Portage Park Disc Golf Complex

@nickemerine

83

The course needs help but has the potential to be much better. Safety concerns: Hole 1 & 2 throw along a rusty barb wire property fence, so be careful not to throw over it! Hole 3 & 4 fairways overlap. Hole 9 is blind from the tee and throws towards picnic tables and a shelter house. Some holes are a bit crowded together. There is only 1 disc golf sign on the entire course which is the free UDisc sign by the parking lot. Most holes have no designated tee areas. The practice baskets are appreciated; however, they do not match and one is too high and leaning. Currently, holes 12, 15, and 18 are knocked down with their foundations still attached, and hole 16’s basket is down by 12 with its sleeve all bent (see photos). Hole 7 is also leaning pretty bad. Hole 9’s inner chains are disconnected from the top. I’m guessing all this is from vandalism, maybe bigger foundations would help. I think the course has potential to be great with some redesign, signage, designated tees, and cleanup of brush and graffiti. Other than the chemical smells from the wastewater treatment plant, park is beautiful with lots of elevation and views. I am thankful for the time and money that was put into this course and am sad to see it in its current condition. I hope to update this review with a more positive one in the future. Ideas: Perhaps this park would be better suited for a 9 hole course with 2 pin locations per hole. Quality over quantity; this could improve the course flow and safety. Holes 1-3 could be eliminated. Start on hole 4 and move the tee back. Could maybe throw 7’s tee to 8 pin, and 8’s tee to 9 pin. Maybe could add a short hole over the river by the bridge(would need some clearing). Combine holes 10-12 into one long par 4 or 5 with the basket on top of hill at the bottom of the steps. Reconfigure holes 13-15 to flow and maybe combine 17-18 into another long par 4. I believe this could be one of the most epic 9-hole courses in Ohio.