Best course to bring new players?

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Seth Wolfman
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Best course to bring new players?

Post by Seth Wolfman »

I'm taking two new players out for their first round this weekend. Debating where to go. We'll be disc shopping so there needs to be a pro shop. We are coming from Boston. I figure the options are Devens, MH, or Pyramids.

On one hand, I like Devens for this round because it's closer and it's free. But those hills and trees can beat up a new player.

I like MH for all the obvious reasons and Red is a great beginner course, but I'm worried that MH might be "too good" for someone's first round. Don't want them to hold every course to that standard. Does that make any sense?

Thoughts?
Andy Gallerani
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Re: Best course to bring new players?

Post by Andy Gallerani »

MH reds for sure. Devens can be frustrating for a newer player with all the trees. Pyramids pink may be good too
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Franklin Sullivan
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Re: Best course to bring new players?

Post by Franklin Sullivan »

Go to Bellamy in Dover NH and hit up Walter's. There's some trees and a couple of tough holes, but it's a pretty course and gives a good intro to New England disc golf. Hit Amesbury Pines on the way home if they're up for it. Both are good beginner friendly courses.
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Dave Jackson
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Re: Best course to bring new players?

Post by Dave Jackson »

Sherwood Oak DGC.

It's new.
It's for beginners/kids.
It's free.
It's 9 Holes.
It's very under utilized.
It has Innova 28 chain Discatcher Pro baskets.
It's less than an hour from the airport.
A mid and a putter will net you many smiles.
There are all sorts of good places for eats near there and this course is about 20 minutes from Maple Hill :wink:



Here's a link:

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=12629


Seth, I'm guessing you could run 18 holes in 11 minutes. The hard part being the 700' run from the ninth basket back to the first tee.
The one thing about Maple Hill for most customers from Boston is the scenery. Our customers that come from urban areas seem to like the farm as much as the DG.
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Jeff Prendergast
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Re: Best course to bring new players?

Post by Jeff Prendergast »

Shrewsbury Middle School is a great place to bring someone to show them what DG is and what it looks like. It's perfect for kids or getting a 20 minute fix of your own. It has a great field for practicing. I love it and bring my children there OFTEN. And they love it. And they run the track and hunt in the woods and climb the retaining wall near the building and they have a great time. I would never bring my adult friends there to play disc golf. I would want them to get a more full experience.

I myself prefer Pyramids when I bring a beginner. It's a full course and a short course. It's a good representation of what DG is. I don't know what the pro shop at Mapile Hill looks like but I can vouch for the MST shop as top-notch for this area. When it comes to Pyramids, they won't try to sell you on how awesome the place is, they'll just let you find out on your own.
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Erik Siersdale
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Re: Best course to bring new players?

Post by Erik Siersdale »

Personally, I'd stay away from courses with enough water to lose a disc, particularly for new players. First impressions are everything.
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Thomas Bentley
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Re: Best course to bring new players?

Post by Thomas Bentley »

Borderland Whites!
beautiful
cheap/free
closest 18 to Boston
free loaners from DCR
no water
no elevation

Tell them each hole is a par 4 for beginners they'll be pumped to be getting birdie runs on the back 9. And if that isn't the case, you can move them to the yellow tees and have them play to white. Final benefit is that they'll see a whole bunch of newer players enjoying the course along with them and won't feel as out of place as they might watching dudes rip 400 foot drives at Maple Hill.

The other good option is Scouting Woods in Peabody.
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Seth Wolfman
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Re: Best course to bring new players?

Post by Seth Wolfman »

Great points all, thanks everyone! Some interesting points on things that I hadn't thought of. I'll let you know where we end up!

Dave Jackson wrote:Sherwood Oak DGC.
Seth, I'm guessing you could run 18 holes in 11 minutes. The hard part being the 700' run from the ninth basket back to the first tee.


Haha that sounds fun. The people I'm taking happen to be from my running club so they'd probably give the speed round a go!
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Re: Best course to bring new players?

Post by Dave Jackson »

Good stuff.

Side note:

I want to organize a 5k someday. With you? We'll talk next time I see you.


Back to the regularly scheduled programming.
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Titan_Bariloni
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Re: Best course to bring new players?

Post by Titan_Bariloni »

Tully

Use alt tee on one

Have fun
Rob Breckenridge
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Re: Best course to bring new players?

Post by Rob Breckenridge »

Organize a 5k for a local charity! I'd be all over it.
Also, Otter Brook State Park, has B positions that are beginner friendly and there are some great local restaurants in Keene, NH.
I'd be a lot better if those trees didn't get in the way.
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Re: Best course to bring new players?

Post by Brian Giggey »

I still think the 9-hole course in Peabody is very beginner friendly, yet still technically challenging.

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=6848
http://www.explorediscgolf.com

Course Design and Master Planning • Consultations • Signage • Equipment Rentals

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Thomas Bentley
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Re: Best course to bring new players?

Post by Thomas Bentley »

Can we get an update on this? Where'd y'all go? How'd they like it?
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