Seneca Creek is one of the classic east coast woods courses, set in a (mostly) disc golf-exclusive part of the state park. Located in the Maryland Piedmont, the course features rolling hills and stream valleys. Tree cover ranges from mature deciduous forest down by the creek to newer growth with deciduous trees and junipers closer to the parking lot. Some of the creek holes with their soaring canopies feel like wooded disc golf cathedrals (at least until your disc hits a tree and kicks into the rough, but that's on you - the lines here are fair). The park is particularly gorgeous in the spring when native dogwoods and redbuds are blooming, and again in the fall when maple and tulip poplar leaves glow in the evening sun.
Some holes are fairly open and some are tighter, but make no mistake - you are mostly playing in the woods, with a handful of park-style holes. Nice variety of holes that favor left-turning, right-turning, and straight shots, plus uphill, downhill, side-hill, and valley hole designs. Playing well at Seneca Creek requires you to shape the entire flight of the disc, not just hit a gap. This is a higher-level challenge, and one of the reasons I love playing here. Success must be earned, and the course keeps you honest.
Seneca Creek has three 9-hole loops, each conveniently starting and ending near the parking lot. There are also a few bonus 2-hole or 3-hole loops that bring you back to the parking lot: holes 1 and 2; holes 10, 11, and 27 (or 10, 11 and 9); and holes 19, 20, 17, and 18 (or 19 and 18).
Many holes have a huge variation in distance and difficulty depending on which tee and basket you play. For example, hole 10 can range from 242' (short tee, A pin) to 562' (long tee, C pin), and the D pin is even longer (and more fun). In contrast, sometimes the long and short tees are similar distances but play at different angles to the fairway. Several holes offer the choice of two fairways, and some of the long tees require you to navigate a tunnel just to reach the main fairway. At least two paved tees on every hole, plus recreational tees marked by yellow-painted blocks. Even though the rec tees are short, birdies are not always easy.
Excellent tee signs include a detailed hole map, distances from each tee to every basket, and a hook with a colored bead that shows basket position(s). The colored beads are very helpful because many of the longer pin positions are blind from the tee. The club rotates basket positions regularly, which enhances replay value. Usually the course is set up with a balanced mix of A, B, and C pin positions.
2024 update: New yellow-banded DISCatcher Pro baskets have been added as alternate baskets throughout the course. I did not get a count, but it seemed like most holes now have two active baskets. This is a wonderful improvement because the long (C or D) pin positions are highlights of the course and significantly enhance the challenge and joy of playing here.
Remarkably low risk of disc loss for a wooded course. The club does an amazing job of clearing underbrush near the fairway (thanks Mr. Bill!). There is a lost disc drop box at the kiosk, and lost discs with identification can be retrieved at the ranger's station near the park entrance.
Yellow-banded practice basket near the parking lot, and the permanent long pin for hole 18 serves as a second practice basket (just make sure no one is playing the hole). Also near the parking lot you will find a kiosk with a detailed course map, and picnic tables suitable for hanging out after the round. Abundant benches have been installed throughout the course. Port-a-pot near the parking lot in summer, and indoor bathrooms are available elsewhere in the park.
2024 update: Newly installed yellow-banded DISCatcher Pro baskets are easy to spot in the woods and catch great. There are also a few red-banded Chainstar baskets set as permanent long pins. The older Mach 3 baskets are marked with bright yellow flags, making them easier to spot in the woods. Flags are usually swapped out each spring, so they might get a little worse for wear by late winter. All baskets are solidly mounted, level, and catch well.
Too many memorable holes to list, but here are a few favorites:
Hole 13 is the signature hole on the course, with a fairly generous fairway lined with OB creek left and mature deciduous forest right. The slightly downhill drive is about 280' from the short tee with a tricky landing zone. The hole then doglegs right, still following the creek, and the permanent D pin is another full drive from the landing zone. The long tee adds 90 feet to reach the dogleg.
Hole 6 is a dead-straight, high-ceiling tunnel, with distances ranging from 278' to 405' from the short tee. The long basket requires an accurate drive and tricky approach through scattered trees. Gorgeous and intimidating.
Hole 22 is steeply downhill, low ceiling drive with distances ranging from 296' to around 500'. Lots of ways to attack the hole: roller, backhand turnover, or sidearm can all work. Hitting the line just right is never easy but always satisfying, and scramble opportunities are usually available if your drive gets knocked down early.