Topsfield, MA

Pye Brook Park

Permanent course
3.15(based on 31 reviews)
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8 0
MadChillMojo
Experience: 18.6 years 7 played 7 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Time for a little edge play 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 5, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

A wide open, straightforward course that seems to cater to the beginner/intermediate player. Some long shots and a few tougher ones that make use of the elevation changes afforded by the flood control dykes steep sides. The fact that 80% of the course runs around the perimeter of several sports fields means you have to keep it straight and true lest you lose your disc deep into the surrounding woods on the periphery.
Generally, if you get too much hyzer or nose up on your right-handed backhand shot, you're in for a lost-disc search and rescue. This, I've found is a great way to focus on keeping your shot low and straight, and work that backhand anhyzer a bit! Not a bad place to keep up your chops if you get tired of playing more disc-golf-oriented courses.

Cons:

Not a lot of variety to be had here with only a couple holes tucked into a small patch of woods with the rest being out in a big open field. Kudos to the folks who got the course approved, but one is left with the feeling that it was sort of tucked in as an afterthought.
I've played here four times and three of those were windy to the point of... well it just took the fun out of the game. We spent a good amount of time looking for discs in the woods off the edge of the park when the breeze would grab a nice straight shot and launch it into the arboreal abyss or the Dead Marshes.
This is primarily a "traditional sports" park and you'll find football and baseball games going on quite often in the summer/early fall. Disc golfing is a bit of an afterthought here so be mindful of non-players walking dogs, riding horses, etc.

Other Thoughts:

Not a bad place to get a feel for how to throw a disc if you're new to the game. Plenty of room on most holes for errors or to try uncorking a big drive if you're feeling out your DG muscles.
Check the local weather to see what the winds are like before you trek out here...
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1 2
Holly
Experience: 4 played 4 reviews
3.00 star(s)

My home course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 30, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Varied terrain, water hazards, well-marked baskets, pet friendly, ample parking, wooded, grassy...

Cons:

Dirty fishbowl has eaten a number of my discs. Horse shows take over holes 7-15 (this has only happened once while I was there).

Other Thoughts:

People don't seem to return the discs that they find here... Bummer.
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1 1
benlh15
Experience: 15.7 years 79 played 11 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Pye Brook Park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 9, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

long course will take you on a long winding up and down walk throughout the park. Plenty of hazards and changes in angles.

Cons:

The wind, the bugs, and the fact that you can lose a disc on a great shot sometimes because the grass in the fields can get way too high. If you aren't fully focused you can spend a lot of time looking for discs.

Other Thoughts:

A good course overall. Younger and beginner players may not exactly fall in love with the game from playing here.
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3 0
andapos
Experience: 15.3 years 9 played 7 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Decent Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 25, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Some of the holes are pretty challenging with almost all having multiple tees for different skill levels. Open course design is accommodating for beginners.

Cons:

Some layout decisions make you scratch your head (placing tees in the fairways of other holes) and there are no holes that are really memorable. Swampy at times depending on rain.

Other Thoughts:

Overall, a pretty average to slightly above average course. Nice location for a course, with some well laid out holes, but there are some oddities. One of the holes runs right along a baseball outfield fence, so if there is a game going on, you better be careful. Parking is also a problem if there is a game going on. Tall grass can make finding discs quite annoying, and this course can also get very wet.
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1 0
mattydgolfer
Experience: 16.2 years 9 played 8 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Challenge, distance, water, and woods! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 22, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Nice gravel tee boxes, great variety of holes....some over water, long drive holes, tight turn holes, some in the woods, others are for the short game, easy to find every basket and tee box, grass is frequently mowed.

Cons:

Very buggy during certain times, especially the evening when there is no wind. Cars often overflow onto the first and second hole potentially making the round an expensive one if you know what I mean.

Other Thoughts:

This is a fun course and a good weekend double round type course for amateurs to pros to enjoy. I wish there were more tournaments there!!!
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1 0
InternationalLog
Experience: 15.5 years 6 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Pye Brook Park: My First Game 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 16, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Separate tees allowed for my novice friend and I to play with more experienced friends.

Cons:

One of the holes was missing a tee off marker for the amateur tees. We ran into a representative for the course who explained that it interfered with some of the other park activities, so the marker is only placed for special events.

Other Thoughts:

Pretty good use of an old landfill!
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2 1
frizgolfkiller
Experience: 24 played 11 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 28, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Two sets of tees for each hole. Mostly all wide open and challenging. A good variety of shots to 18 (blue tee) is especially satisfying when the pond is full of water.

Cons:

When kids sporting events are going on the parking can overflow blocking some of the baskets. A couple holes are right along the edge of the football field so you have to be careful during games. The only hole I curse everytime I am there is 17 (blue). It is on the edge of a steep hill that goes down to the left...you really need a strong anhyzer (if you are a righty) shot to stay out of the woods here that will hold the curve to stay out of the woods here.

Other Thoughts:

The changes in distance between the red and blue tees are pretty big. Red would be good if you are bringing beginners out but I don't think they'd offer much of a challenge to someone that had been playing for awhile.
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2 0
ShortBusDiscGolf
Experience: 29.5 years 182 played 9 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Huck it out there!! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 19, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Wide open course for the most part that utilizes some hillside for pin placements. O.B. LONG O.B. SHORT. Roll away putts all make for fun, yet challenging course.(Especially if it's windy) Easy to find, just off I-95.

Cons:

Avoid the standing water. Natural teepads. Multiuse sports complex.

Other Thoughts:

Would make a great addition to any Eastern Mass. D G weekend.
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4 0
Hector Chain
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.4 years 222 played 191 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Big hills 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Nov 5, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The course has some big elevation changes and makes good use of the topography. Any time there are steep slopes, at least a few baskets (in my opinion) should be located near the slope for some good risk/reward, and Pye Brook does just that. Several of the holes have big right-to-left hills, so a RHBH player has the challenge of ending up way left if you hyzer out just a little too much. Because of this the course probably favors a lefty a little bit.

There are a couple holes with water, most notably 18, which forces a 300-foot throw over the water (it was completely dried up after a very dry fall, but it's usually full of water) to a narrow green, or laying up on the side.

Holes 16 and 17 play to baskets perched atop big hills with steep pitches on either side, so placement can be challenging.

Navigation generally is good, and the tee posts are visible. Tee pads are rubber. Tee signs show the distance but not any fairway contours (although the basket is easily visible on all but one or two holes).

Cons:

Most of the holes are completely wide open, so the elevation and avoiding OB are the only challenge. There are two wooded holes, but it doesn't appear any trees were cut down, so the available lines are barely there.

I have never played here when baseball games were going, but I imagine it makes it a lot less enjoyable (the second hole has the real possibility of landing in the outfield if you pull right too much).

The course doesn't have a lot of challenge for an advanced player, but the water keeps some of the holes from being very beginner-friendly. It is best for rec and intermediate players with a little experience under their belt.

Other Thoughts:

I revisited this course after 4 years. I can throw around 300 feet now, so I found the course enjoyable but not overly challenging.

The course can get pretty windy, which could be a pro or con, depending on your viewpoint. If you are north of Boston and want to test our your distance, this course is more than adequate. If you're visiting the area, there are far superior courses within an hour or so..
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4 1
DeafDiscGolfer
Experience: 28.6 years 189 played 16 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 5, 2006 Played the course:never

Pros:

Good course for rec. to adv. players to have a quick rounds. Some nice holes that requires good shots or make it up big time if you screw it up.

Nice tee signs and the course are well kept by town.

Cons:

It can get crowed when there's baseball games going on. Be cautions when throwing discs near baseball fields during strong winds.

Choose wisely when throwing at #18 across the water. Pretty close calls when disc landed near the water.

Other Thoughts:

Course is pretty much straightforward really. Just throw it straight and you can make it par everytime or get some deuces all the way around if its good day.

One thing in mind that the course is on pretty high top hill area where there are plenty strong constant winds which I can my kite there after the round. It make the game more challenging to play.

Worth checking out for Rec. to Adv. players and also to introduce to newbies as well. Pros can play there if they are in mood for quick rounds if happen to be in the area.
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3 1
Hovey1127
Experience: 41.6 years 5 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Playing @Pye Brook 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 17, 2008 Played the course:never

Pros:

Pye Brook is wide open with great elevation changes, and challenging slopes that you have to putt on.

Cons:

Situated around town playing fields the area is not exclusively for DG. The park gate at times is closed.

Other Thoughts:

I like this course. It can be tough but it is fair.
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