Monte Sano State Park

A heavily wooded layout on top of a flat mountain. PROS: + NATURAL BEAUTY + Monte Sano State Park is an splendid forested mountainous area with lots of hiking and biking trails in addition to the ... show more ›

A heavily wooded layout on top of a flat mountain.

PROS:
+ NATURAL BEAUTY + Monte Sano State Park is an splendid forested mountainous area with lots of hiking and biking trails in addition to the disc golf course. Located just 15 minutes from downtown Huntsville, this course is easily accessible for players doing a sweep of Huntsville area courses. Although there are no drop-dead gorgeous views from the layout itself, a short 150 foot walk from basket (4) has views over Mc Kay Hollow Valley and a waterfall. As for the course itself, fully wooded and there are some mini creeks that come into view and play. There are some mild elevation changes as well. Monte Sano is arguable the most beautiful course in area.
+ CHALLENGING + IMO, the most difficult course in town. A touch more difficult that Redstone and Indian Creek. Lots of 300 to 350 foot tunnel shots with lots of shot shaping required. The difficulty read most closest to upper intermediate and will be much more challenging in the summer versus the winter. Figure intermediate players will average around even par and advanced players will average 3 to 4 down. Players that excel in accuracy over distance or vice versa will skew these figures by a shot or two.
+ UNIQUENESS + Above average. To start, lots of tunnel shots with basket placements finishing in both directions. Lots of tee shot gaps and fairway windows to hit. Some mild elevation changes but it could have been way much more (see cons, elevation). A few small creeks to play across and one par 4. The holes distances vary a good bit, from 200 to over 500 feet depending on basket placements.
+ NAVIGATION + Despite no course map on site and the map file on DGCR not being the greatest, the navigation is amazing, near flawless. Hole signage is adequate but what makes this course so easy to follow is all the new well constructed and informative navigational markers. These markers are among the most effective I've ever seen on a heavily wooded course.

CONS:
Monte Sano needs some attention.
- TEES - The tees are in bad shape. They are carpet and are uneven and falling apart on many holes.
- RUN DOWN - In addition to the poor tees, I felt that the course is neglected a bit. Lots of branches down along the layout. The bridges across the mini creeks are showing their age. The community board next to tee (1) has no information and it is also starting to fall apart. The local club is partially in charge of 8 courses and it appears the attention is going elsewhere.
- CHARACTER - There are some good amenities with this course but it still falls a touch below average. Lots of alternate basket placements, a couple seating areas, bag hangers and nice baskets for the positive items. The course however doesn't have extra tees, a practice basket, course map or respectable tee surfaces as mentioned above.
- LACK OF ELEVATION - Not a flat course, but for being located on top of a mountain and 1,000 feet above Huntsville, I am shocked by how flat the course is. Not one hole on the entire layout changes by 30 feet. Hole (9) changes the most, approaching the 30 foot mark, however the elevation prominence is lost on this hole as its 400 feet long. Hole (4) is a nice 20 to 25 foot down shot and there are a few other holes that throw across a 20 foot deep valley. All stated, It could have been a whole lot more.
- FORGIVENESS - Like most wooded courses, Monte Sano will generally not be to kind to misguided shots. I think I hit a tree on 75 percent of the holes out here on first play. Being a good mid range thrower to scramble for par will be key to shoot low.
- PAY TO PLAY - Currently its $5 to enter the park per person (less for seniors and children.) A yearly pass can also be obtained for those that live in the area at $100. Considering that there are better courses in town, the cost really isn't worth it but just the one time for out of towners.
- BEGINNER FRIENDLY - This is not a beginners course. Although the odds of losing a disc is low, the course is way too tight to provide any enjoyment to inaccurate new throwers.
- TIME PLAY - Not the quickest play as the round will likely involve some searching and lots of recovery shot planning. I spent well over an hour here solo and could see groups of four coming in at 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

OTHER THOUGHTS:
One of my favorite courses in the area as I personally like short and technical courses. This will definitely test a player's resolve and patience as bad kicks are almost certain. I personally would not bring a newer player up here, I'd take them to either Brahan or Southside instead. However this course should work great for intermediate and advances players looking to improve their precision. Overall the course is really good despite a few blemishes. Players that have already hit Indian Creek, Redstone and Brahan should consider this among the next courses to hit along with Mastin Lake and UAH.