A cup of hot coffee in hand, a cool autumn morning, and frisbees in hand are some of the best ways to meet friends at one of Metro Detroit’s disc golf courses. Yes, you read that right. Disc golf, for some of you that are not that familiar, follows similar rules to golf but, instead of clubs and balls, players toss frisbees to destinations. This calm but physical sport is one that balances well the craziness that is the back-to-school season. There are quite a few courses located throughout the Metro area, but it’s hard to know which ones to play first. If you’re looking for a new course or wondering which one to start with, here are some of Metro Detroit’s best Disk Golf courses!
STARR JAYCEE PARK
Located in Royal Oak and tucked into a neighborhood, Starr Jaycee Park is an excellent course for a late summer day. The park is quite open, yet made private through light tree cover, and is complete with parking, a pavilion, restrooms, a playground, and other available activities for the public. Starr Jaycee Park is roughly 28 acres and is less than a 25-minute drive from Downtown Detroit.
Park Location: 13 Mile & Crooks, Royal Oak, MI 48073
BANDEMER PARK
Ann Arbor may be a bit of a trek from Detroit’s downtown area, but complete with an online map, this course promises to be a challenge and a lot of fun. Bandemer Park’s course contains nine holes and runs along the Huron River, aiding in the course’s Michigan beauty. Don’t forget your bug spray for this one, as much of the course winds throughout wooded areas. This course is roughly a 40-minute drive from downtown Detroit.
Park Location: 1352 Lake Shore Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
DISC GOLF. PHOTO TUOMAS HARKONEN / UNSPLASH
FREEDOM PARK
Canton’s Freedom Park is located off of Palmer road and offers not only a disc golf course, but also a pedestrian path, a playground, a pond, and many other amenities. Freedom Park’s pavilion can also be rented out for events up to 80 people. This park is roughly a 35-minute drive from Detroit.
Park Location: 44705 Palmer Rd, Canton, MI 48188
FIREFIGHTERS PARK
Located off of the Rouge River in Troy, Firefighters Park offers many amenities complete with an eighteen-hole disc golf course. The park itself spans over 90 acres and the course runs through the park’s wooded areas and open spaces. This park also offers a baseball diamond, sand volleyball courts, a restroom, and multiple soccer fields. Traffic is always a gamble going North on I-75 due to current construction, but the 18-hole course is definitely worth the drive!
Park Location: 1800 W Square Lake Rd, Troy, MI 48098
THROW SHOP
DISC GOLF. TED JOHNSSON / UNSPLASH
Just over a 30-minute drive, the Throw Shop offers two 18-hole courses, open year-round, that are simply lovely to play. The Ponds, a dry course that never floods or is muddy, is a long course with open holes that allow for a more relaxed course. The second course, The Woods, is very wooded with some decently tough holes. This challenging course is an excellent one to play against your past runs, and also creates a great rivalry between friends.
Park Location: 2300 Lakeshore Blvd, Ypsilanti MI
CASS BENTON HILLS DISC GOLF COURSE
This Northville course is a favorite course in the area for many. Cass Benton Hills Disc Golf Course provides golfers with 18 holes that run through wooded areas, open areas, and alongside the parks’ other amenities. Just over a half-hour drive from Downtown Detroit, this course is a fantastic one to play on hot days and cool ones, alone and with friends.
Park Location: 18951 Northville Rd, Northville, MI, 48167
RIVER BENDS PARK
River Bends Park is set in a beautiful area of Shelby Township and its disc golf course runs throughout it. Composed of 27 holes, this course is a great one to bring a picnic and enjoy the park’s other amenities after the course’s completion. This park also offers hiking trails, charcoal grills, playgrounds, and much more. This park is quite a hike from downtown Detroit, clocking in at around 45 minutes, but it is a beautiful location to spend a day away from the end of summer chaos.
Park Location: 5700 22 Mile Rd, Shelby Charter Twp, MI 48317
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