Dead Mans Hand @ River Bottoms

## River Bottoms Disc Golf Course Research Summary **Basic Information:** - **Location:** Draper, Utah, USA (at Rotary Park – 958 W 12300 S) - **PDGA_URL:** [https://www.pdga.com/course-directory/course/river-bottoms-disc-golf-course](https://www.pdga.com/course-directory/course/river-bottoms-disc-golf-course) - **COORDINATES:** 40.52868, -111.91919 - **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 (based on ~600 community reviews) - **Holes & Par:** 18 holes, Par 57–59 (depending on layout) - **Established:** 2024 - **Designer(s):** Scott Belchak, Sean Kelley, and Nick Lopez (ElevateUT Disc Golf) --- ### Course History - **Origins:** River Bottoms is Draper’s first disc golf course, proposed by *ElevateUT Disc Golf* in 2022 in collaboration with Draper City. The initial site was county land, but the final chosen location was a conservation area near the Jordan River, managed by the Utah Reclamation Mitigation & Conservation Commission. - **Funding:** The project was funded through a *Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant* (UORG) in 2023 and supported by Draper City Parks and Recreation. ElevateUT handled course design, layout, and signage. - **Construction:** Installation began in early 2024, with **concrete tee pads** (6×14 ft), **MVP Black Hole Portal baskets**, and **graphic tee signs** by FlyDesign Studio. The course soft-opened in summer 2024 and was officially announced open in August 2024. - **Community Development:** Volunteers from ElevateUT and the local disc golf community helped clear brush, remove invasive thistles, and install benches and pathways. In spring 2025, Draper City held an *Arbor Day tree planting* event at the course to establish shade trees for long-term sustainability. - **Events:** River Bottoms hosted its first event, the **River Bottoms Rumble**, in October 2024 and later the **Draper Open (B-Tier)** in 2025, establishing it as a competitive regional venue. --- ### Course Experience - **Character & Layout:** River Bottoms is a **links-style course** set on flat, open terrain near the Jordan River. While it lacks elevation and trees, the design makes creative use of **OB lines, mandatories, and native grass rough** to create strategic challenges. Two basket layouts cater to different skill levels: - **Yellow (Advanced):** ~7,300 ft, Par 58–59 - **Red (Beginner):** ~5,900 ft, Par 57 The design rewards accuracy and placement over sheer power, though longer holes (500–600+ ft) test distance players. - **Playing Style:** Expect a mix of long, open drives and technical OB management. Most fairways are defined by **white-stake boundaries**, creating a pseudo-“island fairway” feel. The constant threat of OB gives each shot a risk-reward tension. While beginners can play safely using the Red layout, advanced players will find the Yellow layout both punishing and rewarding. - **Signature Features:** - **Hole 9:** Features a large, artistic *Triple Mandatory Structure*, one of Utah’s most unique course elements. - **Hole 14:** 612-ft Par 4, often into a headwind. - **Hole 5:** A short but tricky ace run with OB surrounding the green. - **Wind & Rough:** Constant variables—wind along the river corridor and tall grass can quickly change scoring conditions. - **Atmosphere:** The course lies in a tranquil riverside corridor with mountain views and frequent birdlife. Despite its stark terrain, many players find it peaceful. It’s one of Utah’s few “bomber” courses where players can air out long drives while still facing strategic constraints. - **Seasonal Notes:** - *Spring:* Soft, muddy ground; sometimes flooded low spots. - *Summer:* Dry, tall grass and heat (bring water and sunscreen). - *Fall:* Mowed fairways and optimal conditions. - *Winter:* Playable but can be snowy. --- ### Amenities & Features - **Tee Pads:** 18 large **concrete pads** (6×14 ft). - **Baskets:** **27 total baskets** (18 Yellow MVP Portals + 9 Red MVP Portals). - **Signage:** Full-color tee signs with distances, maps, and OB markers. - **Restrooms:** Permanent restroom at Rotary Park and portable toilet near Holes 5/15. - **Benches & Trash Cans:** Benches installed via community donations; trash bins at key points. - **Parking:** Paved lot for 20–30 cars; overflow available along access road. - **Pet Policy:** Dogs allowed on leash. - **Accessibility:** Cart-friendly but uneven; not wheelchair accessible. - **Other Amenities:** Playground and picnic pavilion adjacent to course; no on-site pro shop. **Safety Notes:** - No smoking (fire hazard). - No alcohol (city ordinance). - Occasional wildlife sightings (snakes, birds). - OB ropes and signage maintained for player clarity. --- ### Official References - [PDGA Course Directory – River Bottoms Disc Golf Course](https://www.pdga.com/course-directory/course/river-bottoms-disc-golf-course) - [UDisc – River Bottoms Disc Golf Course](https://udisc.com/courses/river-bottoms-disc-golf-course) - [Disc Golf Scene – River Bottoms Rumble](https://www.discgolfscene.com/tournaments/River_Bottoms_Rumble_2024) - [ElevateUT Disc Golf – River Bottoms Project Updates](https://www.elevateut.com/news) - [Draper City – River Bottoms Announcement](https://www.draperutah.gov/)

River Bottoms Disc Golf Course is an expansive, open course set in the serene Jordan River Valley of Draper, Utah. The landscape is characterized by wide, flat fields of tall grass and scattered weeds, with minimal trees or obstacles. The terrain is mostly dirt and mowed weeds, creating a rugged, natural aesthetic. Majestic mountain views surround the course, providing a stunning backdrop. The course has an exposed, windswept feel, with little shade and protection from the elements. Sunlight bathes the open fairways, casting long shadows in the early morning and late afternoon. The color palette is dominated by earthy tones - golden fields, brown dirt paths, and green patches of grass. Distinctive features include white stakes marking out-of-bounds areas, creating narrow fairways that slice through the wild grasslands. A few lone trees dot the landscape, providing rare obstacles. The Jordan River winds along the edge of some holes, a glimmering blue ribbon. The atmosphere is peaceful yet challenging, with the untamed terrain testing players' accuracy. The rugged, natural beauty of the course creates a sense of being immersed in a vast, open wilderness while still being minutes from the city. The mountain views and river provide moments of scenic wonder amidst the focus of navigating the course's obstacles.