Eau Claire, WI

Northstar Middle School DGC

Permanent course
2.615(based on 9 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

Northstar Middle School DGC reviews

Filter
9 0
wolfhaley
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20 years 1008 played 579 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 7, 2024 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Northstar middle school is home to a nice little 9 hole course. It's been in the ground since 2007 and it appears that they're still continuing to make improvements to it, which can't be said for most school courses in WI. I've played it twice now, but the last time was probably ten years ago, at least. It still holds up even after that long which was a bit of a surprise.

Judging by the pictures on here, sometime since 2020 they have added concrete tees to each hole. These are a big improvement over the rutted gravel tees they had the first time I played here. The tees are nice and level and plenty long enough for this course. These were a pleasant surprise.

Innova Discatchers on each hole. These are your standard older style ones, but they're built like tanks and still catch just fine for the most part. One basket and pin placement per hole. They have hole numbers on the top band too, though it'd be hard to throw at the wrong one.

The design is pretty well done for such a small amount of space. The first three holes are basically wide open but feature some hills that offer an added challenge with the roll away potential present. Holes 4 and 5 are tucked into the woods and are a nice change of pace. Hole 5 has got to be my favorite hole on the course. Just a nicely wooded, slight downhill RHBH ace run. Holes 6 through 9 are back out in the open but each have either some trees or that hillside to contend with. It's a surprisingly nice little area for a course.

Pretty simple navigation. Even without a map you'll be able to find your way around just fine. The course starts and ends by the north parking lot near the two basketball hoops.

The signage is also pretty nice. Basic but all you really need here. There's a sign with a simplistic looking hole diagram. These show other features of the hole like sidewalks and such. Each also has the hole #, pro and novice par and the distance. Simple but effective. There's also a large course map right by hole 1 too. Honestly very impressive for a middle school.

Cons:

The baskets are showing their age a bit. A few are mounted kind of wonky and/or leaning a bit. Hole 1 is comically low. A couple others are leaning a bit, nothing major, but worth noting. That'll happen after over 15 years being in the ground at a middle school.

A walking trail comes into play on a few holes. Most notably holes 6 through 9. Hole 7 is the sketchiest of these, but 8 isn't too far behind with how blind the trail is from the tee. Not the worst design I've ever seen but not ideal either.

The course is only available outside of school hours obviously, but that definitely cuts into it's availability.

Hole 4 could use a tree or two removed. It's kind of a poke and hope shot currently. Kind of unfortunate because it's so close to being a great hole.

Holes 8 and 9 play next to a marshy area. Potential for a lost disc or at least some lengthy searches are possible on these two. Hole 9 especially. That looks like an area that stays wet for most of the year.

Other Thoughts:

I remember enjoying this one when I last played it. That was literally hundreds of courses played ago though. To my surprise I still really enjoy this one. It's just a nicely done school course. Not worth going out of your way for but certainly worth a spin if you find yourself in the area.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 0
warmastar
Experience: 12.8 years 9 played 5 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Great driving range 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 2, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Great distance drives
-Open fields
-Very informative signage

Cons:

-Not very difficult
-A lot of walking for 9 holes
-Very few trees / technical shots
-Integrated with a baseball field / walking path

Other Thoughts:

If you are trying out a new disc this is a pretty forgiving, long ranged and open area to do it in. Perfect area for practicing your drive/power. During the summer months it can get very hot here because of the lack of tree shade.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 0
SleekrBeekr
Experience: 14.9 years 63 played 22 reviews
2.50 star(s)

NorthStar Middle School 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 7, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Nice use of the hilly terrain, with most of the holes having some sort of elevation change
Maps at the tee-pads
Has both wooded and open field holes
Free
Quick, fairly easy nine holes

Cons:

Tee-pads are pretty bad, most are uneven gravel spots
The 'tee-pad' on #4 is just sand, it's like throwing from the beach
Walking trail gets used quite a bit in the warmer months, so there is some occasional waiting
On school grounds, so it's not really open during the day when school is in session

Other Thoughts:

This is a fun little nine hole that can be played pretty quickly. The distances on the maps seems a bit off, but don't they all? The tee-pads need some work. This is a good warm-up course/confidence builder before throwing the Tower Ridge courses, which are about a 15 minute drive from NorthStar.
The course plays around baseball and soccer fields, as well as a walking trail so it is nice to be able to throw with some accuracy when people are out there. All in all, fun nine that compliments some of the nice courses in the area.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 0
SweetAl39
Experience: 3 played 3 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Northstar MS 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 14, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Makes good use of the terrain (changes in elevation, wooded holes, runoff/marshy area).
-Distances make this course a good one for beginners.
-You'll never have problems parking since this is a middle school and there are a couple of parking lots.
-Well signed course.

Cons:

-The gravel tees are bad. They get rutted and collect water.
-You need to keep an eye out for people walking through on the paved trail that runs through the school property. It goes right along a few holes and bisects holes seven and eight.

Other Thoughts:

If you are going to pick one of the middle school courses in the area to try, choose this one.
Interesting note: physical education classes use the course. Wish we'd have had that there when I was a student when the school opened in the mid 90s.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Top