Albrightsville, PA

Hickory Run State Park

3.25(based on 48 reviews)
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2 1
PKBrownE87
Experience: 13.7 years 83 played 12 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Hickory Run 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 7, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This course will challenge just about every throw you have and make you think wisely on which disc to use. Front 9 play in a more open type area which allows one to "rip" a few deep ones. The back 9 all woods! Some of the back 9 will easily give you a few strokes. The course is on a state park so there are many amenities available including a very beautiful lake where you actually tee off for hole 8! Overall a very pleasant and relaxing course to play.

Cons:

Need to have hole signs made with hole#, distance to pin, par info, and maybe a overview of a flightpath. Need concrete tee pads. Need signage to show where next hole is as it is very confusing on the front 9 if not familiar with course. Also, if playing on a sunny weekend be prepared for tons of traffic as the course plays close to the lake, trails, and playground area.

Other Thoughts:

Played the 2011 Pocono Amateur Classic on 8/7/2011 and had a blast. Played the 19 hole layout. I would recommend this course to basically anyone.
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1 3
tmc3442
Experience: 15.4 years 54 played 10 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Hickory 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 14, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Not hard to stay in order
lots of different looks
plenty of chances for aces
parks upkeep is good

Cons:

becomes a pond after rain
dogs!!! (lots of traffic)
tees need work
no hole maps just pointer

Other Thoughts:

first 9 are in open field area with little trees and back 10 play into the woods overall fun course
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2 3
Dino
Experience: 14.3 years 43 played 4 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Nice course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 16, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

MOST of the tees well marked, first 8 mostly open, Back 9, in the woods and in my opinion the best part of the course. Great scenery, Nice lake with a beach.Clean restrooms and snack bar right there. Hickory run is an awesome park.

Cons:

Beware picnickers on holes1,2,3.Some baskets too close to each other,On the 4th hole You'll see Pin 6 before Pin 4. As for hole 8, Where is the tee? I see here that they play from the beach, we just guessed from the map. They have a map on the bulletin board, which will help.It is only 18, not sure why this site says it's 19

Other Thoughts:

I would play this course again, great scenery fun course.
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4 2
jparent
Experience: 14.7 years 12 played 4 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Played during tournament 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 28, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

I liked the course in general and it is somewhere between a beginner to advanced course. I like that it had a good mix of open and wooded holes. The course plays like two completely different courses. The back 9 was my favorite with tightly wooded holes that are more technical.

Cons:

I played a warm up round before the tournament and before the tee signs were added and a few times I got confused on where the next hole started. On one of holes in the back nine there is a nasty left dog leg that throws directly at another tee box. There a bunch of pieces of wood put up on the tee box to stop discs from hitting players but I still think it could be unsafe. There was also a family sitting at a picnic table towards the right side of one of the fairways when we were teeing off. Nowhere to eat near the course.

Other Thoughts:

Although I don't mind gravel/stone tee boxes, some of them were a bit uneven. I think this is a nice course to take a family to in the summer. Some of the family can sit on the beach and go in the lake and the other members can play disc golf. There are picnic tables to eat at and public restrooms.
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1 5
StymieDidIt
Experience: 5 played 5 reviews
2.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 10, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nice area and scenery.

Cons:

I agree with the previous review. Not much good to talk about. The course was average as far as difficulty. Not many long holes. Very poorly marked. It took a while to locate tee box number 8, which really isn't a box nor is it marked. Fortunately, I remembered seeing a video of this course during the Ice Bowl. Didn't have a map and couldn't find several tee boxes. Twice, I found that I had been shooting at the wrong basket and had to go back and start over. Wooded area, 10 thru 16 were very hard to follow. I still don't know if I played 10 and 11 in the right order. Tee boxes were only okay.

Other Thoughts:

I'd play it again, but my expectations must have been too high.
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2 10
aphroditious
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Don't waste your time... 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 9, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

none

Cons:

The course is badly marked. We could not find the starting tee for hole #2. The map that is given on the score card is not accurate. We were unable to find the starting tee for hole #8 as well or the hole itself. We were so fed up with this course we stopped playing after 7 holes.

Other Thoughts:

If you are in this area and want to play a good course I would go 10 miles up the road to Francis E. Walter Dam. That course is more challenging and the course is well laid out and much easier to navigate.
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6 2
rshrevo
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 46.4 years 45 played 34 reviews
2.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 24, 2019 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

a lot of the holes on the front 9 are birdie opportunities with the right drive. a lot of the holes have tables near the tee. nice scenic drive on your way into the park. nice views of the lake from different locations on the course. challenging shot selection on the back nine.

Cons:

Since it was my first time i had a hard time navigating my way around the course. i eventually found all the holes. downloaded the map so that helped a bit except that hole 10 was moved from where the map is to right near the basket for nine. A lot of the tee markers for each of the holes were laying on the ground near the tee. gravel, dirt maybe red clay for tee pads wasn't sure what it was exactly. if clay they could get really slick possibly in wet weather. i noticed that a lot of the next tee signs were laying on the ground not even pointing in the right direction. Hole #10 basket has Hole #11 number on it. Hole #11 has #10 written on it. Hole 8 tee is not really there just shoot from the edge of the beach up the hill. there were people at a picnic table in the middle of the fairway up the hill when i played.. so i moved over near the volley ball net and threw uphill. #9 throws across a walking path so you have to watch who is around when you throw. some holes on the front you have to throw near picnic tables with people at them or near drinking fountains in the park. so if anyone is using them and you throw late or the wind catches a disc it could hit someone. couple of the holes had water drainage issues so you could get your shoes wet just trying to get down the fairway

Other Thoughts:

i did enjoy the course. this could be a really great course if some of the issues could be taken care of. i have played better courses but i have also played a lot worse courses. if i am back in the area i would really want to try this course again. one other improvement i would suggest is tee post with hole direction and maybe direction to the next tee. I saw signs like this at shore acres park in saugatuck michigan and thought it was a great idea.
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2 6
Qwikstreet
Experience: 16.4 years 15 played 11 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 25, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Excellent course. It has a mix of everything you want from a wooded course including water. The holes are challenging but easy to par them all at any given time for all levels. The local club up there takes pride in maintaining their course.

Cons:

I have to take the Turnpike to play there.
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7 3
swatso
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.3 years 776 played 417 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Open Then Shut 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 26, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Random benches scattered about. Beach/water access at #8 if a hot summer's day. Bathroom on site.

Cons:

Unsigned single dirt/gravel tee locations. Some navigation issues (see below). Many a picnic table and/or grille scattered amongst holes 1-6. Walking path near 8-9.

Other Thoughts:

For the first six holes, take a large, grassy, gently undulating open space, randomly drop some large and mid-sized hardwoods about it - and then add in about twice as many picnic tables and grilles. These holes average a bit over 300' in length, and you'll usually have a few choices of how you want to avoid the trees while reaching the basket. Number-7 is short and downslope to a basket surrounded by trees, tee-8 is at the end of the beach, short throw to a basket at the top of a steep slope, and number-9 is long-n-open. The back nine is where you'll find your shorter, technical woodwork - flat holes, trees throughout, mostly requiring straight or subtle S-shapes off the tee (although there are a few left-turners), well-defined paths filled with rocks and tree roots. Holes 11-16 are quite tight, bordering on pinball at times, but the undergrowth is practically non-existent, so a wayward disc shouldn't be too hard to find.

Favourite hole: #14. Just under 300', fair path through trees the entire length, but a small stone wall about 30' before the basket is reached - very picturesque.
Least favourite hole: #16. Nearly 400' of continuous left turn, trees thick the entire length, some scattered across the natural flightpath, to a nearly-imprisoned basket.

Navigation: The map (although it doesn't show current #10 correctly - it plays between the dirt access road and the main road) is necessary for a first-time visitor as there is a paucity of signage, next tee signs, etc. Some sign/numbering inconsistencies after #9. Tee-10 is just ahead, slightly right, across a gravel path, and the basket is about 300' in the same direction - but labelled #11. Continue in the same direction, cross the road, to find tee-11, which will then play to a basket labelled as #10. From #12 onward things were okay.

Despite the (lack of) signage, and potential conflict with other park users on the front half, there is a decent amount of variety and challenge on this course, and worth a visit if travelling through the area.. The F.E.W Dam course is not too far away, with food/petrol options in-between.
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6 5
DAMAGER
Experience: 16.3 years 9 played 9 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Not much fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 17, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

There's baskets, Grass was cut, Fun road to drive in on. Back 9 baskets are in an area that does not have picnic area all around it. Close to Francis E. Walter Dam which has a real good course.

Cons:

Hard to navigate, make sure you download a map before going there. 1st 9 holes you play through picnic area, (I almost landed a tee shot into a child's playpen). Tee pads numbers were ripped out of the ground for most holes, Lots of Tee pads were in poor condition. No good scenic or cool obstacles or anything worth raving about on this course, unless you want to count the road you drive in on to get to the course.

Other Thoughts:

There is lots of room in this park for a much better well thought out course. I drove from philly to play this course because the reviews said it was good. I am very disappointed in the people that posted these high reviews. This course should only have a 2 rating, maybe 3 if they fixed the tees and got some good signs. But the 4 ratings should only be given if it is a well maintained, challenging but fun course to play with at lease 1 iconic memorable hole. A 5 rating means it's a perfect course in all ways. The people that rated this above a 2 should try real courses like Walter Dam, Nockamixon and Tyler State park, then you could see what 4 or 4.5 rating course is really like.
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6 1
RamsFan1
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.1 years 92 played 92 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Enjoyable Pocono DG Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 13, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Offers a nice variety of both open and wooded holes, catering to all tastes. The front nine is primarily open (with a couple of exceptions) while the back nine emphasizes more techincal shots to avoid the woods. Is very fair to the average or recreational player while challenging enough for the more advanced disc golfer. Navigation is pretty easy and the baskets are all in good shape. A creek and some mandos keep you honest on a couple of holes. Located in a very pretty area of the Poconos which offers a beautiful lake and all of the standard amenities of a state park.

Cons:

Signage, while not terrible, could be better. Natural (crushed stone) tees are uneven and should be raked and smoothed out. Some holes have logs or benches to put your bag/belonings while others do not. The possibility of heavy pedestrian/picnicker traffic exists on some of the open holes. Not too many glaring deficiencies to speak of.

Other Thoughts:

This course has aged well and is relatively close to several other nice disc golf courses (Walter Dam, Yetter Park, etc) in the area. I recently played in a foot of snow here and still enjoyed myself, so summer /spring play is exceptional. Park is set back deep off the main road and there really isn't a whole lot of civilization here, so bring a bag lunch and some drinks if you make a day out of it.
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9 1
dmach
Experience: 16.8 years 139 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 18, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

this is a really beautiful park. the front nine are for the most part, pretty open with some scattered trees (aside from 3a and 3b which are in the woods behind #2 basket). and then the back nine is all wooded with straight paths, and left turn paths. pretty tricky, some of them are. a lot of times, there are other friendly DGers, like myself, that would help you around the course if it was your first time there, and not so familiar...

Cons:

the tee boxes get really messy when the weather isnt so nice, they really need to be maintained a little bettter, (which i would be willing to help do myself)...i was just there yesterday and most of them were full of slush and ice. and it really isnt mapped out all that understandable either ( which for me isnt an issue, since ive been playing this coures a few times a week for two years now, but i can see how some others would get lost), but they have maps/score cards at the park ranger station. but for now, there are directions spray painted on the ground from the last tournament. and like other reviewers said, in the summer, you get a lot of tourists who dont even know what D G is and some just stand in the way and play with the chains on the basket....ive already had tourists pick up my disc and start to walk away with it!! some of my friends even had theirs re-thrown!! but for the most part, the people just need a little explaining of whats going on here.

Other Thoughts:

i love this course and consider in my home field. i learned how to play on this course, and will never get tired of it. i just played my last game there yesterday, and i tied my best score with a +1!! there are a lot of holes that birdie-able, and also a few long shots. #'s 8 and 9 are on the top of a hill/field and the wind really makes for some interesting throws on certain days, but that just makes it a little more challenging. if you are planning on being around the area, definitely stop and play this course, you wont be disappointed.
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8 1
mashnut
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.7 years 831 played 777 reviews
3.00 star(s)

A tale of two courses 2+ years drive by

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

Pros:

The course is divided into two distinct halves that play completely differently. The front half of the course is a fairly open park style course with nice scattered mature trees and grassy fairways. The back half is shorter and more technical with very tight wooded fairways and punishing rough to catch errant shots.

There is a little bit of elevation on the course, with a few holes that play up or down the bluff along the lake. The more open holes bring wind into play, and only one of the holes is completely open.

Between the two halves of the course, you'll need lots of different kinds of controlled shots. The first half of the course calls for shot placement, while the wooded back half will test your line shaping and accuracy. There is an ok mix of holes that favor left/right turning shots and ones that favor a straight shot, with a pretty good balance throughout the course.

The park is beautiful, and a great setting for a round of disc golf. The space available was used well to keep most of the holes separate without too many long walks.

Cons:

The tees are not the best. They are gravel or dirt, and few were well-leveled either time I played. They weren't the best surface for any kind of real run-up, luckily there aren't a whole lot of distance shots on this course.

There isn't a whole lot of distance here, and the first half of the course just really isn't all that challenging. The back half is much more challenging, but every hole presents basically variations of the same challenge and it feels a bit repetitive.

The navigation isn't bad, but there are a few spots where better signage would be really useful. The tees could also use better signs, what was there wasn't very informative or helpful. When I played in the summer, the first half of the course had lots and lots of picnickers, which made for a slower and more stressful round, though this wasn't an issue in the winter.

Other Thoughts:

This is a fun older course that still has quite a bit going for it. I enjoy the two totally different sections of the course, and they offer totally different challenges. Newer players will enjoy the more open front half, while more experienced players will find themselves more tested on the back half.

If you are anywhere in the area, this course is definitely worth a stop. There may not be huge distance holes or a ton of variety, but this course is just plain fun to play as long as you avoid heavy picnic days. I enjoyed this course playing in the summer or the winter, and the course played totally differently in the different seasons.
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7 2
jblough
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.5 years 85 played 85 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Lots of stuff to do here besides DG! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 15, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

First of all, I would like to mention how pretty this course is. Even on a very dreary November afternoon, it's very scenic with the lake, fields, and tree placements.

The course is pretty easy to find from the entrance to the State Park. Dog legs and mandos make what would be ordinary holes a little more exciting. Bathrooms and picnic tables are great amenities for the course. In addition, maps and scorecards provided make navigating the course easier. I also like the stone wall on hole 14. All in all, I would consider this a great beginner course for those interested in starting disc golf.

Cons:

The course can get pretty crowded -- even in late fall. The tees and signage appears pretty weathered and worn-down. This is surprising considering that most PA State Park DG courses are usually immaculate.

While the back and front nines are significantly different, the holes within them are pretty redundant. Lots of openness on 1-9 and a ton of trees on 10-18. Not much in between.

Other Thoughts:

If you can handle 36 glorious holes of disc golf, I recommend visiting the nearby Francis E. Walter Dam course before or after this one. It completes a great Poconos experience!

Also, Hickory Run is known for its glacial till all over the park. While the famous boulder field is the most central location for scores of rocks and boulders, there are quite a number of rocks on the back nine. In other words, watch your step!
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3 5
Fireal
Experience: 18.4 years 88 played 2 reviews
3.00 star(s)

The Hometown Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 8, 2017 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The front nine is mainly open, with some great tree placement to keep things tricky. The back nine is a tree-fest in which accuracy is key.

Cons:

The course is usually very crowded with non-disc golfers. It can be difficult to be able to play all 19 holes at times. The course tends to be more playable on weekdays.
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7 2
leopardchucker
Experience: 16.3 years 4 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 20, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Very well maintained course. Open on front nine with some nicely placed bushes and trees. Wooded on the back nine. Hole 3a and 3b are worth the drive for me by themselves! Great variety of shots needed to get around the course. Something for every discgolfer here... the park has some great scenery and a nice lake as well.

Cons:

Tee boxes were mudddy in spots (we have had a lot of rain). Concrete tee pads would make this a 4.0 or 4.5 easily. Could use some arrows to next tee.

Other Thoughts:

Some of the holes could be longer. I am relatively new to disc golf and made several pars easily. Bring inesct repellant for the back nine.
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4 6
Grip N Rip
Experience: 17.4 years 14 played 6 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Summer Soltstice 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 18, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

I played here for the Summer Soltstice 09 and well it wasn't the best of weather. I'll try and write this review remembering the dry times. First two holes are fairly long but definately aceable with a nice line. Hole 3A is the hole that will give you nightmares or make you feel like a DG god. It's a long skinny fairway straight then doglegs off hard left. The pin is located across the stream and guarded heavily by trees. a SPOTTER is helpful off drive. Pros were taking Fives on this hole. Hole 3B, which plays to the 4 pin, is also a unique hole. It has the same stream from 3A in play but it's 30 ft infront of the tee pad. Some trees are present so focus on not hitting them. after the creek and tree it opens up a bit and the pin is located off to the left behind some trees and bushes. Other than these holes nothing really stands out. A lot of par threes and technical wooded holes. One field hole but it plays relatively short being it is at the bottom of a hill you throw down.

Cons:

Short holes, only one true open hole. I played one day and it was littered with people oblivious to the dangers of high speed plastic soring through the air. On hole ten we had a picnic table with a family just off to the left and another one just off to the right.

Other Thoughts:

Course leaves you ready for more. The terrain is mildly hilly but the hole lengths are pretty short. Sorry if the review is lacking...I wrote an indepth one but it sent me to sign in page and then deleted my hard work.
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3 14
Bramanws187
Experience: 46 played 2 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Very Disappointed 2+ years drive by

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

Pros:

The course was an okay wooded course for our area in the northeast, near Honesdale, it is a nice alternative to Prompton State Park because that course is a big arm course. Besides that there isn't anything else good.

Cons:

I would say it is not worth driving more than 30 minutes to this course. If you are traveling from the South just go to Allentown/Bethlehem area because the courses there are much better.The front nine is open with some trees in the way and there isn't any hole over 500 feet on the entire course. Also a couple of the holes are really too short. The back nine was wooded but didn't really have many challenging holes on it at all. There were way too many holes that were too easy to 2. By far the worst thing about this course were the gravel tees. This course would be slightly better and I probably would travel back again if it didn't have gravel tees. They really take away a lot form the course.

Other Thoughts:

I would not recommend this course to anybody unless they lived close by and were beginners.
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16 1
optidiscic
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.4 years 156 played 149 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Old School Fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 11, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Good mix of holes with 1 refreshing open hole, 6 tighter woods holes and 11 more open but still interesting holes. It is a more traditional disc golf course utilizing lanes and options than FEW DAM course 15 minutes away. The course is well maintained, the Bearclaws Discgolf Club seems to be active up here. I really enjoyed the short uphill shot from the beach to the top of the hill. After that I really enjoyed that big open blast across the field to a wide open green. Back half of course is very tight and wooded, challenging but not impossible. There are multiple tees. Moderate elevation. A good way to spend a day if your in the Pocono region.One hole has a nice elevated tee that shoots across to a basket below...that was one I could play all day.Water fountains available on the course for the front nine. Finishing hole is a fun hyzer around many old growth high canopy trees. Stone wall is cool. Good mix of lefty/righty holes. The lake makes for a nice view from teepad #8.

Cons:

For first timers layout can be confusing, and attempt to mingle disc golf with a huge picnic area spells some trouble. No water comes into play despite a huge lake nearby. It's mostly flat despite being in the mountains.

Other Thoughts:

This is the best option for Disc Golf in the Pocono Region. It has all types of shots. There is a huge boulder field deep in the woods a short drive from here. Pack your drinks and lunch, it's really out in the woods pretty deep. I think this course would be a blast to play in the fall/winter. I am sure the picnicers would be gone, the views of the lake would open up and the back nine would be less foliage and thus lanes easier to see/negotiate.
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8 1
disc golfer
Experience: 26.2 years 15 played 14 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Excellent Course! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 15, 2007 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great mix of different holes (straight, left, right, open, wooded). Front 9 is mostly open, grassy, with trees scattered nicely. Back 9 is mostly wooded and fun. Great course design. Mostly flat with slight elevation changes. This course is fun to play for beginners and advanced players alike. Nice scenery and peaceful setting for disc golf.

Cons:

Got a bit lost a couple of times on the front 9. The course desperately needs "Next Tee" signs and better mapping. A few times I shot at the wrong basket.

Other Thoughts:

I played this course during the Fall months on a weekday and basically had the whole course to myself. I'm sure Summer months may be a bit crowded because of the swimming lake & picnic tables. I highly recommend this course. It was a lot of fun to play and whoever designed this course surely knew what they were doing!
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