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First Baptist Church DGC reviews
13
0
Definitely a good foundation!
Reviewed:
Played on:Feb 26, 2024
Played the course:once
Pros:
First Baptist Church DGC is a new 21-hole course right on the M-40 highway just outside of Allegan, MI. Although this course is definitely still being finalized, it looked like the designers are planning on a moderately difficult long layout, and a more beginner-friendly short layout. This will be accomplished using two tee locations on most, if not all holes.
The course starts and ends at the parking lot in front of the church. In between, holes play through the moderately wooded "side yard" of the church, a large open field behind the church, and a thickly wooded area behind that. Many of the holes in the wooded areas are quite tight (I thought the lines were still fair, but I did visit when there were no leaves on the trees). There is a good variety of fairway shapes carved out of the woods, and decent length variation from about 175' to 325'. Out in the open, there are few obstacles to contend with but some of the distances are stretched out - holes 14 and 18 both clock in at over 400' and a couple others are over 350'.
The designers are clearly invested in making an interesting course here, and it shows with some unique touches already in place. Hole 15 plays across the lawn to a hanging basket next to the parking lot, and hole 17 plays across a different lawn area to a basket mounted in a raised church tower structure that reads "FBC". That said, my favorite holes were #10 and #11 which are tucked way back in the corner of the property. #10 is a 300' hole that bends gently to the left and also works its way gently downhill. Off to the left is a little gully that will likely be just enough to make players want to avoid fading left too soon. #11 plays across a little valley in the woods and further back up the other side.
The baskets are red Chainstar Pros - a great choice in the woods. Each basket has an orange hole number hanging from the bottom of it. Also hanging from the bottom of the first few baskets are metal "Next Tee" arrows that point towards both long and short tees. There is a practice basket next to the parking lot.
The course starts and ends at the parking lot in front of the church. In between, holes play through the moderately wooded "side yard" of the church, a large open field behind the church, and a thickly wooded area behind that. Many of the holes in the wooded areas are quite tight (I thought the lines were still fair, but I did visit when there were no leaves on the trees). There is a good variety of fairway shapes carved out of the woods, and decent length variation from about 175' to 325'. Out in the open, there are few obstacles to contend with but some of the distances are stretched out - holes 14 and 18 both clock in at over 400' and a couple others are over 350'.
The designers are clearly invested in making an interesting course here, and it shows with some unique touches already in place. Hole 15 plays across the lawn to a hanging basket next to the parking lot, and hole 17 plays across a different lawn area to a basket mounted in a raised church tower structure that reads "FBC". That said, my favorite holes were #10 and #11 which are tucked way back in the corner of the property. #10 is a 300' hole that bends gently to the left and also works its way gently downhill. Off to the left is a little gully that will likely be just enough to make players want to avoid fading left too soon. #11 plays across a little valley in the woods and further back up the other side.
The baskets are red Chainstar Pros - a great choice in the woods. Each basket has an orange hole number hanging from the bottom of it. Also hanging from the bottom of the first few baskets are metal "Next Tee" arrows that point towards both long and short tees. There is a practice basket next to the parking lot.
Cons:
The first hole plays across the church drive, at an angle that is almost parallel to the drive and so that RHBH throwers have a higher chance of fading back onto the pavement. This is an unfortunate and unsafe way to start the round. The church parking lot is in play on several other holes. The frustrating thing about these safety hazards for me was that it seemed like the designers could have easily avoided them. There is plenty more space to move tees and baskets away from the pavement, yet there are 4-5 holes where one or the other is located right next to it.
The tee areas are presumably a work in progress still. The tee pads are currently natural, although it looked like concrete pours may be in the works. Similarly, the tee signs are currently just yard-style with a hole number but there were nice new wooden posts next to the first couple of short AND long tee areas.
Other finishing touches are missing or WIPs as well. Navigation aids get fewer and farther between as the course goes on. No trash cans or benches. No kiosk, although a stop sign near the first tee is currently functioning as a makeshift one. No porta potty (I didn't try to enter the church).
Outside of holes 10-11 and some terrain work that was done to level the parking lot, the course is pretty much flat. Also, much of the wooded area (holes 3-9 or so) appears to hold water more than average. These holes will likely be soggy much of the time, and buggy in the summer as well.
Constant road noise from M-40 detracts from the aesthetic.
The tee areas are presumably a work in progress still. The tee pads are currently natural, although it looked like concrete pours may be in the works. Similarly, the tee signs are currently just yard-style with a hole number but there were nice new wooden posts next to the first couple of short AND long tee areas.
Other finishing touches are missing or WIPs as well. Navigation aids get fewer and farther between as the course goes on. No trash cans or benches. No kiosk, although a stop sign near the first tee is currently functioning as a makeshift one. No porta potty (I didn't try to enter the church).
Outside of holes 10-11 and some terrain work that was done to level the parking lot, the course is pretty much flat. Also, much of the wooded area (holes 3-9 or so) appears to hold water more than average. These holes will likely be soggy much of the time, and buggy in the summer as well.
Constant road noise from M-40 detracts from the aesthetic.
Other Thoughts:
This course is unavailable on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, when church is in session. At other times, members of the public can just show up and play.
Overall, this new course is a solid start. If the designers follow through with adding tee pads and other touches - and also move the layout away from the church drive and parking lot - this one has potential to be a 3.0 or 3.5 type of course. For now, I have to go with 2.5. It's not worth going out of your way to play here, but it's a nice option for those in the immediate area where there are no other 18+ hole courses available.
Overall, this new course is a solid start. If the designers follow through with adding tee pads and other touches - and also move the layout away from the church drive and parking lot - this one has potential to be a 3.0 or 3.5 type of course. For now, I have to go with 2.5. It's not worth going out of your way to play here, but it's a nice option for those in the immediate area where there are no other 18+ hole courses available.
3
1
nickrose2010
Experience:
5.1 years
12 played
1 reviews
Good foundation drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Sep 24, 2023
Played the course:once
Pros:
Full 18 hole course, mostly wooded and well thought out.
Cons:
Poor signage and lack of tee boxes
Other Thoughts:
It's a relatively new course that well utilizes the land it's on. As it gets used more and improves, I think it will be a real gem
