Basic Information
Course Location: Seven Oaks Park
Geographic Location: northwest side of Columbia, SC (34.04954, -81.15342)
Dates Visited: July 2021, December 2023
Number of Holes: 9
Course Length: 1369 feet, par 31
Cost to Play: free
Difficulty Level: beginner
Carts: should have no problems here
Potential to Lose Discs: very low
Park Information: https://www.icrc.net/parks/seven-oaks-park
DG Course Review Page: https://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=4596
UDisc Page: https://udisc.com/courses/seven-oaks-Rk90
Course Walkabout Video:
Driving Directions: On the northwest side of Columbia, take I-26 to Piney Grove Road (exit 104). Exit and go west on Piney Grove Rd. Drive Piney Grove Rd. west 1.3 miles to Leisure Lane and turn left on Leisure Ln. The park entrance is 0.4 miles ahead on the left; use the entrance marked "additional parking" located just beyond Seven Oaks Kids Academy. The #1 tee is behind the playground and to the right of the set of 4 baseball fields.
Course Constructions:
Tees: concrete, 1 per hole; in excellent condition on my visit.
Baskets: Innova Discatcher, 1 per hole; in excellent condition on my visit
Signage: tee sign on every hole
Amenities: some benches, restrooms, baseball fields, football field
Summary Review: 2.5 Stars (out of 5)
The disc golf course at Seven Oaks Park is a short recreational beginners/putter course similar to courses you find at many small multi-use city parks but maybe with better maintenance. Only 1 hole measures over 200 feet, and a few of the pars seem too high for the present-day game. Also, the terrain is almost completely flat, and the lightly wooded parkland setting offers only a few obstacles. There were a lot of people at the park when I came here on a sweltry Saturday morning in late July, but I was the only person using the disc golf course. A paved walking trail winds through the course, and many people were watching games at the adjacent athletic fields. Thus, you have to check for pedestrians before you throw on almost every tee shot. The course route is a single loop, and although it has a couple of quirks, I had little trouble finding the next tee despite the lack of a course map. The course maintenance was flawless. Overall, this is a pretty nice beginners/putter course. As a recreational player, I enjoyed my quick half-round here, but it has little to offer experienced or highly skilled disc golfers.
Hole-by-Hole Review
Distances taken from hole signs. Picture sequence for each hole is 1) tee, 2) approach, 3) basket to tee.
Hole #1: 140 feet, par 3
Comments: the pleasant lightly wooded parkland setting becomes immediately apparent on this short opening hole: only a few large trees stand between the tee and the basket. There are enough trees that an accurate throw will be required to have a chance at an ace or an easy birdie. The baseball field to the left should be OB, but I did not see any signs indicating such. #2 tee is to the right.
Hole #2: 124 feet, par 3
Comments: this hole is similar to #1, but it is slightly shorter and plays in the opposite direction. Walking paths surround the basket on 3 sides, so you have to check for pedestrians before throwing. #3 tee is across the walking path to the left.
Hole #3: 116 feet, par 3
Comments: the shortest hole on this course, it is similar in spirit to the first 2 holes. The tee behind the basket to the right is #7 tee; #4 tee is across the walking path to the left.
Hole #4: 131 feet, par 3
Comments: the most open hole yet, there are no trees directly between the tee and the basket although a couple of trees stand on either side. A small strange water collection channel sits in front of and to the left of the basket, but it poses little threat due to the shortness of the hole. #5 tee is behind the basket.
Hole #5: 275 feet, par 5
Comments: the longest hole on this course, off the tee you have to decide whether to pursue a narrow more direct line of play to the left or a wider line of play to the right. I chose to go right to take advantage of my natural right to left disc flight, though a better player than I might choose to go left. A few smaller trees guard the basket. This is my favorite hole on this course due to the length and decision-making required, although I would make it a par 3 rather than a par 5. #6 tee is behind the basket.
Hole #6: 173 feet, par 4
Comments: the only other hole on this course to measure more than 150 feet, this is a fairly open hole with only a single tree between the tee and the basket. The drainage channel from #4 again crosses in front of the basket, and now it is wide enough that the walking path requires a wooden bridge to cross it. #7 tee is behind the basket.
Hole #7: 144 feet, par 4
Comments: this hole looks more open from the tee than it actually is: the basket is tightly guarded by several large trees. Kinley Creek sits to the left, but it would take a bad throw to end up there on such a short hole. To find #8 tee, walk behind the basket, cross the walking path bridge over Kinley Creek, and look to the left.
Hole #8: 123 feet, par 3
Comments: a strange hole in the sense that 1) it is the only hole located east of Kinley Creek, and 2) it is the only hole to play directly over one of the walking paths. Thus, be sure to check for pedestrians before you throw. The slight uphill on this hole is the only noticeable elevation change on this course, and there are no obstacles directly between the tee and the basket. Overall, this is the least inspiring hole on this course. To find #9 tee, walk back across the walking path bridge and look to the left.
Hole #9: 143 feet, par 3
Comments: the finishing hole is similar in spirit to the first 3 holes except for a dense area of woods to the left. It serves as a mellow ending to a mellow course.
