Challenging, varied course built on and around a reservoir with a large earthen dam. Open bombs and tight woods. Not busy at all during weekdays. Signature holes at nos. 1/17 (double pad), 4 (raging, crooked creek with "island" green), and 18 (sharply-descending closer that is totally bombs away).

Tough elevation for the physically challenged. Walking up, down, around the massive earthen dam and its reservoir (there is also the smaller non-play earthen dam at the base of the reservoir) is real work at over 4 miles around.

The place is terribly, terribly muddy and wet in winter/early spring months. The ground was so saturated the day I played that I could *hear* underground water flowing down into the reservoir from the sloped plain that has nos. 2, 6, 7, and the approach and green of no. 1. Is the water table this high in sea-level Syracuse? Just total sogginess, rivers/lakes of water on fairways and trails, and deep mud all other places. Ugly and miserable! One can very easily slip and fall down grades and definitely should be in hiking boots and clothes you don't care much about if it has rained/snowed.

Only blue tees exist, and those are actually suited for high-intermediate, advanced, and pro players. Not us short-throwing, low-power folks. I saw one gold tee marker on no. 11 (no others). And I saw absolutely nothing for the white tees that I intended to play on this March 2023 outing.

As noted by others, there are *still* no hole signs, no next-tee signs, baskets are not numbered, DZ at no. 14 is not marked. UDisc is indeed *still* required!!

Plan on being here for a long time. It took me 3.5 hours. Of course, some of that was trying to find tees and baskets...

The pictures here on DGCR are now out-of-date. I thought it would be more confusing to upload pictures that indicate the extensively-revised routing (different hole designs, renumbered holes). The 2021 course map is almost correct except no. 4 is totally diabolical now (see above). Also the blue tee (only pad available) is in the gray locations on holes 13-16.

The course has the potential to be world-class. However, the county seems not to have the money nor the interest to build all of the pads and create the signage. It's already several years now since the course was installed. A GoFundMe campaign likely is needed to help the local club finish the work. But, of course, that is up to them.

I hope to have a better outing when I play it again this summer (next trip to Syracuse). Maybe it will be dry and sunny. The ground as well as the sky!! (smirk).

The wooded section is great when dry. There are a veriaty of holes.Well maintained.

Poor directions to next tee.No signage at tees.Really muddy at times.

1. Fun throws
2. Good elevation changes.
3. Mix of woods demanding accurate throws and clear open throws.
4. Good basket placement.
5. Baskets are in good shape.
6. Risk, reward throw over water. ( mud )
7. Fun throws.

No signs at tees.
No numbers on baskets.
No next tee signs.
Course Review map is no longer accurate.
No kiosk map in parking lot.

Installation of signs on tees, numbers on baskets and next tee signs would change my rating to 3.5. Tee pads and VanBuren Park Disc Golf would rate an easy 4.

Course looked in phenomenal shape.
Mowed grass,short rough, clean lines to fairways and pin.
Good Innova baskets.
Lots of room to air it out.
A bunch of super fun shots.
Nice blend of uphill, down hill bombs, and some tight wooded holes.

No indication to where the course begins.
No map.
No tee signs. No tee pads.. No indication as to where holes start or end.
No numbers on baskets.
No directions as to where to go or what to do.

This course could be something special, if you knew what the heck to do when you get there!
The layout looks amazing, with big down hill shots, fun uphill drives, a little bit of water, space to air it out and some fun tight holes. The course is in excellent shape and the baskets are really nice.
However, upon arrival there is no indication as to where the course begins. There is an old kiosk type sign with nothing on it and some blue and white stakes peppered around the course.
Without tee signs or numbers on the baskets, I was very confused as to where to tee, what basket to shoot for, and where the next tee might be on just about every hole. If you don't have someone with you who knows the course, it's pretty impossible to figure this place out.
It's extremely frustrating, because you know there is an amazing course laid out in front you, but you have no clue where it is!
With just some simple signs indicating 1st hole, each tee area and where to go for next tee, this place goes from mediocre to insanely awesome. I don't get out to this part of NY often, but do make a trip or two a year. I hope the next time I pass through I can give this course the rating it deserves. There is something special about this course, please, locals, help us find it!

Variety of terrain is fantastic. Big downhills, big uphills, streams, ponds, woods and more. Challenging variety of holes. Everything from short technical woods holes to open downhill bombers.

The challenging water holes offer good "bail out" opportunities for those not willing to go for the glory. The woods holes are groomed well for such a young course.

Long tees are a challenging layout that will force you to make good drives, up-shots, and putts. Many multi-shot holes that require good planning and accuracy off the tee in order to set up the approach shot.

Short tees are a perfect choice for newer players or advanced players looking to cash in on a few more birdies.

No permanent tee pads yet. Signage is temporary. Poor drainage in the back on the walk between holes.

Once you play the course with a map once, it's easy to find your way around and the tees are all very well marked. Tee pads and quality signage could push this into the 4.5-5 range.

Worthy of the 1.5 hour drive from Rochester, every time.

Props to the guys out there putting in so much work to get this course in the ground. 90% of the work done to design and install this course was down by just two people.

Scenic, hilly, quiet and beautiful. Hole 1 and 2 are really amazing, up then down a huge mown grass hill. I also liked 16, daring you to let it fly over the pond. I <<just>> made it! Fun hole.

Open area holes are amazing, but the woods holes are really tough. I know it's an infant of a course, so there's plenty of room for improvement. The woods holes are thick with brush that needs thinning out; it's very unfair at this point. It is very dense, so use bright neon colored discs, or else you risk loosing them on many holes.

BEWARE: there is lots, and I mean LOTS of Poison Ivy on these woods holes. Wear hiking boots and high socks, and be ready to shower properly when you get home, because there's a good chance you'll get P.I. unless you're a pro who lands it right in the fairway every throw. It would be nice if the P.I. could be removed, or at least removed within the first few feet of brush, anyway. The tees on hole 5 are particularly dense with P.I. on all sides.

The bridge on hole 6 is hopefully very temporary; 2 logs with pallets nailed to it... tough to cross unless you pay close attention.

Many have talked about the course layout being a bit awkward. I see their points; there is a lot of walking from one basket to the next tee, and often that is almost backwards, but since I was armed with a printout of the course map, I didn't mind. I never got lost. They're working on more permanent signage, which I'm very confident will help with navigation. Just prepare yourself ahead of time, and bring a course map with you (see the links/files tab up above!).

Overall, I'm very excited about this course, it is beautiful and scenic, and has amazing potential. I know it'll mature into a jewel of a course. My biggest wish would be to keep the Poison Ivy more at bay, and to thin out the dense shrubbery on many of the holes to give us amateurs a fighting chance at finding our favorite discs, while NOT getting P.I.

Lots of elevation change, differing hole lengths and well placed baskets were the first pros that came to mind when I thought back to my experience at Van Buren. I especially liked the hole 12 pin placement which was designed to punish players for overshooting the basket by utilizing a small cliff. A few holes had pins placed on the sides of hills and there is an elevated pin. I played from the white tees and still found the course fun and challenging. There is also a blue set of tees which adds significant length to most holes. The blue tees will challenge even the most experienced players. Benches are located throughout the course if you need a rest. Theres also a near even mix of open vs. wooded holes. The course map located at hole 1 was essential in order to navigate the course. I advise you to take a picture of it with your phone before you begin playing.The pond comes into play on a couple holes to add some risk vs. reward shots. I found the holes themselves to be well designed and very fun to play, but getting from hole to hole is another story.

The course is difficult to navigate even with a map and the flow from hole to hole is at times very frustrating. The frustration comes from too often having to backtrack across the hole you just played to get to the next hole and the long walk to get there. The transition from hole 6 to hole 7 was especially bad. I think hole 7 could easily be redesigned to correct the flow problem and still utilize the same basket. There are some very unforgiving spots of rough in places, hole 7 again being an example. Thorns are ever present even if your throw is slightly off the fairway on a couple holes on the front 9. This seems unfair. Its also quite the pain to retrieve a disc. The rough on the left of hole 7 should be addressed. Cutting a path through it could alleviate this problem. Natural tee pads. Next hole arrows and permanent signs that won't blow away will greatly help the navigational issues. I hear that cement tee pads and permanent signs are in the works.

Overall I'm a big fan of this course and really look forward to playing it again. I recommend you check it out for yourself and share your thoughts on how to improve this young course. Once cement tees and permanent signs are added this course will significantly improve. Throw in some 'next tee' arrows and markers and this course is a solid 4 in my opinion. There's a lot to like about Van Buren despite the flow issues. I had a great time and was very impressed with the individual hole designs. Very fun and unique designs throughout. No repetitive feel to the course which is very difficult to achieve. Come check it out for yourself!

Good variety of holes and shots. Elevation changes present fun and challenging shots. There are lines in the wooded holes and you won't be terribly punished for missing them. Use of the water is good and you can play without risk of a lost disc. Go for it on 16 but use plastic that floats.

Some of the holes don't have much going on. 1 and 2 aren't very interesting or challenging and it's a long backtrack to 3. 18 is long, but no obstacles.

The cons are outweighed by what I think are some of the best holes in CNY. 4 is a fun "Top of the World" shot. 6 is a great use of a creek, and my favorite hole. 7 is a fun challenge and the wooded holes are creative.

It's brand new and it's going to get better.

This course has incredible variety. Wide open bombers, huge hills, fully wooded sections, and big water shots.

Many memorable holes (2,4,6,9,10,16)

Long and short layout

It is a multi-use park. There are fishermen around the pond at certain times who need to be given warning as disc golf is new to the park.

Natural tees (permanent to be installed in the future)

First time navigation can be tricky without a map.

This course is not for the faint of heart. It is the longest and most difficult course in the Syracuse area. It is a very young course and is still undergoing slight tweaks. Permanent tees will be installed in the future.

These hole descriptions are for the par 60 blue layout.

Hole 1 - 450 uphill par 4 right out of the car. Keep your drive on the 'spine' or risk rolling away to either side. Long arms will have a look for 2.

Hole 2 - Right back down the hill, 500+. Go big and risk the OB road or play it safe?

Hole 3 - Slight walk back up the hillside to a tight downhill wooded fairway. Good birdie chance for all players.

Hole 4 - Top of the world shot. Green is marked by orange sign hanging in tree. Play a big hyzer and go for the green, or play safe into the field straight ahead. Spotter recommended.

Hole 5 - Nerve racking tee shot. 75 feet to get clear of the woods then into an open field. Only the longest arms will have a chance at eagle. 3 is a solid score here.

Hole 6 - Lay your drive up to the treeline, then throw over the creek for a birdie look. Big arms can go for a big turnover line to clear the creek in one throw and a look at eagle.

Hole 7 - Deceivingly simple. Float a hyzer over the trees on the right or run the narrow gap. Short and left throws are heavily punished.

Hole 8 - Basket located on extreme slope. Only long arms will have a look at 2. Play for the 3 and hope you don't have a roll away.

Hole 9 - Peninsula tee with a 370 foot water carry. Most will lay up short left and play for the 3.

Hole 10 - Open tee shot into the woods. Play it safe off the tee for a birdie 3. Only a spectacular shot will get a look at 2.

Hole 11 - Wooded, 340 dead straight, hope you have a disc for that.

Hole 12 - Find the gap with a high soft hyzer. Go long and you will find yourself down a cliff in the creek.

Hole 13 - A clean hyzer will get you a look for a 2.

Hole 14 - Slight turnover above the 'shark tooth' or the tight hyzer line will get looks at birdie.

Hole 15 - Roller off the tee is a good choice. Long arms will have looks for 2. Shorter drives will have to contend with a single well placed pine tree.

Hole 16 - Intimidating drive and upshot. 275 off the tee and then 275 to the basket, both over water. Play to the landing zone near the fairway tree, and then over the pond. Don't Tin Cup it.

Hole 17 - 400 foot slight turnover. OB left and right, fairway gets more and more narrow the longer your drive is.

Hole 18 - El Diablo. 666 straight uphill. Clear the road on your drive and you will have a chance to reach the basket in 2 for a birdie look.