Rainbow City DGC

A fairly short and wooded layout. PROS: + UNIQUENESS + Although only a par 55 course, Rainbow City offers just about has all the hole type layout elements. There are water elements in play of bot ... show more ›

A fairly short and wooded layout.

PROS:
+ UNIQUENESS + Although only a par 55 course, Rainbow City offers just about has all the hole type layout elements. There are water elements in play of both the pond and creek variety. The layout also features pocket shots, window shots, tunnel fairways, ace runs, and bomb it opportunities. Hole (3) specifically stands out. A tempting ace run basket that can easily find one of the many winding creek beds surrounding the pin. If I recall correctly, I think a saw 4 small bridges on just this one hole.
+ SHOT SELECTION + I probably played 70% backhand and the rest flicks. Some drives need accuracy and at a variety of angles. Also, some shots will need to be bombed, and some need both precision and length (hole 11 pro tee)
+ CHARACTER + There is some seating. Most of the tees are shaded well and there are two tees for pros and ams at all the holes. There are some trash cans and a few bag holders. (see also tee pad, shelter and disc retriever for more character items)
+ TEE PADS + Adequately sized concrete tee pads that are in good shape. There should be no footing issues on a typical day.
+ SHELTER + An amazingly large well built shelter with plenty of picnic tables. It's located at the junction of tees 1 and 10, and basket 9 and 18, the ideal location.
+ CHILL AREAS + Lots of secluded areas and there are benches at several holes to take a break at.
+ DISC RETRIEVER + There is a homemade PCV pipe retriever located at the pond. Considering that basket 1 and 18 are within 20 feet of the pond, I'm sure it gets a bunch of use.
+ SPACING + Above average, I never ended up in another fairway on my visit.
+ NATURAL BEAUTY + The raw beauty is above average. The creek that runs through the layout is wide enough to affect your shot thought process, but narrow and shallow enough to not have to worry about losing your disc. The way the creek meanders gracefully adds to the disc golf experience.
+ QUICK PLAY + A fairly quick play, a quick single should be able to complete a full (18) in about an hour. I figure a regular Group of 4 probably would finish in about two hours.
+ SKILL LEVEL FRIENDLY + due to the duel pads, this course is very skill level friendly. I brought my father-in-law with me on only his second outing. He had a blast and had a few runs for birdie from the short tees.

CONS:
- FORGIVENESS - Lots of tunnel plays on this course. Most players will eventually with ping a tree and get an unfavorable kick where making bogie will become your goal. A few shots have lines so narrow that being off your mark by a couple feet is sometimes not good enough. In addition, I'm sure that the creek becomes exponentially more hazardous with a good rain soaking.
- ELEVATION - The course is about as flat as they come. The course elevation changes by maybe 10 feet along the entire layout.
- LAYOUT - Hole 1 is not located by parking and neither is 18. It pretty much starts out in the middle of the park. My group started on 16, I wonder if some locals due the same.

OTHER THOUGHTS:
Rainbow City reminded me a little bit of my first home course (Wells branch DGC, Austin TX) Rainbow City is and enjoyable mixture of fun, challenge and beauty. All stated, I've played way to many similar type courses to score it any higher. It currently sits at 64th out of my 218 courses played

I went this passed Sunday for the first time, it was a little muddy in some areas and the creek was flowing good. I really liked this course. They made good use of the space available to them and ha ... show more ›

I went this passed Sunday for the first time, it was a little muddy in some areas and the creek was flowing good. I really liked this course. They made good use of the space available to them and have some fun/technical holes, but none that require an above average professional level arm. Me and my wife had a great time. We will go back.

This a really good course, very under rated. Great mix of holes, really tight wooded shots, some open holes you can bomb. Great use of the creek and pond. Very well designed. Fun to play, if you are e ... show more ›

This a really good course, very under rated. Great mix of holes, really tight wooded shots, some open holes you can bomb. Great use of the creek and pond. Very well designed. Fun to play, if you are ever in the area I would give it a try. Just because a course is difficult and has tight lines does not mean it is a bad course, there are lines here if you can hit them. Worth the drive from Birmingham, Playing Clay and then Rainbow would make a nice day trip.