Jay’s Course Reviews

Slatterly Park, Rochester, MN

Slatterly was probably the second disc golf course I ever played. It was a great course for learning the sport albeit there were times we had to wade into the water to retrieve a disc. The course itself is near downtown Rochester on the east side of town with parking just off 10^th St SE. Cross over the walking path closer to the shrubs and you will find the first hole.

The course roughly follows the river down to highway 14, then doubles back toward the parking lot. Hole 9 is actually across the river and if you have a decent throw, you should have no problem making it. I made it about half the time and the other half, my kids were kind enough to go retrieve my disc. If I am honest, I might have added a bit of a bribe in there to keep my feet dry. Otherwise, if you don’t want to risk the river, there is a tee on the parking lot side of the course.

The course is only 9 holes, flat, and mostly clear throws. There are mature trees around but nothing too terrible to handle. Several holes parallel the river, so watch that your throws don’t slice too much or you will be getting your feet wet. By the way, the river as I recall is only knee-deep so it is not a lost cause if you hit the water. All in all, it is a course I would rate as easy and beginner-friendly.

Being in Minnesota, if you want to have some fun, play the course in winter. Discs stand out nicely on the white snow and if you can master throwing with gloves on it is a ton of fun. Watch the river as the ice conditions vary greatly. The lake just north has warm water pumped into it (not sure if it is from industry or not) but the lake does not freeze on one end which is why they have so many winter geese there. Its the same water that would be under the ice so don’t take anything for granted if your disc goes out on the ice.

I’ve played many small city parks and this one is pretty typical of that genre of course. It’s a relatively fast play and if you are in the area, it is worth the play. I am told that it was one of the first courses in Minnesota, so come out and enjoy a little history while you are at it.

Jay Fernandez is just a disc golf fan for many years now, starting over 35 years ago as a way to do something with his family. These days he is retired but still enjoys getting out and throwing the disc whenever he can. Jay started writing his own reviews of the courses he has played to give you an unprofessional review of a course.