Course reviews
+5 votes Brad Fuelling › October 20, 2014
new holes are fun and challenging. as of now only three tee pads need to be installed but you can still play the holes. its really not that hard to look on your smart phone at the map on hole one and follow along. John Minicucci went above and beyond revitalizing this course in a year that has seen a couple other new courses pop up. the only reason I give it an A- is because its not completely finished. thank you John for all your efforts here
+2 votes Paul Doherty › January 4, 2016
Played summer '14 and left half-way through because of the confusing layout, unfinished holes, tall grass, flooding, broken baskets. Not a fun experience and decided not to return until more work was done.
I heard some good things from others and decided to give River Bends another shot. Played 1/3/2016 and was very impressed! Could tell a lot of time had been spent improving the course.
Signs at every tee with hole # and distance, navigation signs to point you in the direction of the nex ...
continue reading ›
continue reading ›
+2 votes Ron Jacobs › February 17, 2023
I love this course. Easily in my top 3. Elevation changes, some wide open, some wooded, plenty of water hazards, and very difficult if you can't stay on the fairways. 10/10 would bang
+2 votes Tom Wagner › January 16, 2023
Multi-use park course with several layout options that plays from shorts and longs. Way too much standing water on virtually every hole when it rains heavily. Otherwise a challenging layout with nice variety, elevation, multiple water hazards and thick rough. Older baskets and cement pads. Decent navigation and signage. Great winter course. Clean and well maintained. Porta potty next to hole 1. Huge parking lot.
+2 votes Jeff Dunn CTDG › April 10, 2023
River bends has some really great holes and then some meh holes. They use the river nicely on a few holes and those are probably my favorite. It’s nice having an option to play 18 or 27 if you have energy that day. Many of the wooded holes will test you as they are not your typical short wooded holes. The park keeps this place clean. Some of the rough and tall grass will eat discs and that sucks. Tall grass is the worst in disc golf.
+2 votes Sean Rhoades › April 10, 2023
Exceptional challenge on a mostly wooded course. Long tees on 6, 7, 8, 15, 26. Three downhill holes in 2, 10, and 26 (long), two uphill holes on 9 and 25 Critical water hazards on 13 and 15, casual water on 14 and 21. Dense rough with briars, thickets, marshland lining many holes.
Update 2022: The parks department has let the poison ivy run riot. Those with allergies need not apply.
Update 2022: The parks department has let the poison ivy run riot. Those with allergies need not apply.
+1 votes David Tomlinson › November 1, 2015
I'm really starting to love this course. Good mix of holes, and a really good challenge.
+1 votes TJ Yelland › April 10, 2023
It was nice of Schulte to let me play on his course. There is so much room out there. I bet if Anyone wanted to get him a riding lawn mower for Christmas there would be more holes!
+1 votes Ed Carpus › July 5, 2012
My favorite of the local stomping grounds. Lots of good memories as well as good rounds. My favorite mental picture of the course was the day I showed up looking to get in a quick round and found the entire course under water. You could only see the round metal hole marker on the top of the basket at the bottom of the hill. As I'm sure most do, I miss the old layout (V.2 not the undecipherable V.1) but that's about it. Great holes, challenging without being too hard, some length, some technicality, a bit of everything!
+1 votes Dan Bologna › June 26, 2013
If this course was given some attention, it would be really awesome. Unfortunately, it is poorly maintained, and a couple of the baskets are now missing (6 and 9 from what I could tell). The layout is a little hard to navigate, and the tees are poorly labeled, some not at all. You really have to keep a close eye on your errant throws, as the rough is SUPER rough here. However, some of the holes are actually really fun, and the course itself is in a beautiful area. Bring bug spray, or else the bugs will eat you alive.
+1 votes Rob Staszek › October 10, 2012
This place will surely test your accuracy and ability to place your shots. Fairways are narrow without being to confining. But... Then there is the river; Oh the river... Many discs have been lost to the mighty Clinton River. If you don't throw your disc far enough, or if you don't have the accuracy to fade/slice AWAY from the river, you will be swimming after your disc. Or, if the current is raging on a windy day, just wave goodbye as your disc passes you and heads on upstream. I've pla ...
continue reading ›
continue reading ›
+1 votes Kevin Hamden › June 12, 2022
This course is very underrated.I say this because of the difficulty.tons of long tunnel type shots make for an intersting round.With a little trimming on the roughs...this course would be a solid A for me.I'll be back again for sure
+1 votes Jacob Hunter › April 10, 2023
I can see where this course used to be great but it's in need of some T.L.C. the layout is very confusing and I couldn't even keep track of score because I got lost. I think some of the baskets were missing. There was graffiti on most of the cages. However, The first 6 holes were great. I ended up hitting the top of a basket on a par 3.
+1 votes Jeff Hulet › October 7, 2015
I am new to the course and did not know how it was laid out. I liked the distance markers, but think a graphic of the lay of the hole would be helpful also. I also had to walk all over after the first river hole shot (13#) I think. There needs to be a marker to show which way to go for the next tees.
+1 votes richard bell › May 20, 2016
Very much improved from few years ago. Has a little of everything you need to get your game up to the caliber you want it to be. Just watch out after it rains as it tends to hold a little water in areas.
+1 votes Chris Love › May 1, 2016
The entire course has been regroomed. Hole #1 was put back in its original position straight across the field in the right pocket. The grounds men have turned it into an enjoyable course again.
+0 votes steve sevonty › October 15, 2010
Course is beautiful right now the leaves are changing and the air is just right for discin. grass is cut and should stay short rest of the year
+0 votes B Man › October 26, 2010
I rate it high because its where I learned the fundamentals of disc golf. Lots of big open shots. Would of gotten an A+ but too many mosquitoes and gets way wet in the fall and spring.
+0 votes Paul DISC-OR-DIE Holstein › April 24, 2014
Decent local course, sizeable with elevation changes plenty of dense woods. Some drawbacks include poor conditions at certain times of year and bugs in the summer. The Motor City Chain Gang runs some good events at this course, and keep it as well maintained as they can, not my favorite local course but definitely worth playing if you are in the area.
+0 votes Jon Andare › July 23, 2011
Best I've ever seen R.B. looking. The course was dry, light mosquito's, fairways all cut short and wide.
+0 votes Randy Gallagher › October 9, 2010
Fun course. Liked all of the holes, the course definitely needs to be cleaned up. One tee pad has fallen into the river and looks like it's been there for a while. The layout is somewhat overlapping and unsafe if not watching other teepads.
+0 votes Jobe Thomas › August 3, 2011
I would boost this up to an A- if they actually kept the course neat and trimmed. Not to mention the couple holes that are almost or already completely devoured by the creek that runs through. Fun times here though. One of the best smoking spots is here too :D
+0 votes brian jones › August 24, 2011
river bends is a great course , lots of hill and valleys , elevation chance , and of course water holes . a must play!!! (when the grass is cut lol )
+0 votes Steven Cumbee › January 12, 2011
Excellent course, best to play in the winter unless you like walking through the water.
+0 votes William "Wilcone" Fretz › March 31, 2014
Starting to flood in spots, Its playable right now, but soon will be soaked.
+0 votes Nick O › July 22, 2011
they were mowing the holes while we were out there, we have like a month of short riverbends grass.
+0 votes Kevin Eggy Egnatoski WPD › January 16, 2023
Great course with water holes to test your skills stay in the fairways and its not that bad . Love the option to play 18 holes or all 27.
+0 votes Nicholas Lalko › September 4, 2013
I honestly love this course (when it's kept up)... Question though, have all the baskets been put back in their respective spots? I remember playing early this year and quite a few holes were missing.
+0 votes Nathan Tarzan Younkin › August 28, 2020
First the park itself is great. On the course ,Every hole is unique so it offers a very large variety of angled and distance throws through the round. 27 awesome holes. Up hill down hill water holes with the River. Vegetation and fairways are well taken care of consistently for the past few years. Great for all players beginner to Pro.
+0 votes Neil Duffey › July 29, 2012
ive got a real soft spot for river bends... one of my first courses and its just fun. nothing too difficult, unless you are by the river, it can get intimidating there... who doesnt love the thrill of either sticking a great drive off the tee, over water, or the chance of killing it and going for a swim. too me thats one of my favorite aspects of the game. the only down fall is that they dont tend to cut the fairway very often. if i get word its been cut, i will make it a point to go.
+0 votes Zac Zabolotny › June 16, 2014
I wish this couse was maintained a little more. The grass is high throughout the whole park. It is impossible to find your way around without a map, especially since almost all of the tees and baskets aren't labeled. Hopefully the renovation of the park happens soon. Otherwise, it is a pretty fun course because of its seclusion. Felt like we were on an adventure navigating through the park (and sometimes getting lost).
+0 votes Rob Smith › September 2, 2013
Sigh...this course could be amazing. There are no signs anywhere, I wouldn't play this again without a guide who has played this course before. I more or less guessed and possibly made my own course. Its a shame because you can see imagine a pretty awesome lay out.
+0 votes connor leidal › September 10, 2016
A true gem, I find it underrated. Played here for the first time and was shocked at how awesome it was. It is a Must play in my opinion.
+0 votes m h › April 25, 2014
I played the course one time last year. The course was extremely over grown and poorly maintained. Holes were not marked. I can only hope the park will be better this year
+0 votes Jason Charles Hurford › July 1, 2014
Impossible to play until they do some major maintenance. It is a shame as it would be a fun course otherwise
+0 votes Randy H › August 21, 2015
This place is the naughty jungle of love. Awesome course but soo many Mosquitos and very wet for a few days after it rains. Not maintained the best but overall a very nice technical course
+0 votes Josh Lynch › September 15, 2015
Beautiful course. Couple up and down hill shots l. Couple right next to the river for a water hazard. Seems like a lot of people are littering on the course. Holes 3 through six follow a sewer pipe line so it's not all that pleasant. Need to put trash cans out so asshole stop throwing it in the woods. Traffic is a bitch they are repairing 22 mile road so getting into the park is atleast a 30 min feet due to traffic
+0 votes Trevor Diehl › August 1, 2018
Really enjoy playing this course, good mix of hole design. When its not super swamped out, its a great course to come out and play with a lot of different looks to offer.
+0 votes Mark Niemasz › May 13, 2017
Still pretty muddy out there, some big puddles, but every hole was playable.
+0 votes Jeff Conroy › March 22, 2019
Great mix of elevations changes, different approaches and use of the river with a nice easy across the water shot. Great intermediate course.
+0 votes Ryan mattis › March 20, 2021
The rough is punishingly bad right now, might as well be throwing into a black hole. Bugs are bad but that’s normal. Kid on a bike STOLE a disc from our group (that was laying in the fairway) while we were looking for another in the bush, double whammy kick in the junk there. Not worth the trouble to play here with so many other good courses around.
+0 votes Christian J. Harper › September 18, 2020
great course, needs minor improvements to bring it to its full potential
+0 votes Jimmy Collis › January 17, 2024
Great course, if it’s too tough for you get better or it will make you better.
Also there’s an awesome doubles league that is ran on Tuesdays (6pm start up) from spring to fall by team black sheep!
Also there’s an awesome doubles league that is ran on Tuesdays (6pm start up) from spring to fall by team black sheep!
-1 votes Jeff Chastain › July 7, 2013
River Bends is getting worse and worse. I don't think the city sprays for mosquitoes or poison ivy at all. Hole 16 is almost a guaranteed lost disc unless you puss out and play the women's tee. Half the holes are constantly flooded and, of the ones left, 4 of baskets were stolen this year! I'd gladly pay a small $2 or $3 fee per round if it'll pay for some upkeep. The city needs to step up and fix this place before it's completely abandoned. What a shame. Used to be one of the best courses around.
-1 votes Evan Brown › September 13, 2017
Over grown and too many pedestrians.If they decided to charge a small fee to play and it went to course improvements I think it would be much better. Lots of potential.
-1 votes Chris Trumbull › February 8, 2021
First time ever playing here. Honestly looks like the long pads are used more then shorts. Some holes had a little standing water. over all a good technical course.
-2 votes Ryan "RMFK" Kretz › May 11, 2011
Bugs get bad in the summer.... 4 days after any rain it finally drys out enough to not get wet just playing the fairway. riverbank ate away a tee pad and keeps shrinking away a few holes. It is not groomed too well either, but it was groomed via volunteer basis or around any tourny times via Motor City Chain Gang. The city just took over the maintnance of the course this year so we will see how that plays out this year. Other than these problems, the layout of the course and the difference in shot variance is AWESOME!!!! Fantastically designed course!!!
-2 votes donald wilson › September 28, 2012
Great overall course. Terrible directions. Don't think I have ever played all holes in order. Awesome water play very challenging and forgiving for off shots.my days off are spent here where as my working days are spent at the very short amd quick ira twp course.. never even seen someone on this course. Definetly a must try. And it is rated beginneer but takes a high skill level to play with intent to score well.
-3 votes Kevin Reddy › December 31, 2011
This course needs a lot of work, aside from the ever present muddy/soggy issues. Course lacks continuity and flow, and is VERY POORLY MARKED!!!! If you're going to go to the trouble to paint the stupid rocks orange, why not paint some valuable and correct info on them, too? With Stony Creek just a couple of miles up the road, I don't know why anyone bothers to play here at all.