Smash Park DGC reviews
9
0
Neither terrible or fantastic! It's decent! 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Nov 8, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
Before I updated it today, the course condition note for Smash Park DGC read "This course shouldn't be played by anyone." Challenge accepted!
When I arrived at Smash Park (otherwise known as Lightning Bend Park) I could immediately see that quite a few people were ignoring the advice quoted above. This place appears to be popular with the locals, and after playing my round it was easy to see why.
Smash Park DGC features 18 wooded holes, many of them fairly tight but none of them absurdly so. All of the holes have trees placed to create obstacles and force you to shape your shots. There is a good mix of left turning, right turning, and straight holes. Some holes play near low-lying wetland areas, but these areas were far enough off the fairway (at least in November) that it would take a very errant throw to lose a disc.
There is a practice basket between the parking lot and hole #1. All of the baskets have clearly seen more than a few discs, but they are in fine condition. Some of the baskets are raised on wood pedestals, which was a nice aesthetic touch as well as added challenge.
A course map is posted on the kiosk near the parking lot, but you probably won't even need it. The paths between holes are well worn, and there are some arrows pointing towards the next tee where needed. There is also nice signage after the fifth basket to indicate where you can cut the course off to only play eight holes, if desired.
Picnic tables and trash cans at many tee pads.
Permanent outhouse on site in the parking lot. It was locked when I played though, so not very helpful.
When I arrived at Smash Park (otherwise known as Lightning Bend Park) I could immediately see that quite a few people were ignoring the advice quoted above. This place appears to be popular with the locals, and after playing my round it was easy to see why.
Smash Park DGC features 18 wooded holes, many of them fairly tight but none of them absurdly so. All of the holes have trees placed to create obstacles and force you to shape your shots. There is a good mix of left turning, right turning, and straight holes. Some holes play near low-lying wetland areas, but these areas were far enough off the fairway (at least in November) that it would take a very errant throw to lose a disc.
There is a practice basket between the parking lot and hole #1. All of the baskets have clearly seen more than a few discs, but they are in fine condition. Some of the baskets are raised on wood pedestals, which was a nice aesthetic touch as well as added challenge.
A course map is posted on the kiosk near the parking lot, but you probably won't even need it. The paths between holes are well worn, and there are some arrows pointing towards the next tee where needed. There is also nice signage after the fifth basket to indicate where you can cut the course off to only play eight holes, if desired.
Picnic tables and trash cans at many tee pads.
Permanent outhouse on site in the parking lot. It was locked when I played though, so not very helpful.
Cons:
The tees are less than ideal. The tee pads here are artificial, made of something that looks like astroturf. They were in OK condition but concrete pads would be a nice improvement. The tee signs have seen better days. They looked like they might have been pretty nice at one point, but they have taken a beating over the years and the ink has washed out on some of them, making them illegible.
Most holes are pretty short. There is actually an ace board attached to most of the tee signs, and many of them are full of signatures. The back half of the course does have a few longer holes.
There isn't a ton of variety here. The holes all start to feel the same after a while. There is a little bit of elevation but it isn't enough to really affect play.
I played this course on a warm day in November, and bugs were a non-issue. However, I have been in enough areas like this in the Michigan spring/summer to know that they could be a major nuisance at that time of year (as previous reviewers have discussed at length). At those times of year you would definitely want to wear long sleeves, bring bug spray, and maybe even a bug net.
Most holes are pretty short. There is actually an ace board attached to most of the tee signs, and many of them are full of signatures. The back half of the course does have a few longer holes.
There isn't a ton of variety here. The holes all start to feel the same after a while. There is a little bit of elevation but it isn't enough to really affect play.
I played this course on a warm day in November, and bugs were a non-issue. However, I have been in enough areas like this in the Michigan spring/summer to know that they could be a major nuisance at that time of year (as previous reviewers have discussed at length). At those times of year you would definitely want to wear long sleeves, bring bug spray, and maybe even a bug net.
Other Thoughts:
This course has a few very positive and a few very negative reviews. In reality, I feel it falls solidly between those two extremes - right around the current average of 3.0. Funny how that works out. If I had played in the buggy season I might have given it a 2.5 instead.
In addition to my reviews written here, I have my own rating system and notes to simplify my decision of which courses to return to. It has only Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Level 3 courses are my go-to courses, worth a drive and on my regular circuit. Level 2 courses are decent, not good enough for me to drive out to play all the time but if a friend wanted to play that course I would say "sure!" If that friend wanted to play a Level 1 course I would say "nah" and ask if they wanted to play one of my Level 3 courses instead. Smash Park falls squarely at Level 2 for me. It's about a 45 minute drive for me (from Grand Rapids area), and it's not worth making that drive regularly to play this course. If you're local, it's a nice option - especially in the non-buggy season. If you're looking for the best courses in Michigan, this course is not one of them.
In addition to my reviews written here, I have my own rating system and notes to simplify my decision of which courses to return to. It has only Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Level 3 courses are my go-to courses, worth a drive and on my regular circuit. Level 2 courses are decent, not good enough for me to drive out to play all the time but if a friend wanted to play that course I would say "sure!" If that friend wanted to play a Level 1 course I would say "nah" and ask if they wanted to play one of my Level 3 courses instead. Smash Park falls squarely at Level 2 for me. It's about a 45 minute drive for me (from Grand Rapids area), and it's not worth making that drive regularly to play this course. If you're local, it's a nice option - especially in the non-buggy season. If you're looking for the best courses in Michigan, this course is not one of them.
6
1
hellbound
Experience:
15.9 years
91 played
17 reviews
Very nice course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 19, 2015
Played the course:once
Pros:
Well where to start?
The course uses a very technical aproch to the holes with both risk and reward for all but maybe a couple of them. Lines seem to be fair and maybe a little lefty friendly. (Didn't go and check this hole by hole)
Love the cross over so you can play all 18 or a modified 9 holes.
Plenty of benches and trash cans is a plus!!!
Few holes are memorable and couple could be labeled as recycled
The course uses a very technical aproch to the holes with both risk and reward for all but maybe a couple of them. Lines seem to be fair and maybe a little lefty friendly. (Didn't go and check this hole by hole)
Love the cross over so you can play all 18 or a modified 9 holes.
Plenty of benches and trash cans is a plus!!!
Few holes are memorable and couple could be labeled as recycled
Cons:
My biggest con is the tee pads. I like the idea of the grass pads but first they are a few feet short and elevated. Even tho they are shorter holes it makes for a hard cross step. Biggest problem in my eyes is that they should be at the least be short grass not the long that it is currently. Three out of the four of us slipped on even a slow walk up.
Other Thoughts:
I will definitely be back to play this course again anytime I'm back in Michigan. I would rate it a 3.5 if it was not for the tee pads. Don't let the low rating because of the pads fool you. It's well worst the trip if your in the area. Great fun little course.
