Pros:
+ 18 Plus Holes: This Lutheran Church hosts a mountainside course with the Yellow Course being the most popular design. There is an optional 9 holes you can add on to make a challenging 27 hole layout. You can also play the Blue Course at the same location if you want to take on Charleston's most challenging layout.
+ Signs & Tee Pads: All tees are concrete or block and give players plenty of room for run-ups. Signage provides accurate distances and help map out each hole.
+ Course Maintenance: Caretaker Steve Koepsel does an immaculate job taking care of this course. He enlists the help of locals to ensure the property is in great shape for play so you'll be bound to have the course in great condition.
+ Variation in Design: There are a nice mix of open shots and wooded holes here. You'll find plenty of birdie opportunities but an errant shot can make you scramble to save par. The main design feature of this course is elevation. Angle control and accuracy near the pin will be a must for scoring well at Redeemer.
+ Pro Shop: Disc Golf Sports Center is home to the best-stocked shop in the region. Everything you'll need to play a round of golf is in the shop and it specializes in Innova products. Aside from thousands of discs, accessories, and apparel you can also purchase cold drinks (water and Gatorade). A lost & found is located within the pro shop.
+ Club Events: Locals run fun and welcoming events including tag matches, doubles, and PDGA sanctioned tournaments. Tuesday doubles are a favorite and showcase all the courses in the Kanawha Valley. Redeemer hosts one of West Virginia's biggest events in the Kanawha Valley Regional which offers a fantastic players pack paired with fun and challenging courses.
+ Location: Redeemer Park is minutes away from downtown Charleston - West Virginia's capital city. There are plenty of options for lodging, shopping, food, drink, entertainment, etc.
+ Proximity to Other Courses: Redeemer is a short drive away from several other quality courses in the area for the course-bagging type. Within minutes you can drive to Coonskin Park, Saint Albans City Park, Dunbar City Park, Wine Cellar Park, and Little Creek Park. Approximately 30 minutes away you have the option to play Valley Park or Cedar Lakes.
Cons:
- Navigation: This property has several overlapping layouts that could be confusing for first-time players. Be sure to grab a map from the pro shop before getting started. Look for yellow markers on posts and yellow baskets off the tee. Reference a map to ensure you're throwing to the correct pins.
- The Redeemer Roll: This phenomenon is real and you may have a quality shot roll hundreds of feet away from the pin. It can be frustrating but remember you always have the option of taking a stroke and playing from your previous lie.
- Safety: If this course is crowded there are several places where an errant shot could go into other fairways or tee boxes. Be courteous and never throw if you could potentially hit other players. Be cautious in areas where there are blind shots or overlapping fairways.
- Amenities: Unless the church & pro shop are open there is not access to water or restrooms. Aside from the dumpster in the parking lot there are no trash cans. Please pack out what you pack in.
Other Thoughts:
Redeemer is one of the most well-manicured courses you'll find in the area. It's a unique experience especially if you can catch an opening at the pro shop. To check on hours call Steve Koepsel at (304) 546.8398. You're likely to find a disc or two you'll want to take home.
Please be courteous of church-goers. It is not recommended to play this course before noon on Sundays.
Elevation is the main feature here. Be prepared for hiking up and down hills. I would recommend lightening up your backpack and leaving the cart at home. Bring a snack and plenty of water (especially if you play the Blue Course or the optional 27-hole layout). Sometimes the out-of-towners struggle here because of the landscape.