Northend Riverside Park

General: This is an excellent course. After playing it well over 1000 (ya, really) times, I'm still challenged to finish under scorecard-listed par (59). The holes vary in length, width, ceiling height, use of terrain & obstacles, and line. As someone who throws forehand 100% off the tee I would say the course favors righty forehand players (or lefty backhanders) but any style player will be challenged in distance and accuracy in a variety of landscapes. You can't finish even or better w ...
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General:

This is an excellent course. After playing it well over 1000 (ya, really) times, I'm still challenged to finish under scorecard-listed par (59). The holes vary in length, width, ceiling height, use of terrain & obstacles, and line.

As someone who throws forehand 100% off the tee I would say the course favors righty forehand players (or lefty backhanders) but any style player will be challenged in distance and accuracy in a variety of landscapes. You can't finish even or better without reliable hyzer, straight, and anhyzer shots. (or with throws with similar effects) While many fairways are dirt and allow for rollers, there are also fairways of thick grass. Similarly, there are holes that allow for big and little overhand throws and others with very low ceilings and/or dense & tall trees. Having a big arsenal of shots is helpful and trains players for many situations.

All long tees are cement, large, and in great condition, except #12 where a tree fell on the back corner. The east course has Discraft baskets that seem slightly shallower than Innova's and a higher, much thiner top rim. Signs are very clear and the flow natural; no holes require any backtracking from the basket back down the fairway. There are very easy 9 hole and 18 hole loops. (9 holes plays #'s 1,2,3,4,5,6, 16,17,18) All the tees have a very nice metal sign with a color graphic depicting the fairway and basket location. Par is not listed – all are par 3 except #'s 2,8,10,11 which are par 4.

With the addition of the West course, there are now numerous routes possible, which allows a broad range of options for players. There are shorter hole loops, longer, more open, and even just alternate orders. That said, the new long tee signs greatly help navigate the course and it shouldn't be confusing for newcomers to figure out where to go.

While wildlife is common and varied, I have never been affected by or even seen any poison ivy or oak. The sandy soil is never muddy, even after heavy rain. There are a variety of fruits that grow wild in the rough as ground coverings that are good to eat including wild strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, and wintergreen. I was stung by ground-dwelling wasps on hole 14 some years ago but such nests never last. I also once disrupted a family of skunks that very briefly took up residence in the middle of a fairway. And I saw a fawn one afternoon about 20' from me and the basket. Many different species of birds can be seen on the course if you have a keen eye for them.

There are benches and trash cans on many of the holes. The views from benches on holes #4, #11, #13 are very nice. Holes #6/#7 & #15/#16 intersect and share double benches. It serves as a sort of meeting spot where passing disc golfers nod heads, tip caps, and exchange stories, tips, and information.

There are restrooms in the park. (accessible from #1 & #18) There is a working water pump near the river in the park. There are usually ample parking spaces available. While the course can get crowded at certain peak times (usually somewhere around 4-dusk) an early enough start usually moves along with little to no waiting. I play regularly and finish the course alone in an hour or so (I'll take my time if I got it and also throw 2nd & 3rd drives to experiment so my time in/out varies between 45mins -1 hour 45)

There is league play here with information posted to www.discgolfscene.com. There is usually a tournament of some kind here every year. There is an intercollegiate league that plays here occasionally. There are a good number of skilled locals that play here regularly as well as a good number of players of all skill levels that pass through. Many people here are friendly and knowledgeable.

Hole by Hole Detail Analysis

Hole #1 presents the biggest downhill shot as well as one of the most open and wide fairways. The hill is long and of medium slope, turning down and left. The basket is guarded in a small glen of trees nearly straight from the tee. The wind here is always a big factor whether driving, approaching or putting. A paved trail on the left is OB and easily crossed if the wind is misjudged. This, like on Hole #1, acts like a painfully forgiving water hazard. At 360' in length, OB on left and a wooded basket location, this hole is a possible birdie for skilled players and easily a bogey for novices.

Hole #2 adds distance, many more trees, and 100' of fairly steep uphill approach. That said, a narrow lane gives righty backhand anhyzer shots a chance, while righty forehand straight hyzer fade shots can often manage a wider path. There must be good height on a shot to make it to the basket, and though there are many trees, a line is possible. There are many shot options to park the hole from 200' and in, so even bad drives can make par.

Hole #3 is the shortest on the East course, and the first of three holes added to the original course during the most recent round of developments involved in creating the West course. This 180' downhill shot cuts through a very narrow section of trees for about 60' then opens to a 30' wide fairway. The basket waits at the bottom of the hill. A large tree stands directly behind, making a lucky ace possible, but also thwarting drives and approaches that overshot the basket. A ditch runs along the Rails to Trails path about 30' behind the basket. The open straight shot off the tee easily makes this “thee” ace run of the course, but a bad kick off a tree in the opening tunnel can leave a horrible tasting “four” in the mouth the unlucky.

Hole #4 is a rare uphill shot. Though less than 300' feet, this tightly wooded fairway can still make for a decisive hole. Righty backhands seem to be the shot of choice, though anying straight will get the job done. The top of the basket can be spied from the tee, but once on the hillside, will disappear from view. It's essential to reach the top of the hill for an easy par. A sneaky forehand hyzer line exists for those with daring.

Hole #5 is the last of the new holes on the East course. This righty forehand hyzer shot is easy to take a par on, but very difficult to get the elusive deuce. The sandy power lines access road is considered OB. For the very daring, a righty forehand “S” shot could park the basket or find a lie deep in the thickest rough on the course. Instead of playing this hole, groups could skip to #9 and continue on the East course, or even hop onto the West course after 10. If remaining on the East course, groups could play holes #7, #8, #5, and #6 in that order after #15 for an alternate order. This is convenient when trying to play around large groups.

Hole #6 is one of the few holes that caters to a righty backhand hyzer. A sandy hill rises for the first 100' and then falls away for another 200'+ around a wide fairway sprinkled with saplings and a few older trees. The rough on both sides is densely wooded, but there are also forgiving lanes if one is lucky enough on a bad drive. This hole can be birdied by a skilled player, but will require either a controlled backhand hyzer, an expert forehand flip, or a sneaking lazer beam straight at the basket through the rough.

Hole #7 is one of the few straightaways and also the shortest. However, the fairway gently rises about 10' in the last 100' of the fairway. From the beginning of this rise in elevation a dozen trees spaced about 6' apart will stop or deflect many throws that might otherwise have landed for an easy birdie shot or ace run. The basket hides behind a multitrunked tree making many long shots to finish in 3 shots more difficult. It favors the righty backhand, but forehanders and lefties still have a range of options and good to birdie or par.

Hole #8 is arguably the easiest scorecard-listed par 4 to finish in 3 shots, partly due to the very large tree that originally blocked the middle of the fairway that has fallen and been removed. There's a slight jog uphill about 100' down the fairway, which will stop a low shot short. Thick trees both mature and young line both sides of the 30-40' wide straight fairway. There are trees in the middle of the fairway 250-300' down that will stop or deflect even well thrown big distance drives. The basket is guarded by a sapling and sits on a downward slope; the tree will stop shots just short enough to challenge while overshooting will put a par for 4 shot 20-30 feet away with a good chance of a challenging rough. This hole can be easily finished in 2 shots by a very/lucky skilled player, 3 shots by a skilled player, but a bad deflection can make even a well thrown drive result in a very difficult par 4. This has been the most rewarding hole on the course for me. I always play a forehand hyzer-flip that fades at the basket at the end of its flight. It got me an ace and has parked the hole many times. I've yet to see a better shot.

Hole #9 may be the most difficult right backhand anhyzer drives as well as the easiest right forehand shots. Trees on both the right and left are as if placed by god, rendering what looks like an open fairway much more challenging. Like other holes at this course, a dozen or more trees are scattered 10-50' near the basket to give an extra challenge. Skilled players hope to finish this hole at -2 to -7 overall, having finished holes #1, #3, #4, #6 & #7 in two shots and/or finished holes #2, #5, & #8 in three shots as the most challenging holes are still remaining.

Hole #10 is the longest hole on the course at 540' and while there is a 20'deep x 80' wide dip about 300' down the fairway, the elevation drop at the end of many players' maximum distance doesn't add much if any advantage. Reaching the far side of this dip would give a 100'+ look at the basket. Trees large and small are well placed for the first 350'. The rough is very thick on both sides, but the fairway is very wide and often presents high ceilings. Righty backhand players will either go big or lay-up. A righty backhand roller with a lot of power can park the hole, but otherwise, the fairway presents forehand straight fades. A tee-off stopped by trees 50” down the fairway will make finishing in 4 (scorecard-listed par 4) shots a triumph. Novices may be disheartened by the distance. This is the first of 3 holes in row that will challenge every part of any players game.

Hole #11 is the last scorecard-listed par 4. 400' of righty backhand gently descends into an “s ” - the first 200 feet are narrow and thickly wooded by big trees. Another wall of trees scattered 6-20 apart grant lucky lanes as well as thwart. Low righty thumbers are a common 'safe' shot. The ceiling is about 60' A good roller can finish it in 2-3 shots. A very well aimed straight forehand or backahand shot can give a great lie. But the density of the trees, the gentle shift from left to right punctuated by an impossibly thick rough can easily ruin an otherwise good round. Skilled players will shoot to finish in 2 shots and settle for an easy three.

Hole #12 is arguably the toughest hole on the course. I've seen people that often finish this course in 55 shots quadruple bogey this hole. 360' straightaway, 30' ceiling off the tee, narrow to wide to narrower dirt fairway stretches slightly up hill. The basket, 20' to the right and behind many close large trees and under a large and low overarching tree, taunts any drive short or long on the straightaway. It doesn't matter what style throw you use, only that you can make it go straight for 320+'. It took me 3 years of very regular play to birdie this hole and I haven't managed it in months.

Hole #13 is a 360' righty backhand hyzer run. After an open ceiling and generously wide fairway for 60-100', the turn left runs through a gauntlet of of tall thin trees as thick or thicker than any fairway yet. A good throw will disappear around the bend and the thrower can only listen to know their lie. This is a sort of relief after the previous three holes, but still a good distance with little room for error. The rough here is very thick on both sides, but the fairway is wide. A well aimed forehand flip shot with air under it can make it, but the risk of bad deflection is high.

Hole #14 caters to a righty forehand hyzer or hyzer fade with an overstable disc. It's the first hole under 300' since #9 (290') and there are viable options for most styles. A righty backhander can use a flippy disc, midrange or putter on a sky line almost straight at the basket. A skilled player will make a run and easily finish in 2 shots.

Hole #15 is the straightest fairway, with an open ceiling and 40-50' wide. There's a brush-pile fence marking a private property line (OB) on the left, but a fairly thick and tall rough stops many errant throws from straying impossibly far from the fairway. A skilled player with power to make the distance will run the basket, but the disc that manages to find a gap in the rough on either side may be lucky to finish in 4 shots.

Hole #16 is wide, very densely wooded by large, tall trees and 330'. There's a lane running straight along the right all the way down to the basket that most people I know usually try to take. There are many narrow gaps to make, but a shot that makes it through will run the basket. Skilled players will come to expect at least a chance for birdie. Novices may be disgruntled by the obstacles.

Hole #17 makes the end of the need for power and empasizes the need for finesse. Well under 300', the very narrow fairway descends 10' in the first 100', then rises again for another 150' or so, bent to the left in the dip. Many players choose to play safe with a righty backhand and hope for a long birdie putt. It's possible to park the hole with a perfect forehand flip, but quite difficult. The rough is very thick on both sides of for the first 100' and then on the left side for the remainder.

Hole #18's tee isn't quite pointed at the basket, 350' of first down then up fairway that peaks at the basket before descending to an OB pathway. Tall pines obscure all but the finest straight shots while a outcropping of trees on the right force a sky shot. A wooden retaining wall just before the basket adds a bit more difficulty to the landscape. The wind is difficult to judge from the tee, still tucked into the woods. A novice can play into the open for a possible par, but even a skilled player may struggle if the wind is fickle.


About the Short Tees

The short tees are well marked and though shorter, rarely less and often more challenging in finesse. These 'tees' are marked by a distance post with a rough line engraved like the regular tees. Unlike the regular tees, there is only a 2x4” "toe-board" sunk into the groundy to mark a point behind which the throw should be begun. While some may complain about the difficulty of these tees, there are many of them that are not only shorter, but a completely different fairway for 50% of the distance. Unlike many courses with short/alternate tees, the two tees offer enough variance to warrant consideration as a shorter but separate and very complex course.

Some may argue that the difficulty of the short tees to too high a difficulty for novices without the power to get distance or the finesse to get a workable lie. While there may be some truth in that, I would argue that this is mostly a leisure sport and anything new will always prove at least a little challenging. This course demands consistently accurate shots and in return offers equal challenge and reward whether playing from the short or long tees.

Also, the lack of a cement tee pad seems appropriate, at least to me, considering that the short tees require less power/distance and offer a loosely defined area to give novices and skilled players alike ample room to throw from. As there are a good number of alternates far away from the regular tees, I can't speak to trash receptacles on those holes, but I do recall at least 1 shot tee bench and believe the short tees will rapidly improve anyone's game.

Cons

No water hazard risk

There isn't a tremendous shift in elevation in the land.

The only restrooms and water source are only accessible at the beginning of a round.
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nice course in a nice park! The course is very wooded, with nice defined fairways, which are pretty "fair" fairways.. although hole #6 is super tight and tough with the way the hole plays left to right and up the hill. The new holes 17 and 18 are fine.. with some more clearing and more play on 17 it will be good. The tee sign pole on the tee of #18 is pretty sketchy.. it's way too close to the tee pad. Be careful until it's moved (hopefully). The new pin placement on 18 (which used to ...
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nice course in a nice park!

The course is very wooded, with nice defined fairways, which are pretty "fair" fairways.. although hole #6 is super tight and tough with the way the hole plays left to right and up the hill.

The new holes 17 and 18 are fine.. with some more clearing and more play on 17 it will be good. The tee sign pole on the tee of #18 is pretty sketchy.. it's way too close to the tee pad. Be careful until it's moved (hopefully). The new pin placement on 18 (which used to be #17) is great.. good finishing hole!

I really enjoy playing this course! It get's better every time I go there!
It's def worth checking out!
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The West course at Northend Park presents some of the most uniquely challenging golf I've ever seen. Huge, open distance shots, touchy woods lines, ace runs, thick rough, slight elevation, and much more. While there is room for improvement in this course, and it remains fairly rough, it is barely a year old and will continue to get better. I personally love huge distance shots and some holes allow for that while still forcing you to sculpt clever lines for placement on the next shot. The woodsy ...
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The West course at Northend Park presents some of the most uniquely challenging golf I've ever seen. Huge, open distance shots, touchy woods lines, ace runs, thick rough, slight elevation, and much more. While there is room for improvement in this course, and it remains fairly rough, it is barely a year old and will continue to get better. I personally love huge distance shots and some holes allow for that while still forcing you to sculpt clever lines for placement on the next shot. The woodsy hole reward players who can hit specific lines, and punish players with often treacherous roughs if missed. There are a few potential rollaway opportunities on baskets which adds some challenge. In the fall and early spring this course is at its best because the ferns in the open areas are dead. This makes for less stress about lost discs. There are fewer deciduous trees on this course than the east course making for fewer leaves on the fall time. Some players may complain about shortened cement pads on some of the shorter holes but I personally only find this to be a problem on 13. This course does not quite have 'it all' with benches and substantial signage and trashes, bathrooms, landscaping etc. But the course will only improve with time and volunteer work from the enthusiastic disc golf community which supports it. Overall an excellent course with so much potential to be even more.
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