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Sunset Ridge DGC reviews
12
0
Pitch-and-putt, plus a ravine
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Jun 28, 2023
Played the course:once
Pros:
The private course at Sunset Ridge is a real fun course that combines the cheapness you often find on backyard courses, plus some real cool holes and good design. It doesn't have much in the way of amenities, but it's scenic, has a touch of water, and isn't too stressful to play. There are mild amounts of OB and a couple of mandos, and they're clearly marked, without causing too many problems for flow.
The best holes are the ones that play into and through a ravine with a little creek at the bottom. These are holes 9 and 12-15. They all have trees, elevation, interesting lines, sweet ace runs, and punish you if you hit an early tree. And the best of them is...
Hole 15. I was just thinking there should be a long par 4 at the bottom of the ravine, and not only is 15 that hole, but it plays down the hill first, and then the basket is on a rock ledge at the other side of the ravine and a long tunnel. It has a wide fairway with some scattered trees, and different sides of the fairway are open at different spots. Absolutely fantastic hole.
The holes at the beginning and end play more like traditional park style. Nothing too spicy, but certainly fun to play. There are a few different lines on 4 and 6, island green on 18 is a nice touch.
The lake is off to the side on holes 8 and 16, and it's uphill from those holes, with bushes around it. What's nice is that it's to the left on 8 and the right on 16, which means throwing over it is different on those holes.
The best holes are the ones that play into and through a ravine with a little creek at the bottom. These are holes 9 and 12-15. They all have trees, elevation, interesting lines, sweet ace runs, and punish you if you hit an early tree. And the best of them is...
Hole 15. I was just thinking there should be a long par 4 at the bottom of the ravine, and not only is 15 that hole, but it plays down the hill first, and then the basket is on a rock ledge at the other side of the ravine and a long tunnel. It has a wide fairway with some scattered trees, and different sides of the fairway are open at different spots. Absolutely fantastic hole.
The holes at the beginning and end play more like traditional park style. Nothing too spicy, but certainly fun to play. There are a few different lines on 4 and 6, island green on 18 is a nice touch.
The lake is off to the side on holes 8 and 16, and it's uphill from those holes, with bushes around it. What's nice is that it's to the left on 8 and the right on 16, which means throwing over it is different on those holes.
Cons:
The baskets are just DD Recruits, which is okay, but not amazing. Teepads are rubber, which is again not ideal. A few holes cross fairways slightly, or play close to one another. I don't really mind any of this, being just a backyard course, but it does hold the course back from being truly excellent.
A few holes are rather gimmicky. To make up for the lack of distance, there are tree branches almost immediately in front of the tee on some holes, causing you to throw some awkward lines. Holes 11 and 14 are the main culprits here. Even hole 4, which I like overall, is a little pinched.
Hole 7 can be done away with entirely. It has some weird obstacles in the way, plays on 17's fairway, and you have to backtrack to get to the next tee. I would rather a hole play to the same pin between 15 and 16.
Some of the early holes don't pose much of a challenge. They're not horrible, but still relatively easy. The raised pin on 2 is just okay (I would prefer it somewhere else), and there's not much OB challenge on those holes like the island is on 18. Some of the gimmicky-ness of a couple of the ravine holes can be seen on hole 6 as well, which has a gap that makes no sense; it's still not a difficult hole, so it just isn't exciting.
A few holes are rather gimmicky. To make up for the lack of distance, there are tree branches almost immediately in front of the tee on some holes, causing you to throw some awkward lines. Holes 11 and 14 are the main culprits here. Even hole 4, which I like overall, is a little pinched.
Hole 7 can be done away with entirely. It has some weird obstacles in the way, plays on 17's fairway, and you have to backtrack to get to the next tee. I would rather a hole play to the same pin between 15 and 16.
Some of the early holes don't pose much of a challenge. They're not horrible, but still relatively easy. The raised pin on 2 is just okay (I would prefer it somewhere else), and there's not much OB challenge on those holes like the island is on 18. Some of the gimmicky-ness of a couple of the ravine holes can be seen on hole 6 as well, which has a gap that makes no sense; it's still not a difficult hole, so it just isn't exciting.
Other Thoughts:
The most convenient time to play here is leagues, which are held Wednesdays in the summer, and there's also a Facebook page for it.
I have mixed opinions on holes 9 and 10. They both have some of the pros and cons mentioned above, but they have some lost disc potential that the rest of the course doesn't have, despite not being near any water. They're unique in their own right and give a break from the wooded holes, but still not great.
I overall don't see many ways for this course to improve, other than doing something about hole 7. It uses the land nearly to the maximum, stays away from danger areas, . Obviously permanent tees and baskets would be nice, but that's not likely to happen, and I'm okay with that. This is a decent course that's perfect for leagues or casual tournaments.
I have mixed opinions on holes 9 and 10. They both have some of the pros and cons mentioned above, but they have some lost disc potential that the rest of the course doesn't have, despite not being near any water. They're unique in their own right and give a break from the wooded holes, but still not great.
I overall don't see many ways for this course to improve, other than doing something about hole 7. It uses the land nearly to the maximum, stays away from danger areas, . Obviously permanent tees and baskets would be nice, but that's not likely to happen, and I'm okay with that. This is a decent course that's perfect for leagues or casual tournaments.
