6 baskets are playable. New layouts by Tim Rinehart from Rice Disc Golf. Low quality but still fun to play downtown!
Description
6 baskets are playable. New 9-hole layout with 6 short tees designed by Tim Rinehart from the Rice Disc Golf Club. New 18-hole layout also designed by Tim Rinehart is playable with the addition of an extra basket where old hole 8’s basket used to be (this basket was removed for the purpose of installing the wooden observation deck). 18-hole layout will be added to UDisc soon.
Admittedly, it is low quality disc golf because of the rough terrain and beat-up baskets — so don’t expect much. However, there are many solid lines, and you just can’t beat tossing a disc against a backdrop of skyscrapers.
The Rice University disc golf course used to be a 9 basket & 9-hole course installed in the Harris Gully Natural Area (HGNA) by the Rice Recreation Center in 2001. Prior to 2022, Rice University Grounds would mow the entire gully at least twice a year to limit the growth of invasive species. As of 2022, Rice University Grounds has decided to use the upper half of the HGNA as a water retention area, and the lower half as a prairie restoration and nature observation area. Unfortunately for the disc golf course, this means that the upper area is completely overgrown except for a 6 foot wide twisty tunnel which is mowed through the growth along old hole 4’s fairway. Luckily, the plans for the lower half of the HGNA have recently included considerable mowing, to the point that much of the area is walkable and there is enough space to design a few holes to each of the baskets that are in the clear.
The Rice Disc Golf Club will keep this UDisc page updated periodically with the current status of the course.
Year established
2001
Availability
Dedicated targets
Yes
Bring your own baskets
No
Under construction
No
Course status
Available
Availability type
Year Round
Restriction
No
Access requirements
Who can play
Everyone
Access
N/A
Cost
Free - The closest parking lot which is safe to park without risk of receiving a ticket is West Lot 4. To enter this lot, you can pay with credit card at the gate. It is typically around $5-$10.