Ella Sharp Park

City park course with a deep forest feel. The design takes advantage of the relatively compact elevation and offers a plethora of line possibilities. There are multiple holes that appear to be "straig ... show more ›

City park course with a deep forest feel. The design takes advantage of the relatively compact elevation and offers a plethora of line possibilities. There are multiple holes that appear to be "straight" from tee pad to basket that actually require technical, controlled, multi angled shots to score well. A majority of the holes favor a RHBH with only 3-4 truly demanding a RHFH. There is plenty of variation in distance although it could benefit from a 500'+ par 4 or two sprinkled in. Hole 12 is the only hole on the property that I would consider a "bad hole".

There is one very strange aspect. When installing the tee signs they chose to face them toward the walking path instead of making them visible from the tee pad. If you want to double check the distance you have to leave the tee pad and literally walk around the sign to check. I am honestly surprised no one has sharpied the distances onto the back of the signs...

Technical course. Lots of trees, but there are lines to try out. Only one mando. A couple holes that are almost guaranteed birdies for experienced players while others keep you on your toes. Bigges ... show more ›

Technical course. Lots of trees, but there are lines to try out. Only one mando. A couple holes that are almost guaranteed birdies for experienced players while others keep you on your toes.

Biggest downside is that the rough gets extra rough sometimes. Certain months they only mow the fairway, so going off your line even a tiny bit can sometimes result in a lost disc. Sometimes swampy after lots of rain too. Otherwise a great course. Recommend playing more in early spring or late fall.

Well designed light to moderately wooded community park course that plays from shorts (slab markers in the grass/ground) and longs (cement pads). Good variety of holes that are easy to navigate with c ... show more ›

Well designed light to moderately wooded community park course that plays from shorts (slab markers in the grass/ground) and longs (cement pads). Good variety of holes that are easy to navigate with creative basket placement around trees that takes advantage of areas of mild elevation. Next hole directional tape is provided on the baskets. The park was clean with a couple benches and has a forgiving rough without water hazards.

There is a lot to like here! And I played it in the freezin' cold, snow and ice today! I plan a return trip in the summer. when the sane should play this course! I stopped at Dark Horse Brewery in Ma ... show more ›

There is a lot to like here! And I played it in the freezin' cold, snow and ice today! I plan a return trip in the summer. when the sane should play this course! I stopped at Dark Horse Brewery in Marshall Michigan on the way home, big time WIN!

Pros:
Nice course nestled amid a gathering of mature trees in a quiet community park. Plays through a section of the park that looks like it doesn't get much other traffic. I loved that someone earlier had cleared the teepads of snow. No snow or packed down ice on the pads, well done!

• Variety: Decent range of distances, as well as fairways that require a few different lines. Most holes are semi-open to moderately well-wooded, but all feature some particularly well placed trees you'll need to work around. Few are what I'd call heavily wooded. A "go to" stable/straight driver (over 300 feet)is a must here, but there's enough variation that I used a decent range of stabilities and disc speeds off the tee.

• Elevation: Nothing dramatic, but mild to moderately rolling terrain creates enough elevation change from tee to pin to make things interesting. Several greens are elevated or on an incline or decline,rollaway putt potential.

• Challenge: Well suited for Intermediate players. Only challenge for the Advanced players, will be on the par 3 400 footers. Bad kicks can really make you scramble to save par. But the lack of brush means missing the fairway isn't excessively punishing. Several baskets are well guarded behind stands of trees, requiring well-placed approaches.

• Course flows well, and navigation is straightforward. I loved that someone used day glow tape on one of the basket bars to point direction of next tee pad.

• Brand new Chainstars, had a couple kick outs due to single strands of chains. and the baskets are tough to see with my elderly eyes!. Great tee signs show hole # and distance.

Cons:

• Many of the holes have a similar feel, but I never thought it felt repetitive.

Not sure I liked the finish of the concrete pads. They were stained concrete with an even finish. I never felt comfortable throwing off of them. I'm used to brushed concrete.

Other Thoughts: Ella Sharp is intelligently designed and well executed. Given this parcel of land, it was never going to be a championship caliber course, but I'd say they made the most of the available property. very much a fun round.

Worth mentioning the abundance mature trees on several holes. Several times during the round, the wind picked up to the point that it affected my disc choice. Jackson Michigan and the local club have a lot to be proud of! Go check it out!

You will find yourself at almost every hole thinking of at least 2 shots you could take. Beautiful course! for being brand new the pathways are fairly clear. Easy to find your disc on just about every ... show more ›

You will find yourself at almost every hole thinking of at least 2 shots you could take. Beautiful course! for being brand new the pathways are fairly clear. Easy to find your disc on just about every hole. Although have had to help a couple people find their disc on hole 16. Absolutely no reason because its pretty much wide open. I think they planted some gnomes in the rocks to come steal discs. All and All great course for the community!