Richlands-Steed Park reviews
11
0
A quite pleasant time, but not exactly exciting
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 5, 2022
Played the course:once
Pros:
Richlands-Steed Park is a well kept multi-use facility where, overall, the disc course fits nicely alongside the other uses. At the current time, during summer and with enough rainfall, the course is entirely vibrant green grass fairways, shady trees and dappled sunlit forest.
The course seems to have matured quite a bit since it was last reviewed in 2013. When I look at the pictures that were taken then, I can see the bones of the course that exists now, but the young trees have all matured quite well and the course plays as wide, grassy fairways that are lined by a a maturing mixed pine and some deciduous forest. Holes 1 through 3 play much more open, but from 4 on you will have trouble on each side of your line, whether trees or OB. The OB that is present in the course pictures that is defined by scrubby trees and long grass is not listed on any course signage, and it's not clear to me that it was ever actually intended to play that way. Rather it seems to me like these were no-now areas intended to let the forest areas grow up.
The rough in the forest is fairly well beat in and you shouldn't have issue with finding discs and should be able to scramble most of the time, although you also probably won't find yourself in the rough too often. The lines are more than a bit generous. That said, there a definitely a few holes that present more challenging lines. A few examples: #7 is very tight tunnel tee shot, albeit quite short, and #16 is well designed to look much more open than it plays and only a precise low ceiling tee shot is likely to make it to the green.
The course actually plays fairly long overall, at least for a white level course. If you were to play the short tees, the first four holes would give you the sense that this was an exceedingly easy pitch and putt, without a line to hit, but then almost every hole after this doesn't have a short tee and you are mostly playing holes that play between 250 and 400 feet. You will likely enjoy trying to rip some shots here if you don't have a big arm, simply because the lines are so generous.
The other feature is that a significant number of the holes, roughly a 3rd, have significantly elevated greens. Sand mounds have been built for the baskets, ranging from roughly 3 to 10 feet high, with varying overall sizes. These moguls make approaches trickier and present a risk-reward calculation when putting.
Tees are decent sized concrete pads, and the ground around every tee is nice and level, so run ups will not be a problem. Baskets are Discatchers in good condition.
The course seems to have matured quite a bit since it was last reviewed in 2013. When I look at the pictures that were taken then, I can see the bones of the course that exists now, but the young trees have all matured quite well and the course plays as wide, grassy fairways that are lined by a a maturing mixed pine and some deciduous forest. Holes 1 through 3 play much more open, but from 4 on you will have trouble on each side of your line, whether trees or OB. The OB that is present in the course pictures that is defined by scrubby trees and long grass is not listed on any course signage, and it's not clear to me that it was ever actually intended to play that way. Rather it seems to me like these were no-now areas intended to let the forest areas grow up.
The rough in the forest is fairly well beat in and you shouldn't have issue with finding discs and should be able to scramble most of the time, although you also probably won't find yourself in the rough too often. The lines are more than a bit generous. That said, there a definitely a few holes that present more challenging lines. A few examples: #7 is very tight tunnel tee shot, albeit quite short, and #16 is well designed to look much more open than it plays and only a precise low ceiling tee shot is likely to make it to the green.
The course actually plays fairly long overall, at least for a white level course. If you were to play the short tees, the first four holes would give you the sense that this was an exceedingly easy pitch and putt, without a line to hit, but then almost every hole after this doesn't have a short tee and you are mostly playing holes that play between 250 and 400 feet. You will likely enjoy trying to rip some shots here if you don't have a big arm, simply because the lines are so generous.
The other feature is that a significant number of the holes, roughly a 3rd, have significantly elevated greens. Sand mounds have been built for the baskets, ranging from roughly 3 to 10 feet high, with varying overall sizes. These moguls make approaches trickier and present a risk-reward calculation when putting.
Tees are decent sized concrete pads, and the ground around every tee is nice and level, so run ups will not be a problem. Baskets are Discatchers in good condition.
Cons:
The first 3 holes, at least from the short tees, play more like baskets in a field. #1 has nothing around it, #2 has just a few moderately sized trees that vaguely block an errant shot and #3 just has a slightly elevated green. It really is a very boring start to an otherwise good course. 1 and 2 are better from the long tees, but see the notes on safety later on.
Overall the lines are probably too generous. You aren't usually going to be punished very much as long as you avoid going into the road which one has to assume is OB.
This brings up another downside, which is that the signage is generally lacking. There is no kiosk or course map. The tees are marked with posts that have metal plaques that list the hole number and the length, except for a few holes where the plaques are just attached to a tree. Each basket is numbered, however there are no directional indications indicating where the next tee box is, and a few places where the course routing is far from obvious, as there are many basket and tee posts in view. There is no indication whether the tee pad is the long pad, the short pad, or that there is only one pad. Using uDisc to find the next tee pad will save a lot of time. The par 5 as listed on #16s post makes no sense, at it isn't what is listed here or on uDisc.
The course also seems to suffer a little bit from an identity problem. The lengths of the holes doesn't really match with the generosity of the lines. The lines are more suited to beginners, but the holes are early mostly too long for beginners. Although, one could look at this as a stepping stone course that encourages people to develop length, and perfect upshot distance, to enable playing long end tougher courses.
Hole 10 followed by hole 11 really illustrates the dichotomy of the course. Hole 10 plays either as a 350 foot par 3 where the basket is blind from the tee on a significant mound, with woods left and OB on the right threading any hyzer flip that doesn't come back. Or, to the long pin, it play as a 600 foot par 4, it's the same issues in the second shot. Hole 11 is an 87 foot jump putt that theoretically wants to challenge you by putting 10 mature crepe myrtles between you and the basket. But it's really just a jump putt.
Finally, this is in a mixed use facility and that always represents a trade-off with safety. There is a playground, basketball court, walking trails, etc. They've done a fairly good job at keeping the disc flight lines separated from the rest of park, but there are definitely a few issues. The long tee for #2 is the most egregious. You are throwing up over a ridge that blinds you to both the basket, which plays around a few trees, left to right. There is a walking path which runs parallel to the hole, going 5 feet left of he tee pad. You are blind to anyone approaching the ridge on that path. The obvious plays here all have a likely mistake going right at the face of anyone coming towards you on that path. There is no concrete tee pad here, but there is a metal sign deformed around one of the trees that apparently mark the teeing area. It's unclear to me whether this was actually in the original design.
That said, generally speaking, the holes are separate from other uses and otherwise you will have a lengthy and full view of anyone who might be coming into your line.
Overall the lines are probably too generous. You aren't usually going to be punished very much as long as you avoid going into the road which one has to assume is OB.
This brings up another downside, which is that the signage is generally lacking. There is no kiosk or course map. The tees are marked with posts that have metal plaques that list the hole number and the length, except for a few holes where the plaques are just attached to a tree. Each basket is numbered, however there are no directional indications indicating where the next tee box is, and a few places where the course routing is far from obvious, as there are many basket and tee posts in view. There is no indication whether the tee pad is the long pad, the short pad, or that there is only one pad. Using uDisc to find the next tee pad will save a lot of time. The par 5 as listed on #16s post makes no sense, at it isn't what is listed here or on uDisc.
The course also seems to suffer a little bit from an identity problem. The lengths of the holes doesn't really match with the generosity of the lines. The lines are more suited to beginners, but the holes are early mostly too long for beginners. Although, one could look at this as a stepping stone course that encourages people to develop length, and perfect upshot distance, to enable playing long end tougher courses.
Hole 10 followed by hole 11 really illustrates the dichotomy of the course. Hole 10 plays either as a 350 foot par 3 where the basket is blind from the tee on a significant mound, with woods left and OB on the right threading any hyzer flip that doesn't come back. Or, to the long pin, it play as a 600 foot par 4, it's the same issues in the second shot. Hole 11 is an 87 foot jump putt that theoretically wants to challenge you by putting 10 mature crepe myrtles between you and the basket. But it's really just a jump putt.
Finally, this is in a mixed use facility and that always represents a trade-off with safety. There is a playground, basketball court, walking trails, etc. They've done a fairly good job at keeping the disc flight lines separated from the rest of park, but there are definitely a few issues. The long tee for #2 is the most egregious. You are throwing up over a ridge that blinds you to both the basket, which plays around a few trees, left to right. There is a walking path which runs parallel to the hole, going 5 feet left of he tee pad. You are blind to anyone approaching the ridge on that path. The obvious plays here all have a likely mistake going right at the face of anyone coming towards you on that path. There is no concrete tee pad here, but there is a metal sign deformed around one of the trees that apparently mark the teeing area. It's unclear to me whether this was actually in the original design.
That said, generally speaking, the holes are separate from other uses and otherwise you will have a lengthy and full view of anyone who might be coming into your line.
Other Thoughts:
I didn't play the optional A, B and C holes, but they looked like more of the same.
Overall, I enjoyed this course much more than I thought I would. On a Friday morning the park was lightly used and quite pretty. Overall the round was relaxing, but just stimulating enough.
Overall, I enjoyed this course much more than I thought I would. On a Friday morning the park was lightly used and quite pretty. Overall the round was relaxing, but just stimulating enough.
7
1
Take the kids! 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Nov 1, 2013
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
- Huge open fairways that really allow you to air it out.
- Clean and with plenty of trash cans to dump your refuse.
- Plenty of parking.
- Not very busy. There were only a few other chuckers out there when we played and didn't have to wait at all. Took our foursome about 45 minutes to play a round.
- Nice tee pads and relatively new baskets.
- Impeccably manicured grass. Has a real ball-golf feel to it. Fairways are mowed and the rough is, no BS, the rough -- but no real chance to lose a disc.
- Not a bad layout with a respectable use of space. Gives you enough variation between pin placements to practice not only your long arm but also have to choose between hyzers, anhyzers, and even a thumber or two.
- Nice location in a safe neighborhood. The few people we saw out on the course were very friendly too.
- Clean and with plenty of trash cans to dump your refuse.
- Plenty of parking.
- Not very busy. There were only a few other chuckers out there when we played and didn't have to wait at all. Took our foursome about 45 minutes to play a round.
- Nice tee pads and relatively new baskets.
- Impeccably manicured grass. Has a real ball-golf feel to it. Fairways are mowed and the rough is, no BS, the rough -- but no real chance to lose a disc.
- Not a bad layout with a respectable use of space. Gives you enough variation between pin placements to practice not only your long arm but also have to choose between hyzers, anhyzers, and even a thumber or two.
- Nice location in a safe neighborhood. The few people we saw out on the course were very friendly too.
Cons:
- Short. Posted pars are only realistic for children and/or rank beginners who are just learning the concept of the physics behind chucking a disc. As someone else noted, #10 is the only legitimate par 4 on the course. ~350' par 5s just don't happen on an open course in the real world. It's not very challenging -- even beginners shouldn't have too much trouble scoring even on this course.
- Tee box placement on (I think) #7 is pretty ludicrous. Two bushes five feet from the end of the tee with a ~2' gap between them limit your options considerably. Kind of non-sensical, IMHO.
- #11 is a ridiculous 87' hole that's fairly gimmicky. Set in a patch of trees that offer no redeeming challenge whatsoever, it could have been better designed. Seems like it was placed as an afterthought. Just kind of difficult for the sake of being difficult. Throwing from the tee kind of reminded me of having a piece of popcorn kernel stuck in my teeth.
- Weird Parks Department peeps hovering around the course. One girl picking up trash was okay, but she seemed oblivious to the fact that people are out throwing heavy discs around and she had no compunction whatever about just walking across the fairway right in front of us 50" in front of the tee right after she acknowledged we were there and said hello. Later, a Children of the Corn-looking teenage kid saw us playing #17, *watched* me throw a disc, saw it land, and proceeded to go get it an attempt to return it to me. When I told him to just leave it he acted as if Engrish was his second or third language and started to walk off with it as if I said, "Happy Birthday!" Just a little odd.
- No topless Hooters girls frolicking along the #8 fairway.
- Tee box placement on (I think) #7 is pretty ludicrous. Two bushes five feet from the end of the tee with a ~2' gap between them limit your options considerably. Kind of non-sensical, IMHO.
- #11 is a ridiculous 87' hole that's fairly gimmicky. Set in a patch of trees that offer no redeeming challenge whatsoever, it could have been better designed. Seems like it was placed as an afterthought. Just kind of difficult for the sake of being difficult. Throwing from the tee kind of reminded me of having a piece of popcorn kernel stuck in my teeth.
- Weird Parks Department peeps hovering around the course. One girl picking up trash was okay, but she seemed oblivious to the fact that people are out throwing heavy discs around and she had no compunction whatever about just walking across the fairway right in front of us 50" in front of the tee right after she acknowledged we were there and said hello. Later, a Children of the Corn-looking teenage kid saw us playing #17, *watched* me throw a disc, saw it land, and proceeded to go get it an attempt to return it to me. When I told him to just leave it he acted as if Engrish was his second or third language and started to walk off with it as if I said, "Happy Birthday!" Just a little odd.
- No topless Hooters girls frolicking along the #8 fairway.
Other Thoughts:
Richlands is a really nice course with great equipment in a great location. They won't be holding any PDGA sanctioned events there anytime soon, but Richlands was a nice break from the wooded courses I'm used to playing in Wilmington. It's a great course to introduce people to the game though, for sure.
If it's on your way somewhere and you have a half hour to spare and feel like hucking a disc or two, you could do a lot worse than this course. It probably won't end up in your favorites, but I wouldn't mind having this course a little closer to home. Not a bad spot at all for a little break from the everyday grind. It's worth a look and, despite my inexperience, may be one of the best courses in NC to cut your teeth on.
If it's on your way somewhere and you have a half hour to spare and feel like hucking a disc or two, you could do a lot worse than this course. It probably won't end up in your favorites, but I wouldn't mind having this course a little closer to home. Not a bad spot at all for a little break from the everyday grind. It's worth a look and, despite my inexperience, may be one of the best courses in NC to cut your teeth on.
9
1
Self-esteem booster 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Dec 7, 2008
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
EASY, unless the wind is blowing, really nice park. Flat terrain except for some holes on mounds, virtually no trees. You could play this course jacked up on heroin and still score well. I don't think I've ever seen other people play it the same time I played out there. The course flows well, has a nice variety of shots.
Cons:
This is a fairly easy course due to how open it is but wind will play a factor if blowing. The rough is brier-tastic. This course is the most ball golf similar I've played, which I only consider a con because I love wooded courses. I wouldn't plan a trip to specifically play this course but it's nice overall, if not special.
Other Thoughts:
My buddies and I like playing this course after bad weeks of playing at Castle Hayne to make us feel good about ourselves. And downtown Richlands is pretty happening. Okay, not really.
