Shared by Alexander Bush, as Guest Blogger.

The Staunton River State Park disc golf course was designed to carry golfers through the different vast sections of the property. Most of the course connects through the River Bank Trail, but, at times, branches off to give golfers a secluded experience across the park.

This is a new disc golf course that just opened to the public on October 1, 2017, and the only one at Virginia State Parks.

Check out my review of the Disc Golf Course at Staunton River State Park in Southside Virginia

This park offers Virginia's first set of Dynamic Discs' Veteran baskets which offer a unique sound, due to their 28 stainless steel chains and their unique look in a glossy white powder coat finish.

The tee pad areas were designed for low impact on the environment and the players alike. The 5' x 10' pressure treated wood framing and gravel dust filling of the tee pads also makes for a more natural look on the property. 

Staunton River State Park disc golf course info:

Once you pay to enter the park, golfers will drive straight until veering right to the main office and pool parking lot. There is no additional fee to play the disc golf course. This is where you will see the practice basket and the Tee for Hole #1.

The main office offers rentals as well as disc purchases courtesy of local company Off the Chains from South Boston and Dynamic Discs distribution out of Kansas. You can also pick up a score card and a map of the entire course to help find your way around while you play. Other than the practice basket adjacent to Hole #1, Staunton River State Park also offers a few nearby fields that gives a player an opportunity to warm up before heading into the wood style disc golf course.

Hole #1 is a Par 3, 215 ft straight to right finish shot that requires procession and technique to find your way for a birdie two opportunity. The lane is narrow, but the rough is not overwhelmingly thick, so getting back to the fairway is fairly easy to finish the hole.

After you finish Hole #1 players will proceed out onto the trail and follow the Hole #2 directional arrow signs to find Hole #2. 

Hole #2 starts right off the walking trail, so it's hard to miss. Hole #2 is a 265 ft uphill and right to left sloping fairway. #2 is not as tightly wooded as #1, but still requires precise throws to reach the basket in 3 throws. Short of the basket is a small ditch around 30 ft wide. If you happen to land your shot in the ditch, take your throw from the ditch then use the stairs to your right where you will have to finish the uphill climb to the basket.

After Hole #2 you will continue the trail left until you find yourself at the beautiful views of the Dan River and Kerr Lake for Hole #3. 

Hole #3 can be described as the signature hole at Staunton River State Park and it also happens to be the shortest as well. At 197 ft, this par 3 plays on a cliff side that falls to a beach which can widen and narrow depending on the seasonal lake level. There are several rock formations that are easy to traverse if your disc is to fall off the edge onto the beach, so you can continue to play disc golf and get a tan at the same time!

Hole #4 after a nice walk down the trail system you will find Hole #4, the first par 4 on the course. This hole carries across a ravine and then doglegs left to the basket which is nestled on a down sloping terrain. Over 455 feet of precision is needed to get a birdie 3 on this hole.

Hole #5 is directly back up the hill from Hole #4's basket. Hole #5 is very straight forward. The basket for this hole is slightly down hill and through a set of twin trees. The basket rests about 40 ft behind this gap, so if players are to reach the trees, but not succeed through them, they are left with a considerable putt for birdie 2. This is the last hole that you will get a view of the river and lake, so take in the scenery all around.

Hole #6 follow #5's fairway back and to the left to find Hole #6. This is the second longest par 3 on the course. This shot requires the player to filter their shot from left to right while gradually increasing in elevation. Most of the difficulty from this hole remains off the sides of the fairway. Most shots will require a player to pitch back onto the fairway as the woods are much more dense on hole #6.

Follow the marker signs out to Hole #7 which is located across the road into the tall pine stack. Here you will find a completely different landscape of flat land enriched with tall pines. This area houses three of the longest open holes on the course.

Hole #7 is the only par 3 well over 340 ft in length and really gives the disc golf players a chance to watch the discs fly through the air with less chance of hitting a tree. This is a great area to teach accuracy and flight of the disc. 

Hole #8's tee pad is just left of Hole #7's basket. Hole #8 is the most difficult hole to birdie at Staunton River State Park. It is also one of two par 4s in the nine hole course. The entire length of this hole follows parallel to a road which is played out of bounds. To the right of the fairway is a underbrush area that separates hole #8 and hole #9.

Hole #9 after Hole #8 head right to finish at Hole #9. This is the only par 5 at Staunton River State Park and the longest as well. This finishing hole widens and narrows several times over its 830 ft fairway. This allows for big open shots in some areas as well as precision landing around corners for others. This hole alone may challenge your entire skill set to card a birdie 4.

After you finish Hole #9 follow the signs to the parking lot where you can easily visit the main office to return rentals, buy merchandise or play another round of disc golf.

About

This entire project was put forth by The Southside Virginia Disc Golf Association and Virginia State Parks' system. Feedback is always welcome at the main office or online on Dgcoursereview.com under Staunton River State Park's course tab.

Park info

Drive time: Northern Virginia, three and a half hours; Richmond, two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, three hours; Roanoke, two hours.

The daily parking fee is just $4 a car, which can be up to 8 passengers. Park Hours: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. during the summer season and 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. the rest of the year.

Directions and more information about Staunton River State Park can be found here. For overnight accommodations in our cabins, lodges or campground, click here.

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