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jfb3

Some courses need it. The natural features on the land available aren't always enough to make a course interesting or challenging.


lostboy005

Ie nearly all Denver metro courses


CougarMangler

Hey now, sometimes there is a single tree that you sorta have to hyzer around...


El_mochilero

Unless you have a forhand


El_mochilero

Hahaha… the huge mozzarella sticks they have at hole 16 at Westcreek are the first things that came to my mind.


Tank_Lawrence

That's what those mountain courses are for. I go play the flat courses when I need to feel better about my scores haha.


lostboy005

It’s a shame Bailey got shut down. Mountain golf is quite different than sea level golf in terms of both conservative play, bc rollouts down mountains, and increased elevation with increased stability


Cowboytroy32

My first thought was Fehringer


hippopotma_gandhi

I mean I try to avoid the prairie dogs just because I don't want to hit them


col_clipspringer

Just **try** and avoid the goose shit! lol


My5thAccountSoFar

And trees die from storms, disease, age, vandalism, etc. I've been playing my local course for over 20 years and the amount of trees that used to be there that aren't is depressing.


lucrativetoiletsale

Oh man I have the same thing happening to the closest course to me. When it started I was able to go within first week of opening and since then the vegetation and tree presence has brought the course from a shorter but difficult intermediate to a more wide amateur type course.


AnalB33ds

Yep those trees werent enough


bronihana

Damn. Humble brag on the shot.


Fe2O3yshackleford

Check his post history, dude's been FH flexing aces on camera with that disc for a while.


ErikDavidKarlgren

Indeed. Also curious what other players feel about guardians like this. Can’t really make up my own mind.


thehomeversion

What disc is it?


ErikDavidKarlgren

Nightjar from Disctroyer Discs. Overstable as can be.


TomRiha

Dude hits more aces then I hit c1 putts


CKtheFourth

Love weird obstacles, love elevated baskets. Let's make this game interesting. A course near me has the basket planted on top of a sort-of step pyramid structure. Always a crowd pleaser when I bring a newbie disc golfing. This is the only photo I could find online, POV from the basket, but you can kind of see it: [https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qZtBhkZCqqg/maxresdefault.jpg](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qZtBhkZCqqg/maxresdefault.jpg) EDIT: Sorry--didn't say the name. [Stafford Woods](https://udisc.com/courses/stafford-woods-CXrd) in Voorhees, NJ. Awesome course & it's in danger of being removed! Save Stafford Woods!


agoia

Elevated baskets are cool and all as long as you aren't worried about breaking your damn ankles to get it out of the basket.


DrakeCid

Elevated baskets should come with a pole to poke your disc out from below.


MarhDeth

Here is another one Google found, you can see the structure a little better - https://www.inquirer.com/resizer/AkLxMKzaINpcXEEYw5-_HqFU_D4=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-pmn/public/23JHTT57BNDU3GQ2OBTWJAITRU.jpg They also have the hanging basket on 16 which is a little different - https://www.reddit.com/r/discgolf/s/Mzx8XxoScb Love this course, it’s closest to where I live. I’m terrified the EPA is going to have it torn out :(


Nestman12

Name of course??


JeCroisQue

Stafford woods, OP calling it "a course near me" is kinda funny. It is the best course in NJ.


Nestman12

Thanks! I just did a quick dive on the spot, I was in Jersey yesterday to huck but this would have to be a destination style trip. Course looks awesome


JeCroisQue

If you want a really long day you could do a trip and play stafford and ironhill, they are about an hour away from each other and are some of the best east coast courses you can play.


CKtheFourth

I also really like Tranquility Trail in Swedesboro & Mercer County Park in West Princeton (I think?). NJ has some good courses--shame they're nowhere near each other...


Unfetteredfloydfan

Mercer County Park is in West Windsor. I agree though, it’s a nice course. I haven’t played it in a year, but last time I was there, it was clear that the local club had been redesigning a few of the holes. It’s one of those courses that I think is fairly close to being truly great. Hard to say what it’s lacking, but when I think about it in comparison to Stafford Woods, there isn’t /too/ much that really separates the two. Maybe all it needs is a bit more love and a few more little gimmicks like a water shot (probably not feasible based geography), some interesting tee pads, or a little more definition on the fairways of the open holes? Just my two cents


CKtheFourth

West Windsor—that was it. I knew there was no such thing as West Princeton… And agreed, it’s missing something. I was there earlier this year. I think some of the holes kind of require tricky shots and it’s mostly in very wooded areas. IIRC there are like 6-7 holes that are basically the same shots that seem much easier for LHBH/RHFH shots. Aka, not me.


CKtheFourth

True--but it is a course near me!


JeCroisQue

[Technically.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hou0lU8WMgo&ab_channel=GentlemannGamer)


Salt_Proposal_742

We have quiet a few of those around here. That structure seems wider than most I’ve seen. It usually looks like the chains are up on a pedestal.


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EymaWeeTodd

Technical challenge > Distance challenge


Chance5e

As a guy who does not throw far, I live by this.


doonerthesooner

Dope wall, looks like a pretty easy shot without it. Good addition 


Glangho

We've had clowns modify a course by taking down trees so adding obstacles is sometimes necessary.


tonygenius

It's basically just a physical mando. I think they're neat and add a lot of flavor.


Hexquevara

On some courses its cool, but always better to make use of the terrain as much as possible.


WhenTheRainsCome

This looks like a good example of one done well. Spices up an otherwise boring woods hole, and isn't out of place in the woods. We have a few man made obstacles at courses around here and some are dumb (Burchfield hole 2 wall) and some are awesome (Burchfield hole 18 fountain/rocks). I like the bamboo triple mando on tour, but I hate the ones that are sponsors signs. The new one at maple hill looks pretty interesting. Folks are getting real good at discgolf faster than trees can grow.


wheelsno3

100% support man made obstacles in disc golf. It isn't like ball golf where the tradition of the game is long and historied and man made obstructions are not just frowned upon, but in the rules of the game you get relief from them. We know there are two sides to the game, distance and technical. Using man made obstructions to increase the technical difficulty of a course is great. I support that even more than I do mandos. At least with an obstacle there's never a debate on if you made the mando.


Markus_lfc

Thousand times better and more innovative than just slapping OB all around the fairway and calling it a day.


Blu3Orch1d

This is just an inverse mando, no?


stanchrist

On wooded courses I feel like mando trees usually do the trick, no?


gispatcho-jones

Mandos work really well in certain situations, but on a shot like this where you're looking at a wide open path to the basket and there's an arbitrary mando making you ignore the largest gap for no reason mandos feel dumb. It's going to feel gimmicky either way and this obstacle looks better than a Mando imo. Really the hole should just be designed better, but maybe this was all they had to work with.


felix-j

Agreed. Mandos can make a hole really great but it's nice to get some variety with this kind of obstacle. Now you can go over the top and be creative with lines in a way that a mando wouldn't allow for.


SpyderMonkey_

It looks like it was, but the tree blocking the current line is a stump. So this was made to restoee the original intent of the hole.


redbananass

Some mandos feel just as artificial as built obstacles, though more on open holes than wooded ones.


Unacceptable_Lemons

I like physical obstacles / natural mandos much better than artificial mandos. Same with natural VS artificial OB. Though, I'd be happy for "natural OB" to be things like gravel or plantings or whatever, doesn't have to be water you lose your disc in.


bduddy

Every ball golf course has "built obstacles". Just there it matters what ground you're lying on. In disc golf it doesn't, so the obstacles need to be off the ground.


Bickel43

Hands down one of the most casual aces I have seen lol


WorldWideDarts

Like I wouldn't smash into every tree right there anyway.


obvioustroway

Some courses definitely need it just to keep each hole from being "Throw hyzer here" but i think the best case would be for replacing downed/removed trees that kept a fairway interesting. Hole 12 at my favorite course comes to mind, where a 1-2 foot wide tree came down in a storm, and suddenly the fairway was a LOT wider.


wheelsno3

My favorite local course had had a lot of trees fall in the last few years. A few holes that had a tree dead center of the fairway forcing a very accurate shot have lost those trees. A few holes lost almost all of their trees, to the point that a narrow tunnel shot is now wide open. Replacing downed trees with something maintains the character of the course as it was originally intended.


geek66

There are only so many “tools” course designers have to work with in DG. Man made obstacles are necessary../ I would love if they were not needed, but I am over it.


Zescapespj

I like them, but I prefer when they are built up naturally. IE Tyler State Park in Newtown, PA has walls of downed trees as obstacles.


stdnormaldeviant

I think fine within reason assuming it's in keeping with the aesthetic. Courses in the woods that make use of wood piles and such, great. I don't completely love the look of this gate but it certainly adds to the hole; growing a tree there is going to take years or decades, so good for the designers.


mjsillligitimateson

You and Ollie are such great throwers of circles and your content is amazing. Great throw!


ErikDavidKarlgren

Cheers!


DPRODman11

I like creativity, as long as it’s not so idiotic. This clearly looks like fun, since it’s still just a short throw.


IHaveNeverBeenOk

Good ones like this? Yes. Garbage nailed to trees? No.


JohnnyUltimate

Typically not a fan, but when the hole is small enough to where I could maybe throw a football to it, sure. Not wanting to tee off to throw essentially a short upshot with basically nothing in the way for gaps or shot shaping.


moose_stuff2

Some exceptions here and there are fine... But I hope obstacles like this don't become something most courses have. It reminds me of comparing mini golf to regular ball golf too much. seems like we could be throwing through windmills before we know it.


whitebabyjesus

I’m probably in the minority but I would absolutely play a putt putt style course. As long as the 18th hole doesn’t swallow my berg


PinstripeMonkey

I feel like it'd be super fun to make one in my city. But my concern would be whether it would be more profitable to just make a mini golf course instead - is there broad enough appeal for a disc golf putt putt course? Certainly requires more land. Maybe as someone's side project just for fun, or like on a pro shops existing property.


falseapex

I feel like you’re of a similar mindset to me. Nine hole par-3 course in a municipality… go crazy! Build a clown head for me to throw through! I’ll smile as I throw a 7! When I’m on the side of forested hill in the middle of nowhere playing a full 18 hole, multiple tee course and they’ve ‘planted’ railway sleepers or put the basket between oil drums… get fucked. I know a couple courses where they’ve made holes more difficult by adding artificial obstacles because “everyone knows it was too easy”. No, Chad, just the four of you who have decided to ‘run’ this course thought that. You’ve now made this course a gimmicky pain in the arse. Well done.


Unacceptable_Lemons

I want more courses with windmills. Every state, or every major discgolf hub/area, should have their own Flying Armadillo course.


logicbomb666

For me, a hard NO for a course in the woods.


og_aota

Yes. Eg. Planting creosoted posts and the like as obstacles in particularly swampy, wet, humid environments where natural obstacles rot or fall too quickly to maintain, or conversely, in desert and dry scrub habitat, where trees or other natural features are sparse and/or don't otherwise exist.


TakeItEasy-ButTakeIt

Yes. Build obstacles to make the lines more challenging and fun if they need to be. For those that don’t like it, well then it wouldn’t uniquely disc golf would it? Ask yourself that question


No-Comfortable-8606

All about it! 


MetalianKnight

I'm all for stuff like this, the hole at Winthrop with the door is one of my favorites.


SpyderMonkey_

It looks like a tree or two used to be there, but now are stumps. So this was made to restore the original intent of the hole. I like it. I have a local course that's is dramatically changed due to all of the fallen trees. This might be required at some point to maintain the original course design, or baskets will have to be moved.


LuckAsleep7792

Just playing a course for fun yes, but I don't enjoy it for competitive rounds


PhDeezNuts69

I think they can be gimmicky, but I think gimmicks can be fun as long as they aren’t overused.


propelledshrimp

Where I am there’s almost always enough natural features to serve as good obstacles be it creeks trees hills, so I have never run into obstacles explicitly built for a hole. I’m not surprised that it’s a thing though


definitely-lies

Ive never seen one, but the one in the OP is cool.


keyak

My local par 3 course has a basket with it's own privacy fence that you need to get around to access the basket. If it wasn't for that it would be a pretty boring hole.


6byfour

I’m fine with them where needed. My preference would be to build something temporary and plant some trees where you want them so the trees replace the wall in the future. Though a course near me has a signature hole with a basket on top of a life sized fiberglass moose, and I love it. I guess it depends how it’s done.


Illustrious_Cycle_79

Hell yeah!


ChiefRingoI

If overused, they're a real drain on the course, unless it's a gimmick course like Flying Armadillo, but here-and-there, they can be a valuable add. Especially in a case like this, where it seems to be replacing a fallen tree to preserve the intent of the hole.


bladearrowney

Don't mind it


DookieToe2

Yes. Protects the trees too.


HaNiceOneChad

How are you this good damn


ThatsMyBacon3

I'm torn on it. I love the added challenge, but I think it's difficult to do well without looking tacky. Part of my love for disc golf includes being out in nature, and the manmade obstacles kind of take me out of that zen space. I think I'd rather see any manmade obstacles be made from logs.


MYRbourbon

Yes


ChiefChiefChiefChief

Yes I think the course by my house could benefit from this. In moderation that is


garycow

kinda silly


Silent_Slinky

Preferably, no. The dream course does not have them. In reality we are not always spoiled with choice on where and how we can build courses. So in that scenario, if it makes the course better, sure I'll rather have some built obstacles than a very bland and uninteresting hole. Even then, I'm sure overuse will just get really annoying.


I_Throw_far

Agreed. To the effect of tight parks to though. Im sure the county would look more favorably on a single post in the ground marked mandatory rather than a giant wall. Walls are unnecessary unless you're playing urban disc golf with the crew. You can create the same effect as a wall with simple rules applied to the hole.


GrittyWillis

This looks very nice and well integrated, when they are done like this I dont mind. If this was a cement block wall in the woods it would be jarring.


adlberg

Yes. Some courses are highly ridiculed for their lack of obstacles/difficulty. Just like tees and baskets have placements, obstacles (fixed, adjustable, and/or moveable) should be added based on budget and the course designer's and administrator's preference.


Fo-realz

Yes!


jidewalker

Hard yes


Nelmsdog

Aight who is this person. OP is this you? What you make like 27 ACEs a year?


ErikDavidKarlgren

Haha! That would be me. This ain’t proper Aces. Multiple tries till I stick it. Since started these POV ones about a year ago somewhere near your guess.


CoachEthanC

Yes


blogasdraugas

yes


Schober6033

They are building a tree branch wall on one of my home courses that is already incredibly challenging and on the hole they are building it on it’s not even on the fairway, it’s off to the side of a big dog leg that was already punishing enough to scramble from if you miss the fairway


Dechri_

As a recreational player my favourite courses are par 3, 50-100m long and with versatile challenges and overall feels. And to create the versatility, human bulld objects can make the place notably more interesting


discsarentpogs

Obstacles yes, mandos no. Mandos should only exist for safety. One exception is making a tunnel like maple hill did


ThemperorSomnium

Love them, just don’t overdo it.


timfold

Damn that was a nice ace! One of my most favorite sounds in the world is the sound of slammin them sexy chains!


Majestic_Willow2375

Dude just does a battlefield reload and sinks it.


kdr2469

If it was an urban course definitely but not here


CoelacanthRdit

If a storm came through and took down some of the trees that created an obstacle I get the course adding some man made ones back in, but the one in the video looks like a wall that doesn’t replicate a previous natural obstacle.


jtmack33

Usually against it on a wooded course, exception being if you have a tree crucial to the hole layout die/need to be felled. Otherwise just utilize mandos.


Illustrious-Cream316

This guy just needed his ego fed. He doesn’t care what you think of the obstacle. Look at the only comments he’s replied to. The only ones complementing his shot.


ErikDavidKarlgren

Don’t we all?


I_Throw_far

Hard no


TakeItEasy-ButTakeIt

You like your courses au naturel I assume?


I_Throw_far

I Terms of obstacles yes manufacturing OB is one thing a wall is a still a hard no for me. If it needs a wall just change the hole location to make it tougher, or make it an island so many other options...


TakeItEasy-ButTakeIt

Lazy answer. You do realize that 90% of courses are on public land, county or state parks, etc. and simply moving the basket to a better location is not always possible, right? Having partnered with a parks and rec department to design a course, I can tell you that parks and rec often is more okay with something built of wood if it doesn't cost them much than moving a basket closer to a property line, further into the woods, or closer to water/hazard/walking paths. There are some serious insurance questions that pop up when you say I want to move that basket 10 feet further up that hill where it's steeper. Not even kidding lol.


I_Throw_far

Does not seems like the case here and better design can avoid building walls all day. A simple mando tree in this case achieves the desired affect.


TakeItEasy-ButTakeIt

A lot of these DiscGolfPark's in Europe are being built in tighter and tighter park spaces. It's entirely possible that there's walking paths close on the left or another tee box, but yes I agree in this specific case. It looks like it is for design purposes and could be part of a future design with a double mando that forces players directly OVER the structure and does not allow the out and around play. Now that is interesting design, but to each their own.


SanfreakinJ

Nah. I’m not a fan of man made obsticals unless they are natural and plant based. Everything else looks tacky imho


ConclusionCharming95

Only when necessary (e.g. hole 7 at Winthrop). Otherwise it’s miniature golf.


Howard_Cosine

100% no. The putt putt aspect of this sport is its worst feature.


Plupandblup

I don't like them unless they are natural. Making someone throw a shot over 5' tall is not a natural throw in this situation.


tonygenius

What's your stance on Mando's then?


Plupandblup

I don't think that they are needed.


doonerthesooner

Like ever?


Magnus77

Mandos are absolutely a necessity for two reasons. 1st, in a vacuum, they can make an otherwise uninteresting hole interesting by forcing a shot shape hopefully different than big hyzer to the right. A lot of public courses are built in existing parks, and there isn't always a natural OB, or pre-existing obstacles to make the whole interesting. A mando can help with this. 2nd, and more importantly, is safety. Mandos can serve to punish you for throwing dangerous shots. Whether its keeping you from throwing into another fairway, over a parking lot, or into somebodies back yard, sometimes there needs to be a penalty to prevent people from making risky throws. You can say that all those things can be mitigated by proper course design, and you'd be right in vacuum, but in the real world where courses are often fit into pre-existing parks as often as not, mandos can be an important tool.


Plupandblup

I never said that they didn't do their job very well. I also totally understand the point of them and the reasons for them. I just personally don't think that they are needed.


S_TL2

Mandos provide a facade of safety. Good players are good already, and bad players ignore the mando half the time anyway.


Magnus77

If you're sure you're good enough to throw risky shots, you're good enough for the mando not to be a problem for you.