Allentown / Harrisburg / York [Archive]

t i m

02-16-2009, 03:13 PM

Allentown is one of the best disc golf destinations in the country. By far. Top course is Nockamixon (will take your breath away, and destroy your ego) -- hardest course that's ever been played at a World's event, from what I recall.

Lehigh Valley is awesome -- beautiful grass and some epic shots. Definitely worth the time, and would be great for a morning round.

Jordan Creek is the most fun course to play, IMHO. Some of the best variety and prettiest holes in the country, and it flows incredibly well. This is the course I wish I had as a home course.

Down in Harrisburg, you get Gifford Pinchot State park, which does have two courses. Quaker's Challenge lives up to its name -- very challenging -- but it isn't broken in well enough yet, IMHO. The Allentown courses are better.

Down near York, you've got Codorus, which is 54 baskets across four courses (two 18 hole courses and two nine hole courses), plus a 9-hole course with mini baskets. More disc golf than you will have time to play, but to me, none of it is as memorable as the Allentown courses -- the two nine hole courses are more distinctive than the 18s. Some fun shots, but it all blurs together after a long day of golf.

All in all, it's hard to go wrong in that area, but if you can play the Allentown courses, you'll be playing some of the best golf in the country. The others are good -- way above average -- but the top Allentown courses are AWESOME.

Make sure you pack quality hiking/cross-country shoes. Some of the terrain at Nockamixon and Quaker's Challenge is rough going and you'll want good footwear. The other courses are a lot friendlier on the feet, and you could get by with normal sneakers at the other courses. I just think they'd be ill advised at QC and Nockamixon.

SigmaChris

02-16-2009, 03:34 PM

T I M, thanks so much, that is the break down I was looking for. I have all the courses you mentioned in my "wish list", but this local knowledge of the area in invaluable, thanks again. This will be my first of at least 3 trips to the A-town area this year, so I hope to know all of these courses very well.

SigmaChris

02-16-2009, 03:44 PM

t i m

02-16-2009, 04:50 PM

TIM, 2 follow up questions...

When you say "Lehigh Valley", is that the same as Little Lehigh Parkway?
http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=19

Also how does Unami Creek fair in your opinion?
http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=2936

Yes -- Lehigh Valley is Little Lehigh Parkway -- I never have gotten that name right. I always just remember the "Lehigh" part, and add a word or two around it. There is nothing "little" about the course, so the name doesn't seem to fit (it is a parkway, though).

I have not had the opportunity to play Unami Creek. I've got it on my wishlist, but I haven't been there. I live about 3.5 or 4 hours from the Allentown courses, so I'm not one of the locals and have only played the highlights. I'll be hitting Unami next time through. If you're nearby, I think it would be well worth the time, from what I've read and heard talking to locals.

Also, since you're planning several trips to the area, Tinicum isn't far away, and has great tent camping for about $15 a night if I recall... you have to reserve about a week in advance, but it's a perfect spot and you can walk out your tent and start throwing at baskets, which is always a great feeling.

And, AND, Tyler State Park is about an hour from Nockamixon or Unami, and the 27 hole-course there is a top course -- still in the DGCR top 10. It's a great course. To me, Jordan Creek and Nockamixon are both far more memorable than Tyler, but are lacking in some of the amenities of Tyler.

Nockamixon will be in your dreams for the rest of your life after you play that course once. It is like no other course in the country that I've played. It's relatively close to Unami, so you might be able to hit both in a morning, and be one of the happiest disc golfers on the planet.

optidiscic

02-16-2009, 05:20 PM

Ok I am an Allentown area local, I will agree with what Tim has said. Lake Nockamixon or Make Nock-ya-discs-in as it was nicknamed at 2005 Worlds is the must play....its just 14 holes until further notice but still will require more throws to complete than any of the other 18 holers in the area! Nockamixon is the most challenging, Jordan is the most fun, and the Little Lehigh is the most open. All 3 provide exceptional challenges and are beautiful courses and environments to play in. Jordan has some very pleasurable and unique holes.....Little Lehigh has huge open drives in a groomed park setting....Nockamixon will make you curse and smile at the same time.....I followed Ken Climo around the course for 2005 Worlds, trust me when I tell you the course is challenging....It was pretty neat to watch the guy whos discs I throw stop and ponder then second guess and then think some more on not only every hole but every shot....Unami is under 15 minutes from Nockamixon and would definetely make for a wonderful 23 hole day....Out of curiousity when you say sunrise disc golf how much time are you allowing to play these courses..They take some time to play and without a guide your gonna be playing even slower yet especially the Parkway. FYI locals call Little Lehigh Parkway, Nockamixon is Nocky and Jordan Creek is just Jordan. Playing Jordan, Nocky and the Parkway and you can say you played some of the most amazing disc golf possible. Tinicum is an hour away and Tyler is 1.5 hrs away. Parkway is similiar but better than the beautiful open Tinicum and Nockamixon and Jordan are superior plays than Tyler unless you know for certain that Tyler is in the C positions...If you need a guide or more advice feel free to contact me

valkyriefb11

02-16-2009, 06:03 PM

Nocky is an experience. Like the others said that course will totally destroy any illusions that you have arrived in the DG world. Its terribly tough, but incredibly beautiful. The first time I played it I was amazed at the shear beauty and variety offered in just 14 holes. I cant wait for the other 4 to open back up (although I cant imagine my scores with 4 more holes ...)
Last time I played up in Allentown I was only able to play Unami and Nocky. [Nocky took me about 2 hours to play alone and that was pretty quick ... this course takes a good shunk of time to play so make sure you leave time ... and wear hiking shoes!] Unami is well worth the time especially if you are playing Nocky since they are very close to each other. Its the best 9 holer I've ever played and I do hope they make it a full 18 soon.
On a side note I need to play Little Lehigh and Jordan soon. Im hoping with the weather starting to improve I can find some days to get up there and play again.
As for Tinicum and Tyler ... Tinicum is a great course and you camp literally right at the course. if you have the extra time to play it I would recommend it. Tyler ... well Im a bit biased here but I do agree the course is at its best when its all in 'C' - you won't forget it. But its still worth playing if you have the time.

nosajeel99

02-16-2009, 06:22 PM

Also from the Eastern PA area, I have to agree with everything mentioned. I am not sure how much time you will have, but Nockamixon is a great course. It is a bit of a drive from Allentown, but if you have time, you can get Nockamixon and Unami in. THey are pretty close. Unami is a really good course, too, so combining a 14 hole and a 9 hole makes a pretty full day of disc golf.

I do think Jordan Creek is one of the best examples of a disc golf course I have ever played. It is just fun to play. Little Lehigh is a really good course, too. I feel I am repeating what everyone else has said, but wanted to throw in my 2 cents.

Why don't you use the Round Scheduler to let everyone know when and what you are playing. If the timing is right, one of us might be able to make it up/over to play a round and help guide.

SigmaChris

02-16-2009, 08:26 PM

Thanks for everyone's input...sounds like Nocky for sure on this trip and hopefully Jordan. I should have my appointments set in the next 48 hours so I will post my schedule.

I am thinking Monday the 23rd, I fly into Harrisburg at 1.00 and I will play both Pinchot courses or high tail it to A-town for Nocky and Unami.

Tuesday sunrise a quick Jordan or does someone have another suggestion? I can pick where I stay so I prefer a hotel near a DG course. Nothing fancy, Holiday Inn Express, Red Roof, Hampton, those type hotels.

Wednesday afternoon Pinchot courses if I haven't played them Monday.

These will obviously be quick turn arounds. When I return in May and a later sunset I will be able to get more DG in after biz meetings. Maybe in the summer when I return I will bring the tent for a Friday night campout at Tyler.

Thanks again everyone for their input, not let's hope for half way decent weather (30s with no wind and no moisture would be perfect for February DG).

80playedin10states

02-16-2009, 08:35 PM

wow ok,, sorry im not into writing books on forums, i will be silent from now on

optidiscic

02-16-2009, 10:05 PM

little lehigh and jordan are 5 minutes from one another in the center of Allentown....Nockamixon and Unami are 25 minutes south of Allentown and 15 minutes apart. You will never make from harrisburg to Unami/nockamixon and finish before dark,,,especially since both are woods courses. Plenty of hotels near Unami since its close to the turnpike. Quality Inn is very close to Jordan Creek and thus the Little Lehigh Parkway...you could stay there roll out of bed and play Jordan. Thats what I would do.

Jimb

02-16-2009, 10:13 PM

Lancaster has Buchmiller. It's a decent 18. Cubby played it. :)

DWill

02-17-2009, 10:51 AM

Lancaster has Buchmiller. It's a decent 18. Cubby played it. :)

Yes, Buchmiller is a nice course. Personally, I would recommend Codorus (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=37) over Pinchot. IMHO, Codorus's two courses are better than Pinchots, though they are very close. Also, Codorus has two additional nine hole courses.

You can't go wrong either way. http://forumimages.footballguys.com/style_emoticons/default/thumbup1.gif

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Tolbert

02-17-2009, 11:05 AM

Chris - I'm putting in another vote for Nockamixon. Not to be missed. Have Fun!

SigmaChris

02-17-2009, 11:27 AM

Thanks again for everyone's advice. If weather holds up I will being playing Idlewild before my flight and Pinchot after the flight. Nockamixon and Jordan late in the week and time permitting Codorus' before my return. Not a bad biz trip.

Jaysus

02-17-2009, 01:21 PM

Creekside is pretty much in Harrisburg (just across the river) - 18 hole course with a sweet new elevated tee on #16. One of the club members works off shifts, and is always looking for someone to play with during the day - heck, you may even be able to get him to show you around the Quake at Pinchot State park. (Boulder Woods at Pinchot is easy to navigate as is).

Post up on the creekside board, or shoot me a message when you are in the H'burg area: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/CreeksideDiscn/messages

SigmaChris

02-27-2009, 07:49 AM

Thanks for everyone's input again.

My outbound flight got canceled so I wasn't able to play Monday at all. I did get Jordan's in Tuesday morning and Lehigh Parkway Tuesday afternoon.

An added bonus...business unexpectedly took me out to Halltown, WV. I say what the heck I am in WV let's find Paw Paw. I didn't realize I was 100 miles away, but found it and played Woodshed on Wednesday.

Not a bad week...

nosajeel99

02-27-2009, 03:37 PM

Not a bad week...

Sounds like a really GOOD week. I look forward to seeing your reviews if you do them. Glad the WV trip worked out. I would love to go to Paw Paw.

SigmaChris

03-01-2009, 10:01 AM

Sounds like a really GOOD week. I look forward to seeing your reviews if you do them. Glad the WV trip worked out. I would love to go to Paw Paw.

The first review about Paw Paw is the directions suck...great course, Gabby is really nice, but the directions on this site (and another site were the same too) were off. When you get off the state route you go back into the hills for about 6 miles on a rural road that is wider than one lane but not 2 lanes. I just happened to come across Paw Paw just when I was about to give up looking for it.

DWill

03-01-2009, 10:41 AM

The first review about Paw Paw is the directions suck...great course, Gabby is really nice, but the directions on this site (and another site were the same too) were off. When you get off the state route you go back into the hills for about 6 miles on a rural road that is wider than one lane but not 2 lanes. I just happened to come across Paw Paw just when I was about to give up looking for it.

Can you or have you updated the direction on this site?

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SigmaChris

03-01-2009, 05:53 PM

I can not with good faith give accurate directions...there was a lot of luck that I stumbled across it. Maybe a regular of Paw can update them...for one thing I can say for sure...Route 9 to Detour Road is incorrect...the road name has been changed to Magnolia.

What I remember is this...

Route 9 to Magnolia (formerly Detour)

Go about 4.5 miles and you come to a 3 way intersection...vere to the left...DO NOT turn right onto Detour.

Go about 2 miles and turn right on Gaither...if you miss Gaither then in about 200 yards you will go under a railroad tracks and the road will go from paved to gravel...you know you have gone too far if you go under this railroad track / bridge...turn around and make the left on Gaither.

Go about 1.5 to 2 miles and the farm is on your left. You will start to see DG baskets on your left before you see the clearly marked Paw Paw barn.

valkyriefb11

03-03-2009, 11:42 AM

So I have spring break in 2 weeks and Im planning to take a day up to Allentown/Bethlehem for some DGing. I definitely want to play Jordan and Parkway. I was thinking of playing South Mountain and possibly Upper Macungie Park. I know that Parkway can be difficult to navigate so Im planning on taking a map ... but I was wondering how South Mountain and Upper Macungie were. Ive read the reviews so I have a general idea of them but I was wondering if anyone had any other thoughts on these courses.

Also has anyone heard if the new back 9 baskets have been installed at Alexandria Twshp park in Milford, NJ??

Rouge135

04-05-2009, 10:24 PM

Yea I have played Jordan Creek lately. It is great, conditions are prime. But make sure you get a map, the back 9 is a little wacky.

avm0807

04-27-2009, 10:53 AM

time for another roadtrip to Lehigh Valley / SE PA... As of April 25th, Nockamixon has returned to 18 holes!!!!

Jaysus

04-27-2009, 11:07 AM

As of April 25th, Nockamixon has returned to 18 holes!!!!

nice!

nosajeel99

04-27-2009, 04:20 PM

As of April 25th, Nockamixon has returned to 18 holes!!!!

I went to the Lehigh Valley Disc Golf forums (http://www.lvdiscgolf.org/) and no one has said anything about it yet. Is this just the permission to add the extra 4 or what? Any more info would be great!

mmmatt

04-27-2009, 06:51 PM

I was under the impression that they just got permission. I'm not sure what the holes were like, as I just played Nocky for the first time about 6 weeks ago, but I would think there needs to be some cleanup of the fairways and installation of baskets before everything's set for play.

avm0807

04-28-2009, 08:25 AM

all the baskets are in... they do need to be renumbered and resorted. some fairway cleanup is needed. but we did play all 18 @ sunday's LVDC ammo tournament.

bpg135

04-28-2009, 07:37 PM

Why don't De Sales or Weir's (sp?) Mill get any love??

They are both very nice 18 holers each ~10 min away from A-Town

the_lung

04-28-2009, 08:02 PM

Why don't De Sales or Weir's (sp?) Mill get any love??

They are both very nice 18 holers each ~10 min away from A-Town

Because the land available for each course did not allow a very good design. John Houck or Chuck Kennedy couldn't have made very good courses there.

bpg135

05-03-2009, 10:15 PM

Because the land available for each course did not allow a very good design.

How so?

optidiscic

05-03-2009, 10:35 PM

I think Desales and Wehrs are average courses...both have some fun and interesting holes but they just do not have the overall amazing factor of the other LV courses....land is too restrisctive...holes too short, too cramped etc. Not bad courses but just not destination type places to play...good for locals I think but not worth traveling to

the_lung

05-14-2009, 03:41 PM

How so?

The Desales course plays on a college campus. And not just on land owned by the college, but LITERALLY RIGHT THROUGH THE HEART OF CAMPUS. Next to dorms. Next to academic buildings. Near pathways where hundreds of people walk each day, and where errant throws can easily fly into.

Wehr's Dam plays far too close to athletic fields & walking paths, and is too short and too cramped.

bpg135

05-15-2009, 12:10 AM

I have found that there is very rarely anyone walking around De Sales campus, and if they are, waiting ten seconds will take care of it. Although the course does go through campus, the holes are very long and space is plentiful to allow for errant throws. Hitting anything other than the ground, a tree, or (preferably) a basket should not be an issue.

This is even more true after the somewhat recent redesign of the course, with 4-5 holes up in the woods behind the theater.

You should give it a try again next time you're looking for a quick 18 while still testing your drive distance.

Wehr's Dam the same, but De Sales is definitely the better of the two. If I was an out-of-towner going to be in the area, De Sales would be third on my list after Lehigh and Jordan Creek parkways.

Playing what is left of Muhlenberg the last four years gives me a bit of a different context for my evaluation I suppose!

I'd be curious to know what you think of South Mountain and Hickory Run...I personally think they are more cramped than either Wehr's Dam or De Sales.

Vepr

06-22-2009, 03:52 AM

Meh i just saw this now. My friends and i recently got into disc golf last year and we're expanding our horizons to other courses. We have taken two trips so far. One to northern NJ/warwick and one to the allentown area.

We have 2 more trips planned out for the allentown area. The first trip we played Hackett's Park, Jordan Creek, and Wehr's Dam.

The other two trips dont have any dates yet except that their going to be generally some time over the summer. But tell me what you guys think of this order we have planned

Trip 2: Tinicum Park, Nockamixon Park, and Unami Creek (not quite allentown but kinda close!)

Trip 3: South Moutain, Little Lehigh, and Desales.