Lots - the terrain, in particular. Gently-to-moderately undulating. Many medium-to-tall hardwoods, i.e. you'll primarily be trying to miss tree trunks, as opposed to branches. A pond (~250' water carry). A clear, shallow, small meandering creek near some fairways and/or baskets.

Little - primarily single tee/basket.

This private, pay-to-play ($5) course is located on the grounds of the Freedom Center located near Lucketts, Virginia. There are some playing restrictions, when summers camps are in session, and year-round prohibition of smoking, vaping, drugs, alcohol, and firearms. It is co-located with the Scattersville course, a 9-hole beginner-level course, useful as a warm-up area for experienced players prior to playing Clark's Run.

Most holes are single basket location/tee, although #4 has a second basket, and a few holes have a second tee (carpet) position. The tee pads are concrete, long, wide, level. Good teesigns and navigational aids. Basket-9 is not too far from the parking lot, and basket-18/tee-1 are next to the lot.

Distances vary greatly, pars 3-5. Straight off the tee, 250-300', will serve you quite well on most holes, as either you'll have created birdy chances on the shorter holes, or be well-placed for the second shot on the longer, more-curvy, par 4-5 holes. Most shot-shaping will come into play when approaching on the longer holes.

Throwing lanes/windows are typically fair-but-challenging. The trees are moderately dense, so being off fairway will offer some chance of reasonable recovery. A few holes have funnels mid/late-fairway, so accuracy, v. grip-n-rip, is more pertinent.

Variety of elevation types, of flat, up, down, up-n-over, and many of my personal favourite, cross-valley.

About the half the baskets have challenging greens, i.e. either on a slope, a small mound, or near the out-of-bounds creek.

Favourite hole(s): So many good holes, but #'s 13-15 form an excellent trio. All are cross-valley shots, with the oob-creek forming the nadir of all three holes. Par-4 #13 is straight and gently down-sloped the first ~275', then takes a hard-right turn. If the first shot is well-placed, you'll then have a long, ~350' cross valley shot to execute, open initially, but tree thickening on both sdies after you cross the creek. Par-3 #14 is narrower at the start than at the end, and needs a small of right-turn late. Par-4 #15 has a random tree to miss early, but more trees post-creek-crossing. Basket sits very close to a steep slope and is well guarded by a few trees, so a well-placed approach is needed to avoid a death-putt.

Simply put, one of the best courses in the mid-Atlantic, and one of the top courses, of 700+, I've played.

The club managing this course has put everything into making an incredible disc golf round. The course is very wooded but each hole has well thought out lines that demand good shots. Very comfortable and private to play. I also love that the course does not allow smoking and drinking.

needs tee signs

Cant wait to play it again.

This course is sweet.

+The pads are amazing
+The holes are well-thought-out and really challenge all aspects of your game
+If you get off of the fairway, the wooded holes can really punish you... which is EXACTLY what a course like this is supposed to do
+Rolling hills
+A beautiful creek running through the course that adds to the challenge
+A somewhat intimidating tee shot over a disc-gobbling pond
+Elevation change on many of the holes
+Great Discatcher baskets
+Benches or seats on almost every hole

The course is in its infancy and is needing a few things:

Signage - including walk-outs.
Trash cans

And it should definitely be closer to where I live... though that might be my fault.

I am really looking forward to seeing how this course matures... and I really want to play a tournament here to see what that is like.

This IS a destination course. Make a day of it and go have lunch at Vanish (a brewery) about a mile from the course and enjoy their great beer and what appears to be a great menu.

I will absolutely be back to get some revenge. Brutal back 9.

Fantastic Wooded Course. Plenty of holes are crushes of the tee with precision being a must. Par 4s and 5s provide room to navigate the holes in multiple shots and still shoot well. The tee pads are coming along very nicely with plenty of work being put in by the club overseeing the course. The elevation of the terrain is used wisely to create fun and interesting lines through the trees. Some fairways are quite tight but fit the flights of discs extremely well. This is for sure a must play course in the Northern Virginia area

Cement pads on all holes (some alternate tees are astroturf). Next tee signs on most holes (usually easy to find - see below). Benches on most holes (or tree stump seats). Good bridges now over all streams. Natural beauty. Very few other activities (a few hiking trails) in area. Rake on #2 (see below). Good variety of holes allows for (but doesn't require) using different shots; you can survive on backhanders only. Nice little 9 hole warmup putter course; the kiddies can play while you do the long march.

Some navigation difficulty (next tee signs either missing or obscurely placed); the next tee signs are small white arrows and sometimes can be hard to spot. No bathrooms. Needs tee signs.

I injured my hip so pivoting and hill-climbing is painful. Thus I was doing mostly stand-and-deliver and maxing out at about 250 feet which probably diminished my ability to appreciate the course. All holes are wooded (except maybe #2) so I won't repeat that for each hole.

Hole #1: Nice opener. 366 feet, slightly downhill with the slightly-raised basket tucked into some trees on the left.

Hole #2: The throw across the pond. Very scenic but this is pretty much "you have the arm or you don't" hole. If you do then you might as well be throwing across a flat meadow. My throw came up about 10 feet short and I walked around the pond and realized that I had forgotten my golden retriever. Fortunately there is a very long handled rake now on the shore and I easily fished out my disc. You can play from the drop zone if you don't have the arm.

Hole #3: Two tees, the longer position is astroturf. Disturbed a deer. A long flat trip (500+ feet) through the woods.

Hole #4: Two tees, the longer position is astroturf. Short (252 feet) and downhill. Some dropoff behind the basket.

Hole #5: Cruel. A long (477 feet) hole with the first half uphill and a tunnel of trees near the end. Didn't enjoy it.

Hole #6: Very pleasant, short (228 feet) downhill hole with a tunnel of trees. If you throw straight, a 2 is easy to get (my only deuce on the round).

Hole #7: A slightly longer (297 feet) downhill throw with a lot of trees but still pretty easy to par.

Hole #8: Long (633 feet) but not punishing; a fun hole. There are a number of obstacles early but they are more for scenery than actually causing any problems. Roll away possibilities near the basket.

Hole #9. A down and up hole (420 feet). Surprised a garter snake in the fairway. Another good hole.

Hole #10: My favorite (although #13 is creeping up). A downhill hole (249 feet) with lots of trees and the basket on a ridge across a creek. You have at least three options on how to attack it. The transition to #11 is improved but still a noticeable hike.

Hole #11: Uphill but not hard (225 feet). A somewhat boring hole (not many obstacles). The trail to #12 is not clear. Follow the path as indicated and take the right fork. Not a short walk.

Hole #12: Long (501 feet) through some tree tunnels, mostly flat. A very neutral hole. There is a turf tee (with no markers) in the fairway so perhaps they are planning a shorter tee.

Hole #13: Great bench. A long hole that starts downhill and curves to the right and then crosses a stream with the basket up on a hillside. Listed as 639 feet but a good first curving throw to get you on the downslope leave a nice straight across the valley shot at the basket. I parked my second throw (which is maybe why I like the hole now). I also assisted (very minorly) in putting in the bridge so I have some pride in that (the only help I gave).

Hole #14: Another down-and-up chasm 309-foot hole (wide chasm) that looks harder than it plays.

Hole #15: Two tees (longer position astroturf). Another down and up (400+ feet) with the stream at the bottom but a very wide chasm. Threes are definitely in play.

Hole #16: Downhill throw (294 feet) that curves to the right. The basket is on the near side of the stream somewhat close to it. Stream only comes into play on downhill overthrows and possible deflections from the trees at the bottom.

Hole #17: Crosses the stream and goes uphill (399 feet). More scenic than challenging. Basket is located on a slope. Fairly easy, my second throw took a "Family Circus" route off trees and rocks to end up rolling into easy putting range.

Hole #18: Uphill 297-foot hole to get you back to the parking lot. One of my least favorite holes on the course.

Overall a mostly fun course; well worth the $5 charge. I don't care about the lack of amenities so am just rating on the playability. Probably a little high on my rating but this is the kind of course that makes me want to come back time and time again to try out different strategies (I took some 5s and at least one 6). Unfortunately I feel like it peters out near the end. I know work is still ongoing and there will probably be more benches in the latter half of the course (where you need them more) forthcoming.

Very well maintained course with an active local club that continually is making updates (LOCO)
Recently added new concrete tee pads and bridges
Can warm up on the small par 2 course or practice putting/upshots
Beautiful piece of secluded wooded property
Challenging holes with elevation changes but fair/adequate fairways

A few spots could be confusing to a new player as far as moving from one hole to the next, but for the most part they are well marked and kiosk at beginning of the course has great map

I absolutely love this course! I am not much for courses that are mainly wide open. I like the challenge the woods provides, Each hole is designed to challenge players of all levels, it tests your ability to execute technical shots and stay on the fairways. Fairways are well maintained and adequate, but if you get in the rough it's a great way to work on your scramble game. I leave here feeling challenged every time. Truly a great mix of holes with elevation both up hill and down hill, longer and shorter holes, The club makes everyone feel very welcome on their courses and their events! Great job Locos!

Shady in the summer, lots of elevation changes, great tee pads and its very well maintained.

the tight lines on this course make it very difficult to navigate and challenging for even the pros.

a lot of time and love has been put into making this course and to everyone who has helped,Thank you!

+Exceptionally crafted holes. There's not a single one of the 18 that is just thrown in there - every one has something unique and/or particularly challenging about them.

+To follow on the first positive - the use of the terrain is about the best I've ever seen. Starting with the beautiful woods, the rolling elevation, the gorgeous Clark's Run creek, the pond on #2 that is very crossable yet imposing to any non-pro...this course took a bounty of natural gifts and maximized their use.

+There are at least seven - and as many as ten - holes on this course that could easily be the signature hole on most other courses. Hole #2 with the pond crossing, #8 with the right to left and back to right fairway with a tough gap off the tee and winding creek along the right, #9 with the ravine crossing off the tee and then uphill finish, #10 (my personal favorite) with the steep downhill over the creek and pin perched just 10-15' back from the creek (do you go for it or lay up in the short grass?), the gauntlet on #12 - you can see the hole 500' away, but good luck..., #13 with the huge dogleg right and gorgeous ravine approach, #14 with another ravine shot...honestly all of holes #12-17 are incredible.

+Tee pads and baskets are well done and in great condition. Flags on top of some baskets that are difficult to see below the hill crest. Most (all?) holes had good benches.

+A nine-hole mini/duck-golf course next to the parking lot is *PERFECT* for warming up, playing with your kids, testing challenging obstruction/gap shots, etc...and it has top-notch baskets too! Honestly that mini course is better than some real courses I've seen...

+Parking lot signage gets you excited to play. Course starts 40 feet away from the parking lot and loops back between #9 and #10, great for reloading on water (it's a bit of a workout).

+Freedom Center (grounds on which Clark's Run is located) has great hiking trails that go around the perimeter of the course, as well as a mountain biking trail. Just a beautiful property at which to spend the day. Also loads of wineries and breweries nearby in the beautiful VA hills to visit after a round or two.

-No real hole signage. Probably coming soon as it's a newer course, but should be noted - if you haven't played the course before or watched a tournament video of it online, you'll be hunting for distance indicators or just where the pin is.
-Most holes only have one tee pad, and I think all holes only have one pin position. I'd say that it would get repetitive, but man this course would be a dream as a home course...

Once tee signs and/or a full second slate of tee pad positions are added, I will immediately bump this up to a full 5/5. The only better course that I've experienced is Iron Hill, and it's well-seasoned. The LoCo DGC has done an outstanding job on this course, and John Briscoe is to be commended. Within 5 years, I think this will be known as one of the jewels of Mid-Atlantic disc golf.

Not a pro or a con, but just be forewarned - this course is *not* for beginners. Anyone without the ability to consistently throw 200' in an open field and hit a gap at short range is going to be hating life by hole #5. My group of rec-level players played this in doubles format, and we tied at +9. But we all agreed it was either the best or second-best course we had experienced in the DMV region.

$5/adult (cash only in the donation box) to play or use the Freedom Center property, and worth every penny. LoCo DGC is using the property at the blessing of the Freedom Center - treat it accordingly. No alcohol or smoking.

- Beautiful property offset from busy roads offers a peaceful and secluded atmosphere, enhanced from late spring to early fall when the canopy and floor are most lush

- Tall canopy offers copious shade during the hot Virginia summers

- Tight yet fair fairways that require precision throws, sometimes with power. Many risk/reward type opportunities available (the rough can be very punishing). Favors smart golf

- 5'x12' concrete tees on every hole, currently the club has alternate turf tees they're testing on holes 4, 10, 15, and 16

- Well maintained and cared for year-round by the local club, continually improving

- DZ on hole #2 available to players who fear losing discs throwing the ~235' pond shot

- White wooden markers attached to trees to guide you towards the next tee from each pin

- Benches throughout the course

- 9 hole pitch-n-putt course opposite the gravel parking lot perfect for warming up for cooling down

- New kiosk on hole 1 with large course map and a return box for found discs. Club usually contacts owners with name/number printed on found discs

- 2nd parking lot available at the Northern entrance for overflow parking during events (does require a bit of a hike to get to tournament central)

- Tee signs might be the only thing lacking from this course. The white wooden markers nailed to trees do a lot to help navigation from pin to next tee but for newer players playing blind their absence will not go unnoticed: every par 4 & 5 (and some par 3s) will require a walk down the fairway to spot the pin, especially in the lush summer months.

Once this is addressed (and it will be) I'd have a hard time finding anything negative to say about this course.

One thing to note right from the start: This course is WOODED and CHALLENGING! And you know what? I love it for it.

Sprawls through a beautiful wooded property and makes great use of the moderate elevation changes and water features. Pictures simply don't do this place justice. Par 63 with an average hole length of 382.5'. Multiple true par 4s and a "short" par 5 that requires decision making and accuracy yet still allows larger arms to attack and get the eagle. Some of the par 3s are ace-able while still offering a challenge, usually in the form of a tight gap or hallway followed by elevation change and a creek system that winds throughout the property. Shooting par is an accomplishment and has been coming in as a 960 rated round.

Designed by John Biscoe (Hawk Hollow) this place is a disc golf gem hidden in the hills of Northern Virginia near the Maryland border. The local Loudoun County (or LoCo for short) Club keeps this place well maintained year-round and is constantly improving amenities such as bridges and benches as the course grows.

This place is a wooded golf boot camp/wonderland and has been extremely humbling while helping me cultivate both the physical and mental aspects of my game.

Try not to reserve judgement about the course until you get a chance to play it a few times over a few visits. I truly believe this is one of those places that gets better and better the more you see and start to understand it. You'll start seeing lines you were blind to in previous rounds. There are local lines out there! Along with a slew of tertiary fairways to cut through the rough that you won't know about until you get that kick out there.

I've been fortunate enough to play all over this country and this is still one of the best courses I've had the pleasure of playing. #13 is one of my favorite holes I've played anywhere and In my opinion embodies the entire course in one hole: beauty, precision, valley, creek, trees, distance (and a chance for a big "fuck you" roll away on your putt).

I try to play here a minimum of once a week and I never get tired of it. It's worth a day trip to come experience, and if you do you might want to consider packing a lunch as Lucketts doesn't offer much for food outside of a gas station and a (delicious) counter service restaurant called Roots on Rt. 15

I know the course isn't perfect, it's a work in progress. But I've played this course maybe more than any other and I've never grow tired of it. In fact I look forward to playing it more than ever.

What can I say? I love this place.

This glorious bit of Piedmont woodland would make for a lovely hike, so adding a top-level disc golf course is a pure bonus. Challenging and enjoyable layout on fantastic land for disc golf, with mature forest and new growth, rolling hills and steep stream valleys, and with water in play on many holes.

Nice variety of hole designs: two-shot holes; short-and-tight; long and semi-open; doglegs; right and left turns; uphill, downhill, side-hill, and over treed valleys. Several holes require an accurate placement drive to set up a tunnel shot on the second throw. A variety of fairway widths, appropriate to the hole length.

This course rewards accuracy and distance, but accuracy is paramount. That said, on most holes you have recovery opportunities if you kick off the fairway. Risk-reward decision-making throughout.

This is woods golf. Some fairways are tight and some are more generous, but the only time your disc is flying in the open is over the pond. To me this is a strong pro but opinions vary. If you favor wide-open bomber holes and if trees give you the willies, this is probably not the course for you.

Many holes can be birdied, even by a noodle-arm like me, but make no mistake - this is a challenging course. In a PDGA-sanctioned tournament par 63 yielded a round rating of 970.

Two 9-hole loops from the parking lot. Excellent concrete tee pads on all holes (as of August 2019). Serviceable artificial turf pads on alternate tees. Level baskets. Excellent tee signs and benches on all holes (as of summer 2021). Bridges for most creek crossings, including a raised bridge that serves holes 10 and 17 (as of 2020).

Lots of memorable holes. Some of my favorites:

Hole 13 is a 639' dogleg right. The tee shot is about 300' slightly downhill to the landing zone. From there the approach is another 300+' across a deep stream valley and then back uphill to the basket.

Hole 15 is a big downhill hyzer through a gap and across a winding stream. Approach is uphill to a guarded basket on a wooded knoll. Alternate tee offers a tunnel shot to reach the landing zone, maybe even an eagle look for a big lefty backhand or righty sidearm.

Hole 6 is a 228' slightly downhill ace run. The fairway is not too tight, and the basket sits in a bowl so you can run it without a long come-back putt. Nice to have an aceable hole on a course this challenging. Not that I've aced it. Yet.

Hole 8 is a 633' technical par 5. Tight initial gap, a second gap halfway down the fairway, and a guarded basket. Three accurate drives can set up a birdie, but a bad kick can send your disc OB across the creek or into the jail trees that line the fairway on both sides. Opportunities for failed hero shots abound; the local nickname for this hole: "eight on 8".

Hole 9 is another big downhill drive across a wide valley, followed by an uphill approach through mature trees. Gorgeous, tree-framed view from the tee. I often play the back nine first so I can finish on this hole.

Hole 10 requires a 250' steeply downhill drive through an early gap. The basket sits just on the far side of a stream bank. Short drives land OB in the creek, while long drives leave you with a death putt back towards the water. Miss the early gap and you are scrambling. Beautiful, challenging, and aceable.

Some risk of disc loss if you land off the fairway in summer when ferns and other low growth leaf out, and in autumn when the leaves can get thick on the ground. Overall the chance of losing a disc is fairly low, other than going "sploosh" in the pond on hole 2.

Small white arrows on trees guide you to the next hole.

Recommended $5 donation at the kiosk by the parking lot, or via PayPal. Or join the club and play for free.

The water carry on hole 2 is approximately 250' (longer if you pull your drive right), often into a headwind. Players have the option to go directly to the drop zone with a penalty stroke and avoid throwing over the pond.

Update: As of 2021 those who do not want to risk throwing over the pond on hole 2 can play a new concrete tee that offers a tunnel shot rather than a water carry to reach the basket.

Several holes play over wooded stream valleys, so a good drive is a joy to watch but hitting a tree 40' in the air can send your disc a long way in the wrong direction.

One tee and one basket position on most holes. Alternate tees have been installed on a few holes and more alternate tees and basket positions are being planned and tested.

I gave this course a 4.5 based on the quality, variety, challenge, and joy of playing disc golf here. Since my initial review, course amenities have been improved significantly. With an active club, I expect course improvements to continue.

Caveat: I am somewhat biased because Clark's Run is one of my "home" courses. That said I have played > 250 courses around the country so I do have some semblance of perspective. I think.

Updates: Concrete pads on all holes as of August 2019. Creek crossings improved as of 2020. Benches and tee signs on all holes as of summer 2021. Concrete short pad on the pond hole as of summer 2021. Concrete long tee and long basket position on hole 4 as of 2022.