The Boonies DGC reviews
8
0
Nice Out Of The Way Private Course 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:May 30, 2020
Played the course:once
Pros:
Finding the Boonies DGC is no easy task , but after you locate the property and drive down the long driveway , you will think you are at your own private club . The parking lot is small and on the right and facing the practice basket . You need not approach the main house at all . There is a smaller house just to the left of the practice basket with the box to put your disc golf fee in . Please Pay . This is a private course and it looks like the funds go right back into it . The course kind of flows in a back and forth direction then turns lengthwise and counter clockwise around the property .
The Equipment . There are two tees on most of the holes here . They are rubber mats that are level and seem to work great on both tees . The baskets are Mach III's , numbered and catch well . For signage , there are painted rocks at the tees ( Red paint is short and blue is long ) which is unique . There are also some rocks that help with navigation . Another original aspect of this course is the use of giant spools that you can set you bag on or sit on . I didn't see a kiosk , so you need to print a map to get around here .
The land : The land rolls a little here and some of the later holes like 14-16 have you throwing through a fairway that slopes heavily to the right , where a swamp is . There is excellent use of what looks like a large Indian Mound that runs through the middle of the course and affects some of the holes between maybe 4-13 . Also there is some marsh that involves some of the holes , maybe 6 , and over the mound around 11 , 12 , and 14 ? Remember to go from 15's basket , which is behind the owner's house and back of the property, and make a long walk to #16's tee , which you are now in the front of the property . You might be confused and try to play the #14 hole again which is to the left of 15 .
The Highlights : The course is not going to blow you away with it's length , although there is a long hole on 15 ( 713' from the blues ) that runs on the far side of the property .But it will make you work with your control . Plenty of variety here . #4 is a tight 404' drive slightly upwards to a basket with small trees substituting for a green . #9 is an over the hill throw 310' to the basket sitting a little lower than the hill . #13 is a snaking 320' hole that puts the marsh into play . Of course , there is the long 713' #15 , and #17 , a long double fairway which slopes downward to the right ( where the swamp is ) and trees everywhere with low ceilings .
I don't know how much play this course gets . I think I saw the owner when I was driving towards the lot , but saw no one else , which means you won't be rushed or have to wait at holes . Not a fast play . It took me a good 80+ minutes to play this course . A foursome will take 2 1/2 - 3 hours to play all 20 holes ( 19 & 20 were added to give you something to do while walking back to your car , not easy holes )
The Equipment . There are two tees on most of the holes here . They are rubber mats that are level and seem to work great on both tees . The baskets are Mach III's , numbered and catch well . For signage , there are painted rocks at the tees ( Red paint is short and blue is long ) which is unique . There are also some rocks that help with navigation . Another original aspect of this course is the use of giant spools that you can set you bag on or sit on . I didn't see a kiosk , so you need to print a map to get around here .
The land : The land rolls a little here and some of the later holes like 14-16 have you throwing through a fairway that slopes heavily to the right , where a swamp is . There is excellent use of what looks like a large Indian Mound that runs through the middle of the course and affects some of the holes between maybe 4-13 . Also there is some marsh that involves some of the holes , maybe 6 , and over the mound around 11 , 12 , and 14 ? Remember to go from 15's basket , which is behind the owner's house and back of the property, and make a long walk to #16's tee , which you are now in the front of the property . You might be confused and try to play the #14 hole again which is to the left of 15 .
The Highlights : The course is not going to blow you away with it's length , although there is a long hole on 15 ( 713' from the blues ) that runs on the far side of the property .But it will make you work with your control . Plenty of variety here . #4 is a tight 404' drive slightly upwards to a basket with small trees substituting for a green . #9 is an over the hill throw 310' to the basket sitting a little lower than the hill . #13 is a snaking 320' hole that puts the marsh into play . Of course , there is the long 713' #15 , and #17 , a long double fairway which slopes downward to the right ( where the swamp is ) and trees everywhere with low ceilings .
I don't know how much play this course gets . I think I saw the owner when I was driving towards the lot , but saw no one else , which means you won't be rushed or have to wait at holes . Not a fast play . It took me a good 80+ minutes to play this course . A foursome will take 2 1/2 - 3 hours to play all 20 holes ( 19 & 20 were added to give you something to do while walking back to your car , not easy holes )
Cons:
Navigation : This course might benefit with a better online map or a good kiosk here . A transition or 2 over the hill , and from 15-16 ( back to front of property ) can be confusing . Remember that when finishing the 18th hole , you are at the beginning of the driveway . Whether you choose to play the final 2 holes ( I did not ) , you have to turn around and take the long walk back to your car .
#2 The grounds : The upkeep was pretty good on the back of the property . Since there is some marshland in the back , it looks like it could be perpetually soggy . Wear waterproof boots when playing here . After #15 , there was out of control grass and overgrowth on the front of the property . Add that with the slope of the property and you have a recipe for a lost disc . Same goes for the last 2 holes . The overgrowth was out of control on the right level side of the fairways on them . If your disc is in there , good luck .
Disc Risk : I saw some good chances here of losing a driver or midrange . Any clip of a tree with your disc , or even a rollaway , and one of your favorites may be lost for good . The overgrowth I mentioned previously can result in a loss .
Pay to Play : Some don't like it because of the free courses around . I personally do like it when it is privately owned because of the personal care it receives . I normally leave more than what the owner asks for just because I know most of it will go back into the course .
Spray on some Deet . Bugs can be bad near the swamp and the marsh .Watch for poison ivy . I kind of with there was some type of shelter or chill area to relax after a round with your buddies .
#2 The grounds : The upkeep was pretty good on the back of the property . Since there is some marshland in the back , it looks like it could be perpetually soggy . Wear waterproof boots when playing here . After #15 , there was out of control grass and overgrowth on the front of the property . Add that with the slope of the property and you have a recipe for a lost disc . Same goes for the last 2 holes . The overgrowth was out of control on the right level side of the fairways on them . If your disc is in there , good luck .
Disc Risk : I saw some good chances here of losing a driver or midrange . Any clip of a tree with your disc , or even a rollaway , and one of your favorites may be lost for good . The overgrowth I mentioned previously can result in a loss .
Pay to Play : Some don't like it because of the free courses around . I personally do like it when it is privately owned because of the personal care it receives . I normally leave more than what the owner asks for just because I know most of it will go back into the course .
Spray on some Deet . Bugs can be bad near the swamp and the marsh .Watch for poison ivy . I kind of with there was some type of shelter or chill area to relax after a round with your buddies .
Other Thoughts:
I am visiting more private courses than in my earlier years , and am glad that I came to play this course . I wish I had a chance to meet with the owner and course designer , Rick Shoemaker , to get his take on owning a course on his property . Disc golf enthusiasts get used to just traveling to a park , throwing 18 and leaving , and miss out on opportunities to visit private properties , meet people and see their dreams . If it's somewhere that you may return to , it is fun to see the progress in these courses , too . This course stands by itself . Not overly strong , challenging or too technical , but a course that gives you a great amount of variety and his personal touch on course design . So what if it is out of the way ?! It can make it even more worthwhile to visit .A very nice looking property , I think you will be pleased. IMO , a very fun course to play .
My Recommendation . Blue tees for the more seasoned and red for the less ? This course accommodates most everyone , from the father-son players and casuals to the pros that can get some enjoyment from it . Besides , I think what this course needs most is a lot of foot traffic .
PLAY IT !!!
My Recommendation . Blue tees for the more seasoned and red for the less ? This course accommodates most everyone , from the father-son players and casuals to the pros that can get some enjoyment from it . Besides , I think what this course needs most is a lot of foot traffic .
PLAY IT !!!
7
0
A Fun Course That All Skill Levels Can Enjoy 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Dec 19, 2012
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Most holes take advantage of moderately swooping elevation and at least some well-placed mature trees if not a little more...a third of the course has a medium amount of obstacles for a decent challenge. Some nice windows with multiple choices from the tee too. Some basket placements taking advantage of elevation for more interesting upshots as well. The holes were purposeful and fun to play, plus visually appealing.
A quiet, remote location. Tranquil and beautiful. You've gotta love these rural private courses!
Nice Mach V baskets. Dirt tees are still in decent shape, and I don't imagine this will get anywhere close to the traffic a course near a more populated area would get, so they'll probably hold out much longer than most would.
There is even some water in play in a few instances, but it's not the sort of thing that's evil or perilous at all.
A large yard shed acts as a small pro shop! A modest amount of Discs, shirts, and some snacks appear to be for sale (it was locked when I was there during the work day). There is even a picnic table with a deck umbrella there where you can hang out between rounds...and it appears some speakers are mounted so you can take in some tunes as well. Maps are available on the door.
Their outdoor wood-burning furnace apparatus sure smelled good when I was there...
A quiet, remote location. Tranquil and beautiful. You've gotta love these rural private courses!
Nice Mach V baskets. Dirt tees are still in decent shape, and I don't imagine this will get anywhere close to the traffic a course near a more populated area would get, so they'll probably hold out much longer than most would.
There is even some water in play in a few instances, but it's not the sort of thing that's evil or perilous at all.
A large yard shed acts as a small pro shop! A modest amount of Discs, shirts, and some snacks appear to be for sale (it was locked when I was there during the work day). There is even a picnic table with a deck umbrella there where you can hang out between rounds...and it appears some speakers are mounted so you can take in some tunes as well. Maps are available on the door.
Their outdoor wood-burning furnace apparatus sure smelled good when I was there...
Cons:
Some tees were a tad slippery. I'll give that a pass for it being late December and there being no snow.
Holes #16-#18 are on a narrow strip of land only 1 hole wide that leads away from the course. You then have a 1,000 foot walk doubling straight back to the parking lot/pro shop/Hole #1. To be honest, I can't blame them since they needed all of their property to get all 18 holes in the ground and these are probably the three most challenging and interesting holes. I certainly need the exercise.
Same thing for Hole #6. It's one of the better holes, mostly wooded with a fantastic set of windows from which to choose on the tee. Due to the limit of the property and a swamp, though, you have to double all the way back to play Hole #7. Not really that big of a deal since it's about 230' or 250'.
I certainly wouldn't cut this much slack for that much extraneous walking on a public course.
If you're a cashing pro player, you'll have no problem smoking this course. I'd venture to say you'd still have a good time, though. Think of it as Flip City Lite. (I'm a middle-aged former mediocre Am-1 player with not much power and I shot even for the two rounds).
Holes #16-#18 are on a narrow strip of land only 1 hole wide that leads away from the course. You then have a 1,000 foot walk doubling straight back to the parking lot/pro shop/Hole #1. To be honest, I can't blame them since they needed all of their property to get all 18 holes in the ground and these are probably the three most challenging and interesting holes. I certainly need the exercise.
Same thing for Hole #6. It's one of the better holes, mostly wooded with a fantastic set of windows from which to choose on the tee. Due to the limit of the property and a swamp, though, you have to double all the way back to play Hole #7. Not really that big of a deal since it's about 230' or 250'.
I certainly wouldn't cut this much slack for that much extraneous walking on a public course.
If you're a cashing pro player, you'll have no problem smoking this course. I'd venture to say you'd still have a good time, though. Think of it as Flip City Lite. (I'm a middle-aged former mediocre Am-1 player with not much power and I shot even for the two rounds).
Other Thoughts:
It appears as though every inch of land was utilized to make 18 holes comfortably. I assume the fences define the property. There are some areas beyond a fence (near #9?) that looks sweet but it's probably not theirs. Same deal for the open field opposite the driveway where you do all of that walking after Hole #18. Probably not theirs either.
When they're not home (such was the case for me), there is a jar at the pro shop for you to deposit $4...and what appears to be an internet-type camera aimed at it from through the window. Clever! I hope they rake in the cash...
Little Bighorn isn't too far away and is also worth a visit since you're out here anyway, and I hear that the Peru courses are good too if you're venturing in the opposite direction. I found it helpful to pack a lunch since you're...out in the boonies and all.
When they're not home (such was the case for me), there is a jar at the pro shop for you to deposit $4...and what appears to be an internet-type camera aimed at it from through the window. Clever! I hope they rake in the cash...
Little Bighorn isn't too far away and is also worth a visit since you're out here anyway, and I hear that the Peru courses are good too if you're venturing in the opposite direction. I found it helpful to pack a lunch since you're...out in the boonies and all.
