A nine-holer that has two good holes.

-Busyness: None. Brahan across the street was filled to overflowing; Drake was empty.

-Basics: There are in fact 9 good baskets, and you can play a normal 9 holes here if you have a course map to guide you.

-Space: There's a fair bit of length at Drake for a nine-holer. You can do some drives on most of the 350-500' open holes. I could see this being a good place to work on form.

-Course Flow: Actually decent course flow once you figure out where the course is. It's not a gimmicky spot where you have to search for where they crammed in the next hole.

-Good Holes: I enjoyed (3), which was open with woods to the right and water just 20 feet long of the basket, and (7), which was a long par-3 throwing into a gentle stand of old trees.

B-o-r-i-n-g. And no tees.

-Amenities: Holes (1)-(4) and (8) all had tee posts that in no way made clear where the basket was or where the natural tee was. Speaking of, there is no kind of tee indication at all on the other holes. Thus, once you clear (4), it seems that the course has ended because there's no hint where the next basket is and no sign of a tee to throw from.

-Navigation: Related to the previous item. Good luck figuring out how to play the back half of the course without a map. In fact, I couldn't even figure out the holes with tee posts the first time--I accidentally threw to basket (9) from tee (2).

-Bad Design: (1) is 300' with all paths blocked by a low ceiling. Meanwhile, (9) plays basically over a baseball field and concession stand. The par-3 designation is a little bit laughable at 550'. (Since writing this review, I've been informed that I played it incorrectly from the UDisc layout, and that the correct hole is about 400'. This means that it isn't a badly designed hole originally, but without any signage it's pretty difficult to figure that out.)

-Monotony: Other than the bad holes and good holes, everything is open field shots. Zero interest other than distance.

-Disc Loss: (1) and (3) could both claim discs in the lake. A bad shot could see a disc fly out right and into the drainage river on (6) and (7). You could also end up in a baseball field on (8) or (9), and I'm not sure what the policy for hopping a fence to get a disc is.

-Drainage: I read that it gets muddy here. I believe it. I played after a long series of dry days, and the ground was slightly soft but not contagious.

Drake Springs is a 1.25 that wants to be a 1.5 but really isn't. Most of it is little better than temp baskets set up in a field would be. Add to that the atrocious navigation/absence of tee markings and it settles on Poor.

Note that the hole-by-hole descriptions from bpartrid's 2013 review are no longer accurate. Also, the current UDisc layout does not match the 2017 map on DGCR, but it is close. Possibly the UDisc layout just tees from the previous basket instead of from the now-gone carpet tees used to make the DGCR map.

(1.149 Rating) (REVISED - replayed March 2021) A mildly challenging layout with nerve-wracking OB
- CHALLENGING - Despite the similar difficulty ratings with nearby Brahan Spring Park on DGCR, Drake is a bit more challenging. Yes, it is way more open, but Drake's average hole length is 50 feet more than Brahan. Drake also has unforgiving water hazards. Water comes into play 4 times; holes (1), (3), (6) and (7). On (6) and (7), a miss to the right could mean a lost disc or a perilous retrieval effort. Wind will also be a big factor here.
- QUICK PLAY - Even with poor navigation, running this layout in 30 minutes solo is easily done. Be sure and download the DGCR map. Players who don't, won't know where to throw on a few holes as there are missing signs.
- LOCATION - Located right next to one of the oldest courses in the world, Brahan Spring Park, which was built in 1976. A great way to extend an afternoon of disc golf with 27 unique holes and two courses bagged.
- CHAINS - The baskets are DISCatchers and eight of them are in nice shape. Unfortunately a typical comment when you run out of good things to say about a course. Basket (6) is missing as of this revision.

Several substantial issues with Drake Springs.
- FORGIVENESS - As stated above, (6) and (7) have OB water along the entire right side. Pinhook Creek is almost 100 feet across and its west bank along the course layout has been built out of solid concrete that slopes at 30 degrees to the base. If a disc happens to find its way over the edge and into the creek, trying to retrieve it could be a dangerous adventure. If the water level is up, the plastic is as good as gone, even if it floats.
- NAVIGATION - Do not use the UDisc map app! It is not correct for holes (5), (6), (7) and (9). I've provided a map for DGCR. On my first go around here there wasn't one. Signage was missing on a few holes (5), (6), (7) and (9) so I ended up turned around a few times. Which is probably why the UDisc Map is so inaccurate as the mapper didn't know the layout. There is numbering on all the baskets, but it's no longer possible to follow this layout without the DGCR map. There's a very diagrammatic course map located on the entrance gate, which I'm sure is easily missed as I didn't notice it till my third round here.
- DRAINAGE - I've played here seven times as of this revision. Four of these times the area around basket's (2) and (9) was extremely soggy and muddy. The course typically has poor ground conditions from December through March. The sogginess is not as terrible as Southside for those familiar with the area.
- CHARACTER - Surprisingly just about no extras or comfort items. The course is basically just baskets with a few numbered posts and an entrance sign that says "Drake Springs." No benches at the tees, no alt tees, no alt baskets, no practice basket or finishing shelter with picnic tables. There is a restroom nearby but it is often locked.
- TEES - They were carpet but are now natural for all but one tee. As of this review, there isn't any pitting, but that's probably because everyone's at Brahan.
- MAINTENANCE - Drake Springs isn't getting the love like that what's seen on courses with a big club following. The signage that is here, has or is getting ready to fall apart.
- UNIQUENESS - Below average. Mostly open with a spattering of trees. Shot shaping will be limited here. No well defined pockets, tree gaps, windows or tunnels to hit. All par 3s and the hole distances are all between 250 and 385 feet. As stated, water comes into play a few times which is the one curve ball that Drake Springs offers over Brahan.
- ELEVATION - About as flat as they come. No more than 10 feet of change throughout the entire layout. Unless however there's a dry play from the base of Pinhook creek. Then there's a 20 foot up shot to get out.
- SKILL LEVEL FRIENDLY - Very limited appeal. Too easy for Advanced players and too difficult for Recreational players. Probably best for Intermediate players looking for longer more open holes than what Brahan offers.
- NATURAL BEAUTY - Very few trees along the layout. There is also several locations in the low areas where there's wheel pitting from the lawn mower equipment. Roads and fences from the football and baseball complex are in view the entire time. The creek loses its grace as the banks are made of solid concrete. Hole (1) is the only nice looking hole.
- WIND - Due to the lack of trees, wind will likely be an issue.

Overshadowed by the course across the street, Brahan Springs Park. Why play a less fun, less forgiving, less technical course than what's across the street. For this reason, I think Drake Springs has kind of gotten lost in the mix as there are a bunch of nearby nicer disc golf courses in town. Really the only thing Drake has on Brahan Springs is the challenge due to all the water OB in play. If you've already played a majority of the courses in town its worth a look, but otherwise stay with Brahan or hit up Mastin, Indian Creek, Redstone, UAH or Monte Sano. Among the nine holers in town, I'd say this is the fourth best one after V-Rock, Asbury and Dublin.