A Visit to the Best Course in the World

I have a quick read this week as I’m  just getting back from a 2 week trip where I explored the forests and disc golf courses in Finland and Sweden.  Next week I’ll talk more in depth about what they are doing right and what we can learn but for now here is a quick story about my travels to see the best course in the world, the Ale Disc Golf Center. 

Last year when Udisc released their annual list of the top 100 courses in the world the Ale Disc Golf Centre was at the top is that list.   When you want to be the best you need to see the best, so that’s what I decided do. I planned a trip around seeing the Ale course first hand to find out for myself what makes it the best.

To start with the basics Ale is located just outside Gothenburg Sweden in a idilic forest with rolling grass fairways and hand carved wooded features every where.  It is a site that has hosted disc golf for over 20 years.  In that time ownership has built 4 courses, a Red putter course, a Blue warm up, an iconic Yellow competition course, and the works best, The White Championship course. These things didn’t happen over night.  They were painstakingly created one hole at a time.   They were designed, debated, and labored but eventually they were received by the disc golf community.  The ownership also understood the power of gathering and created one of the nicest reception halls you could ever hope for on site.  It is rustic and functional.  It can host weddings or conferences and virtually any gathering in between.

The Ale sure is also home to one of Europes biggest retail stores and distribution centres.  OTB, one of the United States premier disc sellers has partnered here to make a world class retail experience.  On top of all that this centre boasts the best driving range and warm up facility I’ve ever seen. There is a 250m X 250m field with turf tee pads, throwing net, and about a dozen baskets scattered throughout for players to throw to. By the time you have simply pulled up to the parking lot and take your first step out of the car you are already in a good mood.   More than anything Ale captures that feeling. 

I feel like I could write a book just on the courses there but to put it mildly that are ambitions, beautiful, challenging, and fair.  It is everything a designer dreams of.  With years of successful events under their belt and the recognition that comes with being the best course in the world play is up 40% over last year try reach all time highs for them.  With this comes increased for traffic and a toll on the natural things that make this course incredible.  Each of those things is being addressed here too.

Everywhere I looked on the course there was an idea that I wanted to incorporate back at our oasis in Wentworth.  In the coming weeks you will see these ideas take shape here. 

For now I’m just glowing in the aftermath of a life changing trip.  I have come home appreciating our mountain and our slice of heaven even more.