+ All nine tee pads are sturdy and flat poured concrete. Each one has spray paint markings showing the hole#, distance and location of the pin relative to the tee. (But maybe they're faded by now.)
+ It's disc golf at a brewery.

- There was tremendous undergrowth everywhere except the final two holes.

I want to make it known that this review is being written eight months after playing this course. Its current condition could be drastically different from how it was when I played it.

But how was the 9-hole course at Smuttynose Brewery when I played it? Eh... pretty bad.

It was so overgrown to the point of being almost unplayable. Holes2-6 more resembled jungles than fairways. Virtually every throw was in a danger of being lost forever in those knee-high grasses, tangled vines or grabby shrubs. Any brewery customers who might have been hoping for some fun activity to do after a few beers would get the wrong idea about the sport. And any disc golfers hoping for the same thing would scratch their heads in confusion so much that it could spark a flame.

Most painfully of all, I could see the potential within the property that the course designer wants to develop. With some dedicated fairway maintenance, it can definitely be a nice string of holes in the loose woods behind the brewery. If I imagine all of the undergrowth cleared away, I see a fun collection of fairways. My favorite example is hole8. It might be just a simple and brief 70-footer in the woods, but the fairway was clean and well-presented among nice natural scenery.

The whole course could be like that. It probably wouldn't set the disc golfing world ablaze but would definitely bring more positive exposure to both the brewery and the sport. It's quite a rare treat to have some food with several beers and then play a leisurely round just outside. That's exactly the kind of gentle, low-pressure, fun and approachable attitude that we wish for people to have when engaging with the sport.

But in its current state (back in July 2022) we don't have that yet. I want to see it improve. I really hope it does, to be honest with you. Please, won't someone reach out and tell me when it does? I hope to have two reasons to return to Smuttynose one day so I can enjoy the course as it was meant to be.

But seriously, the course as it is right now is awful. If you absolutely must play it, keep both eyes on all throws. Then grab a black cherry sour for me. Good luck!

The best I can say is this 9 hole course is a "work in progress." Although considerable work is obviously being put in by the owner, it still has a long way to go.


The original layout (shown in some pictures on this site taken in 2015) has been substantially reworked. Old dirt teepads are being replaced by beautiful large poured concrete. The course now starts right next to the gorgeous outdoor patio at the brewery's on-site restaurant, and continues in a tight counter-clockwise route around the property, returning you to the other side of the brewery.


But the course is so overgrown in some places that lost discs are inevitable. Right out of the gate: if your first throw on the downhill Hole #1 goes at all left, it will be in a gully that's been left to grow thick with chest-high foliage. Pretty much the same with Hole #2. Other places on the course still have cut trees lying around. As I say, it's a work in progress. I love concrete tees, but not in the place of basic maintenance like clearing brush, and proper signage.


This is an instance where old reviews don't really apply - be advised that anything written prior to the 2020 redesign is talking about the old layout. The much-respected and well-traveled Mr. Frosty reviewed the new layout, and he saw a lot of the same promise that I also felt in September of 2021.


I'm giving it a 1.5 because the bad still far outweighs the good. I hope that players in future years find a great course experience here: something that's complete AND maintained. I would guess that it's a passion project, being worked on as time allows. But at least for now it's not playable - especially for the casual players who might try a little disc golf when visiting a very good brewery and restaurant.



There's no signage on the first tee, but maybe the only sign should say "Don't play this course. It's not ready yet."

I came to Smuttynose Brewing to play holes ,,,, and drink beer !! And right now , I was out of holes ! Famous movie Excerpt from the movie They Live ) . When I came here , I was put on a waiting list to eat at the restaurant . I had already bought some souvenirs , so they enthusiastically showed me where the first hole was and told me that they would text me when a table opened up . I walked to the first tee pad , and there was a sign that read " Course Closed " . For all I cared , they could have added the words underneath Course Closed to read EXCEPT MARK . I was going to play this course whether they liked it or not . I saw some photos of the previous course , and I'm going to tell you that you won't recognize this course when finished . They are changing around some of the holes , and have added large 4' by 8 or 9' cement tee pads and are supposed to add more signs , even though the present ones are pretty informative . The baskets are new Mach 5's and catch great . The course is going to be mostly flat , with a couple of small incline/declines ,but they are finally going to cut out the dangerous hole #1 ( more in cons ) . I threw off the new tee pads and evaluated what I think the course will look like . It is very raw right now , and a lot of the fairways are dug up or overgrown .

#1 Safety - My God ! What would possess a microbrewery to give people beer , then have them throw over top of cars coming into and leaving the parking lot . And the outside patio is just left of the fairway . Smuttynose , would have to add Broken Nose to the back of their t-shirts for sale .
#2 Raw - The tee pads are srt and the baskets are in , but the course was full of water ditches and high overgrowth , especially on hole #7 or #8 . You could be digging around in 3' high rough ,,,,, on the fairway .
#3 Only 9 . This is destined to only be a 9 hole course , but that isn't so bad . What's great , is that you have good food and a great beer selection about 100 yards from the basket on hole #9 .

I will check on the course's progress periodically and change my review score after the improvements are in . I think the Smuttynose people are clever in their approach to try to make a good course here . You can have after-work leagues out here on off peak nights and even have an early Saturday or Sunday tournament or league to draw a lunch crowd in . I am estimating that the startup cost for this will be around $5000-$6000 . I also think that they will start turning profit on this venture by the 3rd or 4th month if they do this right . It will also give them free advertisement , maybe some disc and merchandise sales with a Smuttynose stamps on them . I hope to make it back east to see the finished product for myself .
There is no recommendation for a temporarily closed course , . I would wait and call ahead before coming to play .They are taking the building of this course seriously this time . When it opens , bring your discs , your appetite and especially your thirst .

Around a brewery.
Beer
Variety
Easy to navigate
Good signage
Right off the Highway
Restrooms
Free to play

Only 9 holes
Most holes are short
Some holes across and close to roads

I really liked hole 5 with a short, straight downhill shot at the basket. Hole 8 lets you "air out" your arm with a long throw. Buy some beer to thank the brewery for making a disc golf course. Cheers!

Good mix of forehand and backhand options, and a well placed and controlled throw is going to reward you greatly.

There is definitely some disrespect for the rules and there is some drinking related garbage on site, and in spite of the pleading to not consume. It happens. Course is used as much by the locals as it is by visitors, and you can see it by the kinds of beer litter some of the holes in the woods have gathered near the tee pads.
Tee pads are gravel and uneven from use.

I was able to throw a best of two round while working off my dinner and handful of beers. This course is easy to par, but the trees are definitely going to do their best to make you work for it.
Since the distances are so short. You could probably get away with using only a midrange and a putter for the entire thing.

-Good course for beginners and kids.
-Tee Boxes and signs well defined.
- fairways well defined.

Feb 2016 Update:
-The abillity to have two basket postions makes the short course different, give a sightly different feel.
- The smell from the restaurant and brewery makes for pleasant aroma.

- The length of the course (no drivers needed) I used approach and putters only.
- Some holes have a long walk to the next tee box that could have been used to make the holes longer.
- Loose gravel tee pads already have ruts, and if not maintained will get worse.

Feb 2016 Update:
-Tee boxed are getting full of ruts from the winter play.
- Parking is unclear near start / finish. If you park at the brewery it seems like hole 6 would be that start.

- Unclear where to Park the 1st hole starts on an abandon road was unsure if you could park there. The 2nd hole is closer to the Pro Shop than the 1st tee.

Feb 2016 Update:
- Playing in the snow made me realized this course will be a mess in the spring with wet areas and mud. there are some hills that you go up and down that will be mud slip n slide.
- I would go as far to say that the course will be unplayable in the wet season.

UPDATE 10/11/15: Just played a round with the kids (5 and 8) and validated that the course is perfect for families. They had a blast and shot low enough to be interested the whole way through, including getting a 4 and 3 on the super-downhill Hole 6. All other holes were in the 5-10 range.

All holes have clear lines to the basket and are pretty straight-forward off the tee.

Good mix of open and tighter woods.

Great for families due to the shorter distances.

Hole 6 is bizarre and fun; 120ft to the basket and 30-40 feet down hill. Not very difficult, but interesting.

The obvious benefit of playing around a brewery, lots of good smells, interesting views of the inner workings of the site, and the ability to go on tours or visit the shop before/after.

New baskets, new stone dust teepads.

Two potential basket positions indicated on maps.

No numbers on baskets, plus,
no "Next Tee" signage or indication on tee signs, plus,
the aformentioned dual possible basket positions, means,
difficult to navigate the first time around. I almost played to hole three from tee two, since from the map the second pin placement looks like the location of hole three. Since the course has only been there for a few days, the normal wear and tear isn't there yet, so the paths aren't super clear from hole to hole. But since it is a nine holer it is easy to remember the second time around.

Unfortunately there is already garbage/bottles strewn about. Placing some discrete garbage cans around would hopefully help.

Navigation is better on the back few holes, but getting through holes 1-3 was tough. Hole 1 finishes near the exit road, which you then cross and walk out to the edge of the steep hill to your right for the second teepad. Once you play hole 2, you basically walk back up to the left, up the third hole's fairway, then play back down close to where hole 2 is to basket 3.

I liked this because the course is pretty and I like the view of the brewery, but some may find the walks from hole to hole very long. There is considerably more walking from hole to hole than there is actual distance within the holes.

Will definitely play again, and bring friends, as it is very beginner friendly. There were already other folks playing the course when I was there at 10am on a Sunday, so word has spread. With the addition of "Next Tee" signs and garbage cans, it will be a nice family friendly course for years to come.

One note, there is no obvious way to pay, especially when the brewery is closed, but technically you are supposed to donate $5 per day. A kiosk near Hole 1 would help with this and could also provide course maps and info about the brewery.

The entrance and parking is not actually at the brewery, it is just down the road on the right. You can easily park at the brewery and walk down to Hole 1, but you might as well just park in the spacious parking right at the tee.

- Free
- On the grounds of a brewery
- Fun little holes that allow for plenty of ace runs
- Reasonable shot variety

- Very short
- Still rough
- Poison ivy just off the fairway
- 9 holes and no room available for expansion
- The chance of hitting cars is real

A cute little 9 hole course that criss-crosses the brewery grounds, Sumttynose DGC is a welcome addition to the NH repertoire of courses. With the closest course to the Hampton area previously being about 30 minutes away, SDGC will give the locals a fun way to get into the sport. There is a reasonable amount of elevation change, both up and down hill, and enough trees to make for some challenge to a newer player. The holes are very short, ranging from around 250 at the longest to around 120 at the shortest. The shorter holes tend to have the most extreme elevation changes, with the 120ish hole being at about a 20ft drop. Each hole is distinguishable from the last, and there are some very interesting routes available to those with the imagination to find them. Of particular note is hole 7, which at first glimpse is a short, tight dogleg left. If you look a little longer, there's a risky big anny shot that makes for an easy two if you can avoid the streetlight and subsequent nettle filled ditch. Hole 8 was also a lot of fun, with a 200ft shot to a basket that was very heavily guarded on all sides. There's a tight line to approach from the far left, and a 3ft tall "coin slot" on the ground at the right where one could skip in to the green as well. For the bold, one could also go up and over the treeline, then let your disc crash down to the basket through the pines, but the shot has more of a "plinko" feel to it than an actual golf shot on that route.

While the short course will appeal to beginners, anyone with any kind of experience will likely need to make a trip or two to the brewery if they want to remain entertained for more than an hour or so. The holes are VERY short overall and most of the lines are evident off the tee. Every hole is very much an ace run, and while some may enjoy that aspect, I like my birdies to feel like an accomplishment more than my pars to be a failure.

One major issue I had was that hole 2's basket is feet from the main entrance to the brewery, and the fairway crosses the driveway. The teesign asks players to yield to traffic, but an overpowered shot could easily turn over into the road proper. Hole 3 also holds the potential for a road shot, though the pavement is not directly in play.

You'll also want to be careful on hole 6, the short, sharp downhill toss. About 15ft behind the basket is a barbed wire fence that is difficult to see in the dark section of the woods it's in. A warning would definitely be a good plan as an encounter with the fence would not be fun.

I will likely play this course quite often this fall, as it is 5 minutes from my office, free, and able to be completed in about 30 minutes. While there are some serious limitations, the space available was used fairly well and the course is entertaining. I would not recommend traveling to play it unless you plan to hit the brewery as well, but if you're passing through the Hampton area, by all means try it out. The course is only about 5 minutes from 101 and 95, so it's very easy to fit in a round here on your way to numerous other pursuits.