Jeffersonville, VT

Smugglers Notch - Fox Run

4.415(based on 11 reviews)
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Smugglers Notch - Fox Run reviews

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11 1
Sethamphetamine
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 82 played 12 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Awesome pro style course drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 15, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

+Gorgeous. The views and landscape are some of the coolest I have seen in the country. Stop and look around between shots- you won\'t be disappointed. +Clean and organized. Tee times are required to prevent backups. Property operates on a ski hill/resort so all fairways and additional course maintenance are top notch. +Big time challenge. Distance and OB will be your main competition here, but it doesn\'t play like a golf course style course as may be expected. More wooded than you would expect, lots of elevation. All aspect of disc golf will be tested. +Great variety of shots. 300 feet all the way to 1200 foot holes. Landing zone par 4s and a couple potential ace runs. Many shots provide great risk and reward lines. You will have many ways to play each hole and results will depend on your execution of these lines. +Multiple tees. Players have options to play professional holes all the way down to recreational tees.

Cons:

-No trash cans on the course. Would be nice to have some cans on the course itself but pack it in/pack it out is the policy. Never minded this, pretty basic common sense and courtesy.-Gold tees are turf and are great. Other tees are mostly natural or rubber pads.

Other Thoughts:

When watching the pros play the courses at Smugglers Notch in Vermont, I always assumed I would greatly prefer and have much more fun playing the more wooded Brewster Ridge course. Love woods golf, too much OB on Fox Run, it\'s just made to host spectators. While the scale still slightly tips in Brewsters\' favor, the competition in my mind is much closer after playing both courses. While OB is the main consideration on many holes on Fox Run, it just seems to make sense in the design of each hole. While some may clamor for trees to line the fairways rather than white stakes, the design is so good I hardly noticed the difference between the open holes and the more wooded ones. Plus, you will not be at a loss for trees while playing this course. You are still in the Green Mountain State, the green part equals plenty of trees. Last thing on the subject- if you absolutely detest more open, longer disc golf, the other course that starts a mere 100 feet in the other direction from Fox hole 1 will quench your thirst for hitting tight gaps and even more trees. Take a step back from how open the course looks on television. Elevation, water, trees, distance, OB, epic landscape... this course has everything any disc golfer would want if they were to design a dream course. And it\'s only half the fun you\'ll have that day.... Doesn\'t get much better than Smuggs. A previous reviewer mentioned how this is not a destination property, especially when compared to Midwest golf. As a lifelong Midwesterner, I am already looking forward to getting back to Vermont and would definitely not miss out on another trip to Smugglers Notch if I find myself in the area.
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17 1
MrFrosty
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 31.1 years 764 played 387 reviews
4.50 star(s)

A Place To Pack Your Bags And Head To 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 17, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

The main parking lot is plenty big enough , Port O Let next to it .The pro shop , stocked with discs , cold drinks and snacks , is one of the nicest that I have ever seen . There is a concourse next to it that overlooks Fox Run's hole #1 , that has picnic tables with umbrellas where you can rest between rounds .
The equipment - There are currently 3-4 tees on every hole . They go from pavers , to rubber to natural with stakes . The signage is very descriptive and give distance from each pad . The baskets were upgraded to Mach X and have flags at the tops .. There is a putting basket near the parking lot . a few nice bridges and walkways help connect the gaps and navigate any wet conditions . Benches at the golds . There are white stakes that mark out of bounds along the course . Plenty of Next Tee signs to keep you on the right path .
The Landscape - Fox Run's course and grounds are kept in pristine condition . No overgrowing tree branches , and the fairways are mowed short and defined , while the OB grass is longer. There is some higher grass , like off the fairway on 3 , and on the right on #14 , and the right on 18 , but not enough to lose a disc on . Much different from the Brewster Ridge woods course . Fox Run is more semi open to open . The OB will still force you to create your line , but tunnel shots only appear on holes 15 , 16 and maybe 4 . The course rolls here , but the most elevation are the tee box on top the hill at 9 , and sweeping downhill drives on 17& 18 . There is a lake that could come into play on hole 5 , but only if the wind or a shank drive drifts far left .
The Highlights - Fox Run has as good a starting and finishing hole for a course as I have seen . #1 ( 575' from blue/golds ) from the golds starts with a drive over some overgrowth . The fairway turns left and has trees about 400'+from the tee , with the basket in a clearing . #5 ( 445' , golds/blue , 370' white ) has a tee pad on an old foundation of a house . It throws to a row of bushes with some relief on the immediate right and a keyhole in the middle . The lake sits to the left of the hole . #7 is the only par 5 on either course ( 1225' golds 1085' blues,680' whites ) Fairly open , you still have to contend with an slight uphill first shot over low brush to a plateau , then a long slow downhill slope to the basket #16 starts out on a tunnel shot fairway ( 715' G, 600' B 535'W ). . You have to clear some rough while leaving the woods . The basket is slightly elevated on a wood base in the open . When I came to the #18 gold tee ( 775' ) it read par 3 . Granted , it's a downhill slope , but the fairway looks to be 25 to 30 yards wide with OB on both sides , and a wall of high brush guarding a direct throw about 100' or so from the basket . An epic last hole .
Signature Hole - Mine was #4 ( 620' golds ) it had a thin fairway starting out with brush and a dropoff on the left and brush and incline on the right . Eventually it breaks to the right to an elevated green on a ridge .
Time- 90 minutes + .. A group of 4 is going to take all of 3 hours or more .
Disc Risk . Surprisingly low . This course is so well maintained , that you have to really chuck it into some of the overgrowth , or have to wind take it into the lake on 5 .
Other than maybe going out to Texas and Selah Ranch , there is probably nowhere else that you can park your car and play 2 quality courses Brewster Ridge and Fox Run . Fox Run gives you a ton of variety and will force you to empty your bag during your round .
The views on this course are postcard-worthy . Great looks of mountains and Vermont landscapes .

Cons:

#1 Tee Pads - if lesser players are paying the same amount to play as the better players , shouldn't they have the nice paver or turf tees , too ?
#2 Long confusing walk - Not that it can be helped , but the walk from 3-4 and back from 12-13 is crazy long . I caught myself walking toward 13 from 3 because it was visible . You sometimes think that you are off course .
#3 Pay to play - $10 per round , $15 day pass allows play on both courses . A bargain for me ( hey , it's world class disc golf ) , but worth mentioning for a dad bringing the family up for a round , or a newbie still learning the game that might want to invest he cost into another disc .
Bring something to drink . You won't return back to the start until you finish #18 .Use bug spray during summer .

Other Thoughts:

If this destination isn't on your bucket list , you may want to pencil it in . I can't begin to tell you how first class this place is . Professionally maintained , this is what world class golf looks like . You have the technical tight Brewster Ridge , then come back with the more open Fox Run , dodging the OB , with its creative lines . Smugglers Notch looks like it puts a lot of the money it takes in back into the course . I'm sure they want to create a disc golf experience like no other , and they keep moving closer . 2 top tier courses within 50 yards of where you park your car . Scenic views with challenge that will even test the world's best . It is a good idea to call ahead for a tee time here , especially on the weekends Check the homepage , too , so you don't waste a trip because of the many gatherings and tournaments held here .
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10 0
jjtwinnova
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 8.8 years 246 played 97 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Fox Run is No Walk in the Park 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 5, 2018 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Fox Run Meadows is the younger, more open, OB laden brother of Brewster Ridge, the amazing course right across the street.

Fox Run is a course that, from the gold tees, will challenge every part of your game. Distance drives, Placement shots, hitting lines, among other things.

Fox Run has 3-4 tees on every hole, with the Gold tees obviously playing the most challenging, but with red, white, and blue tees suitable for all skill levels. The Gold Tees are extremely professional turf tees, and every hole has a bright Yellow Discatcher.

Fox Run is a more open course than some, but it has a solid mix of open, mostly open, and mostly wooded. The Out of Bounds that is on every hole on the course also forces you to throw different lines, to avoid the OB as well as be in the best landing zone.

There is a wide variety of elevation, with the final two holes playing extremely downhill. 17 is a downhill RHBH hyzer onto a sloping green, with hole 18 being an outstanding signature finish, an open downhill crush with OB on the left and right, less than 100 feet between them.

Cons:

This course is fantastic, and there is no reason to not play this course, especially if you are in the area, but it has a few things that keep it from being a 5.

The walk from 3-4 and then 12-13 is abnormally long, as it takes you across the road to a completely different section of the property. I would take the walk to play those holes any day, but it wasn't the most practical.

The Red, White, and Blue tees are no where near the quality of the gold tees, either being gravel, rubber, or natural. They had less signage pointing to them, and they are not the greatest layout.

There are a few places where the out of bounds was a tiny bit unfair, a place where it juts out too far into the fairway, or is too close to a green. I understand it, because it makes the course more pro caliber, but it really stings when you go out of bounds by a foot, only to move backwards by 250 feet.

Other Thoughts:

This course is a great compliment to Brewster Ridge, and this destination should be on everybody's bucket list. The views are enough to make you want to visit the Vermont Mountains, but the golf will make you want to stay here.
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4 2
Micquebec
Experience: 7.7 years 5 played 3 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Throwing the discs at the Fox run 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 27, 2017 Played the course:once

Pros:

- The fairways were freshly mowed. And for what I could see and feel from the place, much love is put in the maintenance of the course.

- This course is kind of open with thoughtful placement of the out of bound but also carefully thought placement of each basket.

- The amenities for the players are very welcome. Most holes (all?) have benches with even a hole with a swing! I have seen many trash can AND recycle bin.

- This course is VERY clean. In all the holes, I found absolutely NO garbage or littering whatsoever, even in the bushes or in the out of bound areas. The owner can be proud of himself!

- It's a very good course for beginner and advanced players alike since the placement of the different pins (gold, blue, white and red) is well thought. It's not just a matter of distance, it's also a matter of placement.

- Owner was very friendly and has a very nice pro shop with a very good selection of discs and other stuff (T-Shirts promoting Brewster Ridge, hat promoting Brewster Ridge, etc.)


Cons:

- The fairways of some holes are a bit close from one another. In a very busy day, I can see a bad shot from one hole going in the fairway of the adjacent hole, which can cause confusion for some players. With that said, it was never a problem with our play during our presence.

Other Thoughts:

- With both 18 holes course in shape like that, I can see this place going forward for a long time. Which is nice for us disc golfers.
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10 0
davistd0
Experience: 15.1 years 85 played 8 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Spectacular Smuggs Addition 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 20, 2015 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Detailed hole map at each of the 4 tees available on every hole. Map clearly shows all OB lines and distances to the pin from each tee.

Terrific use of the natural terrain combined with thoughtful OB lines makes for a challenging but fun round. Risk/reward is abundant on every shot.

Rubber tee pads for all of the gold tees.

Benches or tables available on almost every hole.

Hole #18 finishes right next to the tee for #1, and right across the street from the Brewster Ridge course and pro shop. Pro shop is small but always very well stocked with discs, bags, shirts, hats, towels, snacks, and drinks.

Good hole variety for a predominantly "open" course. Uphill, downhill, water carry shots, ravines, elevated baskets, a few death putts, and a few tight wooded fairways... like I said, variety.

OB is challenging but fair. Played too aggressively my first round and went OB 7 times. Played smarter my second time around and only went OB once.

This course is long form the gold tees, over 9000ft! Hole 7 is 1150ft by itself.

There are multiple signature holes here. Hole #18 is a downhill bomber with OB on both sides. You can throw your personal best longest drive on this hole, but is it worth the probable OB stroke? Hole #5 plays downhill to a basket on a small ridge next to a pond. Big drives can reach the pin and the pond.

And the views are spectacular. 360 degree views of the VT mountains on almost every hole. The most scenic course I have ever played.

There is a dedicated crew from Smuggler's Notch resort that maintains the course. Everything is in pristine condition all the time.

Cons:

The blue/white/red tees are mostly just colored stakes in the ground. And the fly pads used for most of the gold tees get very slippery when wet. Being a brand new course though, these are minor flaws that will probably be addressed as time goes on. Once these items are fixed, the course will be a 5 easy.

Other Thoughts:

Expanding Fox Run to a full 18 holes now gives two top-notch courses at Smuggs. They balance each other perfectly and make this a disc golf destination. With all of the Smuggler's Notch resort amenities and activities in the area, this makes a phenomenal disc golf vacation.
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