Hueston Woods Disc Golf Course

I've always liked courses that offer technical challenges, but this might be a little off the charts.

This course was designed in a state park, and in a few places, walking trails intersect the "fairways," or people become confused and use the "fairways" as trails. The reason that this is important is that it is such a "tight" course, the fairways aren't clear as this course runs through the woods. The maps and signs are very clear in showing you which direction to throw, but if it were up to the person to just find a fairway and shoot, well, this would be the longest round you've ever played. It's almost as if someone said, "well, this would be a good spot for the pad," Then measured off 3-400 feet with either a right or left hook, then planted the chains somewhat randomly. There are that many trees.

There are both "pro" and "am" pads for nearly every hole. A few of the pads are not concrete, but lined with 4x4 lumber. I didn't consider this to be a tripping issue as I never "wound up" for any throw on this course, but used only waist and arm.

Oddly, getting around the course was actually pretty easy for someone familiar in finding their way around a disc golf course. Get a map from the lodge (which you should turn 180 degrees to orient it for direction as you exit), park right next to the putting basket, and you'll see a directional sign that points you in the direction of the first pad. The pins are marked with day-glo orange, so with a little searching you can typically find them if you walk ahead a bit. There are lots of elevation changes, and wind is pretty much non-existent as this course runs it's length through the woods.

I've been playing since 1994. I've never designed a course, but I know what I like in what I would consider to be a "balanced" design. I love it when the course takes you through the woods - I even like to see fairways that demand that you slip something through *very* narrow conditions. But along with some of this, I like courses to have room to throw. This course leaves a lot to be desired in offering open fairways.

When I finished, this, at par 3, I was even. Here's the catch: I never used a primary driver. I used an old school cyclone (easy to control), to get what little distance I needed on the drive, a roc, and my putter. I would consider every throw that I used as an approach shot. The course so tight with trees that my "drive" would be between 175 and 200, approach and putt would cover the rest. I finished even playing par 3, and had one birdie and one bogey. Walking in to the course, you'd think that my score would have been a lot higher. You really have to think and plan your shots.

Bring your old discs, or discs made of plastic that can withstand being hashed up against tree trunks. You won't lose a disc. There have been enough players (and so many trees) that the underbrush has been matted in wide circles that lead up to the pin. Poison ivy was minimal, but present, randomly.

I'd give this a slightly below average rating - unless you like courses that are *all* technical...