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Pine Grove, PA

Sweet Arrow Lake DGC

3.255(based on 14 reviews)
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14 0
HyooMac
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 6.8 years 421 played 388 reviews
3.50 star(s)

The Very Good is Better than the Somewhat Bad 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 23, 2021 Played the course:once

Other Thoughts:

Just about everything you need to know about this course is in Rudy's detailed review below, and while it's all true, I came away with a somewhat more positive experience when I played in late October of 2021. (Note: some of the brush may have been cleared from some wooded holes in the year between our reviews).


On the negative side, the first third of the course plays through the lowest areas of the park, and it's probably muddy and swampy 300+ days of the year. The holes themselves aren't bad, but the footing can be miserable. And the long trek from #3 to #4 on a muddy little trail will make you wonder why you're here.


But after reaching higher ground the wooded holes are pretty good (with only a few exceptions like #7: a short, extreme uphill that feels stuck in). Then the course finishes strong, saving the very best holes for the last third. Elevation, water, vistas: the tight wooded gap after clearing the water on #15, throwing across an endless valley with danger all along the left and right on #16, the risk/reward over water on #17, and the sidehill on #18 all make for memorable disc golf.


The difference between a 3.0 and a 3.5 rating isn't much, but I came away feeling like a handful of holes touched 4.0. One tip: don't make the mistake I did by parking in the lot by the 14th tee and playing from there. I experienced the very best of the course first, and then I went down into the mud. While there are some good holes left to play, the course never really rises to the expectations it set up in my mind by playing "the last part first."


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3 0
telemanjim
Experience: 9.9 years 15 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Fun way to celebrate first day of summer 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 20, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Temp 83-88 and sunny
-nice use of elevation changes
-baskets all in good shape
-two holes the 8th and the 15th are some of the funnest holes I have played. The 8th is the waterfall hole, got out a disc that I was willing to lose shot a hyzer and made the fairway; 15th hole you shoot across the stream, got out same disc from before and ...what do you know made it with 15 feet to spare.

16th hole only one where you can really rip it...nice view of lake

Cons:

-you definitely need to print out the map and score sheet to take with you as finding the next tee position can be difficult.

first five holes are in wetlands, very tight, almost lost a disc on 3.

15th tee off position needs to be better marked, you have to go to the bridge and cut to the right just before crossing...but as I said in the pros this hole is a blast.

16th; had to move around sunbathers so as not to chance hitting them....but its their park too so did not mind, and their dog was friendly.

dont use the porta potty in the parking lot....pee-U! and no toilet paper.

Other Thoughts:

Some of the tee boxes were pretty rough. The grounds were well kept, recently mowed. You could tell they had recently done some work clearing out the brush on some of the holes. Poison Ivy is in abundance in some of the areas off the fairways (buts its a park so is to be expected) . All in all a nice day out.
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3 2
bkreiser_24
Experience: 12.2 years 13 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Home Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 23, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is a course with very scenic views and lots of different terrain. For example on hole 1 you tee off in the open, enter an opening in the woods through a gap in the trees, over a small stream. On hole 2 you start in the opening again and play into the woods. hole 3 is entirely in the woods. Hole 4 is in another clearing in the trees. Hole 5 is entirely wooded. Hole 6 is in a clearing in the woods, out a small gap in the trees, back out into the opening. Hole 7 is in the open with a water hazard in the middle and to the right. Hole 8 is in the trees, through an opening, up a hill, back into the trees. Hole 9 (over the water fall) is in the trees into an opening with water to your right. 10 and 11 are both in the woods. Hole 12 is up a hill slightly wooded. 13 is very thick with trees. Hole 14 is also thick at the tee pad but opens up completely at the basket. 15 is over the water falls on the other side this time, through an opening in the trees, out into the open. 16 is a bomb of a throw, in the open, slightly down hill with water to your left and right. 17 is open with water to your right and OB long with a road. And finally 18 is open with a few pine trees to mess with your putts and a tight landing area. Left is OB with a parking lot right is also OB with a road. All holes are par 3's and there are several ace run holes, but don't be fooled, this course is not easy for veterans, but is fun for beginners (Ive been both) You get a little bit of everything with this course and don't forget to enjoy the view.

Cons:

In the summer this course can be very difficult for anyone. With several holes cut right out of thick brush, one bad throw or kick off of a tree could result into you throwing out of some thick brush. Also bring a disc grabber or retriever for the water holes, but hey, whats a course without some hazards. Also on several holes (mostly 1-6) have slightly over lapping fairways and a few holes you have to walk back the fairway to get to the next hole. There are several picnic areas, walk ways, and benches you play near but just be smart and don't throw, give them a second to pass the area you are throwing or polity ask them to move for 1 min, again, this is a public park. But i think they did the best they could with the area they had to use.

Other Thoughts:

The course is currently going through a slight redesign to make for a new pavilion. The designer of the course has been picking my brain and i chimed in a few idea. The course by 2016 should be more "tourney friendly'. By that i mean large amounts of people can play at one time which having to worry about hitting people or being help up to walk back through a fairway. Also yes between some holes (such as 11 to 12) there is a slight walk you have to take but hey, you decided to go disc golfing, its a sport that requires exercise threw walking, if you are complaining, you probably need it. Also for those who want to complain the grass needs to be cut or bushes need to be trimmed. Stop and take a look around at the size of the park. 2 park managers do all the work but they do accept volunteer work at any time *cough cough*. Be neat, clean up after yourself, and enjoy your round. If anyone needs a course guide, message me.
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3 0
kyledstauffer
Experience: 13.1 years 53 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Beautiful scenery, decent course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 6, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

I'm giving this course a higher rating than I would otherwise mostly because it is in an absolutely beautiful setting! Several holes play over/around a stunning waterfall and the views to the lake are fantastic. The old growth forest portion is also very nice. A similar course in a blah location would probably be around 2.5 stars. That said there are some nice holes here. Lots of up and down holes with some challenge though many are of the pitch and putt variety, there are a few hair-raising holes that play over the stream/waterfall and next to the lake. In particular, hole 9 and 15 were a lot of fun due to the perceived risk of losing a disc down the ravine (clearing the ravine isn't too difficult on any of these). The course makes good use of elevation making some of the shorter holes play a little longer. In general, the holes that play through the woods/over the stream were a lot of fun. On the whole I'd almost say it's a destination course just based on the scenery. Certainly not your every day run-of-the mill course

Cons:

On the downside this course does have some issues. Chief among these is circulation. Several holes 1, and 6 play directly over picnic areas/picnic tables. There were people sitting and eating not 20' from hole six when I played - I decided to skip it rather than risk beaning some kids. A few holes are also directly adjacent to the parking lot where an errant shot can easily bean a parked SUV for instance (with a dx teebird from the top of 18....). Navigating the course is also a little loopy. Several holes double back on themselves and a few tees are a little hard to find. It doesn't have a great flow to it. As teepads go, I didn't have an issue with the crushed gravel material however they are pretty short. You're not going to get any kind of run up - basically stand and deliver (which is Ok for the length of most of these).

The first few holes are an absolute jungle! Very thick undergrowth - be prepared to lose some plastic if your placement isn't awesome. There's also a good bit of potential to lose some plastic in the lake or stream that plays throughout. I'd recommend bringing a few sacrificial dx discs just in case. A good bit of the course was pretty marshy when I played - a change of socks is not a bad idea to bring along

Other Thoughts:

On the whole this course is not your typical community park course - it's quite stunning and worth the drive. Leave the drivers at home, bring some fairways, a couple rocs (or buzzzes if that's your thing) and have a blast! I also highly recommend launching a sacrificial dx disc into the lake off the top of 16 - very satisfying!
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2 1
Junkman510
Experience: 14.3 years 3 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Not for the Faint of Heart 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 30, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Beautiful little park. Waterfalls, lake, great views. Some very interesting holes. Well marked. Very entertaining course but not for the beginner.

Cons:

This is not a course for everybody. Lots of blood letting when retrieving the disc from the many dense brush (major sticker bushes). Water comes into play on many holes. The gravel (more like large rocks) tees are no fun. Found myself on my a** a few time on the run ups. On hole 17, they have a park bench right in front of it. Had to move off the tee so we wouldn't hit the people sitting there.

Other Thoughts:

Lots of cons but I really enjoyed it. Lots of things to fix. I would love to see better tees and a few re-designed holes so you would be less likely to take someones head off.
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