-I would've said that Beale's is a stripped down version of Independence. However since Beale's was designed before Independence, Independence is a heavier version of Beale's. It's a little shorter and there isn't a pond. There's about as much elevation though, and the holes are similar to many of the wooded holes at Independence. If you like Independence, then you will probably like Beale's too, and if you think Independence is a little too demanding, well Beale's might show a little more grace.

-The treasure isn't lost or hidden, just apart from. It's at a park, but far from the other park activities. I didn't think it was a park when I played. I thought it was exclusive disc golf, and well it technically is!

-The use of elevation is very brilliant. #7 will surely make you smile. It's a blast to throw over a valley that dives over 50' below and rises up about half of that. It's a 423' par four that tightens pretty significantly once you cross the bottom of the valley going back uphill. Some people can throw 423' straight on flat ground. More people can throw 423' downhill, but can they get the disc to fly that far down a designated path? That would be impressive. I was happy with a birdie here. #10 is a short putter shot down a corridor onto a platform like green that drops off behind. A serious control shot down a 22' hill. It's tight and you don't want to go more than 10' long. #15 is that barrier type uphill hole. It's a tough one! If you don't have a forehand, a birdie is almost out of the question. It breaks a good bit to the right at the green. You want to throw straight and skip off to the right side. Any righty forehand thrower will love this hole. Righty backhanders will have to really depend on their turnover game.

-Nice green prodigy baskets. They catch well. The drawn out hole diagrams are very neat too. Independence has those type of signs too, so it seems that a few of its roots come from Beale's.

-Course kiosk in the parking lot. When you pull in, it's difficult to know if you are in the right parking place. The kiosk gives the indication that you are.

-Next tee arrows inside the basket cages. Navigation is pretty simple.

-Variety in challenge. Some of the holes are pretty straightforward, like #9 being a short anhyzer over a valley past a creek and #7 being an intimidating big downhill tee shot over a creek, but is still pretty easy due to it being a short par four. You could be gutsy and try to reach the green, but if you throw a low speed pretty straight past the creek, you still might birdie. Other holes, are quite difficult. #12 was a very neat pro par three. My vote in being the hardest at Beale's. It's a tight uphill 308' down a demanding fairway. Requires some serious control since the fairway breaks just a tiny bit to the left. Throw your most stable fairway driver. #2 and #3 were very technical. #2 has a similar shape to #12, it's downhill and right at 300'. You want to break left just a little in the end. You don't want to go right to left and then hyzer out at a big skip. #3 is a narrow one. Barely breaks to the right, so you'll be dealing with limited space with a tight fairway and a difficult decision. I threw a fuse on the hyzer line and had it flip a little to the right. I made it to the green, but missed my 30' putt. Very tough to get close on some holes here.

-The turf pads are very small. I know the course isn't particularly long, but many holes are somewhere around 250-275'. That's a distance where many players would rather throw a putter with a bit of a build up rather than a midrange with hardly any run up. There were a few I think that had slopes directly behind.

-Just when I thought it was underrated with a 3.0 rating, it landed on a flat note. Only one of the last five holes (hole 15) was considerably interesting. The middle six (#7-12) are all very unique and evocative. I liked #13 a lot too. The first six are all distinctive and cool enough. The ending just doesn't measure up to the rest of the design. #14 was probably the least fun being a short but sharp hyzer up a tight slope. #16-18 were all average at best. Just a little too generic.

-There are joggers and bikers that may interfere since there are trails around the course.

-Bad kicks over the valleys can lead you far off the fairway or maybe even a lost disc.

-Beale's Treasure is a nice 18 holer in the Bedford, VA area. It's much more attackable than most of the courses in the area. Still, despite its shorter length, it is a bit tricky. None of the holes are open. It's exclusively wooded. The whole way through you have to work with the limited space provided. Many fairways are less than 30' wide. It'll prepare you for Independence since it is a shorter version of it, but it didn't prepare me for my round at New London Tech.

-Probably one of the easier courses that I've played in Virginia. Most of the courses that I've played in Virginia are very difficult. Even probably rates somewhere between 910 and 920. Most of the holes are pretty easy to par but a birdie feels quite good. You'll know you did something right when you make a birdie here. Luck is not rewarded, but it does have a forgiving nature.

-In terms of fun, it is funner than New London Tech I think and has potential to be better. New London Tech is long, incredibly hard, and very well polished but doesn't have as much of a fun factor. Beale's Treasure is a little bit funner, but it only has one set of pads, no alt pin positions, and still has a few fillers. I hope it evolves in the future into a longer and more diverse layout. If not, then you can always play Independence.

Easy navigation - directions to next tee on current tee's sign, current basket, and scattered "next tee" signs at key locations.

Not sure when (June?) rhododendrons bloom in this part of Virginia, but this course is loaded with them, along with ferns and laurels.

Lot of differeing types of elevation changes, except up-n-over.

Single tee (6'x4', astro turn atop wood)/basket (blue prodigy), although there's not much room for more.

Walking and/or biking trails continuously intertwine with the course - not sure if this is much of an issue.

Some quite steep and/or narrow walks require extra caution when playing in wet conditions.

Course plays up, down, and across the slopes of a couple of ridges in a small (parking for maybe a dozen cars) wooded park which features many walking and hiking trails.

The mix of hardwoods vary greatly in size, but are fairly dense, which a) keeps undergrowth fairly limited, b) you'll primarily encounter throwing lanes and/or a series of windows, as opposed to fairways, and c) distances are on the shorter side, averaging under 250', meaning this course is about control more so than distance.

Throwing lanes are fair, a few quite challenging, a few others approaching fairway status. Straight throws are always useful, but you'll also need a few left, right, and S-turning shots.

The first 1/3 of the course is mostly a slow descent down/across the slope, followed by a few up-n-down shots, leaving you next to a small, meandering creek near basket #10. The next few throws play primarily along the creek floor, followed by a few upslopes, finishing with a couple relatively flat holes, finishing nearing the parking lot.

Favourtie hole #7: I have a preference for cross-valley shots, and this longest hole (420') doesn't disappoint. The trees are spread out enough as the hole descends towards then rises from the creekbed to allow and elongated S-shape. The basket is set a bit farther back, guarded by a couple large hardwoods.

Scenic hole #11: Visually, I always like holes that use a meandering creek as essentially the primary throwing lane, as long as the trees are not too dense along its banks, and the banks aren't steep, and this 300', slightly right-finishing hole fits the bill. But, these types of holes aren't so enjoyable if there's been too much recent rain, so don't want to overdo them.

A very solid wooded course offering a lot of variety in shot shapes and elevation.

Looking at directions , it is easy to blow past the entrance to Montvale Park , where Beale's Treasure DGC is located . The entrance is between canopied trees and brush . The course is very new ( 2019 ) and it seems that this park was intended for the disc golfer in mind . Pulling into the gravel parking lot , you will see a kiosk ( no map ) attached to a nice wooden bench . If you face it , Hole one will be down the path on your right .
The tee pads are a green carpet . The prodigy baskets are good and catch well . What stands out is the signage . They are nailed to the trees either right or left of the tee boxes . They are made of pieces of slate , and either stained or painted . They show hole number , distance , par and flight path . some show where to look for the next tee . Very unique touch .
If you like tight woods courses , you will fall in love with the course immediately . Very tight lanes . You may get into a debate with any players that you bring , whether the fairways are fair or not because there is little margin for error here . The course is new , so the designers can iron that out , by whacking a tree are 2 , if they see fit . #1 is only 240' straight ahead , but makes you throw a fading hyzer , or risk pinballing trees . #2 , one of my favorites for this course , is slow developing right to left down the fairwaiy , slightly downhill , to dropping off at the end ( 300' ) . I won't go hole by hole , and bore you . Plenty of righty/lefty holes , with some straights and a couple of S drives thrown in .
There is plenty of Virginia style elevation here . Bring your water with you . I played this course at 6:45 am on a Saturday morning . The only break from the quiet of the woods are the chirping of the birds . You almost feel like you own the course . Disc Risk : minimal . You can possibly lose a disc off a ricochet of a tree , with an increased risk during the fall when the leaves are on the ground and your drive ends up under the leaves . #18 is a nice finishing hole , 290' , slight upwards and to the left . It leads you right back to the parking lot . Signature hole : Maybe the snaking 301' #11 . It will test your wits . I played the course in about an hour . Figure about 2 hours for a foursome .

I don't have much in the way of cons here . Maybe some better tee pads , a map in the kiosk , a tree or 3 removed . The parking lot is very small . 10-12 cars for right now , IMO . Maybe a picnic table and chairs behind the kiosk for players to relax after a round . Some garbage cans ( take out what you bring in ) . Lack of a bathroom . Be careful of clipping some small stumps that might be just off the middle of a fairway or 2 .

This is not a destination course , but it is a keeper it is all woods . . It will give you a workout , not only cardio-wise , but mentally . Your nerves will be tested , but in a good way . A lot of thought went into the design here . Couple that with the hard work that went into clearing the fairways of trees , and a dream became a reality . The course is only a year old , so I suspect improvements and amenities will come in time , especially if the locals play here regularly . My recommendation : A must play for the locals , intermediates , even pros to work on shot shaping , and course baggers that are coming from I-81 or staying in Roanoke , on their way to Falling Creek or Liberty U . Not really a couples or family type of course . Try This Course !!!