With full foliage, there are only two baskets on the course that you can see standing on the Pro tee. The land is an arborphile's dream, with myriad types of trees covering the area, coupled with brush in all shapes, sizes and densities.

Great distances abound. Five holes are > 400', including one that is 550', with only two holes < 200'. However, Long Arms take warning: This course has some of the most unforgiving rough you will encounter. If you cannot accurately place your shot, be sure to have a spotter, or be ready to do some serious disc searching.

This course is in the Bear River valley. The course flows with the river in several spots, with some of the feeder streams used within the holes. The valley can funnel some seriously strong and squirrelly winds. Abundant wildlife (deer, snake, rabbit, monster snapping turtle) can also be seen.

Fantastic modularity. It is easy to stop after 18, 20 or 24 holes, and you can cut out holes #17-19, 9 & 10, 12 & 13, or 4-15 entirely. If you have limited time, the layout allows for many custom permutations. Very much an "on the links" feel.

Course flow equally challenges Righties and Lefties alike, with lots of benches, garbage cans and picnic tables throughout. The city maintains the grounds, so fairways are regularly mowed and wonderfully maintained.

24 Holes, most with dual tees. Instead of just reducing distance, Amateur tees give measurably different looks (or I should say, different non-looks) at the basket, as well as requiring less skill.

Dog friendly and groomed for winter play, too.

River valleys are often swampy, and this one is no different. Springtime can be unpleasant with holes #3, 8, 15, 17, & 21 especially soggy and full of mud.

No elevation changes, and I mean it. Holes #4, 15 & 16 are (kind of) in an undulating area, but not anything that seriously affects your throw. A good roller technique can serve you well here.

Lack of uniform tees. Amateur tees are dirt, and awful. There are many concrete tees for the Pros, but some are still dirt. It is rather embarrassing, as the rest of the course is so well designed and in great repair.

The first and last few holes share real estate with soccer and softball fields, sometimes necessitating using the Am tees if the fields are in use.

Missing signage on a hole or two, but the next tee signs are great.

This is my current local. I am a definitely a DGer of the Ski Hill variety. The first few years I played this course, I really, really hated it because it was so flat. I would drive to play a neighboring hilly course all the time. River Road has earned my grudging respect, as it always serves up a significant dose of challenge, and if I can keep my temper in line, a whole lot of fun as well. Not once have I finished under par from the Pro tees in Singles play.

Signature Hole Candidates:
#4 - 549' with heavy winds and a bunch of varied vegetation
#12 - 446' over a creek, tons of rough and the main river bend right by the basket (my favorite)
#23 - 375' with a huge stand of trees 200' out and soccer field OB the length of the right

Since finding DGCR and traveling to play every course I can get my boots on, I have come to realize how good I have had it while I've been here. Of the courses I have compared to RRSC, many of them have been found wanting. Only seven cement Pro tees are needed for this course to be 4.5.

Stop by Tom & Dicks Grocery for some new Discraft/MVP plastic for the round.

This course was very clean, and had many trash cans throughout the course. Having 24 holes is most definitely a plus. Many veriety of holes, with many chances to really let it rip. I really like hole 17, which presents a good opertunity for an ace. Every hole had a very detailed sign with hole layout, par, and distance on them. All but I think one hole had an alternate pad to shoot from.

I really thought that some of these holes should have been more than a par 3, but thats okay just makes it more challenging. When we got to hole 12, 13, 14 was the only time we ever got a little confused as to where the next hole was or where we had to shoot to. Not every hole had a real pad, but the ones that did had a nice long concrete pad.

DO NOT PLAY THIS COURSE WHEN IT IS WINDY.!!!! We played on a real windy day, and it resulted in my worst score ever. I highly recomend shooting this course when every you have a chance.

I've only been able to play here once in 2009 (in 2'+ feet of snow) but I will always remember how much fun we had. I'm not sure how much it has changed/improved but I can assure you it was worth the drive.

Pros:

1. Large and Diverse Course ~ This course has it all. Some woods, fields, thick brush, a little bit of water, nice flowing fairways. Add them all up and this place has everything you look for in a quality course. The park is pretty big and we had it all to ourselves. The only thing that it lacked was major elevation changes which was not a big deal.

2. Places to Relax/Rest ~ Picnic tables and garbage cans were available and in working order. No port-a-johns in sight during the winter-period but not an issue this time.

3. Well Maintained ~ The baskets looked nice and caught well. Park looked like it was cared for. Nice enough to bring the family.

4. Dual Teepads Available. Even though it wasn't shoveled, it was nice to throw from the pro tees.

5. IT IS FREE TO PLAY. Can't say that to the similar nice courses in SE MI.

There is nothing really to complain about coursewise and the only problem we had has already been fixed.

Cons:

1. Limited Signage/Scorecard with map ~ Other than the MB with the map at the beginning, us first-timers became lost after only a few holes With so much space/land dedicated to the disc golf course, it was easy to get confused on the next tee's direction. It didn't help our cause with all the deep snow on the ground but at the time we played, some of the tee signs were missing. It might have been fixed by now but, just in case, take a picture of the map near hole #1 if it's your first time playing here.

I'd like to play here in better weather so I can give this place a higher grade. It's a real nice place and it was a lot of fun.

From the looks of the updated photo's, this place will probably rate a 4.5 these days.

River Road is my home course, and was created by my father. From March to November, this course is Beautifully Brutal. The Shrubbery grows on average of 3 ft. taller and 1 ft. wider than it already is, between the months of April and August. This course is designed around a Cross-country trail, which makes the layout, very easy to follow and the course is Very enjoyable.

River Road doesn't have any elevation changes, whatsoever. Most of the Red tees(Am) are just dirt holes, from Lots of local play.

River Road will be getting an upgrade in the Spring. With the completion of concrete on the Pro tees, this course will look even more amazing than it already does. We would love to see more out-of-town players come and try our Wonderful course. Go River Road!