I've written 109 disc golf course reviews for this site. 107 of those 109 were written between 2008 and 2013. When I stopped writing reviews regularly I had grown tired of making the same criticisms over and over again. I had also concluded that most courses already had sufficient reviews to guide traveling players; hence my efforts were largely redundant. (If you're curious about my background in the sport, scroll down to the bottom.)
Until last year I had spent a few years playing solely recreationally again. I have been enjoying the game a lot as I've been away from the competitive scene. During this time I have also been enjoying the huge leaps in quality video of disc golf events available online. I was particularly blown away by the St. Jude's Classic footage from 2015. I'm greatly impressed by the hard work and perseverance of Terry Miller and others bringing impressive quality to the look and commentary on play. Lots and lots of people have been involved in moving the sport forward in this regard and it has been very cool to watch. We now have a product that we can point our non-discing friends, colleagues and relatives to and have them respond immediately and positively.
In addition to the vastly improved look of video coverage, we've got a quality crop of professional players, both young and older. I've enjoyed the opportunities to meet and play with many of the top players. Watching the way that they interact with novice and experienced players alike, I'd say that with very rare exceptions they are exceptional ambassadors for the sport. I would single out Team Jenkins (including Nate Doss) for being among the best in competing, teaching, representing and just plain loving the sport to a higher level.
Now, while it is awesome that our sport has a much improved video presentation with the potential to get even better, it is not the real face of the sport. The real face of our sport is found at our courses around this country and others. However cool something thinks the sport looks on video; the rubber hits the road when they go to play at a course.
I have yet to play outside of the States, so my thoughts do not apply to Europe and other locations. To be blunt, many of our courses have significant flaws that are being replicated. I stopped writing reviews due to repeating the same criticisms over and over. The flaws which I'll address here fall into the categories of navigation and safety. These are not the only areas of consistent weakness in our courses, but the ones which most greatly impact new players.
I write course reviews primarily to aid traveling players. Most times travelers will be playing without the benefit of a local guide. First things, first: can the course be found upon arrival to the site? I've played many courses by starting on a hole other than #1 due to not having any signs indicating where the course starts. In addition to being a no-brainer for disc golfers coming to a course, proper course location signage serves as a promotion to those who may have little or no familiarity with the sport.
Once having found the first tee, a course should navigate effortlessly. It's great to have nice tee signs and a map available online, but they are compliments to rather than substitutes for adequate navigation signage in between holes. If multiple tees are used, then arrows with the appropriate colors are needed. If in doubt, add more navigation arrows. This is basic stuff. It is amazing to me how many courses are lacking in this area. After the planning and the money and the labor added to create a course, why would anyone skimp on adequate signage? I can only imagine this:
I grew up on ball golf with 18 holes as the standard. I like 18 holes. Having said that, I accept that many disc golf courses have other numbers of holes. For the love of all things circular and flying: PLEASE don't label holes with letters. If a course changes, then the signage needs to be updated to reflect those changes.
With very few exceptions, courses can be designed with multiple loops back to the parking area. Traditionally that means two loops of nine, but the concept can be applied in creative ways. (i.e. 6-6-6, 8-8-8, etc.) There are two bigger courses that I play regularly in the Austin area where I frequently see people trudging back off the course a long distance. Many people say that they don't like these courses because they are "too long". It's not that the courses are too long; many people would greatly enjoy playing nine holes on them. Additionally, a lot of times players want some more golf after 18 and another nine would be perfect. It can also help at peak play times allowing some players the opportunity, when clear, to tee off on both nines.
Many players and designers love lots of extra basket locations. While I certainly appreciate variety for the sake of regular players, alternative placements can be very confusing for traveling players absent clear signage. It sucks to stand on a tee with multiple baskets in sight each of which could possibly be "the hole" and look at a tee sign like below. Courses which have implemented tee signs with moving bolts are good, but it should still be obvious which basket is which if multiple ones are visible.
Regarding safety:
Courses need to be designed with the worst possible shot in mind. Most of the courses on which I play have inexcusable safety issues. This may sound like an overstatement, but it is not. I consistently have found safety issues on courses designed by some of our sport's most prolific and respected designers. It seems like these errors are continuing to propagate in new designs by many who are emulating "the standard". I've played many holes that were dangerously designed and then excused, for example, with the logic that discs are going to fade left away from the road.
This example shows a long left-to-right dogleg with a busy kid's playground very much in play.
This example shows a 600 ft. par 4 with a hidden bike path running downhill about 125 ft. off the tee. Imagine a little kid cruising down the hill only to get smashed in the head with a 75 mph high speed driver.
This one is a 420 footer with a blind pedestrian crossing at about the 280 foot mark.
A sign like this one is generally an indicator of design mistakes:
"Safety" Mandatories are an oxymoron. New players will not know what they are. Wild throwers will miss them dangerously. Some players will simply disregard them. These holes are not properly designed for safety. I do believe, however, that Mandos can be used selectively to toughen up a course for competition.
I recently read a Facebook post from a touring pro which read:
"Why on earth would an NT put a basket 40 feet from a tee pad? Just caught a spike hyzer to my throwing arm." This happens WAAAAY too often. Holes crowd each other on most of the courses in existence. Many crowded, mediocre 18 hole courses could actually be great 9 hole courses. Fairways overlap. Roads are dangerously in play. Playgrounds and picnic tables are in play. The "black" ace should never happen. Maximizing buffer space around holes should come before other design desires. This safety consideration is sacrificed far too regularly by the "best" designers and others think, "if _____ does this then it's fine."
Wrapping up:
The errors in course design regarding navigation and safety (among others) are far too prevalent. Some of our most highly regarded designers regularly make these mistakes and they have been systematically "normed" as others emulate their work. From my observations, one notable exception who is very detail-oriented and diligent about addressing these concerns in his designs is Gregg Hosfeld of World Champion Disc Golf Course Design. The thoughts expressed in this post are not to call out any particular designer, but to highlight design mistakes which imo are rookie errors which are too frequently being made.
*****************************************************************************
Just a few quick notes on my background in the sport so that you get an idea of my perspective: * Played ball golf for almost 40 years
* Worked on eight golf courses as a caddy and groundskeeper
* First played disc golf with a lid in 1982 at Raintree Park in Troy, MI
* Began to play the game with golf discs in 1998 at Brown Park in Ann Arbor, MI
* Played in PDGA events since 1999
* Player rating peaked at 965
* TD for 12 events
* Designed 7 temporary courses that were used for tournament play
* Designed 6 permanent courses
* Co-designed The Red Hawk DGC and served as Assistant TD for The Players Cup
* Created and co-managed the original Disc Golf Cruise
* Course official at two PDGA Major events
* Created and co-managed La Vie en Rose – A PDGA women-only event
Until last year I had spent a few years playing solely recreationally again. I have been enjoying the game a lot as I've been away from the competitive scene. During this time I have also been enjoying the huge leaps in quality video of disc golf events available online. I was particularly blown away by the St. Jude's Classic footage from 2015. I'm greatly impressed by the hard work and perseverance of Terry Miller and others bringing impressive quality to the look and commentary on play. Lots and lots of people have been involved in moving the sport forward in this regard and it has been very cool to watch. We now have a product that we can point our non-discing friends, colleagues and relatives to and have them respond immediately and positively.
In addition to the vastly improved look of video coverage, we've got a quality crop of professional players, both young and older. I've enjoyed the opportunities to meet and play with many of the top players. Watching the way that they interact with novice and experienced players alike, I'd say that with very rare exceptions they are exceptional ambassadors for the sport. I would single out Team Jenkins (including Nate Doss) for being among the best in competing, teaching, representing and just plain loving the sport to a higher level.
Now, while it is awesome that our sport has a much improved video presentation with the potential to get even better, it is not the real face of the sport. The real face of our sport is found at our courses around this country and others. However cool something thinks the sport looks on video; the rubber hits the road when they go to play at a course.
I have yet to play outside of the States, so my thoughts do not apply to Europe and other locations. To be blunt, many of our courses have significant flaws that are being replicated. I stopped writing reviews due to repeating the same criticisms over and over. The flaws which I'll address here fall into the categories of navigation and safety. These are not the only areas of consistent weakness in our courses, but the ones which most greatly impact new players.
I write course reviews primarily to aid traveling players. Most times travelers will be playing without the benefit of a local guide. First things, first: can the course be found upon arrival to the site? I've played many courses by starting on a hole other than #1 due to not having any signs indicating where the course starts. In addition to being a no-brainer for disc golfers coming to a course, proper course location signage serves as a promotion to those who may have little or no familiarity with the sport.
Once having found the first tee, a course should navigate effortlessly. It's great to have nice tee signs and a map available online, but they are compliments to rather than substitutes for adequate navigation signage in between holes. If multiple tees are used, then arrows with the appropriate colors are needed. If in doubt, add more navigation arrows. This is basic stuff. It is amazing to me how many courses are lacking in this area. After the planning and the money and the labor added to create a course, why would anyone skimp on adequate signage? I can only imagine this:
I grew up on ball golf with 18 holes as the standard. I like 18 holes. Having said that, I accept that many disc golf courses have other numbers of holes. For the love of all things circular and flying: PLEASE don't label holes with letters. If a course changes, then the signage needs to be updated to reflect those changes.
With very few exceptions, courses can be designed with multiple loops back to the parking area. Traditionally that means two loops of nine, but the concept can be applied in creative ways. (i.e. 6-6-6, 8-8-8, etc.) There are two bigger courses that I play regularly in the Austin area where I frequently see people trudging back off the course a long distance. Many people say that they don't like these courses because they are "too long". It's not that the courses are too long; many people would greatly enjoy playing nine holes on them. Additionally, a lot of times players want some more golf after 18 and another nine would be perfect. It can also help at peak play times allowing some players the opportunity, when clear, to tee off on both nines.
Many players and designers love lots of extra basket locations. While I certainly appreciate variety for the sake of regular players, alternative placements can be very confusing for traveling players absent clear signage. It sucks to stand on a tee with multiple baskets in sight each of which could possibly be "the hole" and look at a tee sign like below. Courses which have implemented tee signs with moving bolts are good, but it should still be obvious which basket is which if multiple ones are visible.
Regarding safety:
Courses need to be designed with the worst possible shot in mind. Most of the courses on which I play have inexcusable safety issues. This may sound like an overstatement, but it is not. I consistently have found safety issues on courses designed by some of our sport's most prolific and respected designers. It seems like these errors are continuing to propagate in new designs by many who are emulating "the standard". I've played many holes that were dangerously designed and then excused, for example, with the logic that discs are going to fade left away from the road.
This example shows a long left-to-right dogleg with a busy kid's playground very much in play.
This example shows a 600 ft. par 4 with a hidden bike path running downhill about 125 ft. off the tee. Imagine a little kid cruising down the hill only to get smashed in the head with a 75 mph high speed driver.
This one is a 420 footer with a blind pedestrian crossing at about the 280 foot mark.
A sign like this one is generally an indicator of design mistakes:
"Safety" Mandatories are an oxymoron. New players will not know what they are. Wild throwers will miss them dangerously. Some players will simply disregard them. These holes are not properly designed for safety. I do believe, however, that Mandos can be used selectively to toughen up a course for competition.
I recently read a Facebook post from a touring pro which read:
"Why on earth would an NT put a basket 40 feet from a tee pad? Just caught a spike hyzer to my throwing arm." This happens WAAAAY too often. Holes crowd each other on most of the courses in existence. Many crowded, mediocre 18 hole courses could actually be great 9 hole courses. Fairways overlap. Roads are dangerously in play. Playgrounds and picnic tables are in play. The "black" ace should never happen. Maximizing buffer space around holes should come before other design desires. This safety consideration is sacrificed far too regularly by the "best" designers and others think, "if _____ does this then it's fine."
Wrapping up:
The errors in course design regarding navigation and safety (among others) are far too prevalent. Some of our most highly regarded designers regularly make these mistakes and they have been systematically "normed" as others emulate their work. From my observations, one notable exception who is very detail-oriented and diligent about addressing these concerns in his designs is Gregg Hosfeld of World Champion Disc Golf Course Design. The thoughts expressed in this post are not to call out any particular designer, but to highlight design mistakes which imo are rookie errors which are too frequently being made.
*****************************************************************************
Just a few quick notes on my background in the sport so that you get an idea of my perspective: * Played ball golf for almost 40 years
* Worked on eight golf courses as a caddy and groundskeeper
* First played disc golf with a lid in 1982 at Raintree Park in Troy, MI
* Began to play the game with golf discs in 1998 at Brown Park in Ann Arbor, MI
* Played in PDGA events since 1999
* Player rating peaked at 965
* TD for 12 events
* Designed 7 temporary courses that were used for tournament play
* Designed 6 permanent courses
* Co-designed The Red Hawk DGC and served as Assistant TD for The Players Cup
* Created and co-managed the original Disc Golf Cruise
* Course official at two PDGA Major events
* Created and co-managed La Vie en Rose – A PDGA women-only event
Save for "ace sharpies" on basket bands. Having so much daylight during summers probably helps as well.
