Belle Isle DGC

They did a great job of building the course around the natural landscape. Good use of water that makes you think twice about what shot you want to throw. Nice variety of long holes that allow you to air it out, and short holes that challenge your precision. Weather was rough, but that wasn't a surprise considering it was late October in Michigan. Wind made even routine putts and approaches into more difficult shots that you could cost you a stroke. I would like to see this tournament played a ...
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They did a great job of building the course around the natural landscape. Good use of water that makes you think twice about what shot you want to throw. Nice variety of long holes that allow you to air it out, and short holes that challenge your precision.

Weather was rough, but that wasn't a surprise considering it was late October in Michigan. Wind made even routine putts and approaches into more difficult shots that you could cost you a stroke. I would like to see this tournament played a little earlier in the summer when it might be a little warmer and less windy.

My only major gripe would be that this course gobbles up discs. There is a 8 foot fence that runs along much of the first 9 or so that if you throw over (which happened a lot due to the close proximity to holes and the wind) you're going to have a hell of a time retrieving your disc.
It was very overgrown as well. The fairways were mowed and groomed, but if you missed and landed in the tall grass you're going to spend some time looking for your disc.
Water comes into play on what seemed like a majority of the holes, so if you shank a shot or one gets taken by a gust of wind, theres a good chance it could be wet. I probably saw 5-10 discs lost to a combination of the water, wind, fence, and grass.
Since this was only a temporary course, there were no cement teepads. Rubber mats were on the tees, but most players opted for the natural tee next to them.

Players pack consisted of a nice Cryztal tournament stamped disc and a t-shirt.
Beer, food, and live music were all provided for free, with donations to the course encouraged.

I could definitely see myself playing a few rounds a summer here if it was made into a permanent course, and wouldn't even mind playing a few dollars. This would bring some more traffic and activity to the deteriorating Belle Isle. With cement teepads and permanent baskets, this could become a premire Michigan course.
For $20, you really couldn't ask for much more.
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Time folds into itself when I play at Belle Isle. My father, as a teenager, jumped safely off the main bridge on a $5 dare. Personal memories over the decades include a Ren-Cen-less skyline, hippie trips, wild pygmy deer, and a free-style tournament in 1978. I played DG with my long separated God-son this year. The advocates/activists supporting this course deserve credit for more than inspiring this one Senior Grandmaster; they are placed within the positive forces of a Detroit revit ...
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Time folds into itself when I play at Belle Isle. My father, as a teenager, jumped safely off the main bridge on a $5 dare. Personal memories over the decades include a Ren-Cen-less skyline, hippie trips, wild pygmy deer, and a free-style tournament in 1978. I played DG with my long separated God-son this year.
The advocates/activists supporting this course deserve credit for more than inspiring this one Senior Grandmaster; they are placed within the positive forces of a Detroit revitalization. After awe for the work they have done there is a peculiar sympathy. For the potential they embraced in 2011 and furthered in 2012 must still pound in their heads as they consider the next few years. Criticism is unworthy, as I am certain that the creative juices that flowed into this year's effort are in good supply for design and grounds improvements. I will look for opportunities to associate myself with the efforts next year.
Visit Belle Isle in person or see it via satellite and join those with high expectations. 2013 addendum - permanent baskets have moved the course in the right direction, while limited access to the course has slowed progress. Once the City or State administration question is resolved the area DG activists should be back in stride.
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Obviously I rate this an A+ because of all the work its been out there for me to get it ready but the course is now open permanently as a post course including a few changes. We have 18 holes with 3 par 4's and 3 par 2's, the rest are par 3. Each hole is equipped with a long and short pad. From the longs you will experience a tuff par course playing through multiple elements and selecting lots of plastic from your bag to get you through the variety that is offered here. The shorts provides a sim ...
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Obviously I rate this an A+ because of all the work its been out there for me to get it ready but the course is now open permanently as a post course including a few changes. We have 18 holes with 3 par 4's and 3 par 2's, the rest are par 3. Each hole is equipped with a long and short pad. From the longs you will experience a tuff par course playing through multiple elements and selecting lots of plastic from your bag to get you through the variety that is offered here. The shorts provides a simple yet fun round as meant to be open for any rec golfer that may dwell in the city. Short pads also add variety as they have there own feel and routs giving a golfer with time to kill a second round of 18 without being to repetitive. Please come out and support our Detroit city disc golf action by playing this course and we will probably see the state support our course with baskets if its being used. Leagues begin after 2013!
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Full Disclosure- I am a part of the DDG team here at Belle Isle. That being said I love disc golf and can be plenty honest. SUMMARY: technical course with a host of shots that will test every kind of player. Expect "new" course irritants, including a lack of concrete tees, some area of rough rough (but much improved through this last season). Great flow overall, will improve largely with additional signage coming in 2015, as well as wood chips, and other accoutrements (comfort station mid-wa ...
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Full Disclosure- I am a part of the DDG team here at Belle Isle. That being said I love disc golf and can be plenty honest.

SUMMARY: technical course with a host of shots that will test every kind of player. Expect "new" course irritants, including a lack of concrete tees, some area of rough rough (but much improved through this last season). Great flow overall, will improve largely with additional signage coming in 2015, as well as wood chips, and other accoutrements (comfort station mid-way, bathrooms at course entrance, etc.) that will make this a one-of-a-kind course.

Welcome to Belle Isle. Virtually the only disc golf in the center of an urban area as large as Detroit. With downtown to the south and Canada across the river it is an amazingly unique destination. The course is several years in the making, but less that 2 years worth of work has been done in the current location. Expect views unlike any you have ever seen. The willow trees and aspens are incredible in the summer and make for excellent shading on warm days. The layout is still being tweaked, but what you can expect now is a combination of fun to challenging. Hyzers, rollers, annys, bomb drives, risk/reward, and some cool obstacles. Then there is the water. Water in play on several holes, 7 total I believe, including the landmark bridge hole #14. On a windy day, which happens often out here on the river, it can make for some very thought-provoking shots. But what really sets Belle apart from a lot of courses in SE Michigan is the variation from tee to tee. While some of the Rec tees mirror the Ams, overall the 3 sets are vastly different. If you want to have tons of long drives, play the backs. Tighter more technical round sound good? Play the mids. Looking to brush up on the short game? Play the fronts. Truly a course full of cool views, awesome shots, and so much more.

PROS: overall a beautiful place. Design works with natural layout of the land. Course features shots of all kinds. Clubhouse with plastic for sale, snacks, and drinks. Bathroom (and potentially concessions) right outside of entrance next to lot. Only $4 to play. Some of the coolest places on a disc course (any disc course) including the covered bridge and the Willow tree between holes 6 and 7. Comfort station near half-way point (and work shack. Both are being repaired by the state in 2015) is one-of-a-kind feature. Amazing and dedicated group working makes me want to play here!

CONS: could use a bit more elevation (and there are plans to add that. Stay tuned). Tee pads will be a great addition. Some areas a bit soggy in spring or after rain (issue being addressed, linked to broken water lines under park). Large rough patches and ruts need to be further decreased and broken in.


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19 hole layout... This (C) is a literal average rating. Loved playing on the isle, gorgeous views, especially when the freighters are sailing by. Being able to see downtown Detroit and Windsor really makes this place awfully special. Some unique and fun holes, and very challenging overall. Difficult basket placements really make you concentrate on accuracy. This course tests your skills in moderate to extreme wind situations. Belle Isle is a fantastic place for a new disc golf course, and I am w ...
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19 hole layout... This (C) is a literal average rating. Loved playing on the isle, gorgeous views, especially when the freighters are sailing by. Being able to see downtown Detroit and Windsor really makes this place awfully special. Some unique and fun holes, and very challenging overall. Difficult basket placements really make you concentrate on accuracy. This course tests your skills in moderate to extreme wind situations. Belle Isle is a fantastic place for a new disc golf course, and I am willing to lend any and all support to make it a reality.

Belle Isle is ALWAYS a windy place, and most of the holes did not take advantage of this fact in a positive way. Little thought was put into the layout concerning the wind specifically. While there were very challenging basket locations, these locations were almost always located within 20ft of serious water hazards. The amount of water hazards within the 30ft range of the baskets was excessive. These hazards are all the more treacherous due to the amount of trash within and the murky nature of the water and I do not recommend wading in to retrieve a lost disc, which is almost a certainty here. Hole 1 for the tournament (19 hole) layout is a hole I would never play again due to the reasons listed above. I sincerely hope it is not added to the final course layout and I know others would agree. The certainty of lost discs here is VERY HIGH in its current layout, and would only serve to discourage completion of a full round and/or possibly deter play altogether.

A (C) rating is all I can honestly give this course in its current configuration. When there is another layout either temporary or permanent I intend to amend this review.
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Lol...Saw my angry review and figured I would update it: The course offers plenty of challenges with multiple tee locations and well placed baskets. The flow to the course works well once you figure it out and is fun to play with challenging yet make-able lines on most holes. Water hazards and deep rough makes hitting your shot incredibly important. Natural pads/swampy fairways/lack of signage/trash are the main negatives I see but all are planned to be fixed in the coming year which would bump ...
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Lol...Saw my angry review and figured I would update it:
The course offers plenty of challenges with multiple tee locations and well placed baskets. The flow to the course works well once you figure it out and is fun to play with challenging yet make-able lines on most holes. Water hazards and deep rough makes hitting your shot incredibly important. Natural pads/swampy fairways/lack of signage/trash are the main negatives I see but all are planned to be fixed in the coming year which would bump my grade up to an A-.
p.s. I would like to thank everyone involved in making this course happen, anyone working towards improving Detroit is A OK in my book! Keep it up and I plan on pitching in myself when/if I am available
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