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Silver Creek DGC reviews
11
0
My second favorite Silver Creek DGC! 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Oct 1, 2021
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Silver Creek DGC is one feature of a multi-use park just outside of Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The park also has a baseball field, soccer field, playground, and tennis court, but the course stays well away from these.
This course has two tees per hole. The long (Blue) tee pads are concrete and the short (Red) pads are rubber. Both sets of pads are large and were in good shape for each of my visits
(one in summer 2020, another in fall 2021). The tee signs are nice as well. They appear at both Blue and Red tees, and are color coded accordingly. They show a map of the hole, including surrounding holes which is an added feature that I personally appreciate. Other information on these signs includes hole distances and pars to both the main basket location and an alternate basket location. There was one basket per hole in the main pin position when I played, and it wasn't clear to me how often (if ever) baskets are moved to the alternate location.
Regardless of the tee you choose to play or what pin position is currently in place, this is a relatively short but highly technical round. From the Blue tees, this course will be a moderate challenge for recreational and intermediate players. There is a nice mix of left turns, right turns, and straight fairways cut through the woods. Although most holes are under 300', some of the lines are quite tight. The tree trunks are thick off the fairway but the ground cover is thin - perfect rough for adding challenge without hiding discs. On most holes, with a poor tee shot you could easily card a bogey - or worse.
The course isn't terribly hilly, but moderate elevation changes affect things on a few holes. Hole 17 is the only semi-open hole, and it plays 300' across a valley. The opposite side ridge slopes down to the left, making this a tricky throw for RHBH players.
The Red tees are generally quite short, with most holes under 200'. This looked like it would be a nice round for new disc golfers, and might even be enjoyable for those using a Frisbee or only 1-2 discs.
The baskets are Chainstars, all in good shape. There is also a practice basket. This is located between the parking lot and the first tee, along with a kiosk. A porta potty is also nearby. A few benches are scattered around the course.
This course has two tees per hole. The long (Blue) tee pads are concrete and the short (Red) pads are rubber. Both sets of pads are large and were in good shape for each of my visits
(one in summer 2020, another in fall 2021). The tee signs are nice as well. They appear at both Blue and Red tees, and are color coded accordingly. They show a map of the hole, including surrounding holes which is an added feature that I personally appreciate. Other information on these signs includes hole distances and pars to both the main basket location and an alternate basket location. There was one basket per hole in the main pin position when I played, and it wasn't clear to me how often (if ever) baskets are moved to the alternate location.
Regardless of the tee you choose to play or what pin position is currently in place, this is a relatively short but highly technical round. From the Blue tees, this course will be a moderate challenge for recreational and intermediate players. There is a nice mix of left turns, right turns, and straight fairways cut through the woods. Although most holes are under 300', some of the lines are quite tight. The tree trunks are thick off the fairway but the ground cover is thin - perfect rough for adding challenge without hiding discs. On most holes, with a poor tee shot you could easily card a bogey - or worse.
The course isn't terribly hilly, but moderate elevation changes affect things on a few holes. Hole 17 is the only semi-open hole, and it plays 300' across a valley. The opposite side ridge slopes down to the left, making this a tricky throw for RHBH players.
The Red tees are generally quite short, with most holes under 200'. This looked like it would be a nice round for new disc golfers, and might even be enjoyable for those using a Frisbee or only 1-2 discs.
The baskets are Chainstars, all in good shape. There is also a practice basket. This is located between the parking lot and the first tee, along with a kiosk. A porta potty is also nearby. A few benches are scattered around the course.
Cons:
I thought the navigation here was a little bit tricky, and I got turned around a couple times. The kiosk had no map on it when I visited. There were no Next Tee signs. A couple of the tee signs at the pads mention where the next hole is, but with a few long walks between holes I didn't think that was enough. I used the map uploaded here, but a couple of the holes appeared to have been moved since that was uploaded.
There were some picnic tables near hole 12's fairway that are blind from the tee but could be in play. A few of the other holes seemed a little close together, but overall it wasn't bad safety wise.
A couple of the lines almost seemed too tight.
Beyond that, there isn't a lot wrong with this course but it just doesn't have much to interest better players. I think the designers did the best they could with the land available, but that land is simply not very remarkable. It's not particularly hilly in most places, and there isn't enough of it to really mix in some longer holes for bigger arms. The course's namesake creek does not come into play, but rather is across the road. There weren't any holes that particularly stood out to me, and certainly none that "wow"ed me.
There were some picnic tables near hole 12's fairway that are blind from the tee but could be in play. A few of the other holes seemed a little close together, but overall it wasn't bad safety wise.
A couple of the lines almost seemed too tight.
Beyond that, there isn't a lot wrong with this course but it just doesn't have much to interest better players. I think the designers did the best they could with the land available, but that land is simply not very remarkable. It's not particularly hilly in most places, and there isn't enough of it to really mix in some longer holes for bigger arms. The course's namesake creek does not come into play, but rather is across the road. There weren't any holes that particularly stood out to me, and certainly none that "wow"ed me.
Other Thoughts:
Overall, this course is a nice technical option for locals and visitors. If I lived near Marquette, I would play here all the time. The Blue tees provide plenty of challenge for my current skill level, and the Red tees would be great for beginners. The soccer and baseball areas on site could also be used for field practice. For those visiting the area and wondering which of the four (as of this writing) 18-hole courses to play, I would say that Silver Creek may be your best option if you have non-DG'ers or beginners in your party. For serious disc golfers, I believe Powder Mill and Old Town are both slightly better choices (Al Quaal has solid potential too, but is still a work in progress as of Fall 2021).
On my personal ledger of Silver Creek DGC's, this one ranks #2 behind the one in Manitowoc, WI. I was between a 3.0 and 3.5 for this one, and ended up settling on 3.5 but I think it is pretty close to maxed out on the land available. If you're looking for a relaxing, family friendly technical round near Marquette, look no further!
On my personal ledger of Silver Creek DGC's, this one ranks #2 behind the one in Manitowoc, WI. I was between a 3.0 and 3.5 for this one, and ended up settling on 3.5 but I think it is pretty close to maxed out on the land available. If you're looking for a relaxing, family friendly technical round near Marquette, look no further!
5
0
Short but technical and challenging 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:May 10, 2014
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
A nice township park setting pretty much 100% wooded with decent amenities all around. Some natural ridges cross the property and allow use of some elevation and risky greens.
The layout is very technical and challenging. A well executed drive (putters, mids, and drivers) is needed to score well. Tight airways limit flight routes and encourage players to throw more than their go-to drive.
Two sets of good skill based tees meeting the goals of the course design for a neighborhood area and different than Powder Mill.
Alternate pin placements greatly change some of the holes and in all instances, one of the pins is in a pretty risky location, so putting must be on target.
Use of OB on one of the holes makes you have to play smart.
Elevation used very well.
The layout is very technical and challenging. A well executed drive (putters, mids, and drivers) is needed to score well. Tight airways limit flight routes and encourage players to throw more than their go-to drive.
Two sets of good skill based tees meeting the goals of the course design for a neighborhood area and different than Powder Mill.
Alternate pin placements greatly change some of the holes and in all instances, one of the pins is in a pretty risky location, so putting must be on target.
Use of OB on one of the holes makes you have to play smart.
Elevation used very well.
Cons:
Trash and undesirables. Unfortunately the park seems to attract more trash than is ever necessary. It suffers from being very close to a school, numerous neighborhoods, and serving as a hangout area which increases the litter and other issues. It's not bad by any means, but could be better.
While 'Blue' tees were the design intent, the lay of the land and a few last minute necessary changes have created a low blue, almost white tee layout. Still, if your drives are off, it's not easy to score well. Plus, alternate pin placements add 600' to the layout.
Some perceived crowding due to the lay of the land, and also 'backtracking' from hole to hole, although this was done to maximize use of great terrain.
While 'Blue' tees were the design intent, the lay of the land and a few last minute necessary changes have created a low blue, almost white tee layout. Still, if your drives are off, it's not easy to score well. Plus, alternate pin placements add 600' to the layout.
Some perceived crowding due to the lay of the land, and also 'backtracking' from hole to hole, although this was done to maximize use of great terrain.
Other Thoughts:
Still slightly a work in progress with some cleanup, dirt-work, and additional finishing touches needed.
A cell tower will drive the need to redesign Hole 5, but it may get better.
This course is a great compliment to the Powder Mill course. 500' shorter from the red tees and 1000' shorter from the blue tees, creates a feel of 4 distinct skill/challenge layouts in the Marquette area.
A cell tower will drive the need to redesign Hole 5, but it may get better.
This course is a great compliment to the Powder Mill course. 500' shorter from the red tees and 1000' shorter from the blue tees, creates a feel of 4 distinct skill/challenge layouts in the Marquette area.
