Newark, DE

White Clay Creek State Park

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3.355(based on 30 reviews)
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12 0
dino2disc
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 24.6 years 72 played 39 reviews
3.00 star(s)

NIce variety, with two sides of deep rough 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:May 31, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

White Clay Creek offers a lot of positives in a very traditional, slightly hilly, moderately wooded course:
- Plenty of parking and plenty of shade on most holes thanks to the old-growth trees overhead.
- Nice long concrete tee pads, and there are decent tee signs for most holes.
- Holes #4, 8, 11, and 12 have two basket positions (A and B), with the B positions primarily offering a little longer distance if you're looking for that.
- All the Discatcher baskets are in pretty good shape, other than the few old B baskets and A basket at #4 being rusty.
- Fairways are well mowed by the park staff.
- Good variety topographically, with modest uphills (#5, 7, 16, 18), downhills (#4, 9, 15), hill crosses (#1 and 6), valley crosses (#3 and 17), and a couple doglegs too (#10 and 12).
- There's a practice basket and picnic table by the start, so it's pretty easy to find even though it's not right adjacent to the parking lot.

Cons:

- The rough is SUPER DEEP. This wouldn't normally be very surprising, but some baskets are placed awfully close to the rough (#1, 4A, and 12B come to mind especially...), so you will end up in it eventually even if you are an advanced player. Be prepared to have significant difficultly walking through the waist-high grass and finding your disk, and watch out for poison ivy and ticks in there too - both are widespread in summer!
- Pay-to-play due to it being in the state park. Think it is $4/day for DE residents and $8/day for out-of-state residents. Honestly this is barely a negative because there's a lot of great hiking trails in the park, some of which branch off right by holes #9 and #11, as well as beautiful picnic areas and fields for other sports, so make a day of it! I only list it here in the Cons because it's not free to play here.
- Tee signs are missing on #15 and 16.
- A number of the tees are pretty slanted, which really messes with your footing and control.
- Since the baskets lack a colored top rim, some of them are hard to see/find. Flags have been put on a couple where they're hidden by hills, but be prepared to do a bit of searching your first time here, especially for the B baskets.
- No water hazards or other particularly "unique" challenges.

Other Thoughts:

- White Clay offers a fun variety of what I'd call "traditional" Florida-style holes but with more topography. You won't find anything super challenging, but it's solid and you're sure to enjoy your round. I'm definitely looking forward to playing it again next time I'm heading down I-95.

- Tame the rough better and it'd be a 3.5 star course in my book.

- Make a full day of it by hiking in the State Park! The picnic area and trails I mentioned above pair perfectly for a great day trip to Delaware!
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15 0
Ryal
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 6.8 years 216 played 182 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Nice Day? White Clay. 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 21, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

+ The practice area is pretty nice with lots of space, a nearby hillside and trees.
+ Friendly and welcoming locals/regulars.
+ The whole course takes place in a popular yet peaceful state park with gentle hills, healthy trees and well-kept grounds.
+ The tee pads are gigantic, wide and long solid slabs of contiguous concrete, but...

Cons:

- ...A few of the tee pads are slanted, damaged or both. Pads 4 and 5 come to mind as examples.
- No next tee signs.
- Nothing really stands out in terms of distance, vista, elevation or obstacles.
- I don't remember seeing a lost disc box, but I didn't look everywhere.

Other Thoughts:

My favorite hole here to play is hole10 because of its slight uphill slope coupled with the trees to contend with at both ends of the fairway. My favorite hole here to look at was hole7 mostly because of that solitary pine tree at the top of the hill neatly framed by all of the other trees as seen from the tee pad. My least favorite hole here is hole12 because of how plain, flat and direct it is.

The disc golf course at White Clay Creek State Park put me in a good mood. Even if I hadn't been invited to join a group of locals at hole11, I still would have had a good time because this course strikes nice balances between open & wooded, hilly & flat, and long & short. I would best describe it as a recreational park-style course where the focus is on neither the moment by moment tactics nor the distances to cover. From the main layout, there is nothing shorter than 200ft or longer than 400ft. This is a good "common ground" course where beginners, serious players, families and curious first-timers alike can go and enjoy themselves.

A player will encounter all of those if they come here on a nice day. March 21, 2021 was unseasonably warm for Newark, DE, and people were out in droves while I played. There were so many cars in the parking lot that I mistakenly thought that there was a tournament happening. This park is definitely a popular place, and it's not hard to see why. It has a relaxing vibe with easy-going hills and a tree cover that is neither dense nor sparse. It's a stress-free place to play. Plus, White Clay is a hop, skip and jump away from the infamous Iron Hill, so this course could be used as a nice warm-up round before or cool-down round after.

On the downside, I should say that I got lost once or twice due to no next tee signage. It would seem that many tees are close enough to the previous basket that it isn't so big an issue. Plus, from holes 11 through 18, I played with a group of friendly locals to guide me. However, there was nothing to point me in the right direction after hole3. The visible nearby tee is for hole17. I had to ask where to find tee4. Also, I found the course-specific challenges to be underwhelming. The trees weren't a big issue, and the sloping elevation was fun but not brilliant.

Still, I can recommend White Clay as an ideal spot to take a few of your friends during a nice spring or summer day and just have fun for a few hours. Precisely because it isn't terribly challenging is what makes it such a great place to enjoy with people who wouldn't ordinarily play disc golf. This place will get them hooked. So bring your favorite cold beverage and have a nice day at White Clay.
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11 0
DumfriesLizzie
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 5.5 years 111 played 101 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Beautiful, parkland course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 20, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

I am a fan of the sparsely-wooded, rolling-hill disc golf course. This course has both features. I love that!

I am not a fan of tight woods. Where there is tightness on a hole here (nos. 1, 10, 11 for the long basket, 12 potentially for the short basket, 14, and 15), it's either a tight start or tight finish. I think only once (10) is it both, but even there the middle is wide open. Though nos. 17 and 18 have a window at the start, they don't pose any real threats.

I know the grass can be high some times of the year, but it was down on my first two visits. No lost discs. Other parts of the course are neatly mowed and look great!

The Victorian feel to the park setting is lovely. Feels Olmsted-esque. Love it!

Navigation is largely a no-brainer. However, you might want to carry the course map on the first outing to not bypass no. 3 and follow the right trail from 16 to 17.

For folks looking for a little more variety, theoretically there are 5 holes with a second basket. Sometimes shorter, mostly longer. I saw said at nos. 4, 11, and 12. Didn't at 8 and 9, but maybe I just missed them.

My favorite hole is perhaps no. 4 with its elevated tee, hard-sloping-but-open fairway, and approach into the trees.

I like that no. 9 requires aim from the tee and up the grade and then falls back down into the woods.

Uphill holes 5, 7, and the start of 10 will help me develop that part of my game.

Foot trails for walkers largely keep them off the fairways. That seems to be working.

The rest of the park for picnicking etc. is elsewhere, leaving the disc golf course in its near-exclusive little corner.

There is a large, handicap-size porta-potty in the parking lot. As I didn't find permanent facilities elsewhere in the park, this is most welcome. Bring your own water.

Cons:

Seems to get busy. I was playing two discs (finishing the previous round started last year and playing a fresh new round, all at once), so had two guys behind me, somewhat crowding me the entire back 9. Behind them was a steady flow of folks, with little to no break.

Other Thoughts:

It is a pay-to-play course from March-October (I believe). You need a credit card for a dashboard ticket if there is no booth attendant. If you play other state park courses on the same day (Brandywine, Bellevue, others?), you can use the same ticket and feel like you are getting more of your money's worth.

For those of us not local, GPS may be less than direct and actually take you to the Wedgewood portion of the park, which is all hiking. Narrow, unpaved road.

If you are coming north on 95, exit on 279 N. That is a MD state road. Becomes something else once in Delaware. You have to ultimately bear right on W Delaware Ave, turn left on College, after that stay in the right lane, turn left (only choice) on E Main, stay right again, then bear right on New London/896. Park will be up the road 2 miles or so on your right. Look for the main park entrance past Wedgewood.

If coming south on 95, exit on College Ave going north. Stay in the right lane when you cross Delaware, turn left (only choice) on E Main, stay right again, then bear right on New London/896.
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14 0
HyooMac
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 6.7 years 415 played 382 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Fun course worth the stop 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 18, 2020 Played the course:once

Pros:

A very good park course with moderate woods and elevation changes

+ Layout takes advantage of trees. Not a "wooded course", but there are enough trees and treelines to challenge you

+ Although elevation changes aren't dramatic, many holes have enough of it to make you think about compensating for uphill, protecting against downhill rollaways, etc

+ This is a very large park, and they haven't skimped on giving the disc golf room. WIth the exception of one grouping around holes 6-8, almost every hole is in its own area away from the rest of the course. This design makes for a great first time experience, as you move ahead to "discover" each new hole

+ Shoutouts to a few memorable holes: #3 you're throwing across a field and up to a shelf with the basket (the field is tall rough, but there's a well mowed narrow fairway up the middle); #17 throws out a framed chute across a valley and up to a protected pin; #18 tee is under a stand of giant pines that line the right side of the fairway

+ Excellent signage, very good baskets, concrete tees, spotless park


Cons:

- A lot of the holes felt like they favored lefty BH / righty FH, especially on the back nine. There are a fair number of right doglegs, but even the "straight" holes favor a left-to-right finish. Not a dealbreaker by any means - it just adds to the challenge. But I remember reaching the 17th tee and thinking "at last, not another forehand hole"

- Although the poured tees are in great shape, a handful are far from flat. #5 is an uphill runup

- A few spots of navigation difficulty, or selecting the right basket. uDisc helps a lot

Other Thoughts:

~ This course is very cart-friendly

~ White Clay Creek is a par 27, 5000' course that might be a bit much for true beginners, but provides ample challenge for others. It would make a great "first big course" experience for anyone, as there aren't a lot of places to get into trouble. While it's certainly not as difficult as its wooded neighbors, it's a fun and challenging rec course that's well worth the stop
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4 2
SillyPeddy
Experience: 2.8 years 15 played 14 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Most played in DE 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 25, 2019 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Friendly atmosphere
Med shots and short shots
Mix of open and wooded
Great for beginners and killers
Nice and clean
Alcohol consumption is legal here
2 Rounds in 3 hours is doable

SUPER EASY TO NAVIGATE

Cons:

Hole 18 is the worst/bland on the course which is sad

Not free

Other Thoughts:

I feel like this is the best spot for beginners in DE.
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7 0
Greybeard
Experience: 31 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Challenging little gem 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 4, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

Beautiful park. The scenery and well mowed grass where very peaceful. Nicely marked out with tee signs. Not one scrap of trash anywhere. Now to the actual course...
It is short for today's standards, however it is TIGHT. Which is great for working on your fairway driver/mid/putter shots. The need to hit your lines and shape your shots is paramount. Knowing your discs and having all the shots, also important. The previous review called it easy...it isn't. Which is good. It's a nice test of your finesse game. Power hyzer rightys will struggle. The ability to throw low, and straight and accurate is rewarded with many birdie putts. Most of which are on some slope. Being a Jersey guy, the constant uphill/down hill/side hill putts were challenging. There are many elevation changes, not glaring ones, like bombing off a cliff, but subtle ones that sneak up on you. Again, making you think, and read the terrain, and make the appropriate shot. A thinking man's course, not a grip and rip course.

Cons:

Now on to the negatives, unfortunately some of these were actual caused by some of the previous reviews....
It is not open.
It is not hard to lose discs.
The tall grass eats all discs, is filled with poison ivy, and black berry thorns.
I am by no means an expert, nor am I a Newby, but I got more discs stuck in trees today than in the past 3 years combined. This would normally have not been a problem. I usually carry 3 balls for just such predicaments...but I took them out after reading some of the reviews. My brother (had) a ball...but it remains in the same tree as my sidewinder now on 11.
It is hugely lefty/forehand laid out. I honestly think there may have been 2 holes that ended left.
The tee pads are slanted...all of them. For me, not that big a deal, others...might drive them crazy.

Other Thoughts:

One would think after all those cons I had a horrid round...but I didn't. I enjoyed the lay out, the scenery, trees, the tight windows. Sure, I missed my lines some, and got the penalties that should come with it. But when you make the correct shot, bending it through the trees, to land near the basket, it was great. I would love to play it again soon...but I'm bringing a nice long walking stick for the tall grass....oh yea, and I'm bringing my balls too.
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3 3
templink
Experience: 20.7 years 124 played 27 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Fun 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 26, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

This was a fun, easy course that is lush and green. The fairways are mostly all grass, with large trees spaced wide apart, so it's very forgiving to new players. Almost all holes are 300' or less, making it beginner friendly. There is almost no chance of losing a disc here, either. Concrete teepads. Some holes are double basketed. Clean park, no garbage anywhere.

Cons:

No water. Nearly all flat. Advanced players will be less challenged here.

Other Thoughts:

Nice course for beginners. I enjoyed playing here.
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6 0
pineappaloupe
Experience: 11 played 6 reviews
3.00 star(s)

worth playing 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 3, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Easy access, quick to play, fair holes, maintained fairway, vegetation maintained such that you can find discs in trouble spots. The course makes use of subtle elevation changes and trees very well, the course is all about shot shaping. I've played other courses in the area, and this one had no thorn bushes. Tall grass 'rough' areas were not disc eaters. For a short course it plays very well. Every hole is interesting, a few nice dog legs. Plays very neutral, making RHBH throwers use anhyzers and a few holes are mandatory forehands. I played with a lefty and they were able to throw backhand a lot. I threw a Buzz on 3/4 of the holes. There is a great warm up field on the right side of the parking area.

Cons:

I threw a Buzzz on 3/4 of the holes. Most of the tee pads were terribly sloped, downhill, uphill, even a few side slope. But it is a short course so just stand and deliver. Signage between holes is lacking (as it is on my local courses)/

Other Thoughts:

I gave it a 3 because I have never played a 5 star course, and my local courses are solid 4's. Even if you are out of state and pay $6, it is worth it if you need to get out there and throw discs. I met up with some locals, they were friendly. I will definitely play it again and if I lived in the area I would be very happy to have this course nearby and would volunteer to build them some level teepads. Beginner friendly and more experienced players can rip putters and midranges and go for finesse birdies. Well done White Clay Creek. In general Delaware State Parks are good.
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4 2
argo_yamato
Experience: 10.7 years 8 played 8 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Nice course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 28, 2014 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Good signage at each tee pad
Fairways were mowed
Decent amount of shade
Nice park setting

Cons:

Navigation was a bit difficult. I was not always quite sure where to go to the next tee pad. This was especially true between basket 3 and tee pad 4.

Other Thoughts:

I really liked this course. It is short and fairly open with no tricky tunnel shots. This makes it great for newer players or kids.

The rough can get a bit high but most of it is just really tall grass, not nearly as thorny as some other local courses.

Park in the lot off of 896 and grab one of the first parking spots you can find. The first tee pad is down a gravel trail a bit and you cannot see it from the parking lot.

Bug spray would help in the summer.
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2 1
sqorbit
Experience: 11.2 years 5 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 18, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

New(er) baskets. Nice Park. Great signage on the tee pads. Tee pads are in good condition.

I played with my 11yr old daughter and had a great time. Holes are laid out well using trees and bushes as obstacles. Uphill shots and some holes setup with harder angles add variety. Highly recommend this course for a beginner, relaxing round or a family. I actually pulled some discs out of my bag (ex. Skeeter) that I rarely use since the holes are shorter distance than others in the area.

Cons:

Par 3's. If you are out looking to test our your arm or aiming for long drives this is not the course for you. I really didn't find this as much of a problem though. No water and not a ton of variety from hole to hole. $6 out of state.

Other Thoughts:

This is a great course to play after a long winter of not playing. It was perfect for my younger daughter who doesn't have a good distance throw. Park was very nice also.
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4 1
The Valkyrie Kid
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 45.9 years 1563 played 1507 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Just A Comfortable, Shaded Recreational Length Course! 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 16, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Compared to two of the longer, tougher, more challenging courses nearby, Iron Hill and Brandywine Creek, White Clay State park DGC is a walk in the park. It's was a pleasant experience on a warm Delaware day as much of the course is shaded. This is a lovely park in which to spend part of your day.

The course features concrete pads, a kiosk at the beginning and many of the holes have two baskets.

I was able to navigation the course playing by myself the first time through without any problems.

Holes 3 featured an interesting elevated basket position.

I really enjoyed the two finishing holes.

For me, and probably many others, # 17 ranks as the signature hole on the course. You throw from a very cool elevated tee pad position. A straight drive can put you in position to birdie the hole.

And then you finish with # 18. It's just a short (210') ACE run. Makes you feel good about your game.

Cons:

$6 for out of state plates. I guess this might keep some of the riff-raff out. Probably helps keep the crowds down on busier days as well.

The recreational length might discourage some of you more serious types although I found it to be a major PRO.

Other Thoughts:

White Clay is just a really solid, enjoyable little recreational course set in a very pretty park. It's perfect for groups of college students who don't take the game that seriously or us older players. I'd love to have White Clay closer to my home.
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5 1
bnbanbury
Experience: 80 played 17 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Pretty Park, Decent Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 14, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-Really nice park with rolling green hills and mature trees.
-Excellent signage and concrete tees (the concrete tees were a little odd, very wide but not as long as i would like)
-Pins are well placed with the light woods being used well to protect the greens and provide a variety of shot shapes.
-Very balanced in that it doesn't cater to one particular throwing style, requires working the disc right to left, left to right, and right up the gut

Cons:

-The rough in fairways and around greens was the biggest con for me. The rough i'm speaking of is really tall grass, the kind you can watch a disc enter and still be unable to find it when you come up to look. I'm all for having obstacles but this is rough that serves no purpose beyond losing plastic as it does little to impede your next shot once you find your disc.
-There are a several holes that felt like filler holes- 5-8, 16, 18.
-6 dollars for me to play here means it doesn't get as much play from me as it would otherwise warrant
-There are a few long pins but this is mostly a putter and mid course

Other Thoughts:

I have enjoyed my rounds here for the most part, there certainly aren't to many courses in DE that can compete with the aesthetics of this beautiful park. I like the fact that i can work on just about any shot in the bag here due to the varied and creative layout (with the exception of long bombs). I think if i had DE tags and could get into the park for 3 bucks i would make the effort to play here more often but 6 dollars is a little steep for what i consider to be a true 3 star course. I also hate for my rounds to be taken up with probably 20 minutes on average looking for discs in tall grass. The last time i played i passed groups of 4 and 5 combing through rough just off the fairway. Overall i think the its a solid course and the layout is well done. I hope that more long pins will be added and some of the rough can be eliminated to make this course a little better.
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3 1
Buchajs1
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.7 years 168 played 44 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Nice short course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 2, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Tee signs- i realized that others have said that the tee signs were missing. However, when i was there it seemed as if the signs had bee replaced. I felt that the represented the hole well and on holes where it needed it the tee had an arrow that pointed towards the next tee

Well kept and good amenities- the course was mown when i was there and from talking with locals i think that they usually cut it. The fairways are always mown with clear fairways leading towards the baskets. The course had bathrooms and a pavillion as well as countless cross country and hiking trails if somebody was looking to make a day about it. There was a practice basket near the first tee, however it was pretty rusted. About 8-9 of the holes had b pins as well. However they were pretty heavily rusted. The current baskets that it seems most people use seem to be in good playable shape.

Favorite holes: #3- arrow cut fairway about 250ft with the basket perched atop a plateau-like area.
#17- downhill and over a gap of rough until you reach a large tree in the center of the fairway. From there you have an uphill approach to the basket.

Shot variety- each hole uses elevation and there are multiple routes on each hole. The course is primarily open with the main obstacles being brush, rough and either large trees or low lying pine trees.

Cons:

Distance variety- every hole is between 250-375 although each hole is relatively unique, this course needs a bit more distance to bump this course from fun 18 to great 18.

Other Thoughts:

I had a great time at this course in delaware and plan to come back
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5 1
iHitTree
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 21.8 years 96 played 38 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Ace race prime turf 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 21, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

White Clay Creek was a refreshing surprise for me. I went for the first time after playing my 3rd ever round at Iron Hill after a job interview in Wilmington this week., since I had an entire day free after late morning. I had heard so much about Iron Hill for obvious reasons and so I never paid much thought to White Clay Creek.

This course is to me what Bellevue strives to be--a clean wide-open park dotted with trees and bushes to create unique obstacles. Like Bellevue, there aren't any real woods, but rather small groups of trees to play around and through, and like Bellevue, the holes are shorter and are meant to cater to a tech round and to make beginners feel welcome and grow their love of the game. Unlike Bellevue, there are nice elevation climbs and drops all over this course. WCC is a par 3 course that in most cases is easy to par and more difficult to birdie. More experienced throwers can play the round with a mid range and putter only; only 1 hole exceeds 400' and besides that, only 5 others that exceed 300'. Definitely go to work on accuracy, putting, and your variety of throws.

The tee areas and signs were good here. There were very few blind shots, so tracking your throw shouldn't prove cumbersome. About half of the course does factor in thick TG near the tee area, but anyone who can throw over 200' shouldn't have too much trouble missing the bad spots in most cases. Watch out namely for holes 3 and 17 for easier places to lose plastic. The park itself is very nice and well maintained. Fairway grass length was good. Navigation was nice and simple once getting started.

Cons:

Without prior knowledge of the course, it can be tricky finding hole 1. Once you park in the recreation area of the park, head downhill toward the picnic tables on the side of the lot that the driveway came in, and you'll notice the practice basket down the hill. There's a little alcove in trees extending off the practice basket that leads to hole 1. From there, it's easy. The walk from 18 back to the lot is a little long and leaves room for another hole if you ask me, but the path back to the lot does follow the cross country track route.. That track does weave through the course, though it usually avoid fairway, but be careful of runners--they were there when I was playing. The course doesn't challenge more experienced players, but you can still find constructive ways to spend your round here, like taking someone new to the game.

Other Thoughts:

This is a really nice small course. I recommend it highly for a light, casual round or and ace race event!
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3 0
hawk12
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 33.6 years 272 played 27 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Grat AM course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 14, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This course was moved to a different part of the park from the old 9 hole loop into today's 18 hole layout.

I've been playing White Clay Creek (or Carpenter Park as some call it) for a very long time. It is in better shape now than I've ever seen it! The DDGers and park workers have cleaned up much of the very high rough, and some former trouble spots on the course.
As far as layout, its a par 54 with great lines and shot variation throughout. The redesign is lefty freindly, as the park removed some invasive trees a few years ago and kind of changed some holes (mostly on the back 9).
Good evelvation changes, especially for the flat state of DE.
Some of the older baskets were being stolen a few years back, and the new chainstar baskets were donated by the DDG, and one very kind benefactor gave 9 of them himself. Now many holes have 2 baskets, which allows for variation in layouts played.

Great AM course, good for learning and AM level tournamets. Pros and very solid Adv players should shoot well under par here.

Cons:

Pay to Play - $3 in state, $6 out of state per car for park entrance fee.

If you are looking for a challenging course, go to Iron, Brandtwine, or Carousel, this is a medium distance to shorter course for today's standards - all Par 3s.

The brush/rough can get 3-5 ft tall when its not mowed by State Parks (budget issues sometimes).
This is near the U of D, and gets lots of newer players - with music and large crowds on some holes during school year. Some cross country teams practice here in the afternoons as well. Lots of foot traffic on nice days, you need to be careful and throw safely as some holes are near/alongside walking paths.

The tee pad signs are not 100% accurate, some are missing the sign (broken/stolen from post)

Other Thoughts:

This course could use a few more locals to oversee the course, as by proximity to U of D much of its play base is transient (every 4 years), and youthful. Some do not respect the course, litter, and could use a little 'guidance' from experienced players...

The course pro (Mike K) does a great job, but could use some help as the DDGers have put much effort into building other local courses in recent years and have been spread a little thin on some of the older/established courses. I'm one of those that went ti Iron Hill and previously used to help out here...

New tee pads signs are very nice and accurate.

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2 2
beaverdisc
Experience: 54.1 years 11 played 11 reviews
3.50 star(s)

29 miles from Pa. line 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 27, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Nice mix of hole and elevation changes. I really enjoy this course. It is in an area that has a few really nice couses. And Pa. is very close.

Cons:

This park has a carry in and out rule. No trash cans. Also Deleware parks charge for out of state vehicles during state business hours. Then it is on the pay honor system.

Other Thoughts:

I like the course enough to pay to play.
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2 0
Cooper2397
Experience: 13 years 8 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Fun for a Beginners 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 31, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

I am new to disc golf and White Clay is the primary course that I play. When people describe the course, the 2 overwhelming themes are beginner friendly and left handers have an advantage. Since I drive RHFH, I don't necessarily agree with the second point and will point some of that out in the review. This review is for the reds. Again, I am new so please forgive me if this review isn't technical enough:

Hole 1-- located down the hill from the porta potty, past the picnic tables. You will see the practice basket first. The first tee is behind the practice basket in the tree line. This hole is RHBH friendly. It has a wide open fairway with rough down the right hand side. Good first hole to warm up on, not a lot of risk of a lost disc.

Hole 2-- Fun Hole. It is right or left hand friendly. With skill and a little luck, you could ace this hole. Just bend the disc towards the basket from either side. The basket is protected by a tree so you can't go straight at it.

Hole 3-- Here is where you will want to be LH. The basket is on an elevated "green" to the right. It is guarded by an evergreen about mid fairway and a tree by the basket. From watching people shoot at this basket, most people land their disc at the bottom or "in" the hill.

For Hole 4, go onto the dirt path/ road and walk up abt 20 yards. It not far, but the tee for 17 is right by the hole 3 basket--don't go that way!

Hole 4-- This is really a RH hole. If you have a bad drive, you can easily lose a disc. With a good drive, you fly over all the weeds with a RH or LH and be right by the basket.

Hole 5-- steep uphill with the tee box slanted uphill. I am not sure if it is mental or not but steepness of the tee box screws me up. With a decent drive, this is a pretty easy hole.

Hole 6-- As I get better, this hole gets harder. It is a slight downhill with a sharp downhill the last 20-30 feet. There are woods behind the basket. I threw a mid range on a perfect line and speed ( I thought) and ended up deep in the woods. I am not sure how to play this hole( a high hyzer?). These are the holes I love, a real mental challenge, not grip it and rip it.

Hole 7--coming back up the hill. A relatively easy hole with a good drive but there is no fun in driving uphill.

Hole 8--fun hole for RH or LH. Again the basket is hidden behind a tree, but you have a real shot at an ace if you get it just right.

Hole 9--this must be the hardest hole on the course. I am not sure what to do. Next time I play I am going to throw my disc at the nearest bush. It seems like if I try to avoid the bushes and trees, that is where it ends up. This hole is a narrow fairway with the basket guarded by trees. The basket is in the woods on a slight downhill so the disc rolls a lot. Seriously though, if you can throw a tomahawk, this may be the hole.

Hole 10-- this is where being LH is awesome, the drive is a short narrow shot through the trees and then take a hard right. I throw a little hyzer FH and land it out in the field. It is a fun second shot here, all skill. There is a window in the trees to the right of the basket. A nice easy throw RHBH into the window and you have a good shot at a deuce.

Hole 11-- First hole with no shade at all. This is your first real grip it and rip it hole especially RHBH. I don't like these holes... moving on.

Hole 12--LH bias here. You are still out in the sun which sucks right now. I use a mid range and try to bend it at the end of tree line to the right. This is basically a dog leg right. The basket is pretty open. It is an ok hole, not the greatest.

Hole 13-- Here is some love for the RH. The basket is not far but guarded by a huge tree. RHBH can bend it right around for an ace opportunity.

Hole 14-- A hole for LH. Not much to tell on this one. It is pretty long for me. The hole is right out in the open, so putting is easy.
Hole 15-- Deceivingly hard hole in my opinion. It is built for LH and seems easy but you really don't have much of a window. I seem to hit a tree every time and not sure why.

Hole 16- I love this hole. It is built for LH. It is short and you can definitely make an ace. The trick is to bend it around the evergreen mid fairway--not that hard.

Hole 17-- This is the signature hole of the course. It is a long hole where you drive from an elevated tee. There is danger along the left but with a good drive, you are a long putt for birdie. As you can tell, I don't like the grip it and rip it holes, but drives on this hole are a thing of beauty. If you find a couple valks in the poison ivy along the left, they're mine!

Hole 18-- This is like the last hole at a putt-putt where you put the ball in the clown's mouth for a free game. It is a short hole looking for an Ace. If no one is behind you, throw everything in your bag at it.

Cons:

Pay to play. Alot of college kids which at times, can be a bad thing.

Other Thoughts:

You can play a round here in a bout an hour if no one is in front of you.

have fun
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3 1
hyperspike
Experience: 11.8 years 35 played 5 reviews
4.00 star(s)

awesome course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 26, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

well maintained fairways. Super friendly locals. Great flow to this course working in longer and shorter holes and also going from hole to hole all the tee boxes were easy to find. between holes 2 and 3 there's an AWESOME place to sit and chill for a few min over looking a few later holes.

Cons:

roughs are ROUGH, if you really shank a drive on certain holes, chances are slim you will find it.

Other Thoughts:

I drove about an hour to get there was was NOT disappointed. Put this one on your list.
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3 0
mwalter
Experience: 24 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Good, but Nothing Spectacular 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 24, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The foliage is pretty well trimmed and the park itself is very well maintained. Not particularly crowded, so you're rarely stuck behind anyone. Pretty good balance between straight, left and right-hand throwing paths.

Cons:

There are some areas on the course they don't cut for wildlife purposes. These areas can get waist high by mid-summer and are filled with thorns and poison ivy. Most of the holes are similar length, which can make it feel a little repetitive.

Other Thoughts:

This course is probably the most "lefty favorable" layout I've ever played, so a well developed sidearm is distinct advantage. Good course for beginners, since you don't get punished too harshly for leaving the fairway.
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3 0
De Hermit
Experience: 15.4 years 34 played 1 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Nov 14, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

A picturesque course nestled in the 'Wedge' of northern DE. A variety of shots needed (i.e. left, right, straight, 's' shots, uphill and downhill). Numerous available lines on the majority of holes make this course very fun to play numerous times. Large concrete tees provide adequate run ups. Primary baskets are in very good condition. Alternate baskets on holes 4,8,9,11 and 12. The more than adequate fairways are well maintained year-round. A great course to play back-to-back rounds on as it plays rather quickly. Good course for beginners, but enough of a challenge for advanced players to have a good time and try and chalk up another ace (holes 2, 5, 13, 16 and 18). Practice basket located 100' left of hole 1's tee. Porta-John located at the entrance side of parking lot, bathrooms located on opposite end. Frequently someone else available and willing to golf with.

Cons:

The rough (tall grass and thorns) can be rather brutal in places, predominantly late May through October, but still very manageable(though park maintenance has done a great job of eliminating previously problematic areas on holes 1, 9 and 12). Holes 4 and 17 tend to see the most discs lost. The alternate pins (Modified Mach 3's I believe) are remnant of the original course and are rather rusty. White Clay has seen a fair share of abuse in the way of litter and vandalization (stickers and graffiti on tee signs, broken sign covers, and sadly basket theft in the near past). A lot of the abuse stems from the influx of students every Fall to the University of DE. $3 In State fee, $6 Out of State fee can be rather unpleasant after a few trips but a seasonal pass pays for itself quickly.

Other Thoughts:

Hold 1's tee is located 100' feet to the right of the practice basket, which happens to be straight downhill from the Porta-John past the picnic tables. Plenty of other activities available within the park (i.e. hiking, biking, bird watching, 'life-course', playground, volleyball, horseshoe pits, grills and spacious pavilion available, and live music on Wed. during the Summer in the amphitheater). Ample restaurants/bars available only minutes from the park in Newark. 15 mins. away from two world class courses, Carousel Park and Iron Hill. The Ski Bum (218 East Main Street) is less than 10 min from the course and has a large selection of Innova discs, bags and straps along with Delaware Disc Golfer (DDG) tournament stamped discs. Random draw doubles are held during the warmer months, starting roughly 2hrs prior to dusk.

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