I Designed a Secret Disc Golf Course (feat. Robbie C and Overthrow)

[@MrChmchugh]

I enjoyed this video. Thanks for that. As someone who has designed a handful of courses...and has been pretty OCD about course design details the last 5 years, I have some suggestions/critiques.. First the positives: I really like how your first thought was to find the most fun shots/fairways and not be concerned with how it all might connect together. That is a mistake many beginner designers make where they try to plan the layout in order. Find the best holes possible regardless of flow at first and make those adjustments later. I like the variety of long/short/wooded/water/elevation/forehand/backhand and multiple lines per hole. I liked how you looked back down fairways the opposite direction that you were looking at originally. I like your comment about moving a pad back to make the gap smaller for a more advanced tee. From what I could tell it seems like you spaced things well. Baskets aren't to close to teepads and you didn't try to force to much into to small of an area. That is another very common beginner designer mistake. It is a really good little property with very little clearing required. That helps a ton as far as being able to see the lines and plan out a design. Honestly, from a first look perspective you did a really nice job. I have a question: I'm guessing that this will always be a private course and will never have more than 1 or 2 groups max at a time? Just a few friends? That makes a big difference. Is there a bridge to cross the water near hole 9? Are there places to cross the water elsewhere? Some suggestions: The water is a great feature that could be utilized more. If it was a course design with a budget, building a way to allow players to cross the water in another location may be a priority. Personally, I'm a fan of holes that make players decide whether they are going to lay up short of the water or try to carry it. I'm sure you are aware crossing fairways are very discouraged on a public course. It's a liability. You reach so many viewers it might be helpful to mention that detail for those who may not understand that? Please make sure you are spreading good design philosophy even if it doesn't really matter on a private course. You mention the possibility of a mando on hole 1. If it ended up like that, calling that area inside the fence ob instead of a mando is probably a better way to go about it. Mandatories should be used as little as possible (don't take my word for it, john houck makes that statement in his routing class). Some of those holes are pretty short considering the foliage density. What skill level is your target demographic? There are probably opportunities to stretch them out. I'm not seeing how things flow between hole 1 and 2 and hole 2 and 3? How are those walk outs? Walking out back down the fairway you just threw is poor design. Make sure the walkout angle is 90 degrees or wider angle from the last fairway (I hope you know what I mean?) Maybe it's because I haven't walked the property so I'm sure there are details I haven't seen. Anyway, great first pass. I hope you do more of these type of videos in the future. Thanks.

[@TrashPandaDiscGolf]

Thanks for the great feedback! Your thoughtful comment epitomizes how much of a beginner I am and how much goes into a truly great course design, which many take for granted. (I especially resonated with your note about "spreading good design philosophy.") To be clear: this course was meant to be a private and temporary course. Hope that clears up a few things!

[@lanepemberton8886]

I like the other commenter's idea of a par 4 finishing over the gap across the river. Maybe make the player start farther down the river, layup to the gap, and shoot across it. Overall, yes, that's an unusually great property for disc golf

[@da_fabse4495]

You are so right, as a disc golfer you see potential for a hole or two (or maybe a short course) in every property :D I have these thought in like every park i walk through as well!

[@kizzaht]

Looks awesome. My one criticism would be that it doesn't end very close to where it begins. Although not a necessity, having 9 holes that can seamlessly be played twice for 18 is a big bonus to me.

[@TheGreysunday]

8 or 9 are my favorites. Tight lines and nice obstacles.

[@MonkeyFreeZone]

yes - definitely do more of these. I don't think we would need to twist your arm. I'd love to design a course and this video plus Lego theHutt's comments makes it clear how much I have to learn.

[@nolanfrank582]

That's interesting!

[@cruze_ace923]

it makes my days better when your videos come out, thank you

[@TrashPandaDiscGolf]

This comment made my day better, thank you 🖤

[@danielandersson4582]

I would’ve loved to do a longer hole over the river. To get more of a risk/reward thing going, although that probably would need a few of the bushes cleared. Don’t know of that was an option or not.

[@hendrikus88]

Interesting video. What a great property. I have 1.3 acres and managed to cram 3 baskets with multiple tee locations. What I would do to that much land. Lol

[@scottgray7849]

Reinvest in a great outdoor mic. The way you assessed the land was pretty creative, it was apparent you were designing with a mix of shots required, risk/reward, views of the terrain. Hopefully you get a chance to design again. If you do consider wind exposure, if doing landscaping as well different green materials to add difficulty in approach shots (mulch, sand, skid platform for skip ace shots, etc.), consider location where most players land for added ideas or requirements and finding something that makes the design uniquely yours (a signature more or less) would be super cool. For the flow, I am not a fan of any holes that cross over so 5 and 6 and going from 8 to 9 aren't ideal. Number 1 hole I would have turned into a par 4/5 and flipped it so number 9 green and number 1 tee pad flow together, this brings landing zones and more of the fence into play. As it stands the holes seem cool, the walk from 1 green to 2 teepad isn't ideal (hence another reason for the flip and a redesign of holes 5 thru 8 in layout so you aren't crossing over or walking back into danger (when more then one person is playing) which unfortunately requires hole 5 to change slightly longer and back into the opening of trees between 3 shot shape and 6 teepad and then the lengthening of hole 8 further uptowards the new number 5 green so that the walk to number nine is clean with a view of multiple holes happening in the process so it would be a plus with minimal changes and fun congregation zones around 2 and 3's teepad, 5 and 9's teepad, views of 5 and 8's greens simultaneously as well as a mix point around number 6's teepad. Thoughts? Favourite hole (and yes I am Canadian hence the spelling of favourite) was Hole 3 or Hole 7 both were pretty cool flights required.

[@clnfreakone8486]

Hole 3 is the one I want to throw …The fact you are looking at where to put tee pads and holes after a rain is key … you can see standing water spots … I play a local course that about day after a rain there is a 20ft puddle around the basket

[@TrashPandaDiscGolf]

Didn’t even think about that! Great point 👏

[@averyprice9422]

We have a park in Decatur, Alabama called Delano.. there needs to be a disc golf course there...

[@jonharris3476]

Super interesting, I think course design is fascinating. Topography, prevailing winds, and trees and fence lines are all part of the picture. But, who's playing the course is maybe the biggest factor. Is this a championship level layout to challenge crushers and tight wooded technical lines for the touch wizards or is it a place for beginners, families, kids or intermediates to play. I'm an intermediate player, I know when I play my local championship course at 8870' I'm going to get spanked on the 850'+ par 4's. Love your stuff Jesse! Great collab with other good DG guys!

[@ddownham]

I like when the gap you gap you have to hit is at the end of a teeshot, so Hole 5 looked the most "interesting" to me. Great idea!

[@slappomatthew]

when will you make full sized discs? I not really into mini's but would like to try your products.

[@andershaugen4738]

WOW. This was so well produced!

[@TrashPandaDiscGolf]

Thanks Anders!

[@damnrights_gaming5332]

Well thank you for this video it came at the right time for me. I am hosting a few events this year. And one of them will be at a paintball field. Where I have to create the course all by myself. So this video give me lots of ideas on what I should do. And how to go about it. I am hoping to partner with trash panda for this event and get some starter packs from you guys. Just waiting to hear back and I would love to play whole nine looks like it be a challenge.

[@LegacyOrchestraCollective]

Interesting! ;) also, hole 7 & 9 seems legit fun. I dig it Jesse!

[@jakehill1218]

Great video! A friend of mine is designing a new local course and I’ve gotten to see him struggle to make the layout work where you don’t walk a mile to the next tee. Forces you to make a few sacrifices for the flow of the round

[@jist6953]

Take your time...good course design has to rest and marinade...then it changes...and changes again. Kind of like a excellent bread, the idea and overall vision has to proof, and that takes some time.

[@Manos1394]

What program did you use to draw the layouts/maps?

[@TrashPandaDiscGolf]

Illustrator & Photoshop 👌

[@jtsdeals]

Hole 1 seemed like it should be a hard par 3, am I wrong?

[@TrashPandaDiscGolf]

Could be! But as someone who can throw over 500', I couldn't get the birdie unless it was a throw in due to the mando fence line.

[@jtsdeals]

Hmm should every hole on a course be birdieable? I think that's a pretty generous standard for par - many courses have holes that almost no one in the pro field birdies which I think is a good thing. Having hole one hit you with that out of the gate can be effective. I like the layout, just playing devil's advocate here.

[@jonharris3476]

@@jtsdeals I think in terms of design, Hole 1 is not the place to win / lose a round. My preference would be a fair hole that allows me to make an honest par with shots players already have in their bag. Crush my spirits hole 4 onwards, let me dream of the perfect round for a few holes. .

[@maxwellplank3642]

Flow might actually be the hardest aspect of design😉 and also the most fun!

[@maxwellplank3642]

Would love to see the possibility of less cross traffic design here. Awesome work though

[@tyler.n52]

I’d love to play the 517 par 4, since it’s a sharp right turn and I’m a lefty!🙃🙃

[@jerzup]

It looks really great, the property is amazing. My favorite hole is probably 7 too. What I noticed is that the walks between holes 1-2-3 look quite long and backtracking so it ruins the flow some. I think hole one could be the finishing hole but thrown the other way and then start at hole 2. Possibly add a new first hole that would cross the river from the yard towards hole 2, unless there wasn't any good possible fairways

[@ronmellen-stier1081]

This video was interesting.

[@anthonyseng8715]

I really like holes 5 and 9. I always knew course designers rubbed their hands together menacingly!

[@TrashPandaDiscGolf]

🤣

[@michaelblair7141]

They all look fun. 3, 6, or 9 would be my choice.

[@ColonelMustard]

I would love to design a course. I'm wanting to get some land and 3 baskets with 3 tees each to make a 9 hole budget home course. 😁

[@chaosphere14]

Looks like a lot of fun! It'll be cool to see how this course evolves throughout the different seasons. My favorite hole is 1 - 9. 🤣

[@Slugalicious]

that's interesting, I say interesting....A LOT!

[@itzkiesler]

Take a drink everytime he says "interesting" 😆 Great video! Keep up the great work!

[@TrashPandaDiscGolf]

🤣

[@TheBrayday]

The quality of your videos are awesome man! Would love to catch a round sometime. Hopefully I see you around!

[@JMZBros]

Super interesting video

[@ssicari]

very intersting

[@lo_bop2826]

Very interesting video. Looked like a ton of fun!

[@Aygeevee]

I’ve always wanted a course with a technical shot, then power shot. And continuing on. So like a techie par 5 that is short, but is almost like a lightening bolt; then a 800ft par 4 that’s all open. Don’t know if that would play well. But I hear all the time of people sticking to one disc for multiple shots, and I think it would be fun to change it up.

[@TrashPandaDiscGolf]

Sounds super interesting! Love the idea Amanda 👏

[@TheTechnatron]

I've built two small privet courses and worked on larger ones as well, If you would like some good info I'm more then happy to help. And I would like to play Hole 8 most.

[@carystallings6068]

I've said this before on another video, but you actually have an 18 hole course, ( at least ). Find a different tee for hole 9, then continue to play backwards. All the angles, elevations, and guardian trees will be different. The wife and I made a course this way on our 10 acre property using only 7 baskets, and it plays and feels like an 18 hole course.

[@sc3639]

I designed my own too. Now I need to get my local town to finance and accept it lol

[@brettmchan2855]

Hole 7 seems like the one I want to play because I could throw a bunch of different shot shapes and spent an hour just playing that hole. Gut reaction is grab my discraft archer and throwing a slight turnover shot up the middle

[@brown2357]

Hole 2, dead straight. Ya'll gave me a heart attack with that huge hyzer. RobbieC had the right idea!

[@TrashPandaDiscGolf]

🤣

[@Jadenyoung_dg]

I would want to play the whole thing

[@docxen]

the flooding thing made me think...could you imagine like flood gates so you can choose to add water making more "natural" ob for a harder course or not flooding to make an easier course. also in the wise words of DD Eric McCabe make sure you walk the holes backwards for unique shot ideas.

[@OklahyzerDiscGolf]

I fortunately live on 8 acres and have been designing my course for about 2 years, it's been exhausting, expensive and it's still far from being completed, but I've managed to squeeze 18 holes on 8 acres, if you ever find yourself in the Oklahoma City area, give me a shout. I'd love to show you around.

[@TrashPandaDiscGolf]

Sounds amazing! Deal 🤘

[@edhocken3512]

Interesting

[@mik31337]

One thing I know is the baskets need to be anchored to the ground or wind will blow them over and bend them at least 10x a year, at least where I live.

[@opopo8055]

this is me every time I go for a walk in the forest or park.

[@jadonschwartz8598]

@trashpandadiscgolf I know that I'm throwing the inner core on several of these holes

[@calebdyer6332]

I would so love to design a course

[@DirtyFrag]

hmmm interesting...

[@nate4553]

This whole video is great, albeit… interesting.

[@Schwick-wc7uo]

Drone views?? Play-tweek-repeat Greens with trees inside circle one More Lefty holes Back nine designed with different t-pads, reverse direction.

[@DGAFORLIFE]

Do you play warzone??? cause i have been playing with a trash panda acct on warzone :)

[@TrashPandaDiscGolf]

haha nope!

[@cooper.h8193]

Is it interesting?

[@shineshinexc]

Holes are too short

[@lukezacharias3245]

Found this video interesting…

[@timquakenbush9416]

I find disc golf has ruined unused land for me, all I see is fairways and greens...

[@BillFromAZ]

It was "interesting" how many times you said "interesting".