Diamond Hill DGC

Don't let my C rating fool you, my average course rating is a C. PROS: - CHARACTER - Although the big ticket items are missing, ie (multi tees, a full 18 hole course, practice basket and alt basket locations), the course has all the other creature comfort items and a few I had yet to see on a course as well. For one, until Diamond I had never seen a can of bug spray sitting on the first tee. Hole (1) also has a warm-up stretching disc as well. There are benches, bag hangers and brooms on ...
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Don't let my C rating fool you, my average course rating is a C.

PROS:
- CHARACTER - Although the big ticket items are missing, ie (multi tees, a full 18 hole course, practice basket and alt basket locations), the course has all the other creature comfort items and a few I had yet to see on a course as well. For one, until Diamond I had never seen a can of bug spray sitting on the first tee. Hole (1) also has a warm-up stretching disc as well. There are benches, bag hangers and brooms on every hole. There's a bag shelf on every hole so you can keep your stuff off the ground. Hole signage is adequate with distances and obstacles accurately shown. There's also a disc return mailbox after finishing (9). I truly was surprised by all the extras, it made the course that much more enjoyable and welcoming to play.
- TEES - Although not Concrete, they are among the better built rubber mat tees I've played on. 6 feet wide by 10 feet long. Adequate in my opinion for every hole but (4) where I had to begin my run up from off the pad.
- NAVIGATION - I had no issues without a map, first time and solo. There are arrows directing traffic on the couple of holes where the next tee is not visible. It would be nice to add a next tee arrow on hole signage. For your future benefit, I made and posted a course map on DGCR.
- CHALLENGING - About average, perhaps just a touch easier than the old layout. Most advanced players should break par. Most intermediate should be even or so.
- SHOT SHAPING - Comparing this course to Eastgate on these terms is like comparing night and day. Several fun gaps to try and hit. A few holes have multiple lines to the basket. Hole (7) has an 8 foot wide tunnel 200 feet down fairway and will require a RHBH shot to turn over a bit before S'n back to the left. Several shots need to stay low and make a correct turn.
- CHILL AREAS - As stated above, benches on every hole. There is even a bench between basket (3) and (7) tee, so a tag-a-long can take an extended pit stop while the rest of the group plays the loop of holes (4-6.)
- CHALLENGING - About average due to the technical nature of many holes. Most Intermediate players should typically finish a couple under. Rec players should typically finish a few over. Advanced players will probably be unchallenged on most of the holes, but at least its more demanding than neighboring Eastgate.
- SKILL LEVEL FRIENDLY - Not beginner level friendly but about all the other skill levels will be able to enjoy this one. Just enough imagination in the shots to please advanced players. fair enough for rec players.
- RAW BEAUTY - The course in my opinion, is a touch above average when compared to the other courses I've played. Just about no manmade structures in view and almost a fully wooded layout. A few slight elevation changes and a variety of trees and shrubs to throw around.
- QUICK PLAY - A single can easily complete a full 9 in under 30 minutes. Groups of four should finish in under an hour in normal conditions.

CONS:
You'll wish this solid 9 holer were a full 18.
- FORGIVENESS - Not all that bad but missing your shot can be quite punishing on a few areas on this course. The overgrowth can be thick but its generally not oppressive.
- TERRAIN - A little raw in a few areas. It will take a few years for this one to beat in. Probably a bit of stretch to bring disc golf cart here. you'd need some big wheels for this course.
- CHAINS - Very light chains that surprisingly did not reject any of my putts. I'm sure this will be upgraded over time.
- ELEVATION - I was hoping for more. Seems like the site could offer a 30 foot drop or so. Currently, the most any one holes dives or rises is about 15 feet.
- UNIQUENESS - Not to be confused with shot shaping (see pros), Diamond lacks the diversity of your average 18 hole course. There are no water features other than dry washes and elevation as mentioned above, is minimal. There are no dogleg holes or par 4's or 5's. There are few well done left bending pocket shots, but no shot however bends in the opposite direction. The only time I didn't throw RHBH was on (6) where I tomahawked one.
- PARKING - You literally park in a field. Normally not a concern for most, but bringing a vehicle that rides low to the ground is not a good idea.

OTHER THOUGHTS:
Diamond Disc Golf is a perfect pairing partner with nearby Eastgate. Eastgate offers long bomber holes while Diamond offers shorter technical plays. I have both courses rated about the same, but I could definitely see myself playing Diamond more often as its more shaded and I also typical prefer technical plays over bomb-it type holes. I was able to meet Jay (land owner and designer) post round and he mentioned to me that this is the only disc golf course he's ever played. From seeing this nice layout, it was a bit shocking to hear that. If you happen to run into Jay while out here, be sure a thank him for his generosity in sharing his land with the disc golf community.
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