Berea, KY

Berea College Glade

2.55(based on 3 reviews)
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9 0
sisyphus
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.6 years 397 played 383 reviews
3.00 star(s)

I’d start on 5! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 18, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Just off Interstate 75, this nine hole college course utilizes the triangle of park area north of their track and tennis courts well with dual tees on seven holes, finishing in quality, blue DisCatcher baskets. There are adequate tee signs with distances and pars on all 18 tees, and the course flow is mostly intuitive, and even 'good', if you've seen the map. The lines of flight are safe from errant shots, and the park space is dedicated to discing. They've been busy over the past year or two converting the tee areas from natural grass to a mixture of pavers and rubber mats. All 14 of the installed tees so far (with short 2, 4, 7 & 8 to go) are large and level enough to get off a good throw on these Recreational to Intermediate level distances.

Currently, the directions send visitors to park in one of the dozen on-street spaces between the track and the baseball fields, and come through the gated fence to the first tee beside the tennis courts. If I lived in Berea, I'd arrange permission to park in the large lot at the other end of the courts by hole five...for two reasons: 1) you can get to the action quicker, and 2) you can bookend your round with the most memorable holes on the course. Starting on the elevated tee on 5, shooting out to the field through guardian trees, and just past a last tree to the right of the basket, this is a beautiful ace run/ deuce opportunity to 'begin with a grin'. And I'd be able to finish on the really cool 'fortress' basket on hole 4. It sits in a bit of an island rimmed by the creekbed, but they've dressed up the pin position with turreted rock structures and a pedestal for the basket proper. And the two tee positions on 4 have the best variety on the course (just don't assume the little slab of asphalt is the short tee, the intended line is cooler, driving between a pair of goalpost trees en route to the 'island').

There's a very technical straight line hole 1 for finesse players, and up to a 450 foot open shot on 9 for you big arms, if you prefer doing them in order (and the ninth basket is not anywhere near the first tee...). Personally, I'd also label the 'par' on that one a three, rather than assuming it constitutes the sole exception on the course.

So, in all, this is a well-executed nine hole concept, which suits the intended 'audience' (local club, college players, and leagues) very well. It's not going to challenge the serious tournament player, but makes a great leg-stretching stop if you're traveling I-75.

Cons:

The rest of the holes tend to be a little bit 'vanilla', in that the longer tees don't do much for shaping variety, and the flat terrain and available park trees meant limitations in forcing 'interesting' lines of attack. Holes 2, 6, 7, & 8 are pretty straightforward and level, while hole 3 at least has an interesting lane of trees to work through or around.

I don't recall seeing any benches on the course, but it's a pretty quick round. The one place that really needs next tee signage is between 3 & 4, but all the baskets might benefit from a simple arrow under the cage. If you're playing in order, the 5th tee is 'past' the 4th basket, and up a nicely placed set of stone steps, but as a first timer, I had to glance at the map I'd printed to be sure.

Other Thoughts:

There is a very well designed course brochure posted at the kiosk by hole 1 that includes a good map and hole by hole descriptions and suggestions. I did a little internet searching for it (and didn't find it online), but it would sure be nice if somebody from the local club there could get that posted up here on dgcr!
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5 0
AdamE
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 20.5 years 264 played 143 reviews
2.00 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Apr 23, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course is set on a college campus in an area exclusively used for disc golf. It has nice discatchers with a blue band. There's a good variety of hole length. The shot variety is ok. A couple holes force straight shots and you can shape different lines to the basket. Most of the course plays around mature trees. Only a couple holes have underbrush so there shouldn't be much of a problem finding discs.

It appears they're in the process of installing tee pads. Some holes have them and some don't. The ground was flat so I had no problem with the dirt tees. There are two tees on most of the holes.

There's a bulletin board by hole one that has a course map.

Cons:

Parking is definitely an issue here. There are only a handful of spots close by and they were all occupied when I was here. This course is on a college campus so I'm sure this is a non-issue to students who can probably walk here.

Hole 5's tee is a bit difficult to find.

Hole 9 isn't anywhere near hole 1, of course this might not be an issue for students who walk here.

The course is almost completely flat, but as I said above they used the available space well.

Other Thoughts:

This is a fun, well designed course that uses the available space well. The course is perfect for a college setting; there's little underbrush, two sets of tees and the course is challenging enough to keep your interest and get the college kids coming back for more.

Like most 9 hole courses, I wouldn't travel out of the way to play here unless you're looking to add to your list of played courses.
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3 0
jayboe
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Novice player who likes the course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 29, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

well maintained. Met one of the course creators, he seemed to genuinely care about what we thought of the course layout. a lot of long bomb shots, which I like and not a lot of nasty woods shots. I prefer this course over Camp Catalpa in Richmond, KY.

Cons:

parking seems to be a problem. no basket #'s or distance info at tee's yet, but im sure they will be added soon. just now seeing the out of bounds details on a few of the holes involving the natural road/path on #6,#7 and #9, these were not obvious to me.

Other Thoughts:

I have always parked in the gravel lot next to the wooden cabin even though I have been warned about getting a ticket, however no ticket yet. I expect this to be more of a problem when Berea College starts back in the fall.
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