Dexter Lake Church

I am a beginner disc golfer only one year into playing this sport. Located on the east side of Battle Creek,Michigan heading towards Marshall lies this nine basket single natural teepad disc golf course on the property of Dexter Lake Church. I enter this course into the low-level practice course division and it really just is a practice course that offers a little bit of a challenge especially to a beginner like me. This course is mostly flat and offers a little elevation change but not much. ...
continue reading ›

I am a beginner disc golfer only one year into playing this sport. Located on the east side of Battle Creek,Michigan heading towards Marshall lies this nine basket single natural teepad disc golf course on the property of Dexter Lake Church. I enter this course into the low-level practice course division and it really just is a practice course that offers a little bit of a challenge especially to a beginner like me. This course is mostly flat and offers a little elevation change but not much. Some holes are next to wooded areas and one alongside a road. No water here whatsoever. This is a par 27 course and you can play 18 holes here if you go around twice. Footage distances range from the shortest hole number two at 222 feet to the longest hole number four at 477 feet. All holes are par three. Hole one starts off as a dog leg going to the right and is along side a wooded area going slightly downhill to the basket. Walking back up the hill right alongside the parking lot is hole two a simple straight shot to the hole. Across the parking lot is hole three which is an open field shot to the basket. To the left is hole number four the longest on the course and is alongside East Michigan Road. Across a cemented driveway is hole number five which dog legs to the right and is surrounded by bushes and trees. Then hole number six which goes straight but the basket is behind a line of pine trees which presents a challenge. Then over the driveway is hole seven which similar to hole six the basket is located in a line of pine trees. To the right of the basket and down a little bowl shaped valley is hole eight which is a narrow fairway going alongside a line of trees. Which can be challenging if you throw a bad shot your disc can be lodged high into the tree or lost on the bottom somewhere and I almost lost a disc here! The fairway doglegs to the left. To the left is hole number nine which is a straight shot. This course does not feature a signature hole. Teesigns are basic showing the hole number, par info and a direction of where the basket is. This would be a good course to teach the game of disc golf or show to it a friend of family member. Intermediates and pros would not be challenged here and is a good course if you want to try new techniques or test out a band new disc. Things to be wary of are not too much here as previously mentioned there are lines of trees and bushes that you can lose a disc in if not careful and to be wary of parked cars if you are playing when the church is being used. The teepads are natural and have been worn into too much and are bumpy and un-level so I would suggest teeing of the left or right of them. During the summer there is a carnival that takes place here and the property is being used for that. For the history buffs Dexter Lake Church used to be home of the old Westpointe Auto theater and some of the old power connections that used to power the theater still remain. Also this course features a memorial garden that has a granite wall that features the names of what I assume to be locals of Battle Creek that served in the wars. Which is a good personal touch and you can feel the emotion of those who were lost during the troublesome times of war. From what I hear the old Kimball Pines Disc Golf Course which is right down the road from here is returning in the fall of 2015 so those of us who live on the other side of town can have another close by option to play when coming here. If you are in the area then make sure and stop by and get a round in.
‹ less text

Pros: Easy to navigate once you find the start. You will start over by the church garage/shed. Great to see a church embrace disc golf and open it up to the public. -GREAT use of space to create holes that are mildly challenging. -Good mix of Hyzer/Anhyzer holes. -Grass is mowed and course well kept. Seems to drain well. Baskets are in pretty good shape. -Very low chance to lose a disc. No water holes. -Not too many people seem to use the course, and it flows pretty well. -Plenty of p ...
continue reading ›

Pros: Easy to navigate once you find the start. You will start over by the church garage/shed. Great to see a church embrace disc golf and open it up to the public.

-GREAT use of space to create holes that are mildly challenging.
-Good mix of Hyzer/Anhyzer holes.
-Grass is mowed and course well kept. Seems to drain well. Baskets are in pretty good shape.
-Very low chance to lose a disc. No water holes.
-Not too many people seem to use the course, and it flows pretty well.
-Plenty of parking. Must have a large congregation.

Cons: -No tee pads, but there are clear spaces where you should throw from. All sandy places where grass used to grow. I played on a very hot day, not much shade to shield you from the sun.
- Several signs are missing on a few holes(vandals have been here), but the poles are up so you can see where to throw from. I wouldn't play here on Sunday mornings when they are conducting church. A couple shots fly over their driveways and parking lot, I could see danger with church traffic.

Other Thoughts: I would give this course a higher rating if it had just a little more difficulty. No facilities for water, pack it in and pack it out. I think I remember seeing a port a potty by tee #1, for number 1 or number 2. Not a destination course by all means, but a fun warm up course before your next destination.
‹ less text