Thayer Ridge Park reviews
16
0
It's 9 holes of disc golf 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Jan 16, 2021
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
- Course is set in a county park that doesn't get a lot of traffic. That's important, because it plays near trails in a few places.
- The baskets are adequate, and in decent shape.
- Tee signs are easy to find and show an aerial diagram of the hole. This is especially helpful on holes where you can't see the basket from the tee (3, 5, and 6).
- Navigation is pretty easy - follow the mowed pathways. The map posted in the files section on this site should clear up any questions.
- Hole 5 has a nice protected green.
- The baskets are adequate, and in decent shape.
- Tee signs are easy to find and show an aerial diagram of the hole. This is especially helpful on holes where you can't see the basket from the tee (3, 5, and 6).
- Navigation is pretty easy - follow the mowed pathways. The map posted in the files section on this site should clear up any questions.
- Hole 5 has a nice protected green.
Cons:
- Safety, part 1: There are hiking and equestrian trails around the perimeter of the disc golf course, and some come into play. The basket for hole 2 is about 15' from a trail coming out of the woods, and you won't be able to see if there are people coming when you throw your drive/approach shot.
- Safety, part 2: Tee 3 is located too close to the previous basket, but you'll be able to see it as you're playing hole 2. The tee for hole 6, however, is about 10' from the previous basket, and is BLIND from hole 5 tee (and very much obscured for most approach shots).
- The grass gets tall in the summer, and the "fairways" are only 12' wide paths mowed from the tee to the basket. There is about a 20' radius circle mowed around the baskets. The left side of hole 7 is a mess of brush and thorns. Plan to spend some time searching for discs.
- Holes 1, 2, 4, 8, and 9 are wide open shots to the basket. Not enough interest on the other 4 holes to make it an engaging or memorable experience.
- Safety, part 2: Tee 3 is located too close to the previous basket, but you'll be able to see it as you're playing hole 2. The tee for hole 6, however, is about 10' from the previous basket, and is BLIND from hole 5 tee (and very much obscured for most approach shots).
- The grass gets tall in the summer, and the "fairways" are only 12' wide paths mowed from the tee to the basket. There is about a 20' radius circle mowed around the baskets. The left side of hole 7 is a mess of brush and thorns. Plan to spend some time searching for discs.
- Holes 1, 2, 4, 8, and 9 are wide open shots to the basket. Not enough interest on the other 4 holes to make it an engaging or memorable experience.
Other Thoughts:
- The course is almost entirely in an open, gently sloping area. The southeast half (holes 1, 8, 9, and the right side of 7) is pretty rocky soil, with sparse vegetation. The northwest part (holes 2-5) is pretty thick grass that gets tall in the summer months.
- I can't figure out what skill level was the target when this course was designed. The tees are designated as white here on DGCR, and the hole lengths are about right for that. Intermediate to advanced players might be able to hit the small greens with their drives, but probably not consistently. It's just not going to be very interesting for players at that level.
- The listed pars, however, would suggest beginners are the intended target. My player rating is in the mid 800s (mid-to-upper red level), and my scores have consistently been around 27 (-9). Players at my level and below cannot reach all the greens with a drive, and we're not going to hit the 12' fairways with any consistency.
- In its current state, I can't really recommend the course to beginners, because there aren't landing zones in places where their discs would be landing. I can't recommend it for advanced players, because there's not enough challenge. For red-and-white skill players it's fine, though not inspiring.
- In my opinion, it's better in the winter, when the grass is lower and the ticks aren't out.
Family Friendly Rating: 1.0
PROS: Easy enough to navigate with a stroller or for kids to hike. It doesn't get too far from the parking lot if you need to abandon the round early. There's a picnic area near the parking lot.
CONS: Lots of searching for discs in the tall grass, there are ticks in the spring-summer-fall, no playgrounds, and no restrooms.
OTHER NOTES: A few kid-friendly places to check out in nearby Mount Vernon: Ariel-Foundation Park (located on the site of a former glass factory), a Children's Garden (located behind the Knox County Career Center), and SPI-Mount Vernon (an indoor play space with a focus on science and technology). For a cold treat, I recommend Round Hill Dairy (ice cream) or Whit's (frozen custard).
- I can't figure out what skill level was the target when this course was designed. The tees are designated as white here on DGCR, and the hole lengths are about right for that. Intermediate to advanced players might be able to hit the small greens with their drives, but probably not consistently. It's just not going to be very interesting for players at that level.
- The listed pars, however, would suggest beginners are the intended target. My player rating is in the mid 800s (mid-to-upper red level), and my scores have consistently been around 27 (-9). Players at my level and below cannot reach all the greens with a drive, and we're not going to hit the 12' fairways with any consistency.
- In its current state, I can't really recommend the course to beginners, because there aren't landing zones in places where their discs would be landing. I can't recommend it for advanced players, because there's not enough challenge. For red-and-white skill players it's fine, though not inspiring.
- In my opinion, it's better in the winter, when the grass is lower and the ticks aren't out.
Family Friendly Rating: 1.0
PROS: Easy enough to navigate with a stroller or for kids to hike. It doesn't get too far from the parking lot if you need to abandon the round early. There's a picnic area near the parking lot.
CONS: Lots of searching for discs in the tall grass, there are ticks in the spring-summer-fall, no playgrounds, and no restrooms.
OTHER NOTES: A few kid-friendly places to check out in nearby Mount Vernon: Ariel-Foundation Park (located on the site of a former glass factory), a Children's Garden (located behind the Knox County Career Center), and SPI-Mount Vernon (an indoor play space with a focus on science and technology). For a cold treat, I recommend Round Hill Dairy (ice cream) or Whit's (frozen custard).
