Megiddo DGC reviews
8
0
Ravines, elevation and trees. Oh my!
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 4, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
Grippy concrete teepads and bright baskets.
Masterful use of elevation coupled with tight wooded lines. Variation of shorter birdie runs with nearby danger to longer multi-shot holes.
Sturdy stairways and bridges to navigate steep terrain.
Multiple tees on some holes.
Masterful use of elevation coupled with tight wooded lines. Variation of shorter birdie runs with nearby danger to longer multi-shot holes.
Sturdy stairways and bridges to navigate steep terrain.
Multiple tees on some holes.
Cons:
Unforgiving drop off's for errant shots
Muddy and slick after rain
Muddy and slick after rain
Other Thoughts:
Megiddo DGC at Westwood Park is an excellent technical track carved out of dense woods with multiple ravines and stream crossings. Extensive work was done to add stairs and bridges throughout to make navigation manageable. All shots are moderately to tightly wooded except for the middle of hole 13's fairway.
For comparison, the play is very similar to Camden II in Milan, IL at the edge of the Quad Cities.
Overall Megiddo fits well in the slate of the great Peoria area courses. While challenging due to the consistent technical lines, it is a step less daunting than its neighbor Northwood Black. Well worth a play at this fine course.
For comparison, the play is very similar to Camden II in Milan, IL at the edge of the Quad Cities.
Overall Megiddo fits well in the slate of the great Peoria area courses. While challenging due to the consistent technical lines, it is a step less daunting than its neighbor Northwood Black. Well worth a play at this fine course.
11
0
Caution When Wet! 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 20, 2016
Played the course:once
Pros:
Megiddo (aka Westwood, but not to be confused with the 'other' Westwood) is an astonishing piece of property on which to have built a disc golf course. It feels like they've taken a little bit of West Virginia, and dropped it in the plains of central Illinois. Then, the designers took advantage of every ravine for some gorgeous lines through the challenging woods. When the most 'open' hole (8) slopes 435 feet (from the short tee!) down an access road, never more than about 75 feet wide, to a brutal, side sloping basket position (with OB just at the edge of the 'circle', beyond), you know you need to be a technical billy goat to really shoot well here.
There is updated signage, large, level, trapezoidal concrete tees, beautiful orange DGA baskets with deep cages and the 'blade' top for added visibility. They've built literally hundreds and hundreds of stairs and dozens of bridges. They HAD to. When wet, the course has such steep slopes, you'll be focusing as much on staying upright as you play, as you will on making a good shot. The stairs are greatly appreciated (side note on how to play Megiddo when it's really wet: wait 'til it dries out!).
There are holes that give you a clean line all the way to the basket, and many that will force you to find the best landing zone to save par. There are holes that pretty much require a spotter (I'm talking to YOU, hole 4!), and some nice ace run opportunities (3, 6, 16). There are holes that shape in both directions. I personally like the fact that you're given many more downhill lines than uphill (in fact, I can't remember a true uphill hole). But (especially for plains states players) you will remember Megiddo for its tight tree-guarded fairways, and the climbing you'll be doing, even when you hit the 'best' lines.
The course is not intended for casual players. At all. While you're not really likely to lose a disc (the ground cover is minimal), beginners will just be frustrated here. It will challenge Intermediate to Advanced players. Beware! You throw a bunch of unique holes, and start to 'feel the burn' toward the end, and you'll still be finishing on the drop shot ace run 16th, climb a steep hill to 17, with its one of a kind basket position (IN a fallen tree!), and then climb literally four flights of steps up to 18, where first timers might not know there's a serious, 15 foot deep ravine just before the green!
There is updated signage, large, level, trapezoidal concrete tees, beautiful orange DGA baskets with deep cages and the 'blade' top for added visibility. They've built literally hundreds and hundreds of stairs and dozens of bridges. They HAD to. When wet, the course has such steep slopes, you'll be focusing as much on staying upright as you play, as you will on making a good shot. The stairs are greatly appreciated (side note on how to play Megiddo when it's really wet: wait 'til it dries out!).
There are holes that give you a clean line all the way to the basket, and many that will force you to find the best landing zone to save par. There are holes that pretty much require a spotter (I'm talking to YOU, hole 4!), and some nice ace run opportunities (3, 6, 16). There are holes that shape in both directions. I personally like the fact that you're given many more downhill lines than uphill (in fact, I can't remember a true uphill hole). But (especially for plains states players) you will remember Megiddo for its tight tree-guarded fairways, and the climbing you'll be doing, even when you hit the 'best' lines.
The course is not intended for casual players. At all. While you're not really likely to lose a disc (the ground cover is minimal), beginners will just be frustrated here. It will challenge Intermediate to Advanced players. Beware! You throw a bunch of unique holes, and start to 'feel the burn' toward the end, and you'll still be finishing on the drop shot ace run 16th, climb a steep hill to 17, with its one of a kind basket position (IN a fallen tree!), and then climb literally four flights of steps up to 18, where first timers might not know there's a serious, 15 foot deep ravine just before the green!
Cons:
If you aren't in fairly good condition, you won't enjoy the hills here. And I'm actually a little serious about wet conditions: we played the Ledgestone Open this summer with a few downpours, and there were times and places where you could barely STAND to throw, or make it up or down to the next hole. The next areas needing stairs are on 11, 16 and on the path to 17. They've done an amazing job already, but you might notice spots where they know it's rough, and the tournament had a couple of ropes out there.
Be careful throwing slightly to the right on hole 2: there's a culvert you can fly into. A couple of places (on 11 and on 13 were notable) where they've started to build up log bridges, but more permanent structures are needed. Other than that, there aren't a whole lot of cons to this course.
Be careful throwing slightly to the right on hole 2: there's a culvert you can fly into. A couple of places (on 11 and on 13 were notable) where they've started to build up log bridges, but more permanent structures are needed. Other than that, there aren't a whole lot of cons to this course.
Other Thoughts:
It's really tough to assign a simple numerical rating to this course (I hope folks are reading these reviews!). It deserves at least a 4 for what they've built, and the fun challenge of the course design. Yet I personally found it to be pretty grueling (that's partly due to my age and lack of being in shape...). I have to rate it amongst one of the better courses I've played, but can't claim it's a 'favorite' because of how tough it is (to survive!) when wet. Dry, it might be a 4.5 course, but I have to rate what I played.
4
1
IndyTyler
Experience:
14.7 years
166 played
8 reviews
A great technical course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 8, 2016
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Great concrete pads and great signs on the short tees.
incredible use of land
incredible stairs and bridges built
amazing terrain
incredible use of land
incredible stairs and bridges built
amazing terrain
Cons:
DGA/Discraft baskets
Do not use a cart at this course. You will hate yourself for it.
Do not use a cart at this course. You will hate yourself for it.
Other Thoughts:
This course is one of my favorite courses I've ever played. It is physically demanding with lots of elevation changes. It is a fair course. None of the tee shots really strike me as luck shots. You have to hit your lines here. Very well designed. I played it again yesterday after playing it last year at Ledgestone. It looks like the club is still doing a lot of work. Hole 6's stairs are amazing. Keep up the great work guys. It is an amazing course. GO PLAY IT!!!
I will rate it higher when the course is complete.
I will rate it higher when the course is complete.
17
0
Aestheticflight
Experience:
31.1 years
151 played
12 reviews
Megiddo, Best course in the peoria area 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Apr 23, 2014
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
I love a great woodsy course and this one is one of my very favorite. It has lots of elevation changes and hazards which make it my kind of course.The rough for the most part is not that rough.
Accuracy is all important on this tight course. There are holes that are long too, but control is the name of the game here. If you want to shoot par you had better sometimes think in stages rather than just throwing for the pin all the time.
Great tee pads, multiple tees on a few holes with more coming which will make it better suited for beginners to advanced players.
Mach V baskets and good signage with pointers to lead to next tee.(some of these need to be better fastened down because they move)
Accuracy is all important on this tight course. There are holes that are long too, but control is the name of the game here. If you want to shoot par you had better sometimes think in stages rather than just throwing for the pin all the time.
Great tee pads, multiple tees on a few holes with more coming which will make it better suited for beginners to advanced players.
Mach V baskets and good signage with pointers to lead to next tee.(some of these need to be better fastened down because they move)
Cons:
For some folks the footing may prove challenging at times due to its hilly nature.
I am not complaining I am a woodsman and like this sort of thing.
The creators have done a lot of work on the pads and bridges and stairs.
Still there is certainly a high probability that the tricky footing at muddy times may be unsuitable for everyone.
This is not a course to bring Grandpa and Grandma unless they are woods wise and sure footed.
Better signage is needed to point to #13, I think anyway.
I am not complaining I am a woodsman and like this sort of thing.
The creators have done a lot of work on the pads and bridges and stairs.
Still there is certainly a high probability that the tricky footing at muddy times may be unsuitable for everyone.
This is not a course to bring Grandpa and Grandma unless they are woods wise and sure footed.
Better signage is needed to point to #13, I think anyway.
Other Thoughts:
Fun, challenging and not too busy. I love this course and "Risk and reward" style golf.
For the advanced player there is a lot of short 2 able holes (with an accurate throw) but get off line a bit and you may have some exciting recovery shots if you hope for par, or a four even.
Most holes are reachable and tempt you to try.
Great job with the design of this course in utilizing the hills and woodsy setting.
It can be fun to play, but at the same time if you don't demonstrate good control of your flights you could find yourself doing a lot of hiking up and down steep hillsides retrieving your discs.
Another result of going off the fairway is that you will get a lot of exercise. These hills aren't huge but they are steep enough that if you have to do much extra hiking about for bad throws the fatigue factor could come into play for many of us.
I love to throw from the tops of hills and there are many nice holes here to please me. Of course that means walking up hills, there is plenty of that too.
There are a great number of bridges and stairways that have been built and I imagine there are more of those to come.
At the time I played there were no benches yet, I imagine they are coming (And will be welcome).
My Short descriptions:
Hole 1- Pad near Megiddo sign, Slight uphill into woodsy fairway, breaks gentle right a bit.
Hole 2- Blind hole, Pin far side of creek, about 12' from creek bank. Flight path crosses creek 2x. Beware of Large drainage pipe to right of pin downstream.Creek water usually low, not much chance of loosing disc.Leaving Pin walk uphill to gravel road go right, 3 on left.
Hole 3- Short fun hole, a bit tightish over winding creek through woods. Pin on level of pad roughly.
Hole 4- Great hole. Blind, crosses creek 2x, you should scout it the first time to plan your landing for a uphill into the woods approach shot.Great hole. Think two well placed throws for a three.
Hole 9- This little 225? footer gives you ideas of an easy two, and it is,but for right handers especially, you had better execute well or you will be doing as I did the first time and ricochet off a tree and have to descend to the bottom of the steep hill on left side of flight path faced with a ridiculously crazy recovery shot if any chance of par is to be had.
Hole 11- Wow, love this hole! Great down hill, tight fairway, creek all along left OB on road on far side of creek. Another small creek at the base of the little rise to the pin. My favorite hole on the course.
Hole 14- Pin is roughly same elevation as Pad up the ravine breaking right. I like this hole, one of the "must twos" for a low score.
Hole 16- A short must "two hole". One of the two easiest on the course.
Hole 17- I like this hole, very twoable with an accurate drive.
Hole 18- Great hole, brutal and tight and feels longer than it is. The final approach to the pin is on the far side of a ravine which makes for a tricky hazard if you are shooting to be near the basket.Great heart breaker final hole.
I'm sure many will get to this hole hoping for a good round and end up picking up some extra strokes here.
****************************************************
My hat is off to the designers and workers who have created a gem for Illinois golf lovers. It is in my opinion the best course in the area.
I love a course which allows someone with a control type of game to compete well with the big guns. This course is that type of course I think.
It is a bit rough at the edges as it is a young course (10-2014) but I believe with time it will mature into a great course.
Right now it is very tight in spots, some may say "way too tight and unfair", but as I have witnessed time and again, courses mature and become more and more open with use and vandalism by people who damage trees and even cut them down to make the hole easier for themselves.
So I approve of starting a course crowded and tight knowing that with time it will open up.
The course is only 5 min off I-74 which makes it really easy to stop in and play if you are driving past Morton (Peoria), Illinois.
Highly recommend this one to everyone who likes a challenging woodsy course.
Here is a link to some large images I have taken on 10-14. More to come as I can get them. There is also a link in the Links/Files tab on the Megiddo page here. https://www.flickr.com/photos...648599249200/
For the advanced player there is a lot of short 2 able holes (with an accurate throw) but get off line a bit and you may have some exciting recovery shots if you hope for par, or a four even.
Most holes are reachable and tempt you to try.
Great job with the design of this course in utilizing the hills and woodsy setting.
It can be fun to play, but at the same time if you don't demonstrate good control of your flights you could find yourself doing a lot of hiking up and down steep hillsides retrieving your discs.
Another result of going off the fairway is that you will get a lot of exercise. These hills aren't huge but they are steep enough that if you have to do much extra hiking about for bad throws the fatigue factor could come into play for many of us.
I love to throw from the tops of hills and there are many nice holes here to please me. Of course that means walking up hills, there is plenty of that too.
There are a great number of bridges and stairways that have been built and I imagine there are more of those to come.
At the time I played there were no benches yet, I imagine they are coming (And will be welcome).
My Short descriptions:
Hole 1- Pad near Megiddo sign, Slight uphill into woodsy fairway, breaks gentle right a bit.
Hole 2- Blind hole, Pin far side of creek, about 12' from creek bank. Flight path crosses creek 2x. Beware of Large drainage pipe to right of pin downstream.Creek water usually low, not much chance of loosing disc.Leaving Pin walk uphill to gravel road go right, 3 on left.
Hole 3- Short fun hole, a bit tightish over winding creek through woods. Pin on level of pad roughly.
Hole 4- Great hole. Blind, crosses creek 2x, you should scout it the first time to plan your landing for a uphill into the woods approach shot.Great hole. Think two well placed throws for a three.
Hole 9- This little 225? footer gives you ideas of an easy two, and it is,but for right handers especially, you had better execute well or you will be doing as I did the first time and ricochet off a tree and have to descend to the bottom of the steep hill on left side of flight path faced with a ridiculously crazy recovery shot if any chance of par is to be had.
Hole 11- Wow, love this hole! Great down hill, tight fairway, creek all along left OB on road on far side of creek. Another small creek at the base of the little rise to the pin. My favorite hole on the course.
Hole 14- Pin is roughly same elevation as Pad up the ravine breaking right. I like this hole, one of the "must twos" for a low score.
Hole 16- A short must "two hole". One of the two easiest on the course.
Hole 17- I like this hole, very twoable with an accurate drive.
Hole 18- Great hole, brutal and tight and feels longer than it is. The final approach to the pin is on the far side of a ravine which makes for a tricky hazard if you are shooting to be near the basket.Great heart breaker final hole.
I'm sure many will get to this hole hoping for a good round and end up picking up some extra strokes here.
****************************************************
My hat is off to the designers and workers who have created a gem for Illinois golf lovers. It is in my opinion the best course in the area.
I love a course which allows someone with a control type of game to compete well with the big guns. This course is that type of course I think.
It is a bit rough at the edges as it is a young course (10-2014) but I believe with time it will mature into a great course.
Right now it is very tight in spots, some may say "way too tight and unfair", but as I have witnessed time and again, courses mature and become more and more open with use and vandalism by people who damage trees and even cut them down to make the hole easier for themselves.
So I approve of starting a course crowded and tight knowing that with time it will open up. The course is only 5 min off I-74 which makes it really easy to stop in and play if you are driving past Morton (Peoria), Illinois.
Highly recommend this one to everyone who likes a challenging woodsy course.
Here is a link to some large images I have taken on 10-14. More to come as I can get them. There is also a link in the Links/Files tab on the Megiddo page here. https://www.flickr.com/photos...648599249200/
7
3
Loomis
Experience:
16.8 years
519 played
14 reviews
Holy Monkey B@lls!!! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 28, 2014
Played the course:once
Pros:
Challenges: It's there. This is a rough and tumble course with long tunnel shots and lots of elevation changes.
Bridges and stairs: Someone put more money into stairs and bridges and it works. Thank GOD they're there.
Bridges and stairs: Someone put more money into stairs and bridges and it works. Thank GOD they're there.
Cons:
Mud: After a rain this course is a soup of mud. The walking paths aren't all fully fleshed out and it can be slick. It's a work in progress so this won't be a MINUS that much longer.
Par: Some of the pars are a wee bit off. Most of the holes are Par 3 when they're marked Par 4.
Tee signs: Again, work in progress. What they have works fine for now.
Sight lines: You won't always be able to see the pin from the pad. You have to trust the tee sign. This is especially true for HOLE 4.
Bugs: You are the prey here.
Par: Some of the pars are a wee bit off. Most of the holes are Par 3 when they're marked Par 4.
Tee signs: Again, work in progress. What they have works fine for now.
Sight lines: You won't always be able to see the pin from the pad. You have to trust the tee sign. This is especially true for HOLE 4.
Bugs: You are the prey here.
Other Thoughts:
Great course which is tough and fair. It's physically demanding and is probably not quite ready for carts. Not a beginner course. You need a lot of patience and confidence to enjoy this round. If you are easily frustrated or can't throw straight, this is going to be a handful of hours trying to get through this course.
This course is going to frustrate a lot of people. But they are still going to love playing it.
This is a great compliment to Northwoods which is five minutes away.
This course is going to frustrate a lot of people. But they are still going to love playing it.
This is a great compliment to Northwoods which is five minutes away.
7
0
discgolf4lif3
Experience:
18.2 years
85 played
1 reviews
must play 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:May 21, 2014
Played the course:once
Pros:
very challenging for all levels of players
good mix of lines
lots of elevation
Orange DGA Mach 5s
direction markers
course keeps you on your toes till the very last hole
several risk and reward holes
requires all the shots
makes you work for the birdie or scramble for par
good mix of lines
lots of elevation
Orange DGA Mach 5s
direction markers
course keeps you on your toes till the very last hole
several risk and reward holes
requires all the shots
makes you work for the birdie or scramble for par
Cons:
not enough bridges
not enough stairs
no trash bins
no teepads
lines need cleaning up
not enough stairs
no trash bins
no teepads
lines need cleaning up
Other Thoughts:
Although the course needs work it is a must play if in the area! This course is a workout. Make sure to bring plenty of water, bug spray, and some hiking boots. Cant wait to see this course 100% complete with top pros playing it! Was well worth the drive! Plays alot like Camden 2 in Milan, IL
I would give it 4 out of 5. I can easily see this course being top 10 in IL. This is one of hardest courses I had the privilege of playing. My buddies and I are already making plans to come back ASAP
I would give it 4 out of 5. I can easily see this course being top 10 in IL. This is one of hardest courses I had the privilege of playing. My buddies and I are already making plans to come back ASAP
12
1
Challenging but Work in Progress 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:May 10, 2014
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
The course is located in a very wooded section of the park. It has a small creek that winds thru the course. A steep ravine comes into play on many holes. The rough is very thick in places so keep an eye on your shot. Bring a good pair of water proof hikers for this one. You'll get an awesome workout hiking this course.
If you want to work on hitting lines this is the course to play. This is a very demanding course even from the short tees. The long tees are going to tear you up!
The Orange DGA Mach 5's are awesome. They are easy to spot in the thick woods.
I updated my review from a 3.5 to 4.0 now that concrete tees have been poured. So much more fun throwing now.
There are several really nice bridges and staircases.
The basket location on #17 is really neat. It's elevated with the pole sticking thru the log. It looks cool from the tee. Fun tight downhill hole.
Hole #11 is a really fun hole! You throw from the top of the ravine. It has a tight line but it is reachable for longer throwers.
There are directional arrows on trees near the baskets. The only spot of confusion I had was the area of #5 & #10s tee pads.
If you want to work on hitting lines this is the course to play. This is a very demanding course even from the short tees. The long tees are going to tear you up!
The Orange DGA Mach 5's are awesome. They are easy to spot in the thick woods.
I updated my review from a 3.5 to 4.0 now that concrete tees have been poured. So much more fun throwing now.
There are several really nice bridges and staircases.
The basket location on #17 is really neat. It's elevated with the pole sticking thru the log. It looks cool from the tee. Fun tight downhill hole.
Hole #11 is a really fun hole! You throw from the top of the ravine. It has a tight line but it is reachable for longer throwers.
There are directional arrows on trees near the baskets. The only spot of confusion I had was the area of #5 & #10s tee pads.
Cons:
This is not a beginner friendly course. Landing zones are tight and the rough is thick. Please be careful hiking in this terrain. There are a lot of steep areas and debris.
Tee pads have now been poured to concrete but many need fill around them.
The tee signs are homemade.
There are several holes that need some more clearing to make them fair . #7 long comes to mind.
If you are a left handed player you are going to despise this course. While there are many good routes for right backhand and right forehand the left hander player has some really tricky lines to hit.
Since this course is mostly in the woods it does get a little repetitive.
Tee pads have now been poured to concrete but many need fill around them.
The tee signs are homemade.
There are several holes that need some more clearing to make them fair . #7 long comes to mind.
If you are a left handed player you are going to despise this course. While there are many good routes for right backhand and right forehand the left hander player has some really tricky lines to hit.
Since this course is mostly in the woods it does get a little repetitive.
Other Thoughts:
I'd compare the land to Camden 2 in Milan, IL on a smaller scale. It has tighter fairways though. I can see this course easily moving up to a 4 disc course after more work is completed. I moved this course up to 4 with the concrete tees being added.
With Northwoods only a few miles away this is a good 1-2 punch to hit while in town. Pekin McNaughton is only 10-15 minutes away as well. Plan an entire day at these 3.
With Northwoods only a few miles away this is a good 1-2 punch to hit while in town. Pekin McNaughton is only 10-15 minutes away as well. Plan an entire day at these 3.
