New Hopewell DGC reviews
12
0
Well, No Hope For New Hopewell
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 25, 2023
Played the course:once
Pros:
+ The course plays in a quiet and calm park. Time feels like it stands still here.
+ Numbered baskets have arrows to point the way, even when they aren't necessary.
+ Short distances are good for beginners/training/practice, but...
+ Numbered baskets have arrows to point the way, even when they aren't necessary.
+ Short distances are good for beginners/training/practice, but...
Cons:
- ...Those same short distances are pretty boring for experienced players.
- There really aren't any finished tees to speak of.
- The signage is basic and faded plastic where they exist. During links3 - 8, all you get are painted wooden blocks with the distance and par.
- The links are overwhelmingly flat and open with a quick jaunt in the woods between links3 and 8.
- A majority of the fairways cross, border or flat-out overlap the larger park's paths, parking lots and play fields. Luckily, they aren't blind shots, but it's still hazardous design.
- There really aren't any finished tees to speak of.
- The signage is basic and faded plastic where they exist. During links3 - 8, all you get are painted wooden blocks with the distance and par.
- The links are overwhelmingly flat and open with a quick jaunt in the woods between links3 and 8.
- A majority of the fairways cross, border or flat-out overlap the larger park's paths, parking lots and play fields. Luckily, they aren't blind shots, but it's still hazardous design.
Other Thoughts:
The very first fairway throws right past the parking lot and over a walking path with dense tree cover just to the left. So, your very first throw will end with your disc hitting a car, striking a person or getting lost in the woods. Things don't get off to a good start here.
Link2 isn't any better. That one throws right alongside two paths and concerningly close to a children's play area.
The course at New Hopewell Park feels crowbarred into the property. To my mind it seems like one of those courses that was installed simply because a bunch of other courses were popping up nearby. Or maybe there weren't a bunch of courses nearby, and they wanted to be the first? It doesn't matter. What does matter is that this is a brief and cramped course that plays flat and dull. Link12 is an absolutely straight, flat and wide-open example of that.
Only three of the fairways reach or exceed 300ft, and only five or six have noticeable trees to deal with. Link4 is both the longest at 386ft and also plays through the densest tree cover with actual lines to consider. Those two factors made it my favorite.
But the rest of the course is seriously underwhelming and not to mention a little dangerous for other parkgoers. If the disc golfer gets careless or the wind unexpectedly picks up, it could be a bad day for someone during peak hours. The worst part is that I can't think of too much to improve the course. The overall park is aggressively tiny, so I don't think they could relocate it. Proper tee pads, signage and other upgrades would be nice to see but do not address the disc golfing quality. This course is in a tough situation.
All that said, I don't think I can recommend this course to most players who are looking for a serious round. The trees barely make an appearance, so the tacticians won't like it. And even though the fairways are mostly wide open, the power throwers out there probably won't find much enjoyment here, either, because of the fairways' brevity.
But! If you are new to the sport and/or just want a gentle low-pressure place to practice, then New Hopewell is for you. If you are a course bagger, then this place is for you by default. But don't expect much.
Link2 isn't any better. That one throws right alongside two paths and concerningly close to a children's play area.
The course at New Hopewell Park feels crowbarred into the property. To my mind it seems like one of those courses that was installed simply because a bunch of other courses were popping up nearby. Or maybe there weren't a bunch of courses nearby, and they wanted to be the first? It doesn't matter. What does matter is that this is a brief and cramped course that plays flat and dull. Link12 is an absolutely straight, flat and wide-open example of that.
Only three of the fairways reach or exceed 300ft, and only five or six have noticeable trees to deal with. Link4 is both the longest at 386ft and also plays through the densest tree cover with actual lines to consider. Those two factors made it my favorite.
But the rest of the course is seriously underwhelming and not to mention a little dangerous for other parkgoers. If the disc golfer gets careless or the wind unexpectedly picks up, it could be a bad day for someone during peak hours. The worst part is that I can't think of too much to improve the course. The overall park is aggressively tiny, so I don't think they could relocate it. Proper tee pads, signage and other upgrades would be nice to see but do not address the disc golfing quality. This course is in a tough situation.
All that said, I don't think I can recommend this course to most players who are looking for a serious round. The trees barely make an appearance, so the tacticians won't like it. And even though the fairways are mostly wide open, the power throwers out there probably won't find much enjoyment here, either, because of the fairways' brevity.
But! If you are new to the sport and/or just want a gentle low-pressure place to practice, then New Hopewell is for you. If you are a course bagger, then this place is for you by default. But don't expect much.
