Rustic Youth Camp reviews
11
0
Rustic Charm 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Dec 27, 2019
Played the course:once
Pros:
(2.305 Rating) A compact 18 holer with a bunch of short technical lines.
- UPGRADE - The course was upgraded to 18 holes in fall of 2019. I figure this would add between 0.5 to 1.0 rating points to all the prior reviews.
- RAW BEAUTY - Rustic charm can cover up a lot of inadequacies IMO. The first two holes are nothing to write home about, but hole (3) is a nice water play with Cedar Creek Reservoir lining the right side of the fairway the whole way. Starting on hole (5), the course plays through heavy to moderate woods for 9 straight holes. Holes (5), (7) and (8) were my favorite looking holes in this portion and they are all new with the upgrade to 18 holes. It was surprising to see the grounds kept up as well as they were too.
- ACEABILITY - Ace runs galore. 13 holes are 210 feet or less. An experienced local player would probably have multiple aces a year here. Hole (1) to start off is an obstacle free 200 footer. Hole (11) is a 140 footer with an easy attack on the basket using a simple hyzer play around a couple trees.
- UNIQUENESS - Other than the fact that the course suffers the short shot bug, respectable hole variety. As noted above, water comes into play. Several technical woods plays requiring some modest shot shaping. Also modest elevation changes that max out at 25 to 30 feet on any one hole.
- FUN FACTOR - I predict that this course is going to be very enjoyable for casual players as it's not overbearingly difficult. Birdies can be had by 800 rated players. Disc loss potential should be minimal unless the lake water is way up.
- CHAINS - Chainstar baskets with red flags on top.
- NAVIGATION - Adequate on my play. Several intuitive transitions. I liked the red flags on top of several baskets. The tee signs were fine too, but they were laminated sheets of paper, and I know those don't last long.
- QUICK PLAY - All 18 in forty minutes for me. Lots of short transitions between holes and the course is short overall.
- UPGRADE - The course was upgraded to 18 holes in fall of 2019. I figure this would add between 0.5 to 1.0 rating points to all the prior reviews.
- RAW BEAUTY - Rustic charm can cover up a lot of inadequacies IMO. The first two holes are nothing to write home about, but hole (3) is a nice water play with Cedar Creek Reservoir lining the right side of the fairway the whole way. Starting on hole (5), the course plays through heavy to moderate woods for 9 straight holes. Holes (5), (7) and (8) were my favorite looking holes in this portion and they are all new with the upgrade to 18 holes. It was surprising to see the grounds kept up as well as they were too.
- ACEABILITY - Ace runs galore. 13 holes are 210 feet or less. An experienced local player would probably have multiple aces a year here. Hole (1) to start off is an obstacle free 200 footer. Hole (11) is a 140 footer with an easy attack on the basket using a simple hyzer play around a couple trees.
- UNIQUENESS - Other than the fact that the course suffers the short shot bug, respectable hole variety. As noted above, water comes into play. Several technical woods plays requiring some modest shot shaping. Also modest elevation changes that max out at 25 to 30 feet on any one hole.
- FUN FACTOR - I predict that this course is going to be very enjoyable for casual players as it's not overbearingly difficult. Birdies can be had by 800 rated players. Disc loss potential should be minimal unless the lake water is way up.
- CHAINS - Chainstar baskets with red flags on top.
- NAVIGATION - Adequate on my play. Several intuitive transitions. I liked the red flags on top of several baskets. The tee signs were fine too, but they were laminated sheets of paper, and I know those don't last long.
- QUICK PLAY - All 18 in forty minutes for me. Lots of short transitions between holes and the course is short overall.
Cons:
Spacing and lack of complexity were my only minor concerns.
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - This course is going to be too simple for many players. I was very underwhelmed by the challenges as an Intermediate level player. There are 3 listed par 4s, but to many higher skilled players these are all par 3s. There are a couple needle line throws with perhaps just a three foot margin of error window, but these holes are all so short that even a bad ricochet will likely still result in par. I'd say the ideal player rating range is 775 to 875.
- SPACING - Lots of camp activity areas come into play on this course, which is probably why it's not available to play during camp season. Low traffic park roads come into play a couple times. A couple tees are within striking range of the prior basket. Fairway spacing is also not the greatest. For example, holes (8) through (11) all parallel each other on a strip of land about 200 feet wide.
- LOCATION - In the middle of nowhere.
- TEES - Natural surfaces with some wood chips thrown in and perhaps a little leveling. I've seen much worse, but still not ideal.
- PARKING - No defined parking area near the start of the course. There's one small lot about 900 feet away from tee (1).
- LACK OF CHALLENGE - This course is going to be too simple for many players. I was very underwhelmed by the challenges as an Intermediate level player. There are 3 listed par 4s, but to many higher skilled players these are all par 3s. There are a couple needle line throws with perhaps just a three foot margin of error window, but these holes are all so short that even a bad ricochet will likely still result in par. I'd say the ideal player rating range is 775 to 875.
- SPACING - Lots of camp activity areas come into play on this course, which is probably why it's not available to play during camp season. Low traffic park roads come into play a couple times. A couple tees are within striking range of the prior basket. Fairway spacing is also not the greatest. For example, holes (8) through (11) all parallel each other on a strip of land about 200 feet wide.
- LOCATION - In the middle of nowhere.
- TEES - Natural surfaces with some wood chips thrown in and perhaps a little leveling. I've seen much worse, but still not ideal.
- PARKING - No defined parking area near the start of the course. There's one small lot about 900 feet away from tee (1).
Other Thoughts:
A small condensed course with enough picturesque elegance to help gloss over the few slight issues. Definitely worth a visit for those that live within an hour drive. For players in Huntsville, Birmingham or even Tupelo, there's not enough here to warrant a visit unless that player enjoys checking out courses within daytrip range. Overall I think it's more of a 2.25 rated course compared to all the courses I've played to date.
- OWNER - The property is owned and maintained by Jackie and Bunny Richardson. I had the privilege to meet Jackie on my visit and got a great history lesson on the property as well as being carted around the grounds pre round. Jackie and his wife run the Rustic Youth Camp and have taken in over 50,000 teenagers over the past 40 years. They learn about gun safety, archery, blacksmithing and basket weaving among other activities. In my time with Jackie, I learned that the property was first settled in the mid 1800s right after the trail of tears that removed all of the native Americans from the region. The land was then cultivated by enslaved families. After the Civil War, the land was bought and held by the Jones family until the Richardson family bought it in the early 1900s.
- OWNER - The property is owned and maintained by Jackie and Bunny Richardson. I had the privilege to meet Jackie on my visit and got a great history lesson on the property as well as being carted around the grounds pre round. Jackie and his wife run the Rustic Youth Camp and have taken in over 50,000 teenagers over the past 40 years. They learn about gun safety, archery, blacksmithing and basket weaving among other activities. In my time with Jackie, I learned that the property was first settled in the mid 1800s right after the trail of tears that removed all of the native Americans from the region. The land was then cultivated by enslaved families. After the Civil War, the land was bought and held by the Jones family until the Richardson family bought it in the early 1900s.
1
1
KC4KAA
Experience:
10.9 years
43 played
11 reviews
good for beginers 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Nov 6, 2014
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
Grass cut low well kept, isolated location in small county, requires straight shots on most holes
Cons:
Short not well marked
Other Thoughts:
Short course for beginners and family, both times played I was only one on course. Very isolated location
3
0
ChrisL430
Experience:
17.1 years
66 played
4 reviews
Youth Camp 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Nov 3, 2012
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
- This course is located at a church youth camp. It was designed to introduce kids to the game of disc golf.
- Perfect length to introduce someone to the game.
- Even though its short, it has many technical shots. (right to left, left to right, straight, downhill, uphill)
- Plays beside a beautiful lake.
- Nice baskets
- Perfect length to introduce someone to the game.
- Even though its short, it has many technical shots. (right to left, left to right, straight, downhill, uphill)
- Plays beside a beautiful lake.
- Nice baskets
Cons:
- tees could be marked better
- not located near any other course
- 9 short holes
- not located near any other course
- 9 short holes
Other Thoughts:
Even though this course is short, I really enjoy playing it. The course was set up by the father of Greg Carter after his passing. Greg would love this course cause it's perfect for the kids.
I recommend playing during the November tournament if you can. They raise money to send a few of the poorer kids to camp that might not get to go otherwise. The camp staff has always been great to me.
I recommend playing during the November tournament if you can. They raise money to send a few of the poorer kids to camp that might not get to go otherwise. The camp staff has always been great to me.
2
0
Autoscopy
Experience:
13.1 years
69 played
9 reviews
Nothing Special 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Feb 15, 2013
Played the course:once
Pros:
- Plays on a beautiful lakeside
- Peaceful
- Nice Baskets
- Great for beginners or children
- Several Ace runs
- Peaceful
- Nice Baskets
- Great for beginners or children
- Several Ace runs
Cons:
- No tee pads
- Tee signs are embedded in the ground making it hard to find
- Baskets were not labled. Was hard to decipher which basket to throw for.
- Course plays super quick.
- The entire feeling was a little uneasy. I'm still not really sure if I was playing on someone property or if we were welcome at all. You're basically playing throughout someone's front yard in the middle of nowhere.
- Tee signs are embedded in the ground making it hard to find
- Baskets were not labled. Was hard to decipher which basket to throw for.
- Course plays super quick.
- The entire feeling was a little uneasy. I'm still not really sure if I was playing on someone property or if we were welcome at all. You're basically playing throughout someone's front yard in the middle of nowhere.
Other Thoughts:
A very simple and easy course but was interesting and a littly creepy. Basketball goals, soccer goals, podeums, swingsets,barns scattered throughout. I'm glad I went cause I aced three but wouldn't recommend it unless you're really close by.
