Oakland, CA

Lake Chabot DGC

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3.825(based on 11 reviews)
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5 0
Breh
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.9 years 191 played 189 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 31, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

Plays on a ball golf course, the staff is very friendly and there's shirts and small amount of discs for sale in pro shop. Also a bar, and food in there if you need beverages or to eat. The course itself is nine holes that have two tee pads and two baskets on each to make 18. You can also play whatever layouts you like with this set up giving you more options. The main layout is green to green and yellow to yellow for a full 18. The green to green is fun and the sand traps and golf greens are ob as well as staked lines adding to the challenge here. The ob is very well defined and hard to avoid for an entire round. The green to green is manageable however you want to be under par or close to it when starting yellow to yellow. A lot of those pins are bombers and in tough positions with ob in most the lines. Good use of elevation change and different lines hole 4 is a fun top of the world type throw. The baskets catch well and the tee pads give you enough run up room and are smooth. Practice baskets behind hole 1 our great to get in little warmup

Cons:

Navigation can be super tricky with the multiple pins and pads. They give you a map but it's still tough. 2 of the yellow holes tee off from a white line on the road. Being as this does share holes with ball golfers, and the yellow and green share fairways you can have a very long wait. There's poison oak if you get off the fairway, and I happen to get it on me :/ the wind can be a factor here and one errant shot, or even good shot can land you ob. There's no real tee signs

Other Thoughts:

Overall this is a tough course with many different ways of playing. A very nice local named Patrick showed us around and threw with us. 10 dollars to play for non Cali residents which is fair for being on a golf course. Not the best golf course I've played on but not the worst btw the greens are pretty small on most holes just avoid pulling off the fairway and you'll be able to still score okay
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6 0
The Valkyrie Kid
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 45.9 years 1562 played 1507 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Lake Chabot Golf Course Is A Disc Golf Experience Designed By Disc Golfers For Disc Golfers! 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jan 25, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

As you drive into the Lake Chabot Golf Course the road cuts right through this huge expanse of golf course. I looked and looked trying to spot a basket, any basket but saw nothing. After checking in and paying my $8 (for all day and a wonderful professional map and scorecard) I then found out that the disc golf is played only on the executive nine hole course and not on the the main course I had driven through. I hooked up with Shawn, a local guy who plays here fairly often and knows the history of the course.

As he explained it, this is a disc golf course designed by disc golfers for disc golfers which explains most of what is great about Lake Chabot. There are two pads for each of the 9 holes- one grey and one yellow. There are also two baskets are each hole one green and one yellow. The green baskets are numbered 1-9 while the yellows are numbered 10-18. This gives you multiple options to play, you can play Grey to Green baskets or Yellow to Yellow baskets which are harder and longer or you could mix and match and play Yellow to Green or Grey tees to the Yellows.

The course has some wonderful elevation and there were few golfers out on this day. The longer Yellows are usually 50' longer and often increase the difficulty and risk involved. # 7 is 450' from the Yellows and just 300' from the Grey To Greens. This is disc golf on a golf course that is certainly worth the money. Sand traps and the golf greens increase the challenge.

Cons:

Course might be lacking the challenge for intermediate players and up.

The whole set up with the Yellows and Greens might be confusing for first time players here. I know, I would have been a little perplexed without my local guide.

There is some nasty rough, which while unavoidable, can cause you some serious grief.

$8 to play all day.

Other Thoughts:

This is a new course which, as it becomes more well known, will develop a nice following. It's a lovely piece of manicured golf land, the price is fair and the golf is fun and challenging. probably with the cost involved, this will not be one of those everyday type courses but rather a once a week or special occasion course. Either way, it's a great throw and has renewed my belief that golf courses can also feature some great disc golf, too.
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4 4
jbraids
Experience: 12.8 years 9 played 2 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Disc golf retreat up in the hills of Oakland. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 19, 2018 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Love this course and location. Open fairways, great use of elevation, and now permanent concrete tee pads. 4 basket positions and two tee pads on each hole allow a good variety and some technical looks for a ball golf course.

Plenty of wildlife and great views of the city. Turkey, deer, mountain lions, coyote, hawks, and bald eagles have all been spotted here.

Great clubhouse with a full bar and solid food. They have a disc golf membership plan, $20 a month for $1 rounds all month.

I am biased as I helped connect with the course and design it, and worked to put in the baskets. But I truly love what this course does for disc golf in the East Bay, it's my favorite place to play.

Cons:

Not everyone likes open fairway golf.

Roughs on the sides of the course can eat discs.

Some poison oak in the OB areas as well.

Can't use golf carts.

Other Thoughts:

Looking forward to expanding onto the big course here, there's 36 more holes out there in the future if the sport continues to grow!
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7 0
dreadlock86
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17 years 383 played 318 reviews
4.00 star(s)

atypical but really fun 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 12, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

-colored Mach baskets in good condition, green and yellow
-level natural tees
-short and long tees on each hole
-two permanent baskets on each hole
-3 or more basket locations on each hole
-excellent elevation in play, big uphills and downhills, sloped greens
-manicured ball golf course, fast greens and fairways
-uses OB rough, golf greens, and sand traps to demand accuracy off the tee and approaching the green
-OB danger on each hole is clearly defined
-clubhouse with a bar and food
-amazing views of the bay

Cons:

-tees are marked but not too well, some are missing
-new basket locations on holes 6 and 7 that aren't on the map; the map needs to be updated
-some of the rough is REALLY rough, some have serious downhill drop offs too (turning one over hard at hole 4 can almost guarantee a lost disc, or long on hole 6)
-not a beginner friendly course
-the front and back 9s are not all A pins and all B pins, it's a mix of A, B, C plus new D positions on 6 and 7; cool for variety but not the clearest for navigation
-hopefully the natural tees stand up over time

Other Thoughts:

Lake Chabot offers a truly unique disc golf experience, not just because it is on a ball golf course but because it also has a ton of elevation present on every hole. Also because it features fantastic amenities for a 9 hole course: short and long tees, two permanent baskets on each hole, extra baskets locations, plus the food, drinks, shop, and restrooms at the clubhouse.

The course is laid out on 9 of the holes from the ball golf course. The fairways are mostly wide open but many baskets are tucked off the golf fairways bringing sloped ground, trees, and brush into play on the green. This aspect adds challenge and requires managing your approaches carefully but the true fun of the course is the major elevation in play. There are valley shots on 1, 5, and 7; a huge downhill on 4; uphill shots on 2 and 3; and more subtle downhill shots on 8 and 9. Controlling your disc around all the OB over major elevation changes is the primary challenge the course offers.

I found the course and the experience to be well worth the $10. I hope the course does well and brings in enough business to warrant continued investment into the disc golf course. Rubber fly pads and detailed permanent signage would be a huge improvement. Maybe even a third set of baskets one day.

I look forward to coming back here again if I'm in the area. I found the golfers to be friendly, letting us play through. I will make a whole day out of it next time with a morning round from the longs, lunch at the clubhouse, and an afternoon round from the shorts. Well done, Oakland!


**Like this review? Hate it? Message me and let me know why! I want to make them better!**
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7 0
swatso
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.7 years 755 played 414 reviews
3.50 star(s)

A Man Has Got To Know His Limitations 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 14, 2017 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The most fun I've ever had on a course which is primarily open and offers few shot-shaping opportunities.

Cons:

A course which is primarily open and offers few shot-shaping opportunities.

Other Thoughts:

Course plays along the fairways of a short 9-hole ball golf course, part of a larger ball golf complex. There are two tees and two baskets per hole, so you have some options. The scorecard included a map, which made navigation fairly easy. A variety of elevation changes - a few ups, a few (major) downs, a few extended valleys, and a few flattish.

So, what is "fun" about "a course which is primarily open and offers few shot-shaping opportunities"? In addition to the elevation changes, the primary challenge comes from the location of the baskets ... or, a better way to say it, the speed of the greens combined with nearby out-of-bounds.

Most of the short baskets are located to the side of the ball golf greens Most of the long baskets are located behind the ball golf greens. The NEARBY ball golf greens, sand traps, and a few other locations are out-of-bounds. Also, many of the baskets are either located on a slope, or have a slope near them. So, the challenge comes from needing to throw a certain distance, with only a small delta, while possibly dealing with elevation change and or a fast green.

Number-6 is a good example. While flat, the long basket is about 320' away. The o.b. green in front of it covers the 230'-290' range, and a downslope jungle starts a mere 10' behind the basket at the 330', so your throw has to be in the 290'-330' window, and fairly straight, too (sandtrap to the left, brush to the right). The short basket on this hole is also challenging - not as far (~270'), but has the o.b. green to its right, and the sandtrap to its left, both about the edge of the putting circle away, so you need to land in a ~60' circle from ~270' away.

And that is just an example - each basket will have the green nearby, other o.b., and possibly a slope, along with elevation change, to deal with.

I enjoyed the challenge of needing to decide when to go for it, i.e. driving over the green to the long basket, or trying to park the short basket, or to layup. My first round I went o.b. (on the ball golf green) twice, as my disc just didn't quite make it out the back, which caused me to evaluate before each drive, and some approaches.
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9 0
Magiken
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.7 years 74 played 74 reviews
3.00 star(s)

A Valiant Effort 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 4, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

• Walking on grass is always nice
• New baskets
• Two baskets and tees per hole making for a varied 18
• A decent mix of fairly wide-open shots
• Restrooms/water nearby
• Easy and free parking
• Practice baskets

Cons:

• No map and unclear navigation
• Tee boxes aren't always obvious in their location nor particularly flat or desirable to throw off of
• Pay to play (Minor quibble, as I'm pretty sure some of this money goes to the course.)
• Very tight layout making for easy backups and constant head-swiveling on where balls and discs are coming from

Other Thoughts:

Tips:
• There are markers on the ground signifying the tee 'spot' for the front 9 versus back 9. Generally they are color coordinated to the basket. I think Green is the front 9 and Yellow is the back.
• There's one tee (I believe #3) that's buried in the trees on the right. There's a little white sign on the ground pointing you there but it's quite easy to walk past it unnoticed.
• Also, #2 Green is all the way on the left, on the road.
• Do use the pics on this site to aid navigation.

Random Thoughts:
I get excited about any new course but a new one on a golf course always intrigues me because of the (usually) nice conditions and potential layout opportunities. For Lake Chabot, we had a fairly uneven experience on our first visit. Finding the course isn't too difficult although whatever genius decided to run the road right through the middle of the full course next door should be slapped around something fierce. In any event, when you arrive, drive all the way to the back and you'll eventually see the club house on the left and #1 of the disc course on the right, along with a nice practice area. After you park, you'll need to pay the nice person in the club house (pricing varies depending on if you want a one day ($12) or longer pass (I don't recall the price)) and then you're off. Here's where things immediately get interesting as the tee markers aren't what I'd call 'obvious'. You have to be looking for the little green (or yellow for the back) knobbies or markers on the ground to know where to tee off. It's not necessarily right next to the ball golf tee area. What makes this a further challenge is they aren't paved or rubber mats. They're just spots on the ground. The day we were there the ground was still pretty saturated from all the recent storms so teeing off was a bit hit or miss as to getting good footing. However, once you're ready and glance down the fairway, you'll see these beautiful new baskets which are mostly easy to spot, although a couple do require a walk-up to scope the locations. That's when you'll notice that some thought went into their locations. I found the green locations to be fair and a good way to get warmed up, while the yellow locations will challenge your arm strength and shot making capabilities. Most shots are what most might call 'wide open' with the primary challenges being not getting a stroke penalty on the greens or sand traps, however, if you do go off the fairway here, the rough is ROOOOOOUUUUGGH. It is dense forest all around the course with steep drop-offs in several spots. Punishing, if your shot goes astray. We joined with another foursome and they lost three discs and I almost lost one (miraculous that it didn't end up at the bottom of a ravine). So I would say, on the surface, it looks beginner friendly, but that's if you can throw fairly straight with decent distance control. If you spray a bit, I would advise using discs you don't mind losing. With that said, it is a very pleasant place to play a round. Really nice views in a few locations and #4 is a gorgeous 'top of the world' shot that I'd highly advise an overstable disc for. The major rub is that because it's an executive course you get a higher number of beginner golfers which caused major backups all over the place. They also don't quite know the courtesy rules so it was a bit of a mess trying to play through. Really slowed things down, but everyone had good attitudes about it, so that helps. With all that said, we had a fun time out here. The locals were quite friendly. I hear the wind can blow a bit but it was calm the day we were there. You can definitely see the potential in this course but it's definitely rough around the edges currently.

Bottom Line:
Lake Chabot has some decent potential to really be something special. I don't know that you can solve every issue out here but I would love to see the effort made and would support that effort by returning on a regular basis.
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5 1
Mavurick
Experience: 5 played 5 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Really Enjoyed the Course! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 10, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

-To make the disc golf course 18 holes, they permanently installed 2 baskets per hole, one Green (short) and one Yellow (long). There are also 2 Tee Pads per hole, also one Green (short) and one Yellow (long). So there are 36 different playable positions ALWAYS when at the course. I played the Green T-Pads to the Green Baskets the first 9 and Green T-Pads to the Yellow baskets the second 9 to make my 18 holes. This is perfect layout for AM arms. I really like that aspect of the course. Every time you go, you know the course will be set up for AM's (or a Pro if desired). I am tired of some clubs setting up courses at ALL Pro Long Distances too often.
-The elevation is mixed, making great lines.
-Tons of trees making it a scenic course.
- Nice practice basket area.

Cons:

-It is a bummer they don't allow Golf Carts on the course. I like using golf carts when playing disc golf (like Lava Creek) as a change of pace.
-The T-Pads are dirt. And as most are in the middle of the Ball Golf T-Pads, I don't ever seeing them putting in concrete or rubber either. But the dirt ones were not bad.
-It is the most expensive course I have played at $12 for 18 holes on the weekend. If I lived there, it would be annoying. But as I will only get down there a few times a year, I don't mind at all.
-You do have to get a Tee Time. Calling ahead on weekends is recommended.
-No Tee Signs. Bring their Score Card along if you want to know the distances.
-No driving / warm up field on site or close by.

Other Thoughts:

Even though there are only 9 fairways, shooting to the Green baskets one round and the Yellow baskets the second round did provide a "different" feel for each position.

I can't wait to go back.
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5 0
kevaunne
Experience: 15.9 years 40 played 19 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Nice Addition to the East Bay 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 26, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

- clean, beautiful and "civilized" setting
- new baskets and good quality teepads
- hilly and requires different types of shots
- tricky putts that could trigger rolling
- easy navigation
- lots of room to air out some big drives
- thoughtfully designed

Cons:

- You play the same 9 holes twice but throw at different pins the second time through. Some holes didn't change much on the second pass.

Suffers from the typical problems of playing disc golf on a ball golf course:

- most holes follow the format of: bomb a big drive off the teepad into a big open field. Then approach a lightly guarded basket perched on a hillside at the edge of the fairway. No tunnel shots. Limited number of shots through wooded terrain.
- lots of random OB sprinkled around to attempt to make holes more interesting. I guess that's cool? I'd prefer actual obstacles and hazards

Other Thoughts:

Lovely course. Nice baskets, nice earth teepads. Great if you want to air out your big arm. More limited options for those who throw under 275'.

I don't feel like many holes hit that sweet spot where anyone between beginner and advanced would find some fun challenges. The beginner configurations were often plain and easy. Simply throw to a basket ~300ft away across a big open field with a little OB. The advanced configurations tended to be super long and involve long tricky approach shots and death putts. Not the best for an experienced but less advanced player like myself. Good quality but uneven

In summary, this course isn't at the top of my list but it will be added to my regular course rotation. It's worth playing at least a few times.
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7 0
juusui
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Wooohooohooo...I Enjoyed This 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 5, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

What a blast! This is a beautiful course with a lot of exciting play.

First, having two tees and two baskets in each fairway really makes it feel close to a true 18 hole course. It's a nine fairway loop course and you play nine on the green tees/baskets then the same nine on the yellow tees/baskets. The different lengths (usually longer for yellow) and placements (usually more difficult for yellow) mean different strategies and play the second time around.

It is a nice change of pace to play on a groomed course with trim grass. The fairways are clear as you would expect with a ball golf course, but there are still plenty of challenges: doglegs, baskets on slopes, blind shots, baskets in front of drop offs and PLENTY of up and down terrain.

About that terrain...number 4/13 is a gorgeous, top of the world shot with a bird's nest tee and a steep drop to the baskets. The green tee invites big sweeping RHBH hyzers to glide your shot to the basket. And the yellow tee hugs some bushes to the right that take away the hyzer. Was this on purpose? I'd like to think so.

Seems like the whole course is set up by folks that took the time to create challenges like the one mentioned above.

The course is up the hill in southern Oakland so the views are fabulous. Fantastic vistas of Lake Chabot, the bay and the cities that line it. It's beautiful land and it has a little bit of that old country club feel to it.

There is a snack bar and a bar bar. The food is OK, the vibe is pretty relaxed, the buildings are out of the past - in a good way.

This was a huge hit for our whole party.

Cons:

You have to pay to play - but not that much, really. If it was my local, the cost would really add up. But this is a course that I'll probably play a few times a year. At that rate, it's REALLY worth the expense.

OB is really dense in some spots. Be prepared to navigate some difficult terrain if you end up in the trees.

Other Thoughts:

The course is new and we didn't see many people playing. I suspect it will get busier. I know I'll spread the word because this course is an asset to Bay Area DG.

Tee times are required, which is actually OK. Again, if it was my local, my feeling about this would be different.

It's been an unusually wet winter but the ground was really sloppy/muddy/saturated in spots. I'm sure it will dry up. Until then, be prepared to get muddy.
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10 0
Peterb
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 31 years 81 played 32 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Pumpin Good Fun! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 26, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

2 basket, 2 tee on an executive 9 hole golf course, a format which it shares with its sister course Emerald Hills across the bay. It allows for 36 unique golf shots if one so desires and a lot of flexibility on how a tourney director chooses to set up for a weekly or pdga sanctioned event.

Some great shots here, but by far my favorite is hole 16, a long dogleg right that is a serious drive for any player. I took a 4 the first time I played it since I went OB on my drive.

Hole 4/13 is going to get a lot of play, as it rightly should, being a severe drop off from the tee.

Lake Chabot is a challenge with some of the pure golf lines, extensive OB, and some good distances on the back 9. The front 9 is a lot easier and many holes are deuce or die.

Great pro shop already selling plastic, but by far the star is the bar and grill set up: nothing like having a cold one after a round AND something decent to eat. I had a burger. It was $8 and came with fries and was perfect. What a huge amenity!

Pricing is also excellent, and certainly a lot cheaper than Emerald as of this writing. Really like the membership offering and this makes it so palatable for the average disc golfer, that I could envision this pricing being copied by dualie courses everywhere.

Serenity: most fairways are separated by a thick row of trees and it feels private and secluded. A really nice setup that is rare in disc golf.

Cons:

um, no carts?

Too much OB?

No real tees yet?

Nitpicking here. Basically this course is really fun and clearly worthy of 4 stars out of the gun

Other Thoughts:

Scott and Leonard and company did a fine job with the design here and making everyone feel welcome. I can see that there will be many great rounds here, many great events. Lots to look forward to...well done!
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9 0
reddmannbutt
Experience: 57 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 17, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

- A good mix of birdie holes and long-bombs, especially with all the different tee/basket combos available.
- Many holes require you to play "golf": aka play smart positional shots instead of throwing for the green every time.
- Food/Bar at the clubhouse.
- OB makes you play smart risk/reward shots.
- Views are spectacular.

Cons:

- A few too many open hyzer shots on the Green-to-Green layout.
- Lies close to OB can be hard to call, as stakes marking the the line are spaced out pretty far and it's not clear what the OB line is between stakes.
- Grass tee pads can get muddy and torn up pretty easily. We will see how they hold up long-term, as it's still just opening weekend.

Other Thoughts:

- Sharing with golfers was no problem. The serious golfers will be playing the championship level course. There was only 2 golf groups I saw on the par 3 course (where DG is), and there was no issues as they let us play through and were cordial.
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