State College, PA

Circleville Park

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1.925(based on 13 reviews)
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1 0
TallGuyDavis
Experience: 5.5 years 12 played 1 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Beginner Course That's Good for Quick Rounds 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 16, 2019 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This course is located in a park regularly-used and well-maintained by the local Parks and Rec department. Fairways get mowed and trash gets emptied on a regular basis.

Here are some important pros to the course:
-Decent baskets that catch well
-Concrete tee pads and tee signs at each hole
-Easy to navigate from one basket to the next tee pad
-Course starts and ends near main parking lot
-Ample parking
-Pavilion and map near first tee
-Shorter holes make it very beginner-friendly
-Water fountain on-site
-Open fields for warming up and field work
-Generally the course (and park) are not very crowded
-Incorporates elevation changes and treelines to maximize the area available
-Mix of hole distances from 150' to 300'

Cons:

Perhaps the biggest con of Circleville is its thick rough in the summer. All of the tall grass/weeds only gets cut once a year, and fairway "bump-outs" typically get cut twice a year.

Other cons to consider:
-Fairways are very narrow for a generally "beginner-friendly" course
-Weeds get over 6-feet tall toward the end of summer
-Large patches of invasive Multiflora Rose (thorny vines) make finding discs challenging
-No real challenge to the course once you've played it a few times
-Most holes are almost completely open, with few obstacles to challenge the more experienced players
-A couple holes play near paths, so be aware of people nearby

Other Thoughts:

Overall, Circleville is a great course if you're a beginner learning the game or more experienced and looking for a quick round. The best time to play is late Fall through early Spring. During this time of year, I would also recommend playing Safari Golf, making new holes between the existing tees and baskets. But only do this when the weeds are down and no one else is playing. (Otherwise, it could get a little awkward.) To some, the tall rough could be considered a Pro, as it will motivate you to keep your shots on the fairway!
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3 0
BigAl724
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11.6 years 178 played 144 reviews
1.00 star(s)

Simple design that offers a quick round 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 31, 2015 Played the course:once

Pros:

Circleville Park is a nice park that offers a wide variety of typical activities. The course begins and ends near the main entrance and parking area. There are pavilions, a playground, course kiosk explaining about disc golf, and porta-potty near the first tee. You get plenty of chances to open up your arm on this mostly wide open course. A good place to introduce yourself to new discs with its open lines and a decent mix of straight, hyzer, and anhyzer shots.

The design makes good use of what's available, including some tree lines on holes 5 and 9. It uses what little elevation is offered, like hole 3's downhill shot. On a few holes, baskets are strategically placed where you have a sort of island green surrounded by a few trees or tall grass.

This could be a good course to bring brand new players to. While the rough was bad when I was there in late July, I expect that early spring and fall provide more enjoyable rounds for newcomers.

The huge concrete tees, tee signs, and baskets are all in great shape. Navigation is very straight-forward and this offers a very quick round. Ideal if you're just trying to rack up a course in the area or playing a speed round after work.

Cons:

Initially, the open and straight-forward nature of the course would expect you to think that it'd be good for beginners, which this course can be to some extent. But, every fairway is lined with thick, thorny rough. The fairways are never very wide, so new players would easily get discouraged in having to spend time searching for discs.

Again, most of the holes consist of a completely open fairway lined with thick rough. Not much creativity has been used in designing this course that is mainly open fields. Not much fault can be placed on the designers, however, since the park doesn't offer much.

Other Thoughts:

While it isn't the best for course for beginners because of the bad rough and is too boring to do much for a player in any higher of a skill level, I still think it is better to have the course here than to not have it. It still provides a chance for people to learn about the sport, and it is clear that this was the intention of putting in this course. This is especially true since there isn't much else in the area. Best to play here in the fall or early spring when the rough hasn't grown in.
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2 1
timbur3
Experience: 16.8 years 101 played 50 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Quick Nice Beginners Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 29, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

The course had great signs, tee pads, and baskets. Those are the big three that every course needs to have and it does. They make an attempt to have trees come into play to make the holes a bit more difficult. The fairways are mowed and the course is very well groomed.

Cons:

The holes are very very short and there is only one that you really need to "drive one". Its in a wide open field so even if you have a bad drive it is very easy to save par because it is a wide open approach shot.

Other Thoughts:

This course is fine for beginners to get involved and if you want to play 9 holes in about 20 minutes. I would not travel to play this course because it is nothing special or spectacular. just your run of the mill short disc golf course in a field.
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3 1
TheBirdGuy
Experience: 14.2 years 4 played 4 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Play With Friends 2+ years drive by

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

Pros:

-Nice concrete tees
-Nice signage
-The baskets/pins are good quality
-Well maintained and clean
-Easy to get around
-Beginners course for those learning, bringing kids, simply enjoying the weather with something to keep them busy, etc.
-Despite the low rating, those who are trying to get a handle on how to play and throw their discs will have a blast regardless of the layout... especially if you bring friends to play with.

Cons:

-All the holes are field holes. (There are some uphill/downhill changes that keep it somewhat exciting.)
-There are SOME trees and bushes, but not many, and most of which are off to the sides of each hole, making them irrelevant for the most part.
-All short and straight shots which is a con for those who want a bit more of a challenge.

Other Thoughts:

There is a lot of land surrounding the course, it'd be nice to see them incorporate some holes in the cool open woods with tall trees.

My favorite hole: Hole #3... (The pictures are old and not accurate to what it looks like now.) It is the highest tee off point on the course and it gives you a pretty cool view of the park. It also has a "C" shaped hill with the pin on the top of the furthest part of the hill. It is a straight shot (like most of the others), but it is one of the longest holes with an exciting layout to make it a bit more exciting.

The course is worth trying if your not to far from it. It makes for a good and simple round of disc golf with some friends. I recommend doing the 9 holes two or three times to make it a longer experience.

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2 2
ENSAFEKNOXVILLE
Experience: 15 played 4 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Quick and Easy 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 18, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Easy to access, navigate, and a great confidence booster. Great for practicing mid-range shots.

Cons:

Short distance holes with little/no obstacles. walking track right next to holes make hitting a walker likely if you have a stray disc.

Other Thoughts:

Great practice course.
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4 0
xcrunner134life
Experience: 16.1 years 81 played 14 reviews
2.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 23, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Great beginner course.
Easy to get around. Short holes, with two longer holes.
Don't need to carry a big bag of discs. Could be played with just 3 or 4 quite well.

Cons:

Not challenging for even an intermediate player. Just too short and too open.

Other Thoughts:

If you have a family, it's a great place to get in a quick 9 holes (or play it twice) and let the kids play. OR teach them to play. Holes 7 and 8 have good length for beginning players and youth.
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4 1
laderjr
Experience: 12.8 years 13 played 13 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Nice "quicky" 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 16, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

This is a small course inside the bounds of a public park. Little or no "rough" makes for a nice change from searching for discs. Nice open holes and fairways, well marked and easy to play.

Cons:

It IS a short course. Just when you're starting to get your groove ... the course is done.

Other Thoughts:

I've been back here 2 times now. It is convenient to Penn State and quite a pleasant place to play and relax!
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4 1
crowdpleaser
Experience: 16 years 21 played 5 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Circleville in State College 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 10, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The pros of Circleville is that it is a great beginner course. Very wide open fairways with little to no woods to get around/through. Concrete tees with detailed hole maps make this course very playable.

Cons:

Cons relflect the pros when it comes to more experienced players. Expect to be bored with this course after playing it once.

Other Thoughts:

You can chose to play with out of bounds on each hole, but experienced players should park it under the pin each time.
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5 0
jblough
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 14.9 years 85 played 82 reviews
1.50 star(s)

A tiny meow in Nittany Lion country! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 12, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- Nice concrete tees and signage.
- Course is very navigable and hard to get lost
- The park setting is very clean and safe. Likewise, the course is maintained very well and had no graffiti or litter. This includes the baskets, tees, signs, and overall layout of the course.
- A disc golf opportunity for Penn State/Lock Haven University students; also, the park is not too far away from I-99.
- Circleville is a good course for beginners due to the lack of technical shots, augmented by the fact that the mean hole length is just a little over 200 feet.
- More advanced players will be rewarded with birdies and possible ace-runs (with holes 2,4, and 9 in particular)

Cons:

- Very short holes (see above). I would go so far to say that you can get by the course with only a midrange and putter.
- Windy at times.
- The course is almost entirely devoid of trees, bushes, shrubs, or any other hazards. Only the last hole contains any contact with trees
- The course can get very crowded. Both disc golfers and non-disc golfers are often prevalent. There have been times in which I had to wait minutes just to tee off due to the traffic.
- No one seems to leash their dogs at this park. Twice I have had roaming dogs pick up my discs and carry them around until their owners gave the plastic back to me. I love dogs, but I also have an affinity for my discs!
- By the 9th hole, the course seems like a broken record with its repetition from tee to tee. While it's true that there is some variety in regard to slight downhill vs. uphill shots, the course's wide open and flat essence makes it hard to have memorable holes. Even a few doglegs or mandos would help make this course a little more interesting

Other Thoughts:

Despite the low rating, the adage "beggars can't be choosers" is very true in Central PA. With so few courses in the Centre-Clinton-Lycoming County area, it's refreshing to have any location in which to play disc golf. Penn State University students are particularly lucky to have a course so close to campus and I often see many young men and women utilizing the course. Perhaps the addition of trees and another 9 holes would make the course better in the future. It would be nice, however, to see a more advanced, wooded, and technical 18 hole course in the area (in addition to Circleville) someday.
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5 0
vslaugh
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 27.8 years 48 played 22 reviews
1.50 star(s)

A Good Beginner Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Aug 15, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

A good beginner course or place to introduce friends to the sport. Course has good baskets, signs, tees, and fairways. Hole 3 is a fun tee shot over a water retention basin. Easy to play 9 holes in under a half-hour. Nice panorama of trees and fields viewed from the course that can be stunning for a couple weeks in the fall. Pavilions, playground, and walking trails all nearby but not interfering with the course.

Cons:

Thick underbrush with thorn bushes can make retrieving errant shots not a lot of fun for about half the holes. Being a simple, short, open nine hole course, it simply doesn't compare to the championship courses elsewhere in the state.

Other Thoughts:

A good start for introducing the Penn State area to the sport. A fun little course with a lot of ace opportunities.

If there aren't any other players on the course when you're there, have some fun making some safari holes.

I see another park in the same township has a three hole course proposed in the concept drawings for a nearby park. Hopefully, though, someone in Central PA will step up and put a championship course in accessible to the Penn State community.
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5 1
Pmoore
Experience: 9 played 1 reviews
2.50 star(s)

A good time 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 21, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

I agree with everything said before, also i play there multiple times a week all year except the winter and it is entertaining enough to do that.

Cons:

rather wide open and short. Some wooded hole placements would be fun

Other Thoughts:

Just wanted to make sure everyone knows grass is now grown in everywhere and tee signs at every hole.
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7 0
Brida
Experience: 15.7 years 10 played 9 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Good starter course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 13, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Good first course to play. Good straight throws with a few bends. Lets a newbie test arm strength on 7 & 8 without any really possibility of lost discs. Very clean and great local players that are willing to help and spread their excitement for Disc Golf.

Cons:

No running water. More experienced players might find course less challenging. The rough is really rough in some places with sharp brush and sticker bushes.

Other Thoughts:

Overall this is a great starter course and very fun for a few friends to get outside and work on their game. This course has led me to become a Disc Golf junkie so I think it has done it's job.
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8 0
MattK
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.8 years 81 played 40 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Work in progress - has some potential 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 14, 2007 Played the course:never

Pros:

This is a very well balanced beginner course. Hole one is downhill, two is uphill. Three and four are shorter and over the rough, seven and eight are longer and over the fairway. Five is a righty hole, six is for the lefties. Nine is the shortest hole, but it is a small green guarded by trees and brush on both sides, making birdies and bogeys possible.

Cons:

It's a new course and not quite complete yet. I'm sure short term issues like no tee signs, some unnumbered baskets and lack of turf on the new fairways will soon be taken care of. A more long term issue is the excessive openness of the course. Having one hole where distance is the only obstacle to overcome is okay, but two back to back (7 and 8) is too much.

Other Thoughts:

Despite the issues stemming from the novelty of the course, it was rather fun to play. It reminded me of a much smaller version of Baker's Farm (100+ miles due north of here) where open farmland was transformed into a very successful course. The designers have done quite well so far, given the sparsely treed land they have to work with. I'm curious to see how this one develops over the next few years, and hope that it grows into something even better.
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