Goliath is the biggest and baddest of the Mason County Park courses. 24 holes of excellently designed golf. This course will challenge even top players, despite it not being the longest or tightest course you'll ever see. There are holes 1 through 18, and then also 6 lettered holes sprinkled in too.

The baskets are Chainstars. While not the newest, best target, these are all still in pretty solid shape and caught well enough. They kind of fit in with the old school feel of the course design. One pin position per hole.

The tee pads are concrete. All are servicable but not amazing. Definitely better than rubber mats or natural pads. One tee position per hole.

The signs are very basic. Wood 4"x4"s painted to correspond to which course it's for. Green for Goliath and Blue for Beast. The signs are pretty small and aged. They only contain an outline of MI, hole # and distance. Not the best things I've seen. But at least they have the hole #. There are tons of next tee arrows throughout the course. These are greatly appreciated, especially for first time players. And even more for the fact that 18 of the baskets are shared with Beast, so there's many worn paths by most baskets.

The course is permanent, and while not free to play, is only $1 to play all day. It's not very clear, on here or at the start of the courses, if they mean $1 per course or $1 for all day at all 3 courses. I wasn't sure so I slipped a buck in at the beginning of each.

There is an excellent assortment of shots required here to score well. I threw more forehands today than I've thrown in a while it felt like. And not just being stuck off the fairway. I threw a couple off the tee even. Which never, ever happens.

There are a few beautiful views of Lake Michigan in a few spots, and the breeze coming off the lake adds quite a bit of challenge. In fact it was the main obstacle you had to consider on nearly every hole.

The elevation is used very nicely here. There's enough of it to make it a factor on the majority of holes. But it's so overwhelming that it just saps the life out of you.

The conrete tees are unusual. They are all different sized. Some are maybe 4'x5', while others are 5'x7' it seems. Not the biggest deal really for me but may be for some who have longer run ups.

The course is showing it's age. Especially when you look at some of the older pics on here. Hole E is a prime example of this. It used to be a tight downhill shot into a pocket the pin was tucked into. Now the trees are so tall in the patch between the basket and pin that a spike hyzer or overhand shot are your only options to even have a look at a 2. There are numerous other spots throughout that are like this. The woods are starting to take back many of the originally designed lanes.

While I didn't have any issues with it, the fact that this course and the Beast share baskets could be potentially dangerous. It's fine that the players on the Beast have the right of way, but since they play opposite each other, you're approaching the same basket from completely different sides most times.

There are ample opportunities where losing a disc is possible. Many blind shots and thick, thick rough. Would advise having a spotter on most blind shots if possible.

Even with the numerous cons listed, I think this is an excellent course. You have to figure that since these were designed in the early 90's, when disc golf wasn't nearly as popular, that the two courses sharing baskets wasn't nearly as big of a deal as it could be today. Definitely has that old school course vibe. Which is refreshing with all the long open courses going up these days.

Is this a destination course. Absolutely it is. Especially with 2 other courses in the same park and quite a few other solid to great courses in the general vicinity. I've been wanting to play these courses for many years now. I've only played Beast and this one so far in Ludington. But these two alone already have me wanting to plan a return trip. It's hard to put your finger on exactly what it is, but this course just has that "It" factor. Excellent course.

A lot of what I said about the intro to the Beast can be Said about the Goliath . After you find the parking lot for mainly disc golf , you will notice the shelter on sight . This has your basic bathroom and shade for resting between rounds ( yes , I said rounds ) . Mason County Park takes their disc golf seriously . The course is manicured and was in good shape when I came here . I was part of a Northeast Michigan swing when I drove into the Ludington area . The baskets are in pretty good shape and heavy chained . The cement tees are dated and pretty short The signage is a little lacking . What the course lacks in amenities , it more than makes up for it in challenge . When you go to the first tee , situated next to the shelter ( thank God you don't have to trudge up the Beast #1 tee ) . Pay your $1 fee to play all day ( $1 , are you kidding me ? a bargain you may never see again ) at the honor box behind the tee , grab a mandatory scorecard , because not only are they cool , but they have a map on the back , which you WILL need during the round ( At least the are good Next Tee signs on green rocks and red wood that will point you the way to the next tee ) and pull out your driver . Goliath has a certain beauty and appeal to it . It mixes wooded holes with partially wooded and even some open holes to it . It plays 24 holes like the other 2 courses within walking distance , so plan to be here a while . This course plays kind of the Beast backwards . Don't get me wrong . Even though some of the fairways , greens and baskets are shared the the Beast , Goliath stands pretty well on its own . It also boasts several unique and separate holes during your round . A good mix of short technical holes ( 2, 3 , B , F ) with long bombers ( #8-745' , #14-580' , #18 - 707' ) and everything in between . Basket placement , like the Beast , is Premium . You will have to be creative and also use most of the discs in your bag . Even your starter hole , #1 is a 360' drive across the road and up a small hill . Some of the holes will let up on you from time to time , but they will never let you down Hole B is a great downhill 150' toss through a narrow alley ( my drive bounced in and out of the basket , @#$%&*!!! #10 is a blind shot drive over a hill , then back down an embankment to a leveled off green . Use of drives near or over the roads will make you think along with the tight fairways with this rough that will eat your disc in a second . I lost one of mine in the rough on the Beast , so I am a victim of this , too . This course can be best tackled with a foursome , or at least 2 of you . You may need to walk up many of the fairways , and take turns being a spotter . This course can give you a beat down , but you can always walk over to the Beauty course and throw a hole or 2 to make you feel a little better . Again , not a bad or filler hole on all 24 of these unique and challenging holes . You finish up your round with a bomber 707' hole that comes off the small hill from #1's basket on the Beast course , then wraps partly around the large hill to your right , and crosses the road to the pin , slightly up the hill and to the left and beyond the parking lot . A wonderful finishing hole . My signature Hole : I was trying to remember which one it actually was . 10 or maybe 11 . An uphill throw , to a window approach over a gully and into a narrow alley with foliage everywhere and the basket guarded by it just beyond with a slightly open green . Since I can't name the hole for sure , I will add #14 ,580 ' an elevated tee shot over a back parking lot/turnaround ( you will be hard pressed to find this tee pad without a map ) to a landing pad just beyond the cement., then uphill through a small fairway opening with lots of foliage and rough on wither side to a open green where your basket awaits . Hopefully a 4 for you even though it is listed as a 3 online ( a 3 ? ) .

#1 . Navigation . Even with the map , you will be pulled in the wrong direction a few times because of the multiple paths and tee boxes in your view at times . It gets confusing since you have 24 holes of the Beast in your general area . #2 sharing fairways and baskets with The Beast . Not all of them but some of the holes can cause you to throw across blind shot areas and baskets where oncoming Beast users may satnd . It happened to me a couple of times when I was playing the Beast .#3 Tee pads . The tee pads were a little on the short side , especially when longer holes are in the 580-747' range and many are .300' . Throwing over roads . clubbing a car can start an argument/fight just as fast as popping a disc golfer on a blind fairway/green . Be careful and be smart . Also , I didn't see trash cans or benches on all the holes . Carry out what you carry in . If you want to make this the course that deserves its rating . then add some good signage and elongate the pads .

I gave this course a .5 rating over what I would have given had it not been for 72 holes all within a short walk of one another . This is a mecca of disc golf entertainment . Goliath uses creative holes where long doesn't necessarily take the control factor out of the equation and short does not mean a gimme . Elevation on this course , while not extreme , will still cause you to take notes on your drives and approaches . This course packs everything , then turns to you and says " you better think before you throw " . A must play , since you are given the keys to 72 holes of great disc golf , and Mason County Parks must believe in the course because they take care of it well . A great destination course . Come here , play Goliath first and get it out of the way , then play the others and spend at least half your day here . Nice locals at the course and friendly park staff.The park offers many amenities here . Take advantage . My Recommendation : PLAY IT ! PLAY THEM ALL !! STAY AND PLAY AGAIN !!!!

Signs - Good signage like the rest of the courses here.

Teepads - Nice Concert pads.

Challenge - Of the courses that need a big arm, this is fun becasue it also requires you to be technical, so it has the change that makes a less arm able to compete with a big arm.

Navigation - The navigation wasn't hard when I went, however I was with someone who had played before. This may not be the same for others.

Baskets - good baskets that can catch the putts from far out.

Shared baskets with Beast, doesn't really seem to be an issue but that could be the biggest issues.

some of the rough is pretty rough.

This course I played doubles before playing a tourney here and wanted to see it, it's a very challenging course but is great round for doubles.

This is a heck of a work out walking up and down hills.

Playing this course seems like it's kind of a Safari round, which shows that some of the rough is very rough.

All in all if you are going to play all three courses, this is probably the best to start, as it's the most challenging of them all.

It's also a dollar to pay, but I think I threw in like 5 bucks, as this place is worth the extra cash to help keep up.

Goliath is an excellent course with huge distance and elevation that is a dream for big arms and advanced players.

As the course info and other reviewers have stated, this course plays through the same terrain as Beast, so the elevation and OB is similar. However Goliath offers a lot more distance and the added holes are a lot more difficult. There are a couple shorter holes at the beginning of the course, but they throw through very tight woods.

This course is a bombers dream. Players who like to crush it off the tee will have a ton of fun here. You throw up huge hills, down hills, across fields, into woods, and out of woods, all at big stance.

'Next tee' signs and green painted rocks were really helpful for navigation. Tee pads offer enough space for the big run ups you'll need on the longer holes.

Like the other two courses, the scenery here is gorgeous. This is mostly DG only land with rolling hills, trees, and breeze coming off the lake.

The obvious flaw here is the fact that this course shares baskets with Beast. It seems like Beast was the most played course here and Goliath is the least, so you will inevidably find yourself waiting for players on Beast to clear out before throwing. Moreover, it's probably wise to use a spotter to watch for players entering the fairway on some of the longer blind holes.

The lack of descriptive tee signs is a big con. We had to walk the fairway on a bunch of holes, which sucks when the holes are over hilly terrain.

Players without a 300+ drive will not enjoy this course.

I had never played a course that incorporates baskets from a completely different course, and aside from the occasional group finishing up their hole on Beast I didn't really notice, I played Beast then Goliath, and the two courses have comppletely different feels. Well done to the course designers.

I am amazed by what a little better challenge, holes better suited to my arm, and a few multi-throw holes do to boost my enjoyment. On basically the same land as Beast, this course is a full letter grade (or disc rating) better in my book.....meaning I would play it much more often than the Beast if I lived nearby (which I would love!). This is my favorite course in this wonderful complex for the following reasons.

What I personally like and how this course stacks up in my list of 18 (and more) hole courses (over 180 played):

1) Holes with good risk/reward. Fair, but harsh punishment for bad decisions or execution. == B
(There are around 10 holes with some sort of trouble along the fairway that will cost you a stroke if you do not execute. While not of the extreme/harsh variety this makes the clench-factor higher and the reward of good execution high too. Like Beast, most of the holes are straight forward - you see what you need to do immediately. There are a couple of notable exceptions with split fairways or multiple flight paths to choose from.)

2) Holes that have rewarding birdie opportunities for me (I rate only from the long tees). I'm a Blue level player (950ish skill) who throws 300' accurately, 360' max. == A
(There are 17 (almost a full course's worth) that are really good for my skill level. This makes for a ton of fun/satisfaction when playing well.....and they will let me know immediately if I am off my game (just look for the lack of deuces). Add to that the 3 par-4's (8, 14 & 18) that are all a good challenge and you have an additional 3 throws that must be executed well to enjoy birdie 3's).

3) More wooded than open - lots of variety of shots required caused by hole shape and topography == B+
(As mentioned in point #1, there is trouble in the form of trees that must be navigated on almost half the holes. The use of available elevation, again, is nicely incorporated into the designed. As is the character of the other 2 courses, there are very few places where you need to unleash any wild creativity to execute well, but there is great variety in the types of throws needed.)

4) Natural beauty (Appalachian beauty preferred) and seclusion. == B+
(The area that this course is in is strictly for disc golf and as such you do feel like you are getting away from the hustle-bustle. With many glimpses of Lake Michigan and beautiful trees and terrain, you are constantly reminded of the beauty of nature. The problem for me in really getting refreshed by my experience on this course is twofold: 1) the park road and parking lots (and a road outside of park property) are prominent on the vast majority of holes, and 2) there is a huge dam looming over the course - the backside of a reservoir. It casts this ominous feeling over the course like a giant hovering over your shoulder and surprising you every time you glance over your shoulder. Seclusion seemed a little better than Beast. I especially enjoyed the feeling of holes 3-5 - a nice mingling of white birches and fir trees.)

5) Bonus points for multi-throw holes with defined landing zones, good risk/reward and multiple options to play them. == 4 bonus points for this
(I really like the design and challenge of hole 14. Although the road is an artificial boundary, the way it is used to make you choose how much you want to bite off is really cool. 8 (745') and 18 (707') are fun straight forward bomber holes where I need perfect max length drives to get my birdie 3. I wish they were just a tad shorter.....or that I could throw just a tad longer!)

This course uses the same land and the same main 18 baskets as Beast, only played backward with entirely separate tees and fairways. The variety of foliage is very similar to Beast, with a few wooded holes, a few open holes, and lots of holes with grassy fairways and brushy rough that call for careful shot placement. This course has the most length of the three, and really lets you air it out on some holes (a couple long ones have distances marked out, a fun feature to measure your throws).

There is a great variety of hole shapes here, and it feels balanced for right or left handed players. There are some good long holes, but there is a variety of lengths including some ace possibilities, and that keeps it interesting throughout. Like Beast, there are some really nice views from some spots on this course, and the vibe of the course is really nice.

The baskets are showing some age, but still catch ok. Some tees were a little iffy when I played, but apparently all are nice concrete now so I won't hold that against the course any more.

The signage on Goliath is not the best, there are some tricky navigational spots with two courses overlapping. The hand drawn signs are creative, but don't always give enough information to know where to throw on some blind holes. There are some shots near the road and an old parking lot that take away from the feeling of seclusion here. There is the potential of conflict with players on Beast, on a busy day it would be really tough to have people playing both layouts.

This is another really nice course here, that I would go out of my way to play even without the other great courses surrounding it. This is the least beginner friendly of the three, with lots of length, and some really punishing rough. Experienced players will be challenged here, and need to bring lots of different shots and some distance if they want to score well.

Beautiful park on Lake Michigan. Good variety of short, long, open, tight shots. Lots of terrain (elevation) variation. Lots of practice playing in the wind. In the summer, you can drive 5 minutes and go swimming at a beautiful Lake Michigan beach. Great support for the courses from the local players.

Crappy tees.

This course is based on playing the older Beast course in the reverse direction. It is more difficult than Beast but there are still plenty of birdies. The main difference is that there are several long holes where a 3 is a very good score. At one time, most of the baskets were blind but now there has been some pruning done so you can see most of them from the tee. In some cases, the pruning has gone too far in my opinion, Hole A being 1 example.

If you have a good thumber/tomahawk, there are several holes where you will be happy to deploy it. Put in some nice tees and this course would be elite.

Challenging holes both long and short. Same gorgeous lake side country playing as Beast. Another quality course set on the shores of Lake Michigan. Some really beautiful unique holes. Liked the two in the pines a lot.

Mixed tees. Some Cement, some gravel. A few of the gravel ones are very lose and easy to loose footing. Confusing to follow as it crosses and mixes with the Beast Course. Hand written signs makes it look amateurish compared to other two courses.

Goliath is the third course in Mason Counties Disc Golf Course by the lake (Beauty and Beast being the other two). The other two are full courses on their own and are easy to follow, where you can tell Goliath is the disc golf addicted designers to fill in any usable landscape and to lengthen the experience for more experienced players. Goliath almost plays backwards and intersecting much of Beasts lines and baskets. Hard to follow every now and again but really fun and great layout to challenge every shot in bag. If this course had all cement tees, nice signs like Beast I would easily play Goliath all the time. In fact it would be close to 4.5

Worth playing after playing the other two. Beast is still by far the jewel here.