Basic Information
Course Location: Gower Park
Geographic Location: south side of Greenville, SC (34.82996, -82.35078)
Dates Visited: May 2022, December 2022
Number of Holes: 9
Course Length: 2136 feet, par 27
Cost to Play: free
Difficulty Level: beginner to recreational
Carts: should be fine here
Potential to Lose Discs: low; some dense underbrush; some holes near a boundary fence
Park Information: https://www.greenvillesc.gov/1582/Gower-Park
DG Course Review Page: https://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=241
UDisc Page: https://udisc.com/courses/gower-park-uRB5
Course Walkabout Video:
Driving Directions: Take I-85 to US 276 (exit 48). Exit and go west on US 276. Drive US 276 west 1.5 miles to Laurel Creek Lane. Turn left, then turn left again to enter the park. #1 tee is at the far end of the parking lot to the left of the asphalt walking path.
Course Constructions:
Tees: concrete; 1 per hole
Baskets: Innova Discatcher, 1 per hole; in good shape on my visit
Signage: none
Amenities: tennis courts, basketball courts, walking path, picnic shelters, drinking fountain, restrooms, playground, decommissioned US Army M60A3 tank
Summary Review: 2 Stars (out of 5)
Gower Park is slightly more than a typical community park, and its disc golf course is slightly more than a typical community park course. The course features a nice mix of heavily wooded and open holes. The wooded holes are very short, while the open holes are a little longer. I have read there used to be some tee signs here, but there were none when I came here. It would be nice to get the signs back. Nevertheless, the course route follows a very predictable clockwise route around the perimeter of the park, and I had no trouble navigating the course without signs. The course maintenance was fine on my visit except for some poison ivy along the fairways. This park and course get a lot of traffic: in addition to other park users, there were several groups from the local YMCA playing the course when I came here on a Wednesday morning. Some holes play across an asphalt walking path, so you have to check for pedestrians before you throw. Overall, this is not a bad half-round. I wouldn't go out of my way to play here, but it is worth tacking on to another trip considering its close proximity to I-85.
Hole-by-Hole Review
Distances taken from dgcoursereview.com; link provided above. Picture sequence for each hole is 1) tee, 2) approach, 3) basket to tee.
Hole #1: 236 feet, par 3
Comments: an unexciting opening hole, mostly open with only a few large trees on the left as obstacles. #2 tee is to the right near the edge of the woods.
Hole #2: 170 feet, par 3
Comments: the next 3 holes comprise the heavily-wooded segment of the course. This hole is a slight dogleg right with a narrow fairway cut through the broadleaf trees. One tree in particular stands in the middle of the fairway about 50 feet in front of the tee, so you have to choose which side of the tree you want your disc to go. #3 tee is behind the basket.
Hole #3: 150 feet, par 3
Comments: the shortest hole on the course, but the narrow fairway requires an accurate throw. A left-to-right disc flight will leave the most room for error here. #4 tee is behind the basket and to the left.
Hole #4: 180 feet, par 3
Comments: similar to the two previous holes, but a right-to-left disc flight might work best here. Also, this hole is more downhill than the previous two. #5 tee is to the right at the edge of the woods.
Hole #5: 325 feet, par 3
Comments: now back out in the open, this hole is a dogleg left with the wooded area guarding the inside of the dogleg. Not only do the large trees form a hazard on the left, but they also overhang the left side of the fairway. Thus, you have to choose between keeping the disc low on a shorter line or taking a longer route that allows for a higher disc flight, keeping in mind this hole is slightly downhill. Also, check for pedestrians on the walking path before you throw. This is my favorite hole on this course. #6 tee is to the right.
Hole #6: 320 feet, par 3
Comments: a mostly open hole with a few large pine trees near the basket. This hole is slightly uphill, so it actually plays longer than the previous hole. Again, check for pedestrians on the walking path before you throw. #7 tee is to the left.
Hole #7: 230 feet, par 3
Comments: an interesting uphill hole with dense woods on the left. Some medium-sized trees force you to commit to a shot shape and line of play. #8 tee is behind the basket and to the right.
Hole #8: 295 feet, par 3
Comments: similar to hole #6 but slightly shorter. The basket has a nice location under a couple of large trees. Again, check for pedestrians on the walking path before you throw. #9 tee is behind the basket.
Hole #9: 230 feet, par 3
Comments: a fairly unexciting, mostly open hole that is wedged between the tennis court on the right and the softball field on the left. The limbs overhanging the tee could use a trim. The tank on the right makes for a unique obstacle, and it may be the most interesting thing on this hole.
