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 .