremely muddy in spots.
- Fun, educational tee signs. As part of the Nature Trail disc golf course series, these signs have nature-related information. Note to people wanting a course in their hometown: convince officials to put in educational tee signs. It's a win-win for everyone.
- This is a short, simple wooded course. With an average hole length of only 211 feet, course can be handled by casual and beginning players.
- The course is all about the terrain. Three true uphill shots and four downhill layouts provide the challenge & fun.
- #2 is a tight downhill shot. Just throw a putter or mid-range and let it glide down towards the basket. #3 plays back up the same hill, but isn't nearly as much fun.
- #6 & 7 are two more fun downhill holes. #7 has the added challenge and appeal of a drop-off just past the basket. This is one of only two holes (#9 being the other) that clearly are targeted for more advanced players. You go right of the basket by 15 feet, you may be 20 feet below and 100 feet away from the basket.
- #8 is the best of the uphill shots as it's the best ace-run shot off the tee. It's only 185 feet so you've got option to park your tee shot.
- Some great scenery throughout the course. There's a cool amphitheater to the right of #9. From the top of the hill between holes #5 & 9, you're also overlooking the lake. Fun trails walking from the parking lot to the first tee. Just note they get extremely muddy in spots.
- Fun, educational tee signs. As part of the Nature Trail disc golf course series, these signs have nature-related information. Note to people wanting a course in their hometown: convince officials to put in educational tee signs. It's a win-win for everyone.
Cons:
Walking up to the first tee, I see a basket. My first thought is the practice basket is really close to the first tee. Hah! It's actually the basket for #9. Cue the Office Space Bob's meeting gif of 'So..what is it you say you're doing around here'.
- In addition to that, #9 is also a blind, downhill, dogleg right around the amphitheater, throwing over the walking path towards the woods tee shot. The basket needs to be moved somewhere more sensible. Even taking off running as soon as I released my tee shot, it still took 5 minutes searching in the woods to find my disc. I knew to be prepared. Casual, one disc owning players won't be thinking the same thing.
- #4's layout was also bad. Based on the direction of the tee pad, I thought the hole was pointing one direction. Turns out it was 45 degrees to the left of that.
- Course will either be better or worse once the leaves are on the trees. Better by having well defined fairways and paths between holes. Worse as in tougher by having tighter fairways and more insects and wildlife to deal with.
- For being in a state park, it's weird that you can see somebody's backyard on #5. It does take away that nature feel when you get some vibes of being in a city park instead of a secluded state park.
- Course was lacking in some upkeep when I played. There was a big tree down on #8's fairway and another near the basket on #3. The trail to the course was closed, so had to take a different one. Granted it only added 2 - 3 minutes each way.
- In addition to that, #9 is also a blind, downhill, dogleg right around the amphitheater, throwing over the walking path towards the woods tee shot. The basket needs to be moved somewhere more sensible. Even taking off running as soon as I released my tee shot, it still took 5 minutes searching in the woods to find my disc. I knew to be prepared. Casual, one disc owning players won't be thinking the same thing.
- #4's layout was also bad. Based on the direction of the tee pad, I thought the hole was pointing one direction. Turns out it was 45 degrees to the left of that.
- Course will either be better or worse once the leaves are on the trees. Better by having well defined fairways and paths between holes. Worse as in tougher by having tighter fairways and more insects and wildlife to deal with.
- For being in a state park, it's weird that you can see somebody's backyard on #5. It does take away that nature feel when you get some vibes of being in a city park instead of a secluded state park.
- Course was lacking in some upkeep when I played. There was a big tree down on #8's fairway and another near the basket on #3. The trail to the course was closed, so had to take a different one. Granted it only added 2 - 3 minutes each way.
Other Thoughts:
Haw River is a nice, basic course. If you live close by, you love the vibe if offers. If you don't, it's not worth a drive out of the way.
- There are motel buildings that are next to the course's parking lot. Who knows how often they're used, but you may get some looks from people on vacation or a retreat of sorts if you show up to get your frolfing on.
- The park also has other amenities away from the course. I didn't bother checking them out as I had my share.
- You're only 20 - 25 minutes from Keely Park, Lake's Edge, and Holly Run, but it does feel like you're way out in the middle of nowhere. That at least allows you to bag this course if you're just passing by.
- If #9 was only better, my entire perception would be different. Shoot, even if it was simply an average layout, the hole would be significantly better. It honestly feels the basket was moved to be out of the way, the park's department and didn't know where to place it. So they figured it should go near the closest disc golf element, which turned out to be the first tee. That would only make sense if the basket was interfering with the road/path.
- #1 was perfectly suitable. #2 was fun. #6 - 8 were all fun. The other holes were rudimentary. Enjoy the sites and sounds of this state park. And knock out a course in under 20 minutes.
- There are motel buildings that are next to the course's parking lot. Who knows how often they're used, but you may get some looks from people on vacation or a retreat of sorts if you show up to get your frolfing on.
- The park also has other amenities away from the course. I didn't bother checking them out as I had my share.
- You're only 20 - 25 minutes from Keely Park, Lake's Edge, and Holly Run, but it does feel like you're way out in the middle of nowhere. That at least allows you to bag this course if you're just passing by.
- If #9 was only better, my entire perception would be different. Shoot, even if it was simply an average layout, the hole would be significantly better. It honestly feels the basket was moved to be out of the way, the park's department and didn't know where to place it. So they figured it should go near the closest disc golf element, which turned out to be the first tee. That would only make sense if the basket was interfering with the road/path.
- #1 was perfectly suitable. #2 was fun. #6 - 8 were all fun. The other holes were rudimentary. Enjoy the sites and sounds of this state park. And knock out a course in under 20 minutes.
8
1
weego3
Experience:
1 played
1 reviews
Like bad pizza. It's still pizza! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 14, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
It is a "disc golf course" since it does have baskets(9) and relatively flat (gravely) tee locations to throw from. Course is an added bonus if you are already visiting the park. It is located in a beautiful park. There are a few (2-3) really fun holes. Great exercise if you don't mind climbing hills. Signage isn't bad and the course is so small if you miss a hole you can easily backtrack to play it plus replay that one you bogeyed.
Cons:
Unless you "park" every hole plan on loosing a disc or more. Otherwise you will spend a lot of time searching in the (beautiful) deep fern filled woods. Most of the fairways are literally just a single track of hiking trail. Easy to turn an ankle if not wearing appropriate footwear. Growth and neglect have negated some of the original course lines (on some holes they don't exist).
Other Thoughts:
If your visiting the park definitely bring along a few discs (that you don't mind losing). It would be nice to have a spotter. If you're staying awhile then drive (15 min) and play Lakes Edge in Reidsville.
