bad golf comes to Trussville

[ditchell]

Being one of those disc golfers that constantly get to explore the rough areas of a course, I had no idea what I was getting into when 4 other hacks and I showed up to Trussville at noon on Saturday. I thought I'd write up a little mini review of Trussville for those who..well, we're not really that good at making things go straight just yet.

#1- This is the first course I've played other than George Ward. So when I see #1 tucked into that little hole, surrounded by trees I feel a great sense of dread. I did, however, par it.

#2. Seriously guys. This is ridiculous. I climbed down a ravine to get my Aviar. A RAVINE. The next time I play #2 I'm throwing putters and left.

#3. After #2, I was concerned that it was going to be a rough day. From the tee, this hole looks horribly scary. I cleared the tunnel with a suprisingly straight shot with my putter, and suddenly the course was wide open. Bogey

#4-#16. Loved all these holes. Challenging and not too long. I had some pars, I had some bogeys, I had my usual once-a-round banger GT rolling 50 feet after hitting a basket. One day I'm going to melt that thing on my grill. There is one of these...15 maybe? That is incredibly long from the pro tees.

#17. If you designed #17 and are reading this, I hope you're happy. I won't give you the pleasure of recounting what happened to all 5 of us on 17, but it was ugly. Left is a poor choice... I'll say that.

#18. I will never, ever tee off from the pro tees on 18 again. ever.

Anyway, I want to thank you guys for doing all the hard work out there. we had a blast and will be back (wearing jeans and shoes- we had a guy in sandals and lets just say it didnt go well).

ditchell

[Parkntwoputt]

#2. Seriously guys. This is ridiculous. I climbed down a ravine to get my Aviar. A RAVINE. The next time I play #2 I'm throwing putters and left.

#18. I will never, ever tee off from the pro tees on 18 again. ever.

I am guessing that it will not make you feel any better to find out that the placement for #2 is the designed short placement. The long placement is planned for an additional 75-80ft back into the woods.

And as far as #18 is concerned, the pro tee box is going to be moved back about 10-15ft.

I definately think that the Am pads should be utilized when necessary. Some days I feel like I should be throwing from the Am pads.


When we were out on Saturday afternoon, playing a singles round after doubles, a woman with her two teenage children were walking through the park and came up to us. We explained the course and the sport, and how great Trussville is for having a new disc golf course. They decided to watch us tee off for hole one. It was a nice advertisement for Disc Golf Birmingham and the game when I almost aced #1 and have the disc settle right under the basket.

Glad you like the course.

I think the new word of the year for Disc Golf Birmingham is "Poison Oak". :eek:

["Tiger"]

Yeah, I must say trussville is a course designed to strenghten your game, especially your accuracy off the tee. GW allows a bad tee shot to be easily saved if you have a good approach game. Trussville will make you pay...severely...and then laugh at you. But its a great course and I definately look forward to playing it more often.

[Tim Keith]

If you are a new player i would suggest playing from the "am " tee's, at least on 2, 3, 17, and 18. the pro tee's were designed, well for pro's or people that can control the flight of there disc. this is not an open course, you have to make your disc do what you want, not just throw it and hope for the best. this course will make you a better player in the long run! once again if your not ready for the pro tee's play the am tee's no one will think any lesser of you that is why we put them there. also don't forget that 2, 17 and 18 still have work to be done on them, we just wanted to get the baskets in the ground to give people another course to play.

TK

[Justin L]

ditchell, thanks for the great review! Just to get an idea of your skill level, what do you ususally shoot at GW?

Also, re: 18...when we get the concrete tee poured it will help this hole A LOT. The fact that you worry about your footing AND the tiny tunnel you have to throw down mankes that hole redicoulusly hard.

Were you guys able to find your way around without to much trouble?

[brianlmoon]

The key is that you guys only have played GW. If you have ever played somewhere like Mastin Lake in Huntsville or Chickasabouge in Mobile, you would see that Trussville is not all that tight, or tough.

I played my first round ever out there on Friday. It was a feeling out round. I think it was a 63 or 64. I was leaving most drives short. I hit metal many times from long putts. Many baskets are much deeper than they look from the tee. I figured that out about hole 13. I almost went OB on that one. Until there are distances on the tee signs, its gonna be tough the first few times people play there. I got the birdie on 7. The drive was still short.

Its much more dueceable than I expected. I can see dueces on 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14. I did not expect to see that many holes reachable from the tee. 1, 5 and 16 could be reached by the longer arms as well. 2 and 17 could, but you would be a fool to try. You could get close enough for a long run though. So, high 40s for pros at a tournament would not suprise me at all.

10, 15 and 18 are easily 3-able, but easily screwed up for 4s as well.

The toughest parts of 2, 3, 17 and 18 is footing on the second shot. On 2, I had a decent tee shot, but was left standing with one foot on a boulder and the other in a hole. I don't see a good shot over 200' on that hole. I think I will just throw putter to the turn from now on and leave myself with a long second, but good footing. Of course, going in the hole makes an easy 3.

With 18, you can throw whatever you need to get past the debris and ditches. The main thing on that one is clearing the bad terrain. I am not talking about limbs either, its just rocky, unlevel ground. Makes a good hazard. Keeps people from just pitching out off the tee.

[Parkntwoputt]

I agree with you for the most part Brian.

Except for this, out of the 4 recorded singles rounds I have played at Civitan, I have taken two 3's, one 2 and one 4 on hole #2. However, those two threes were a 20ft spit out for hitting high right chains, then the latest 3 was because I threw about 30ft past the basket and doinked the easy putt. It is reachable, but like you said, suicidal. The safe route is putter/putter. Just don't go into the "bowl".

#17, Unless it is a fairway ace, no way can anyone get a duece on this hole from the pro pad.

#18 has yet to be finally cleared, but yes, getting out of the woods is key on the drive, hence why I choose to throw a midrange instead of a driver to get the added control.

Civitan is not as difficult as some people are making it out to be. Also, the "open" holes are not as easy as everyone makes them because they require percision drives with a decent amount of distance from the pro pads.

The terrain will only get "better" as more people play it. The small stumps will die and rot away. Underbrush will become manageable, and eventually the city is spraying for poison oak and ivy in the fairways. But I still would not recommend anyone play in sandals. I like the boulders as they give a new aesthetic effect to the course and create some unique skips and landings from shots.

The pro pads are not for recreational players. They are true blue level pads which are designed for top advanced players and average pros. GW's cement pads are actually White level which is a tad easier.

[brianlmoon]

Except for this, out of the 4 recorded singles rounds I have played at Civitan, I have taken two 3's, one 2 and one 4 on hole #2. However, those two threes were a 20ft spit out for hitting high right chains, then the latest 3 was because I threw about 30ft past the basket and doinked the easy putt. It is reachable, but like you said, suicidal. The safe route is putter/putter. Just don't go into the "bowl".

I think you are agreeing with me actually.

[Parkntwoputt]

I think you are agreeing with me actually.

I think you are calling me a fool.:p

['nooga Jeff]

now Trussville sounds like a good place to throw a round or two. I may have to figure out a day to drive over afterwork and get some time on this course. Thankfully the days are getting longer ... is it as tight as the Sinks?

[Justin L]

Only for maybe one or two throws.

All these people that are saying its tight have only played George Ward. Trussville is a VERY good golf course, great mix of shots. But it isn't nearly as technical as the sinks, although trussville probably has a better mix of shots.

['nooga Jeff]

still sounds like a grand place... love new challanges, I'm now working just across the GA line off of I 20 so it's a skip and a jump to get there... abit over a hour or so....

[ditchell]

Hey Justin,

All of us who went to Trussville shoot in the 90s or low 100s at GW (we always play the "enchanted forest" as we call it so that's for 24 holes not 18).

We also had a friend who was playing his 2nd round ever

Hence the title "bad golf"


oh and regarding the whole pro tees thing... yeah we should probably be on the Am tees. I think it was a consensus amoung us that 2, 17, and 18 will be Am tees holes for us next time we're out there.:D


ditchell, thanks for the great review! Just to get an idea of your skill level, what do you ususally shoot at GW?

Also, re: 18...when we get the concrete tee poured it will help this hole A LOT. The fact that you worry about your footing AND the tiny tunnel you have to throw down mankes that hole redicoulusly hard.

Were you guys able to find your way around without to much trouble?

[brianlmoon]

Trussville is a VERY good golf course, great mix of shots.

There is variety, it just comes in spurts. I wish that there were not so many back to back of the same thing. 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 all feel like the same tee shot over and over. Maybe a little more hyzer here or there. Maybe a little up hill or down hill. They are fine shots, they just felt like the same thing over and over.

1, 2, 3, 5, 15, 17, 18 on the other hand are very unique.

To be clear, I love the course and thank Tim and Joe foreva for putting it in. Just taking part in the discussion. I also understand that you have to take what the land gives you. And Tim and Joe did a good job of using what they had to make a good course.

[Parkntwoputt]

There is variety, it just comes in spurts. I wish that there were not so many back to back of the same thing. 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 all feel like the same tee shot over and over. Maybe a little more hyzer here or there. Maybe a little up hill or down hill. They are fine shots, they just felt like the same thing over and over.

1, 2, 3, 5, 15, 17, 18 on the other hand are very unique.

I guess it is execution style.

No arguement on your unique ones though.

#4 - two totally different options. Lefty hyzer/RHBH turnover or the RHBH flex shot. I guess you could take Michaels route and throw it right down the middle.

#6 - I take the high risk dead straight shot. I will give you this is similar to #9.

#7 straight flat to the right, getting it to stop and fade on the downhill is the difficulty.

#8 - uphill straight with the OB creek between trees makes an exciting needle threader. Similar to #16, while 16 is longer, 8 is uphill. I throw the exact same shot on both holes.

#11 - a refreshing dinker after #10. But there is no other low hyzer skip shots.

#12 - standard hyzer shot once navigating the big pine.

#13 - well ok, this is similar to #7

I see your arguments, and can see exactly where these holes can "feel" the same. But I believe the true challenge and difference between the holes is when you mess up your tee shot and you will see the differences the landscapes makes on the holes. Any course appears easy when you shoot the lines well.

I am not picking fights, I just like having a good discussion.:D

[brianlmoon]

#4 - two totally different options.

Yeah, I didn't list 4. =)

#6 - I take the high risk dead straight shot. I will give you this is similar to #9.

I must be missing any other option on that hole. The only viable line is straight.

#7 straight flat to the right, getting it to stop and fade on the downhill is the difficulty.

I ended up 10 feet short on a straight shot. No problems stopping.

#8 - uphill straight with the OB creek between trees makes an exciting needle threader. Similar to #16, while 16 is longer, 8 is uphill. I throw the exact same shot on both holes.

Does the creek really come in to play on either of these? It seems to be mostly for looks.

#11 - a refreshing dinker after #10. But there is no other low hyzer skip shots.
#12 - standard hyzer shot once navigating the big pine.


I threw an air Roc all the way there on 11. No skip needed that I saw. Very much like 12. Just a hyzer Roc.

I see your arguments, and can see exactly where these holes can "feel" the same. But I believe the true challenge and difference between the holes is when you mess up your tee shot and you will see the differences the landscapes makes on the holes. Any course appears easy when you shoot the lines well.

Really? I have read that some think its hard to recover on these holes. Recovery is only tough to me on 1-3, 5, 14, 17-18. The rest are really wide open if you get off to the left or right.

I am not picking fights, I just like having a good discussion.:D

You bully. =)

[Parkntwoputt]

On #6 there is a lefty hyzer or righty sidearm route. Or a even more suicidal RHBH hyzer skip shot down the level area near the creek, but the long grass would kill the skips.

[Justin L]

I think when Kris says these holes are hard to recover from he's speaking specifically as compared to GW.

Is there really a hole at GW that is _hard_ to recover on? Maybe B or C? None of the orgional 18 though...all the trouble is SO far away from the tee.

At trussville you're going to see a bigger variety of shots because you WILL hit some trees early in the flight path and you'll see some tricky recovery shots then.

Or thats my take anyway.

[brianlmoon]

I think when Kris says these holes are hard to recover from he's speaking specifically as compared to GW.

Sure, compared to GW, it is tricky. Because I work in Huntsville 2 days a week, I play Brahn and Mastin much more than GW. I guess its all about what you are used to.

Trussville will improve GW player's approach game for sure.

[Parkntwoputt]

Is this the toughest course I have ever played, well no. It is one of the tougher ones in the state though. Brahan is not even in the same league as Trussville. Trussville (blues) is not a recreational course, maybe the Am pads will be as easy as Brahan.

Trussville is a great compliment to GW.

Playing Trussville regularly can help players lower their scores at GW by 2-3 shots/round.

[brianlmoon]

Brahan is not even in the same league as Trussville.

You underestimate the simplicity of Brahan my friend. Is it pitch and putt? Sure. But, you better pitch and putt better than everyone else in your division. Your 58 proves that (http://sndg.org/stats/event.php/508#player_73093) =)

And if you get off line at Brahan, the approaches can be tougher than Trussville (not including 2,3,17).

["Tiger"]

At trussville you need distance AND accuracy. At Brahan (with the exception of number 1) you only need accuracy. I think thats why you can say brahan and trussville aren't in the same league. Nothing against brahan, its a great compliment to UAH. But I would say excluding Redstone, Mastin is the best course up there.

[Parkntwoputt]

Yeah, yeah yeah, you mention a single round I had out at Brahan, but did you look at the second round at the AAO this spring? One of the best scores.

I think Brahan is a wonderful development course for two reasons. First it is short, that allows beginners who have not developed the technique needed to throw far. Secondly, it helps develop a multitude of shots.

But I do not think that Brahan is a good tournament course. Why? Statistically it is too easy, sure I struggle at it, but that is a personal opinion only. But SSA at Brahan is somewhere around 43-44. If Huntsville were to ever hold the Worlds again, I imagine that Brahan would not be used for this very reason.

I have nothing wrong with Brahan being a pitch and putt course. With exception to #5 long and a few new placements, #11 long, #13 long, #16 long George Ward is a pitch and putt, albiet a long pitch and putt, most traveling tournament players can reach all pin placements in one shot with relative ease.

I think Trussville is going to be a great tournament course. The dueceable holes are tough enough where not everyone will duece them, there will be a majority of pars and there will be scattered bogeys. That is what I look at when I am evaluating a course in my own opinions.

Now, I have never cussed Brahan like our friend "Tiger" did after his performance there at the AAO. Not even after my Alabama States debacle.:eek:

["Tiger"]

the wind ok. the wind. And I didn't cuss brahan I just wasn't very happy with it :D

[brianlmoon]

At trussville you need distance AND accuracy.

On 3 or 4 holes maybe? Lets just say we are talking about reaching the hole in 1 throw. That means you would need "distance" on 1, 8 (maybe) 16. The rest are Roc shots. The long holes at Trussville can not be reached in 1 realistically.

[Ben S.]

I was there in ditchell's group when we threw Trussville. We had a lot of fun but i am definitely wearing boots next time we go. Any idea on when the cement tees will be ready? Is there a day planned when we can help out with anything?

Also, we are planning to get a group together to go and throw in Huntsville soon. Any suggestions on which courses we should try to hit?

[Justin L]

Hey Ben, glad you guys enjoyed Trussville.

Check this website occasionally for work days, we try to get them posted a couple weeks in advance.

Concrete tees will hopefully be happening sometime next month. There is a "concrete fund" that Tom has if you're ever at GW when he is. Also, lookup TK or Joe.

As far as Hunstivlle goes if you know anyone that works on Redstone Aresenal you deffinetly should play the course on the base.

UAH is a _VERY_ tough, long, grueling course. I usually shoot around par at GW and 65 is decent round for me at UAH.

Maston Lake recently got concrete tee-pads which make this a much improved course. If the holes were marked better i would recommend this one, but it can be kind of hard to find your way around.

Brahan Springs is like the anti-GW. Its short, wooded, and frustrating...lol. If you want something the polar opposite of GW then Brahan is your course!