Burlington, MA

Simonds Park

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2.665(based on 22 reviews)
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2 0
jland969
Experience: 18.6 years 77 played 11 reviews
1.50 star(s)

If it's Your Only Option... 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 27, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

Free
Multiple tee locations
Both wooded and open shots
Some slight elevation
A few fun, challenging lines

Cons:

Hard to navigate
Poor signage
Confusing layout
Tee pads (earth) in poor condition some unusable
Damaged basket(s)
Use of space could be improved

Other Thoughts:

The nature of this course and the lack of courses very nearby suggests that disc golf is still a blooming concept in the community in which this one exists. That being said, it would be better if it were much more beginner-friendly. This course will not pull experienced throwers from their choice courses, but it is also not very welcoming for a new thrower due to the confusing layout. If you are going to check this one out, make sure you download the map first, and maybe even walk the lines so you know where you are actually supposed to be throwing. The basket is likely not where you think it ought to be, and the pads aren't labelled as to which you are at.

As a note I should mention that I have dozens of courses within an hour drive from my home, and am reviewing as a tourist. If it is the only option you have for quick rounds, memorize it and play it! It's still a free course, just not a great one!
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2 0
hawk12
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 33.6 years 272 played 27 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Could be better.... 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 11, 2017 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

There are 9 baskets, and it has tee signs. SO that's a start

The park is clean and easy to find.

Not a lot of positives, and I'll get to the negatives.

Cons:

Where to begin, well hole 2s basket is leaning so badly the outer ring is way against the post, another basket had a slightly less lean. Easy to fix, just needs some love.

Here's where I got a surprise, around hole 3 -5 it gets way bad. UNSAFE galore, and there are easy fixes by moving baskets to relieve some of the unsafe design/layout.

Here goes, Hole 3 basket has a very ppor lane of a fairway to it, and is 24ft feet from one of the tees for hole 4 AND only 62 feet from the fence of the kiddie pool in the park, yup next to the kidde pool - seriously, this is not a joke; a bad shot could go in the kid pool and a good shot could easy hit the next tee in the back of the head... This could be easily fixed by moving the basket about 200 ft to the right, in the middle of a nice lane from hole 3 tee - common sense not followed here people
Hole 4s basket is 9 feet from one of the tees on hole 5, yup 3 paces till back of the head smack... Sad, just plain sad, no lack of safety considered at all here. It may be a later tee that was added, and should be taken out, period.
Hole 5s basket is 35 ft from hole 7s basket playing in opposite directions, so a 16 foot green is where you draw the safe distance from your pin? No this is unacceptable as well. Not to mention when I played hole 7, hole 6s tee was not far off either...
Hole 1 plays alongside a tennis court and basket ball court - and really felt like it was an 8 hole course with hole 1 way long of a walk across the parking lot to a separate 1 hole warm up area between the baseball field, tennis and basketball courts... No flow, extreme safety concerns, and bad fairways in the woods....

I could get to the rutted stone dust tee pads with roots in them, but that was really an afterthought.

I'm really glad I play it on a Monday morning when nobody else was there...

Other Thoughts:

It's a course, but there are basically 10 lbs. of crap squeezed into a plot of land that can hold 6 lbs.... Bad design, bad (no make that total lack) of safety concerns, and poor fairways.

Shortening the course, each hole being made shorter, and having the baskets placed in the natural lanes between the large mature pines could easily improve this course as far as fairness and shot shpaes go, massively decrease the safety concerns, and make this course a place designed for the kids that are at that park...
IMO this course was extremely poorly designed, and for the wrong target audience. I know this review is rough, but after nearly 300 courses and 27 years playing, I thought I'd seen just about the worst as far as unsafe design goes - this lowered that bar sadly.
These problems could easily be fixed, by shortening the holes, allowing the kids that go to the pool and playground in the park to have a nice short 9 holes all in the same area of the woods that would develop the game for the youth that go to the park. But the holes are squeezed in, and too long for kids, and far to close to the next tees and other baskets, the fairways are unfair.
Enough said, hope a local heeds these words and goes and asks to make some changes.
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1 0
jnicola
Experience: 14 played 14 reviews
3.50 star(s)

So much potential... needs so much work 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 29, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Amazingly good usage of space!

REALLY fun holes with a nice variety. The wooded holes are great!

Double tee pads give this 18 hole potential in a small space!

Cons:

Tee pads are non-existant. All of them are dirt, and rather tore up.

Navigation could use improvement.

LOTS of trash. Apparantly it's from all the kids up in the skatepark and what not coming through and just throwing their stuff back their.

Leaves could use a raking, lots of down sticks... just in general not maintained.

Other Thoughts:

It would be fun to have a benefit cleanup and play tournament or something here. Would REALLY fix this up. Were I not living 2000 miles away I'd try and put something together. This has a TON of potential... and I'm impressed by how well used the space is... but it seems like all the work to get this course in was it... it hasn't gotten attention ever since.
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5 0
Hector Chain
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.8 years 222 played 189 reviews
2.00 star(s)

We need more of these 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 21, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This and Olin College are the only courses close to the 128 beltway.

I am impressed that they could get 9 respectable holes with two tees into this park. The first two holes are mostly wide open, but the other seven are tucked among the tall pines. The look and feel reminds me a bit of courses in Oregon.

The red tees are more rec-friendly, but they are not boring holes. A big, sweeping hyzer won't get you very far on these holes. The red tees are generally straight shots through the trees while the white tees force a bit more line shaping. Most of these holes are under 300 feet.

Navigation isn't too tough after hole 2.

Cons:

Tee pads gravel and pretty short. The red tees are located close to the tee signs (although not always right next to them). They show where the white tees are, but I still had a tough time finding some of them.

The spray paint on trees is pretty ugly. I wish they'd improve some of the signage for the white tees or mark them a bit better.

Other Thoughts:

This was a surprisingly enjoyable course. Advanced players may need to limit their disc selection to get a big challenge here, but even intermediate players will find they have to earn their birdies. New players won't get beaten down if they are playing the red tees.

The Boston area is starved for courses. It's unlikely that we'll be getting many 18-hole courses within the 128 loop, but there is definitely room for fun 9-hole courses like this. Pay a visit to this one. It wouldn't hurt for the local disc golf community to demonstrate that there is a significant demand for the game.
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3 2
Policygnat
Experience: 12.6 years 7 played 4 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Quality 9-holer 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 17, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Good 9 hole course with regulation baskets and good signage at the tee pads.

Cons:

Tee pads are not well kept and the gravel is uneven. I was a little concerned for my ankles when throwing from them.

Other Thoughts:

Hole 1 starts by the batting cages.
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2 1
Maddog30
Experience: 10.7 years 5 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Nice & Close 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 19, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Good 9 hole course. 2 open field holes, 7 wooded, all with two tee options. Now with regulation baskets. No room for expansion here, but they mad the most of what they had. Good grooming in this town owned facility.

Cons:

The maps at the tees are not totally accurate, I believe some basket placements changed, so walk the holes to double check first time there. I went on what I thought would be an off time, and the play was slow due to the number of players.
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1 1
Truschioni
Experience: 16.7 years 16 played 2 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Lunch Break Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 1, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

It is less than 5 mins from where I work
It is fairly well taken care of, never have any trouble finding a stray disc.
Relatively quiet, no lines no waiting
Good baskets
Some variation, can work on a lil bit of everything

Cons:

For new comers it is hard to find the layout of the course.
No signage, would be cool to know distances and par of each.
Wet - holes 7/8 are constantly soaked and if you dont have good boots/shoes on you're doomed
Occasionally you run into people who are oblivious to the idea that people are throwing discs at the park

Other Thoughts:

Overall I am very thankful for this course because I am able to play every day on my lunch break. My game has improved because of it.
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3 1
gabereif
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 13 years 57 played 37 reviews
1.50 star(s)

A passable short course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 21, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

-It exists and it's in the greater Boston area.
-It's playable and fun.

Cons:

-Poor signage.
-Can be hard to find tees, including the first.
-Multiple tees (I think there were multiple tees...) for some holes is especially confusing.
-Lots of trees on some shots make for too high a luck to skill ratio
-Only 9 holes (but it's better than none!)

Other Thoughts:

Don't drive more than 45 minutes to play this course, but if you're a local and don't mind doing some wandering to figure this course out, try it out.
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6 0
pfpro
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 55 played 41 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Worth a quick trip if you're through Beantown 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 18, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Signs are up, I don't quite understand what th number is next to the distance (it's not strokes for par), but they are nice and usually show where the next tees are.
- good mix open/wooded, elevation used when available.
- for a shared course, there are only a few holes where the a and b shots feel the same
- very convenient to the interstate.

Cons:

- the "b" tees (white) can be difficult to find. The "a" red tees have the sign which is pretty easy to find. Play those first so you have somewhat of an idea when you come through for the back nine.
- there was what appeared to be a homeless person back in the corner by 6, but they didn't want to be by me any more then I wanted to hit them with a disc.
-the tee pads are a bit short, but since they're gravel, you can pretty much start your approach from anywhere.
- personal con for me - I thought the baskets were about 12 inches too low

Other Thoughts:

I was able to play quickly during a work trip. It took about 45 minutes to speed play the course, and it was time well spent. While not good pretty, I found the spray painted directions to the next tee pads quite helpful, especially where the pads are far apart. There really are no other courses close by, so this is a decent option. If you played this course frequently it may lose a half star as it is not overly challenging (I am used to the tight wooded fairways of NC) and you could. My favorite holes were the white 1 and 9 tees.
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5 0
Everett Evans
Experience: 30.8 years 116 played 14 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Ho-hum 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 5, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Two tees per hole
Great baskets (Mach IIIs)
Decent location (close to Boston)
Got as much out of the park as the designer could
Decent mix of open, wooded, tight, left, right, etc.

Cons:

Most holes seem to play about the same length
Holes 1 and 2 are pretty close to streets, cars, people, other park usage
Due to lack of signage, it took a while to get from 1 to 2
Sorry, but the graffiti-like spraypaint on the trees is just hideous. There must be 20 trees in the woods with various numbers, arrows, in ugly spraypaint. No excuses, put in temporary signs or at least nail decent signs to the trees, anything but spray paint.
Lack of tee signs. Eventually, signs will add a huge amount to the course, luckily you can see most holes from the tees, so navigation isn't too bad.

Other Thoughts:

Eventually, once the spray paint wears off and the tee signs go in, this will be a decent course. It is a little like Amesbury in that most of the holes are in an old pine forest littered with broken branches and pine cones. Hole 2 is an accident waiting to happen, since the wind blows left to right and a turnover could easily cross a busy road, or a bad hyzer will cross the park road. All in all, a little fun if you are in the area, but not worth a long drive to play.
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3 0
eastcoastf
Experience: 13 played 13 reviews
3.00 star(s)

going to the mall 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 28, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

very decent small course in the woods. i think it's a great place to stop in your in the area.

free and restrooms near playground

Cons:

course could be better marked.

Other Thoughts:

it's about 5 minutes from the burlington mall. the park is across from a great walking area with a gazebo.

the park has a really nice playground, skateboarding area, and wading pool.
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2 2
AaronD
Experience: 19 years 27 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Finally a course in Metro Boston! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 22, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

It's such a relief to have a course this close to Metro Boston. It used to be at least an hour and a half round trip to get in a round, but with this course it's been cut to about 30 minutes.

They make really good use of the space they have. There's a really good mix of holes. When I first played the course I was just happy they were so close, but the addition of the 2nd set of tee boxes and the hole position changes (8 and it appears 7 is on the way as well) have made this a satisfying and challenging course to play. It's no longer a "I don't feel like driving all the way to Topsfield" course. I'll go here just for the sake of playing the course.

Whoever maintains this place has done a great job getting it in good shape in just a year or two.

Cons:

scratch, scratch... tons of poison ivy in the wooded area during the summer. However, there's a bathroom on site so I was able to avoid any complications.

7&8 were swampy during the spring, but we've had a dry, dry summer.

I've had a handful of random folks walking aimlessly through the course when I've played. I see how there could be issues with this sort of thing, but it wasn't that bad.

No formal sign posts or anything, but they're still working on the course, so I don't hold this against them. The markers on the trees do a good job for now.

Other Thoughts:

Kudos to Justin and others for putting this course together. I hadn't played much in the last two years, and this course has given me and my friends a place close to home to get back on our game and play again.
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4 1
Smithcok
Experience: 14.4 years 13 played 4 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Upgrades on the way! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 31, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- Convenient location. For anyone living in the greater Boston area, any other course is going to be 35 minutes or more away. This course is easily accessible off of 95, is free, and has ample parking (plus the snack bar is open if you are lucky)

- Good variety of holes. The first two holes are open and in the grass near the sports fields. Then its into the woods for the rest. Plenty of distance and angle varieties to cater to golfers of all throwing types (aka not all RHBH holes).

- Good community working on course improvements.

Cons:

- 9 hole course (although the pseudo-18 will be fully operational soon)

- Sometimes cars of people watching baseball games line the fairway of hole 2. Fore!

- Punk teenagers causing raucous in the woods (although rare lately)

- Above mentioned punk kids leaving trash on the course.

- Some holes were a little short, but again they are being modified/lengthened

- If you've never played here before, sometimes its hard to find holes 1 (which tees off back by the basketball courts) and 2 (which is across the park from hole 1, in the big open field by the major intersection).

Other Thoughts:

If you haven't been to the course for awhile, come back! The course is being updated, with alternate tees being added to each hole. These are not just "40 feet behind the old ones" sort of tees. On many holes, new fairways have been cut through the woods, and all new tees offer a brand new look at the pin.

Hole signs are coming soon as well.

With the efforts being put into course maintenance and development, its definitely worth your while to visit this course. Plus, now you can play "18 holes" on a 9 hole course.

Also, a few holes are being lengthened and the course will have multiple 300+ feet holes.
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9 1
solomon.trenton
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.6 years 89 played 67 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Beginner 9, but could be more 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 6, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

The course is a very fun nine holer that plays mostly secluded from other park activities. The navigation is easy; especially once you get into the woods. Next tee arrows and hole numbers spray painted on trees in the woods. The basket positions are located very cleverly: which adds to the super easy navigation. The teepads are the best natural ones I have ever seen. They are almost totally level with no rocks or roots (very rare for New England). Where hole nine comes out it is pretty close to hole one and where you park. There are two grip and rip (for an average player anyway) holes, several ace races and a few harder holes. The DGA baskets are in like new condition and catch incredibly well. Parking and family entertainment wont be a problem with a large parking lot and plenty of athletic fields. A porta-pottie is available near the first tee.

Cons:

There are no tee signs. They arent really needed as you can see the basket from every tee but hole one (the basket is in between the bushes and large tree) . There isn't a map or scorecards available. Even though they are in great condition the tee pads are natural. Hole seven 's tee pad could be moved back ten feet and you wouldn't have to worry about the roots. A few of the holes play right next to busy streets and an errant shot could spell trouble. The holes in the woods have a large litter problem. Hole nine's tee is almost in the middle of five's fairway. Some of the fairways arent seperated by more than twenty feet.

Other Thoughts:

To get to hole two cross the baseball field and the road. The tee is in between the two trees.
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3 1
whitewaterhelix
Experience: 15.6 years 30 played 8 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Fun little course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 21, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Convenient location, decent variety, good baskets, tons of parking, good lines on all holes will make you use a variety of shots, good use of space, skatepark/playground/etc. also in the park.

Cons:

Short, all par 3, poison ivy in the summer is everywhere, undergrowth needs to be removed from rough (p.i. and lots of tiny trees trying to grow up), people walking dogs through course, some trash

Other Thoughts:

This course reminds me of a mini-amesbury as it is nestled into a pine forest for 7 of the 9 holes (other two are open field holes). It is short and won't test your arm, but does offer some challenging shots for birdies (I was stoked to birdie #5 by parking the basket with a Wasp, this is a great hole). The 330' open field shot does let you see if you really can throw over 300 feet like you think you can :)
Will be a great little course with more TLC, teeboxes and clearing of the underbrush. Not much fun in the summer with all the poison ivy! It would be great to see a few of the holes made a bit longer or have alternate tees, esp #6 and #7 could be backed up some. #7 is nice but would be an even better challenge if set back about 30ft further so you have to throw through those first two trees. #8 could also be moved back into the corner a bit more perhaps?
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1 1
mactaz
Experience: 17.6 years 56 played 1 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Resident Man 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 23, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

It's awesome for me cuz I live in that town in all my life. It's be great for me to play as practice, warm up, and exercise. That course would be good for beginners. Also it's for expert to be warm up or practice with your throwing.

Cons:

A several youth or punks been there but it's not bothering me at all. Need a Bulletin Board for any new events and disc golf information.

Other Thoughts:

It's taking me less in 5 mins to drive...
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4 2
LSC player
Experience: 15.1 years 7 played 7 reviews
3.50 star(s)

A close to Boston Gem 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 25, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great location with respect to proximity to Boston. A shorter course but will challenge even the most experienced disc golfer. Newly marked tee locations and spray painted directions on trees have made this course easier to navigate. A great course to play if you have 1/2 an hour to kill because you probably won't see another fellow frolfer while you are out there. Not a heavily used course.

Cons:

Hole 1 is next to a bball court so expect some trash talking from time to time from the area youth. Hole 2 has become a hot spot for a fly fishing casting class. Yelling "fore" at them doesn't seem to matter. Maybe someone with a real power shot can scare them off the spot. Hole 4 was pulled out of the ground by a couple of kids (I was there shortly after it was done and saw the kids run away). Repairs have been made but it's lopsided now. Holes 5 and 9 can be difficult to find for first timers.

Other Thoughts:

Overall I really love this course. There might be a bias here because it is my home course, but this 9 hole course uses limited space fantastically. Hole 5 doesn't have a spray painted board for a tee box so it can be a challenge to find (It's uphill from hole 4. There is a spray painted #5 on a tree). Hole 9 is a bit tough to find but a great hole to play. With a little more TLC, I can see upgrading the rating to a 4+.
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3 2
GrandCactus
Experience: 18.4 years 35 played 3 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Decent rec course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 25, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

It's hard to argue that this isn't the best course within a 40 minute drive of home, because its the only one.
Good use of available forest and geography.
New course=entire place to myself

Cons:

Well, its half a course right now, so its hard to judge (missing tee boxes), but I would say "confined" describes it pretty well.

Other Thoughts:

I'd describe this course as "the best use of available space". It crams seven holes into a heavily wooded section of the park (2 are in the open). Most of the holes play pretty short and require dodging through trees. There really aren't fairways though; admittedly the underbrush needs to be cleared, but there arent many clean lines through the forest (there are lots of ugly ones-- so I wouldn't call it technically challenging). Also, as was mentioned in other reviews, the roads are really quite close. I just stuck with my mid-range, both to avoid trees and keep my drives out of traffic. Given the confines of the park, I did enjoy the elevation changes, since evey hole was sloped to some degree. All-in-all I'd say its a good course for recreational golfing and practicing your mid-range game, but if you are looking for something that will challnege your distance or technique look elsewhere.
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4 1
mattydgolfer
Experience: 15.6 years 9 played 8 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Not Bad for Being so close to Boston 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 22, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Very close to Rt. 128, Boston, northern suburbs. Uses limited space very well. Provides some challenge even though holes are pretty short. Not too hilly and newbie friendly.

Cons:

Since this park is heavily used there is some trash especially on the first few holes. There is also been some annoying use of hole 2's fairway for fly fishing classes sponsored by rip off LL Bean. I have also discovered some punks talking trash but they quickly shut it after I rip one down the middle. Tee boxes are still poorly defined although the piece of wood and spray painting is much better.

Other Thoughts:

This course is free, great location, can play multiple rounds, variety of shots needed from a long and wide open hole 2 to woods. I see progress as well as an information kiosk is in place and people have made makeshift tee boxes!!!!This course will be simply awesome when it is 100% complete.
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2 2
InternationalLog
Experience: 14.9 years 6 played 4 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Simmonds Park: Did Someone Forget to Finish It? 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 25, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Close to Boston. Some nice spaces with presence in the woods.

Cons:

No tee markers requires constant looking for spray painted boxes on the ground. In some of the more wooded areas, it seems as though some of the smaller branches could be taken back to make shots more appealing. Although it was nice to be in the woods for a major portion of the course, it would be nice if it seemed a little less wild.

Other Thoughts:

Has potential for great improvement, but until that happens, I will be going further from the city for my disc golf outings.
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