90 days of disc golf: Running

[Loomis]

HOME.

The inertia of summer has finally met with the immovable object of reality, and after all the fun and excitement, the road has brought us back home. To Rosedale and Swope and Cliff Drive and two dozen other familiar destinations which we are eager to play as soon as we can find the strength to do so. Our fondness for them has grown during our travels and we want to see them as eagerly as we want to see our old friends.

Everywhere we walk the ground crunches under our feet as if we're walking on a bowl of dry shredded wheat. The summer wasn't as kind to the courses as it was to us. With every course we visit, the overwhelming devastation shocks us into silence. But we play.

We wanted to wrap up things answering some of the questions and to give our "best of" list. We have talked this over a lot and we could never really settle on THE best, we could only come up with contenders for the top spot.

* We have now traveled over 30,000 miles playing disc golf.

* This year we have added over 60 courses for a total of 272 courses in 48 states, 3 provinces (SK, MN, ON), and 3 countries (US, Canada, Finland) Minna has 3 countries, I have 2, but if a country can't win a gold medal in the summer Olympics then it's really just a territory in my opinion.

* Southern Texas and Southern Florida are the only two areas of the country we have not toured that we wanted to.

* I have aces in 5 states. (Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Illinois, Michigan)

* The MOST ATTRACTIVE COURSES in our opinion: Pickard (Des Moines) Pier Park (Portland) Blue Ribbon Pines (Minnesota) Idlewild (Kentucky) Parma (Rochester)

* The MOST COMPETITIVE COURSES in our opinion: Maple Hill (Massachusetts) Idlewild (Kentucky) Renny Gold (Charlotte) Fly Boy (Georgia) Morraine State Park (Pittsburgh) Delaveaga (Santa Cruz)

* The HARDEST COURSE you want to play but shouldn't: Diamond X (Billings). This course is just silly. It's elevated and the obstacles are intense. Example: Missing a ten foot putt can mean losing it in the rocks below the basket... Forever. This course had the most "LETHAL" obstacles of any of the courses we've played. Death and serious injury are very possible during a round.

* The best course you want to play but shouldn't: Toronto Island. For all of the challenges the course offers, it's too much of a pain in the ass to get to.

* The most overrated course: Flip City. It's a fine course, but it's not number one. It's not even top twenty. It's also a pain in the ass to get to, but compared to Toronto Island, this is in your backyard. As you play the course, you keep waiting for it to earn the number one status and there are a few holes which do kick ass but there are just not enough of them to make this course numero uno.

* The most underrated course: Highbridge (Spokane) Nestled under a bridge in a forgotten park, this course has all the challenges disc golf can offer; elevation, water, lots of trees, blind shots, death putts toward OB, and hippies who smell of pee who wander the course. It's a great course.

* Longest drive: Loomis - 950 feet, Minna - 700 feet. Hole 18, Black Course (West Virginia)

* The BEST DISC GOLF EXPERIENCE everyone should have - Fly Boy (Georgia)

* The BEST COURSE everyone should play - Maple Hill (Massachusetts)

* The BEST TOURNAMENT - Amateur National Championship. Every AM should play this at least once before they turn PRO.

* Favorite moment of the trip: The beach in Florida at midnight.

* Worst moment of the trip: Our stinky shoes left in the hot car.

I think that's about it. If you have any further questions, we can probably answer them face-to-face. We want to post a map of the trip and the location of all the courses but we lack the know-how. If someone knows how to post a map on here, please let us know.

Here's the list of courses (MINUS A FEW LOCAL AND TEMP COURSES)

United States
Alabama
George Ward Park    Birmingham, AL       
University of South Alabama    Mobile, AL       
Arizona
Fountain Hills Park    Phoenix (Fountain Hills), AZ       
Vista Del Camino Park    Phoenix (Scottsdale), AZ       
Arkansas
Alma Flying Disc Course    Alma, AR       
Bell Park DGC    Greenwood, AR       
Ben Geren Park - North    Fort Smith, AR       
Ben Geren Park - South    Fort Smith, AR       
Burns Park - Blue Course    North Little Rock, AR       
Burns Park - Red Course    North Little Rock, AR       
Lake Bella Vista    Bentonville, AR       
Old Post DGC    Russellville, AR       
Pleasant View DGC    Russellville, AR       
California
Black Mouse DGC    Felton, CA       
College of the Redwoods Eureka    Eureka, CA       
CSUMB Oaks Course    Seaside, CA       
DeLaveaga Park    Santa Cruz, CA       
Golden Gate Park DGC    San Francisco, CA       
Huntington Beach Central Park    Huntington Beach, CA       
La Mirada Regional Park - Front 18    La Mirada, CA       
Oak Grove (Hahamongna Park)    Pasadena, CA       
Pinto Lake DGC    Watsonville, CA       
Ryan Ranch DGC    Monterey, CA       
U.C. Santa Cruz    Santa Cruz, CA       
Colorado
Beaver Ranch/Conifer Park    Conifer, CO       
Johnny Roberts DGC    Arvada, CO       
Phantom Falls    Pine, CO       
Connecticut
Cranbury Park    Norwalk, CT       
Wickham Park    Manchester, CT       
Delaware
Brandywine Creek State Park    Wilmington, DE       
Florida
Sunset DGC    Gulf Breeze, FL       
Georgia
Central Park DGC    Cumming, GA       
Flyboy Aviation     Whitesburg, GA       
Jim Warner Memorial    Appling, GA       
Sandy Creek Park    Athens, GA       
Steady Ed Headrick Memorial    Appling, GA    
WR Jackson Memorial DGC    Appling, GA       
Idaho
College of Southern Idaho    Twin Falls, ID       
Corbin Park DGC    Post Falls, ID       
Farragut SP - A.W.O.L. DGC    Athol, ID       
Panhandle Kiwanis DGC @ Cherry Hill    Coeur d'Alene, ID       
Illinois
Anna Page Park - East    Rockford, IL       
Anna Page Park - West    Rockford, IL       
Bradley Park    Peoria, IL       
Illinois Central College DGC    East Peoria, IL       
Lincoln Park - North    Springfield, IL       
Lincoln Park - South    Springfield, IL       
McNaughton Park    Pekin, IL       
Moorman Park    Quincy, IL       
Northwood Park    Morton, IL       
Rock Spring Park    Alton, IL       
The Oaks    Mokena, IL       
Indiana
Lemon Lake County Park - Blue    Crown Point, IN       
Lemon Lake County Park - Red    Crown Point, IN       
Lemon Lake County Park - Silver    Crown Point, IN       
Lemon Lake County Park - White Crown Point, IN       
Mesker Park    Evansville, IN       
Rogers Lakewood Park    Valparaiso, IN       
Seviren Lang DGC    Georgetown, IN       
Iowa
Big Creek State Park    Polk City (Des Moines), IA       
Ewing Park    Des Moines, IA       
Graceland University    Lamoni, IA       
Grandview Park    Des Moines, IA    
J&B Rolling Hills    Lamoni, IA       
Legion Park    Cedar Rapids (Marion), IA       
Pickard Park    Indianola, IA       
Shaver Park    Cedar Rapids, IA       
Treasure Cove DGC    Council Bluffs, IA       
Walnut Ridge    Johnston (Des Moines), IA       
West Lake Park    Davenport, IA       
Kansas
Blue Valley of Kansas    Overland Park, KS       
California Trail    Olathe, KS    
Camp Hawk    Newton, KS       
Carey Park    Hutchinson, KS       
Centennial Park    Lawrence, KS       
Crestview Park    Topeka, KS       
Eisenhower State Park    Osage City, KS       
Frontier Park    Hays, KS       
Gunn Park    Fort Scott, KS       
Herman Hill Park    Wichita, KS       
Jackson Park - 18    Atchison, KS       
Jackson Park - 9    Atchison, KS       
Jones Park - East    Emporia, KS       
Lake Shawnee    Topeka, KS       
Lakewood Park - North 9    Salina, KS       
Lakewood Park - South 9    Salina, KS       
Mighty Shunga - Topeka, KS
Oak Park    Wichita, KS       
Peter Pan Park - Optimist DGC    Emporia, KS       
Pittsburg Lincoln Park    Pittsburg, KS       
Pomona Lake - Wolf Creek    Vassar, KS       
Prairie Center Park    Olathe, KS       
Riverfront DGC    Lawrence, KS             
Rosedale Park - Top    Kansas City, KS       
Shawnee Mission Park DGC    Shawnee, KS    
Ted's Dread - Kansas City, KS   
Thomas Park    Salina, KS       
Thornfield - Spring Hill, KS
Wyandotte County Park    Bonner Springs, KS       
Kentucky
Basil Griffin Park    Bowling Green, KY       
Bowling Green Technical College DGC    Bowling Green, KY       
Chalybeate Springs Sports Complex    Brownsville (Smiths Grove), KY       
Charlie Vettiner Park    Louisville, KY       
Ephram White Park    Bowling Green, KY       
Hobson Grove Park    Bowling Green, KY       
Holler In The Hills    Brownsville, KY       
Idlewild    Burlington, KY       
Kereiakes Park    Bowling Green, KY    
Lincoln Ridge Park    Independence, KY    
Lover's Lane Park    Bowling Green, KY       
Paducah DGC    Paducah, KY       
Phil Moore Park    Bowling Green, KY    
Louisiana
Clyde Fant DGC (Veterans Park)    Shreveport, LA       
Ford Park    Shreveport, LA       
Lafreniere Park    Metairie, LA       
Maine
Woodland Valley - Black Bear    Limerick, ME       
Woodland Valley - The Grizzly    Limerick, ME       
Maryland
Seneca Creek State Park    Gaithersburg, MD    
Massachusetts
Maple Hill DGC    Leicester, MA       
Michigan
Burchfield Park - Original    Holt, MI       

Burchfield Park - Rivers Edge    Holt, MI       
Cass Benton Hills DGC    Northville, MI       
Cold Brook Park    Climax, MI       
Hudson Mills Metropark - Monster    Dexter, MI       
Hudson Mills Metropark - Original    Dexter, MI       
Kensington Black Locust DGC    Milford, MI       
Kimball Pines    Battle Creek, MI       
Oshtemo Township Park    Kalamazoo, MI       
Victory Park    Albion, MI       
Minnesota
Acorn Park    St. Paul (Roseville), MN       
Blue Ribbon Pines DGC    East Bethel, MN       
Bryant Lake Park    Minneapolis (Eden Prairie), MN       
Hyland Ski & Snowboard Area    Bloomington, MN       
Kaposia Park    St. Paul (South St. Paul), MN       
The Willows    Winona, MN       
Mississippi
Ross Barnett Reservoir - The Rez DGC    Brandon, MS       
Veteran's Park DGC    Tupelo, MS       
Wall Doxey SP - The Jungle    Holly Springs, MS    
Missouri
Albert Oakland Park - Back Course    Columbia, MO       
Albert Oakland Park - Front Course    Columbia, MO       
Blue Valley Park    Kansas City, MO       
Blue Valley Park - Short Course    Kansas City, MO       
Clover Dell Park    Sedalia, MO       
Creve Coeur Lake Park    St. Louis (Maryland Heights), MO       
Crystal City Underground DGC - North    Crystal City, MO       
Endicott Park    St. Louis (St. John), MO       
English Landing Park    Parkville, MO       
Indian Foothills Park - North    Marshall, MO       
Indian Foothills Park - South    Marshall, MO       
Indian Hills DGC    Columbia, MO       
Jefferson Barracks    St. Louis, MO       
Jesse James DGC    Kearney, MO       
Joseph C. Miller DGC    Jefferson City, MO       
Kessler Park (Cliff Drive)    Kansas City, MO       
Lake Shore DGC    Pleasant Hill, MO    
Legacy Park    Lee's Summit, MO       
McClelland Park    Joplin, MO       
Old Pike Country Club    Gladstone, MO       
Paradise Pointe - Beaver Creek    Smithville, MO       
Paradise Pointe - Blackthorn    Smithville, MO       
Paradise Pointe - Woodhenge    Smithville, MO       
Quail Ridge    Wentzville, MO       
Rothwell Park East - The Lakes    Moberly, MO       
Rothwell Park West - The Woods    Moberly, MO       
Sioux Passage    St. Louis (Florissant), MO       
Swope Park    Kansas City, MO       
Water Works Park    Kansas City, MO       
Wilbur Young Park DGC    Blue Springs, MO       
William Yates Sprint DGC    Independence, MO       
Montana
Diamond X    Billings, MT       
Makoshika State Park    Glendive, MT       
Pattee Canyon    Missoula, MT       
Nebraska
Cottonmill DGC    Kearney, NE       
Seymour Smith Park    Omaha, NE       
Nevada
Peccole Ranch    Las Vegas, NV       
Sunset Park    Las Vegas, NV       
New Hampshire
Pinnacle    Newport, NH       
New Jersey
South Vineland Park    Vineland, NJ       
New Mexico
Arroyo Chamisos DGC    Santa Fe, NM       
New York
Black Diamond DGC @ Emery Park    South Wales, NY       
Brakewell Steel / Warwick Town Park    Warwick, NY       
Chili DGC @ Widener Park    Chili, NY       
Monroe Community College DGC    Henrietta, NY       
Parma DGC    Parma, NY       
North Carolina
Eastway Park    Charlotte, NC       
Elon Park - Angry Beaver    Charlotte, NC    
Elon Park - Eager Beaver    Charlotte, NC       
Hornets Nest Park    Charlotte, NC       
Kilborne TPC    Charlotte, NC       
Nevin Park DGC    Charlotte, NC       
Plantation Ruins at Winget    Charlotte, NC       
Renaissance Park    Charlotte, NC       
Sugaw Creek Park    Charlotte, NC       
North Dakota
Lincoln Drive Park - Regular    Grand Forks, ND       
Lincoln Drive Park - The Loop    Grand Forks, ND       
Patterson Lake DGC    Dickinson, ND       
Sunset Park DGC    Mandan, ND       
Ohio
Brent Hambrick Memorial DGC    Columbus, OH       
Oklahoma
Blackhawk    Tulsa, OK       
Boomer Lake Park    Stillwater, OK       
Centennial Park    Owasso, OK       
Chandler Park - Original    Tulsa, OK       
Course Dovillio    Tulsa, OK       
Haikey Creek Park    Tulsa (Broken Arrow), OK       
Hunter Park    Tulsa, OK       
McClure Park    Tulsa, OK       
The Lodge - Island Course    Pawhuska, OK       
The Lodge - Moccasin Creek    Pawhuska, OK       
Oregon
Dexter Park DGC    Dexter, OR       
Horning's Hideout - Highland Course    North Plains, OR       
Horning's Hideout - Meadow Ridge    North Plains, OR       
Milo McIver State Park (Riverbend DGC)    Estacada, OR       
Pier Park    Portland, OR       
Pennsylvania
Deer Lakes Park    Tarentum, PA       
Knob Hill Park    Warrendale, PA       
Moraine State Park    Portersville, PA       
Sedgley Woods    Philadelphia, PA       
Tyler State Park    Newtown, PA       
Rhode Island
Willow Valley   Richmond, RI       
South Carolina
Hippodrome Complex - Headrick Hills    North Augusta, SC       
Hippodrome Complex - Hogback    North Augusta, SC       
Hippodrome Complex - Moody Woods    North Augusta, SC       
Hippodrome Complex - Old Glory    North Augusta, SC       
Trophy Lakes    Charleston (John's Island), SC       
Winthrop University Lakefront    Rock Hill, SC       
South Dakota
Jackson Park    Rapid City, SD       
Tuthill Park    Sioux Falls, SD       
Tennessee
Morningside Park    Knoxville, TN       
Seven Oaks Park    Nashville, TN       
Shelby Farms    Memphis, TN       
Texas
Lake Lewisville Park    Lewisville, TX       
Leonard L. Woods Park    Lewisville, TX       
Utah
Creekside Park    Salt Lake City, UT       
Riverpark DGC    Riverdale, UT       
Vermont
White River DGC    Randolph, VT       
Virginia
The Blockhouse - Darkside    Spotsylvania, VA       
The Blockhouse - Sunnyside    Spotsylvania, VA       
Washington
Downriver DGC    Spokane, WA       
Fort Steilacoom Park    Lakewood, WA       
High Bridge Park DGC    Spokane, WA       
Lake Fenwick    Kent, WA       
Lakewood King County Park    Seattle, WA       
Seatac DGC    Seatac, WA       
Terrace Creek    Mountlake Terrace, WA       
Two Rivers Park DGC    Kennewick/Finley, WA       
White River    Auburn, WA       
West Virginia
The Black Course    Moundsville, WV       
Wisconsin
Brown Deer DGC    Milwaukee, WI       
Dretzka Park    Milwaukee, WI       
Highbridge Hills - Blueberry Hill    Highbridge, WI       
Highbridge Hills - Granite Ridge    Highbridge, WI       
Pettibone Park    La Crosse, WI       
Sandy Point Resort DG Ranch    Lac Du Flambeau, WI       
Standing Rocks    Stevens Point, WI       
Vallarta-Ast DGC    Deforest, WI       
Wyoming
Deer Field @ Washington Park    Rawlins, WY       
Energy Rotary Club DGC    Gillette, WY       
Rock Springs DGC    Rock Springs, WY       
Canada
Manitoba
Happyland Park DGC    Winnipeg, MB       
Ontario
Toronto Island    Toronto, ON       
Saskatchewan
Diefenbaker Park DGC    Saskatoon, SK       

And one course in Finland I don't the name of.

[ekolk]

What? You've never been to Horse Shoe Canyon?

Wow, Loomis. That's a ton of golf, and it's no wonder you play well every where you go. Thanks again.

[Loomis]

No. we've missed the canyon. fuzzy pony. and the frizz.

[jack]

Since they took out the 2nd course at the Canyon, its not as "cool" in my book, but a beautiful retreat to say the least.

[Mike Hyzer]

The amount of destinations alone is impressive, nevermind the fact that you played disc golf at all of them.

[jack]

The amount of destinations alone is impressive, nevermind the fact that you played disc golf at all of them.

life without kids helps on this matter.....

[rickrose2007]

Being relatively new to the sport, I absolutely love reading these posts. Living the high life! I appreciate the posts and the reviews of courses. I am going to have to add some of these to my bucket list to play! I have only played DG in three states, if you consider traveling across the KS/MO border, and also played in Northern Minnesota (which is the place where I got hooked onto DG). St Paul does have some beautiful courses, I can't remember the one course we played at in St Paul, but it was just like Rosedale Down Under but multiplied by 5. Some very tough shots, but great to work with your mid range and putters.

I can't wait to work on my game some more and eventually make it to the AM Championships.

Loomis thanks for the posts and congrats on making it home safe. Hopefully I will be able to run across you on the DG course some day and meet ya!

[Loomis]

It took a long time to plan the trip and it was over a year in the making. We had to wait until her kids were out of the house and on their own. Then we made practice trips to see what worked and what didn't work for us (sleeping in the car, costs, what we could eat on a budget and survive, how to manage laundry and injuries, lady issues and the frequency of bathrooms on disc golf courses - which is actually one of the top three complaints against tournaments by women, gas mileage, when to rest, timing of the trip to make sure private courses were open and that other courses were close to a tournament week so it would look its best, etc.) It took a lot of work. I spent a good hour or more per night and even more time in class, writing it out and making it work. Then phone calls were made; reservations set; money planned out; and all the bills back home covered. THEN... we woke up, unplugged everything and drove away.

And yes, it helps to have the time open for it. However, you could similar trips on a smaller scale with just a little planning. A weekend trip to Des Moines, Dallas, Minneapolis, St. Louis or Denver. A little more time and you could go to Michigan, Wisconsin, Nashville, Cincinnati. A full week and you could do a whole lot more. You just have to want to do it and find a way to make it happen.

Now that's it over, we have satisfied our curiosities and we would just rather play with the people we know here on courses that we have around us. As much fun as it was to play all of those courses, we did it alone and we missed out on sharing them with friends. So we're glad people actually read the posts and were able to glean something from them. Had we gone on the trip and not been able to share it, then somehow it would have felt like we had not done it at all.

[rickrose2007]

Yeah I am going to Detroit in a couple weeks but its for work and I don't think we will have any extra time to play some DG, but I will have them on me just in case. Know of any places around Warren, MI you would go try or recommend?

[Loomis]

The Detroit area has a lot of great courses. You have to drive a bit, but there are some tough challenges. HUDSON MILLS is the first place you should go, that's outside of town but worth it. OH YEAH, most of the GOOD courses in that area require a park entry fee. Its a pain, but they like to get paid. Hobson will ask for some fee. The same is true of STONEY CREEK and ADDISON OAKS. If you don't want a huge monster challenge but just some fun golf, there is a free course called, Cass Benton which is decent and fun.

[jack]

I remember back in '97, (pre Android, and smartphones) I had my pink PDGA book, a new palm with the courses downloaded, a couple of bags of discs, tent, mountain bike on top of the car, and 3-4 months to kill.  Played about 50 different courses on that trip, still one of my favorite trips.  Ran out of juice though, but it did take me to Sipapu, which is still one of my most favorite memories of playing disc golf.  I did it by myself for most of the trip.  Dirk was with me for about 3 weeks of that trip, and I had to pay him/bribe $1/hole and give him 1 stroke/hole so he would play......  Good times, good times.

Loomis is spot on though, you can go to a few good places to play new courses, and Des Moines is a great place to start that is relatively a short drive away for the course selection.

That being said, and you mention some great places to play.....how would you rate KC in terms of disc golf locations?  Instead of rating top 10 courses, how about the top 5 areas for disc golf that you give a thumbs up to, and then the bottom 5  you give the thumbs down to.

I know you cherry picked courses, so you may not be able to go thumbs down, but how about the top 5 areas.  I know that I have my own areas hand picked....(I can't claim the NW though because I haven't gone farther North than California) maybe next year.....

[Mike Hyzer]

The closest 18-hole course to Warren, MI is going to be either Firefighters in Troy or Brys Park in St. Clair Shores. I would opt for Firefighters, myself. Brys, which is actually 24 or 27 holes, is way too open, with lots of short holes, and there is a popular walking path that winds around the course, which sucks. I believe both the 18-hole courses in Royal Oak, which is also not far from Warren, are the types of courses where it's 9 pins, each shared by 2 tee pads. I have not played Hudson Mills, which is probably much better than all of the aforementioned courses, but it's also a bit of a drive from Warren. Hope that helps, and I hope you enjoy your time in the beautiful, sunny Detroit area.

[rickrose2007]

The closest 18-hole course to Warren, MI is going to be either Firefighters in Troy or Brys Park in St. Clair Shores. I would opt for Firefighters, myself. Brys, which is actually 24 or 27 holes, is way too open, with lots of short holes, and there is a popular walking path that winds around the course, which sucks. I believe both the 18-hole courses in Royal Oak, which is also not far from Warren, are the types of courses where it's 9 pins, each shared by 2 tee pads. I have not played Hudson Mills, which is probably much better than all of the aforementioned courses, but it's also a bit of a drive from Warren. Hope that helps, and I hope you enjoy your time in the beautiful, sunny Detroit area.

Oh I am going to try and enjoy it, even though I will be there for work. I grew up 1.5 hours from Detroit, so I will be able to see family and friends! I will take this all into consideration and hope I get some free time to throw some disc in Detroit/Warren, MI!

[Mike Hyzer]

Warren, MI is also unknown to many and heralded by absolutely no one as the birthplace of Mike Hyzer. As for a statue, last I asked they were still considering it.

If you really want to do yourself a favor and feast upon the best Italian food in the northeast quadrant of southeastern Michigan, I recommend dinner at Louie's Pizza, on Dequindre Rd. & 9-1/2 Mile Rd, just west of Warren in Hazel Park.

[rickrose2007]

Warren, MI is also unknown to many and heralded by absolutely no one as the birthplace of Mike Hyzer. As for a statue, last I asked they were still considering it.

If you really want to do yourself a favor and feast upon the best Italian food in the northeast quadrant of southeastern Michigan, I recommend dinner at Louie's Pizza, on Dequindre Rd. & 9-1/2 Mile Rd, just west of Warren in Hazel Park.

I'm all about food! I will note it. We are staying at the Residence Inn Marriott at 30120 Civic Center Blvd, if you have any idea where that is or what's around it. I will be glad to know the area before I get up there. My mothers birthday is that week, so I wanted to take them out to a nice dinner.