South Mountain Christian Camp is a very good, under-the-radar course. Perhaps due to it being out of the way, or a camp course, it's easy to overlook this course. But, it's definitely worth the drive.
- The quality of the SMCC exceeded my expectations. I've played courses at other camps/retreats (Bonclarken & Ridgecrest) that are clearly aimed at beginners/camp-goers. There are short tees here for the beginners, but the pro tees are clearly aimed at the more advanced players.
- This is a very good and challenging course, with some great hole layouts. I really enjoyed the downhill layouts for #3 & 6; #11 is a long, uphill (729 feet) hole with out of bounds running along the entire right side; #16 is a great, long dogleg right hole (I'll talk about this one more later). But, with all of that said, I think the shortest hole on the course is the most memorable. ...
- #15 is a short, nearly straight down shot. It's a 138 feet from the long tees, but basically plays as a long putt. If you don't keep your shot down or avoid the trees, you'll either have a shot sail past the basket, or be throwing from the hill. It's pretty frustrating to have a 50 foot putt on a hole this short. You feel like you should get a two, or better, on this hole every time, but it doesn't take much to end up with a three.
- Course does a wonderful job utilizing the terrain. There is a lot of good elevation throughout the course, with the parking lot on the highest level of the course. The terrain from there slopes down to the lake. Much of the front nine is pretty open, playing up and down the hills. The back nine is more wooded, and features more of the longer holes. Get your birdies on the front nine, then play smart on the back.
- There are a great variety of hole layouts throughout the course. Two thirds of the course is (mainly) open, but there's a good mix of up and down holes, doglegs, a few with mandos and the woods. Also, along those lines, the course does a decent job of offering different layouts, on some holes, playing the pro versus am tees. #8, especially gives two completely different looks from the long and short tees.
- Great nature feel. There are some spectacular views throughout the course. Stand on the tee for #3 and take in the view of the lake. You're going to get some great scenery - hills, woods, and the lake - throughout your round. In addition, because you're out in the middle of nowhere, the course is very isolated. During the summer, when there are campers here, it might be a different scenario. But, in the spring and fall, there's virtually nobody else here.
- Very good tee signs and scorecards/maps. Each tee sign includes a Bible verse, some of which were (obviously) obviously chosen for the given holes. My two favorite, for the obvious reasons were on #11, the long, uphill hole (Psalm 18:32 - the Lord gives me strength) and #16, a dogleg right (Ecclesiastes 10:2 - the heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left). This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but still, they're pretty clever.
- On the right side of #11, there's a memorial sign dedicated to a family of four who were victims of the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. It's a somber, but interesting, piece of history to see on a disc golf course in the middle of nowhere.