Harvey, MI

Silver Creek DGC - Old Layout

1.675(based on 3 reviews)
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Silver Creek DGC - Old Layout reviews

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2 1
deBebbler
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 28.8 years 75 played 34 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Has more issues than the NYT 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 16, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

There is a nice amount of length for an in-town "backyard course."

The well defined tee areas had surprisingly good signage, including distance & par values, and slick hole diagrams.

This rear of this property has a nice little hill in the middle, and the designers wisely chose to play up and across, rather than around it.

While the first half of the course is fairly open, the holes tighten up significantly in the second half, creating a 9 hole course that is quite varied.

Cons:

I'm not sure why I bothered finding pros to this course, as the following render them moot.

The tee for hole #2 is almost within the green for hole #1, and the tee for # 3 is absolutely in the green for hole #2.

Holes #3 & 4 cross the fairway of hole #1, with the tee for hole #4 being found just off the centerline to the right, and making the chance of LHBH drives flying right into it quite high.

There is a large playground smack in the middle of the first 4 holes.

Basket for hole #7 was on the ground, and #9 basket was missing entirely.

Other Thoughts:

The second half of this course is actually not too bad, with the elevation and forested nature of the land, but the first half is a Charlie Foxtrot. I played this after Al Quaal, and thought at first, that no design could be worse than that, but I was immediately proved wrong by Silver Creek.

From a safety standpoint, the presence of the playground instantly requires that no one be using the park while discs are being thrown. As obstacles, the playground ammenities are quite effective, but this course design is an absolute boondoggle. Coupled with that, the baskets are trashed, and the whole thing should be scrapped in favor of a new design.

They had great signs, and even posted a course map on the tree, so high marks for effort on the part of Silver Creek Church. However, they would be much better served if they eliminated the playground holes and utilized the hill and forested area only, with perhaps 6 holes and some extra tees. With the land they have, it could even be a pretty nice challenge, but this.....this is not a worthy adversary.
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4 0
superberry
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 25.9 years 336 played 95 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Passable, has some issues. 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 24, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

Neat little hillside and bowl area that is played by more than one hole. The use of the little elevation is nice.
Was not crowded at all, no other discers, and even though the course is essentailly smack dab in the middle of a church/school park, no one was around.
The road and fences can be played as OB for some more challenge.

Cons:

The baskets are abused, beaten, rusty, don't watch well, etc, etc.
Half of the course is right next to, across, or over existing park, playground, and sitting areas. High potential for interference and a poor design choice overall. These types of courses that play on top of existing playground facilities rate very low on my list because they show just a lack of dedication to disc golf and the course, so how good do you expect it to be anyway. And they are never long term visions, just an attempt to throw a relatively cheap activity on top of other activites. Definitely not the course an average or above player, or a travelleing player would wanto to play.
The greens are often nestled too close to obstacles, tree lines, etc. I am all about risky and protected greens, but these border on ridiculous, and could get that way of trimming is not kept in check.
Course flow is bad at best. Holes are cramped right next to one another so errant throws or a kick off a tree can interfere badly. The intended routes of the holes are not exactly well designed for any reasonable disc flight for just about any skill level player. i.e. some pins are slammed right in the middle of a bunch of trees around a corner. You just throw near the trees, try and putt under them, and take a 3. No risk/reward or required skill level.
There are only one set of tees and one set of pin locations. Not much variety can be had here and not much variation between skill level of the players with the given tees (a longer set and a shorter set would serve the course better, and because they are all grass, seems simple enough to add this variety and added skill to compliment better players as well as newbies)
Wooded holes and canopy holes are present but #9 is essentially pinball and #8 is too short with a bad green when you blow by teh pin. The wooded holes could be designed better, offering mutiple routes given the property).
There is no water hazard here.
No garbage cans.

Other Thoughts:

The property is pretty neat, and the whole twon of Marquette is. Taking into consideration this course, Al Quaal, and the former Marquette Mtn course, the area needs some help building a solidly designed course consistent with modern standards, PDGA skill levels, and PDGA rules. This property has some very unique features, but the course simply flounders in it's own limited design. Since the one tee is grass, fairways or routes are designed without intended or specific required skills, half the course is on top of or through playground equipment, the greens are often too protected, and the baskets are beaten, this course rates as less than passable. It is not something to go out of your way for. It's just worth checking off your list because of the hilly holes. However, I did think it was better than Al Quaal. I wish Marquette would get in touch with someone who has designed top level courses and install something amazing somewhere on all the gorgeous land they have there!
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4 1
Terran Lance
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Silver Creek Course Fall 2008 Review 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 18, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great course for half open play and half brush play. Nice scenic drive to get there and normally, it's not very crowded at all.

Cons:

The course is mainly located on the playground of an elementary school. The first five holes are mainly played a standard star crossing pattern while the last four are located in brush and played in a similar crossing pattern over a large open bowl.

Other Thoughts:

The course needs a map posted on the inside of the doors of the school (now a church) during hours it's not open. There are no standard maps or guides, so the course must be explored by beginners or toured with someone who's had experience playing it.
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