Springwood Players' Course reviews
22
0
DiscGolfCraig
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience:
19.9 years
597 played
544 reviews
Springwood
Reviewed:
Played on:Dec 20, 2022
Played the course:once
Pros:
There's been pettiness involved with this course for whatever reason in the past. Don't know. Don't care. As is, it's a perfectly decent course.
- For the 19 holes on the course, in and of themselves, they are a better collection than Frank Liske Park. That's the closest comparison to this course in these parts. When all components are factored in, these two courses are essentially the same.
- The problem with the course isn't necessarily with any holes. It's the layout overall. When half the course plays along, on, or over the walking trails, that can be an issue. When you can throw a shot and have people suddenly appear right after, that's a problem.
- There's a decent variety in layouts. #2 – 4 take advantage of the pines. #6 is a fun downhill shot. 300 from the longs throwing around a single tree protecting the basket.
- #7 & 8 are the two longest holes at 571 and 567 respectively. #7 is uphill for the first half before levelling out. #8 was my favorite hole on the course. Between the backdrop of the pavilion (or large picnic shelter area) to your left, and the narrowed fairway off the tee, this is an excellent multi-shot layout. Plenty of birdie 3 chances, but a quality par 4 nonetheless.
- #9 & 10 play across the same section of field, with 9 being the uphill hole and 10 being the downhiller. At this point, I had really enjoyed the layout. Was the course drastically underrated? Well......
- From here, you have to start overlooking bigger flaws the rest of the way. #11 is another decent par 4, 500-foot plus layout. #12's basket is on a slope, offering potential role-away putts or approach shots.
- #15 is the last good hole. From the tee, you're aiming straight over the OB fence, so make sure you've got a sharp dogleg left throw in your arsenal. Accuracy is far more important than distance here. You've got a small green to work with as the parking lot is OB on the left side.
- #16 & 17 are both shorter, birdie/ace-run chances. Small fairways with the parking lot OB on the left and thick woods on the right.
- For the 19 holes on the course, in and of themselves, they are a better collection than Frank Liske Park. That's the closest comparison to this course in these parts. When all components are factored in, these two courses are essentially the same.
- The problem with the course isn't necessarily with any holes. It's the layout overall. When half the course plays along, on, or over the walking trails, that can be an issue. When you can throw a shot and have people suddenly appear right after, that's a problem.
- There's a decent variety in layouts. #2 – 4 take advantage of the pines. #6 is a fun downhill shot. 300 from the longs throwing around a single tree protecting the basket.
- #7 & 8 are the two longest holes at 571 and 567 respectively. #7 is uphill for the first half before levelling out. #8 was my favorite hole on the course. Between the backdrop of the pavilion (or large picnic shelter area) to your left, and the narrowed fairway off the tee, this is an excellent multi-shot layout. Plenty of birdie 3 chances, but a quality par 4 nonetheless.
- #9 & 10 play across the same section of field, with 9 being the uphill hole and 10 being the downhiller. At this point, I had really enjoyed the layout. Was the course drastically underrated? Well......
- From here, you have to start overlooking bigger flaws the rest of the way. #11 is another decent par 4, 500-foot plus layout. #12's basket is on a slope, offering potential role-away putts or approach shots.
- #15 is the last good hole. From the tee, you're aiming straight over the OB fence, so make sure you've got a sharp dogleg left throw in your arsenal. Accuracy is far more important than distance here. You've got a small green to work with as the parking lot is OB on the left side.
- #16 & 17 are both shorter, birdie/ace-run chances. Small fairways with the parking lot OB on the left and thick woods on the right.
Cons:
The issue centers around the layout and how it overlaps (or interferes with) so much of the park.
- 8 holes (out of 19) are in contact with the walking trail. 5 holes have baskets/fairways that play right up to the parking lot.
- On a random Tuesday afternoon, I had to wait at least four times for walkers to pass by. Now, imagine on a weekend with baseball or soccer games going on and a packed parking lot. Good luck getting in a full 19.
- On the tee of #16, you're a solid half mile back to the parking lot. Layouts that are so disproportionately designed always bother me as poorly designed. There's a lot of padding in the walks from #16 to 17 and #17 to 18.
- The extra hole (#12B) seems like it's there to eliminate another walk between holes.
- With the exception of #12B & 15, trees aren't a factor on the back 9 (10). When you see the amount of woods to the right of #18, it makes one think of the possibilities.
- The course just feels like there are a lot of filler holes. Look, I get it. You're either using the space around the fields (#11 – 15) or you're not. There are 6 holes in this loop (don't forget there's a 12B. I can count). It would be far worse to only have two or three holes and make incredibly long walks in between. So, maybe it's the best of a bad situation. But, I would say #12, 12B, 13, 16, & 17 might be the five worst holes on the course.
- The back 9 (10) is far worse than the front side. See the above comment for an explanation.
- 8 holes (out of 19) are in contact with the walking trail. 5 holes have baskets/fairways that play right up to the parking lot.
- On a random Tuesday afternoon, I had to wait at least four times for walkers to pass by. Now, imagine on a weekend with baseball or soccer games going on and a packed parking lot. Good luck getting in a full 19.
- On the tee of #16, you're a solid half mile back to the parking lot. Layouts that are so disproportionately designed always bother me as poorly designed. There's a lot of padding in the walks from #16 to 17 and #17 to 18.
- The extra hole (#12B) seems like it's there to eliminate another walk between holes.
- With the exception of #12B & 15, trees aren't a factor on the back 9 (10). When you see the amount of woods to the right of #18, it makes one think of the possibilities.
- The course just feels like there are a lot of filler holes. Look, I get it. You're either using the space around the fields (#11 – 15) or you're not. There are 6 holes in this loop (don't forget there's a 12B. I can count). It would be far worse to only have two or three holes and make incredibly long walks in between. So, maybe it's the best of a bad situation. But, I would say #12, 12B, 13, 16, & 17 might be the five worst holes on the course.
- The back 9 (10) is far worse than the front side. See the above comment for an explanation.
Other Thoughts:
- I think the designers of Springwood Players were put in a no-win situation. There's not a way of fitting in 18 holes here without having to make some serious concessions. I'm sure people smarter than me and people who have invested far more time than my one hour at the park have looked at every feasible option. I get that.
- A shorter, fun option is playing #1 – 10 then #18. A less fun shorter option is parking in the back lot and playing #11 – 17.
- We've all been to events with fruit trays. A quality fruit tray includes lots of pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and sometimes kiwi or mango. Cheap fruit trey from grocery stores are mostly grapes, cantaloupe, and honey dew. This course has a lot of cantaloupe to it.
- I'm not sure if #18 is a good hole or not. By this point, I was ready to be done. I just threw a couple shots, putted out, and was done with the course.
- In the month and a half since I played, I've given lots of thought to whether I would have liked this course more if I started on the back nine (10) first. If I parked in the back lot and started on #11, is this a better course? If nothing else, my round is ending on a high note. #10 would be a fun, downhill birdie-run (ace-run for others) closing hole.
- So, to answer the question, I'm thinking yes. I think I'd be rating this course a half point higher (maybe a full point if I were generous), playing this course backwards. Philosophers can analyze why this is this would be the case.
- If the entire course played like #1 – 10, this is easily 3.0 – 3.5. An entire course of #11 – 18 and this is one of the worst 18 hole courses I've ever played. I think 2.5 is a perfect cop-out.
- A shorter, fun option is playing #1 – 10 then #18. A less fun shorter option is parking in the back lot and playing #11 – 17.
- We've all been to events with fruit trays. A quality fruit tray includes lots of pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and sometimes kiwi or mango. Cheap fruit trey from grocery stores are mostly grapes, cantaloupe, and honey dew. This course has a lot of cantaloupe to it.
- I'm not sure if #18 is a good hole or not. By this point, I was ready to be done. I just threw a couple shots, putted out, and was done with the course.
- In the month and a half since I played, I've given lots of thought to whether I would have liked this course more if I started on the back nine (10) first. If I parked in the back lot and started on #11, is this a better course? If nothing else, my round is ending on a high note. #10 would be a fun, downhill birdie-run (ace-run for others) closing hole.
- So, to answer the question, I'm thinking yes. I think I'd be rating this course a half point higher (maybe a full point if I were generous), playing this course backwards. Philosophers can analyze why this is this would be the case.
- If the entire course played like #1 – 10, this is easily 3.0 – 3.5. An entire course of #11 – 18 and this is one of the worst 18 hole courses I've ever played. I think 2.5 is a perfect cop-out.
3
3
DaveL
Experience:
15 played
2 reviews
SPC is OK but not great. 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 27, 2018
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
Improvements to the course are being made.
Briars have been cut down on right side of 8.
New walking/cart path makes walking the back 9 a breeze compared to what it was.
Hole 12 B was added which reduces the feeling of walking forever to 13.
Some good holes for big arms, some technical shots.
Briars have been cut down on right side of 8.
New walking/cart path makes walking the back 9 a breeze compared to what it was.
Hole 12 B was added which reduces the feeling of walking forever to 13.
Some good holes for big arms, some technical shots.
Cons:
Strange afterthought layout.
Signs need updating/replacing.
Some tee pads need final placement.
Can get annoying/distracting when fields are full of spectators watching ball games and they don't realize that they are on the edge of your fairway or affecting your route.
Signs need updating/replacing.
Some tee pads need final placement.
Can get annoying/distracting when fields are full of spectators watching ball games and they don't realize that they are on the edge of your fairway or affecting your route.
Other Thoughts:
With some more improvements, it could boost it's review rating. If you haven't played it in a while, you should try it again in a few months when construction is done.
16
0
Wide Open for Big Arms 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Dec 28, 2016
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
If you don't have a big arm, this wide open but extremely long course will humble you, regardless of which tees you play from.
+ Open. There aren't many near-100% wide open courses like this in North Carolina. It's unique, in that sense. If you'd like to see what disc golf on a ball golf style course feels like, try this one. There's one truly wooded hole, #2, a tunnel hole between pine trees, with branches shaping the top of the tunnel and tree trunks forming the left and right walls. #15 also has some trees to contend with on the tee shot, then a few more guarding the basket. All other holes are open to wide open, with some treelines bordering one side of the fairway and a few well-positioned trees guarding a few baskets.
+ Alt tees. There are three sets of tees, Gold, Blue, and White. All are long, Gold exceptionally so.
+ Elevation. In addition to being long and open, there are a number of elevated tees that allow you to throw your disc out over an open expanse and watch the full flight in all its beauty. If you need to work on your power drive, there are few courses that compare to this one.
+ My favorite hole was #12. It has a very steep and tall embankment to the left and a treeline to the right, making it one of the few holes to this point on the course with a well-defined fairway. There are a few more holes with defined fairways coming down the home stretch--more on them in the cons section.
+ Open. There aren't many near-100% wide open courses like this in North Carolina. It's unique, in that sense. If you'd like to see what disc golf on a ball golf style course feels like, try this one. There's one truly wooded hole, #2, a tunnel hole between pine trees, with branches shaping the top of the tunnel and tree trunks forming the left and right walls. #15 also has some trees to contend with on the tee shot, then a few more guarding the basket. All other holes are open to wide open, with some treelines bordering one side of the fairway and a few well-positioned trees guarding a few baskets.
+ Alt tees. There are three sets of tees, Gold, Blue, and White. All are long, Gold exceptionally so.
+ Elevation. In addition to being long and open, there are a number of elevated tees that allow you to throw your disc out over an open expanse and watch the full flight in all its beauty. If you need to work on your power drive, there are few courses that compare to this one.
+ My favorite hole was #12. It has a very steep and tall embankment to the left and a treeline to the right, making it one of the few holes to this point on the course with a well-defined fairway. There are a few more holes with defined fairways coming down the home stretch--more on them in the cons section.
Cons:
Here are my cons for Springwood:
- There are some afterthought holes. Holes 16 and 17 are complete throw away holes. They're much shorter than the rest of the course, only about 200 feet from the white tees, with a treeline bordering the right side of the fairway and a road on the left. Theses holes are right on the road, albeit a low traffic one, unless there are a lot park goers. These holes seemed to be placed here for no other reason than to connect the gigantic loop around the perimeter of the park.
- Par 6's?! I appreciate that not all courses are going to be the same. It's nice to have some tight, technical courses and some long, open ones. But this course just has distance for the sake of distance. Par 6 holes? Really? One of those par 6's is the worst hole on the course, in my opinion: #8. When you finish #7, there's a tee right beside the basket for #8. No sign. You can backtrack to a tee a little ways down the hill. That's the Gold tee and it does have a sign. From this, you can deduce that the unmarked tee is the Blues. Anyway, it's a par 6 with nowhere to throw to. The road is to the left. The "fairway" is down a steep embankment from the road and is impossibly narrow, overgrown, with thick brush and trees to the right. I didn't know how to approach this hole, so I kept walking and eventually came across the white tees. From here, it's a perfectly fine hole, but they have it as a par 5. It should be a par 3. Otherwise, I made my first ever eagle and my drive wasn't even that long.
- And more par 6's! #18 is another to complain about. You get to the tees, three sets again, and they're all par 6. I threw from the whites again. As I worked my way down the fairway, I see another tee. It's also for #18, all three layouts using this tee, and it denotes the hole as a par 3. Pretty confusing.
- No shade whatsoever. After the tunnel hole, #2, there is not one bit of shade on the rest of the course until you get to #15. It feels like an oasis of you're playing on a hot, sunny day like I did. But alas, it only lasts for a about 100 feet before you're back into the sun.
- Small tees. The tees are good quality, but they're too narrow and short, especially for such a long course where you may want a longer run-up to your drive.
- There are some afterthought holes. Holes 16 and 17 are complete throw away holes. They're much shorter than the rest of the course, only about 200 feet from the white tees, with a treeline bordering the right side of the fairway and a road on the left. Theses holes are right on the road, albeit a low traffic one, unless there are a lot park goers. These holes seemed to be placed here for no other reason than to connect the gigantic loop around the perimeter of the park.
- Par 6's?! I appreciate that not all courses are going to be the same. It's nice to have some tight, technical courses and some long, open ones. But this course just has distance for the sake of distance. Par 6 holes? Really? One of those par 6's is the worst hole on the course, in my opinion: #8. When you finish #7, there's a tee right beside the basket for #8. No sign. You can backtrack to a tee a little ways down the hill. That's the Gold tee and it does have a sign. From this, you can deduce that the unmarked tee is the Blues. Anyway, it's a par 6 with nowhere to throw to. The road is to the left. The "fairway" is down a steep embankment from the road and is impossibly narrow, overgrown, with thick brush and trees to the right. I didn't know how to approach this hole, so I kept walking and eventually came across the white tees. From here, it's a perfectly fine hole, but they have it as a par 5. It should be a par 3. Otherwise, I made my first ever eagle and my drive wasn't even that long.
- And more par 6's! #18 is another to complain about. You get to the tees, three sets again, and they're all par 6. I threw from the whites again. As I worked my way down the fairway, I see another tee. It's also for #18, all three layouts using this tee, and it denotes the hole as a par 3. Pretty confusing.
- No shade whatsoever. After the tunnel hole, #2, there is not one bit of shade on the rest of the course until you get to #15. It feels like an oasis of you're playing on a hot, sunny day like I did. But alas, it only lasts for a about 100 feet before you're back into the sun.
- Small tees. The tees are good quality, but they're too narrow and short, especially for such a long course where you may want a longer run-up to your drive.
Other Thoughts:
One pro I didn't mention was proximity to I-40/85. This makes it a course I can see myself playing again if I'm traveling and have time to pull over to play. The problem is, the course is so long--with long walks in between some holes too--that it takes longer than a typical round of disc golf. I don't think Springwood is a bad course at all--it's good quality--but it's not for everybody. If you like the ball golf style of disc golf, this is a great course to try out.
8
0
ShortBusDiscGolf
Experience:
29 years
182 played
9 reviews
Traveling Through 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 1, 2014
Played the course:once
Pros:
I always stop and play golf while I am passing through towns on my journeys. You never know what you might find.......
Well, I liked how nice the park was. Very nice piece of property. Beautiful trees and softly rolling landscape at times. The tee pads are super solid, for concrete that is (I prefer rubber,..it's easier on the knees). This course had some really fun holes to play......Like #1.....Uphill & reachable w/ OB looming. This course requires a variety of shots. If you don't have a roller, GET ONE!
Well, I liked how nice the park was. Very nice piece of property. Beautiful trees and softly rolling landscape at times. The tee pads are super solid, for concrete that is (I prefer rubber,..it's easier on the knees). This course had some really fun holes to play......Like #1.....Uphill & reachable w/ OB looming. This course requires a variety of shots. If you don't have a roller, GET ONE!
Cons:
Duplicate holes everywhere. Loads of pedestrians. It took me over 3 hours to play because of non-golf foot traffic. Distance just for the sake of throwing far. Then trowing far again. And again.....then you can putt. This is not the type of park that I would use to introduce new players to the game. I would also not bring anyone rated over 925 here either. The latter will be bored and the former will be frustrated.
Other Thoughts:
Moving some pin placements and/or tee pads would greatly help this course. I bet that the could fit a total of 20-22 holes at this park. I bet a tournament round would take 4 hours. I really appreciate the effort, but it needs some work.
9
0
AceWraith
Experience:
18.8 years
133 played
9 reviews
Needs Work 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 1, 2013
Played the course:once
Pros:
-Two Concrete tees each Hole
-Nice brand new INNOVA Baskets
- plenty of ace runs
- good mix of distances
- Challenging long holes
- Easy walk, could easily use your cart here
- Practice Basket
- Restrooms, water fountains
-Fantastic field in the back nine for field testing
- FANTASTIC MAP/SCORE CARD with plenty on info on it including 'effective length'
-Nice brand new INNOVA Baskets
- plenty of ace runs
- good mix of distances
- Challenging long holes
- Easy walk, could easily use your cart here
- Practice Basket
- Restrooms, water fountains
-Fantastic field in the back nine for field testing
- FANTASTIC MAP/SCORE CARD with plenty on info on it including 'effective length'
Cons:
- Needs cleaned up (hole 8 needs it bad)
- some of the tees make no sense (18?)
- Layout of back needs redone before the concrete gets poured
-spider webs on 2
-mow line OB makes sense but is excessive on some holes
- Park goers will come into play
- some of the tees make no sense (18?)
- Layout of back needs redone before the concrete gets poured
-spider webs on 2
-mow line OB makes sense but is excessive on some holes
- Park goers will come into play
Other Thoughts:
Im going to give a hole by hole since this is the first and to explain the rating
#1- Great starter hole, up hill, very good birdie from both tees, with OB on the left, 205'-260'
#2- Nice straight shot into a pine tree cluster, another good birdie that even if you get of the fairway you should be able to save par. both tees are nice
#3-tee pads weren't poured when i played but still playable, I like the length but playing around the baseball field is worry some considering there was a huge tournament finishing up when i played and with so much 'mow line' OB its kinda silly but a good challenge. Feel lucky to make par
#4- A nice ace run hole from both tees, pretty open with good basket placement
#5- 152' foot ace run with OB behind it, I liked it from both tees.
#6- Another nice birdie hole, throws downhill, again a nice hole
#7- Nice uphill and a good hole to stretch your arm out with no worries, solid 3
#8- 1002' with WAY TO MUCH WORK LEFT TO MAKE IT GREAT, I could see where they wanted you to go with it but dear lord it needs bush hogged sooo bad. I actually played over the road which was a terribly unsafe and make the other park goers come into play and OB. The Distance wasn't the problem, a 15' wide fairway is. The tree line on the right isnt even a problem but all the extra long grass on both sides is terrible and not worth spending all that time looking for a disc. I played the high route which you wouldnt want to do cuz it will be OB eventually. The basket is in a great spot.
#9- Short hole with a great basket spot that makes for a good uphill birdie
#10- another downhill ace run thats shorter but you dont wanna blow way pass and end up in the tree line
#11- A great 400+ turn over shot with some thick rough to the right. with the field as OB on the left
#12- A Nice hole with a good basket placement, but still needs cleaned out a good bit, I feel like this is a hole that will gobble your disc if you out drive the hole. Tee pad was yet to be poured but good spot
#13- Another hole where the 'mow line' OB is ridiculous, your throwing between a massive field of OB on the left and long strip of houses on the right thats OB. Again a silly fairway and where two tee pads a redundant as your already throw over 700' not a fan of this hole but the basket is in a good spot with a wire fence behind it.
#14- a hole with no obstacles but a wire fence to the right, both tee pads are an ace run. I would rather see the basket tucked in the woods where the next tee pad is.
#15- the long tee here is at a odd angle which doesnt really spice it up but I guess it nice. I feel like where these tees are the basket for 14 should be and bump these tees to the edge of the trees because there really isnt a great line to the basket. With Parking lot OB on the left and the fence on the right. I feel like this would play better with playing from the edge of the woods.
#16- a little dinker ace run with OB left and tree line right.
#17- so walk 30' past 16s pin and pour some dang pads, with the roads as OB it would be awesome, I see how the parking lot deters you from it but I honestly dont see how its any less risk than hole 3 and 13, I honestly feel l like the ball was dropped here and the current hole is just a filler and only challenge is the OB and weird stick in front of the short tee.
#18 first off, the longest tee pad in pointing straight at the trees and for a 800+ that is silly, the other tee pad is reasonable for a challenging finish. and then there is a third tee pad that across the road which makes so much better of a short. and the basket is extra tall which makes a nice touch.
#1- Great starter hole, up hill, very good birdie from both tees, with OB on the left, 205'-260'
#2- Nice straight shot into a pine tree cluster, another good birdie that even if you get of the fairway you should be able to save par. both tees are nice
#3-tee pads weren't poured when i played but still playable, I like the length but playing around the baseball field is worry some considering there was a huge tournament finishing up when i played and with so much 'mow line' OB its kinda silly but a good challenge. Feel lucky to make par
#4- A nice ace run hole from both tees, pretty open with good basket placement
#5- 152' foot ace run with OB behind it, I liked it from both tees.
#6- Another nice birdie hole, throws downhill, again a nice hole
#7- Nice uphill and a good hole to stretch your arm out with no worries, solid 3
#8- 1002' with WAY TO MUCH WORK LEFT TO MAKE IT GREAT, I could see where they wanted you to go with it but dear lord it needs bush hogged sooo bad. I actually played over the road which was a terribly unsafe and make the other park goers come into play and OB. The Distance wasn't the problem, a 15' wide fairway is. The tree line on the right isnt even a problem but all the extra long grass on both sides is terrible and not worth spending all that time looking for a disc. I played the high route which you wouldnt want to do cuz it will be OB eventually. The basket is in a great spot.
#9- Short hole with a great basket spot that makes for a good uphill birdie
#10- another downhill ace run thats shorter but you dont wanna blow way pass and end up in the tree line
#11- A great 400+ turn over shot with some thick rough to the right. with the field as OB on the left
#12- A Nice hole with a good basket placement, but still needs cleaned out a good bit, I feel like this is a hole that will gobble your disc if you out drive the hole. Tee pad was yet to be poured but good spot
#13- Another hole where the 'mow line' OB is ridiculous, your throwing between a massive field of OB on the left and long strip of houses on the right thats OB. Again a silly fairway and where two tee pads a redundant as your already throw over 700' not a fan of this hole but the basket is in a good spot with a wire fence behind it.
#14- a hole with no obstacles but a wire fence to the right, both tee pads are an ace run. I would rather see the basket tucked in the woods where the next tee pad is.
#15- the long tee here is at a odd angle which doesnt really spice it up but I guess it nice. I feel like where these tees are the basket for 14 should be and bump these tees to the edge of the trees because there really isnt a great line to the basket. With Parking lot OB on the left and the fence on the right. I feel like this would play better with playing from the edge of the woods.
#16- a little dinker ace run with OB left and tree line right.
#17- so walk 30' past 16s pin and pour some dang pads, with the roads as OB it would be awesome, I see how the parking lot deters you from it but I honestly dont see how its any less risk than hole 3 and 13, I honestly feel l like the ball was dropped here and the current hole is just a filler and only challenge is the OB and weird stick in front of the short tee.
#18 first off, the longest tee pad in pointing straight at the trees and for a 800+ that is silly, the other tee pad is reasonable for a challenging finish. and then there is a third tee pad that across the road which makes so much better of a short. and the basket is extra tall which makes a nice touch.
