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Muddy Run DGC reviews
15
1
decopinball
Experience:
10.3 years
1 played
1 reviews
This course has it all! 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jan 28, 2017
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
- Will challenge EVERY part of your game!
- Even distribution of right/left, wooded/open, and upslope/downslope holes.
- Large concrete tee pads
- Even distribution of right/left, wooded/open, and upslope/downslope holes.
- Large concrete tee pads
Cons:
- Requires ~3 hours to play a round.
- Not meant for beginning players -- could be discouraging.
- Several baskets could use flags to make them more visible from a distance.
- Not meant for beginning players -- could be discouraging.
- Several baskets could use flags to make them more visible from a distance.
Other Thoughts:
As a member of the club that designed this course, I had the opportunity to play it before it was officially open. What follows are my observations, ramblings, gripings, and feeble cries for mercy that were the result of playing the course late in the fall. Since I played this round, the fairways have been cleaned nicely, tee pads have been installed, and the course map and tee signs are in place.
Those improvements did not make this course any less of a BEAST!
Hole #1
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 474'
Elevation: +50'
Silver Par: 3
Distance: 232'
Elevation: +35'
Description: Holy crap! This is Quaker's Challenge #1 WITHOUT the benefit of starting at the bottom of the slope. Threw my drive and only made it to the short tee -- and I considered that a successful drive. Got my third shot into the circle -- but DAMN, that's a tough one to start with!! And, on top of that, there's the walk up the hill -- and for those of us who are not in the greatest shape, that walk deserves a rest before the next drive.
Hole #2
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 712'
Elevation: -38'
Silver Par: 4
Distance: 562'
Elevation: -32'
Description: Don't hit the tree, don't hit the tree, don't hit the... whew! Cranked out a drive that made it out of the trees. Didn't drift right as far as I wanted, so I ended up left -- but in the fairway and well within range for an approach. Approached to within the circle (which means that I missed the SECOND set of trees), so I'm pretty pleased with the first two holes. It's a fairly long walk to the third tee.
Hole #3
Gold Par: 5
Distance: 600'
Elevation: +71'
Silver Par: 4
Distance: 443'
Elevation: +66'
Description: I like the "fool's temptation" that coaxes players to throw past the first dogleg in search of that backdoor path to the pin. That's going to catch (and punish) a TON of the "screw-the-risk" players! The first turn is a dogleg left, so of course I hit a tree and kicked right, I had a long second shot up the hill and a short third shot around the right hand corner. I totally misjudged the pin placement and still had about 80' for my approach. Got my approach near the circle, missed the putt, and managed to come away with a 6. That has to be the longest 600 feet that I've ever seen!!!
Hole #4
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 496'
Elevation: +15'
Silver Par: 3
Distance: 243'
Elevation: +4'
Description: A straight fairway driver got me to the bend in the fairway, and a lucky anhyzer fairway driver got me to within 50'. Missed the long putt, so it's another par on the card. This one will be tricky to get in three from the gold tees -- one bad tree kick and you'll be posting bail. This hole stays with the theme of "Good shots will get you a par, but it'll take GREAT shots to score the birdie!"
(Sidebar: By this point, I'm in full sweat. I don't know if its because of the elevation changes, the roughness of the hike up and down the fairways, or if I'm just old, but I already sound like an old steam locomotive.)
Hole #5
Gold/ Par: 3
Silver Distance: 333'
Elevation: +2'
Formal Description: TUNNEL SHOT baby!!! This flippin' little hole is deceptive in it's length. Its a nice birdie opportunity, as well as the opportunity to totally SCREW your score with an errant shot and a bad kick. I went off the fairway left with about 100' to the pin, and the upshot was tricky, but I managed to get into the circle. It was a satisfying three. The difference between the fairway and the "not fairway" is huge, with thick underbrush and thin trees ... LOTS of thin trees! Note to self: Stay in the short stuff!
Hole #6
Gold Par: 3
Distance: 398'
Elevation: -44'
Silver Par: 3
Distance: 287'
Elevation: -26'
Description: This is favorite hole #1. That being said, there was a headwind, so I expected my RHBH drive to turn right when it came out of the woods. Instead, it went left -- FAR left. I was able to approach into the circle, so I escaped with a three -- but that odd disc action is something that I'll want to be careful of. This is one of most picturesque holes so far -- reminiscent of #6 at Nockamixon, which looks out over the marina and lake. Nicely done, guys!
Hole #7
Gold Par: 3
Distance: 413'
Elevation: +10
Silver Par: 3
Distance: 337'
Elevation: -14'
Description: Nice "little" uphill hole. Tried to throw a flex drive, but it hyzered WAY left. Managed to miss the circle long left with my approach, so I ended up with a 4. This hole is probably easier than I made it. I like the protected pin position, and I'll like it even more when I don't put myself out of position for a decent approach.
Hole #8
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 747'
Elevation: -40'
Silver Par: 4
Distance: 439'
Elevation: -36'
Description: Threw a nice drive into the middle of the fairway, and my second drive made the corner, but it was still 80' or so from the pin. The approach lane to the basket is around the corner -- and there is a tree in the middle of that opening. Of course, I was behind it. I had to scooby around some trees to get into the circle for a 4. This seems like one of the easier par 4 holes with a little less danger than the wooded ones.
(Sidebar: I'm already through 1 of my 2 bottles of Gatorade. It's overcast and in the low 80's, so it ain't the heat. Maybe it's the other two rounds that I played this weekend. Or maybe I'm just old and out of shape.)
Hole #9
Gold/ Par: 3
Silver Distance: 296'
Elevation: +14'
Description: Another one of those deceptive holes - I think it's a nice, smooth fairway driver shot, and I end up about 60' short. My approach puts me in the circle, but this should have been a birdie chance. Bah!
Hole #10
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 580'
Elevation: -34'
Silver Par: 3
Distance: 368'
Elevation: -25'
Description: Favorite hole #2. I love this fairway. Of course, I didn't stay on it. I went into the woods right, then my scramble went into the woods left. A third shot got me back on to the fairway, but now I'm laying 3. Not wanting to throw past the pin position and down the hill, I "Sally-ed" my approach (apologies to anyone out there named "Sally"), and ended up about 60' out. An approach into the circle gave me a 6 for the hole. STILL a favorite hole, but DAMN!
Hole #11
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 435'
Elevation: +32'
Silver Par: 3
Distance: 300'
Elevation: +12'
Description: This is a sweet hole! There is a risk/reward tease for trying to cut the corner, but a bad kick there will really mess with your day! So for me it was a forehand fairway driver to the corner, and an unusually accurate backhand anhyzer midrange to get BARELY within the circle for a 3. The fairway is a complex curve, and it makes for a challenge.
Hole #12
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 537'
Elevation: -21'
Silver Par: 3
Distance: 259'
Elevation: -27'
Description: Favorite hole #3. Here is the hole's weather report: Mostly challenging, with a chance to be brutal! I was able to throw a drive and a LONG approach and get into the circle. I was proud of that 3 -- as it was my one and only birdie!!! (Editor's Note: I've played the course a dozen or so times since I did this preview... and I haven't birdied this hole since!)
(Sidebar: Gatorade dwindling, and I still have the big holes left. Not good.)
Hole #13
Gold/ Par: 3
Silver Distance: 242'
Elevation: +34'
Description: This hole is a chance to breathe between the technical #12 and the "Oh-My-God" #14! Then again, it's uphill, throwing out of the woods, to a nicely protected pin position. I threw a forehand driver (because I was tired of falling short.) I ended up about 40' short. Approach into the circle for a 3. Sigh.
Hole #14
Gold Par: 5
Distance: 732'
Elevation: -41'
Silver Par: 4
Distance: 574'
Elevation: -59'
Description: And here we go... Favorite hole #4. And it's a sign of good design when my first drive (and it wasn't a bad shot) only made it to the short tee. The second shot is tough -- I only got about 1/2 of the way down the hill before I hit a tree and went left hard. My 3rd shot also hit a tree, and my 4th shot went long, so my approach into the circle and putt netted me a 6. And I was happy about that. This is a HARD hole because it's so long and tight, but it's such a FUN hole that I don't think people will mind the difficulty.
Hole #15
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 373'
Elevation: +65'
Silver Par: 4
Distance: 311'
Elevation: +58'
Description: ANOTHER uphill hole!! Holy hell!!! My flippin' arm is going to fall off!!!! Players will be cursing your names, your mothers, and your obvious sadistic leanings for this hole! Not that it's all that hard -- but after the last 14 holes, there will be some tired and grouchy people looking at yet another uphill drive full of trees and various assorted other uglyness. I throw a desperation drive up the hill -- with no idea where the pin was. Figured that it was at the top of the hill, so I just pitch to the top and hope. Ended up about 60' left, but approached into the circle and took a 4. I'd smile at my par on that hole, but I don't have the energy left to move my facial muscles.
Hole #16
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 737'
Elevation: -80'
Silver Par: 4
Distance: 569'
Elevation: -30'
Description: From the tee pad I realized that the meadow grass was armpit-high. I knew that I would never find a disc that fell into that mess, so I walked out into the meadow grass to see how far out it went. And flushed a fawn. I'm not sure, but I think that we BOTH almost had a stroke!! With all that adrenaline, my drive easily cleared the meadow grass and landed in the lawn. Threw my approach to about 50' feet, then into the circle for a 4. Fun hole. A little scary, but fun.
Hole #17
Gold/ Par: 4
Silver Distance: 519'
Elevation: +63'
Description: Crap. This is hole 1 on steroids!!! And I'm tired! What I said about #15 goes for this hole as well. I see this one as a spirit-crusher. For a lot of players, the last third of this course will be more mentally challenging than physically or technically challenging. It really isn't a hard hole - it's just deceptively long and visually intimidating. My drive #1 gets across the field -- well, 3/4 of the way across the field. 2nd drive went 1/3 of the way up the slope. 3rd shot went past the pin position by about 40'. Approach into the circle; and that's a 5. A. very. tired. 5.
Hole #18
Gold/ Par: 3
Silver Distance: 420'
Elevation: -36'
Description: Finally. A nice finishing hole to a very challenging course. Not a hard hole, but after getting tree-slapped for 2.5-3 hours, it's just hard enough to provide players with one more chance to get punished for a poor choice. And then there is the raised basket -- just high enough to make you tentative. I throw a forehand into the open, well short of the pin position. I don't have the heart (or the arm strength) to run the long putt, so I put a layup to within 15'. Then I miss the putt and end up with a 4. Now it's time to drag my weary backside to the car.
Final thoughts:
1) This is a long course. I played tournaments at Iron Hill Gold twice this year -- and wasn't this tired after *2* rounds there. It's the elevation. Its brutal.
2) The fairways are fair, but tough. Get off the fairway, and you are hosed.
3) The course design is spot on. Nice flow. Nice mix of lengths and left/right turns.
4) Make sure you have enough to drink. Then take more.
Those improvements did not make this course any less of a BEAST!
Hole #1
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 474'
Elevation: +50'
Silver Par: 3
Distance: 232'
Elevation: +35'
Description: Holy crap! This is Quaker's Challenge #1 WITHOUT the benefit of starting at the bottom of the slope. Threw my drive and only made it to the short tee -- and I considered that a successful drive. Got my third shot into the circle -- but DAMN, that's a tough one to start with!! And, on top of that, there's the walk up the hill -- and for those of us who are not in the greatest shape, that walk deserves a rest before the next drive.
Hole #2
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 712'
Elevation: -38'
Silver Par: 4
Distance: 562'
Elevation: -32'
Description: Don't hit the tree, don't hit the tree, don't hit the... whew! Cranked out a drive that made it out of the trees. Didn't drift right as far as I wanted, so I ended up left -- but in the fairway and well within range for an approach. Approached to within the circle (which means that I missed the SECOND set of trees), so I'm pretty pleased with the first two holes. It's a fairly long walk to the third tee.
Hole #3
Gold Par: 5
Distance: 600'
Elevation: +71'
Silver Par: 4
Distance: 443'
Elevation: +66'
Description: I like the "fool's temptation" that coaxes players to throw past the first dogleg in search of that backdoor path to the pin. That's going to catch (and punish) a TON of the "screw-the-risk" players! The first turn is a dogleg left, so of course I hit a tree and kicked right, I had a long second shot up the hill and a short third shot around the right hand corner. I totally misjudged the pin placement and still had about 80' for my approach. Got my approach near the circle, missed the putt, and managed to come away with a 6. That has to be the longest 600 feet that I've ever seen!!!
Hole #4
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 496'
Elevation: +15'
Silver Par: 3
Distance: 243'
Elevation: +4'
Description: A straight fairway driver got me to the bend in the fairway, and a lucky anhyzer fairway driver got me to within 50'. Missed the long putt, so it's another par on the card. This one will be tricky to get in three from the gold tees -- one bad tree kick and you'll be posting bail. This hole stays with the theme of "Good shots will get you a par, but it'll take GREAT shots to score the birdie!"
(Sidebar: By this point, I'm in full sweat. I don't know if its because of the elevation changes, the roughness of the hike up and down the fairways, or if I'm just old, but I already sound like an old steam locomotive.)
Hole #5
Gold/ Par: 3
Silver Distance: 333'
Elevation: +2'
Formal Description: TUNNEL SHOT baby!!! This flippin' little hole is deceptive in it's length. Its a nice birdie opportunity, as well as the opportunity to totally SCREW your score with an errant shot and a bad kick. I went off the fairway left with about 100' to the pin, and the upshot was tricky, but I managed to get into the circle. It was a satisfying three. The difference between the fairway and the "not fairway" is huge, with thick underbrush and thin trees ... LOTS of thin trees! Note to self: Stay in the short stuff!
Hole #6
Gold Par: 3
Distance: 398'
Elevation: -44'
Silver Par: 3
Distance: 287'
Elevation: -26'
Description: This is favorite hole #1. That being said, there was a headwind, so I expected my RHBH drive to turn right when it came out of the woods. Instead, it went left -- FAR left. I was able to approach into the circle, so I escaped with a three -- but that odd disc action is something that I'll want to be careful of. This is one of most picturesque holes so far -- reminiscent of #6 at Nockamixon, which looks out over the marina and lake. Nicely done, guys!
Hole #7
Gold Par: 3
Distance: 413'
Elevation: +10
Silver Par: 3
Distance: 337'
Elevation: -14'
Description: Nice "little" uphill hole. Tried to throw a flex drive, but it hyzered WAY left. Managed to miss the circle long left with my approach, so I ended up with a 4. This hole is probably easier than I made it. I like the protected pin position, and I'll like it even more when I don't put myself out of position for a decent approach.
Hole #8
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 747'
Elevation: -40'
Silver Par: 4
Distance: 439'
Elevation: -36'
Description: Threw a nice drive into the middle of the fairway, and my second drive made the corner, but it was still 80' or so from the pin. The approach lane to the basket is around the corner -- and there is a tree in the middle of that opening. Of course, I was behind it. I had to scooby around some trees to get into the circle for a 4. This seems like one of the easier par 4 holes with a little less danger than the wooded ones.
(Sidebar: I'm already through 1 of my 2 bottles of Gatorade. It's overcast and in the low 80's, so it ain't the heat. Maybe it's the other two rounds that I played this weekend. Or maybe I'm just old and out of shape.)
Hole #9
Gold/ Par: 3
Silver Distance: 296'
Elevation: +14'
Description: Another one of those deceptive holes - I think it's a nice, smooth fairway driver shot, and I end up about 60' short. My approach puts me in the circle, but this should have been a birdie chance. Bah!
Hole #10
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 580'
Elevation: -34'
Silver Par: 3
Distance: 368'
Elevation: -25'
Description: Favorite hole #2. I love this fairway. Of course, I didn't stay on it. I went into the woods right, then my scramble went into the woods left. A third shot got me back on to the fairway, but now I'm laying 3. Not wanting to throw past the pin position and down the hill, I "Sally-ed" my approach (apologies to anyone out there named "Sally"), and ended up about 60' out. An approach into the circle gave me a 6 for the hole. STILL a favorite hole, but DAMN!
Hole #11
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 435'
Elevation: +32'
Silver Par: 3
Distance: 300'
Elevation: +12'
Description: This is a sweet hole! There is a risk/reward tease for trying to cut the corner, but a bad kick there will really mess with your day! So for me it was a forehand fairway driver to the corner, and an unusually accurate backhand anhyzer midrange to get BARELY within the circle for a 3. The fairway is a complex curve, and it makes for a challenge.
Hole #12
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 537'
Elevation: -21'
Silver Par: 3
Distance: 259'
Elevation: -27'
Description: Favorite hole #3. Here is the hole's weather report: Mostly challenging, with a chance to be brutal! I was able to throw a drive and a LONG approach and get into the circle. I was proud of that 3 -- as it was my one and only birdie!!! (Editor's Note: I've played the course a dozen or so times since I did this preview... and I haven't birdied this hole since!)
(Sidebar: Gatorade dwindling, and I still have the big holes left. Not good.)
Hole #13
Gold/ Par: 3
Silver Distance: 242'
Elevation: +34'
Description: This hole is a chance to breathe between the technical #12 and the "Oh-My-God" #14! Then again, it's uphill, throwing out of the woods, to a nicely protected pin position. I threw a forehand driver (because I was tired of falling short.) I ended up about 40' short. Approach into the circle for a 3. Sigh.
Hole #14
Gold Par: 5
Distance: 732'
Elevation: -41'
Silver Par: 4
Distance: 574'
Elevation: -59'
Description: And here we go... Favorite hole #4. And it's a sign of good design when my first drive (and it wasn't a bad shot) only made it to the short tee. The second shot is tough -- I only got about 1/2 of the way down the hill before I hit a tree and went left hard. My 3rd shot also hit a tree, and my 4th shot went long, so my approach into the circle and putt netted me a 6. And I was happy about that. This is a HARD hole because it's so long and tight, but it's such a FUN hole that I don't think people will mind the difficulty.
Hole #15
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 373'
Elevation: +65'
Silver Par: 4
Distance: 311'
Elevation: +58'
Description: ANOTHER uphill hole!! Holy hell!!! My flippin' arm is going to fall off!!!! Players will be cursing your names, your mothers, and your obvious sadistic leanings for this hole! Not that it's all that hard -- but after the last 14 holes, there will be some tired and grouchy people looking at yet another uphill drive full of trees and various assorted other uglyness. I throw a desperation drive up the hill -- with no idea where the pin was. Figured that it was at the top of the hill, so I just pitch to the top and hope. Ended up about 60' left, but approached into the circle and took a 4. I'd smile at my par on that hole, but I don't have the energy left to move my facial muscles.
Hole #16
Gold Par: 4
Distance: 737'
Elevation: -80'
Silver Par: 4
Distance: 569'
Elevation: -30'
Description: From the tee pad I realized that the meadow grass was armpit-high. I knew that I would never find a disc that fell into that mess, so I walked out into the meadow grass to see how far out it went. And flushed a fawn. I'm not sure, but I think that we BOTH almost had a stroke!! With all that adrenaline, my drive easily cleared the meadow grass and landed in the lawn. Threw my approach to about 50' feet, then into the circle for a 4. Fun hole. A little scary, but fun.
Hole #17
Gold/ Par: 4
Silver Distance: 519'
Elevation: +63'
Description: Crap. This is hole 1 on steroids!!! And I'm tired! What I said about #15 goes for this hole as well. I see this one as a spirit-crusher. For a lot of players, the last third of this course will be more mentally challenging than physically or technically challenging. It really isn't a hard hole - it's just deceptively long and visually intimidating. My drive #1 gets across the field -- well, 3/4 of the way across the field. 2nd drive went 1/3 of the way up the slope. 3rd shot went past the pin position by about 40'. Approach into the circle; and that's a 5. A. very. tired. 5.
Hole #18
Gold/ Par: 3
Silver Distance: 420'
Elevation: -36'
Description: Finally. A nice finishing hole to a very challenging course. Not a hard hole, but after getting tree-slapped for 2.5-3 hours, it's just hard enough to provide players with one more chance to get punished for a poor choice. And then there is the raised basket -- just high enough to make you tentative. I throw a forehand into the open, well short of the pin position. I don't have the heart (or the arm strength) to run the long putt, so I put a layup to within 15'. Then I miss the putt and end up with a 4. Now it's time to drag my weary backside to the car.
Final thoughts:
1) This is a long course. I played tournaments at Iron Hill Gold twice this year -- and wasn't this tired after *2* rounds there. It's the elevation. Its brutal.
2) The fairways are fair, but tough. Get off the fairway, and you are hosed.
3) The course design is spot on. Nice flow. Nice mix of lengths and left/right turns.
4) Make sure you have enough to drink. Then take more.
8
2
carlp
Experience:
12.8 years
5 played
5 reviews
Bring your arm and a sack lunch 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jan 28, 2017
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
1. Great signs and pads
2. Honest, challenging fairways...nothing gimmicky. You have to hit the lines that exist in the woods. Sometimes while dealing with elevation changes.
3. Offers both gold and silver tee shots.
4. Beautiful park setting that is well kept.
5. Without signs designating next hole, the flow is obvious and there
are no long walks between holes.
6. Great mix of wooded and open holes with a few must get birdie holes peppered in.
2. Honest, challenging fairways...nothing gimmicky. You have to hit the lines that exist in the woods. Sometimes while dealing with elevation changes.
3. Offers both gold and silver tee shots.
4. Beautiful park setting that is well kept.
5. Without signs designating next hole, the flow is obvious and there
are no long walks between holes.
6. Great mix of wooded and open holes with a few must get birdie holes peppered in.
Cons:
1. Trash cans and benches would complete this gem of a course.
2. Be prepared to invest some time to play this course. Not necessarily a con, but it should be mentioned. Expect an averaged 2.5 hours to complete the gold layout with four people.
2. Be prepared to invest some time to play this course. Not necessarily a con, but it should be mentioned. Expect an averaged 2.5 hours to complete the gold layout with four people.
Other Thoughts:
You'll want to get out and play this course!
