+/- Tees are flat and sturdy pavers within wooden frames though notably small.
+ Sheet metal tee signs are clearly illustrated and backed by thick plastic anchored to a hardy 4x6 beam.
+/- Short distances are good for training, practice or birdie rounds, but...

- ...The course isn't difficult at all. Barely any obstacles or choices to make.
- No 'next' cues, but that's irrelevant because the next tee is always closeby.

High school courses sometimes make me nervous.

I've played enough by this point to expect a few common characteristics. The fairways will be shorter, more open and cleaner than your typical 9-hole course. However, you can also expect the fairways to be a fair bit more restrictive than your typical 9-hole course because of the inevitable athletic fields in all directions counting as OB with their fenced-off areas, and that makes me a bit nervous. But Howell (pronounced HOW-ull. It rhymes with towel.) High School makes me less nervous than other high school courses because there are fewer OB areas. They do exist here. For example, link7 has a mando to keep throws away from the hammer cage. Still, the course is off to the side of everything, which means that the pressure is off.

But don't ignore its challenges. No matter the distance (243 feet at the longest), you still have to get yourself into a good spot for a putt or at least a good approach. Watch out for the various equipment, storage sheds, fences and other structures all around the course. Plus, about half of the fairways have a forest right alongside them, which discourages mindless throwing. My favorite one here is link8 because it has the most challenges at once: a downsloped tree-speckled fairway with a creek and treeline to the right and an OB road to the left.

Still, it is undeniably a 9-holer on high school grounds. My least favorite, link4, is a narrow straight shot between two fences and past a set of bleachers. Don't even think about playing here during school hours. Truthfully, it may be difficult to play here after hours, too, because of sports practices. But when you do play here, you'll see that the brief fairways and wide-open configuration make it the ideal "Intro to Disc Golf" course for newbies and practice, but it offers precious little to most anybody else. I'm glad it exists, and I hope it sticks around, yet only locals, baggers and newcomers should play here.
If you're seeking a worthwhile disc golfing experience, this place is a short drive from better courses.

Excellent signage, new baskets, framed paver tees (small, but how much runup do you need for a 200' throw?)


Designers worked well with the space they had. Ultimately, this is a 9 hole layout fit in around high school athletic facilities that's short enough to accommodate PE classes and newbies. But some thoughtful touches worth mentioning:


~ The holes alternate between lines that are tightened by the facilities (mostly fences), and wide open air shots


~ Holes 5 and 6 encourage left-to-right lines, providing some variety for righties and some justice for lefties


~ Hole 7 has a mando (around the shot-put pit) to encourage the idea of shaping a teeshot


~ Hole 8 is a pretty little gem, separated from the rest of the layout by a woodline, It's slightly downhill with low trees and an OB road along the left. Unusual for a "school course", you'd find this hole in any park layout


Not available when school facilities are in use


With this course and Freehold Boro HS, all six high schools in the greater Freehold area have disc golf courses. Amazing to think that disc golf will become a regular part of physical education programs and eventually a club sport for high schoolers in this part of New Jersey.

9 hole brand new course installed on the property of Howell High School. Adequate-sized 3' x 8' paver tee pads are more than sufficient given the modest hole distances. Innova Disc Catcher baskets. Quality tee signs are affixed to a 4x6 post near each pad providing par, distance and a map of the hole. Navigation is intuitive, and "next tee" signs are planned for the base of each basket to further assist new players. Slight elevation on several holes, and hole 8 might be the nicest hole on any of the local high school courses- a modest downhill shot with a narrow stream on the right and the Howell Park Golf Course access road on the left. A newly built walking bridge aids in transition from hole 8 to 9. Several OB areas will keep kids honest without being overbearing.

Low lying property saturates much of the course after rain. Shorter distances will not challenge the advanced player. Very open and not much in the way of obstacles. Public play limited to weekends and/or non-school hours, and athletic contests can affect playing hours. There are some areas of thorns that border several of the holes requiring a thoughtful approach off the tee.

Howell High School is the 4th course in the six school Freehold Regional High School District and the latest effort by The Jersey Shore Disc Golf Club to implement the sport into the Physical Education curriculum. It is an excellent course for the average high school student and anyone learning the game. The design skillfully uses the limited space offered on the property and nothing feels crammed. Several holes- 4, 5 and 8- offer space for a long tee to accommodate classes of advanced players or for a school tournament (hole 5 in particular can be played from an elevated perch adjacent to the school).

Despite the relatively short distances, there is plenty of Out-of-Bounds here to punish careless throws. A large parking lot, an access road, a shallow stream and fenced-in fields are all factors that require careful execution of shots.

The biggest negative with Howell is the low-lying property which totally saturates the grounds after rain. Be mindful of this when deciding to play the course. Otherwise a fun, enjoyable play. Stop by as a warm up to a round at Allaire State Park- or as an ego boost after a rough round there!