Pros:
(3.119 Rating) A half woods, quarter prairie and quarter park style course.
- HOLE VARIETY - To me, the strongest aspect at Double Creek is the play type variety. In fact, I'd rank it above the 80 percentile level within my course played portfolio. There are sub 200-foot shots from the short tees and a plus 1000 footer from the back tees. There are numerous multi-play holes and a couple of them have a noticeable dogleg element to them. Lots of variation in tree coverage from completely open to heavily wooded and everything in between. Some holes play uphill a bit and others are slightly down, but nothing major in the grade change department. One would also think that there is water in play considering the course name, but the so-called creeks are more like ditches. They were also completely dry for my appearance here and the area was not in drought conditions at the time. However, even though they were dry, they had substantial slope down into them that significantly impacted the gameplay.
- MULTIPLE TEES - I love it when courses have tee options and Double Creek has 3 of them on several holes. The course correctly uses the Red, White and Blue format where Red are the shorts, Whites are the mids and Blues are the longs. MA3s and 4s will enjoy the Reds, MA2s will enjoy the Whites and MA1s will like the added length from the longs.
- CHALLENGING - For the record, I threw the short layout as an MA2 and finished 4 down. In hindsight, I wish I would have thrown the Whites. Anyways, due to the great hole variety, players full game will be tested. There are some big time technical throws and some big time air required from both the Whites and Blues. Pros will probably murder the course, but that's the case at most courses.
- BASIC AMENITIES - Concrete tees and nice looking Red, White and Blue Veteran baskets. The signage is artistic but only present at one pad per hole. I think it was the White pad every time, but I am not positive. Distances were not listed for the short pads on the tee sign from what I recall. There are a handful of benches evenly spaced and there are restroom facilities by tee (1). No extra basket placements or practice basket.
Cons:
Mow town blues.
- MAINTENANCE AND BEAUTY - For my late May appearance the course was looking extra extra shaggy. The grass length in the center of fairway (9) and (10) was almost a foot high. It really sucked the life out of me. Off fairway on the prairie holes, the grass was close to 2-feet high. Meaning misfires could result in some substantial recon time. It looked like it hadn't been mowed in a month. In addition, there are some areas that the mower likely can't get too, and those areas were looking very harry too. The ideal time to throw here is likely late fall to early spring.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - I never take off rating points for this but, I don't think the shorts are beginner friendly. I'm sure beginners get brought here anyways. Just too many places to get into trouble in my opinion. Disc loss potential is moderate.
- TIME PLAY - I logged a 60 minute round from the short tees solo and took pictures. The course doesn't really loop after hole (9) with the basket being a good 700 feet away from the parking area. Groups of 4 will likely take well over two hours. I also don't take off points for this.
Other Thoughts:
Double Creek is going to be a really good course when it's maintained. I have a feeling that when it's touched up prior to a tournament, it will sparkle. Had it been in primo shape, I probably would have dropped a 3.5 on it. For those in Birmingham questioning on whether to check it out some time. I say go for it, but hit it up between September and April. Like many bigger courses in this region requiring sizable care, the May thru August period has the potential to look a bit too wild. A high 3.0 course to me when considering all the pros and cons. It reminds me of places like Redstone in Huntsville Alabama, The Preserve in Foley Alabama, Jacobson in northern Kentucky and Johnson Park south of Milwaukee.