Sabattus Disc Golf - Eagle reviews
24
1
A Sabbatical At Sabattus
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 22, 2022
Played the course:once
Pros:
+ The peace and quiet were plentiful here amongst the hills, fields, trees and bodies of water.
+ Benches and trash cans everywhere.
+ Multiple layouts and each one has an assigned color for its tees and baskets so there is never any confusion about start and stop points.
+ Astonishing pro shop on site!
+ The tee signs are illustrative and informative on all holes.
+ Tees are all solid concrete in a sufficiently long and wide keystone shape, but...
+ Benches and trash cans everywhere.
+ Multiple layouts and each one has an assigned color for its tees and baskets so there is never any confusion about start and stop points.
+ Astonishing pro shop on site!
+ The tee signs are illustrative and informative on all holes.
+ Tees are all solid concrete in a sufficiently long and wide keystone shape, but...
Cons:
- ...some of them are noticeably damaged.
- The pars are kind of weird like at holes 1, 5 and 11. I felt those were a bit too generous.
- The pars are kind of weird like at holes 1, 5 and 11. I felt those were a bit too generous.
Other Thoughts:
Few would disagree that many people who have never played this sport think about disc golf and its proponents in a rather dim light. They imagine certain clothing, certain music and certain glassy-eyed gazes induced by certain consumables all enjoyed by under-employed slackers all day long. This, of course, is a negative stereotype that stands in stark contrast to the larger reality. Still, when a stereotype grabs hold, it's difficult to shake. So thank goodness for places like Sabattus. This magnificent course tucked away in the northeast corner of the country is just the place to introduce the skeptic newbie who thinks that disc golf cannot be reputable.
For one thing, I have to mention the huge pro shop right alongside the enormous parking lot. It's got to be the biggest I've ever seen in my six years of playing. Granted, my experience is limited mostly to the northeast. However, I don't think I'm wrong to suspect that Sabattus boasts one of the very few equipment shops with two levels featuring every kind of disc, peripheral and gear item you can imagine. That alone might change the mind of a skeptic. A dedicated team member is always behind the counter ready to give advice, research their stock, accept payment for your round and receive lost discs. Don't forget to buy a yourself a souvenir mini or sticker!
Nice pro shops are nice, but how does the course play? This review is based on my experience with the Eagle layout in late July 2022, but I think it still holds up because of how consistent and splendid everything was. Sabattus Eagle isn't a course that specializes in any one thing, but its variety is done so well. I can't speak for the other layouts that Sabattus offers, but Eagle has an exciting assortment of hills, fields, trees and water features.
And many of those features are present at the same time. Hole17 illustrates this well because it has a fun valley fairway with a stream at the bottom. On both sides are walls of trees to be avoided. Hole4 has a nice hybrid fairway, a pleasant downhill slope and a guarded death putt of a basket. Water just beyond the pin await a poor putt. Good times.
But you know me. I love my wooded disc golf, and hole8 is the best example of that here. It doesn't have a dense or claustrophobic tunnel, but the gentle rise in elevation at first effectively hides the rest of the hole. That way, it is a nice surprise to see the pond in the second half of the fairway. It was my favorite to play here.
The fairways are as clean as can be. Just about every hole has a clearly defined path for players to follow. If you should land in the rough, things aren't hopeless, and shots can usually be saved. Hole1 exemplifies this well. It's so pretty and well-maintained that you almost want to purposefully throw a bad shot just so you can spend more time admiring it in greater detail.
But, on a course this good, the flaws, however small, stand out like sore thumbs. For example, the tee signs for holes5 and 16 were damaged or disconnected from their anchor stands. The tees at holes 7 and 16 were visibly damaged, too. But it would surprise me very much if those issues weren't addressed by now. Also, hole14 was kind of boring as a wide open field and nothing more.
The other holes more than make up for that, though. The course isn't just pretty and dynamic. It tests your techniques and power control. Hole11, for example, puts you at the bottom of a quarry. To reach the uphill basket, you've got to be confident in your approach. Hole13 makes things interesting with several mandos to challenge your control. And hole18 is just the perfect 'final boss fight' of a farewell hole. Elevation, trees and that omnipresent waterway all work together to make your life hell, and I love it.
It's so nice to come across a course that is this well-presented with a great assortment of challenges to boot. A nice-looking course with no challenge is pretentious. A tough course with no presence can feel like a homogenized letdown. Sabattus is the best of both worlds. It's got the curb appeal down pat, and the challenges are well-crafted. Now, all that needs to happen is for you to pay it a visit. We'll have those skeptics taking back their words in no time. Emphatically recommended!
For one thing, I have to mention the huge pro shop right alongside the enormous parking lot. It's got to be the biggest I've ever seen in my six years of playing. Granted, my experience is limited mostly to the northeast. However, I don't think I'm wrong to suspect that Sabattus boasts one of the very few equipment shops with two levels featuring every kind of disc, peripheral and gear item you can imagine. That alone might change the mind of a skeptic. A dedicated team member is always behind the counter ready to give advice, research their stock, accept payment for your round and receive lost discs. Don't forget to buy a yourself a souvenir mini or sticker!
Nice pro shops are nice, but how does the course play? This review is based on my experience with the Eagle layout in late July 2022, but I think it still holds up because of how consistent and splendid everything was. Sabattus Eagle isn't a course that specializes in any one thing, but its variety is done so well. I can't speak for the other layouts that Sabattus offers, but Eagle has an exciting assortment of hills, fields, trees and water features.
And many of those features are present at the same time. Hole17 illustrates this well because it has a fun valley fairway with a stream at the bottom. On both sides are walls of trees to be avoided. Hole4 has a nice hybrid fairway, a pleasant downhill slope and a guarded death putt of a basket. Water just beyond the pin await a poor putt. Good times.
But you know me. I love my wooded disc golf, and hole8 is the best example of that here. It doesn't have a dense or claustrophobic tunnel, but the gentle rise in elevation at first effectively hides the rest of the hole. That way, it is a nice surprise to see the pond in the second half of the fairway. It was my favorite to play here.
The fairways are as clean as can be. Just about every hole has a clearly defined path for players to follow. If you should land in the rough, things aren't hopeless, and shots can usually be saved. Hole1 exemplifies this well. It's so pretty and well-maintained that you almost want to purposefully throw a bad shot just so you can spend more time admiring it in greater detail.
But, on a course this good, the flaws, however small, stand out like sore thumbs. For example, the tee signs for holes5 and 16 were damaged or disconnected from their anchor stands. The tees at holes 7 and 16 were visibly damaged, too. But it would surprise me very much if those issues weren't addressed by now. Also, hole14 was kind of boring as a wide open field and nothing more.
The other holes more than make up for that, though. The course isn't just pretty and dynamic. It tests your techniques and power control. Hole11, for example, puts you at the bottom of a quarry. To reach the uphill basket, you've got to be confident in your approach. Hole13 makes things interesting with several mandos to challenge your control. And hole18 is just the perfect 'final boss fight' of a farewell hole. Elevation, trees and that omnipresent waterway all work together to make your life hell, and I love it.
It's so nice to come across a course that is this well-presented with a great assortment of challenges to boot. A nice-looking course with no challenge is pretentious. A tough course with no presence can feel like a homogenized letdown. Sabattus is the best of both worlds. It's got the curb appeal down pat, and the challenges are well-crafted. Now, all that needs to happen is for you to pay it a visit. We'll have those skeptics taking back their words in no time. Emphatically recommended!
15
0
2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 2, 2019
Played the course:once
Pros:
The Course: This is my new Gold Standard for what a signature course at a top notch disc golf complex should be. I had lofty expectations before coming here and I was not disappointed. This by far the best imitation of what ball golf typically offers in terms of total experience from walking in the clubhouse to putting out on the 18th green, to include a lovely setting for 18 challenging holes with top notch amenities.
About halfway through the round I commented to my friends that if I were to dream of an ideal piece of land to have a course on, that this is it! (Usually land this nice and ideal does not get used for disc golf.) It has everything to perfection- lots of trees, sprinkled with areas of open grass, elevation is used effectively, the stony brook is beautiful and used several times, plenty of acreage for holes of varying lengths including many par 4 and 5's, and the huge rocks strategically placed on the open holes were a nice touch.
The course is very challenging yet fair. Holes and shots are non-repetitive, many offer options of attack, and there is lots of risk/reward. Several signature type holes- #3 par 5 from open to downhill then along a ridge with the creek; #7 is gorgeous along the brook, #8 across a ponded area of the brook, #11 down and up a dirt covered valley, #18 down to an island green, and those are just some of what I found most memorable.
This course plays much harder than it looks. After playing I was surprised that it is listed on DGCR as only moderately wooded, the wooded holes are tight and once off the fairway there are just enough trees that having a decent look is unlikely usually resulting in costing you a shot or more. I guess the few open holes balance that out, but the last time I had to settle for so many pitch outs was playing Texas Trey Duece. Anyways, this definitely a true test of skill, shot-making, strategy, patience, and a great balance of both physical and mental challenge.
Tees and tee areas are great, baskets color coded, signage is spectacular. I asked in the proshop about a course map- his reply was a laugh while saying "you won't need it", and he was right. A good example of how well thought out things are here was the hole numbers on the tee signs were placed facing the previous basket, as opposed to only being seen once on the tee.
Extra touches are everywhere- stone benches that look custom made (and very expensive), landscaping with flowers, lots of trash cans, bridges are sturdy but also have style, many signs and arrows in the middle of the hole helping to point out baskets not seen from the tee.
The Complex: 4 courses on-site that cover a wide range of difficulty. The club house (which looks to be a new version than the pics on DGCR) would be the envy of many ball golf country clubs- two stories with discs, baskets, bags, clothes, and snacks for sale. Climate controlled, very nice restroom inside, and the employees were very professional, polite, and helpful. Plenty of large colorful scorecards and golf pencils.
Sabattus is very family friendly, and part of their mission is to make disc golf available and appealing to everyone, to include kids.
About halfway through the round I commented to my friends that if I were to dream of an ideal piece of land to have a course on, that this is it! (Usually land this nice and ideal does not get used for disc golf.) It has everything to perfection- lots of trees, sprinkled with areas of open grass, elevation is used effectively, the stony brook is beautiful and used several times, plenty of acreage for holes of varying lengths including many par 4 and 5's, and the huge rocks strategically placed on the open holes were a nice touch.
The course is very challenging yet fair. Holes and shots are non-repetitive, many offer options of attack, and there is lots of risk/reward. Several signature type holes- #3 par 5 from open to downhill then along a ridge with the creek; #7 is gorgeous along the brook, #8 across a ponded area of the brook, #11 down and up a dirt covered valley, #18 down to an island green, and those are just some of what I found most memorable.
This course plays much harder than it looks. After playing I was surprised that it is listed on DGCR as only moderately wooded, the wooded holes are tight and once off the fairway there are just enough trees that having a decent look is unlikely usually resulting in costing you a shot or more. I guess the few open holes balance that out, but the last time I had to settle for so many pitch outs was playing Texas Trey Duece. Anyways, this definitely a true test of skill, shot-making, strategy, patience, and a great balance of both physical and mental challenge.
Tees and tee areas are great, baskets color coded, signage is spectacular. I asked in the proshop about a course map- his reply was a laugh while saying "you won't need it", and he was right. A good example of how well thought out things are here was the hole numbers on the tee signs were placed facing the previous basket, as opposed to only being seen once on the tee.
Extra touches are everywhere- stone benches that look custom made (and very expensive), landscaping with flowers, lots of trash cans, bridges are sturdy but also have style, many signs and arrows in the middle of the hole helping to point out baskets not seen from the tee.
The Complex: 4 courses on-site that cover a wide range of difficulty. The club house (which looks to be a new version than the pics on DGCR) would be the envy of many ball golf country clubs- two stories with discs, baskets, bags, clothes, and snacks for sale. Climate controlled, very nice restroom inside, and the employees were very professional, polite, and helpful. Plenty of large colorful scorecards and golf pencils.
Sabattus is very family friendly, and part of their mission is to make disc golf available and appealing to everyone, to include kids.
Cons:
The Course: If I had to pick something, it would be that the Falcon co-exists on mostly the same land, sometimes sharing fairways with different tees, sometimes in parallel. You do have to be aware of the multiple tees and baskets, and could possibly make for some interference if busy and you had several people playing both courses/layouts.
The Complex: A few things that are merely suggestions, rather than cons.
Practice area was very small, a couple baskets for practicing short putts and a driving net. Suggestion- warmup on the 9 hole Owl course instead.
I wished the clubhouse had more hearty lunch options available, instead of just snacks, but they did make a great nearby recommendation- Rocky Ridge Orchard.
Parking was weird, the signs are a bit unclear as to which way to point the car, so workers had to tell us and some other early risers to move our cars to the appropriate direction. The lot is gravel, maybe there are plans to pave after some other construction of walkways is built, but some chalk or spray painted lines would be an easy temp solution.
With all the courses being named after predatory birds, I get them confused and still have a hard time remembering which name goes with which course.
The Complex: A few things that are merely suggestions, rather than cons.
Practice area was very small, a couple baskets for practicing short putts and a driving net. Suggestion- warmup on the 9 hole Owl course instead.
I wished the clubhouse had more hearty lunch options available, instead of just snacks, but they did make a great nearby recommendation- Rocky Ridge Orchard.
Parking was weird, the signs are a bit unclear as to which way to point the car, so workers had to tell us and some other early risers to move our cars to the appropriate direction. The lot is gravel, maybe there are plans to pave after some other construction of walkways is built, but some chalk or spray painted lines would be an easy temp solution.
With all the courses being named after predatory birds, I get them confused and still have a hard time remembering which name goes with which course.
Other Thoughts:
While the high class feel at Sabattus made my jaw drop, I know some disc golfers prefer things a little more rustic. However, if you ever needed to prove to a non-disc golfer that our sport is not some shady activity but can have a business model, a trip to Sabattus would remove all doubt.
I read Sabattus's mission statement, and I would say they have definitely achieved what they have set out to do. I highly recommend making a trip to play here, and would definitely come back. (not to mention the numerous other very nice courses in this part of Maine)
I read Sabattus's mission statement, and I would say they have definitely achieved what they have set out to do. I highly recommend making a trip to play here, and would definitely come back. (not to mention the numerous other very nice courses in this part of Maine)
2
4
sperry1288
Experience:
13.2 years
39 played
4 reviews
One of the best! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:May 3, 2016
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
-4 different courses to play
-Knowledgeable staff that are helpful with any questions you may have
-Wide variety of shots, not one boring hole
-The atmosphere is friendly enough to draw families out to play but the courses are challenging enough that they will make even well seasoned players feel less than confident.
-Beautiful grounds, very well maintained. I've yet to see a course that is taken care of like Sabattus.
-Knowledgeable staff that are helpful with any questions you may have
-Wide variety of shots, not one boring hole
-The atmosphere is friendly enough to draw families out to play but the courses are challenging enough that they will make even well seasoned players feel less than confident.
-Beautiful grounds, very well maintained. I've yet to see a course that is taken care of like Sabattus.
Cons:
None.
Other Thoughts:
This is a must-play for any disc golfer, hands down.
1
3
Jmewhite1
Experience:
24 played
13 reviews
Flawless 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jul 10, 2016
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Best baskets you will find anywhere, long and challenging course that is absolutely manicured to perfection. Nice stream ponds and bridges along the way. Great stonework and benches all over and very well marked. Home of the 2016 US Women's disc golf championships
Cons:
Isn't open in the winter.
Other Thoughts:
Destination course with the largest pro shop probably in the world. 3 other courses on site. Including a 9 hole course lit up at night.
3
3
Birds
Experience:
22.6 years
49 played
2 reviews
Professional feel. Good golf. 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Oct 9, 2014
Played the course:once
Pros:
This course is all the way nice. From the giant basket out front, into the pro shop, to the first tee, and throughout the course all you get is professional and upscale disc golf. The pro shop is great. The scorecards are nice. Tee signs are clear and concise. The course is aesthetic and fair. Beautiful. No litter. No bs.
Cons:
Only the "par" situation. I just played and didn't really think too much about par. All the 5's felt like 4's and most of the 4's I considered tough 3's. I shot a 61 which felt to me like somewhere around where par aught to be.
Other Thoughts:
I would definitely go out of my way to play this course again. Totally sweet. As others have said, this is what a pay to play course aught to be like. If you are paying 10 bucks a day (which I think is the most I've paid to play disc outside of tournaments) you should expect the highest level. This is it.
1
7
overkill
Experience:
24 played
6 reviews
Destination course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 24, 2014
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Very well layed out course; the first few times I played it I didn't even notice how one hole runs alongside another. The entire course is extremely well maintained - virtually all debris has been removed in any wooded area; the large/long grass areas are always cut and akin to fairways at a golf course. Challenging holes plus the beautiful layout make it my favorite place to play of approximately 20 courses I have been to.
Cons:
Very, very few. Get a working scale in the pro shop; and it would be nice to have food (burgers and dogs etc on site).
Other Thoughts:
Love the selection in the pro shop too.
2
2
Awesome! 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 15, 2014
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Awesome!
-Great mix of shots
-Nice elevation
-Awesome mix of tighter vs. more open fairways (mostly wooded)
-Great basket locations
-Great cement teepads
-Amazing signs
-Terrain is insane (roots, creeks, ponds, trees, rocks)
-Cheap to play all day
-Amazing pro shop with tons of discs and merch, so replacing lost plastic or stocking up is no prob)
-Great mix of shots
-Nice elevation
-Awesome mix of tighter vs. more open fairways (mostly wooded)
-Great basket locations
-Great cement teepads
-Amazing signs
-Terrain is insane (roots, creeks, ponds, trees, rocks)
-Cheap to play all day
-Amazing pro shop with tons of discs and merch, so replacing lost plastic or stocking up is no prob)
Cons:
-Pars are meant for amateurs (I found this to be a par 65 rather than a 72, but no big deal if you convert it)
-Some spots muddy after a big rain
-Creeks are deep and murky, so no plastic coming back (side of hole 4, pond on 8)
-Some spots muddy after a big rain
-Creeks are deep and murky, so no plastic coming back (side of hole 4, pond on 8)
Other Thoughts:
This place feels like a golf country club. From someone passing through for the 2nd summer from Philly, I was blown away with how awesome this place is. Great work guys! We need more places like this!
2
5
piranhabite
Experience:
2 played
1 reviews
eagle 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 19, 2014
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
nice challenge , wide variety of holes/shot to make, water hazards , excellent baskets
Cons:
not much maybe the water shots for newer players but good golfers will find it a fun challenge
Other Thoughts:
this course is awesome makes a good challenge and very cool terrain nice place and very well maintained landscaping is some of the best seen on any course thanks to pete and his crew
1
4
endlsswinter
Experience:
12.9 years
1 played
1 reviews
Awesome! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 10, 2014
Played the course:once
Pros:
Amazingly friendly staff and beautifully maintained course. A great mixture of technical wooded holes and open bomber holes.
Other Thoughts:
I searched for some of the best courses in the north east, and this one popped up. I was a little worried about the 5 hour trip just to play this course, but I gave it a shot. It was well worth it. I am looking forward to playing this course again. It is now easily in my top 3 courses.
1
3
Schleyer
Experience:
20.9 years
10 played
6 reviews
Best I've ever played 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Aug 4, 2013
Played the course:once
Pros:
Awesome pro shop
Great courses (3 of them)..Eagle is the hardest, Hawk is also hard. Owl is good learner course
Challenging
Well maintained
Trash / Recycling on every hole
Great courses (3 of them)..Eagle is the hardest, Hawk is also hard. Owl is good learner course
Challenging
Well maintained
Trash / Recycling on every hole
Cons:
Can't think of anything!....except a bit of a distance from Portland
Other Thoughts:
Best course I have ever played! Recommend it to everyone!
23
1
Jonny_Dread
Experience:
27.9 years
86 played
10 reviews
Best Course In Maine 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 24, 2009
Played the course:once
Pros:
This place has everything. There are three courses here. Each with different skill levels. Eagle is the longest. Driving "Range" concrete tee pads with a net you thrown into to get warmed up, great putting green, awesome club house with discs, drinks and a very helpful staff. 5 buck for a round but WELL WELL worth it. Great sinage and hole layouts, easy to navigate, concrete tee pads on every hole. Awesome up keep on the course with senic water holes tight and open fairways. Nice par threes with a few true par 5's. This place has everything!
Cons:
I have no cons to place here except it will be busy so you might have to wait at a few holes... I dont really count this a con since it means our sport is growing.
Other Thoughts:
Like I said, this place has it all! A very "professional" place with people working and taking care of the courses that care about the sport. They even have a 15' tall working fountian in shape of a basket when you enter this dedicated disc golf park. I have played a lot of courses around the country and this place is at the very top of my list. You need your whole bag of disc for this course, and a camera because when your not throwing you will be walking around in awe and wanting to capture it awesomeness'. It is my only 5 star rating!
3
28
walesfireman325
Experience:
1 played
1 reviews
