Salisbury, MD

Schumaker Pond

Permanent course
3.095(based on 29 reviews)
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16 0
HyooMac
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 6.7 years 415 played 380 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Clever Layout on Narrow Property: "FORE!"

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Apr 8, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

A back and forth layout with mild elevation, some wooded and some open, featuring water on a few holes. Two tees and two baskets are packed in to this very narrow property



+ The hillside drops off dramatically as it approaches the pond, and designers took full advantage placing a few baskets where you might end up facing down death putts


+ The layout features early holes using the pond: as a backdrop to basket #2, as a water carry on #3, and a waterside hole with the pond along the right side on #4. Great tests of nerves


+ After being in the woods for most of the round, holes #12 and #13 provide the change of several wide open throws across a field


+ Hole #16 is a long narrow hallway surrounded by tall trees - sort of a mini version of #4 at Blue Ribbon Pines. A real gem


+ Even though the course is Par 54 and short ( all layouts are under 5000'), some of the holes provide really different looks depending on the tee and basket you're playing


Cons:

- The course plays very close to other features (playground, park benches, road)


- Lots of mandos because the layout is so tight. Even minding the mandos, you'll find yourself throwing at players heading toward you


- Tees are a combination of rubber, mats, natural. I think there were a few newer mats, but everything's pretty worn. Good signage (but only the back tees), old DisCatcher baskets are pretty rusty


Other Thoughts:

~ The course is associated with nearby Salisbury University though the park appears to be on public property


~ Because it's such a narrow back and forth layout, it's easy to skip around other groups and play the course out of sequence. You can see a lot of the holes from the parking lot and get a sense of the traffic


~ In summary, a very smart layout that uses every aspect of the natural setting on a property that's a bit too small for mixed use. Throwback short holes that felt to me like they were meant for lids, like Pohick Bay or Rutgers University. It is amazingly compact and I can't imagine how this would play on crowded days. You'd be hearing "FORE!" a lot, like playing at Bluemont, Morley or Sedgley. Well worth playing - several times - when the park isn't busy


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17 0
lee76007
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 4.5 years 113 played 110 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Difficult Water, Gaps, and Basket Placements 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 1, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

-A course in a park with a variety of sloping holes going up or down, and one elevated tee. The course plays thru moderately woods and Schumaker Pond comes into play. The woods provide gap play off the tee, and provides guardian play for baskets. A handful holes play along a ledge.

-A very scenic course with tremendous views of the pond from the bluff, and views of the few holes that play along the pond.

-Holes 2- 4 with the pond in play is just as difficult and scenic as any other three-hole combination I've played with water. Holes 14-18 are just about as difficult as any string of wooded holes I've played with narrow gaps off the tee, guardian trees, and 15-16 along a ledge.

-There are two rubber tees and two baskets per hole. #3 long tee offers a unique feature. Most tees have gap play. Rubber tees still in good enough shape.

-Long Baskets from hole 1 thru 18 are in very difficult locations for the most part, and some short baskets. A variety of rollers into water, placed on top or middle of bluff and some of those surrounds by trees and brush, baskets placed on ledges, and most of the baskets have guardian trees.

-Tee signs have hole number, par, distance from both tees, next tee, and a basic map.

-Navigation is counter-clockwise, the course is compact offering a quick round, and next tee is easy to see from basket played.

-Plenty of parking, you may find it more convenient to play from tee 7 or 8 for your first hole.

-From the bag on the tee a solid variety of putters, mid's, fairways, and drivers.

-Beginners and Recreational players shorts to shorts will find a good introduction to difficult golf, and any combination beyond could be extreme for you. Intermediate and Advance long to long will have your full attention.

Cons:

-There are several distractions on the course where you can lose your flow or focus:

1. Fairways are on top of each other and would not be difficult to have a good tee shot end up in another fairway. Some tee pads and baskets near each other.
2. If the course has heavy traffic you need to be looking around constantly for any disc coming your way and checking all clear prior to your disc throw.
3. It's a park and there can be walkers, and families using playground equipment or picnic tables all along fairways. Also, park benches in the fairways of 3 and 4 by the pond.
4. You're going to have to check for passing or parked cars.

-If I lived in the area I would not likely play on a warm weekend, the park could be packed with patrons, and I can't blame them it's scenic and would be fun for families.

-To reach the No. 1 tee you'll need to walk along the 8th fairway and then into the No. 1 fairway. Both 7 and 8 tees are next to parking and would work well as a No.1 hole. I choose to start my round on 8.

-No. 9 plays along a busy road, and like right next to it. The fairway and baskets roll right into the street or a tree deflection. Dangerous for a passing car or your disc in the road. #8 long is an elevated tee playing over the driveway between two parking lots. However, both holes are fun! Just be careful.

-Lost disc potential is going to be high playing along the pond, the ledge, and heavy woods with brush. On a December morning there were still piles of leaves on the B9 woods, and I spent a few minutes looking for a disc that I found.


Other Thoughts:

I found Schumaker Pond to be a very challenging and fun round of Disc Golf. The mix of woods, elevation, water, and scenery is what I enjoy in a Disc Golf Course. The mixture provides mostly unique holes, and a very memorable experience. I like to pick a handful of holes to feature making sure I picked at least one hole representing others on the course, and I found it difficult to choose my trouble hole between 4 and 9. As I walked the fairways on top of the bluff, I found myself glancing towards the large pond, and where able the view on top of holes 2-4, just flat out scenic. I also have found it difficult to decide the overall rating, IMO the course is border line 3.0 and 3.5, I just decided to pull the course up focused on the layout specifically longs. My personnel con is how much traffic is on the course during the warmer months? I would imagine can be very busy on the weekend, and you may find yourself waiting to tee or maybe even skip a hole? On a December weekday morning I had the course to myself but pause for a few walkers.

My overall rating is anchored on scenic beauty, difficulty long to long, and the variety of the type of play is set on a 5.0. The course is a fast track, with a little bit of disc looking it took 45 mins to play.

Notable Tee Pads:

-No. 6 long tee is burrowed into the bluff at about 4 feet below the level fairway, you're going to feel like you're throwing from a fox hole. Both baskets are behind a wall of trees.

-No. 8 long tee is elevated about 3 feet throwing over a driveway connection between parking lots. There are two gaps about 15 feet in front of the tee, the middle gap is about 4-feet wide directly towards the baskets on a down slope into the woods. The right gap also 4-feet wide over two parking spaces, if cars are parked there, I'm not throwing in that direction.

-No. 12 long tee is thru a triangle gap into the open and back into the woods, the hole is 400 plus feet. Theirs a tree right in front of the tee at about 15-feet, and two more trees each side on 45-degree angle 30 feet from the tee. The angle on both trees narrows the gaps at about 12-feet with overhanging branches.

Notable Holes:

-No. 2 Par 3 long to long at 320 feet is an elevated tee dogleg right throwing thru a tree gap about 20 feet wide and 70 feet out. You'll see the short basket straight ahead which is where you'll make your dogleg and the long basket at a 45-degree angle to the right perched on top of the same bluff your teeing from, and no direct line since your blocked by trees. Just to the right of the short basket is a concrete building likely used for storage. As you throw from the tee and in the background of your disc is the pond, one of the most scenic tee throws I've experienced. My disc hyzered and skipped off the top of the concrete building and landed just to the right of the basket, luck!

-No. 4 Par 3 long to long at 320 feet with a fairway on the shore of the pond, and the pond on the right all the way down. Trees and brush on the side of the bluff to the left. The fairway all the way down is about 60 feet wide with overhanging branches slightly meandering left. The short basket sits off to the left halfway up the bluff. Long basket sits on top of the bluff to the left. To reach the first sets of small gaps to the basket you need at least 220 feet, for a full view of the long basket 250 feet. RHBH can bring it over the water, as a LHBH I intended a turnover, but a slightly late release put me straight down the fairway, no harm done.

-No. 16 Par 3 long to long at 350 feet starts off as a lazy right and then straightens up at about 80 feet out, a nice lefty hole. The fairway is a walking trail on a ledge no more than 12 feet wide all the way down with heavy trees on the left and light brush. On the right more trees and brush and a drop to a bottom about a 40-foot walk and will need steady legs to reach a disc, and more open throwing from the bottom back towards the basket. Also disc lost potential on the right. Off the tee a 4-foot gap and 15 feet in front of you. 60 feet down a tree right in the middle of the fairway. Very narrow all the way down to the basket and not seen until you reach the short tee. I got past the fairway tree and clipped a tree on the left accelerating my disc, found my disc on the right and made the 40-foot walk to the bottom.

-No. 17 Par 3 long to long at 230 feet a lazy dogleg left and after playing no. 16 this hole will look open. The fairway downslopes passing by trees both sides with plenty of room until you reach just outside C1 where there are a few trees needing to hit one of the gaps meandering left. At that point the fairway drops just short of the short basket, with the long basket holding the downslope and a drop towards the pond about 60 feet down with a few trees and high grass to catch a roller if needed. I threw a solid putter within C1 and decided to dump putt, didn't want to chase a disc towards the pond if I missed and it flipped on its side, it's that steep.

Signature Hole:

-No 3 Par 3 long to long at 397 feet is a straight away throwing off a dock across water with the long basket parked halfway up the bluff surround by trees and brush, and a roller. Straight to the basket over water you need to be thinking at least 270 feet with plenty of landing room, if you pick a spot more towards you the distance will shorten. The tee pad is standard size and that's it with water behind you and in front. No run up here. The hole is very scenic, and I spent a few moments peering towards the basket, and out towards the pond. I used a short one-step, last thing I wanted to do was for my follow thru to put me in the water.

Trouble Hole:

No. 9 Par 3 long to long at 287 feet is a safety hazard. The fairway is a straight away with the basket's unseen. Just 15 feet to the right of center line is sidewalk and a moderately busy street need to be checking both directions before teeing. About 45 feet out is a tree gap 15 feet wide, at 90 feet out is a tree centerline and more trees to the left with narrow gaps. Aim for a gap on the left to stay away from street, a tree deflection to the right will go into the street. The baskets sit on a long and narrow knoll about three feet up, the long basket sits on the side towards the street and will roll towards the street. Guardian trees sit on top of the knoll as well. A skilled RHBH or LHFH could bring their disc to a low skip along the street and back on fairway or green, and that would not be me. I got past the gaps on the left and had a legit birdie putt C2, but with that roller to the street, I dumped putted.





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6 0
Stryker
Experience: 7 played 7 reviews
2.00 star(s)

A Last Resort Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 1, 2020 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Multiple tee pads and baskets.
Free entry.
A few very fun holes with interesting layouts.
The layout of the course with the park means you could technically start at any hole and make a complete circuit back to where you started.

Cons:

Danger everywhere. Several holes are along water (not a problem for experience, but most will be scared). Some holes are right next to a playset where kids may be present. Or, the worst, throwing a death putt to a basket within 4 feet of the road.
Signage is not that good, especially for finding the next tee from a basket. One tee requires you to cross a parking lot (and throw back over), and you wouldn't know this without looking.
Extremely tight for most of the course. Several holes share a large square area that is just trees. No open fairways, no easy markings to know which zone is yours, and can be tricky to know which baskets you're throwing to.

Other Thoughts:

I like what they tried to do with this course. It's a city park, so they kind of had to do what they could with it. And some holes are really interesting. Hole 3 can start on a pier and you need to throw over water to get back on land. Hole 6 is fun in that it looks short, but a well-place mando makes it an out-and-back right hook.
However, these few holes don't make up for the overall lack. Again, it's a city park. That ends up hurting it more than it helps.
If I ever play here, I do a sort of modified 9 to avoid the worst areas, but even then I would much prefer to drive to another course. This course I ONLY played if I have no other options and just really want to throw.
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6 0
DrunkenSailor
Experience: 11.9 years 73 played 7 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 19, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

Two tees, two baskets per hole.
Signage for most holes, missing on one or two holes to vandalism I assume.
Clean restroom near hole 1/parking lot.
Grass seemed to be well maintained, no overgrown fairways
Ample amounts of parking.
Makes good use of the available terrain, lake comes into play, elevation on one or two holes, etc

Cons:

Goose droppings absolutely covers the holes near the pond.
Some holes play very near to each other, especially the back 9.
Decent amount of trash, a used condom was hanging from #3 basket for example.
Some fairways use playground equip and picnic tables as obstacles, wasn't an issue when I was there however.

Other Thoughts:

If you are in the area visiting the Delmarva beaches like me this is a nice place to fit a round in on vacation.
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7 0
riltim
Experience: 13.2 years 36 played 4 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Not my favorite course but certainly my favorite while visiting OCMD 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 28, 2018 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Two pads and baskets on all the holes, most pads are in great shape. The course is short but it has some fun throws with plenty of trees to add a challenge. It's my go-to course to bring family members to play while visiting OCMD, easy enough for the family members who rarely play to not get frustrated but not boring for myself who plays often.

Cons:

Some fairways run very close to other fairways. Some baskets are really close to playground equipment or other park goers. I typically play this course in the morning and the park isn't active enough for it to be an issue, but I can see it being one at peak hours.

Another issue I have noticed is the signage has gotten worse. I remember a course map at the shed/building by hole 1's baskets that is no longer there. There are two boards there with disc golf info but no map. Some of the tee signs on the holes are also missing, I assume vandalism. I have played the course often in the past but after 3 years of not playing the course I had a tough time finding hole 1 even with course map.

Only other issue I saw was someone decided to cut a nice square out of 17's long pad. Wasn't a major issue but as a lefty throwing an anhyzer I like to start in that corner.

Other Thoughts:

My brother in law hasn't played in 6 years and we managed to get through the course in a little over an hour playing long pads to red baskets. Not the greatest course, not a terrible course either. It's certainly fun though.
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4 3
papa bear
Experience: 3 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 16, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

2 permanent tees and two permanent baskets on every hole plus one practice basket make this the ideal course for beginners or pros. The rubber tees are all flat and level and make for a consistent surface. One set of baskets is gold and the other one maroon to give two distinct options. The short layout is technical but fair and rewarding for beginners while the long layout is extremely technical with fast greens.

Cons:

The course is very tight while occupying less than 12 acres but the layout has good flow and several Mando's are there for safety. My biggest issue would be that this is a multi use Park. Several holes could you sign each to warn pedestrians a flying discs v several Mando's are there for safety. My biggest issue would be that this is a multi use Park. Several holes could you sign each to warn pedestrians a flying discs
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6 1
seayhorse
Experience: 27.8 years 22 played 16 reviews
3.00 star(s)

pleasant 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 27, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Well marked; pretty park; nice tees and baskets.
2 tees and 2 baskets per hole
Mostly pine cover, so pine needle floor to walk on. No poison ivy.
nice water front holes some variety and technical challenges.
I love the waterside holes, which I consider the course's signature. There's even a tee ON the small pier.

Cons:

cramped on a lot of holes in the middle of the course. layout is not ideal.
a few holes seem to have no fairway at all, with trees blocking every line to the basket. Some play around/the playground and picnic tables- FORE!
only a few long holes. Most short with tight tunnel fairways (if there is a fairway)
you can play this course with only a putter or mid- only a couple open holes.

Other Thoughts:

I give it 'good' rating, mainly because the tees and signs are very well done. 2 baskets and 2 tees per hole.
we rather enjoyed playing the course a few times over the weekend, but after a few rounds, we figured it out.
I would be happy playing there regularly if I lived nearby, but don't make a special trip just to play this course.
Though in nice conditions I would expect to par a course like this, with wind and the number of trees, I never did.
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8 1
sidewinder22
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.6 years 297 played 197 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Schu Fly 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 5, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

18 holes with dual rubber tees and dual discatcher baskets providing a fair amount of variety on a short par 3 course with some moderate woods and some open space. Good signage and navigation. Excellent use the limited elevation on the eastern shore and the pond coming into play. Cool tee shot off the dock on hole 3 and hole 4 providing great risk/reward going for distance with the pond along the right side of the fairway.

Cons:

Cramped layout with holes playing close to each other and playground and other park users, and roads/parking lot. The rubber tee pad on the dock was missing when I played, and I almost slipped and fell off the dock. The dock was covered in goose poo and I actually slipped off the dock on my first step onto it(it was also raining).

Other Thoughts:

Schumaker Pond is a fun little course on the eastern shore in Salisbury as long as it's not crowded. Great course for beginners to advanced players working on short game. I'd recommend this course to anyone looking to play a course on the way to the beach or in the area. Combined with Horse Bridge you get two very different style courses.
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6 0
unsmith
Experience: 9.8 years 14 played 8 reviews
2.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 30, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Shorter course, good for beginners who don't throw very far (i.e., doesn't require a bomb off the tee to have a chance at a deuce). While mostly in the woods, there's a decent mix of lightly and heavily wooded throws with a few open-field throws to mix it up.

Signage is excellent, though if you play the shorter tees you'll need to trek back to the long ones to see the hole map.

Good course to learn to finesse your mids and get your lines right.

Cons:

As others have said, it's a tight course on a narrow strip of land, so if there are any crowds at all at the park you'll need to contend with people crossing your lines. Holes near the road can be a problem if your accuracy is lacking.

While only a couple of the holes list water as "in play," it's a concern on quite a few holes where if you get it wrong either long or right you can easily splash down. Bring your stable/overstable discs.

Other Thoughts:

Given how squeezed the course is, the way you play it should depends on the crowd level. If empty, play how you want. If crowded, consider playing the red tees so you have no over-the-parking-lot throws, and consider enforcing an anhyzer mando on yourself on #8 so you stay to the left of the playground.

Be careful searching for lost discs on any of the holes near the pond - thorns/briars hurt, the footing can be uneven, and pine straw covering can be slippery.
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2 8
PhillyPhan69
Experience: 5 played 5 reviews
5.00 star(s)

I love this place 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 13, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The best signage and directions around!
2 Tee Pads (again the best around!)
short and long baskets (making for 4 different experiences)
Beginner friendly, but will require patience.
A beautiful, clean park with friendly veterans and families throughout.
some tight holes with a few challenges (branches, water, brush, minor elevation and mandos)

Cons:

I have not played many courses....but I don't have a major one. PEOPLE could be a con a guess...holes across the parking lot and/or near parked cars (I have yet to hit one, and dread that I will.....Usually I overcompensate the opposite way and foul up my hole!), people on the swing right near holes 8 & 10 (not so much on 18, but I guess it could be a problem for the errant throw.) Outdoor supplies being sold right on top of the 3rd tee hole (only on weekends) or the football team occasionally practicing on hole 12....but then again it is a community park and not just a disc golf course, so deal with it.

Other Thoughts:

I love this place and probably spend 10-20 hours a week here if all goes the way I hope and plan!
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2 3
PWaggoner
Experience: 11.3 years 29 played 7 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Shumaker! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 19, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

2 Teepads & 2 Baskets allow for every kind of player from novice to pro to find difficulty at shumaker
Great use of the pond, roads, mandos, and hills to create difficulty.
Most holes have multiple tight routes
Great safari layout!
Best teepads of any course I've played.
Free!

Cons:

Walkers/bikers/children at play. Patience is a virtue and while it doesnt bother me to skip a hole on a small course it could bother some disc golfers. People are used to disc golf at shumaker and will move out of the way usually or just ask politely. I've never had anyone become rude or refuse.

Hole eight yellow is close to children slides. Its easy enough to skip though its right next to the parking lot.

Other Thoughts:

Close to gas stations/food. Have bathrooms and water fountain on site always pretty close by.

I truly enjoy every second I spend at shumaker. Its a sour patch kid, one day itll love you and give you the best score of your life and the next youll peg every tree, go in the road, miss your putt and roll down a hill. You'll learn patience and how to throw controlled lines at shumaker or fail miserably in the attempt.
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4 0
tarel
Experience: 14.8 years 54 played 12 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Unexpected Surprise 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 29, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Permanent red and yellow baskets on each hole.

Slightly wide and long rubber pads with excellent placement and drainage to the sides installed properly on level surface, not one single pad had divots, or imperfections around the earth that allowed you to approach from multiple sides.

Smart basket placement for red and yellow rated , a few options available off the tee-pad on lanes you would take towards the basket.

Excellent use of the land space

With 2 pads and 2 baskets offers 4 different ways to play each hole, increasing replay value.

This place will work on the parts of the game that matters most, placement and approach play and smart lane choices.

Beginners will enjoy seeing birdy options Advanced players will enjoy the many options to replay this course and lane/line opportunism for practice.

Water and elevation skip hazards will force careful placement if your running at the basket for ace runs.

Great signage , next tee signs.

Does not take long to play the course.

Very clean, no trash.

Restroom and water avail on site.

Cons:

Park safety stops this from being a 4. Mandos attempt to correct this. Multiple people playing can inter lap fairways

Some may consider the length of the holes to be a con if your a fan of just throwing giant hyzers.

New players may get upset at some of the tight lanes and mando's on a few of the holes.

There is a playground on the site and some benches/walking paths and roadway which will come into consideration at times,


.

Other Thoughts:

I got to play this course on accident was driving though to Chesapeake from pa and was a last minute choice since it was on the way, This was refreshing, played the course twice was no boring, I WISH WISH WISH this course was closer to me. Please if you are driving through do yourself a favor and get off the highway and play this. Hopefully there are not alot of people there when you are, see cons.
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2 2
nate11
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Best of the few courses I've played 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 13, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

I've only been playing for four months, but this course is the best I have come across.

The water adds a great mental challenge to the beginning of the round. Luckily for me the water was only a few inches deep a couple feet from shore.

The distances and room for error are appropriate for each hole. The open holes are long and the short holes are tight or have some hazard. No holes were too easy or too hard playing from the long tees to the long baskets.

Despite the trees everywhere, there is very little underbrush to lose a disc. There are some thorns, but nothing that prevents finding a disc. Even discs in the water are easily retrievable.

Great baskets.

The course uses its little elevation change brilliantly. Baskets are placed on or near the hills to add another variable to the putt. Going for a long one putt might lead to a frustrating three if the hill takes it.

Once you find the first tee, finding the next tee from the basket is simple. The small arrows attached to the baskets are helpful.

Nice people. It was my first time playing the course and a local gave me a scorecard with the course layout in exchange for me reviewing the course.

Great location. Being located right off of 50 makes it a great place to play. I played on the way back from the beach with my girlfriend, who also called this course the best she has played.

The pond. It's massive. Though a bit dirty, it definitely adds to the round.

The signage is accurate and points out the location of the red tee relative to the yellow. This is helpful for the spot where there are 6 tees in a tiny area.

The mandos are clearly marked in almost all cases. The signs are bright to contrast with the trees, although one hole (10?) had the signs partially obscured by tree branches and were cardboard color against a tree background.

I like the two sets of tees AND baskets. Playing from near tees to far baskets and vice versa adds two intermediate difficulties to make the course feel new to those replaying it.

Cons:

The biggest con is safety. Throws near the parking lot, near the playground, and near other fairways are routine. A tee shot of mine ricocheted off a tree and crossed over another player's disc on another hole. With the back 9 being more tightly wooded and less spacious, there is a significant chance to get hit by or hit someone with a disc. Be aware at all times. Some baskets are also located right along the road and walking trail.

The trees produce a lot of debris (pine cones, branches, etc.) that lays on the fairways. This isn't a big problem, just something my girlfriend noted.

Finding the first tee from the parking lot is a bit difficult the first time through. "It's by the big cowboy head." Great, but where is the big cowboy head?

I played during a weekday, but if this course is crowded, safety would be a major issue. Plan accordingly.

There is no elevation change on tee shots at all. What little elevation change is left for approach shots to maximize the effect the slope has on the course.

Other Thoughts:

Some of the baskets are tightly guarded by trees.

I liked the short dog leg left hole with the mando (7?). I got a birdie due to throwing an overstable disc up in the air a bit and letting it stall out and take a sharp left turn. I ended up about 15 feet from the basket.

The basket on 14 I believe is a cool sight. The basket is in the open with about 40 feet behind it and then the pond. It makes focusing on the basket a bit more difficult knowing that a long miss could end up in the water if the hill grabs it.

I love the challenge that each hole has. Everything seemed to have the right level of difficulty and danger.

My rating for the course is a 4. Other people on the course can severely affect the enjoyment and safety of the course. If the playground is in use, forget about throwing at those baskets near it. Other than the potential for not being able to play some holes and to be hit with a disc, this is an excellent course. I would highly recommend playing it during off-peak hours.
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2 5
Citadelly
Experience: 12.9 years 41 played 10 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Always a good time on the Pond! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 18, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

2 Tees and 2 Pins

Sign on all 18

Excellent mix of 'Mandos'

Easy to navigate

Good mix of narrow & open shots

Cons:

Goose poop on 3, 4, & 5

Some throws are a little too close to the road and main parking lot


Other Thoughts:

Always a good time at Schumaker Pond!
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1 7
TomZ
Experience: 14.8 years 260 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Fun, Flexible Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 8, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Multiple tees and two baskets on each hole provide a great variety of play experience. Great for a group with mixed skill levels. Lots of trees, which means you have to aim carefully and hit your line.

Cons:

Not much elevation change to work with, but it has been taken advantage of where possible.
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1 4
aDedhed
Experience: 23.8 years 31 played 21 reviews
3.00 star(s)

technical 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 6, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

very tight technical course. the water plays part in about 6 holes. if your disc doesn't go to far in the water it is shallow enough to retrieve.

Cons:

lots of trees in the way. i hate trees. also there is a lot of pedestrians. with it being in a city park it is in the middle of a city park.
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1 2
JediEthan1
Experience: 4 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 10, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Excellent variety, incorporates many different types of terrain, including water very nicely. I would definitely recommend this course to anybody, because it presents a challeng to newbies and veterans alike. I love this course bbecause of its variety and flow, and for the fact that I can come play a quick round when I want in a nice atmosphere, and not have to allow a day for it. In fact, if you are eplaying solo, you can probably get in a round in 45 minutes. Water holes present nice risk/reward situations.

Cons:

people other than disc golfers are present during some parts of the day. However, if someone is obstructing your throw, you could go the the other pin position if it is only a casual round.

Other Thoughts:

Pro shop in the bathroom facilities is nice (open when course designer,Chris Roberts, is there), and local players were very helpful and knowledgeable. I would come to play this course again for sure, and it's not too far from the "beaten path."
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4 0
Aupps
Experience: 13.8 years 32 played 23 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 3, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

**I played Gold tees to Gold pins**

-Dual Tees and Dual pins for every hole, makes lots of good combinations
-Rubber tee pads! I prefer these.
-Signs are very nice, though they really don't give an accurate representation of all the trees on the back nine
-Good use of Mandos.
-Loved #3. I had never thrown from a dock before and that was great fun despite the goose poop.

Cons:

-The course is extremely tight
-#8 should be removed from the course all together for safety reason, throwing over a parking lot to a basket that is in the middle of a play ground. I took the safe route and 2 putted just so I wouldn't hit any toddlers that were playing there
-On the back nine, "fairways" were cluttered with trees and random picnic tables. Not very friendly to beginners or novices
-Holes down by the water were covered in goose poop but there isn't much to do about that.

Other Thoughts:

I had a good time on the first 7 holes after that was just frustration with the course design. Remove #8 and move some picnic tabes and knock down a few trees and you would have a great course.
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11 1
prerube
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 16.8 years 274 played 235 reviews
1.50 star(s)

a 4 star course killed by safety issues 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 18, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Dual tee pads and two baskets on every hole
There was a pro shop in the men's bathroom selling discs, bags, clothes, and baskets.
Excellent tee signs on the far pins.
Arrows on the bottom of the baskets aided to smooth flow and few navigational issues.
Nice attempt at signature holes. The far tee for 3 is on the dock, the far tee for 6 is slightly down a hill, and 11 has dual mandos to squeeze between.
The bench on 16 serves as an ace board.
The course director and his dog (Air Bear) are awesome. He is very friendly and helpful.

Cons:

LOTS OF MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS really hurt this otherwise nice course:
6 throws dangerously close to the road and 7 throws towards the main parking lot. 8 throws over the parking lot and the worst offense is hole 8's far basket is placed in the middle of the playground (see pic). Hole 9 throws parallel with the road with both baskets being just a few feet from the road. Hole 10's basket is in the middle of 3 picnic tables (closest table is 11 feet from basket). There are also many times where you can easily throw onto someone else on another hole.

Other Thoughts:

Course is just past the waterfowl art museum and just minutes from the zoo.
If you are looking for a nice place to play on a Saturday afternoon, this is not for you. This course needs to be played early in the morning on weekdays so you can play it safely.
According to the course designer this course was designed after Warwick park in NY, but less intense.
Chance of disc loss in the water on holes 2-4
Par is attainable (I deuced 1,5,6,18 *long tee to short basket), but there is a challenge present.
The course design is better than most 3.5 rated courses, but the other park activities make too many holes unplayable or risky.
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3 0
jkdisc
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.5 years 117 played 108 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Alot in a little 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 1, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

As you come up to the park you wonder how there is going to be an 18 hole DG course because it seems like a very narrow strip of land for a park. They fit it in but just barely!

-easy to navigate
-water holes make nice risk/reward
-clean and safe park
-friendly and helpful local players
-despite not being a huge course it can still be challenging
-bathrooms are centrally located and were very clean
-the throw from the dock was really fun

Cons:

There are some things to watch out for:

- lots of goose poo
-rubber tees get slippery

*BIGGEST CON*
-safety hazards:
some holes play near parking areas, roads, and playgrounds

Other Thoughts:

I was pleasantly suprised with Schumaker but overall it is just way too squeezed in. I like the "Lost Disc" box, I hear when they drain the pond they brave the mud and go get the lost discs and try to get them back to their owner (nice job guys). I will be back sometime.
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