First off, let me be clear that this rating is for how well the course achieves what is designed to be. It is designed to avoid frustration for beginners and give rec players a chance to build confidence and work on solid shot making. It also can be a hell of a lot of fun as an ace run for more experienced players. It is not designed to challenge advanced and pro players.

Calico Creek is a fun 18-hole par 3 course uniquely targeted to beginners and rec players. It provides all the shots of "real" disc golf: left-to-right, right-to-left, uphill, downhill, even features one throw across the creek. No worries with the creek though, it's only inches deep and a foot wide, and it plays "casual"; no penalty, just take a free lift out of the creek.

A diverse layout targeted for rec Level players from the Red Tees, and beginners from the Green Tees. This is real New England woods golf, though the hole distances are scaled for those of us that don't throw 400'. Holes range from 135' to 220' from green, 135' to 280' from the red. Calico Creek has a few holes open in the meadow, a few holes that play in to or out of the woods, and about a dozen woods hole.

Baskets are easy-to-spot bright red Prodigy Pro baskets, well mounted, with bold bright hole numbers. Inside the circle occasionally has some trees to deal with, but it never feels gimmicky.

Tee boxes are heavy AstroTurf, laid over leveling sand. They drain well and provide a solid "all weather" surface. Red tees are consistently at least 5' x 10', with room for run-up and follow-through. Green tees are occasionally smaller on the shorter holes, but still provide a good throwing surface.

The open fairways are groomed and well-mowed. The rough has "church pew" mowing patterns, which makes finding wayward discs much easier. You won't spend a lot of time looking for lost discs. The woods holes have clean, well defined fairways with generous lines.

The "stream crossings" are safe and stable, at least in "non-flood" conditions.

Hole signage bit austere but functional and consistent. Navigation is easy to follow.

A Putting Green and Practice Range are on property at the NEDGC. The range has targets at 100', 150', and a basket at 200'. There is also a charming "mini disc" golf course, with tiny baskets, for throwing your marker mini discs.

Big gravel parking lot and long driveway can handle lots of cars even when both courses are busy.

Solid wooden benches on nearly every tee box, and some of the tees in the sunshine have flower pots... nice touch.

For pros and big arms, Calico Creek is a bit of a pitch and putt. It can still be a fun quick round with ace runs and can make a good warm up for Spoonwood Ridge, but it won't be a huge competitive challenge and you won't need your distance drivers.

Calico Creek and the NEDGC lacks some of the amenities of the best of the best. The Pro Shop is only open sporadically, the site lacks running water and flush toilets (though there is a clean, well-serviced porta-potty).

A muddy stretch... 7th fairway, 8th tee, the walk to the 9th tee slow to dry out after heavy rains.

Must close for the winter after the first heavy snow or ice since the driveway is not plowed.

A few weeks before writing this review, I played Maple Hill Reds, then Calico Creek Reds one day apart. I shot the exact same score on both courses. They seem comparable in difficulty. To my skill level, Calico Creek Greens plays about 5 or 6 shots easier than Calico Creek Reds.

As a local, it's been fun watching Calico Creek evolve over the past few years. It's started a just a few open holes called "The Meadows", then expanded to 9 holes with a couple of new woods holes. By the end of last year, it was up to a 12-hole layout. Each time it was expanded, the new holes got better and better. Now that it's a full 18, this place is a destination all by itself... that it's paired on the property with Spoonwood Ridge is a huge plus. The NEDGC has something for everyone.

A quick hole-by-hole overview:
1- Straight open hole in the meadow. Great hole to warm up on. From the green tee it's a very friendly first hole for a beginner! Great place to earn that first par.
2- Short wooded hole with some different lines. Giant specimen Oak guards the line to the right of the basket.
3- One of the longer holes on the layout, wooded on each side with a bit of a "pinch point" about ½ way down the fairway.
4- Short, tight, slightly uphill playing along the creek climbing toward Spoonwood Ridge
5- Another short uphill. Watch out for the "One-Eyed Jack" tree. You'll know it when you see it.
6- 3rd short, straight uphill hole in a row, this one with a much wider fairway than the previous 2.
7- Short, subtly uphill, with some diagonal branches to deal with. Creates a bit of an optical illusion with the lines.
8- Throw across the creek, about 165'. Some trees guard the basket. By late summer the creek is barely a trickle.
9- A short walk after putting out on 8, to a wide, slightly uphill throw, about 160'
10- A dogleg left-to-right, plays longer than it looks, slightly uphill
11- Interesting downhill shot, fairway turns sharply right-to-left over the last 60'. Must commit to the RHBH hyzer or get creative
12- Beautiful fairway, with 3 distinct lines. Hit those lines or you'll get caught up in some early trees
13- Slightly downhill, right to left, to a hanging basket. Red tee is much tougher than green.
14- Tees from the woods, turn hard right to a basket in the meadow
15- Double mando, across the meadow to a basket tucked back in the woods. Easiest to play as a left-to-right throw, but I suppose something dead straight can avoid the mando and get to the basket.
16- Tight, downhill. Make your ace run, but slopes off sharply past the basket and to the left. From the back tee you early trees must be avoided.
17- Tee from the woods to a tight line through "goal posts" to a basket in the meadow
18- Great finishing hole from either tee: Ace opportunity, downhill across the meadow. Visible from the driveway and parking lot so you might have some fans see your hole-in-one.

Great little layout to get your arm ready for the big course.
Nice blend of shots for your mid ranges and putters.
Great directional signs, easy to get around course.
Good tee signs with par, map and distance.
Great layout starting at the parking lot and bringing you right back.
Natural tee pads that played well.
Single chain baskets that caught great.

Maybe a few benches could be added.
Maybe add a trash can or two.
Maybe add another 9. (think it's in the works!)

Perfect little 9 hole course to wet your appetite for the full 18.
Would make a heck of a glow round course.
Does a great job of working you left, right, up and down hill for a small layout.
The natural tee pads played great, and I had no issues with the single chain baskets.
This course is included in your day fee, so it's a definite plus for your $10. Great way to warm it up, get that arm ready and the putter hot.