Wilmington, DE

Brandywine Creek State Park

3.625(based on 54 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

Brandywine Creek State Park reviews

Filter
26 1
solomon.trenton
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.2 years 89 played 68 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Hilliest course around! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 21, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

The course was well kept and clean. The tee pads were all of concrete and in great condition (except hole 3). There is an amazing array of variations in shots on the front nine holes. Shots range from a shot in between two trees and along a stone wall (hole 1) to down a hill over a creek and around a wooded area (hole 4 nicknamed the Beauty) to a 666 ft. shot straight uphill (hole 5 nicknamed the Beast). It is not a very technical course and lets you just grip and rip most of the shots. Most of the holes, all except for one I think, has two sets of tees to shoot from. There are signs at the beginning of every hole and it clearly is marked for where each tee pad is and what basket you're shooting too. On the way to hole 1 there is a practice basket and a message board that has some valuable information; such as tournaments that are coming up and events like Tuesday doubles night. Some of the baskets are a little tricky as they are right on the edge of a hill so if you overshoot the basket you are running for your disc. On hole 16 you have to drive around a barn and shoot at a basket behind it. That hole was especially fun because we tried to see who could get closest to the barn without hitting it.

Cons:

The cons are few and far between but there are a couple. Hole 3's tee pad is cracked in the middle and slanted down the hill. There is a worn out area behind it that most people tee off from. The course is very hilly and quite long so it might cause problems for those of us that aren't in the best shape. Also it probably isn't the best course for beginners (I shot a 90) and I have been playing for six months. The summer time fee is $5 and I hear that the park rangers are a huge pain in the ass (I went in the winter so I didn't have to pay the fee or deal with the rangers.) There also were some cross country runners that ran down the fairways and by the tee pads; this impeded some of our shots and made us wait until we had clear shots. The variety of holes after the front nine decreases and starts to become repetitive.

Other Thoughts:

There is a whole other side to the park that you could easily add another nine holes and make a good course into a great course. I did not have to pay an entry fee as I went during the winter months, the rangers were not a problem as I didn't run into any; although I have heard they can be. The course was well worth my drive (2 hours) and I played nearby Anson Nixon Park. Bellevue is also an option at about five miles away. All in all a great park and course with courteous locals. Dogs are also allowed as long as they are leashed.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
9 2
craigg
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 43.2 years 186 played 37 reviews
3.50 star(s)

An old favorite 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 29, 2007 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great scenic vistas, and lots of wide open space make the flight of a disc pretty spectacular. Elevation comes into play on many holes, adding a nice control element to all the bombing going on.

Cons:

Teepads are tough. Generally too short, or without adequate run up/approach lines. And I hate to say it, but the wide open nature of the course leaves it lacking in overall quality.
The park fees for DE State parks are pretty steep (at least $5), which wouldn't be that big a deal if the park staff was a little friendlier to the DG community.
Have witnessed a number of issues with the Park Staff being less than friendly or accomodating to disc golfers.

Other Thoughts:

This course has long been a favorite of mine, and I have seen and played it in several configurations over the course of 20 years. Played it in a hurricane, played it in howling 40-50mph winds, played it in still foggy mist. Always fun, with a few ultra classic holes. Maybe not worth a trip across the country, but definitely worth a detour if you're passing through the Mid Atlantic states.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
13 0
Tolbert
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 19.4 years 349 played 32 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Let em rip. 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jan 23, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The most beautiful course in northern Delaware, Brandywine is the perfect course for those who like to reach back and let em fly. Big holes, lots of open space and dramatic elevation changes. The course is set up with nice big concrete tee pads, quality baskets and nice signage. Since the course is so open finding you next tee is easy. While the course is very open, no one hole is a simple completely open shot to the basket. Use of tree lines, single trees elevation, water and old stone walls keeps things interesting. And speaking of interesting, Brandywine is almost always windy. Tees are from the highest elevation in Delaware and as such, the course is always windy, its just a question of how windy will it be. My favorite holes are 4, 12 and 14. Big beautiful down hill shots were you can just stand back and watch your disc soar. In contrast these are followed by big uphill holes, but its all good fun.

Cons:

Um.. the wind. Occasionally its just too much and I feel the course is unplayable. Large cross-country meets are often held here and sometimes people will actually park their cars on the course. During the summer the rough gets thick so keep an eye on your discs.

Other Thoughts:

A must play in the tri-state area. Also, be mindful of park rules. They're just doing they're jobs, but the park rangers can be real sticklers. Stop at all stop signs, no matter how ridiculous they seem. I've even heard stories of golfers getting kicked out just for having unopened containers of alcohol in their car.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
8 0
mmmatt
Experience: 18.1 years 24 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 3, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course has wonderful scenery, as well as a good challenge. This is the windiest course I've ever played at, making even the simplest putt into a need to focus. Add into that the uphill and downhill drives and the wind becomes even more of a factor. The course starts out basic with a straight shot along a stone wall that runs along the top of the ever-present hill. On number 4, it ramps up the difficulty with a long downhill shot where you must avoid the Brandywine Creek and various thorny patches. This hole is nicknamed Beauty and is an amazing hole to play.
Beauty is followed by Beast, which is the most difficult hole on the course. 666 ft (number of the beast) up a long, steep hill, ending with a choice of tight shots. The more direct shot on the right is between thick vines and a large tree, on the left a more open shot between the large tree and a line of trees on the left. It's a big risk/reward shot since the basket is on the right side of the green.
Hole 14 is what I would consider the big hole on the back 9. This is a downhill shot about 300 ft with the Brandywine creek behind the green. The catch is that the pin is completely sheltered from the front by a patch of trees that covers the basket 180 degrees. When I played the wind was blowing directly at the teepad, making a long accurate drive to lay up for a birdie that much harder.

Cons:

After the front 9, the variety of holes feels like it decreases. The course resorts to down the hill, up the hill, down the hill, up the hill with few obstacles, with the exception being hole #14 as described above.
I'm not sure if there were bathrooms at the park, but I wish that there were some near the course. Given the openness of this course, there really isn't any place to hide if you really need to go.

Other Thoughts:

I can see that this course could be overgrown off of the fairways in the summer. My buddy and I almost lost a few discs in the rough in the winter and I could imagine the trouble we would have had in the summer!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 0
ddevine
Experience: 45.6 years 133 played 39 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Beauty and the Beast 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 3, 2001 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great elevation changes with the opportunity to air it out (and watch your disc sail gracefully deep, deep into the schull!). Good variety of tee shots, beautiful setting with wonderful rolling hills and stone walls that put a nice twist on pin placement. Upside-down putt brutal in the wind.

Cons:

Some blind shots, easy to lose discs if they have not cut the grass, entry fee, overzealous park rangers (true for many Delaware courses).

Other Thoughts:

I made a mini-tour of my favorite MADC courses before I moved out West in 2001. Drove 100 miles to play Brandywind, and left wondering why I had not made that drive more often. I miss the Beauty (my scores range from 2-10).
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 3
branden14
Experience: 17.3 years 6 played 5 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Pretty Fn 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 25, 2008 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

I really had to focus on my driving for this course! The holes are really long and really push to see how far you can throw it!
I really like how they used the terrain.
Very structured course.

Cons:

Throwing up those huge hills got pretty annoying! I kind of got tired of having to just throw as far as I possibly can each time!

Other Thoughts:

I really liked playing this course; a lot different then other courses I have played!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 16
fbrookes
Experience: 20.7 years 121 played 6 reviews
4.00 star(s)

a great day of golf 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 23, 2008 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

this is the best course in the pa/nj/del area, in my opinion. very interesting placements, gret change in elevation, beautiful to look at

Cons:

be prepared for a long walk, wind will mess with your shot bad
Was this review helpful? Yes No
7 3
Ty9339
Experience: 19.6 years 13 played 4 reviews
4.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 17, 2008 Played the course:never

Pros:

this is one of the most challenging courses i've ever played. its one big elevation change after another. with some beautiful scenery. hole ones tee box has a really cool effect where you have to throw through two trees right out the gate. theres a very cool stretch from hole 4 to 6 the holes are nick named the beauty, the beast and the fatherless.

Cons:

the winds is always a factor. you're on the side of a mountain. when we played there the wind was gusting at around 30 to 40 miles an hour. not a good course for a beginner.

Other Thoughts:

i'd love to play this course with no wind
Was this review helpful? Yes No
14 1
Godard
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.2 years 65 played 46 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Fun and wide open 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Apr 5, 2008 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Wide open and not much trouble to get into, so it's a good test of your arm strength. Beautiful stone walls and elevation come into play often and provide different challenges than most Pennsylvania/northeast courses. Wind and water also come into play.

Cons:

Not for beginners as the holes are fairly long. No tight wooded holes, so it can start to seem repetitive ("chuck it as far as you can"). Fairways are poorly groomed during the summer, if at all... lost my first disc ever at "beast" on the blind drive.

Other Thoughts:

Make sure you get good directions...this place can be tough to find. Consider a trip in the winter when there's no park fee and the fairways are not overgrown.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
3 7
bryon
Experience: 63 played 58 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 20, 2008 Played the course:never

Pros:

Long, hilly and windy. On a non Windy day (if there is such a thing) you can enjoy a frustration free round. Add in the wind and its not a walk in the park. Long positions played tough, but fair.

Cons:

Cost is semi-steep for non-Deleware residents to enter the park.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
20 4
Olorin
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 45.5 years 1002 played 118 reviews
4.50 star(s)

UPDATED-- Awe inspiring beauty-- one of my Top 10 favorite courses! 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 2, 2004 Played the course:once

Pros:

My Rating: 9.5 (out of 10)

Wow! This course is on some astoundingly beautiful land! There are rolling hills, old trees, green fields, a creek, and scenic countryside everywhere you can see. The beauty engulfs you! There are also scenic stone walls that come into play. One hole plays near a farm house and barn, too. Although it's more open than I typically prefer, this is one of my top 10 favorite courses!
-There are fantastic elevation changes! One of the most memorable aspects of this course is that there's either a drop or rise on every hole with 10 holes having a change of 25 ft. or more. The signature holes 4 & 5, Beauty and the Beast, are the longest on the course. Beauty (hole 4 and 518 ft) has a 40 ft elevation drop then the Beast (hole 5 and 666 ft.) has an elevation gain of +45 ft. to a protected basket!
-There are 2 sets of tees on 17 holes.
-Some baskets are tucked into the woods or precariously perched on the edges of hills to add to your thrill at shot making.
-All the Basics are there: great tee signs with maps, ample concrete tees, good Mach V baskets.
-They have a great amenity to mark the current basket layout that I wish more courses would adopt. They use an ingenious, yet simple, system with a ring around the tee sign pole to show the current basket position.
-Good Amenities: there's a practice basket and a message board. Restrooms and water available at the park office

Cons:

Not much at all...
-Being so open, there are a few too many straight holes. The layout I played was to the mixed A & B basket positions and it had 10 Straight/ 5 Left/ 3 Right.
-Pay to play. $5 for out of state.
-Because it's so open I hear that it can be hot in the summer and it doesn't have much shade.

Other Thoughts:

Course Level: Blue (most suited for Advanced players rated 925-975)

You be the judge-

My favorite hole: 16. You drive toward the farm house and barn with stately old trees and luscious green grass.

-The land is rather open without too many obstacles so you can really air it out, especially on the downhill shots. If you like tight, wooded holes you won't find them here, though.
-Since the course is located at the highest point in Delaware strong winds can be a factor. I think this just adds to the challenge.
-The holes tend to be long. The mixed layout I played had 5< 299/ 5 of 300-399/ 6 of 400-499/ 1>500/ 1 of 666. Newer players and shorter throwers may find it daunting.
-On a few back nine holes if you go off the mowed fairway you may have trouble finding your disc in the high rough.

I played at sundown and it was simply fantastic! This course is well worth making a trip to play. If you're anywhere in the area don't miss it!

NOTE: Look in the "Links/Files" section for my files with Hole-by-hole evaluations, and a more detailed Overall review. You can also read more of my reviews at the Yahoo Group, DG Course Reviews, http://sports.groups.yahoo.co...ourseReviews/
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 13
CraigC
Experience: 17.4 years 9 played 8 reviews
5.00 star(s)

Fun Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 12, 2007 Played the course:never

Pros:

Course is wide open with few trees. Beautiful scenery in the surrounding countryside.

Cons:

A bit hilly, so it gives you a good workout! Bathrooms are far away.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
6 2
Obiwankaneobi
Experience: 33.4 years 153 played 6 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Brandywine 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 19, 2007 Played the course:never

Pros:

Beautiful course where wind and hills offer the challange not trees. Alternate pins and concrete pads with good signs. Fun to play and watch giant airshots.

Cons:

Fees, no benches, water and bathroom are far away and the rough is often out of control. The course is dated wihtout much changes since the early 1990s. Once the standard is now more like average.

Other Thoughts:

Would be great if the park would embrace disc golf and let the course expand and improve.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
11 4
adlacro
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 18.4 years 152 played 127 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Brandywind (no, not a typo) 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 20, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

If you're looking for a place to crush drives hundreds of feet, then look no further than this wide open course in northern Delaware. It's an 18 hole course with baskets that are still in pretty good shape, they show a little age but are still really usable. Some holes will offer birdies opportunities to those who can accurately drive a couple hundred feet, and there are some longer holes with a precarious basket location or use one of the stone walls. Now while the course mostly is really open, there are some trees, and by all means you need to avoid them. Locally known for the 3 B's. 4 (the beauty) is a super downhill par 3 that will cross the creek, which has trees on both sides. A well placed drive will net you an easy three, but danger lurks all down the right hand side and also if you leave it short left. 5 (the beast) is a nasty uphill 675' shot that plays more like 800. The treeline comes into play on your last approach shot. 6 (another b-word) has a right turn to a pin location that if you go long, is an absolute drop-off.

Cons:

Only one tee and basket at each hole (but they switch the pin location from time to time). The wind will be a major factor. Disc control and selection will be even more crucial. While the long grass was cut really short this trip, I have played where off the fairway it was really easy to lose discs. I highly recommend a spotter. Some of the concrete tees are not completely smooth, so watch your run-up.

Other Thoughts:

Nominal fee to park (honor system at times). The course has a pretty good mix of uphill and downhill holes, and it is one of my favorites. While no means a destination course, if you are nearby playing some other courses (say Iron Hill for one) and want something different, come play Brandywine. It will definitely teach you how to throw in wind.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Top