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NOTES ON FLAGSTAFF AND THE COURSES

Lodging:

There are many hotels and campgrounds in the Flagstaff area. Here is a link for lodging, and one for camping.

Notes on the Snowbowl Course:

The Snow Bowl Ski Resort is about 30-45 minutes (about 20 miles) from Flagstaff. A seasonal permanent 18-hole course is now installed and runs up and down the ski runs at elevations between 9,200-9,700 feet. Players will enjoy wider fairways on this course than on the others. The course is a redesign of the storied 2003 Pro Worlds layout. The new design is slightly tamer, but still promises to provide a challenging and scenic course that can only be experienced in this extreme setting.

Notes on the Thorpe Park Course:

The Thorpe Park Course is about 3 minutes from downtown. Flagstaff's first permanent course is 5,700 feet in length with concrete tee pads. Although there are minimal elevation changes within the course, this course will also be a tight one, with six holes are more open. Multiple pin placements dramatically change the required shot on several holes.

Notes on the McPherson Park Course:

The McPherson Park Disc Golf Course is the newest addition to the Flagstaff courses. Adjacent to the popular Buffalo Park, this course measure between 5100'-5700'. Mulitiple pin placements, elevation changes, and technically challenging holes combined with spectacular scenery make this course a local favorite. Red hammertone baskets donated by Aspen Sports and the Arizona Disc Golf Club add to the aesthetics of the course. The historic Beale Wagon trail runs through the course, and horseshoes that were found during the installation are being incorporated into the course design.

Notes on Flagstaff and playing at Elevation:

For those not accustomed to playing at elevation, a little advice goes a long way: The oxygen in the air is thin, so pacing yourself is mandatory. The humidity levels are also quite low, so keeping hydrated is essential. The UV levels from the sun are very high, so the use of sunscreen is suggested. Mid-June is the start of the monsoon season, and as a rule, weather can be very unpredictable in the mountains. Rain and thunderstorms could come into play.

Flagstaff is located in Northern Arizona on the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. Nestled in Ponderosa pine forest at the base of an extinct volcano, the town is situated at an elevation of 7000 ft. The local disc golf courses are carved out of the dense, rocky pine forest that dominates the landscape, creating short, technical holes that require accuracy and finesse. At this elevation, a discs' flight characteristics will change dramatically from what most players are used to. Putts have a tendency to drop quickly, and drives have a tendency to hyzer extremely. These factors will apply to all the Flagstaff courses.

 

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