Upstate holes: One bad, one good in Greer

We’re fascinated by course design. We’ve seen almost every disc golf hole in Upstate, South Carolina, so from time to time we’re going to take a look at some of the best and worst holes within driving distance.

Tonight we’ll start with one good and one bad at Century Park in Greer.

Good: #14–Of all the terrific holes at Century Park (and there are many), #14 represents the best. I write this having never have shot better than a 3 on it, and having found myself in just about every bad situation the hole. I write this never expecting to be able to play the hole with any proficiency. I write this having seen my partner in crime absolutely implode on the hole just two days ago. The hole is an absolute monster, but in a very good way (think Cookie Monster with a six pack of beer). There is not another hole on the course with as many opportunities to get a stroke penalty. Here’s a list of ways you can end up with a penalty on the hole.

The hole has an exceptionally tight fairway. It sports a double-mando that forces accuracy off the tee. A hyzer or anhyzer is going to put you in a tree or the creek. It’s a hole that rewards players who can throw long and straight and set their disc down on the same path without fading into sure hell.

I’m right handed and I’m constantly afraid that, even if I get a lot on the disc, I’m going to fade into the creek at the end of the throw. I’ve come at the hole in as many ways as I can imagine. More often than not, I throw an anhyzer that falls to the right side of the kudzu and gives me a reasonably easy layup to the hole. Still, that’s not optimal, and I’m always thinking about better ways to play the hole.

Meanwhile, eltreedr is a lefty with a bigger arm. He doesn’t have as much worry about the creek, but occasionally, if he tries to get too much into the disc, he’ll overthrow and land right in the drink. That said, it’s a hole where he can almost always count on picking up a stroke on me.

Despite being one of my least favorite holes in the course to play, I think it’s probably the best hole in Greer.

Bad: #18–It’s hard to find a terrible hole in Greer. It really is one of our favorite courses. That said, #18 is probably the worst hole on the course, if only for the fact that it seems rather uninspired. There is nothing particularly interesting about the hole. It’s long-ish and messy with trees and an OB road on its left.

There’s really only one way to go at the basket–hard and long, right down the middle. If you can throw straight and long, it’s reasonably easy par.

If anything, Hole #18 seems like an afterthought, as if the design was perfect all the way through #17 and then the little grove of trees was the only place to put #18. It’s not a bad hole, it’s just not a very fun one on which to end a round.

For those who have played it, we’d love to hear your thoughts on how it could be made better, or of you think we’re just idiots (which, incidentally, we are).

Photos courtesy: Greer Recreational Disc Golf Club