River Bends

Exceptional challenge on a mostly wooded course. Long tees on 6, 7, 8, 15, 26. Three downhill holes in 2, 10, and 26 (long), two uphill holes on 9 and 25 Critical water hazards on 13 and 15, casua ... show more ›

Exceptional challenge on a mostly wooded course. Long tees on 6, 7, 8, 15, 26. Three downhill holes in 2, 10, and 26 (long), two uphill holes on 9 and 25 Critical water hazards on 13 and 15, casual water on 14 and 21. Dense rough with briars, thickets, marshland lining many holes.

Update 2022: The parks department has let the poison ivy run riot. Those with allergies need not apply.

River bends has some really great holes and then some meh holes. They use the river nicely on a few holes and those are probably my favorite. It’s nice having an option to play 18 or 27 if you have ... show more ›

River bends has some really great holes and then some meh holes. They use the river nicely on a few holes and those are probably my favorite. It’s nice having an option to play 18 or 27 if you have energy that day. Many of the wooded holes will test you as they are not your typical short wooded holes. The park keeps this place clean. Some of the rough and tall grass will eat discs and that sucks. Tall grass is the worst in disc golf.

First the park itself is great. On the course ,Every hole is unique so it offers a very large variety of angled and distance throws through the round. 27 awesome holes. Up hill down hill water holes w ... show more ›

First the park itself is great. On the course ,Every hole is unique so it offers a very large variety of angled and distance throws through the round. 27 awesome holes. Up hill down hill water holes with the River. Vegetation and fairways are well taken care of consistently for the past few years. Great for all players beginner to Pro.

The rough is punishingly bad right now, might as well be throwing into a black hole. Bugs are bad but that’s normal. Kid on a bike STOLE a disc from our group (that was laying in the fairway) while ... show more ›

The rough is punishingly bad right now, might as well be throwing into a black hole. Bugs are bad but that’s normal. Kid on a bike STOLE a disc from our group (that was laying in the fairway) while we were looking for another in the bush, double whammy kick in the junk there. Not worth the trouble to play here with so many other good courses around.

Multi-use park course with several layout options that plays from shorts and longs. Way too much standing water on virtually every hole when it rains heavily. Otherwise a challenging layout with nice ... show more ›

Multi-use park course with several layout options that plays from shorts and longs. Way too much standing water on virtually every hole when it rains heavily. Otherwise a challenging layout with nice variety, elevation, multiple water hazards and thick rough. Older baskets and cement pads. Decent navigation and signage. Great winter course. Clean and well maintained. Porta potty next to hole 1. Huge parking lot.

Played summer '14 and left half-way through because of the confusing layout, unfinished holes, tall grass, flooding, broken baskets. Not a fun experience and decided not to return until more work was ... show more ›

Played summer '14 and left half-way through because of the confusing layout, unfinished holes, tall grass, flooding, broken baskets. Not a fun experience and decided not to return until more work was done.

I heard some good things from others and decided to give River Bends another shot. Played 1/3/2016 and was very impressed! Could tell a lot of time had been spent improving the course.

Signs at every tee with hole # and distance, navigation signs to point you in the direction of the next hole, garbage cans & seating on some tees. Not sure if it was due to the time of year, but thick underbrush seemed to have been hogged out and fairways cut. Didn't spend more than a minute or two looking for shots off the fairway.

There was still a bit of standing water, but it's probably unavoidable due to the proximity of the Clinton River, come prepared.

Played all 27 from the long tees, good mix of shots of righty backhand and forehand. Some long and open holes that will favor the big arms, technical holes that require a placement drive and accurate approach. Minor use of elevation and the river is in play on a few holes.

With the quality and variety of holes, nice signage, and improved maintenance, River Bends has become a top level course in my opinion. As with all courses though, the success is going to be dependent on continuous care and supporting community.

Stony is still the king in that area, but if it's over-run with casuals/leagues/tourneys, head down the road to Bends.

I am new to the course and did not know how it was laid out. I liked the distance markers, but think a graphic of the lay of the hole would be helpful also. I also had to walk all over after the first ... show more ›

I am new to the course and did not know how it was laid out. I liked the distance markers, but think a graphic of the lay of the hole would be helpful also. I also had to walk all over after the first river hole shot (13#) I think. There needs to be a marker to show which way to go for the next tees.

Beautiful course. Couple up and down hill shots l. Couple right next to the river for a water hazard. Seems like a lot of people are littering on the course. Holes 3 through six follow a sewer pipe l ... show more ›

Beautiful course. Couple up and down hill shots l. Couple right next to the river for a water hazard. Seems like a lot of people are littering on the course. Holes 3 through six follow a sewer pipe line so it's not all that pleasant. Need to put trash cans out so asshole stop throwing it in the woods. Traffic is a bitch they are repairing 22 mile road so getting into the park is atleast a 30 min feet due to traffic

I can see where this course used to be great but it's in need of some T.L.C. the layout is very confusing and I couldn't even keep track of score because I got lost. I think some of the baskets were m ... show more ›

I can see where this course used to be great but it's in need of some T.L.C. the layout is very confusing and I couldn't even keep track of score because I got lost. I think some of the baskets were missing. There was graffiti on most of the cages. However, The first 6 holes were great. I ended up hitting the top of a basket on a par 3.

I wish this couse was maintained a little more. The grass is high throughout the whole park. It is impossible to find your way around without a map, especially since almost all of the tees and baskets ... show more ›

I wish this couse was maintained a little more. The grass is high throughout the whole park. It is impossible to find your way around without a map, especially since almost all of the tees and baskets aren't labeled. Hopefully the renovation of the park happens soon. Otherwise, it is a pretty fun course because of its seclusion. Felt like we were on an adventure navigating through the park (and sometimes getting lost).

Decent local course, sizeable with elevation changes plenty of dense woods. Some drawbacks include poor conditions at certain times of year and bugs in the summer. The Motor City Chain Gang runs s ... show more ›

Decent local course, sizeable with elevation changes plenty of dense woods. Some drawbacks include poor conditions at certain times of year and bugs in the summer. The Motor City Chain Gang runs some good events at this course, and keep it as well maintained as they can, not my favorite local course but definitely worth playing if you are in the area.

new holes are fun and challenging. as of now only three tee pads need to be installed but you can still play the holes. its really not that hard to look on your smart phone at the map on hole one and ... show more ›

new holes are fun and challenging. as of now only three tee pads need to be installed but you can still play the holes. its really not that hard to look on your smart phone at the map on hole one and follow along. John Minicucci went above and beyond revitalizing this course in a year that has seen a couple other new courses pop up. the only reason I give it an A- is because its not completely finished. thank you John for all your efforts here

River Bends is getting worse and worse. I don't think the city sprays for mosquitoes or poison ivy at all. Hole 16 is almost a guaranteed lost disc unless you puss out and play the women's tee. Half t ... show more ›

River Bends is getting worse and worse. I don't think the city sprays for mosquitoes or poison ivy at all. Hole 16 is almost a guaranteed lost disc unless you puss out and play the women's tee. Half the holes are constantly flooded and, of the ones left, 4 of baskets were stolen this year! I'd gladly pay a small $2 or $3 fee per round if it'll pay for some upkeep. The city needs to step up and fix this place before it's completely abandoned. What a shame. Used to be one of the best courses around.

If this course was given some attention, it would be really awesome. Unfortunately, it is poorly maintained, and a couple of the baskets are now missing (6 and 9 from what I could tell). The layout is ... show more ›

If this course was given some attention, it would be really awesome. Unfortunately, it is poorly maintained, and a couple of the baskets are now missing (6 and 9 from what I could tell). The layout is a little hard to navigate, and the tees are poorly labeled, some not at all. You really have to keep a close eye on your errant throws, as the rough is SUPER rough here. However, some of the holes are actually really fun, and the course itself is in a beautiful area. Bring bug spray, or else the bugs will eat you alive.

This place will surely test your accuracy and ability to place your shots. Fairways are narrow without being to confining. But... Then there is the river; Oh the river... Many discs have been los ... show more ›

This place will surely test your accuracy and ability to place your shots. Fairways are narrow without being to confining. But... Then there is the river; Oh the river... Many discs have been lost to the mighty Clinton River. If you don't throw your disc far enough, or if you don't have the accuracy to fade/slice AWAY from the river, you will be swimming after your disc. Or, if the current is raging on a windy day, just wave goodbye as your disc passes you and heads on upstream. I've played her about 8 times now and I've lost a disc 4 times. Thankfully, they were discs that were either pretty beat up or ones that I should be embarrassed to play with in the first place that met a watery demise, so it wasn't too much of a loss.

All in all, this course offers a great way to hone your skills in placing your shots and improving your accuracy while enjoying a fantastic city park that offers wildlife, great scenery, and a challenging DG course.

Great overall course. Terrible directions. Don't think I have ever played all holes in order. Awesome water play very challenging and forgiving for off shots.my days off are spent here where as my wor ... show more ›

Great overall course. Terrible directions. Don't think I have ever played all holes in order. Awesome water play very challenging and forgiving for off shots.my days off are spent here where as my working days are spent at the very short amd quick ira twp course.. never even seen someone on this course. Definetly a must try. And it is rated beginneer but takes a high skill level to play with intent to score well.

ive got a real soft spot for river bends... one of my first courses and its just fun. nothing too difficult, unless you are by the river, it can get intimidating there... who doesnt love the thrill ... show more ›

ive got a real soft spot for river bends... one of my first courses and its just fun. nothing too difficult, unless you are by the river, it can get intimidating there... who doesnt love the thrill of either sticking a great drive off the tee, over water, or the chance of killing it and going for a swim. too me thats one of my favorite aspects of the game. the only down fall is that they dont tend to cut the fairway very often. if i get word its been cut, i will make it a point to go.

This course needs a lot of work, aside from the ever present muddy/soggy issues. Course lacks continuity and flow, and is VERY POORLY MARKED!!!! If you're going to go to the trouble to paint the stu ... show more ›

This course needs a lot of work, aside from the ever present muddy/soggy issues. Course lacks continuity and flow, and is VERY POORLY MARKED!!!! If you're going to go to the trouble to paint the stupid rocks orange, why not paint some valuable and correct info on them, too? With Stony Creek just a couple of miles up the road, I don't know why anyone bothers to play here at all.

My favorite of the local stomping grounds. Lots of good memories as well as good rounds. My favorite mental picture of the course was the day I showed up looking to get in a quick round and found the ... show more ›

My favorite of the local stomping grounds. Lots of good memories as well as good rounds. My favorite mental picture of the course was the day I showed up looking to get in a quick round and found the entire course under water. You could only see the round metal hole marker on the top of the basket at the bottom of the hill. As I'm sure most do, I miss the old layout (V.2 not the undecipherable V.1) but that's about it. Great holes, challenging without being too hard, some length, some technicality, a bit of everything!

Bugs get bad in the summer.... 4 days after any rain it finally drys out enough to not get wet just playing the fairway. riverbank ate away a tee pad and keeps shrinking away a few holes. It is not gr ... show more ›

Bugs get bad in the summer.... 4 days after any rain it finally drys out enough to not get wet just playing the fairway. riverbank ate away a tee pad and keeps shrinking away a few holes. It is not groomed too well either, but it was groomed via volunteer basis or around any tourny times via Motor City Chain Gang. The city just took over the maintnance of the course this year so we will see how that plays out this year. Other than these problems, the layout of the course and the difference in shot variance is AWESOME!!!! Fantastically designed course!!!