Newark, DE

Iron Hill

4.35(based on 76 reviews)
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23 3
jamespenn
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 4.1 years 33 played 34 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Smashmouth Defense

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Dec 10, 2022 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Wooded, but not much in the way of rough. It's pretty much just trees and rocks

To the extent there are defined fairways, they are typically quite wide, 100-feet or more. However there are hundreds of trees in the middle of the fairway.

There are several very entertaining basket locations that you don't typically see. Right on the edge of creek embankments, on top of rocky slopes, at the top of a staircase, wedged in between trees, very nice

You're not going to lose a disc, unless its buried in leaves.

For a big, long nasty course, the holes are all relatively close together.

Cons:

The course doesn't make it a secret that they maintain the Gold Tees to Gold Baskets the best, and everything else is a secondary priority. They exist to have PDGA Elite events, and everyone else is fortunate to be there. For example, if you play any other tee but the Golds, there are holes where the tee pad is dirt next to a painted rock.

If you play in the fall, early winter, bring a leaf blower. Not just to find your disc, but to expose the various rocks and holes in the ground so you don't break your ankle during a shot.

While the name might be Iron Hill, there are no steep slopes to go up or down. If there is an elevation change, it's very gradual. That's only a con in that it's hard to really be phenomenal if every hole is a relatively flat walk through the woods.

Other Thoughts:

This is one of those courses that you think you should probably beat up on, but instead you play plinko all day as any shot slightly off line careens through the woods and settles down in a spot where the only smart play is to pitch out sideways to the other half of the fairway. Even shots that look like they're going directly at the green are often swatted sideways by pencil thin trees you didn't even notice.

The course gets off to a wonderful start with a gently downhill dogleg right, where two mid-range turnover shots can slide right up to the rocky circle. I don't even remember the second hole, and that's kind of a problem here that prevents it from being truly spectacular. There is kind of an ever present sameness to a lot of the holes. Three and Four are memorable though, mainly because you have lots and lots of room for your tee shot. You still can't air it out though, it's still two placement shots. Both holes let you play from a wide field into a narrow corridor Three and Four are the best holes on the course, as you can actually decide which side of the huge fairway you'd like to be on, in order to then approach a tiny hallway to the basket. They're really the only holes with a side-to-side strategy, as opposed to merely deciding how far you want to throw. Every other hole pretty much dictates you play down one side of the fairway, and blocks you off if you try to do anything else.

Five is an uphill, narrow par 5. If there is a par 5, rest assured it's narrow and uphill. After this is a series of holes in the woods that if you throw 240 feet dead straight every shot, you'll be fine. There are a couple of fun downhill par 3s in that stretch, but mostly it's long, narrow par 4 holes that you dink and dunk your way forward until eventually you move onto the next tee.

Seventeen is the next truly memorable hole, a fabulous par 5 that actually allows you to use the wide woods fairways. Oh sure there are still trees everywhere, but they're spaced out more randomly on this hole, you can pick a side and play that way, and still have a forward shot. I would imagine the regulars are still figuring out which way is their preferred route, unlike most of the other holes, which dictates one side of the fairway is OK, and the other is not. The green is perched up on a 10-foot high mound with a rock staircase, it's just really a fun hole. After that, it's one more hole where only one side of the fairway is really playable, and the other side leads you into a trap where you are totally blocked.

I suppose if I played here more and learned which half of the fairways is the clear half, and which side is a course designer trap, I'd have more fun. However the first couple of times around are filled with shots you think are pretty decent, only to find you are blockaded by a series of 2-inch wide trees, like you're in a Revolutionary War makeshift prison. At times I could picture the designer in my head, snickering and pointing at me as my drive sailed down the right or left side of the fairway, knowing I'd have no chance to go for the green.

If a course designer did that at a ball golf course, the members would revolt and take chain saws to the property. But I think disc golfers are much more tolerant of this situation.

The course conditions, other than some of the non-gold tee pads, are excellent. There are a LOT of leaves on the ground in the fall/early winter, but when I went they were mostly trampled flat. Still, your disc is going to burrow a few times a round, on the rare occasion your disc isn't dropping directly to the ground after hitting yet another tree.


(P.S., this is the first review I ever got a thumbs down on... how dare I say this place is only Very Good!)
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27 0
DumfriesLizzie
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 5.5 years 110 played 101 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Not just for the pros 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 21, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

The Iron Hill course is pretty, wooded, and can be quite peaceful, it appears, if groups spread out and don't crowd one another. I arrived the same time of a 3-some with much better skills than me. They started on no. 1. I walked down the asphalt path to no. 10, listening and watching to insure I wasn't walking into the path of a hot disc in flight. Judging from the number of cars in the parking lot, I didn't think this would be an issue, and it was not. While not the traditional way to encounter a no. 10 from course central (you walk mid-fairway back to the tees), it turned out okay. You won't be able to do this if the course is busy, but you can if the players are sparse.

Course central is a largish grove of woods with two practice baskets. In addition to practicing your putting, you can practice your approach here. Which is great, since one starts off a round with a drive. Not a putt... So throwing with some power loosens up those muscles. Most courses don't have such a large warmup area, so this one is definitely welcome.

The terrain is hilly (up and down), rocky, and the track is long. That means no one will be running around the course, playing rapid disc golf. For those of us who like to take our full 30 seconds before throwing and actually contemplate our strategy, this keeps the faster players at bay to some degree.

If you are in greater Newark, the course is a piece of cake to get to. Centrally located (close to I-95) yet out in suburbia/exburbia in quite a tranquil setting.

Though it's definitely more woods than open (only the nos. 3 and 4 middle fairways are open), I think the wooded fairways are largely fair. And you start with some of the wider ones before things get pretty narrow at nos. 8 and 9 and again at nos. 12-13. Slower and smooth throws. Maybe you will mostly stay out of trouble. Many fairways vary in width with wider sections you can land in if you can get the distance. This is very fair, and cuts one a break on occasion.

Cons:

There could be a few more benches. I think the ones that exist are at the long tee, which makes the best sense on a wooded course where there isn't a ton of open space in the first place.

Some of the short tees only have rocks or just one painted rock marking them. Would be nice for us short throwers to have a real pad also.

I think there are no real restrooms, but there is a large porta-potty at the top of the most-inward parking lot. Something is better than nothing.

With all the shade, some spots get muddy after a rain and stay that way for an extended amount of time. But this is not the case all over, so the place is not a bog like many flat courses with poor drainage. Not at all. You are traversing hills after all, so the run-off is pretty good.

No. 8 is really hard because it is so steep. IMHO I think it should be a par 4 from the middle tee to the short basket, if it isn't.

I don't think any of the current hole signs include the truly short tee if there are 3 tees. I found 3 tees at nos. 1, 3, 5, and 8. If these are not going to be removed at some point, they need to be accounted for in the signage. Perhaps the pars for all 3 pads and 2 baskets would thereafter need to be adjusted.

Other Thoughts:

I played the short or middle tee to the short basket, whether said was the gold or silver basket. They vary per hole, though it seems the silver are short on the F9 and there is more of a mixture on the B9 (yellow sometimes short; silver sometimes short).

I suspect the truly short pad (when there are 3 tees) was the original solo pad, before there were multiple tees. If you are truly trying to play from the shortest pads, remember what is on the hole sign as the short pad is actually the middle pad and walk ahead a bit. All of them are on the edge of the fairway, one side or the other. And if you play the middle tees by error, they are not at all onerous (fellow short throwers). I played them on nos. 3, 5, and 8 and survived. Even threw in a miraculous and long spin putt on no. 8.

With its reputation, I came to Iron Hill expecting to be chewed up and spit out like yesterday's spoiled meat. While I certainly did not set the world afire (I never do), I didn't do worse than I have on many other very challenging courses. And that is very encouraging. Now, maybe that isn't the case playing long-to-long, but I think what the course forces one to do is truly play to your ability. If you really cannot handle the course with some decent skill from the long tee, move up. There is no shame in that. I expect I will be on the short/middle tees for a really long time, if not always. Maybe if I ever get a decent game, I play to the long basket from the short/middle tee. I believe that is all I need to try to aspire to here.

Finally, because of the goodly amount of walking you will be doing, this is not a 2-hour round course. Expect to be here 3 hours and have nothing crucial immediately planned afterwards. It might not be so stupid to pack a few snacks and take a break from all the walking, possibly at the picnic table at no. 14. Though you are 2/3's done by then (if you play 1-18 in order), you're going to be walking back uphill in a bit, and no. 17 is a monster. I would not play another course on the same day I play Iron Hill unless the other course is some flat, open 9-holer. Is there such in Newark? I was pretty pooped when I was done and needed to sit down on a boulder before walking up the fire road and back to the parking lot. I had dropped a towel on 16 (played 10-18, then 1-9) and walked backwards from 18 to find it after finishing no. 9. I didn't really know where it fell out of my bag, but guessed probably the 14-18 stretch. And I was right.

I think Iron Hill is a reasonable if intense, rugged course. Your first time here, come with humility and play less-challenging pads. I think you will enjoy it more that way. As you learn this course better (like anywhere else), you can move back to the longer pad or play to the longer basket.
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28 1
gtg888h
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.8 years 40 played 27 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Pinnacle of Woods Golf 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 7, 2020 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

+The forest here feels like walking through a natural cathedral. Huge, towering trees combine with imposing rocks to create a beautiful and imposingly-challenging course.

+Nearly every hole seems to be crafted with its own unique challenge, be it the tee shot (tunnels, specific heights), a specific upshot (around guardian trees or avoiding danger), or the position of the basket (up on huge mounds/rocks, next to big drops into creeks, etc). The most "plain" hole designs on this course would be a top-3/4 hole on most other courses I've played.

+Some true signature holes here. Hole 5 is a par 5 going uphill the whole way with the long pin on top of an imposing rock formation. Hole 8 is another par 5 with a big uphill drive and a million rocks in the fairway, and an elevated basket on a nice wooden-beam pyramid (most satisfying par of my day!). Hole 12 has a specific tee shot and then a challenging approach into a downward-sloping green protected by huge rocks. And hole 17 would be on many people's "Dream 18" - endless in length, constantly uphill, and an iconic natural platform that's bigger in real life than it looks on video...you feel honored to be playing it.

+Par-72 courses are not common in DG, but hoo buddy does this course merit such a score. It's wonderful having a course with so many holes where you're not trying to just park the drive from the tee, and you get to take so many fairway drives and upshots in a single round.

+For a course that's as heavily-wooded and challenging as Iron Hill, the rough is well-maintained and your likelihood of lost discs is much lower than you'd expect. I played on Father's Day with my wife and 5-y.o., and probably didn't look longer than one minute for a disc (I definitely had my wife spot me on a few blind shots over hills).

+Multiple tee pads and pins per hole that are suitably designed for different players. As mentioned in the info section, the pars from the short tee pads are approx 900-rated, and the pars from the long pads are 1000-rated.

+Layout is excellent, with a walk of only 100 yards or so to get to the parking lot from holes 9/10 - easy to refill on water/food, which is good for such a long course. And a big practice area with two baskets separated by about 100' with trees in between to get you ready for the challenge ahead.

+C1 white markers are seemingly in the ground permanently around the long baskets at least - makes you feel like you're playing a real, pro course.

+Free to play. How is this free to play!?

Cons:

-Layout and distance signs are only on the long tee pads, and only show distances from long tees. UDisc was waaaay off on the distance and pars for short-to-long, so I had to have DGCR up on my phone to get the actual distance/par for each hole.

Other Thoughts:

Updated Sept 2021 - appears most, if not all, dirt tee pads for white tee pads are now poured. This course keeps getting better and better.

I had watched the 2018 and 2019 DDGC tournaments before playing this, and had goosebumps on a few holes when seeing them IRL - especially #17.

I haven't played as many courses as many reviewers on this site, but hands-down this is a 5/5 course. The beauty, challenging, variety of holes, and upkeep of this (free to play!!) course is second-to-none. I may play a better course one day, but I seriously doubt I would drop this score down.

If this was your home course that you played a couple time per week, you would get *really* good in a hurry. That said, maybe not the best course to bring a beginner to.
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24 2
HyooMac
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 6.7 years 415 played 380 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Close to Perfect

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Dec 1, 2023 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

**** REVISED AND UPDATED, DECEMBER 2023 ****

A replay of White to Gold after 3+ years away, and I happily found improvements. 16 of the 18 White tees are now poured concrete or framed pavers. Although the signage is still lacking for a course of this caliber, uDIsc or a map will work fine for you. Metal "Next Tee" signs are now visible at almost every green. Short posts painted white are now visible at each tee, making navigation a snap. I feel like the entire White Tees experience has been upgraded since my previous review.



+ All that noted, let's get to the best stuff: the holes. They are excellent. They are challenging, but always fair. The lines are there, you just need to hit them. And for a deeply wooded course, there's nothing too tight. There are some fairways that narrow at the landing zone or at the approach. But nothing you'd look at and question the designer's choices.


+ Although the Gold baskets are the stars of the show (elevated greens, tricky placements, hillside death putts, atop or behind boulders), don't sleep on the shorter Silver DGA baskets. While many of them just shorten the layout, several are in great locations…atop a boulder (#7) , up a narrow side path past the Gold basket (#12), wedged high between three tree trunks (#13).


+ One of the best things Iron Hill has going for it is the ability to challenge a variety of players using the two main tees (Gold and White) and two baskets (Gold and SIlver).


+ For my money, #17 is one of the most magnificent holes in disc golf. Long straight par 5 (680' White / 860' Gold). Uphill - you can see the basket in the distance sitting up on that beautiful rise with the stone staircase leading up to the tabletop green. Deep woods on either side of the fairway, but that basket is always in sight, though just a little farther than you think.

Cons:

.

- The shorter (Red) tees are dirt, hard to find - and probably not worth playing. I guess you could bring a newbie along to play the Reds-to-Silvers, but Iron Hill is far more geared to intermediate and above.


- There's not a lot of call for RHFH, left-to-right flights. Yeah, you'll need FH/flicks when you're off the fairway, but this is a RHBH dominant layout


- uDisc calls Iron Hill "cart-friendly" and DGCR calls it "somewhat." This is not the fault of the course, but even "somewhat" is generous. It's hilly, there are lots of rocky fairways and a few narrow transitions. I've played it with and without my cart, and I think the cart was more trouble than it's worth.


.

Other Thoughts:

.

~ The layout consists of two tightly-grouped loops that begin and end near the parking lot/practice area. Pretty easy to access gear or snacks mid-round.


~ Your experience at Iron Hill will benefit from multiple plays. "Local knowledge" is a big benefit for avoiding trouble. For example, the narrow approach to basket #3 slopes down hard to the left, and if you're going to make a mistake, you're better off missing right. Greens are guarded by "invisible trees" (those ones you don't see when planning your shot), and multiple plays will show you the best lines


~ Walking forward from the Gold tees, notice that trees have been painted with single vertical stripes to indicate the positions of the forward tees


~ There is a sneaky amount of elevation here - on almost every hole. There are a few long, flat fairways and a couple of steep hills, but most shots have to consider the effects of subtle elevation change


~ There are a few spots on this course that are so beautiful to make you stop and admire them. Other reviewers have used the term "cathedral" and they're not wrong: the high canopy formed by the tall oaks lining fairways - with the sun poking through - is amazing (and to push the analogy too far, the raised green on 17 is the cathedral altar …)


~ There's no way it will be another 3+ years before I replay Iron Hill. The sign of a great course: I can't wait to play it again, because I'm SURE I can play it better!


.
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Designer response by jimimc
Hopefully the tee pads and signs for the White layout will be upgraded. I've asked locals to help, but the Gold layout will always get the most attention.
5 16
SillyPeddy
Experience: 2.8 years 15 played 14 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Best of DE 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 2, 2019 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- Long wooded curving holes with some serious elevation changes on a few of them.
- Very fun to play from all pads to all baskets. Really changes up the shots from short to long!
- This course is so well taken care of, always spotless.
- Best course is DE (IMO)


Just go play it!

Cons:

Some fairways have crazy rocks everywhere

Other Thoughts:

I applaud the crew!
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18 1
toddnick
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 5.8 years 86 played 31 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Magnificent Woods Golf 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 25, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

There are so many pros on this course.

Let's start with the general feel of the course which is unbelievable.

The huge trees, the fair but challenging fairways, the rocks, and the clean rough (no disc finding necessary). It is like a cathedral in the woods, so majestic, you feel blessed to be out on a track like this.

Though it is heavily wooded, each hole is unique, and requires thought on each shot.

There is some great use of stone for steps to a few elevated greens. The pin placements add a lot of challenge while still being fair.

It is well marked, was the only one on the course early in the morning and only got confused once walking the course.

Nice tee pads and baskets, no traffic outside of disc golfers.

Cons:

Really none that stuck out; had a great time.

Other Thoughts:

This is only the second 5 star rating that I have given (the other being Deer Lakes). It just stands a little above some of the other fantastic courses that I have played (Moraine, Brewster Ridge, Maple Hill, Muddy Run, Borderland, 501).
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23 5
Ryal
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 6.8 years 216 played 182 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Iron Clad Iron Hill 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 21, 2021 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

+ The location is spectacular. Most of the course takes place deep in the forest. I prefer to play solo, so being alone in the middle of the woods makes for a very peaceful session.
+ The trees outlining the fairways and constantly in the way require the player to be more thoughtful than usual about all of their throws.
+ Fantastic elevation challenges uphill or downhill on most holes make this course a tough nut to crack.
+ Nearly every hole has dozens of large rocks littering the ground, which add a dimension of flavor that few other courses can match. It feels like a vigorous trek just walking the course. Bring your hiking staff!
+ A few of the pins are embedded among tree branches, anchored atop rocks, or planted at the summit of pyramid hills. Some clever design was utilized here to make the course feels as though it sprouted out of the ground.
+ Fairways are mostly clear and distinguishable from rough areas.
+ Benches or logs are at every hole for players to sit while they wait or just to take in the sights for awhile.
+ Good 'next tee' signs.

Cons:

- Only two wide-open holes to let loose at reckless full power.
- The silver and blue tees don't have any signs of their own, which is a shame. It means that the player would have to find and walk to the gold tee, get the information they need and then walk back to their desired tee pad.
- Many of the elevation and tree combinations will frustrate some players.
- Very few trash cans and no bathrooms save for the plastic outhouses in the parking lot.

Other Thoughts:

Hole6 is my favorite one to play because it was a nice gentle valley shape with fair trees to dodge or poke through. Hole8 is my favorite to look at because that initial rocky hill and bordering trees give that specific spot a 'mysterious forest' vibe. My least favorite hole might be 18. To my mind it was the least dynamic hole to play.

As for Iron Hill as a whole, I get exactly what I expect each time I come here. I don't know why I always choose to make this sport so hard for myself by voluntarily choosing the long tees. Perhaps I have fooled myself into believing that it makes me improve faster? Regardless, all of these holes are tough as nails.
Beginners newly learning the game at this course will certainly improve much faster than most players by simple virtue of the fact that Iron Hill has one of the most challenging and merciless landscapes I have ever played.
With the exception of holes 3 and 4, there are trees always around you at all times. Iron hill demands that its players be intentional and precise. There are lines that go straight, bend left and bend right with high and low ceilings alike. The elevation issues can be leisurely and gradual as in hole 12 or sudden and nigh insurmountable as with holes 5 or 17. But all you have to do is continue throwing, fend off the frustration and choose the experience that is meant for you.

To that end, there are two sets of pins and two, sometimes three, sets of tees. This results in a great number of options and customized difficulty levels for all players. While Iron Hill is definitely meant to be a top-level course, a lot of consideration has been put into making the course playable by all.

I still think that this course's inherent challenges will always be naturally intimidating to players of any ability. No matter who I talk to, whenever the name "Iron Hill" enters the conversation, everyone's eyes grow wider and those who have played here make a playful knowing groan. This course is famous.
The elevation challenges alone would be too daunting for people just starting out. Add to that the rocks on nearly every hole and the myriad of trees, and you get a perfect storm of difficulty that would almost certainly throw even experienced players for a loop.

That said, I do feel that Iron Hill deserves a strong recommendation. It is intentionally challenging with the holes' distances, hills, trees, and rocks. Iron Hill will accept nothing but your best. The natural forested setting will delight you with breezes blowing through branches, quiet secluded space and the soft shuffling of leaves and twigs beneath your feet.

I first visited this course way back in March 2018. I hadn't been playing disc golf for a year yet at that point, and I thought it would be a good idea to play from the gold layout and then write a review about it based on that experience. I scored it 3.5 back then, which made some people angry. Looking back, I totally understand why. A good course is a good course regardless of a player's skill. Yes, it's true that a player's skill and experience directly factor (either positively or negatively) into the enjoyment that player extracts from a course. Now that I am a much better player than I was even just a year ago, I can appreciate Iron Hill's features more than I thought I already did.

Having said all of that! It still helps to already be an experienced player before coming here, but I think that all disc golfers should give Iron Hill a try at least once. Gather a group of friends and make it a pilgrimage. For those of you who are seeking a challenge that refuses to take pity on errant throws and dares you to climb its hills and dodge its trees, then may I suggest Iron Hill. Bring your A-game.
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Designer response by jimimc
The problems you had with the measurements, tee signs and the baskets not all being the same color had to do with setting up a FPO layout for the NT in September. The FPO layout will be completely different than either the Gold or Silver layouts the course is normally set up in. This fact may change your review. Come check out the course when it's set up the way the signs say. It was just moved back and will remain that way until September.
4 13
Redzo
Experience: 7.5 years 13 played 11 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Professional 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 22, 2017 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Best course I have played. Very professionally detailed and maintained, with a wide variety of holes, and some very fun holes as well. Very clean, always updated, and a very structured feeling.

Cons:

None.
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21 0
jjtwinnova
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 8.7 years 246 played 97 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Fe Hill, Au Layout 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 10, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

As a rec to intermediate level player, I was hesitant to play the Gold Layout at Iron Hill. All the people I talked to claimed that it was one of the hardest courses you could ever play, especially if you only have a 300 foot arm like myself. However, I was absolutely surprised to have played well, but also get beat down by the brutal Golds.

The gold tees were nice, long, grippy concrete, with knowledgeable tee signs with map, distance, and par. The gold baskets were Innova Discatchers that were both very visable, and caught well.

The rocks that were placed in the fairway, on the green, under the basket, and around the tee. They were a great form of natural beauty, with a definite added challenge to the course. I can't be the only one who thinks rocks on a disc golf course is the coolest thing ever. Just so natural.

The course flowed throughout the beautiful park, with navigational signs that guided you along the way, as well as beat in paths along the way. These are things that you love to see at park courses, well, all courses, but it really shows that the people in charge of this course care.

Adding to that, the course itself was in great shape. The fairways were clear of grass and weeds, the rough was clean enough to not lose a disc, but also rough enough to penalize bad shots. The people in charge of the park make sure that the course is in the best shape.

Although I did not play any holes from the shorter tees, they looked worth a try if you have time to play multiple rounds, however, they do look like a possible work in progress.

The holes themselves were tremendous. You had holes that were perfectly carved throughout the thick Delaware woods. You were playing down and up steep hills, throwing each and every shot that you have in your bag and then some.

The real way to shoot well at this course is to hit fairways. If you can't throw it 400 feet, you can still be okay. Throw shots in the fairway, and par can be made However, it rewards well placed distance shots, creating score separation for the strong and weak players.

There were a lot of holes I found very enjoyable, most of the par 5s come to mind. They were true par 5s, rewarding distance and accuracy, and as stated by many before me, punished bad shots.

The Gold Tees are a legit par 72, something you rarely see. The possibilities for a 85+ round are definitely there, but you can also shoot mid 60s with a solid game. It is a course that plays differently every time you are there, as you will get into different situations on every hole.

Cons:

I believe that Iron Hill has one of, if not the best gold layouts in the country. I felt like you can easily play countless rounds here without getting bored, but even the best courses have cons.

First of all, the short tees. They looked like a great option for someone who is not up for the challenge of the golds, or someone who does not have the time to play the longs, but they were not in great shape. None were concrete, none had separate tee signs. They were definitely there, and I would not mind playing them, but I know that the course could really benefit from the addition of a permanent set of short tees.

When I played, the silver baskets were not in the ground. I was not going to play the anyways, so it didn't affect me, and it is really just an added bonus anyway, but I was confused as to why they were not in the ground.

There was not a single hole I felt was filler, or really remotely close to filler, but there was not really a spectacular feature hole either. Nothing you wanted to empty your bag on.

There were some repetitive holes, not overly repetitive, but somewhat. I loved all of the holes at the course, but there was opportunity for more variation that I believe they missed.

I saw a snake, and I don't like snakes. I didn't know what kind it was, but wasn't about to ask it to ID itself. Just watch where you are stepping. Not a con, just a precaution.

Other Thoughts:

This course is honestly so close to a five for me. It is most definitely a destination course, and an easy 4.5.

I can not wait to take another trip here next year, hopefully to play a tournament, that way it is in the best shape. Hopefully in the years to come, this gem of a course continues to grow and get updated enough to reach a 5 star status!
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Designer response by jimimc
Thanks. The Silver pins are pulled once a year for the A tiers. They will be going back in next week.
20 0
Cerealman
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 15.6 years 571 played 173 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Iron Hill: Magnificent test of mettle 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 20, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

If you inquired about the best disc golf course in Maryland, you could forgive someone for jokingly responding "Iron Hill." Just a couple miles across the Delaware border is a disc golf course that offers tremendous design, worthy challenges and excellent multi-teepad, multi-basket layouts.

The smorgasbord of teepad and basket choices - from the short red layout to the mammoth gold layout - means that every disc golfer will find a reasonable challenge at Iron Hill. In fact, the gold layout includes 11 holes that are 600 feet or longer. Also, the baskets - the "silver" Chainstars and "gold" Discatchers - are usually in significantly different areas, offering a diversity of targets and obstacles instead of just simply a longer hole.

While a map might be helpful in navigating in between holes, the "traversability" is excellent. Even off the fairway, the number of terribly sticky spots with briars and brush are few. Enough trees have been removed to ensure that most of the fairways are fair and even the areas off the fairway are bearable and allow for recovery. In fact, several gentlemen were in the process of removing a couple of unnecessary trees when I played. I appreciate that the course is regularly maintained.

The signs are detailed and nicely designed, though the signs were only at the long teepads.

The silver basket on Hole #14 is in a tree. But the basket is positioned perfectly and doesn't feel gimmicky.

Cons:

With most of the course situated in the woods, the course does feel slightly redundant by the end. A lot of the holes are fairly straight, though several holes offer changes in elevation.

The short teepads aren't perfect - some of them are little more than dirt and stones. But despite the condition, I didn't have any issues with them.

Other Thoughts:

I played the white tees - short teepad to long basket - but I thought that the par of 72 was a little on the generous side. (Even though I still finished over par.) All four holes that were par-5 or par-6 seemed one throw too high. A par of 68 for the white tees seems about right.

If you like wooded courses with big trees but reasonable fairways, Iron Hill is an excellent selection. I walked around the course with a huge grin on my face while enjoying the challenge and ambiance. As nice as the DGCR photos are, the course is even better than the images show. And if you're seeking to snag a course in "The First State," the easy-to-reach and peaceful Iron Hill is definitely the best choice.
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15 0
RamsFan1
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.5 years 91 played 91 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Tremendous Disc Golf Experience 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 20, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

18 hole primarily wooded (2 open field holes) championship level course in a nice town park. Two practice baskets, an informational kiosk and a porta pottie are all by the ample parking area near hole 1. There are three tee pads and two baskets- a gold and a silver- at each hole, providing players of all levels with plenty of options. The gold layout is a par 72, 10,000 foot monster which will challenge you in ways most are not used to at a typical course. There are benches at many holes and attractive colored signs by each tee pad give you comprehensive information for each hole. Despite the course length, navigation is relatively easy. The design and basket placements reflect great thought and effort, and elevation is incorporated nicely into the layout. Several standout holes- hole 12 is a long straight shot then dog leg left, 13 is a really fun downhill shot with a silver basket wedged between two trees above rocks- and hole 17 is a 900 foot par 5 with a gold basket perched above a beautifully constructed rock wall and stairway.

Cons:

The silver baskets could use flags extending from the top, as many are hard to see given the course's length. Although their absence doesn't detract from the golf, more benches, bag poles and navigational arrows would be of great help. Though nice, I found some of the signs to be a bit confusing with a little TOO much information- both silver and gold baskets are shown in "red", and a few of the distances were questionable.

Other Thoughts:

It's hard to say much that hasn't already been said about Iron Hill on this site. Though there is the absence of water and picturesque views here, I feel this course is on par with Warwick and Nockamixon as being the best of the best on the east coast in terms of challenge and overall disc golf experience. This is no recreational course. It is a long, grueling venue where all your shots are needed, you'll work for everything you get and be plenty tired at the end of your round(s). Though "gold" is the pinnacle layout, don't think for a second that "silver" is a picnic. Run-ups are difficult, given the number of rocks on most fairways, making driving accuracy that much more important. While there are plenty of trees to hit, the course plays very fairly.

Some have said- with some justification- that part of the course feels repetitive: throw a long, straight drive off the tee to clear guardian trees on either side. But the fairness of the course and the abundance of variety elsewhere don't make this a negative for me.

Any player seeking a serious challenge will more than find one here. A super experience.

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22 0
Discette
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 27.6 years 657 played 64 reviews
5.00 star(s)

True Championship Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Sep 30, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Iron Hill is a true championship caliber course. This 18 hole course plays through the Delaware woods and includes two sets of targets and at least two sets of tees on all holes. Tight wooded course requires good skills and good decision making to score well. I played this course at part of a disc golf road trip playing 12 States in 12 Days. Iron Hill is the only course I played in the state of Delaware.

I used bullet points for those that don't want to read the entire review.


Challenging
The Gold Tees to the Gold Targets definitely provides a Championship level challenge. I normally choose harder tees when I play new courses as I am up for a challenge. However the Gold tees at Iron Hill are truly designed for 1000 rated players and not some advanced hacker like me. For the most part, Iron Hill had ample fairways that required good shot selection. I like courses that force a player to think ahead when making shots. It is not always about how far you can throw but if you can land your disc in the right spot to set up the next shot. I thought the white/blue tees to the Gold targets provided plenty of challenge.

Two Tees/Two Targets
Where I live, courses may have two tees and two pin placements. However, it is very uncommon for courses to have two targets installed at the same time. Iron Hill has 18 DISCatcher targets installed along with 18 silver DGA style targets at all times. Along with two sets of tees, this course provides an endless number of combinations. On my visit, I played the shorter tees to the DISCatcher targets. Even from the shorter tees, this is still a very challenging course and is not really meant for new players.


Signs and Tees
Wonderful full color tee signs with informative graphics. Both sets of tees are developed. The Gold tees were all made of concrete. The shorter tees were framed and filled with crushed rock or had rubber mats. Except for some run off from recent rains, all the tees were in excellent shape on my visit. Dont forget the map. Some walks to next tee that are not intuitive.


18 In a Row or not
The course is technically two 9 hole loops. After you play the front nine, the tee for Hole 10 is close enough to the parking area to get back to your vehicle to pick up more water or supplies.

Clean and well maintained
The entire course was clean and in great condition. All the tees, signs and targets were clean and free of vandalism. There was no garbage lying about and I don't recall seeing any butts. I was impressed how well the fairways were maintained.


Kids, Carts and Strollers
I would likely say no to kids and no to kids in strollers. This course covers a lot of ground for walkers and it would be tough to push kids in strollers on the uneven terrain. An all-terrain disc golf cart might be up for the challenge. This course is simply too long for younger ones to play along. There is an opportunity to stop after nine holes and take a break at the restrooms located off the parking area.

Rain

There was record rainfall in the area the day before I played and some lingering showers during my round. Despite the record rainfall, the course was in excellent condition. While there was some sand and gravel washed up on a few tees, there was virtually no standing water or mud on the course.


Bugs and Poison Ivy
I don't recall seeing any poison ivy, and there were no bugs when I played in the rain.

Cons:

Hmmm...
I am really trying to think of anything negative to say about this course. I wish I wouldn't have left my map and cell phone in the car as I did miss a couple of turns to the next tee. A few more navigation signs or next tee arrows would have been most helpful. As this is a Championship level course, it may not be suitable for total beginners, but I can't knock it for that.

Other Thoughts:

Is it too much?
I am not sure this dual tee course needed two sets of targets. Some of the silver target locations seemed to be afterthoughts. The Silver targets seem overshadowed by the Championship caliber of the Gold course. It seems easier and less expensive to move a single target between a few pin placements for variety. I would personally rather have more benches, signs and navigation aids on every tee instead of double targets.


Delaware
I played this course as part of my 12 States in 12 Days disc golf road trip. I am glad I had the opportunity to play this top rated course. This is not just the top rated course in Delaware, but one of the top rated courses in the world. A true Championship course that is fair and fun for all. I hope I get the chance to play it again someday.

Updated to correct errors and typos.
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4 3
SPJ14228
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
5.00 star(s)

The Best Course on the East Coast 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 30, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Very long, next-level woods golf. The Gold layout is the premier woods course in the world. Break 70 and you'll feel really good about yourself. It's fair and punishing. Come here to challenge yourself.

Red (Short to Short) and White (Short to Long) layouts are very fun if you're looking for a more casual round.

Cons:

Very few left.

Hole 2 could lose a couple trees to be more fair. This will happen in time.

A few drainage issues after big storms, but getting better and better. Barely an issue anymore.

Other Thoughts:

Prepare to feel small.
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7 0
ddevine
Experience: 45 years 133 played 39 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Iron Woods 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 26, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This review is for the Gold Layout. Extremely challenging, features long, tight woods holes and a few open field crushes that will test almost every aspect of your game. Hole 1 is a left-right shot with a relatively narrow passageway that opens towards the pin...don't finish early right...super trouble! Hole 2 is a right-left with plenty of trees to navigate that the top arms can reach for a rare deuce opportunity. Holes 3 and 4 feature open field tee shots to set-up approach shots into the woods. The rest of the course consists of woods holes with lengths of about 300-800 feet. Tee shots are critical, and if you get "off-line" you will need to be creative. Grueling and technically challenging. Distance markers are present on several holes (assuming you are in the fairway!)

Tests you mentally and physically. Roots and rocks can turn that perfectly placed drive into a tree filled scramble. Prepare to get f****d, now deal with it! Great course to hone your tournament skills, both physically and mentally.

Cons:

A large number of holes have the same tee shot....straight and as far as possible. This is a good shot to have, but it did become somewhat repetitive.

Other Thoughts:

The course shows a ton of love...Jimi Mac and the crew deserve super kudos for all the hard work and dedication...it shows!
Cheap hotels near the course...if you are staying in Elkton, Md DO NOT get on the freeway unless you want to pay a hefty toll. Take the back road (Old Baltimore Pkwy) for travel N/S of the course.
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7 2
Mkman
Experience: 134 played 1 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Bring your A-game 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 26, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

There are 4 layouts to choose from. Get in where you fit it and play the red if you are a beginner and either the white or silver if you are more advanced. If you are up for the absolute most difficult round you have ever played there is the gold layout.The gold layout will test you mentally and physically on pretty much every shot. It will be emotional and there will be ups and downs. Afterwards you will be proud you finished and you will think about all that was left out on the course. Whether it was your pride or strokes you will realize that you cannot beat the hill, you can only hope to contain it. Future champions will be forged at iron hill. It's that kind of place.
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14 1
AnAmericanBackhand
Experience: 1.5 months 1 played 1 reviews
5.00 star(s)

The Chessboard of Disc Golf 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Apr 19, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Iron Hill's Gold layout, par 72, is the world's standard disc golf course for championship level competition. The course requires a mix of controlled aggression & calculated finesse off of every tee and towards every approach. More than anywhere else, Iron Hill conditions its throwers to mentally navigate its bumpy and wooded terrain one shot at a time. I know that's cliche, but not one hole at this monster of a layout allows its players to ever assume par! So if you're looking for the ultimate disc golf challenge and adventure, Iron Hill County Park in Newark, Delaware is awaiting you and your pretty plastic...

Cons:

Due to the number of trees that encompass the course, there are a few winter months where your disc may want to hibernate under the leaf fall that occurs. A spotter ahead can easily alleviate this issue.

Other Thoughts:

For those disc golfers not up for the more mentally and physically challenging Gold layout, Iron Hill offers a shorter Red layout that is loaded with par 3s. And two intermediate (in length alone) layouts, White & Silver, that play closer to low the 60s.

Gold: longest (gold) tee boxes to gold banded Disccatchers.
Silver: longest (gold) tee boxes to all silver baskets.
White: shorter (white) tee boxes to gold banded Disccatchers.
Red: shorter (white) tee boxes to all silver baskets.
Note that the Disccatchers on #12 & #14 play shorter than the silver baskets on each hole, respectively.

Bonus: Iron Hill is free to play.

Please pick up after yourselves, thank you.

Enjoy!
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7 0
Upshawt1979
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.8 years 548 played 429 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Thrill on the Hill 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 17, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Iron Hill is set in a great park for disc golf. On my list of favorites, though some would not agree. The fairways are primarily wooded, fair but not easy. Long concrete and short rubber or gravel tees, and two sets of baskets make it that much better. Not entirely flat, with gradual to noticeable elevation change on several holes. I liked the jagged boulders littering the first hole, and many places thereafter. Hole 3 and hole 4 are the most open and grassy, but tees and baskets play near the edge of the woods. Number 7 was one of the shortest holes, and it humbled me with the basket perched on a five foot tall pile of rocks protected by a cluster of young trees. Number 14 actually yielded my only birdie that round. Nailed the drive on 15, but I 3 putted my way to bogey. I played the (silver layout) long tees and short (Discatcher) baskets, and took a good whipping. Finished with a +8 (70) and felt like it was ok, for an over 8000 foot course. Only playing one round, I feel like I could play closer to par if I had been putting better. I had some really solid, long drives. There were chances for some par saves or birdies that I gave up through bonking trees approaching the target, or flat out missing makable putts. The consistent makeup and quality of this course is what I enjoyed. Layout was easy to follow, and markings are pretty good. Not any hole that I found boring, all fitting together very nicely. I will give the bump from 4 to 4.5 rating based on the extra baskets, good tees and signs, however a better than excellent, yet sub phenomenal, 4.25 is my true feel.

Cons:

I didn't see the second basket on one or two holes, might have overlooked them. Not a signature hole, that shines above the others, despite high overall quality. Slightly repetitive, but not in a very bad way. Dogs are required to be leashed, if I remember correctly. Not that its a bad idea, but my dog protests.

Other Thoughts:

I loved this course first time out, one great course for Delaware, to go with the others across the way in PA. The park was pretty clean with trash cans near the parking lot. A good size BBQ was going on, but the disc golf course was not busy on this beautiful evening, save for a few dog walkers. A young dude named Chris played the first 10 or 11 holes with me, providing some guidance and company. Iron Hill has some natural beauty that can be harsh in a disc golf sense. If you make shots, it can also be very satisfying. Solid all the way, for sure. Iron Hill is hardcore, and left me wanting more.
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21 0
mullethead326
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.6 years 377 played 13 reviews
5.00 star(s)

My Favorite Beatdown 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 29, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is definitely a course I would identify as playing fairly, especially for a woods course. From the teepads, landing zones, and baskets, it is apparent what the intended and preferred line is.

Iron Hill is unusually secluded for how large it is. Aside from some early holes winding near some other park facilities, two in the middle near a gated parking lot, and occasional access trails, it's easy to play a full round immersed wholly in the golf. In the same way, there is minimal interaction between holes-- it would be very unusual to end up on another hole's space, despite no long transitions between holes.

Iron Hill has the least OB of any high-SSA course I have ever played. That said, there are numerous ways to add strokes, mostly by being off the fairway. This method of designing feels real and authentic--I must congratulate the designers and those responsible for maintenance on the course's quality and condition (and the fortuitous nature of the land available). Many other gold-level courses test one's ability to avoid OB or throw far; Iron Hill tests your ability to throw controlled shots with an appropriate finish on them, often at the expense of distance, and your ability to string together multiple good shots in a row. Scoring well, or even playing bogey golf on the long-long layout, requires a diverse game and dispensing with your ego every now and again. Really and truly, I see this as the future of championship golf.

Signage is excellent. Distances and diagrams were clear and accurate. Paths to subsequent teepads are marked, if not self-evident. Teepads, even the gravel short pads, are long and adequate. Both sets of baskets are in good condition. Parking is ample on all but the busiest days. I do not know of any permanent restroom facilities.

A lesser designer would have gone ham on elevated baskets on rocks. Instead, there's only a couple, tastefully made instead of gimmicky. The few that are elevated are either on a wide plateau or form an interesting course feature--they're not elevated for their own sake. This places the focus and execution more on the fairway shot.

There's a gradient in rough--if you're a little off the fairway, recovery is possible; if you're a long way off, you're hosed. Playing controlled shots is rewarded, making this course largely uncheatable.

Cons:

For all of my enthusiasm for Iron Hill, I can empathize with reviews calling every hole the same. Even after several plays, the middle of the course runs together in my head. Each hole is distinct, but there's a definite theme in requiring the toughest shot in disc golf-- the straight one. Iron Hill will (invariably) beat you down but, if you've got a hint of hubris or masochism, you'll crave more.

Update, 12/2014: I retract my previous statement about capricious greens and/or fairways. Designer/volunteers are working on removing select trees.

Other Thoughts:

Reading through previous reviews and the forum makes it apparent how polarizing this course and style of play is. If I lived a little closer I would play here every day: it is a course that teaches and requires REAL golf shots, knowledge of one's discs, appropriate assessment of risk and personal abilities, and provides all the tough love you can take.

Hole 17 wouldn't be nearly as magical if it was in the middle of the course. Unfortunately, its tightness, elevation changes, and landscaped green make hole 18 a comparative letdown, despite being a very good hole itself. As it stands, though, holes 1-4 are some of the easiest on the course, and the difficulty crescendos to holes 16-18, which are some of the most challenging I can remember playing.

Update: I'm calling Iron Hill a 5 now; previously I'd whined about a couple greens and fairways being a little screwy. I think I was partially right, but ain't nobody figuring out this course without a few tries. This is real golf. This is manipulating your discs. This is learning how to solve an impossible puzzle.
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9 2
IAMGT
Experience: 16.8 years 24 played 19 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Hard but Fair 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 7, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Great Signage
-Easy to Follow the layout of course
-Set in a beautiful park
-Nice long concrete tee pads
-A lot of variety in that you have multiple pins and tee boxes
-Get to use every disc in your bag
-Variety of types of holes: elevation changes and in and out of the woods adds to a lot of different scenic holes
-Easy lines to follow when throwing through the woods (not necessarily easy to hit, but easy to understand where you should throw)
-Plenty of space so that you wouldn't ever feel overcrowded by multiple players on a course
-You can tell that a lot of time and energy has been put into the maintaining of this course. Kudos to those that work on this course and make it enjoyable for others to play
-Rock lined paths, and stone created stairwells add to the character of this course

Cons:

-There will be times where you will need to send a spotter to watch where your disc lands/you are supposed to go.
-Muddy, but to be expected after a lot of rain and in low places

Other Thoughts:

My friends and I decided to come play this course as well as two others for a disc golf weekend in Delaware last saturday. We chose to start with Iron Hill to get the "hardest" course out of the way first. We were intimidated at first by the length of the card and seeing how many of the holes are over 500 feet long through the woods. However, once we began to play, we found that the course was very fair as long as you didn't have a drastic mistake. There are many times where you might be able to hit a tiny line and help move the disc down the fairway for the next shot, but sometimes playing it easier on this course will allow you to better set up your next shot. It is very true that being able to line up for your second shot can very much determine how well you score on each hole.
My friends and I are used to playing the two courses at Pinchot State Park in PA...we found Iron Hill very much to be like Boulder woods with an extra 200 feet per hole. We all expected to play a course harder than Quaker, but we all felt that Quaker is much more challenging because the room for error is so much less at Quake. If you went off the fairway at Iron hill, you still had a chance to possibly get a good throw out to move it down the fairway, where if you play quake, if you go off the fairway...typically your best bet is to just pitch it back in the fairway.
We played Iron Hill first, White clay second, and Brandywine third. Iron Hill is a fun course to play no matter what your skill level is. If you want to really push yourself, play the golds, but if you are newer to disc golf, play the white tees to the short pins and you will have a great time.
We played in Delaware three years ago and got to play Carousel....and we wish that course was still around
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10 0
urwatuh8
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 215 played 20 reviews
4.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 17, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Iron Hill is a course of subtle pleasures. I appreciated it much more after having played it a few times. While the course is long and challenging, it never feels unfair -- there are clear fairways and landing zones. It rewards (or punishes) you based on your being wise enough to know when to be guts and when to play it safe. There's no gimmicks -- weird mandos, OBs, three foot wide gaps, etc. It's just you and the trees. Even if you play perfectly, there's lots of different shots and shapes and terrains -- uphill, downhill, low ceiling, etc.. And while going into the woods sucks, getting out of a bad lie is not just possible, it's essential to keep your bad holes from turning into disasters.

The longs tees are huge slabs of concrete, most have benches and good signs. Navigation is fairly clear. There are two baskets for each hole, a silver and a gold. The gold baskets are all business -- challenging, seriously holes. The silvers are where the course let's it's hair down a bit: baskets in trees, behind big boulders, and what not.

In a world of par three discin, it's nice to have a course with so many multishot holes. And ones that aren't just about how far you can chuck in a huge field.

Iron Hill is a great course for tournaments, and there are lots of well run events each year.

Cons:

While Iron Hill is a nice, secluded trek through the woods, it doesn't have the awe inspiring scenery of some courses. The only holes out in the sun and grass are 3 and 4. The variation in holes is subtle -- up or down, doglegs, playing around different tree patterns, etc.. If you like big, loud holes you might find it a bit repetitive. (But seriously, pay more attention to the golf and less the kitsch.)

The shorter tees also feel like an afterthought. They're pretty good holes, and they've improved over the last couple years. But let's be honest, the gold (back) tees are the main event, and it shows.
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