Jr. Eli McNeely stands on the tee, moving his weight from his front foot back to his back foot over and over again. He peers across the pond, further analyzing the hole. After deciding to pick a different disc from his bag, he is ready to throw, yet at the same time, he is very hesitant. In front of him lies a massive pond. Precision and power will be necessary to get the disc across. Leaning into his confidence, he twists, straightens his arm behind his back, takes his three-step approach, and releases it as straight as he can with a flick of his wrist. An originally promising disc soars through the sky, but his worries come true. A gust of wind picks up the disc and drags it left. “Oh no, there goes my favorite driver,” McNeely said.
Two lost frisbees, six hours, and mud-covered clothes; all of this to determine the best disc golf courses in West Michigan.
#4 Paw Paw Park
Paw Paw Park featured many engaging and challenging holes. However, recent rain had left the course excessively wet. Some holes, like hole two, were practically swamps. Many of them, including three, eight, and nine, featured water obstacles, adding to the wetland feel. While others provided a dry land path, like holes twelve and sixteen.
Hole three is a straight and short par three. Although it does not sound very intimidating, the true obstacle lies closer to the hole. Behind the hole is a drop-off leading to the Macatawa River, which flows through Paw Paw Park. One misthrow and the player can kiss their disc goodbye. With this in mind, the hole requires extreme caution.
Hole eight offered a course with a backward “S” shaped layout, including a small pond that created a real threat for many. Players can take the risky approach of attempting a long throw halfway toward the pond before making the full crossing, potentially gaining a significant advantage. Alternatively, they can opt for the safer route around the pond, though this choice lessens the odds of making par.
Hole nine, however, truly stood out. It was located across a pond that felt like a lake. This body of water made hole nine a true danger. Should players throw their disc straight and risk losing it to the swallowing water, or should they lay up in the fairway to the right? Either way, one must throw their disc over water,r leading to an inevitable gamble. After successfully passing the water, hole nine is relatively easy, with a clear line to the hole.
Hole twelve was one of the more interesting dryer land holes. Disc golfers throw off a tee with limited visibility, due to a hill in front, towards a hole surrounded by a circle of trees. This leads to the sense of mystery of how well one actually threw the disc. Although not a terribly problematic hole, it provides a breath of fresh air from all the water in the front nine holes.
Paw Paw offers a scenic and enjoyable experience for disc golfers, but it is mostly recommended for higher-level players. The water hazards and rough patches make precision important and often lead beginners to spend a considerable amount of time searching for lost discs. The course features long fairways that require technical, precise shots. The beauty of the environment enhances the experience, with glistening water and dynamic terrain. While it is a fun and beautiful course, it proves to be a bit too difficult for beginner-level disc golfers.
Due to the risks of losing discs and the challenging wetland conditions, Paw Paw ends up at the bottom of our list.
#3 The Point at Ridge Point Church:
The Point was an entertaining eighteen-hole course played around the entire Ridge Point church property. The navigation was bothersome in some places, but The Point offers orange arrows pointing to the next tee. Although most of the holes were in a field with few obstacles, some holes really shined. Holes six, nine, eleven, and twelve offered alluring aspects that made this course more exciting.
Hole six greets players with an awe-inspiring sight: a massive Jesus statue towering above the course, watching over every throw. This hole is played from the top of a steep hill, offering a breathtaking view as you prepare for the throw. While the hole itself isn’t particularly difficult, the thrill of launching your disc from such a high elevation adds a sense of excitement to the experience. The giant statue provides a picture-perfect backdrop, making this hole stand out for its scenic beauty and the joy of throwing off the massive hill.
Hole nine stands out as the most engaging hole on the course. Unlike the rest of the holes, this one is set deep in the woods, surrounded by tall, dense trees that challenge players with their narrow fairways. This hole requires precision and strategy, as it’s not only uphill but also features deep ditches on both sides of the fairway, making wayward throws even more punishing. The thick tree coverage and the dilemma of navigating the uphill terrain make this the toughest hole on the course, testing players’ accuracy and control.
Hole eleven, while not offering anything too extraordinary in terms of layout, still has its own charm. The hole is situated on a star-shaped base, which adds an interesting visual element to the hole’s design. While the hazard itself is moderate compared to other holes, the unusual base gives the hole a cool, distinct feel, making it notable even without a particularly hard setup.
Hole twelve, on the other hand, is one of the most fascinating holes encountered. The fairway is framed with strategically placed logs, and the hole offers an additional layer of complexity with an out-of-bounds area. If a disc lands outside the logs, players incur an extra stroke penalty, making this hole a test of both skill and strategy. The combination of natural obstacles and the risk of penalty strokes creates a thrilling challenge, making hole twelve one of the most intense moments on the course.
Overall, this course was fun, but it wasn’t anything too special, making it number three on our list.
#2 Winstrom Reserve:
This course is played throughout the woods of Winstrom Park. This is a great course for beginners because most of the holes are pretty easy. However, there are some stand-out holes. Some notable ones are holes four and five.
Hole four is one of the most interesting holes played. The goal is to throw your disc toward an open field while curving it left into the woods below. The hole is not visible from the tee, hidden by the trees. Trust is a necessity to achieve a good shot. Though it may look tricky at first, it’s actually not too problematic to achieve par. While the hole itself was odd, it wasn’t overly challenging.
Another hole that really stood out in Winstrom is hole five. This hole offers a true complication, with its fairway lined by numerous trees, creating a tricky path for players. The added difficulty comes from the hole’s placement between a river and a stream, essentially existing on its own island. The water hazards are no joke, if you throw the disc too hard or off-target, players might find themselves having to fish it out of the water. It’s a hole that requires a lot of precision and control.
Despite the challenge, hole five is absolutely stunning, offering a beautiful natural setting that makes it a favorite hole of the whole course. The combination of water, trees, and the layout of the hole creates an astounding experience that allows players to appreciate the beauty of the course while also testing their skills. It’s the kind of hole that sticks with you long after you’ve played it.
The course, however, was a bit tricky to navigate in places. Some holes seemed to blend together, and a few paths were unclear, making it difficult to figure out where to go next. No one wants to spend their time analyzing maps, and at times, this slightly detracts from the leisure of disc golf. Despite this, the experience remained enjoyable, with holes four and five standing out. Overall, the woodland feel and memorable holes helped elevate this course to number two on our list.
#1 Beakers at Summit Church:
Located at Summit Church, this eighteen-hole course takes you around the church property. This course is one that someone could play over and over again without getting bored. All the holes are different and offer versatile sets of challenges. The most unique holes we encountered were holes one, eight, nine, and eleven.
The first hole might not seem like anything special. It is a long par three that is relatively straight. But the hole itself is located in a small tree surrounded by rocks. This obstacle makes the hole hard to putt on, considering there are only a few angles where players can see the hole. Overall, the hole placement is what makes this hole different from others.
Hole eight is a short, technical par three that demands precision. To succeed, the golfer must throw a perfectly controlled disc that cuts sharply to the left, gliding through the air and landing softly in the sand. The sandy surface is unforgiving, halting the disc immediately where it lands. A misthrow here can lead to a frustrating search in the dense woods that line the hole. The hole position is tricky as well. Located on a grassy dirt mound, if overthrown, the risk of sending your disc flying off a steep drop-off is prominent, creating an even more challenging putt.
Hole nine is another par three, but this one presents a real test of nerve. A small pond lies directly in the path of the throw, making the hole a gamble for those brave enough to risk sending their disc across the water. For those with a more cautious approach, there’s the option to skip the pond and play it safe around the edge, but this route can be less rewarding. The hole’s allure comes from the thrill of deciding whether to take the risk or play conservatively. It’s a distinctive hole that adds an element of excitement and strategy to the round.
Hole eleven is a long par four that offers a true hardship for the average disc golfer. From the tee box, golfers must contend with a large tree that stands directly in their path, often forcing them to adjust their drive in tricky ways. After navigating this obstacle, the fairway opens up to a field that eventually leads to a dense thicket of trees surrounding the hole. These trees create a narrow, winding path, demanding accuracy as players approach the green.
The hole itself is
elevated, and the putting area is guarded by a tree trunk, making it difficult to land a clean putt. If a player misses their putt, their disc will likely roll away, creating yet another tough shot to get back on track. This hole’s combination of obstacles and elevation makes it one of the most distinct and memorable holes on the course.
The course was versatile, easy to navigate, and exhilarating. The different styles allow for an enjoyable experience, making it enjoyable to play repeatedly. Not only this, but there was also much beauty to be found on the property. This course was our favorite, making it number one on our list.
