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Solomon DGC reviews
13
0
I'm partial, but i like it a lot 2+ years
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Oct 1, 2018
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
EDIT AUG 2020: THE CONFERENCE CENTER GOT ANOTHER PLAYER TO REDESIGN 9 OF THE HOLES. I DROPPED MY RATING TO REFLECT THE CHANGE IN THE FURTHER REVIEW. This is like the 6th edit bc they keep changing holes.
The Solomon Episcopal Conference Center is set on a gorgeous piece of wooded, slightly hilly, land, with a beautiful horseshoe shaped lake in the middle of it. This course features almost every part of the property from the conference center to the sports field, the dense woods and the levy.
Full disclosure: I designed half of the course (did the full course but they changed half of it), so while I do hold a special place in my heart for the Solomon Center and this course, I do know its faults and know them well, and will be as fair and honest as I can in this review.
The front 9 is set in some open woods, where there's really no rough. The holes are short, but technical if you want to make the bird. But if you land off the fairway, or come up just a bit too short, pars are still pretty easy (unless you land in the lake). Some of these holes don't have as great a line, and really depend on luck. There's also a lot of repetitiveness as several of them are just short RHBH shots.
The back 9 is much longer, and some holes are still very technical. Every hole is still birdie-able if you have a big, accurate arm. It plays through sloped fields of the levy behind the lake, thick woods, open field, and finishes with about a 175' water carry to an uphill slope for a scenic 18.
The shots needed on this course vary. Tunnel, forehand, backhand, bomber, a little bit of everything. My favorite hole is 11 that starts at the bottom of the levy, goes uphill to the woods. You can go up the levy and risk the lake for the easy approach, or stay on the bottom and go up another alley that's a little harder to hit. It can be an easy birdie, or a frustrating bogey.
After playing this course with many people, I can safely say that the greatest part of this course is literally everyone wants to play another round. The elevation, the woods, the lake, the hospitality of the staff- it's all wonderful.
Baskets are coral colored DisCatcher 28's. Of course the baskets are great design, but I kinda like the color. I've never seen it before, but it's close to red and I think it just makes it a little more memorable in terms of having played over a hundred courses and never seen this color before.
The Solomon Episcopal Conference Center is set on a gorgeous piece of wooded, slightly hilly, land, with a beautiful horseshoe shaped lake in the middle of it. This course features almost every part of the property from the conference center to the sports field, the dense woods and the levy.
Full disclosure: I designed half of the course (did the full course but they changed half of it), so while I do hold a special place in my heart for the Solomon Center and this course, I do know its faults and know them well, and will be as fair and honest as I can in this review.
The front 9 is set in some open woods, where there's really no rough. The holes are short, but technical if you want to make the bird. But if you land off the fairway, or come up just a bit too short, pars are still pretty easy (unless you land in the lake). Some of these holes don't have as great a line, and really depend on luck. There's also a lot of repetitiveness as several of them are just short RHBH shots.
The back 9 is much longer, and some holes are still very technical. Every hole is still birdie-able if you have a big, accurate arm. It plays through sloped fields of the levy behind the lake, thick woods, open field, and finishes with about a 175' water carry to an uphill slope for a scenic 18.
The shots needed on this course vary. Tunnel, forehand, backhand, bomber, a little bit of everything. My favorite hole is 11 that starts at the bottom of the levy, goes uphill to the woods. You can go up the levy and risk the lake for the easy approach, or stay on the bottom and go up another alley that's a little harder to hit. It can be an easy birdie, or a frustrating bogey.
After playing this course with many people, I can safely say that the greatest part of this course is literally everyone wants to play another round. The elevation, the woods, the lake, the hospitality of the staff- it's all wonderful.
Baskets are coral colored DisCatcher 28's. Of course the baskets are great design, but I kinda like the color. I've never seen it before, but it's close to red and I think it just makes it a little more memorable in terms of having played over a hundred courses and never seen this color before.
Cons:
The front 9 is short though, averaging around 225ft I think. The Solomon Center gets a lot of guests who don't play disc golf, so they wanted a beginner friendly course. It's less beginner friendly than it used to be, but still gives you the gist of disc golf.
Luckily they were totally down for doing a full 18 too, so the back 9 is definitely more of a challenge.
Some of the tee's are close to previous baskets on the front 9, and the fairways get close to each other on holes 15 and 16. It's only a problem during tournaments, but it could be a problem.
The signs are good (but not very accurate bc of the redesign).
EDIT: This is like the 6th time I've edited this review, because changes just keep getting made. Hole 11, mentioned above, moved the tee pad so it's shorter and less risk/reward, and more "easy throw, then slightly less easy throw." The taking away of the "guts and glory" tee shot really makes your approach nothing to whoop at.
Secondly, Hole 16, which was one of the course favorites, got moved entirely and is now one of the course stains. It's down a very narrow hiking trail with a sharp turn at the end.
It was also pointed out to me by one of the regulars that the safety hazards on this course have become a bit extreme. The newer holes were cleared out of the woods but a lot of very narrow stumps were left at about 4-5 inches tall, and are severe trip hazards. His big fear is one of their older patrons like himself will trip and fall and then land on another one.
Luckily they were totally down for doing a full 18 too, so the back 9 is definitely more of a challenge.
Some of the tee's are close to previous baskets on the front 9, and the fairways get close to each other on holes 15 and 16. It's only a problem during tournaments, but it could be a problem.
The signs are good (but not very accurate bc of the redesign).
EDIT: This is like the 6th time I've edited this review, because changes just keep getting made. Hole 11, mentioned above, moved the tee pad so it's shorter and less risk/reward, and more "easy throw, then slightly less easy throw." The taking away of the "guts and glory" tee shot really makes your approach nothing to whoop at.
Secondly, Hole 16, which was one of the course favorites, got moved entirely and is now one of the course stains. It's down a very narrow hiking trail with a sharp turn at the end.
It was also pointed out to me by one of the regulars that the safety hazards on this course have become a bit extreme. The newer holes were cleared out of the woods but a lot of very narrow stumps were left at about 4-5 inches tall, and are severe trip hazards. His big fear is one of their older patrons like himself will trip and fall and then land on another one.
Other Thoughts:
This course is one of the most scenic in southern Louisiana, and some of the holes are still pretty fun. Call ahead because sometimes they have private groups that rent the whole property for large events. Or they're hosting a cross country meet or something. You never know.
I will always miss the original design with it's character and thoughtful challenges, but at least there's still a few holes left that are good quality design, and enticing to play.
I will always miss the original design with it's character and thoughtful challenges, but at least there's still a few holes left that are good quality design, and enticing to play.
