Indianapolis, IN

Brookside Park

3.495(based on 40 reviews)
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9 2
Matthew boals
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 30 years 281 played 65 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Indy's Best Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 27, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

•Nice use of the Topography •Shots Up & Down hill,on #3,4,18. Sides of hills,#2,6,17. Over a "Levee",#16. •Mach 3? Targets. Catch very well with deep baskets. •All concrete tees are perfect! •No Large,or even small, Limbs on the course. •Large Paved Parking lot with Nice sized Pavilion,trash cans and DG only Info board.

Cons:

•Grass needs cut more often, seems everytime I play it it's a week or more past the time. •Not enough trash cans,I diid see more. But they need to be bolted down to a small concrete pad. •Benches, the only ONE I remember is located by the basketball courts.•Tee signs need to be replaced but with the Vandalism I can see why they may not get done. As another reviewer posted,I believe, "Four areas of DG".... Well posted! Print the new map! You'll need it.

Other Thoughts:

I've heard that members of the Indianapolis disc golf club (Indydiscgolf.com) have been doing work on the courses. I was interested in what was done, I did some work on the course about 10 years ago. New atees signs,built the Information board painted the number plates. Well, the active members have made this course much better. The first thing they did was upgrade the Bulletin Board,New Plexi-Glass,updated information,Course map (highly recommend taking a picture,if you can,with hour phone. If you forgot to print one off Links/Files,you'll need it!). A new #1 tee pad.The old one had a rather large corner cracked and broken off,anyway the new tee is now PRO #1 601' anyzer. #1 Am. is 318' straight shot with a low canopy in front of the tee. No tee sign,yet? #8 plays to a very large tree which makes your Approach a low canopy shot. But,to a smaller tree behind the large one I thought I was throwing to. #9 has two new concrete tees. All number plates have been repainted with white background and red numbers. Brush has been cleared out on #6. this COULD make it easier to Ricochet/Roll down the steep hill. Brush was also cleared out by #15 tee.Last I played I remember a bush that needed trimming. Members also removed part of an over grown bush around #17 tee. So you can see it better,it's about 100' north by the road. Thanks to all for the hard work! It needed it. The neigborhood has it's problems. I didn't see any "Neighborhood Crime watch signs" or enough street lights (that may or may not work) so there's a few reasons why the course/park gets vandalized?
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6 0
EddieBTrue
Experience: 15.8 years 43 played 42 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Close to a 4 star... 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 24, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

A couple of very nice elevation changes (Can't tell by the photo's on here though); and almost all of the holes are 300-450 with one over 600 feet. You will need a nice array of shots to do well; and most pro's will be able to have a birdie shot (based on 3's for all holes, not par); although for the rec player, expect to go several shots over if counting by 3's. Very clean and well kept grounds.

Cons:

While the first five holes are easy to follow, there are a couple of holes after that where you will need to look down at the ground where the course has little (perhaps 3 inches wide X 10 inches long) concrete markers directing you to the next tee (give the course designers credit for putting these in the ground though!). The signs for each hole have been damaged (apparently many times over by the locals); but were generally helpful, albeit all hand drawn due to the on-going vandalism). Another con was that that holes 11-14 (Can't quite recall which holes though) were nothing more than 300 footers over flat ground that were paralleling each other, which was kind of redundant (especially when there is plenty of room available to amend this injustice!!!).

Other Thoughts:

I don't recall a sign showing where the course was within the park; however we were eventually able to find hole #1 by driving around the perimeter of the park. We played the course on a sunny Saturday morning; yet we were apparently the only player's on the course; so whether it was because it was just hot out (99 degrees); or a testament to the surrounding neighborhood I don't know; but it seemed a shame that there were not other players enjoying this fun course. If this course were in my community (Louisville KY), it would be played all the time! My bottom line is to play it; however think twice before playing it by yourself...
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6 4
discpicable
Experience: 15.8 years 11 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Corpseside 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 11, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Great variety of long and short shots. Also a great ratio of open shots to technical ones. The baskets, though more shallow than I'm used to playing, are in great condition. Same for 17 of the pads.

Cons:

Can get very soggy after rain. Difficult to navigate. It's in a pretty rough part of town.

Other Thoughts:

I always have a fun time here. But if you have a noodle arm (like me) prepare for your score to suffer on this course. My father-in-law got a disc stuck in a tree on 9 and a guy across the street got my attention with his megaphone and told us to use his 12 ft. bamboo pole to knock it out. That made me think better of the neighborhood. But, then again, my mother-in-law was punched in the face and robbed there while she was walking her dog and, a couple of years ago, disc golfers went into the creek looking for a disc and stumbled upon a corpse. Play at your own risk.
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6 1
culinarywiz
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 35.7 years 309 played 67 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Great elevation 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 29, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great elevation

Awesome 1st hole

Nice distance course

Nice pads

Good balance

Cons:

Poor signage

Difficult to navigate

Other Thoughts:

This course has more than meets the eye.

I love long courses. This course is long, but still loaded with deuces. One third of the 18 holes are over 350ft. Hole one is 600ft. Nice start!

A lake bed plays into the front and back nine. With this, you get tremendous elevation shots. Hole 4 and 18 both shoot from the upper rim to the lower opposing side, creating awesome finesse, sail shots.

The course has nice diversity of lengths and angles. For the most part, its pretty much an open course. Open, but not plain. There are plenty of trees, just nothing too tight. You will still have to shape some nice lines for par.

You will definitely need a map. Don't hit the course without it...unless you want to wander.

This was a very fun course. All said and done, it has just about everything you look for. I needed most discs in my bag and used multiple releases.
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4 2
numbernine
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.8 years 103 played 49 reviews
3.50 star(s)

A fun course with lots to offer. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 24, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

- The variety of shots that you get at brookside is it's best attribute. it opens with a 600+ footer that favors a forehand throw, and then rolls into a shorter shot that runs into some trees. Couple all of that with some of the most drastic elevation changes that you can have on a course in the midwest, and it makes for a fun day.
- The pads, save for pro pad on 9, were all in good shape.

Cons:

- not all of the holes are marked very well, and there is no way to know where the next hole it. Aside from that, this course was fun.

Other Thoughts:

Take a local with you!
If I played this course by myself, I would have missed half of the course.
This is a fun course that favors the forehand player, or someone with a bunch of anyhyzer shots in their bag. Loads of fun and lots of variety.
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6 0
jdonhardt
Experience: 16.1 years 5 played 5 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 22, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The course varies from hole to hole. 4 distinct "areas" of the course with 3-5 holes in each area. Offers a lot of variety. Plenty of distance, plenty of different shots and disc selection. The course is pretty challenging. the park itself is really nice.

Cons:

Finding ones way around could be pretty difficult. My first time there i was with someone who knew the way, but i dont really know how you'd find your way from 4 to 5, from 9 to 10, and from 14 to 15. this difficulty is the price paid for the different "areas" of the course mentioned above. its easily worth it if you go with someone who knows their way around.

Other Thoughts:

a lot of people are saying how bad of a neighborhood this course is in...nothings gonna happen. its really no big deal.

the courses i have played, in order of best to worst (imo):
brookside (this course)
James Dillon park
Northwestway park
Avon
Sahm park

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7 0
DOGvsRAPTOR
Experience: 16.1 years 45 played 16 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Tough course, lots of variety 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Sep 2, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-nice teepads and baskets
-tons of shot variety for every type of throw
-mature trees and and not so thick rough
-low ceiling shots
-elevation change (3,4,18)

Cons:

- lack of trashcans
- signs are old and need updated
- sometimes the other people on the course can be a problem

Other Thoughts:

All but a few holes on this course use the same teepad, but the Indy Disc Golf Club should be putting in an actual pad on 9 for the pro pad, as well as an Am pad on hole 1. Hole 16 has both a pro and am pad. This year's Checkered Flag open was a big success with Ams playing on Saturday and Pros on Sunday, big turnout for both divisions.

****Key info for people who have never played this course: After hole 4 (big elevation change downhill, 283 ft) go past the tee for 1 and cross the bridge with the fences on both sides, from their walk up the hill to the right to find the tee for 5. Hole 5 runs down the access road to the left with the parking lot to the right. Hole six is across the access road from the basked on 5, its a big anhyzer shot for RHBH. From the basket on 6 cross the access road again, walk past the tee for 5 and the teepad for 7 is next to the basketball courts. After you bucket hole 9 walk to the left around by the road, then follow the dirt trail along the road to the pad for 10. After hole 14 walk around the bridge on the sidewalk (the road will be to your right) and around the corner to the teepad for 15.

www.indydiscgolf.com

****Pro pad on one has been repoured to make for a longer tee pad. Am pad has been poured on one as well. Pro pad has been poured on hole nine too.
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13 0
Grover
Experience: 41.9 years 18 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 25, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Pros are the course itself. Good holes (in spite of kids using them for monkey bars), concrete tees, almost always well mowed when I've played there. Spacious. Even when its kind of crowded, you don't feel on top of other players and parties as the course flows all over the park without crossing fairways even tightly neighboring fairways. Lots of good distance holes to show off your epic drives to your sweetie and enough trees to keep you from just unloading all the time. Interesting holes (3, 4 and 18) with the elevation difference which can penalize an inaccurate drive on 17 as well. Just a fun course to play and I think a great one for beginners and intermediates.

Cons:

Cons: That which is not the course. The signs are well worn and not very helpful to any new players. Print out and bring a map, I don't know how someone would find hole 5, 7, 10 or 15 without it as they are not marked or visible from the previous hole. PeeWee Football Practice is often happening in the gully under holes 4 and 18 in the fall. I'd like to see at least one hole that doglegs left on this course. The course needs more trash cans and restrooms (although I'm not sure if the locals could handle them).

Other Thoughts:

The "locals" are an issue. But reading reviews where Washington Park gets raves and Brookside gets downgraded shows this can change. A police station was built into Washington and its made a huge difference, a little more police presence at Brookside could eliminate this issue in my opinion. Notable events include a kid trying to run off with my disc, my friends truck being broken into and his radio being stolen out of it, a PeeWee Football player's 300lb Mom not seeing me putt out at 6 and squatting by the bushes on the way to 7 for an interesting "Hey, how ya doin'?" moment with her panties down, a day laborer sleeping it off on the 7th Tee, and of course the oft-mentioned murder. If the locals would embrace the game (or at least respect it), this course would be a couple of easy upgrades away from being outstanding.

**Update** - Additional tee pads added to holes #1, 9, and 16. Sadly, pee-wee football has started up again, meaning holes 4, 17 and 18 can't be played in the evening and unsupervised kids are using baskets as monkeybars. 18 is now pretty bent up.
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3 5
justint97
Experience: 15.2 years 47 played 6 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Worth a trip! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 20, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Easy course to find. Good distance on most holes so you can let er rip. Doesnt seem to get crowded. Well manicured. course map located on this site made it very easy to navigate. No real disc loosing threats.

Cons:

A little to wide open for my taste. I didnt notice trash cans or water fountains.

Other Thoughts:

To those who say its in a bad neighborhood obviously havent ever been in a bad neighborhood. The course was fun and quick to play. It's the only course i've played in IN so i dont have much to compare to but It is def an above average course compared to the rest of the country.
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2 2
chriseay76
Experience: 4 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Disc in the Hood 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 12, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Good distance, great variety, and some really unique shot opportunities make this course a must play for intermediate and up. Good placement of tees and baskets make the sparse mature trees count.

Cons:

As everyone has stated this course is in the middle of the hood. I've only played there once but my dad plays a lot in his Indy circuit and has never been bothered before. Aside from that a few holes play through high traffic areas so be careful as you go. One tee was missing and a few signs are gone. With such distance between holes in spots that can be annoying. All in all a good course with few flaws.

Other Thoughts:

A few spots to lose a disc so play safe when possible.
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2 3
Dover202
Experience: 13.9 years 26 played 4 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Brookside 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 4, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-Nice elevation changes
-Good variety of distances
-Scenic area

Cons:

-Sometimes have to deal with waist-high grass in the lake bed
-Not the greatest part of town
-Easy to lose your disc on a few of the holes (especially hole 1)
-Several of the holes (1, 6, and 15 come to mind) really favor lefties. This isn't a con per se, but it definitely punishes people who like to throw RHBH.

Other Thoughts:

I really wish the designers had made more use of the elevation changes provided by the lake bed. It only comes into play on a few of the holes (3, 4, 18, and possibly 17). Hole 10 is long and fairly easy to birdie...just be careful not to land your disc up in one of the short trees. Those things are prickly. I ripped the skin off my arms climbing up to retrieve my driver.
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13 0
mashnut
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.2 years 831 played 777 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Nice long course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 10, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This course has a lot more holes with good length than any others in the area. It's nice to be able to have the chance to rip it a few times on a course, especially when these longer holes are not all wide open. Brookside offers a nice mix of some open holes across a flood plain and holes through scattered mature trees. The course also calls for a nice mix of shot selections, with lots of holes that turn both ways, and some straight ones mixed in.

The few holes that play in the part of the park with elevation changes do a nice job of making use of this elevation. I really enjoy the shots from one side of the flood plain to the other, both up and down.

The majority of the tees are nice concrete pads that seemed large enough, and were in good shape. The couple tees that were not concrete were at least level and clearly defined. Most of the signs were also intact, and had distance and par for the hole.

Cons:

The biggest issue with this course is the navigation issues. There are three places where the next tee is not at all obvious, and requires a fairly long walk. As some previous reviewers stated, these walks would not be bad at all if they were clearly marked and easy to follow. There were also some signs that were missing, and this was in a part of the course that had obviously been changed at some point, leaving some confusion in the layout.

Other Thoughts:

This course will test many different parts of your game, and makes for overall an enjoyable round. I would agree with the other players who have said that this and nearby George Washington Park make a great pair, and between them you will really feel like you've used almost all your different shots.

The course is not in the nicest part of town, but neither I nor anyone I know has had any issues playing here, and all the people I've met on the course (including many non dg players) have been friendly.
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15 1
AdamE
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 20.6 years 267 played 148 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 23, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is a longer course with large mature trees and a solid design given what there is to work with in the park. It makes good use of the few available trees to shape some of the holes. About half the holes are medium length (275-325ft) and the rest are longer (350-600ft).

There are some big elevation changes on a few of the holes at the start and end of the course which is around a man made drainage area. There are some of the most fun holes on the course.

The shot variety is good, there are a few holes that force turnover shots and some other with multiple routes through the trees. The trees create a low ceiling on some of the holes which adds to the challenge here.

There are walking paths and roads that come into play on a number of the holes. After playing a tournament here it seems they only play the roads as OB, not the walking paths. That's worth mentioning as it's not really noted on the signs.

If you've got a big arm you'll have fun out here trying to get your birdies. The course is beginner friendly because it is so open with little rough to worry about, but as previously mentioned it is on the long side.

There are two great par 4 holes holes here which I always like to see on a course. Hole 1 is the first par 4, a 600 ft turnover shot with rough on the right and OB road on the left; great starting hole. The next par 4 is on hole 16. The elevation changes as you approach the basket make it a fun but tough hole.

Water and restrooms are available at the large tan building about a 1000ft past hole 8's basket. On a hot summer day it's definitely worth the walk to get water since that's the only place it's available near the course.

Cons:

The park and surrounding area is not in a very nice part of town. While I've not heard of anything bad happening to golfers here, I would not recommend playing here by yourself later in the day.

There is a walk from 4-5, 6-7, 9-10, 14-15. I didn't have much of a problem finding the next hole the first time I played here, but it wasn't obvious either. Signs pointing to the next tee would be a welcome addition. ***UPDATE*** It appears there are some small arrows pointing to the next hole but they don't stand out well.

The course can get a little muddy, especially the bottom of the dry lake bed, when it rains but that's pretty normal for a disc golf course.

Other Thoughts:

This is a fun course that's worth checking out when you're in Indy. George Washington Park is just couple miles away and these two courses compliment each other well.
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3 6
btank
Experience: 20.9 years 5 played 4 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Don't be SCURRED! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 1, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

I LOVE this course, by far the best in Indianapolis. Great variety of shots, you'll get a good workout, spaced enough that you rarely have to wait, privacy if you need that sort of thing, don't think anybody will mess with you for drinking a beer or two.

Cons:

Run down part of town.

Other Thoughts:

Don't let the neighborhood scare you, but I'll just say its in an area where the people prefer basketball to frisbee golf.

They are used to disc golfers there all the time, since this course is so old, so they won't mess with you.

But take my advice:

If somebody calls you "cracker", LET IT SLIDE!
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3 9
NSGDdoesdyes
Experience: 7 played 7 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Brookside 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 20, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Excellent layout, wide variety of shots and elevation changes, its a great course

Cons:

it is in a pretty bad part of town, I wouldnt reccomend playing by yourself, one of the tee pads is dirt... other than that its great.

Other Thoughts:

If you have never played it, Make sure you do!
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8 1
NoChinDeluxe
Experience: 4 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Most Interesting in Indy 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 31, 2008 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Giant dried up lakebed which offers some crazy shots of a cliff into the basin. Large steep-banked creek winds throughout and will swallow discs whole if you're not careful, but is pretty easy to avoid.

Cons:

Rough neighborhood that almost makes it not worth playing. Poorly marked course and some holes are difficult to find.

Other Thoughts:

This course is fun because of the lakebed, but doesn't really offer anything that Washington can't give you. The neighborhood is pretty sketchy and I've had some nervous moments there with questionable characters hanging around. I always go play with a small group. Most holes are pretty straight-forward without many obstacles other than slight dog-legs are single trees that are generally easy to avoid. I'd rather play Sahm than this course on most occassions.
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9 3
Victory33
Experience: 16.8 years 17 played 12 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great Park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 3, 2008 Played the course:never

Pros:

Variety of different types of shots, some very fun elevation changes, minimal chance of losing discs, pretty park and terrain with some very long holes. Few people on weekdays.

Cons:

In a rough area, can be difficult to find next tee on certain holes, they require you to walk over a bridge and out by the road. Not too many shots in the woods, but there are many trees around.

Other Thoughts:

I like this park a lot, my two favorite holes in Indy are at this park. I love the elevation changes on 3, 4, and 18. Gotta check this park out if you are in Indy. Very fun.
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6 5
tenWatts
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 21.9 years 59 played 22 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Nice Enough 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 18, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

The course has many options and the temp. course they sit up at the Checkered Flag Open is pretty good. It has plenty of differant shots and some fun elevations.

The flood plan it plays through can lead to some interesting roll aways if you don't think about your landing. There is a great mixture of holes on this course that makes it a pretty fun course to play.

Cons:

Kinda in a Ghetto! I was cussed at just for looking at someone walking by.

Other Thoughts:

I would ONLY play this course during the tourney. I wouldn't go out of my way to get there.
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9 2
ZipperBlueZ
Experience: 20.7 years 12 played 10 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Brookside Park, Indianapolis 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Sep 26, 2005 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Very large course, full 18 holes. Nice variety, good layout, nice usage of trees and levee as obstacles.

Cons:

Located in rough part of town. Holes 3, 4, and 18 require going onto what is basically a floodplain. Can be very muddy depending on the weather.

Other Thoughts:

I lost my disc golf virginity to this course many moons ago and have continued to return for more each and every summer. You shouldn't leave here disapointed (unless you throw your disc into the creek off the first tee and lose it, which I have done and have seen done more than once), 2nd best course in Indy, George Washington Park (less than 5 miles away!) being the best.
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3 16
skottyb
Experience: 25 years 54 played 26 reviews
3.00 star(s)

interesting 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 12, 2006 Played the course:once

Pros:

nice layout, good distances from the pro tees. the park in general is in good shape, multiple tee pads on some holes etc. Baskets seem to be in great shape.

some holes are wide open and others have trees which help keep it fresh. distances are good as well, not a pitch and putt course by any means.

Cons:

navigation problems, I would have had trouble finding my way around if it hadn't been for tournament play. had to continously ask a local how long some holes were because the signs were damaged at the time.

Other Thoughts:

I played it during a tournament so it had a different configuration than what it normally did. I didn't notice any problems other than navigation and sign damage. I haven't been back to the course in over 3 years so I should probably get back there and give it a more solid review.
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