Ember Rift @ Art Dye

## Art Dye Disc Golf Course Research Summary **Basic Information:** - **Location:** American Fork, Utah, USA - **PDGA_URL:** [https://www.pdga.com/course-directory/course/art-dye-disc-golf-park](https://www.pdga.com/course-directory/course/art-dye-disc-golf-park) - **COORDINATES:** 40.397556, -111.783265 - **Rating:** 4.3/5.0 (based on 3,556 community reviews) --- ### Course History - **Established:** 2006 **Designer:** Weston Ringger - The course was built on land previously used as a landfill before being transformed into **Art Dye Park**, a large multi-sport complex in American Fork. - Early versions of the course were notoriously rough—natural tees, no signage, and lingering debris from the landfill days. Players described finding “broken glass and rebar” scattered around. - Through the 2010s, the **Wasatch Disc Golf Club** and volunteers collaborated with the city to clean up and enhance the layout. Concrete tee pads, new signage, garbage cans, and modern baskets were gradually installed. - In the mid-2010s, the course underwent significant revitalization, gaining permanent tee pads and improved maintenance. - Recent updates include **Discraft ChainStar Pro baskets**, full concrete tees, and improved mapping and signage. These upgrades solidified Art Dye as one of Utah County’s premier wooded courses. --- ### Course Experience - **Layout & Terrain:** Art Dye features 18 holes (par 54), winding through dense woodland with a few open areas. The first few holes play in lightly wooded parkland before plunging into tight fairways lined by mature trees and shrubs. - **Difficulty:** The course is rated **Moderate to Challenging**—technical rather than long, demanding accuracy over raw distance. It’s considered a true test of control for intermediate and advanced players. - **Elevation:** Several holes incorporate elevation changes, most famously **Hole 6**, nicknamed *“Fairway to Heaven”*, a steep uphill par 4 that demands both power and stamina. - **Signature Features:** - Hole 6: Long uphill drive through a narrow wooded corridor. - Hole 7: Picturesque throw across a small bridge and creek bed. - Dense tree canopy provides excellent summer shade. - **Atmosphere:** Once you pass Hole 1, the course becomes quiet, shaded, and immersive—rare among Utah courses, which tend to be open and arid. Mountain views peek through the canopy, adding to the park’s charm. - **Navigation & Flow:** Earlier reviews warned of difficult navigation, but updated signage and an on-site map have improved flow. Still, a map or UDisc app is recommended for first-timers. - **Playtime:** Expect a 1.5–2 hour round; terrain and dense foliage can make disc finding tricky. Bring water and sturdy shoes. --- ### Amenities & Features - **Course Infrastructure:** - 18 permanent holes (Par 54) - Concrete tee pads on all holes - Discraft ChainStar Pro baskets - On-site course map and tee signs (some subject to vandalism) - **Facilities:** - Paved parking near Hole 1 - Restrooms available at nearby ball fields - Trash cans throughout course - Shaded seating and natural benches - Free to play; no entry fee - **Accessibility:** - Dogs allowed on leash - Cart-friendly, though a few wooded areas are rough - Not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain - **Community & Events:** Hosts regular local events, including the **Patriot Classic**, and is a staple in Utah County’s disc golf league scene. --- ### Official References - [PDGA Course Directory – Art Dye Disc Golf Park](https://www.pdga.com/course-directory/course/art-dye-disc-golf-park) - [UDisc Course Listing – Art Dye Disc Golf Park](https://udisc.com/courses/art-dye-disc-golf-park-H8mA) - [DGCourseReview – Art Dye Disc Golf Park](https://www.dgcoursereview.com/courses/art-dye-disc-golf-park.53) - [American Fork City – Art Dye Park Information](https://americanfork.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Art-Dye-1)

Art Dye Disc Golf Park is a technical wooded course nestled in a lush forest setting. Mature trees line the fairways, creating a canopy of shade that filters the sunlight into dappled patterns on the ground. The course winds through the woods, with narrow lanes requiring precise shots to navigate the dense foliage. Elevation changes add visual interest, with some holes featuring uphill or downhill shots through the trees. Dirt paths connect the holes, meandering through the forest understory of ferns and shrubs. The color palette is dominated by rich greens and browns, with occasional pops of color from wildflowers or leaves changing in the fall. Playing Art Dye feels like an immersive nature experience, with the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest enveloping players as they work their way through the technically challenging course.