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Astorhurst DGC reviews
10
0
It’s Finally Here!
Reviewed:
Updated:
Played on:Aug 7, 2024
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
It has been a long time in the making, but disc golf has finally arrived in the Cleveland Metroparks.
Spoiler… It was worth the wait.
In 2017, for $3.1 million, Cleveland Metroparks purchased 127 acres of gorgeous property known as Astorhurst Country Club.
After the former ball golf course was bought out, the transformation began, turning the property into a stunning public park within the Bedford Reservation.
Fast forward to 2024, and the property now hosts the most expansive disc golf course in Northeast Ohio.
Despite being an 18-hole course, the longest layout at Astorhurst easily eclipses 10,000 feet. This is known as the "championship" layout, a track that requires a big arm and excellent shot placement. There are two other challenging, but scorable, layouts that require just as much shot placement and a solid arm. These are known as the "professional" and "amateur" layouts.
The key phrase in the previous paragraph is "shot placement".
A solid portion of the course is long and fairly open. The openness of some fairways may entice you to just "grip it and rip it" every time.
However, to score well here, it's better to focus on putting yourself in the best position possible for your next shot.
In some cases, a ton of distance may give you an awkward angle to the pin. Not enough distance, and it could be the same story. It's important to really study the hole map to put yourself in a good position.
+ Speaking of hole maps, they were done very well here. The 54 signs are all easy to spot and very detailed. It's important at a course like this to have quality signs, and the Metroparks spared no expense.
+ There are several holes here that would be likely be the signature hole at many courses in the area.
# 5 is a pretty incredible design. From the longest tee, the hole is a par 5 that is nearly 1,200 feet in length. The hole starts off pretty simple. That is before you approach a steep valley that starts around 550 feet from the tee and ends around 800 feet from the tee. There is a landing area between the two steep hills, but big arms will likely try to get over in one shot. Once you're past the valley, the approach shot tuns technical, with numerous trees guarding the tight green. This could be one of the best holes in the state of Ohio.
Right after that, #6 is another gem. It's one of three holes that all share the same tee pad for a fun downhill shot. Unlike #3 and #17, the pin on #6 is guarded by several large trees. This is easily the best fully downhill hole on the course.
Other standouts include #8, #11, #16, and #18.
+ The design allows you to play either the full 18, or just 11 holes. You'll be able to see the main parking lot from #11's basket.
Spoiler… It was worth the wait.
In 2017, for $3.1 million, Cleveland Metroparks purchased 127 acres of gorgeous property known as Astorhurst Country Club.
After the former ball golf course was bought out, the transformation began, turning the property into a stunning public park within the Bedford Reservation.
Fast forward to 2024, and the property now hosts the most expansive disc golf course in Northeast Ohio.
Despite being an 18-hole course, the longest layout at Astorhurst easily eclipses 10,000 feet. This is known as the "championship" layout, a track that requires a big arm and excellent shot placement. There are two other challenging, but scorable, layouts that require just as much shot placement and a solid arm. These are known as the "professional" and "amateur" layouts.
The key phrase in the previous paragraph is "shot placement".
A solid portion of the course is long and fairly open. The openness of some fairways may entice you to just "grip it and rip it" every time.
However, to score well here, it's better to focus on putting yourself in the best position possible for your next shot.
In some cases, a ton of distance may give you an awkward angle to the pin. Not enough distance, and it could be the same story. It's important to really study the hole map to put yourself in a good position.
+ Speaking of hole maps, they were done very well here. The 54 signs are all easy to spot and very detailed. It's important at a course like this to have quality signs, and the Metroparks spared no expense.
+ There are several holes here that would be likely be the signature hole at many courses in the area.
# 5 is a pretty incredible design. From the longest tee, the hole is a par 5 that is nearly 1,200 feet in length. The hole starts off pretty simple. That is before you approach a steep valley that starts around 550 feet from the tee and ends around 800 feet from the tee. There is a landing area between the two steep hills, but big arms will likely try to get over in one shot. Once you're past the valley, the approach shot tuns technical, with numerous trees guarding the tight green. This could be one of the best holes in the state of Ohio.
Right after that, #6 is another gem. It's one of three holes that all share the same tee pad for a fun downhill shot. Unlike #3 and #17, the pin on #6 is guarded by several large trees. This is easily the best fully downhill hole on the course.
Other standouts include #8, #11, #16, and #18.
+ The design allows you to play either the full 18, or just 11 holes. You'll be able to see the main parking lot from #11's basket.
Cons:
- Unfortunately, the course opened without the installation of concrete tees. Currently, you'll be teeing off from dangerous loose gravel. It's best to tee off from the sides of the pads until concrete is poured.
- There is some backtracking on a few holes. Both #3 and #17 are wide open downhill shots, that once you finish, require you to trek up the hill that you just came down. The tee shots are fun, but it's a long walk back up the hill to get to the next hole.
- Hole #7 is about as filler as it gets. It's a fairly long uphill par 3 that has zero obstacles to speak of. It's a classic filler hole that is required to get you from the epic hole 6 to a memorable hole 8.
- If you park in the designated area, it's a long walk back to your car. #18 ends near #1's basket, so you'll just end up walking #1 in reverse to get back. Parking is also very limited.
- Planting scattered, but strategic trees in some of the more open fairways will help this course a lot down the road.
- There are currently no benches to speak of. Hopefully that changes, as a course this length could use one on every hole.
- There is some backtracking on a few holes. Both #3 and #17 are wide open downhill shots, that once you finish, require you to trek up the hill that you just came down. The tee shots are fun, but it's a long walk back up the hill to get to the next hole.
- Hole #7 is about as filler as it gets. It's a fairly long uphill par 3 that has zero obstacles to speak of. It's a classic filler hole that is required to get you from the epic hole 6 to a memorable hole 8.
- If you park in the designated area, it's a long walk back to your car. #18 ends near #1's basket, so you'll just end up walking #1 in reverse to get back. Parking is also very limited.
- Planting scattered, but strategic trees in some of the more open fairways will help this course a lot down the road.
- There are currently no benches to speak of. Hopefully that changes, as a course this length could use one on every hole.
Other Thoughts:
This place was designed with pro tour events in mind, and I hope to see it get to that point! This will go down as a historic course for an area trying to make its mark on the national disc golf scene.
Believe it or not, just a couple weeks after officially opening, there are talks of Astorhurst being the best course in Northeast Ohio.
I think it's fair to put it in that conversation, as it is a fantastic place to play.
However, I just can't put Astorhurst on the same level as my top NEO courses. It's a great compliment to heavily wooded Punderson, but I would give Punderson the edge.
Regardless, I will continue to enjoy this championship level course. There is way more good than bad, and it should only get better with time!
Believe it or not, just a couple weeks after officially opening, there are talks of Astorhurst being the best course in Northeast Ohio.
I think it's fair to put it in that conversation, as it is a fantastic place to play.
However, I just can't put Astorhurst on the same level as my top NEO courses. It's a great compliment to heavily wooded Punderson, but I would give Punderson the edge.
Regardless, I will continue to enjoy this championship level course. There is way more good than bad, and it should only get better with time!
9
0
balkmusic
Experience:
1 played
1 reviews
Potentially the best course in NEO
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 21, 2024
Played the course:once
Pros:
Amazing hole design (besides a two holes). Veried length. Lots of elevation. Well carved fairways. Great signage. Beautiful land. Amazing activities nearby.
Cons:
Rough is very very rough. High disc losing potential with a number of steap drop-offs. Two holes from specific tees had no plausible line.
Other Thoughts:
I think as this course is played more, gets broken in, and is adjusted, it could become the best course in Northeast Ohio, and is well worth the hike.
11
0
Throwing low in the Valley
Reviewed:
Played on:May 19, 2024
Played the course:5+ times
Pros:
The emerald necklaces 1st course. The track of land resembles a nature preserve. It is tucked in between Bedford metro park and Cuyahoga valley national park. Both parks have a plethora of other activities. One of the better places in the Cleveland area for a dg course due to the elevation changes and natural beauty of the area.
Walking the course is a good workout.
I have played about 10 times from the short tees. There are 3 tees on most holes. They are challenging. Many par 4 and 5 holes requiring good placement. Hole 5 is unique. I have not seen it before. There are more down hill than up holes which is my preference. Hole 3, 6 and 17 share a tee and shoot down low in the valley. These are ace run opportunities, which balance out many other tough holes. The new course is superbly maintained. Very serene park with almost no outside noise from the street.
Walking the course is a good workout.
I have played about 10 times from the short tees. There are 3 tees on most holes. They are challenging. Many par 4 and 5 holes requiring good placement. Hole 5 is unique. I have not seen it before. There are more down hill than up holes which is my preference. Hole 3, 6 and 17 share a tee and shoot down low in the valley. These are ace run opportunities, which balance out many other tough holes. The new course is superbly maintained. Very serene park with almost no outside noise from the street.
Cons:
The tees are crushed rock. The footing is not good. It looks like cement tees are in the plans. It is necessary to have them. There are numbers on the holes but no signs. The course has great holes but navigation is tricky. The parking area is small and is at the front lip of the property. After hole one, you are far from your car until 18. I prefer looping 9's in design. There are no amenities anywhere on the course. Being on a former ball golf course, some of the fairways seem wide. It would be nice to see trees added to these holes overtime. There are no wooded holes or water shots to balance out the course atmosphere.
Other Thoughts:
Many of the baskets are tucked into coves but most of the drives are very open of the tees. There is a great deal of extra room on this tract. I would like to see extra wooded holes maybe near hole 5,6 7 and 10. If they add cement tees and some other amenities, this is a championship level destination course. It is the Ying to Pudersons Yang.
