REVIEW EDITED AND UPDATED FOR ACCURACY THANKS TO SOME COMMUNITY INPUT


This classic monster Eastern PA course (site of the 2005 Worlds) is gradually re-opening after 4+ years of being closed due to what I remember as an ash-borer infestation requiring the removal of countless trees. This review (and 3.5 rating) is based on the conditions I found in late September 2023. The back nine is now open for play.


+ The good news is the few indicators of bringing the course back: several new turf tees interspersed among the nine holes. The gradual re-opening has provided the opportunity to change several holes . I have been told that Hole 12 went from being a par 4 to a par 3. Hole 13 went from being a par 3 to a par 4, and Hole 14 has a new green.


+ The back nine mixes woods and open, incorporates natural elements like a ring of boulders protecting the slightly sunken 10th green and some low stone foundation elements from a long-gone building in front of the 11th basket. The amazing view of the marina and lake beyond still frames the view from the 15th tee, the 16th tee is a top-of-the-world shot, and hole #18 is a great closer: 730' downhill par 4, turning left with a green protected by trees

- No tee signs yet (the posts are there, but no signs on them yet), uDisc aids the first time player with navigation, most tees are rubber with timbers around them. The baskets are old DGA's, and sometimes difficult for the first time player to spot. The fairways of the wooded holes have felled trees in various stages of being cut up and stacked. Keep in mind that this is a work in progress, and seeing the several new turf tees means these Cons will be resolved.

~ Somewhat cart-friendly. There are plenty of times where the cart would be easy rolling. But between the rocky fairways on the early holes and the dramatic elevation changes later on, the cart will probably slow you down and create more effort than it's worth.


~ The nine plays in a loop, and even though the 18th green is lower than the 10th tee, the round felt to me like I was throwing uphill more often than downhill. The overriding challenge is length, but the amount of uphill (holes 11, 13, 14, 17) makes it particularly tough - and suited to longer throwers. Case in point is the 800' hole #14. Sure, it's mostly open and a par 5 on uDisc. But it's uphill a lot of the way. This is a hole where the layout on uDisc appeared to be inaccurate. The new green has the approach bend around to the right. As always, walk forward and look if you're not sure!


~ I didn't play Nocky back in the day, so the tree removal may have opened up and tamed a few of the back nine holes. For example, it appears that the downhill toward the marina on #15 has fewer trees early off the tee (comparing old DGCR pictures to what I experienced).


~ The closest comparison I can think of is the Quaker's Challenge layout at Pinchot State Park. Though Pinchot is more thickly wooded, it is a tough course that also puts an emphasis on distance. Pinchot has the advantage of not having been closed for four years, so the upkeep and course amenities have stayed current.


~ Finally, I understand that more detailed information is available on Facebook -so check it out if you use FB. DGCR and uDisc (my usual sources) might be incomplete.

Long holes, beautiful nature all around. Well maintained. Creeks all around. Very relaxing. Not too buggy.

Very rocky course. Be careful not to roll and ankle. Need better direction from tee to tee. Disc catchers could use some reflective tape or color to them. Hard to spot sometimes. Too many very long holes.

All around 2nd best one I've been to besides Tyler state park

Well-structured course with a lot of options, a nice park and the land was incorporated well.

very tough for beginners

My friend and I are beginners and went here. We ignored the warnings that this course is not for beginners and I had 3 drivers at the time, all of which we lost while playing the course haha. Seriously, don't play this course until you are pretty confident in your ability, or you are ready to lose a few discs.

Absolutely gorgeous course, almost all of the holes are very scenic, playing is like taking a hike. I also enjoyed the variety of holes, lots of elevation, some streams, lots and lots of trees.

Not very good signage, difficult for newcomers to find their way about.

I personally found this course very challenging, almost too much so at times, thus I think that I would rate it higher if I was more experienced. Not recommended for beginners.

There are some really long throws for this course, so that is nice to finally air a few throws out. A good mix of tree to openings. Definitely soggy after raining a few days back.

The brush will burn you if you throw into it. A lot of sticker bushes, would NOT recommend if it has rained within 72 hours to play the course. Very confusing to find the first tee, if you find the bathrooms at Lot#13 then head to the Left of the Lake and it is in the tree line.

Unfortunately we lost a green/clear 172 champion to the Left 80ft short of the hole on #11. If you find it our last name of Hull and the phone number is on it. Please be considerate and return it to its owners.

Unfortunately we lost a green/clear champion to the Left 80ft short of the hole on #11. If you find it our last name of Hull and the phone number is on it. Please be considerate and return it to its owners, we would be grateful for your generosity.

very nice scenery. hills overlooking the lake, streams, waterfall type areas. the terrain changes including elevation makes this course challenging and fun. throwing both up and down steep hills, over the streams and a mix of open and moderately dense woods. you also play through boulder-fields. the baskets themselves are a thing of interest. one hangs from a tree rather than being stuck in the ground, 18 is raised up an additional 2 or 3 feet on top of a pillar of rocks. another is in a dry part of a creek bed thats 3 or 4 feet lower than the fairway. many near the edge of a cliff or near a watertrap means some careful putting.

a few of the holes are just too long and or difficult. the par is higher on some of them, but they are still insanely difficult to get a good score on. its is easy to get frustrated and forget that this course was designed especially for pros. navigation can be a little difficult at times but is not bad.

i am ashamed of the poor review i gave this course a few weeks ago. i hadnt played it in over a year and i never had someone who knew their way around. playing with a group recently (that knew the course inside and out) completely changed my perspective on it.

Great for semi-pro level and above average, alot of elevation changes in the right spot and many risk vs reward on almost all of the holes, t's are decent but worn

Only a handfull of the holes here are fun for staters to play the rest will leave you very very annoyed and chasing after your disk, this is not for people just starting out.

this course will have you pulling your hair out if you hit a bad wind or toss wrong during the summer months., prepare to lose disks. also do not play this if it rained recently you will not have fun at all this place is like a sponge. the fall is fun here since the grass is almost dead and easier to find disks, i expect spring to be the same as fall probably better once its dry and before the green happens

In addition to everything said below, there seem to be new tee signs, as all the tees were very easy to find. All the baskets have giant orange flags on them and, coupled with the distance estimations, weren't that hard to find either. If you want to play the narrowest, longest fairways you've ever seen (often with random trees in the fairway anyway for "fun"), this is the course for you! And hooray, we have 18 holes now!!!

Very hard to walk, with all the rocks in the fairway and the super muddy terrain (especially around 18). No way to walk across the creek between hole 11 & tee 12 (and hole 14 & tee 15)... you have to hop on slippery rocks. Almost every hole is unforgiving, which is a real con for beginners (like me). This course will eat you alive!

Hole 14 has a beautiful drive and the creek on the left, and a rare pro tee that's actually in front of the amateur tee that forces a shot over the creek. Getting pars here feels like getting birdies.