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Roots DGC reviews
5
0
Disappointing 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 2, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
+Good permanent infrastructure: 18 long concrete teepads + no missing or damaged baskets + nice/new tee signs.
+Nice variety of length. All holes are Par 3's, but a couple are tough to reach unless you've got a huge arm while some others are reachable via a putter or mid for the average player. Also, the tee signs indicate that most holes have the potential for multiple pin placements.
+Somewhat beginner friendly: not a lot of places to lose a disc, and the foliage is sparse. Layout would be exceptionally confusing for new players that have yet to discover uDisc's maps, though.
+Very nice shady sitting area at the entrance. Would be an enjoyable spot for league night or even just waiting for a buddy who is running a couple minutes late.
+Nice variety of length. All holes are Par 3's, but a couple are tough to reach unless you've got a huge arm while some others are reachable via a putter or mid for the average player. Also, the tee signs indicate that most holes have the potential for multiple pin placements.
+Somewhat beginner friendly: not a lot of places to lose a disc, and the foliage is sparse. Layout would be exceptionally confusing for new players that have yet to discover uDisc's maps, though.
+Very nice shady sitting area at the entrance. Would be an enjoyable spot for league night or even just waiting for a buddy who is running a couple minutes late.
Cons:
-It's depressing to read the early positive reviews here on DGCR and see the pictures from 2014 on PDGA's website, and contrast that with the condition the course is in today. Roots has more weeds and dirt than grass at this point, and much of the grass that is left is dying. SLC was handed land in perfect condition and has managed to let it go in less than 6 years.
-Roots was built on a former ball golf course. If you've thrown discs on other ball golf courses then you know what type of layout to expect. However, Roots is less appealing than other ball golf tracks for a couple reasons:
1. Most ball golf courses use water to create challenge. In contrast, Roots has zero ponds (and few hazards in general) and the Jordan River really only comes into play on one hole.
2. A big part of the enjoyment of playing on ball golf courses is the "nice" factor - lush green grass as far as the eye can see, soft sandy bunkers, etc. As mentioned above, that's what Roots looked like when the city inherited the land, but is not at all what it looks like now.
-The land is way too small for the layout, and this is a classic example of creating a worse course just for the sake of making it 18 holes. Some examples: walkways to get from a green to the next tee require you to cross other holes' fairways; there are holes running adjacent to each other with no tree break for separation; and there are even back-to-back holes (7 and 8) where the tee pads are within a couple feet of each other, meaning you have to walk parallel to the fairway you just played to get to the next tee. The club has tried to neutralize some of the inherent danger of the layout by installing a bunch of mandos, but the reality is that a shank at the wrong time could easily hit someone.
-Roots was built on a former ball golf course. If you've thrown discs on other ball golf courses then you know what type of layout to expect. However, Roots is less appealing than other ball golf tracks for a couple reasons:
1. Most ball golf courses use water to create challenge. In contrast, Roots has zero ponds (and few hazards in general) and the Jordan River really only comes into play on one hole.
2. A big part of the enjoyment of playing on ball golf courses is the "nice" factor - lush green grass as far as the eye can see, soft sandy bunkers, etc. As mentioned above, that's what Roots looked like when the city inherited the land, but is not at all what it looks like now.
-The land is way too small for the layout, and this is a classic example of creating a worse course just for the sake of making it 18 holes. Some examples: walkways to get from a green to the next tee require you to cross other holes' fairways; there are holes running adjacent to each other with no tree break for separation; and there are even back-to-back holes (7 and 8) where the tee pads are within a couple feet of each other, meaning you have to walk parallel to the fairway you just played to get to the next tee. The club has tried to neutralize some of the inherent danger of the layout by installing a bunch of mandos, but the reality is that a shank at the wrong time could easily hit someone.
Other Thoughts:
Typically an 18 hole layout with good tee pads, baskets, and signs is at least a 3* course in my book. Roots is an exception. I'm sure I'd feel differently if I had gotten to play it when it was brand new and in its prime, but currently it's an eyesore and with zero unique/memorable holes. I can think of many 9 hole tracks that I'd rather play though twice, rather than play Roots.
6
0
Underwhelming 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Apr 20, 2018
Played the course:once
Pros:
- A decent beginners course with open, mowed fairways
- Easy parking
- Ace runs
- Easy parking
- Ace runs
Cons:
- Poor signage, difficult to navigate
- Precious little distance, elevation, or variety
- Overlapping fairways create confusion and safety risk
- Precious little distance, elevation, or variety
- Overlapping fairways create confusion and safety risk
Other Thoughts:
This course had roughly the same rating as Creekside, but they are very different. Creekside is much more of a challenge, with a better layout, and more variety. If you only can play one, skip Roots. If you have time to play both, play Creekside twice.
