Pros:
Welcome to Central-North-Eastern Pennsylvania, you have just chosen to play one of our most challenging courses. Where your skill level will be tested and graded on your drives, ability to hold and shape lines and long distance putting accuracy. This location you have just entered was selected by disc golfers, designed by and built by disc golfers to not be your average neighborhood course. The thinking process here was to lull you with picturesque backdrops, elevation changes and scenic wooded paths for your cool walking pleasure. Then as we all know how disc golf can have it's cold and brutal darkside. You will instantly be smacked out of your lull to the humbling reality that you have come to be rated and challaneged.
You can easily find the first tee just to the left of the restrooms next to the parking lot (#13).Take a walk past the facilities toward the pond and look for the path on your left you will see the first tee, where it all starts. Make sure you have your seat in the upright position are firmly strapped in and we have your complete attention. Your guided tour is about to begin so please enjoy and keep in mind this was for your pleasure..........
Your first 3 holes start out in the 400 & 500 ft ranges with room for great drives and some tree love to show you some of the more shaded areas that we have to offer. Again, don't become discouraged with the feeble distances of your drives, we are about to enter the open area with rolling fields and scenic vistas. You will have the opportunity to watch your discs fly like the local hawks sailing on the thermals and wind pockets. Hole #6 is just a stunning shot for your disc as well as your camera. Looking out onto the panoramic view of the lake and boat docks. Here you will have a sense of triumph thinking you smell a birdie in the air and the making of one. You drive out and gently glide to a comfortable lye within 60 feet of the basket. Now the moment is at hand, will you risk going for the birdie and chance the death roll to the bottom of the slope where the basket is precariously located. Or think to play it safe? Knowing that this course offers few chances for a birdie opportunity or ace run. Choose well, remember this is a thinking game not just body mechanics. In a few steps from the basket you see the tee pad for hole #7. Another beauty of a shot! You look out and your mind struggles with your options on how to drive, for your second chance at birdie. As you survey the landscape you notice the basket is strategically tucked into a few low trees in a meadow far below to prevent a ace. This is where you will need to stand tall and be a man. Throw care to the wind and trust me on this one. Power drive out toward the lake hard and high allowing for a nice big hyzer fade left over the thorn jungle on the right to land near the basket.Think big and you will be rewarded for your effort with a near perfect lye next to the basket and a birdie. As we all know with every down hill soon to follow will come an up hill drive. Welcome to hole #8. Up the hill, across the meadow. than yet one more climb to finish at the hanging basket from a large tree. Yes, a novelty I know. But,... it adds to the fun factor for this course. Well, lets add a little distance to your next shot back down through the rolling hills.......and you will. Hole #9 finishes the front 9 with a 730 foot basket snuggled up near the treeline. You have now had your moment in the sun and the lush green fields working on your tan.
As you walk back to the restrooms to find the tee pad for hole #10. You take a breather,....adding up your score and thinking about the front nine sitting on the tee pad for #10. It's time for a change you decide, "I need to up my game." The back nine will do just that. So get ready to test your backwoods lore and hiking skills over rock fields, boulder strewn paths, foot bridges over flowing streams and gorges. Hole 10 can be a lumber jacking experience at 821 feet through the woods. I hope you planned your day well, bringing extra water and water proof light weight hiking shoes. Because you will need both depending on the time of year. This area can get muddy and stay damp. Cool, shady, rocky goat trails lead you through this area that play holes that look like old logging roads. Hole 12 is your only break at 252 ft. Soon comes one of my favorite holes of this course and what in my mind is how I always remember this place. Hole #16, a sweet 399 ft. straight down hill drive over water twice. I love this shot, it just begs you to empty your bag trying for a Cubby Ace. Resist the urge, because the last two holes are both over 550 feet. Well.......okay take two or three drives if you must, just make sure course traffic is light and your not holding anyone up. After all it is about having fun and you have to take it where you can here. No.17 is a long slow anhyzer fade right ending just short of the pond. Both sides of this fairway can eat your disc faster then a blink of your eye. To one side you have a marshy swamp and what looks to be a glowing stagnate pool. On the other side is a boulder field were the cranny goblins hide your errant thrown disc. Watch your footing please as you spend time looking for your disc. Moving right along. Don't worry all you have left is #18. The walk to 18 can be very swampy during Spring and heavy rains. Take a deep breath, you are almost done. Only this last hole at 567 feet around the pond through the woods over rocks, lumber jacking your way to the basket. In the fall your disc is subject to a game of hide and seek in deep leaves after ricocheting off several trees to confuse it's exact position. Oh, is't this just fun! Didn't you feel the love?
Congratulations, you have just finished your Nocky experience. How, do you feel? A little beat up? Tired? Go head and tally up that score sheet. Yeah I know, you aren't looking forward to it. The Good, the Bad and some really Ugly. As you look down at your score sheet after a hard played round and feel that tear welling up in your eye. Thinking to yourself that you should donate your discs and bag to the local boys club or maybe list them on Ebay? Take solace in knowing a score of +5 to +10 is a good day here. This wasn't meant to be your local pitch and putt. This was a test from the Disc Golf Gods themselves, to see if you are the man that you think your are? Or just a mere mortal and casual DG player? So hold your head high and walk with your shoulders back........you have been challenged.
Cons:
There are few and truly negligible in the greater scope of things here. Remember this was meant to be a test and challenge. So some of the down sides are;
* You came here unprepared for a challenge.
* You didn't bring your "A" game.
* You wore sneakers or your sandals broke.
* You can only power drive off of a concrete tee and a level elevated fly pad won't do.
* You need lot's of amenities and comforts to ease your game.
* You hate lot's of walking and rocky ground.
* Your feet got muddy or wet.
* Your ego is bruised and your not quite ready for the Pro tour.
* No multi basket locations.
* No multi pads to make Noobs feel at home.
* Signs yes, but by now you should be able to follow a path?..........No?
* Tee signs, are basic. Hole number and distance, what more do you need? You can see the basket? Your good.
* You don't like playing in the woods?.....to many trees?...........DUH!......test remember?........
Other Thoughts:
Okay! Ready for round TWO?
Nockamixon is a great park and a tough play. It can be like a love hate relationship. It's beauty takes you in and its technicality gives you a black eye. Pain or Pleasure? Which is it for you? One thing for sure is you can't just go for the ride once! You have to come back and play again. It will whisper your name in the night beckoning you to try again. If it doesn't than maybe this isn't the game for you?
Oh! As a side note 9 miles up the road is a sweet 9 holer that is too good to pass up. It will get your juices flowing............so if your in the neighborhood you might as well hit Unami Creek.