Pros:
Course Essentials:
-Baskets: Innova DISCatchers, great condition. Variable placement on Holes 2,4,5,7,10,11,14,&18.
-Tee Pads: Large, level tee pads (Pro), Natural (Am)
-Tee Signs: Nice signs on all holes that show distance, par, layout.
General Course Design and Layout:
-Par: 56Pro/58Am
-Length: Approximately 6915ft Total/384ft avg (Pro), 5660ft Total/314ft avg (Am). -Varies based on current course configuration (8 Holes w/Variable Pin Placements)
-Fairways: Technical (6), Semi-Technical (8), Open (4)
-Fairway Variety: Straight (14), Left>Right (3), Right>Left (1) - [this will be explained in more detail...]
-Elevation: Minimum to Moderate
-Elevation Variety: Uphill (6), Downhill (3), Flat (9)
-Hazards: Road/Walking Path throughout the park plays OB
The disc course at McCurry Park offers a mostly semi-technical layout that makes a single continuous loop from start to finish. From the pro tees, the course averages nearly 385ft with a good mix of longer/shorter holes and everything in between. The fairways present a good technical variety that give the player a lot of choices off the tee. I listed in the information above that there are 14 holes that I consider straight, by this I mean that the basket is pretty much straight off of the tee, no defined right or left fairways. Most of these holes are lined with a number of trees and require you to hit some type of line to clear the fairway and access the pin. Although these lines are not fully defined, there are typically multiple lines that can provide a look at the pin. The minimum and moderate elevations throughout McCurry Park were used effectively in the design. The road and walking paths that wind throughout the park play OB and certainly increase the challenge of the course.
Course maintenance was superb, this was one of the nicest, most well-kept courses that I have played. The area parks in general, or at least the ones that I went to were all very well cared for, it was very nice to see. Navigation was relatively simple and straight-forward, but there were a few issues that will be discussed in the cons section.
Cons:
-Safety Concerns: This is my biggest issue with the course. This park offers a wide variety of activities and is very busy. There are walking paths, parking lots, pavilions/picnic areas, and playground equipment throughout the park that can potentially come into play. Use caution and keep an eye out for others before throwing!
-Navigation: Although navigation was pretty straight-forward, there were several holes with long walks between them where multiple tees/baskets were visible. The direction to the next tee was not always obvious, and on my first time through, I actually ended up having to back-track several times to find the correct tee. Next tee markers on the signs or at the baskets would be a big help.
-Tee Signs: The tee signs are very nice, but are missing some information. I've only played the course, so I apologize if this is incorrect, but as far as I remember (and from looking back through course photos), the Am tees and alternate pin positions are not noted on the signs.
Other Thoughts:
Overall, the course at McCurry Park was a very positive experience. The course offers a fun and fair layout that is very clean and well-kept which makes for great visual appeal.
The park itself was pretty crowded and busy, but the course was not on this particular day. I really liked this course a lot and would consider McCurry Park a pretty solid 3.75 disc course that is more deserving of a 4 than a 3.5 (in my opinion). If you are in or near Fayetteville, this course is definitely worth checking out.