The Freeman Lake DGC is located in a nice park that offers a solid 4-disc course with a great layout. The course is strategically designed through open fields, mature trees, and around scenic views of Freeman Lake. The course is both fun and fair for players of all skill levels, a definite must play in the Elizabethtown area.
Course Essentials:
-Baskets: Mach III (all in great shape) w/variable placements on all holes except 4, 10, 13, 15, 16. Two pins stay in the ground on 18 at all times; the long position is typically used for a practice basket, and the shorter position used as the primary placement for the hole.
-Tee Pads: Large, level, concrete pads on all holes w/multiple tee pads on hole 4 (2pads), 15 (2pads), and 16 (4 pads).
-Tee Signs: Good signs on all 18 holes that show variable pin placements, distances, hole layout, and mando's. (A few minor issues with the signs will be discussed in the cons section.)
General Course Design & Layout:
-Length: Approximately 6,200ft total (344ft/hole avg). Length varies based on current pin placements and alternate tees (alternate tees available on 4, 15, & 16 only).
-Elevation: Minimum to Moderate throughout the course, used effectively in the course design to create a nice variety in uphill, downhill, and sidehill lies.
-O.B. & Water Hazards: Fence (left side of fairway) plays O.B. on 1, 2, & 5, road plays O.B. on 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, & 17. Water hazard in play on holes 13-17.
Freeman Lake is comprised of two 9-hole loops that each return to the parking area. A sign labeled "Disc Golf Course" located near the parking area points the way to the first tee. The course in general has an open feel to it, but tee placements and pin positions are strategically located to take full advantage of all the land has to offer.
The front nine is creatively designed around large, mature evergreens and gently undulating terrain, and on average, will typically play 2-3 shots higher than the back nine. The higher scoring average is contributed to a slightly longer (approx 700ft longer) and more technical layout. The back nine, while similar to the front, poses a different challenge with the lake coming into play on 5 of the last nine holes (13-17). The lake is mostly in play for holes 14-16, but on rare occasions, I have seen discs lost on 13 & 17. The back nine is shorter and less difficult than the front, so it gives a good opportunity to get a few strokes back that may have been lost on the front.
The course has a semi-open layout with lots or room to work the disc, but tees and pins are placed in a manner that force you to hit some type of gap between the large evergreens and deciduous trees found on every hole. There is good variety in lines throughout the course allowing the opportunity to throw many different types of shots as you navigate the layout. Typically, the moderate size gaps are located between the tees and pins (not right off the tee or near basket). This layout requires a decent amount of accuracy to clear the trouble and access the basket. A good drive can easily get knocked down leaving a 100ft+ upshot while still trying to navigate the remaining gaps. The only hole that is truly open is number 5, but you still have to contend with a mando down the right side and O.B. all down the left side. Even though number 5 has a very generous fairway, it measures over 500ft in length which increases the difficulty; 3's are good and 2's are rare on 5.
Epic Holes:
-Hole 3: A tunnel shot with a low canopy, right to left sloping fairway, and trouble on both sides (especially the left side). The tunnel narrows as you approach a small gap between two large evergreens. In the short position, the basket sits between these 2 trees right in the gap, the long position requires you to navigate the small gap and clear a small stream to reach the basket.
-Hole 4: The longest hole on the course at nearly 600ft. Thick woods run all along the left side and a row of trees on the right define the fairway off the tee. The tee shot is fairly straight forward, but the approach requires a shot under a low canopy that clears a 10ft gap and across the creek to a well-protected basket. I've played this course for 4yrs and have yet to get a 3 here, fantastic and challenging hole.
-Holes 14-16: These are the primary lake holes. Hole 14 & 15 run along the edge of the lake. The tee shot on 14 requires you to clear a tight gap over the lake between a small tree and a large concrete silo. Hole 15 is a little more straight forward, but with the basket tucked in a corner just 15ft from the edge of the water on the back and left sides, you have to be cautious with your drive. Hole 16 offers 4 tee positions, 3 of which require a shot directly over the lake to a pin just 12ft or so from the edge of the water. All tee positions must contend with water on 16. Any shot that goes left on these 3 holes is in the lake!
Navigation:
Navigating the course is relatively straight forward. In most cases, the next tee is visible from the previous basket which helps to simplify navigation around the course. A couple of trouble areas are discussed in the cons section. An up-to-date course map is located on the "Links/Files" tab. The up-to-date map is: "Freeman Lake DGC Course Map (PDF File)". The map shows park navigation, alternate parking for winter months, and course layout with alternate tees/pins.
Maintenance:
The park is well-maintained year round, the pin placements are moved frequently, the grass is mowed on a regular basis, and it is very rare to see any trash lying around the course.
Ammenities:
-Benches & trash cans are located around the course.
-Large pavilion near the first/last holes
-Restrooms located at the pavilion.