Brandenburg, KY

Otter Creek DGC

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3.085(based on 26 reviews)
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13 0
GMcAtee
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 15 years 749 played 89 reviews
2.50 star(s)

An old classic that'll have you licking the skillet clean.

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 18, 2024 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This historic course in Lickskillet, KY is so much fun with plenty of elevation, hardwoods to shape lines around, variations in distance, and decent signage. From the course sign, there are 4 holes you can start a round on if you want to jump around avoiding large groups. (holes 1, 6, 8, and 19). You can include a fifth (hole 21) that tee's off on the other side of the parking lot.

Twenty-seven (27) holes of fun well worth the $3 daily or $30 yearly entry. The final 9 plays much longer, and I assume were added years later after disc technology advanced. The course never felt repetitive. There are several other courses nearby which makes this area a bagger's dream.

Cons:

The rusty baskets are extremely difficult to see in the woods. I'd love to see fluorescent spray paint added for better visibility like at Muldraugh. Several holes on the original 18 play close to other fairways and teepads. If the course is crowded, it can get quite dangerous.

It appears all the tall grass is OB based on the marker flags dotting the final 9. Seems unnecessary. Most of the teepads are extremely short. Some are even the old deeply scoured concrete that'll grab your shoe and twist an ankle.

Other Thoughts:

The $30 annual pass is a great deal if you live nearby! The park has hiking trails, a gun range, and many other amenities besides disc golf.
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11 0
sisyphus
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.6 years 397 played 383 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Really Fun History Lesson 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 20, 2018 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

If you enjoy short & technical courses with a bit of history, Otter Creek is definitely one you'll want to visit. A Steady Ed original, and the first course installed in Kentucky, it's astonishing that the challenge and playability has held up well here for forty years. The 'original' 18 holes play through rolling pine woods and sparse underbrush, and has been weathered in to where you're unlikely to lose a disc, even with a tree kick, until you get to the longer, blind, right bending 13th. The folks here enjoy disc golf so well that they added 9 additional holes to the course a few years ago, so you can come and enjoy the woods, or challenge yourself to the slightly longer added holes as well, for a full 27 hole layout.

The shot variety is really nice in a small package, with the intended audience being no higher than recreational to intermediate players, but I'd think more skilled players will still enjoy their round here, as a chance to work on their short control game. There are lines that can get as tight as just a couple of arm-spans, like the option to shoot off the corner of the tee and straight down the hill off the first tee, rather than the originally designed "J-shaped" fairway that probably existed when the rough wasn't so weathered in. You'll find balance left and right, up and down slope, and some low-ceiling shots. I really enjoyed the short rhbh fade shots at the top of the hill, starting on 9. Ace run city!

The park seems to be clean and well cared for. My first visit, I met some locals getting ready to start on the original 18 with what looked like a loosely structured event (doubles?). They were very friendly, and invited me to join in, but I was just swinging through the area, and started my round on 19. The tee pads seem to be pretty old, but they were installed with grooves in the concrete that still hold up pretty well, even when damp. They're big enough for the holes here. The baskets are older (with shallow cages & nubs) but they still catch well enough.

Cons:

Those of you who don't want to spend a dime might miss out. The state park gate asks which activity you're coming in for, and charges $3 for the day for disc golfers. And note they're usually closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The added holes were not done in the same charming manner as the originals. They play slightly longer (though none are really monster bomber holes), are almost all flat, and tend to be bordered by prairie grasses and thicker rough. One plays down a gravel lane and past an old concrete structure. The finishing hole comes back across a field that can hold some water after a rain. Though it looks as if several of the holes toward the end of the "first 18" can be buggy when wet, as well.

Finally, being an older course designed in the days of Frisbees, the course has opened up where several fairways play too close together for today's modern discs, so throw carefully, and be patient!.

Other Thoughts:

I played this once a few years ago, but wanted to hold off on my review til I brought my buddy Troy over here to enjoy a course that suits both our games. He had a blast, and we wound up timing it so that when we threw hole 6, it was the 50,000th in my scorebook, making this a special return visit. We're likely to road trip this way again for more chances at 'history'.

Reviewer Background as of this writing: played 307 courses and written 288 reviews, via skills hovering around a 900 rating, with folks ranging from age 7 to 87, so I try to write reviews helpful to all.
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3 1
Zepfanman
Experience: 9.8 years 24 played 2 reviews
3.00 star(s)

1st time on the course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 23, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is the first 27-hole course I've ever played, and the only one within the 50-mile "Kentickiana" radius.

The first 18, considering it is the oldest course in KY, are very enjoyable. Almost completely shaded with pine trees (the ones that don't capture discs). Holes are short, but only two or three of them are wide open for the ace.

Cons:

The last 9 holes (installed summer 2014) are less wooded, so you'll want to prepare for more sunshine, maybe take a pit stop since hole 19 is at the parking lot. There is also more prairie brush - I almost lost a disc on hole 21. Incidentally, this hole is 510 feet; it and hole 22 are very difficult to birdie, even for moderately experienced players.

FIRST-TIMER ALERT: There are currently only hand-drawn signs on the new holes. DGCR marks this as laser-measured, but many of the first 18 holes seemed shorter than their posted length. I was particularly surprised with hole 8 (305ft) which I skipped pass on a slight uphill throw. I can rarely reach 290ft on a flat surface. The diagrams were not particularly accurate, either. We had a hard time figuring out where to throw based on the diagrams.

Other Thoughts:

Great place to spend about 2 1/2 hours - worth $3/person park fee. While signage makes it tough for first-timers, I would definitely play the course again next time I'm in the area (although I do prefer Muldraugh just 10 minutes away).
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3 0
MarcusGresham
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.6 years 58 played 22 reviews
3.00 star(s)

New life into an historic course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 23, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This course has recently seen the addition of nine holes, making it the only 27-hole course in the area. As Otter Creek was the fist disc golf course in Kentucky the new holes obviously add distance in contrast to the shorter, original holes.

That being said, the emphasis at Otter Creek is still accuracy more so than length. You have multiple ace runs which is kind of nice sometimes in lieu of the newer courses that seem to be increasing in length, favoring monster-armed players.
If you're wanting to "make a day of it" this is a good area to go, as you have several courses (Otter Creek, Meade Olin, Muldraugh, Radcliff, and Freeman Lake,) all in fairly close proximity.

Cons:

DO NOT try to play on Monday or Tuesday, as the park is closed. I made that mistake, as I knew it was closed on Monday but didn't know Tuesday would also be a no-go. Like I said earlier, at least I didn't have to go far to get to another course.
Some people are also bothered by pay courses, but it's only $3 for me and I'm from Indiana--I don't know if in-state residents pay less or not.
Some of what I mentioned as pros could also be put in the cons section, depending on your viewpoint. Many of the original 18 holes are short (5 are less than 200',) so if you just want to air it out go somewhere else--down the road to Freeman Lake or the other direction to Meade Olin, perhaps.
Being the oldest course in Kentucky, some of the baskets aren't in the greatest of condition and you can even have your disc go through the bottom if it hits the wrong way. I was told that at least some of these are the original baskets put there by "Steady" Ed Headrick.
There is no permanent bathroom or water available at the parking lot (I believe there is a portable toilet.) I'm sure there is somewhere in the park but I haven't driven around to look for it.
Ticks are usually pretty thick so plan on bringing your bug spray.

Other Thoughts:

Expect a lot of low-ceiling shots.
#1-309'. You have two options. The basket is downhill to the left. Most opt to go through the opening in the trees (mostly pine,) but others with bigger arms can go far right, hang it up high, and go for a major hyzer. The trees end at the bottom of the hill and it's open field. If you do choose the big hyzer route and you don't hyzer (or bounce off a tree,) you can get left and OB.
#2-282'. Trees on both sides for about the first 1/3 to 1/2 of the way to the basket where it opens up with more pine trees up to the right and the basket is placed among them.

#3-172'. Short, but no straight shot. You need to make a left turn back into the pine trees to get to the basket. If you end up going to far right you can be in some nasty thorns. Go too far right or too long and you can get OB.

#4-180'. You have to navigate around and through a few big trees to get to the basket, which is placed along the back edge of a mound that is a few feet tall. There is also a low-hanging tree on that same mound that is left of the basket, hanging over it.

#5-270'. Fairway is gradually uphill, and relatively open but there are trees on either side. The hole plays slightly left-to-right.

#6-269'. Downhill (not overly steep,) but you have to keep it relatively low. The shot is straight but there is a large tree along the right of the fairway that will affect your throw.

#7-267'. The fairway goes straight ahead and makes a right turn. The basket sits in kind of a bowl that is encircled by large trees.

#8-305'. You throw up over a slight hill and the fairway turns from left to right. The hill continues to slope off to the right. From the tee you have a couple of trees directly in front of you that will force you to make a decision in what way to throw.
#9-195'. The first hole in "birdie alley." This one plays left-to-right, but you almost require a bit of an "S" shot to get through the trees to the basket. Lots of roots on the ground near the basket can alter skips.

#10-224'. Downhill. Get too far right and you can get knocked down by branches, go too long you can be in weeds, get left too soon and you'll probably hit a tree. You need your disc to get about 200' and bank left.

#11-156'. Basket is uphill tucked in between a couple of big trees.

#12-202'. Downhill. Fairly narrow off the tee with trees to the left that will make you run as straight as possible at the basket. Rough to the left and behind the basket.

#13-304'. Dogleg right. You throw out of a tunnel and make the turn about 100' from the tee. There is a VERY small alley that goes straight at the basket from the tee but if you aren't perfect you'll be in stuff that is probably impossible to throw out of.

#14-301'. Downhill from the tee through an alley of trees where the fairway opens up but is still lined by trees on either side. You'll need to get right to get on the correct side of the trees that line the left side of the fairway to have an approach but if you go too far left past the opening you'll be in thick briers. If you don't get in the opening, however, there are trees that hang low, hindering your approach to the basket.

#15-315'. The fairway is pretty open most of the way to the basket but there are a couple of large trees to either side that can knock you down. Go too far straight and you can get in rough; same thing is you turn left too soon. The basket is a bit left of the tee and is placed past a few small trees.

#16-189'. You have to go straight at it, as there are a couple of big trees you have to split that keep you from going with a big hyzer or anhyzer. It's flat all the way to the basket but the basket/putting area is in an old building foundation that sits a couple of feet higher than the rest of the ground. Trees have grown up all around the foundation's edge so it's hard to get in there.

#17-290'. Flat most of the way, but a bit uphill at the end of the fairway. The fairway is pretty much wide open with the basket on the left placed among trees.

#18-242'. This one requires a bit of an "S" as the fairway kind of meanders towards the basket, which is pretty well-guarded by trees.

#19-300'. The first of the new holes and the first time you'll really be out in the open. It's a straight shot and a bit downhill but you do have to be accurate as there is rough on either side of a narrow fairway. The basket sets back in an area cut out of the edge of the woods.

#20-350'. This is another "S" shaped hole. You'll play left-right-left with weedy rough on both sides of a narrow fairway. A large tree is along the right side of the fairway affecting your drive. The basket is encircled by trees.

#21-510' Trees to the left and rough to the right of a long fairway that is just the remnants of an old road. There's a building off the right side of the fairway with a circular open area behind it that is your putting area.

#22-335'. Lots of pine trees to the left of a very narrow fairway, another line of pine trees to the right, with the road (OB) right beside those trees. You'll have to get back into the trees on the left to get to the basket.

#23-296'.Two big trees you have to split right in front of the tee and another big tree on the right side fairway as it turns left. Get right of the fairway and you'll be in the rough.

#24-242'. You can go left or right, but you can't go straight (left is far more open,) and the basket is guarded by trees.

#25-354'. You can air it out here but you can't get too high off the tee because there's a tree hanging out in front of you. The fairway is pretty open but the basket is placed between a couple of trees.

#26-319'. Pretty straight hole, very slightly uphill, with a few random trees to avoid on the way to the basket. There is OB to the left but it shouldn't generally be a problem.

#27-450'. You throw over an open field that has rough to either side. Your approach to the basket will be uphill and the parking lot is not far behind the basket bringing OB into play.
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6 0
mashnut
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.1 years 831 played 767 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Old school fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 1, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

The course plays through a mostly flat wooded area. It's tucked into the corner of a larger park, there doesn't seem to be any overlap with other park uses and there's a disc golf dedicated parking lot and portajohn. The tight woods make for a fun variety of lines, there are several straight shots, some with left or right turns late, and a mix of other hole shapes.

There is enough rough to make things tricky if you get off some of the fairways, but it's not so thick that you'll lose discs. There are concrete tees and adequate signage with hole distance and layout. The flow of the course is good, no navigation issues or long walks.

Cons:

There are some major safety issues here, compounded by disc technology different than what this course was designed for. This is a fantastic super class course, and if players were only throwing lids there wouldn't be a problem. When people are throwing high speed drivers, however, the proximity of many of the holes makes for some dangerous overlap.

The course is very short, and presents few challenges if discs faster than putters are used. The tees are cracked and very short (though the length of the tees is not a big deal with the length of the course). The couple small hills showed a lot of compaction and some erosion, it looked like it would get pretty slick when wet.

Other Thoughts:

I threw nothing but a couple putters here, and enjoyed many of the lines and the short game work. Beginners can have a blast here, it makes you hit some different shots without severe punishment or much length. More experienced players won't find a ton of challenge, but there is some fun to be had.
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1 1
Atvizory2000
Experience: 12.4 years 87 played 6 reviews
3.50 star(s)

New 27 hole course is Great 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 18, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Easy the locate baskets and tees. Nice signs on each tee as well. Very technical course and good to play because its a classic. The new 9 holes that have been added gives the course another level. You can actually use drivers on the new hole. Only 27 hole course in the area, so it's definitely worth the 3 bucks to play all day.

Cons:

1 - 18 Very short course. Used putters and midranges 90 percent of time. Course was wooded most the the holes except a few and very swampy after rains the day before.

Other Thoughts:

With the addition of the new 9 holes this course is a definite play. Also u can definitely tell the new 9 are not Steady Ed holes. They just can't be recreated.
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5 0
harr0140
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 15.2 years 1508 played 475 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Oldest course in Kentucky 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 28, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

1) Nice new signs with a decent map, Hole #, and distance listed. Also a rules sign at the first tee.

2) Nice big concrete tees on most of the course. Some of them are the standard size but most are about 6' wide by 8' long.

3) Kiosk available at the first tee listing leagues and other assorted disc golf information.

4) Benches, garbage cans, and bag racks on every tee . . .talk about all of the amenities.

5) The mound used on Hole #4 is a great feature . . .it is something I have rarely seen in my 300+ courses.

6) There are a couple of old building foundations out on the 15th and 16th holes. . . one is just a cool visual and I love it when courses leave old buildings and such. Then they actually incorporated the old foundation into the basket placement on #16.

7) Baskets while they look to be homemade seem to catch just fine. The inner chains were an add on and they used some u-bolts to attach them to the posts. The chain configuration seemed to be about normal however.

8) Nice shot variety on the course having to throw some anyhzers and hyzers as well as a few dead straight shots.

9) Nice rolling fairways, nothing too extreme just enough elevation change to make it fun.

10) Good variety of trees and density. There are deciduous there are nice tall pines and even a couple pockets of Cedar trees which are some of my favorite trees on disc golf courses.

11) Very clean course . . . I don't think I saw a single piece of garbage on the course. It must be the locals and the garbage cans at every tee.

Cons:

1) Baskets have been painted silver but that doesn't help them in how visible they are . . .any of the baskets tucked int he woods are tough to spot. The other issue I have with the baskets are the nubs which seem to be raised higher than any other basket I have seen. The basket is actually somewhat shallow too, so putt gingerly or risk a bounce out of the shallow tray.

2) The course is set on a lot of clay soil and it is clear that the course is the oldest in Kentucky based on how compacted the soils seem to be. The turf is pretty thin in a lot of spots and nonexistent in the wooded holes.

3) This course seems like it has been redesigned . . . knowing it is the oldest course in Kentucky. It seems like the course has a better layout than how it is set up right now. It just seems like they took the baskets and just moved them all 15-20' in either sideways direction. The shots are still fun but the shots seemed somewhat contrived.

4) A couple of the fairways were a little gimmicky like #7. It just feels like there is really only one play . . . throw straight out of the fairway and then throw up to the basket from 150'. It shows a fairway to the right but it sure doesn't feel like that is a fairway, kindof like #1 unless those paths are intended to just be visual lines of sight.

5) The teepads seems to be in a little disrepair in a few spots . . . some are cracked and pieces gone or the whole thing shifted, and then they also seem to be a little too grippy with the really rough texture.

6) Dangerous in a few spots . . . this course is on a really small piece of property for 18 holes and there are fairways that run near tees and baskets. There are a couple of tees and baskets that are also too close on occasion.

7) Some drainage issues in multiple places on the course. The compacted and heavy soils probably doesn't help the issues, but there were 4 or 5 places where it was purely mud and standing water was visible.

Other Thoughts:

This is a slightly hypocritical course, it has all the amenities you can ask for, however it has some dangerous areas and average conditions.This is one of those situations where I am actually rating a course higher than I might normally because it has all of the amenities, while suffering from some design or layout issues. I know it was designed by Steady Ed but it looks like it must have received some alterations over the years because it just didn't feel natural on a few occasions.
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7 0
AdamE
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 20.5 years 264 played 143 reviews
2.50 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 12, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This historic course, designed by Steady Ed, is the first one in the state of Kentucky. It is rather short with only about half the holes over 250ft. Despite that, it's still a fun and somewhat technical course.

Everything about the course is old school. All but one of the baskets are original from 1978. With the exception of hole 8, the layout has stayed the same for 33 years. The tee pads are old and worn, and they're short by today's standard. But that's because you don't need much of a run up to throw a Wham-O disc and with disc technology today you still don't need much of a run up on the majority of the holes. Some might say these things are con's or make the course appear to be not kept up well. But in my opinion that's part of the living history at Otter Creek. Courses this old are few and far between. To change them denies future generations of disc golfers the opportunity to look back in history and see what things were like three decades ago.

There's a good variety of shots required here and some holes have multiple routes to the basket. There are some fun elevation changes and overall the course uses the land well.

The course has brand new tee signs and there are bag trees and benches on every hole.

Hole 14 is definitely my favorite here. It's 300ft downhill with pine trees lining each side of the fairway for the first 100 or so feet. Then there's a few trees straight in front of you so you have to throw a big S shot (for RHBH players) to get around it and hyzer back on the end to the basket which is basically straight in front of you. Awesome shot!

Cons:

A couple of the tees are cracked, hole 6 is definitely the worst and hole 11 comes to mind also.

The course is cramped in some areas making it very easy to throw into another fairway. Be sure to keep an eye out for other golfers and yell fore.

Other Thoughts:

While this is one of the easier courses in the area, it certainly has it's challenging holes and rewarding birdies. This course is worth stopping at if you're in the area and there are a number of other courses close by also.

I want to thank the Department of Fish and Wildlife for reopening the park and bringing back this fun course. Entry fee is $3 a person.
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0 4
frank11b
Experience: 40.8 years 10 played 4 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Crowded 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 29, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Just playing the first DGC in KY was reason enough to play this course. The course flowed with ease. Every hole was marked. Nice short course.

Cons:

The fairways are to close together. The course was crowded and it felt that way.

Other Thoughts:

Nice place to get away for the day.
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6 0
absolutdork
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 24.6 years 51 played 28 reviews
3.00 star(s)

From the Days of Wham-O Discs 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 16, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

What a neat course. It was nice to traverse a course that has been around for over 30 years. A short, but technical course, it was fun to play. Very easy flow. New sign poles are in the ground, but no designs on them yet, but they look to be about ready. Even without them, I had no problem distinguishing the course flow and where the baskets were located. Mature woods, and an easy fun play!

Cons:

Being an old course that they didn't change the layout on, the tee pads sure show their age. Some are cracked, and they are wide, but very short. However the holes are short, so not much of a drawback. When I say short, I mean it. I overthrew 3 holes from the teebox, and I hardly EVER do that as I am a noodle arm. To beat a dead horse, the people below aren't lying about the ticks. Come prepared. I sprayed Off all over me, and still came away with 3 ticks on my legs.

Other Thoughts:

I'm just glad they brought this course back from the dead, as I never had the opportunity to play it till today. It is literally 4 miles away from Muldraugh, another top notch technical course. Combine the two and you have a great day of relaxing, not too strenuous disc golf! Who knew disc golf existed in Kentucky in 1978? Thanks for reopening it!
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5 0
EddieBTrue
Experience: 15.7 years 43 played 42 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Oldie but a goodie... 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 14, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

If you drive clean you can deuce every hole. Having said that, don't be surprised if you shoot in plus territory as nearly every hole has forest obstacles. Each tee has a bench and a bag tree. Although the signage is not yet complete, the poles for them are already in the ground while the Louisville Disc Golf Club President is designing the new signage and should have them in the poles very soon.

Although there are not any toilets on site there are two port-o-lets in the paved parking area and actual toilets a short drive away.

A $3.00 park entry fee allows players to play all day and theres also good trout fishing nearby!

Cons:

There are lots of ticks and mosquitoes so don't forget your Deep Woods Off! ;)

Other Thoughts:

My gratitude goes out to the state for reopening this excellent course and to the army of local DG volunteers who brought the course back from the dead!!!
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10 0
bjreagh
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 27.6 years 350 played 317 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Back in Business! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 20, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

*Reopened May 2011*

Otter Creek is a historical disc golf course, the 1st in KY, and designed by Steady Ed himself. It is set in a relatively small piece of land, but the land is only used for disc golf with no interference from other park activities. The holes and overall design are its strength as the course fits in with the contours of the land and uses the available features to the max. This is not a long or difficult course, mainly because it was not meant to be played with today's disc technology, but it is still challenging in its own way forcing you to hit your lines. Most of all, this is a really fun course that can be enjoyed by any level player. Casual players will find the course requires a variety of shots and emphasizes accuracy and control. Advanced players will enjoy the opportunity to have a birdie fest and to take a step back in time to play where so many people have played disc golf in the past.

Cons:

Because the course is one of the oldest around, it is relatively short by today's standards. If you are decent and played here regularly you might eventually get bored and want new challenges. (thankfully the Louisville area has many courses to offer.)

Because of its age, the signs, tees, and baskets were showing age in 2008. (I hope that these have been upgraded for the grand-reopening.)

Other Thoughts:

The course was closed for about 3 years, so it is hard to say how that time period has affected things- (basket condition, grounds keeping). I hope that with new park ownership, that some work has been done to get this ready for the re-opening. I am very glad that Otter Creek is back because it is an excellent classic-style course with a bit of disc golf history attached.

*I have not played this course since it has reopened. It closed shortly after I played it, so I was unable to review it until now. This review describes how it was in 2008, but the layout is supposed to still be the same, however, and the layout on its own makes it worthy. I hope to get back and play it again soon, and I will definitely update my review if needed. (I hesitated to review it at this time knowing my info is out of date, but I wanted to give it some publicity because it was a really good course and it is not every day that a course that closes gets reopened in its original layout.)
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5 0
tamahawk
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.6 years 50 played 50 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Nov 29, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Otter Creek DGC is truly a piece of disc golf history in the state of Kentucky. This course, established in the late 70's, is a short, technical style par54 course that was built in a small, but moderate-heavily wooded section of the park with slight to moderate elevations. The course uses a variety of baskets that have recently been updated and are in good shape. The course uses small, concrete tee pads that show signs of wear. There are tee signs on all the holes that provide an adequate description of the layout, but a lot of the signs are broken or laying on the ground beside the box.

The course is easy to follow, and flows great from start to finish. Otter Creek more or less makes one continuous loop, but provides easy access back to the parking area from Hole No5, No8, and No10. There are no crossing fairways on the course, but due to the small area in which the course is designed, several tees, fairways, and baskets are located in close proximity to other tees, fairways, or baskets at any point throughout the course. The fairways are well defined, and a lot of holes offer multiple routes to the basket. There is only a small amount of underbrush and foliage around the course, nothing to be concerned about. There is a small gap (shortcut) that you can throw through on No13 that does cross an area of tall, thick weeds and briar bushes, but this is an optional risk/reward shot, shouldn't come into play if you follow the fairway. There are benches and trash receptacles located throughout the course.

The course is very short (4384ft) with holes ranging from 156ft to right around 300ft, but there are plenty of obstacles to throw around, and plenty of trees to hit. Despite the short nature of the course, it does offer an adequate challenge and good variety of shot types, with a good mix of straight, right and left fairways. The course is masterfully designed through a small space, is easy to walk, and there is plenty of shade during the summer months. There is camping available in the park, but no running water or restrooms directly at the site of the course. There are always people at the course, but it isn't typically crowded.

Cons:

No real cons to speak of. Otter Creek is an older course, the tee pads and signs could use some updates, and the course shows some wear, but other than that, a really great experience.

Other Thoughts:

Otter Creek is a great little course, and tons of fun to play with plenty of Ace Runs. The course plays pretty quick, so you can squeeze in a lot of holes in a little amount of time. Great place to throw a variety of shots and work on your mid-range/putting game.
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4 0
Hamilton
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16 years 55 played 48 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Oldie but a Goodie 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 21, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

Please keep in mind that I played this course after its baskets were removed. We used two portable baskets on the spots where the permanent baskets had been.

My favorite parts of this course have to be the history behind it, as well as the fun and technical, but not overly difficult aspect of most of the holes. My reasoning is as follows:

Even though this course is laid out over probably the smallest plot of land I've seen an 18 hole course on, it plays like a larger course. Whoever planned it out did a great job of making sure they designed out monotony. No hole is all that long, but you feel like you've accomplished something at the end of most of them.

I really like moderately wooded courses, with a few open holes, and OCP delivers pretty well on this. I like to try to test my accuracy trying to hit a gap in the trees a good ways out.
-Hole 1 has two routes you can take, either a HUGE hyzer route, or you can try to shoot the gap in a small opening dead ahead, and then softly fade at the end.
-Hole 4 zigs around some well-placed trees, basket is on a built-up mound of dirt. Challenging to put that one, since if you go for it and miss you'll be about 30 feet long.
-Hole 7 is like looking at a hole with no fairway, but if you look closely, you can make out a couple paths. Unfortunately my disc was looking for a tree and not a path. Then the basket is down in a bowl surrounded by trees.
-Hole 8 I really like because it was blind, up over a hill, through the trees. It's neat to just launch the disc in the direction you hope will be best, then walk up to see how well you did. Almost like opening a present, could be really good, or could be really bad.
-Hole 10 is a cool downhill with slight curve left, and if you threw enough discs, you'd definitely leave with an ace.
-Hole 13 was my favorite, goes out 150 or so feet, then hard dogleg right into the trees where the basket hides. There is actually a diagonal path that cuts the corner, although it requires some accuracy. I was able to hit the gap and land right in the middle of the fairway on the other side of the dogleg.
-Hole 16 was pretty short and mostly open, but there were two trees just off the tee that you could split and do a nice anhyzer through, then the basket is in the middle of an old building foundation (who knows how long that has been there, nice history).

I wish the actual basket were still there, although I've heard they were old and a bit rough, they had to have been a little better than portables.

Otherwise, facilities are good, no overly treacherous terrain, benches signs, trash cans, port-o-lets, etc were available.

The course was also small enough to allow for very easy navigation to the next hole, even if you did not know the layout.

This course would also be a good one for someone just started out learning the sport.

Cons:

The ground is well-worn due to the amount of traffic over they years, and since it is largely under tree cover, not much ground vegetation exists, so when it is wet, it is kind of nasty.

Between that and just the overall shortness of the course, are the only Cons I can really come up with for OCP.

Other Thoughts:

Such a historic course (first in Kentucky and I think the 10th or so in the world), it's a shame they had to shut the park. Hopefully they will find a way to get it reopened soon.
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1 0
MulliganStew
Experience: 35.1 years 26 played 17 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Ole Otter Crick 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Sep 11, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The second coarse I ever played. Great fun learning on it. Many mid range holes. Many tree obstacles, love playing it when camping at the homebrewers campout. Lots and lots of great camping. Classic old coarse.

Cons:

Part of the front nine is a little ho hum yawn, but the back really make up for it.

Other Thoughts:

This park will be closed on January 1st 09' indefinitely.

Could use a little TLC. Couldn't Louisville just trade control of Otter Creek to the state for control of EP Tom Sawyer park?
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1 2
DitchBall
Experience: 6 played 2 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Enjoyed 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 23, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

As someone who just picked up the sport this year, I enjoyed playing Otter Creek because of varying hills and wooded terrain. Course layout is simple to follow. Great for a newbie like myself.

Cons:

It's a short course and some upkeep is needed, but don't let that keep you from playing this enjoyable course.

Other Thoughts:

Otter Creek is a great place to camp as well.
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5 0
upfromtheashes
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 19.6 years 42 played 38 reviews
3.00 star(s)

The one that hooked me 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 31, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Shady, peaceful, serene. It's cool to consider that you are playing disc golf on a piece of the sport's history.

Great course for beginners. This is the first course I ever played, and I was immediately hooked.

Cons:

Normally I'd lament the length of a course like this, but considering the advances in disc technology since this course was designed, I'd say that the layout has held up quite well.

Unfortunately, the signs and teepads have not held up equally well. Otter Creek is in need of a little TLC. New signs and larger teepads, and possibly new baskets, would make a world of difference in preserving the legacy of this classic course.
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4 0
ZMan44
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 20 years 179 played 107 reviews
2.50 star(s)

It is what it is 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 20, 2008 Played the course:once

Pros:

Otter Creek has an old design that is still useful. There are uphill, downhill, hyzer, anhyzer, and even a hole where a thumber is a strong play from the tee. It is a short walk and easy to follow.

Cons:

It is a shorter course as it was the first in the state (or so I am told). baskets and sign need some attention and repair.

Other Thoughts:

When this course was built, most people were throwing whamos and such. I titled this review with the phrase "it is what it is". Sometimes we try to knock a course because it is not what we think it should be. Otter Creek is a great place to practice your mids. That doesn't make it a bad course. For what it is, I would say it is just about average...(I give it a half disc higher for being historically significant)
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0 2
kyflash
Experience: 17.6 years 23 played 5 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Kentucky's First Course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 19, 2008 Played the course:never

Pros:

Very calm and tranquilic. Well defined fairways and signage. A good course for your short game.

Cons:

Other than it being a short course not many cons at Otter Creek.

Other Thoughts:

Very clean with trash cans and benches at most holes.
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0 2
WillA
Experience: 13.8 years 29 played 28 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Didn't Like It 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 4, 2008 Played the course:never

Pros:

Nice variety of shot shapes

Cons:

The baskets are hard to see if you have poor vision as they do not have the signature yellow band at the top. And the course is VERY short with a number oif holes under 200 feet. Some holes seem gimmicky and require trick shots. It feels almost like miniature golf.

Other Thoughts:

This is a pretty course but it's run down. The signs are old and rusted. At least one sign was missing and anotehr was unreadable.
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