Pros:
(1.157 Rating) Only a couple positives at Harvest Church. The course is below average in all 5 of my rating categories. (Fun Factor, Character, Uniqueness, Beauty and Difficulty)
- SHOT SHAPING - Probably about average, but since I'm grasping for good things to say, I will mention that I did have to put some thought into my throws on many holes.
- QUICK PLAY - Someone who knows this course layout should easily complete a full 9 in under 30 minutes. Groups of 4 probably would finish in under an hour.
- EXPANDING THE GAME - No doubt will this course aid in introducing the sport by offering church members easy access to learn the game at a skill level friendly course.
Cons:
The Harvest Church course has the feel of abandonment.
- NAVIGATION - Wow its bad. I Couldn't find (1) tee. Its suppose to be somewhere near the entry of the property. No course map or directional cues either. Hole markers are missing on half of the holes and the ones that are left are falling apart. The pictures on DGCR don't reflect the current layout which is not surprising since the baskets are movable.
- BASKET AND TEE SEPARATION - There are numerous occurrences where the basket and next tee are perilously close. Several times they are separated by less than 40 feet.
- TEES AREA - The tees are grass and void of any permanent line markings for a tee edge. For the tees that still had post markers remaining, I teed adjacent to the post. As for the other holes without markers, (1, 7, 8 and 9) I had to improvise. I generally played the unmarked holes from about 10 feet out and added 4 aces to my totals.
- CHAINS - They are playable but among the oddest I've ever come across. I believe they are "Instep". They don't make that nice ching noise that you'd expect of the DGA's, DISCatchers or Chainstars. In addition, the chains are light and one basket is in disrepair.
- OVERGROWTH - Very thick overgrowth on many holes. Especially holes (6 thru 9) I missed my line by five feet on 7 and spent several minutes looking for it.
- TICKS - The most ticks I ever pulled off my body, post round. I'm at 152 courses as of this review.
- POISON IVY - Spotted on several holes on the back portion.
- MAINTENANCE - Course looks borderline abandoned. lots of 2 foot high grass and weeds along the layout. several large tree limbs were also down along the course layout.
- ELEVATION - Really none to speak of. Elevation change is limited to no more than 5 feet on any one hole.
- UNIQUENESS - In addition to absent elevation, the holes themselves in terms variety are below average. Most shots are wooded with a moderate amount of technique and precision required. No water in play and no doglegs. There was at least one hole marker stating a Par 4, but I was able to drive it with ease. There are also a few tunnel plays, tree gaps and pockets to hit. (See pros, shot shaping.)
- DIFFICULTY - Not knowing the full layout and not having permanent basket locations, I'm struggling to define how difficult this course really is. It's not a cake walk by any means with the amount of trees in play, but for the holes that were defined (2-6), I personally finished 2 under with a 900ish player rating. So probably below average difficulty.
Other Thoughts:
There are very few highlights with Harvest Church DGC. It really should only be played by church members and course baggers. I've played 3 of the 4 courses in Perry, GA, and can only recommend Rozar Park thus far.