Trussville, AL

John LeMaster DGC

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3.565(based on 31 reviews)
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11 0
TRoss886
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 21.8 years 283 played 32 reviews
3.50 star(s)

A nice stroll in the park amongst other strollers. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 22, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

- The Big 3: The first steps for having a great disc golf course always relies on these. Nice Mach V baskets, tapered long concrete pads, and great metal tee signs on all 18 holes. The signage is especially exceptional labeling the distance and par of each pin placement very clearly. OB is also marked well. The baskets could use new visibility tape on the center pole (as it is currently worn down) to help spot the elusive Mach Vs.
- Amenities: This course ranks fairly high in this category. I counted benches on 14 out of 18 holes which was very nice. Bag hooks were also a great addition on 10 of the 18 holes I counted. Also, I noted 3 trash cans on the course.
- Multiple Pin Placements: This course averaged around 3 different pin placement options on all of the 18 holes. I've heard they change these with some frequency which sounds great for locals.
- Wooded Holes: #2, #17, and #18 are all quite stunning. #2 is one of the prettier holes I've ever played. #17 is a technical hole done right with very defined fairways, great obstacles, and two clear routes. #18 is a tight tunnel that opens up at the end.
- Water Features: These really make the beauty factor of this course. Water is involved on 8 of the 18 holes but never really a threat of losing a disc. The Cahaba runs the length of one side of the course and is nice to view. Two holes feature a beautiful little creek running right down the center of the fairway. This is a rare sight and very pleasing.
- Staging Area: This course features a practice basket, kiosk with community board, trash can, and picnic tables all near #1 tee box.

Cons:

- Navigation: In my opinion, navigation is definitely the biggest con for this course. A large course map at the kiosk near #1 would help to alleviate this issue. I noticed some very small directional markers in the ground, but many had been kicked or turned. A more robust next tee arrow system would elevate this course greatly. A couple confusing transitions for me in particular were #1 to #2 and #9 to #10.
- Pedestrians: This course winds through a busy park that involves people walking on the paths and cars on the road that is near a couple holes. On the pin locations I played, I counted 11 out of 18 holes where this can become an issue (a few more if you include possible picnics). Please be courteous and give the other users the right of way.
- Course Flow: This is an issue for a couple reason. A couple long walks from pin to next tee can be fairly long and take your head out of the game (especially on a first round trying to find the next tee). There are also two holes that run parallel to each other so it requires you to walk backward on the course.
- Trash: On the wooded holes especially (and a couple of the open holes), I noticed lots of broken glass and trash to the sides. I'm sure this is due to the wooded holes providing refuge to teenagers sneaking off. This is unfortunate because I'm sure it would be a headache for the park to constantly monitor and clean up.

Other Thoughts:

Not pros or cons:
- Alternate Tees: This is a confusing one for me so I'm not listing it as a pro or con. I personally spotted concrete alternate tee pads on only 2 holes (#2 and #9). Maybe I missed others? Maybe they were natural and have grown over with time? Previous reviews have raved about alternate pads and I do think they would be particularly great on this course to shorten it for beginners.
- No Turn: This course is an out and back style course. Make sure to bring any beverage or snack you might want from the car because it's a decently long walk to play all 18 depending on pin locations.
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1 3
billcoke
Experience: 17.8 years 201 played 18 reviews
2.50 star(s)

After too a string of mehhhh 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 28, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

Hole 2 is one of the most unique holes I've played. Just a beautiful hole. Hole 3 is pretty good. The park is beautiful and clean.

Cons:

After hole 3 it becomes pretty so-so till you get to hole 17 and 18. Repetitive not very interesting holes.

Other Thoughts:

If you are in the area, stop by but don't go out of your way.
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8 0
Bennybennybenny
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.1 years 305 played 287 reviews
3.50 star(s)

You Better Stay On Its Good Side 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 27, 2020 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-This is the course across the street from Greg Carter. I think this one is a little bit better. There's more variety and less repetition here, even has some cool rock formations on some of the wooded holes here, having a touch of Greg Carter's flavor.

-Very cool and colorful tee signs with great hole diagrams.

-#2 was very enjoyable. Hole is very tough but fair. The long pad is the pad I played. You are throwing an anhyzer off the pad and then over a small ravine with rocks. #6 is neat, it has an island green surrounded by rocks in the 250' position. #8's a unique uphill hole along a dried creek.

-John LeMaster has many holes that are very attackable. But for the most part, none of them are too simple. Dual pads only on a few holes, but the course has three pin placements on most holes and four on a few. This is something I noticed to be maybe more common in Alabama than North Carolina (where I'm from). The course can change its look with the wide variety of pin placements it has. Some make the hole much harder with the longer pins. Even some of the shorter pins are tougher than the longer pins for instance, #6 with its island green.

-#18 is a terrifying finisher that can also be very rewarding. Was in the 488' position in the Mega Bowl. The score distribution on this hole was wide. There was an eagle and many birdies, along with that many fives and worse. The tee shot is narrow out of the woods. Hole is wooded for the first 350' and both sides of the woods are very dense and unforgiving. Fairway is wide enough to throw a driver and the hole is visible from the pad. You really have to use your best judgement on what you should do. Throw a slower putter or mid straight and try to be safe, or attempt to reach the open with a driver.

-The mach baskets catch pretty well. There is a practice basket beside hole one, so you can do some practice putts until you see The tee pads are nice and long too.

-You have to be somewhat accurate on the holes that are more open because of scattered trees and the OB road. As long as you miss the road, MOST of the holes are very forgiving and are escapable with par. That is until you get to #17 and #18. Those holes are like taking the actual driving test. Good luck, and stay in your lane! These two are serious accuracy testers.

-Friendly locals. Some of them seemed to have a genuine interest in disc golf. Neighborhood is very nice too.

Cons:

-Lost disc potential. Lots of underbrush on the wooded holes and it's very dense. The tall stuff to the right on #10 is not friendly either. If you land in the water, you'll have to find a way to cross the tall stuff.

-#17. A guy I was playing a round with described this hole as "gross." That's a very accurate description. The shortest pin position isn't too bad, but the other two are strange. The par four position is a head scratcher down a tight and bending fairway. The 347' par three position is simply bad. Pretty straight but weaves a little and the pin is down a narrow dead end hallway. The green itself is fine, but the line to get to it is bogus. If the pin is in one of those two, good luck to you.

-You cross the sidewalk many times, so you'll have to field to pedestrians.

Other Thoughts:

-Not too much to say about John LeMaster (or Civitan). It is a good course with a friendly atmosphere. It may get crowded but is a nice walk around the park. If you live around here, you'll probably enjoy the different pin positions and look forward to playing them again when they are moved.

-Many holes aren't too difficult for advanced or pro players, but others are good separators. I shot a 49 in the tournament with one bogey. I was able to stay out of trouble on the wooded holes. I missed the island green on hole #6 and missed the putt from the drop zone. Other than that, I was often able to hit my lines and be left with a putt. Was helpful to play here the day before the tournament round. With some practice shots, you'll probably be able to make some birdies.

-Lots of different food options nearby, so it's a good course to play during a work break. Play fast and drive thru somewhere!
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2 0
samxyx
Experience: 5.8 years 31 played 30 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Trek through the big trees 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 19, 2020 Played the course:once

Other Thoughts:

Fun course that plays on the side of a moderately wooded hill. Course is shaded, which is nice but without actually being deep in the woods. Most holes will require you to pick one of several lines between the trees to reach the basket. Not as much walking as other courses.

Specifics:
Holes: 18
Tee Pads/Hole: 1
Baskets: Multiple basket locations per hole but only 1 is set up at a time.
Navigation: Easy Enough
Tee Signs: Good
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2 0
mjo56300
Experience: 53 played 4 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 2, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

I really enjoyed the wooded holes (2-3 and 17-18). The others were decent "park" holes. The pads were decent and the grass was nice and short. Little chance of losing a disc.

Cons:

Two Cons
1. Navigation - It was the first time either of us had played there, so we spent a lot of time walking around, trying to figure out where the next basket was and where we teed off for it. There seemed to have been a tournament there recently, and several of the tiny stick-in-the-ground "next Tee" signs were around. There were also a few faded white spray-painted arrows in the grass pointing to the next tee in places. Both of those types of indications seemed too transitory and insufficient. I recall a couple of the tee signs indicated "next", but not consistently.
2. Visibility. The baskets were almost impossible for me to pick out of the background clutter at times. They had no color bands at the top rim. No large basket number on the top. The basket numbers were tiny little stick-on things on the center pole amongst the chains. Couldn't see them more than 50' away.

Other Thoughts:

If higher-visibility baskets are not in the plans, could they perhaps be spray-painted to color them up some? Maybe one color on the top rim and another on the basket. Swap colors around for each hole and spray the same color combo on the poles for the tee signs. So on a particular tee, you know you are looking for an orange/blue basket, for example.
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2 0
ticklethetruth
Experience: 61 played 5 reviews
4.00 star(s)

A very enjoyable course in a great park. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 16, 2018 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The park is clean, well-kept, and very scenic. A majority of holes 4-16 are very nice shots with large pines that allow multiple lines. The cahaba running along the border of the park is very nice also and can come into play with a bad shot on a few holes. sidewalks and roads add a nice element of OB without being intrusive.

2,3,17, and 18 are a dramatic change of scenery and elements. 17 and 18 can really impact scores.

Cons:

hole 1 and a couple others do play over walking paths, but they aren't blind. You can easily wait to throw.

Better signage would be helpful for finding your way around. The course flow is not always what you would expect.

Other Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this course and highly recommend.
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11 0
wellsbranch250
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 10.2 years 652 played 631 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Don't Judge A Course By Its First Hole. 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 3, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

(3.284 Rating) A moderately wooded intermediate level course that will entertain almost every player.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - Hole (1) is awful. A nearly obstacle free shot with torn grasses and exposed earth. Naturally my first thought was, "Well this course is way overrated" Then upon arriving and standing on tee (2) I thought I was in paradise. Although the beauty of (2) is not matched again, the rest of the layout is really appealing. The middle chunk of the layout is on a hill side and runs thru a moderately wooded canopy of mixed species. The Cahaba River is viewable from several holes and plays a central role on hole (10). There are a couple mini spring creeks that dice through the layout that make a couple tee shots really pop. In totality I scored the course a 3.5 out of 5 which is roughly in my top 60 (260 coursed played as of this review.)
- CHALLENGING - The back tees to me read as intermediate level. Several 300 foot plus plays that require a mild amount of shot shaping. Holes (2), (3), (17) and (18) are all heavily wooded tunnel shots that will require the disc maneuver along a 10 to 15 wide lane. Although I didn't putt well, I see intermediate level players like me ultimately throwing around even to a couple down. 850 rated Rec players throwing the front tees should also be able to go a few down. Advanced players will be underwhelmed on most holes but it won't be a boring affair.
- TEES - For the most part, really nice tees. trapezoid shaped, 5 feet wide at front and expanding to 6 feet wide and they are 10 feet long. Unfortunately some park construction had a couple tees as natural with temporary flags on my play. There is a second set of shorter tees as well and it seemed like a majority of those were natural or in a few cases omitted.
- BASKET PLACEMENTS - Among the most basket placements I've ever seen on a course. There had to have been at least 50 of them, but who knows, many were not marked on the signage as they appeared new. Local players will be entertained with a constantly changing course. For those of us out of town, It will really temp us to make a return visit. There is one issue with all the basket locations is it will cause lots of odd transitions and backtracking between holes and it will require a constant upkeep on the course's movable navigational cues.
- CHARACTER - In addition to the tees and basket placements, there are a few other nice extras and amenities. Seating on a majority of the holes and most tees were shaded. New bag hangers on a few holes as well. A practice basket and a completely blank well built community board by tee (1).
- UNIQUENESS - A nice mix of changing elevation and tree coverage. Up shots, down shots, across slope shots and a couple flat ones as well. The max elevation on any hole was perhaps 30 feet, but a majority of the shots had at least 10 feet of play in it. The open to wooded mix was great as well. A couple fully wooded plays, a bunch of moderately wooded shots, but yet also a few light to openish shots as well. Most holes played fairly straight, but there were back to back opposite benders on my play with (3) being a sweep to the left and then (4) being a sweep to the right. There are also three par 4s and water comes into play as a major factor on (10) with Cahaba River running down the entire right side. As for missing items, no par 5s, no doglegs, no forced overtop plays and no water carries.
- SKILL LEVEL FRIENDLY - This course should be able to appeal to a wide swath of players as there are two tees on a majority of the holes. The back tees are more than long enough for intermediate level players and they will keep advanced players entertained. The short tees are perfect for newer and rec players looking to subtract some distance.

Cons:

Other than a few navigational gripes there really aren't any issues with this course, its solid.
- NAVIGATION - So so. I was very fortunate to have a guide for this. No course map on site and the one online is almost useless. The layout hops around a lot between holes (4 and 16). If it weren't for all the movable navigational cues below all the baskets and bunch of others as well, navigating this course would be extremely frustrating. Spotting the next tee was difficult on my play because a couple of the tees did not have posts or tee sign markings at all. This was all in part to recent park construction alterations.
- DISCONTINUITY - One major gap in the layout between (1) and (2) it's around a 400 to 450 heading east.
- PARKING - Unfortunately located a ways from the start and finish of the course. When I entered the park, I noticed tee (1) and (18) basket flanking the entrance on both sides. After parking it was a good 400 foot hike to the tee (1).
- SPACING - About average. If the course were full, there would be a few tees that could be reached by an errant throw because of moderate tree protection. A few fairways also feel partially shared.
- TIME WAITING - There are a few walking paths and roads that run along this layout. Players really need to be cognizant of their surrounding before throwing. At least one basket placement required a play across a path, but there may be others considering all the basket placements.

Other Thoughts:

On hole (2) I ran into locals Greg and Chris. They were kind enough to invite me along as they stated that this course has a lot of tricky transitions on the first play. I very much enjoyed their tour of the course and had an absolute blast despite not making any putts outside of 15 feet. As for the course, I was pleasantly surprised. I've played just about every course in the Birmingham area now and I'd rank this one as 4th best in the metro after Inverness, Clay and George Ward. Really the only disappointing hole is (1), the rest of the course is consistently entertaining. Considering all the basket placements and the fact that my guide informed me that they move then regularity, I've marked this course for a return visit.
- TIME PLAY - My group of three fast players played the course in just under 90 minutes. I figure that the average foursome should be in at 2 hours. A solo first timer will likely need at least an hour considering all the navigational adventure possibilities. Please note that my guides informed me that this course gets quite crowed during prime times.
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7 0
wericsson
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 10.8 years 53 played 45 reviews
4.00 star(s)

LeBlast from the Past 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 16, 2018 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

For the most part, awesome holes. Number 1 is a bit bland, but 2 is a visually impressive touch shot down to a kinda naturally raised basket with a stream cutting some elevation into the fairway and woods to either side. From 4 onward until you come back to the woods on 17, it's all beautiful park golf, but still fairly technical on most holes. Number 10 is a spacious 700 foot par 4 with a fairway defined by the sidewalk left and the river right. Looks like it wandered off a ball golf course. Holes 15 and 16 are big long bombs with reasonably well-defined, not too wide lines to make through the trees. Holes 17 and 18 have to be one of the more punishing finishes I've played. I thought I was home free at that point, in for a glorified walk back to my car, and would get out a few over. Then I got to 17, a classic technical par 4 with a reasonably small landing zone and then two tight lines at the basket. 18 follows it up with a 325'-350' dead straight downhill tunnel that finally breaks back out into the open for the last 150' or so of hole. Total length is over 6000 feet, with only a couple holes approaching what I would call open; all but holes 1 and 10 offered a fair amount of restriction, and even those had some tree cover off to the sides - plus a lil river on hole 10.

Two holes have two pin positions, fifteen have three, and one has four. They seem to change up some every time I visit, so that makes for great variety.

Baskets are Mach Vs which have held up quite well. All the long tees are reasonably sized concrete trapezoids or rectangles, except hole 6 (turf in good shape, which is good enough for a shorter hole). Brand new tee signs are in the ground, and accurately represent the various pin positions, trees/rough, OB areas (water/roads/sidewalk), etc. They indicate distance and par as well. There are benches throughout - not every hole, but probably about half the holes, and all the ones likely to cause backups - smart. There are bag stands on most as well, and nice new wooden bridges over creeks/spots that could get feet wet. Back at the start, there's a community board and a practice basket.

Very pretty parkland, but the truly killer view from the banks of the Cahaba can be found by going down the stone steps next to hole 10's pad (or the set by the right-hand pin on 11).

Cons:

A couple pads are cracked, but nothing bad at all. Of the am pads, only two were concrete, and all others were, to my knowledge (didn't try to play them) natural or nonexistent; the natural ones have a little, low, hard to find marker.

The big sidewalk (greenway?) that keeps coming into play is a bit troublesome, but there's visibility more than far enough for a sensible, safe disc golfer to simply wait to throw until nobody is in harm's way. Do that.

Other Thoughts:

This course could get a bit nicer yet with some concrete for the am pads, or a few permanent next tee signs, but it's already been completely transformed over the past year from a closed-off construction site to one of the best courses in the state, thanks to a committed group of locals. Even over the past two to three months, the glow-up has been huge. The course will also do some growing on its own now, as there are new trees strategically planted on 1, 10, and maybe one or two other holes.

As far as metro Bham courses I've played, this one ranks second, edging out Clay but falling to Inverness.
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3 1
BamaSlamaJim
Experience: 15.8 years 65 played 14 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Nice setting and variety 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 4, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course has a nice variety in the look and feel to the holes. Many are very tight and some are more open, it's definitely not boring from hole to hole.

Most of the course feels woodsy and some feels more park-like, but it all mixes well without overlapping with other park users.

The two sets of tees are nice and I play both, depending upon my mood. The course is challenging without being frustrating and you can bring your beginner friends here without frustrating them.

Cons:

I played recently after a heavy rain and there are quite a few places that the fairways resembled small creeks.

Other Thoughts:

One of several good courses in the area. Worth a play if you're in the area. Hit me up if you'd like a guide.
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4 0
Jebb
Experience: 17.8 years 50 played 6 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Course is VASTLY IMPROVED 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 28, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Recent course improvements (added benches, bag/sign poles, signage, clearing) have really notched up the quality of this course. A SUPERB new bulletin board is now installed at hole 1 and a large new sign points the way towards hole 2's tee (previously difficult to find). The course now has 3 pins for each hole and is currently in the "A" setup. The City of Trussville has been extremely accomodating towards disc golf, so this course should continue to thrive.

Cons:

Tee signs out of date (new ones in progress). Parking turn-around area has a big rut in it, but we are trying to get the city to repair.

Other Thoughts:

I like this course so much, I bought a home right next to it. Nothing quite like walking out the back yard onto one of your favorite disc golf courses with another course just 2 blocks away! :)
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2 0
keebler
Experience: 16.8 years 2 played 2 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Enjoyable 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 17, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

1. Concrete Pads
2. Easy to find pads
3. Good Distances

Cons:

1. Grass is overgrown
2. Tee Placements are typicaly always in the same spot.
3. Mostly straight shots

Other Thoughts:

I've been playing this course for 4+ years now, its a good course with a lot of replayability. Challenging, yet most holes are basically straight shots. The baskets have not been moved in few months, and the course seems to have become neglected (grass overgrown in many areas) as the new Carter course has opened.. I enjoy courses with more shot variety, but still enjoy playing this course weekly!
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4 0
stsren
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 24.3 years 38 played 22 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Fun place to throw some plastic... 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 1, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

1. Variety of distances (~200' to 600')
2. Variety of shots (FH, BH, Hammer / Thumber, etc...)
3. Great use of elevation
4. Maps at beginning of course (needed if first timer)
5. Decent signage, including "Next Tee" in most places
6. Concrete tee pads (Pro only)
7. Multiple basket placement (some not visible from tee pad)
8. Good mix of open / wooded

Cons:

1. Signage could use updating
2. Difficult to navigate for first timers
3. No permanent facilities located on site
4. Dirt (and short) tee pads for Am tee boxes
5. Limited number of garbage cans

Other Thoughts:

Overall the course is very good. The first tee is played off the driveway out over an open field, but the scenery changes dramatically after that (#2 is a tight wooded fairway over a small ravine). The park itself is only used for disc golf and picnickers, so it works out pretty well. I found the course difficult to navigate, even with "Next Tee" signs around, so get a map at the beginning and bring it along, you'll need it! Most of the holes provide some wooded obstacles and elevation change. There's ample opportunity to really let it rip, and also times where it pays to be very accurate. The course is fun and offers enough challenge for beginners and pros alike, and in my opinion, the course is worth playing if you're a visiting disc golf junkie!
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4 0
ibekent
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.8 years 25 played 25 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Tough Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 14, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Don't let the first hole fool you; it's nothing like the rest of the course. I give the actual holes - the design and difficulty of shots required - a high A. It is a challenging course with many trees and a fair amount of risk/reward. The course has limited elevation change, but uses OB well. Most of the pro tee pads are large and concrete (though covered with debris). The directional signs are adequate and well placed. The course has many benches, ample garbage cans, and the park is reasonably well kept.

Cons:

The course flow gets a D. The course backtracks many times and requires some long walks between holes. The first fairway is uninteresting, tees off from a spot on a paved road, and crosses a paved road (though this is not representative of the course.) The signs are often missing and, while it is not too hard to find the next tee, it is often unclear at which basket the tee is aiming. The am/blue tees are just dirt - though flat and well marked. The course wanders around a building and across roads and driveways.

Other Thoughts:

If you believe that every shot should be reachable on the drive, this course may offend you. A few fairways are designed so that dueces would require a large measure of luck. If you prefer open shots, this is not the course for you; the fairways make excellent use of trees and prevailing wind patterns to frustrate your drives. If you want a significant challenge and are willing to do some extra walking, you'll love this course.
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2 0
livinitupzzz
Experience: 14.9 years 11 played 3 reviews
5.00 star(s)

My favorite 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 1, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Let me preface by saying that this is my primary course. I play it sometimes on a weekly basis and it is about a mile from my house so I have a personal affinity for it. However, as a beginner, I have now played something around 8 courses and have yet to find another course that has the mix of challenges that this course provides. I've found much easier courses and I've found much longer courses (not necessarily harder- just longer).
The mix of shaping shots from amateur tees to accurate driving from pro tees makes a great outing if you have mixed skill levels.

Cons:

The city personnel could cut grass a little more frequently. When it is well-manicured- it's hard to beat.

Signage could be better

Other Thoughts:

There is a new 18 hole wooded course across the road in the sports complex. Not my favorite but definitely worth a play. You will love if you love wooded courses. I like a course with mixed bag variety.
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5 0
3OrangeWhips
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.7 years 96 played 40 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Trussville Disc Golf Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 24, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

• Super clean park in a nice small town setting along a river
• Concrete tee pads for pros and dirt tee pads for ams on every hole
• Benches and signs on every hole (although the signs are not permanent ones)
• Sign poles have bag hooks on them
• Alternate basket positions on every hole
• Lots of shade when playing on hot afternoons
• Great course for beginners
• A handful of very tight wooded holes that demand accuracy
• The "open" holes have plenty of trees that demand a carefully executed throw
• No conflict with other park activities

Cons:

• Most holes would not be very challenging to more advanced players
• First timers really need the map from this website to navigate the course (the #5 basket really is there if you look long enough)
• The wooded holes (2, 3, 17, 18) require extreme caution due to lots of rocks, roots, and steep drop-offs (take a look at the #2 basket photo!)
• The open holes are very repetitive

Other Thoughts:

Trussville Disc Golf Course is located in Civitan Park in Trussville, AL. While I was playing, a mail truck was delivering mail and a tractor went down the street. Some kids even had a lemonade stand in the neighborhood at the park entrance. Can there be a better small town America setting? While the course itself is not remarkable, it does offer a good round of disc golf in a very scenic surrounding and for this it rates a high "fun factor." You start off from the parking lot with the wide open hole #1, then immediately go into the deep woods for the very narrow, very demanding holes #2 and #3. You then emerge from the woods and most of the remainder of the course plays its way across nicely mowed grass and through trees along the Cahaba River. Finally, #17 and #18 play back through the same woods that you started in. Hole #18 is memorable because the first half of the nearly 400-foot long fairway is tightly wooded but then opens up back towards the parking lot, offering a very unique sightline from the tee pad to the basket. This would be an enjoyable course to play anytime when in the Birmingham area.
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2 1
Upshawt1979
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.8 years 548 played 429 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Good enough, not the best. 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 30, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

LeMaster plays through a very nice park in a nice neighborhood. There were maps at the 1st when I visited, which came in handy. A couple of cool holes in the woods, I really liked 2 and 17 (except some jerks took the basket for 17). The diversity of shots required off the tee mixes up nicely. Signage and benches accompany the nice concrete tee boxes.

Cons:

I thought the more open section of the course was a little bland, but works with what is available. One hole on the back nine tees from someone's driveway, and I thought that was sort of weak. Missing basket on 17 (punks) made a great hole anti-climactic.

Other Thoughts:

Overall, a very good course, but not one of my favorites. Play it if you have the opportunity. It is scenic, at least, and not boring.
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8 0
RussMB
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 19.4 years 131 played 110 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Course along the Cahaba River 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Feb 2, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Pros:
-Civitan Park is located in a very scenic Park. Very Clean, well manicured and has a terrific scenic beauty along the Cahaba River.
-Beginner friendly, yet challenging enough for advanced players to enjoy
-Very Nice Tee's: Concrete, Benches, Signs w/ Maps & bag hooks
-Multiple tees (Red & White) and multiple pin placements
-Good use of the terrain: Tight wooded shots, up and down hill sides, navigating your line through the trees, and a couple of wide open shots.
-HIgh "Fun Factor"
-Practice Basket
-1 good distance hole (#10 Red tee=400ft White tee=600ft)
-3 Good narrow risk/reward shots #2,#17,and #18. (17 being a choose the high road vs. the low road shot)
-Course navigates back to the parking lot
-You'll be able to retrieve your discs out of Most of the water Hazards. (With the exception of 11, which is along the river)
-Hole #2 has become a personal favorite of mine
-The rest of the course has you choosing your line through the trees.

Cons:

Cons:
-No Course Map or Scorecard (Except for the Hand Drawn map on the bulletin board) I would recommend printing the map from this site. (Links/Files tab) Also, see "Hole Info" tab to print the scorecard.
-Can be hard to navigate for first timers without a map. Also, some of the Teepads were hard to locate as well. This will probably not be a problem after you have played here once.
-No bathrooms (possibly the senior rec-center would allow you to use theirs, but I didn't ask)
-Some of the holes can become a little repetitive.

Other Thoughts:

Other Thoughts:
This course plays through a very enjoyable and well landscaped park. The course starts near the billboard and practice basket, as you pull into the senior citizen rec-center. I found that I struggled with the navigation, even though I snapped a picture of the map on my phone. I got turned around a couple of times, but the for the most part, I didn't have too much of a problem. The streams coming down the hill weren't much of a water hazard, but they did add a very nice touch to the scenery. This made playing some of the repetitive holes, a bit more enjoyable. No special footwear is needed here, but you will be walking up and down some hills and across some rocky terrain. The natural elements made this a very enjoyable experience. It would not be hard to hit George Ward and Civitan both in one day.

Hole #2 has become one of my favorite shots to play. It's tight, rocky, and plays along a steep embankment down into a ravine, making it a challenging risk/reward shot. You'll find your tight wooded shots appear at the beginning and at the end. (2,3,17,18) I'm echoing what has already been said, but most of the course can get a bit repetitive and redundant. Now, let me say this, I think the next time I play here will be a better experience, because I'll know what to expect, and I'll know my way around. I will be able to enjoy it and have fun. I look forward to playing here on future trips to Birmingham.
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3 2
rolltidegopokes
Experience: 18.1 years 16 played 13 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Go to Trussville! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 21, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Civitan Park is a very solid course to check out and enjoy. Holes 2, 17, and 18 are really fun to play and really make this course memorable. I am particularly proud of my birdie on 10. There is also a ridiculously long hole which is fun to work your arm out with.

Cons:

Transitions to holes from pins to pads don't always flow well. You have to cross a street more than once to play. Occasionally you have to look out for folks that don't play, so look for the kiddies before you flick your disc.

Other Thoughts:

If you have spent any time playing at George Ward in Birmingham, I have one thing to say: NO HOMELESS PEOPLE, period.

Also, everybody there was VERY friendly, and I think every person in Trussville walked their dogs, and the dogs were friendly!
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11 0
srm_520
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 20 years 156 played 142 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Solid and Diverse 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Nov 27, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Civitan Park (John LeMaster DGC) is an interesting mixture of "awe" and "what were they thinking?" First the awe - holes #2 and #18. Hole #2 is certainly the signature hole carved out of the mountainside that feels like it has no real place being a part of this course. It's brutally fun elevated tight rocky madness that makes you love the challenge of a great hole. I personally loved hole #18 as well with it's tight elevated tee box into the pin position cradled by a high burn and tight grouping of trees on the left side. Coupled with #17, a round isn't in the bag until you have conquered the last two holes.

The tee boxes are a mix of mostly good and some bad with decent markers and nice bag holders. Yardage seems fairly accurate, but can be deceiving with steep elevation changes forcing you to make certain throws. Parking is good, and the small community means that you're not going to fight crowds to fit in a round. Basically, it's a good round of diverse disc golf.

BEST HOLE/S: #2; #18

Cons:

While the use of elevation is interesting, and I loved the holes that played along the few brooks, most of the course is fairly straight forward and sometimes boring. The beautiful Cahaba River adds an additional feature not seen on many courses, but only comes into play on one relatively easy hole.

Civitan Park also suffers from some course flow issues - especially the transitions from holes #3, #4, and #5. You also have to be keen to watch the transitions after #10 through #13. It's not horribly difficult to find your way, but it would be nice if a local could generate a map for players to use.

WORST HOLE/S: #4

Other Thoughts:

Playing in the winter time - I missed the sheer beauty of how this moderate to heavily wooded course looks like in the summer and fall. With the decent tree cover - it would be a nice escape in the summer heat. However, don't expect to bring the family, this is not a stroller friendly park - this baby is purely disc golf.

Overall, I enjoyed the experience of the this course, but the design issues and overall yawn factor of the middle portion rank it slightly lower than George Ward Park in downtown Birmingham. However, I still think it deserves a strong 3.5 disc rating, and if you are in the area - make sure you still hit this course and you won't be disappointed.
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4 1
jgentry
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.8 years 47 played 36 reviews
3.00 star(s)

An OK course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 12, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

This was a decent course that had a few exceptional holes. Hole 1 is completely open. Holes 2,17, and 18 are in very thick woods. Holes 3-16 are in completely clean mowed areas with lots of large trees. I felt like hole #2 was exceptional as was #18. The course was clean.

Cons:

I pretty much completely agree with the review and problems ZMann44 brought up. #2 is hard to find. Holes 4-16 are not exactly hard or awe inspiring in any way. You have a basket with randomn trees here and there. You have tons of different gaps are are just as likely to get close to the basket with a crap throw as you are with a good one. All of these holes felt the same and none of them offerred anything different from the ones before it. The basket might be different distances from hole to hole but it all looked the same and was really pretty boring. The course also didn't flow real well. You could see several baskets and tees from 4-16 and sometimes it wasn't real obvious were to go next.

Other Thoughts:

I thought this was a decent course but I didn't think it was a four disc like it was rated. I think a couple of the holes are excellent but there are a lot that are just bland and look the same. If you are in th area it is worth playing but I wouldn't go out of my way to play it again.
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