Vassalboro, ME

Burnsboro DGC

3.445(based on 8 reviews)
Filter course reviews

Filter reviews

Filter reviews

Burnsboro DGC reviews

Filter
2 0
bjreagh
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 27.6 years 350 played 317 reviews
2.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 4, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

I would describe Burnsboro as an "old-school" technical par 3 woods course. And there is nothing wrong with that- I love playing this style. This is a no frills, standard and straight-forward, 18 baskets in the woods on somebody's private property that is open to the public to play for $5/round.

In the midst of a week-long trip playing many much tougher courses in MA and ME, this provided for a nice change of pace of calm, shaded, relaxing, chill golf that did not require too much thinking, just trying to shape the correct lines through wooded fairways.

Fairways were well-maintained, offered generous lines, and it was always clear where to throw. Navigation was easy and intuitive, no map needed. Baskets were older but were easily seen and weren't horrible at catching putts (actually did better than I thought they might based on how they looked). Tee signs were small, but informative, helpful, and are all that is needed here. I believe each hole had two tees (at least most did that I remember seeing).

Decent shot shape variety one would expect from having to throw around trees, a good bit of straight, but some curves and some with room to work. Some elevation on a few holes including two fun downhill finishing holes on 16 and 18. Nothing epic, but a few holes played across/along a couple ponds adding the water element (chance of losing a disc is possible).

Ample parking, courteous staff, a real restroom that was very clean and even had a shower. Scorecards and pencils were plentiful. I appreciate the work done here and the overall vibe.

Cons:

This is likely by design as strictly a par-3 course, but it does not have variety in hole length overall. [From the LONG tees] only a couple holes are over 300', and the majority are in the 200-300' range.

Not overly challenging. If I lived in this area I would not mind playing this course multiple times or having it in my regular rotation, but I would not desire to play it as much as some of the others (Sabattus, Ackers, Augusta, Bittersweet, plus all the others I didn't get to play that look amazing.)

Baskets- yeah, a bit smaller than the modern norm, but were sort of an equalizer balancing out the shorter lengths (looking back at my stats I shot -2, yet had seven 2-putts).

Other Thoughts:

Burnsboro is likely not the reason one travels to this part of Maine to play disc golf, but I am glad I played it. Most of us have likely played several courses like this one across the country (the reason for my rating of 2.5+ or slightly above average). And if I didn't know where I was, I would have thought I was in my home state of TN, so I felt right at home playing here.

Easy to get to using Google Maps GPS (a long rural gravel driveway ends at the course). Bonus also of being near several other courses.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
1 2
Jhardin19
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Burnsboro 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 3, 2018 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Always amazing people! I love this course because not only is it a challenge for me but I find myself always improving my game here. The individuals that keep the course running always have the toes clean in the winter which is tough to come across in maine.

Cons:

Older baskets but once you throw a few you will get used to them. They do catch and hold better than they look like they do.

Other Thoughts:

I would deffinatley say that this is in my top 5 for courses. Yes I am still a beginner but I hope to one day get under par on this one.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 5
Crystalputek
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
4.50 star(s)

We Love Burnsboro! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 18, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

Burnsboro is one of the courses closest to my house so we go there often - but even if we lived further away we would come here! Easy walking - indoor toilet and an outhouse on the course (as a lady I love this!). Not super difficult holes, but still technical.

Cons:

All par 3 -not really a con, I just haven't been able to Par the course yet ;)

Other Thoughts:

Rick and Ally Burns are AMAZING people!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 0
jtreadwell
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13.7 years 92 played 28 reviews
2.50 star(s)

A different type of course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Nov 1, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- Great atmosphere! This place simply oozes good disc golf vibes.
- Plenty of ace runs and birdie opportunities will make for an exciting round.
- The short length makes squeezing in a round a piece of cake.
- The course is very well established and has been seasoned perfectly.

Cons:

- Strange, skinny baskets make for unreliable targets. They're very old and likely unique, so it's to be expected, but that doesn't change the fact that they can be frustrating to those used to newer equipment.
- The course lacks challenge. If you're looking for a reason to use your driver, go elsewhere.
- Signs and equipment are a bit beat up.
- Course seems prone to overcrowding

Other Thoughts:

Burnsboro DGC is like that strange old man that scares the children, but if you actually take the time to talk to him you find he has a lot of wisdom and experience to offer. Each hole is ace-able, and the course was unapologetically designed for that very purpose. Considering the course is geared towards aces, you'd think they would do something to make the baskets a bit less sketchy. They reminded me of those practice baskets that are missing the outer layer of chains, and made for some very nervous putting, though in their defense, they do catch a little better than they look like they should. Despite a lack of driving holes, the course is highly enjoyable. With the short length, easy shots, and ease of finding your discs, you'll not have much in the way of down time. It should also be noted that Porcupine Ridge, a high quality modern style course, is a very short drive away. Playing both courses makes for a very nice counterpoint and combine for a varied, pleasant day of disc golf. Burnsboro wouldn't be a course I would frequent as a local, but it's definitely worth playing here and there, especially if you live for those ace runs!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 0
reposado
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.7 years 278 played 273 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Nice, but short 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 6, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is one of the quickest 18s I've ever played. I finished in under forty minutes despite playing through four larger groups. (which always adds a little time.) The holes play quickly and intuitively. The underbrush is well taken care of so little time should be spent looking for discs. There is typically very little walk from basket to tee, and even less time wondering where to go next. You can really burn through a round here, and I'm guessing most people that play here, play at least thirty six holes per visit.

The holes are crammed in to a relatively small space and there are multiple points where other teeboxes are fairly close to greens, fairways and tees. But a really nice design job has been done to keep them from interacting. Throws are always away from where anyone else might be, or shileded by a good bunch of trees. It's impressively done.

There's even some water in play. A nice pond on three means you have to throw the full 230 off the tee. The water running parallel to 14 is more interesting however, as you have to keep your shot from fading left in a relatively tight channel.

The best hole is definitely the last. A long, 400-foot down-hill shot to a very nicely place pin overlooking the entry way.

Overall, given the shortness, it's a nice design, and I can see locals racking up multiple rounds in an afternoon and enjoying it.

Cons:

It's short. Very short. At the point where you walk up to the first long tee, you will be shocked that there is a shorter tee. Each hole has an aceboard and long lists of tagged aces accompany mark most of them. This could be a pro for you. It definitely is for the people who play the course regularly. But for me, its a major con. Aside from 18, they're really all under 300 with way too many closer to 200. It's a wooded course, but the fairways are clean and open, so most experienced golfers won't find much challenge here.

It also can't help but suffer from comparison to Porcupine Ridge, just a quarter mile down the road. Presumably, this is the same landscape and flora as the other site, but what is so stunning down the road, is a little dingy here. It seems unkempt in a way, though if you look carefully, a lot of maintenance is being done.

The tees and baskets also show the signs of wear, and the tees are a little on the small side. Preferably, they would have been bigger with the short tees eliminated all together. I can't imagine anyone wanting to shoot from the shorts here.

Other Thoughts:

If you want a quick, fun round, this is the place. If you love chasing aces, you will find nirvana. If you want a memorable course with challenging, interesting holes, Burnsboro is not for you. It's just too straight, with too few obstacles between the tee and the pin, and just too short.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 0
forehandfranz
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 31.8 years 226 played 128 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Maine Hospitality 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 28, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Rick Burns has created a most wonderful disc golf course. Excavated from the thick birch and spruce, Rick and brother Bob have carved out a nice little course that is playable by all skill levels. Plays over subtle elevation and short, reasonably open fairways and gives a lot of ace runs which keeps the golfers excited the whole round (they have a hole in one honor roll on each tee sign). Baskets are challenging and have narrower chains and shallower baskets (which is fair considering the shorter overall length.). I showed up on a winter day and found that not only were people playing, but that they run a the Gator over the fairways and sand the tees to make the course playable! The Burns family lives for disc golf and if you hit them Saturday evening, you can listen to the band (EZ 7) practice the blues in the club house.

Cons:

About 75% of the course can be aced, but that was apparently the intention of the designer - having built the course for the way he likes to play the game. This can be looked at as a pro or con.

Other Thoughts:

When they finish with the project to fill the ponds there will be some added challenges that will also add to it's beauty.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
2 0
nipnipnip
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

A weekend at Burnsboro 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 17, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Hospitable hosts. Private. Beautiful.

Cons:

Yea, once the water hazards are renovated this will be a mecca. Love these types of courses. Pay to play has never been so beneficial. These guys work hard on improvements and maintenance. The floor of the roughs have been well groomed making disc retrieval easy.

Other Thoughts:

I got to the course for my first round ever on a saturday morning. Gorgeous fall saturday. We had beers at noon, disced all day, and then got to watch the band practice that night. Good sounding band I might ad. Camped out back and woke to another pristine fall morning. Had some breakfast and played another couple of rounds. Great hosts.

Thanks Steve.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
4 0
Huff
Experience: 16.8 years 9 played 6 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great course, great people 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Sep 3, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Very well designed course with a good mixture of holes types and elevation changes. Hard to lose a disc here since once you step off fairway the shule is almost non existent. Fee's are very reasonable. Tee pads are concrete and in pretty good condition.

Cons:

The water hazards as they exist today are muddy/murky/swampy hazards. Not the type of hazard you want to wade into to retrieve a stray disc. However the owner does have plans to completely change and clean up the water hazards in the future and from what he described to me its exactly what this course needs to become a near perfect course. Cant wait to see it!

Other Thoughts:

Rick Burns is very hospitable and friendly and usually up for a round. Burnsboro is a great to course to get out and play and enjoy a wonderful piece of land in a very relaxing environment. The Burns family is obviously very committed to the sport!

*update 2/4/09 I wrote my original review during nicer weather so I didnt think to include this: Burns is a great course to play during the winter in Maine. Rick drives various machines through the course often and the result is that most of the fairway is hard pack snow making a winter round much more dry and enjoyable (provided you keep your shots on the fairway lol). in short Burns is a year round course!
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Top