Felton, DE

Killens Pond State Park

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3.385(based on 20 reviews)
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7 0
kdianich
Experience: 16.4 years 103 played 4 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Newcomers: Skip the Silver Baskets

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 6, 2024 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Pleasant setting, no overlap with other park activities. I can tell the locals give a lot of love to the course maintenance and amenities.

Cons:

Silver baskets placements seem very random, often have no fairway leading to them, no green, no landing zones and no existence on the signage. Hard to navigate due to no presence of that basket on signs. (The first couple signs showing both baskets were great!) Had to walk ahead to scout most holes to find that basket, taking me out of the flow and focus. They just seem like an afterthought and create a very unsatisfying experience. Probably nice for locals wanting variety, and having seen their placement on other passes through the course.

Other Thoughts:

Each time I've played I've swore I'll never play the layout again. I kind of feel sorry for brand new players for whom this is their first or only course played. I can't imagine their wanting to play again. When you've played a well designed course, you realize what disc golf is supposed to feel like, so hang in there and play more courses.
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16 0
HyooMac
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 7.3 years 447 played 414 reviews
2.50 star(s)

The Definition of "Decent" 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 8, 2022 Played the course:once

Pros:

+ Beautiful park setting, the course plays almost entirely in deep woods. The course has been around a long time, so the fairways are beat in. Playing in early April, the rough was always manageable


+ A lot of pretty holes: looking down well-defined fairways bordered by tall pines, the "greens" are often carpeted with pine needles


Cons:

- 25 year old Mach 2 baskets are hard to spot in the woods


- A couple of doglegs that make almost complete u-turns. One "reward" for such poor layout is a par of 4 for a hole that's under 300'


- Multiple basket positions on some holes... but they're not pictured on the tee sign. I noticed after the fact that the posts at tees with multiple positions had hose clamps around them indicating the basket position (very faded "A" or "B" painted on the post) - but even if I had noticed, it wouldn't have been much help, since the alternate position isn't on the map


- Speaking of tee signs, the maps are aerial photographs of the course, with tee positions and baskets superimposed along with a line connecting them, giving a general indication of the hole's shape. This kind of map isn't very useful on a wooded course because it's just looking down at the canopy of leaves. Adding to the difficulty, the photos were on different axes: sometimes the tee was at the bottom, sometimes it was at the side, and sometimes at the top, or in a corner


Other Thoughts:

~ The disc golf is off by itself in a very large State park


~ Pars are soft and scoring is pretty easy, especially if you play it several times and learn what to throw


~ The Red tee positions are great for newbies or families



COURSE AMENITIES:
Old rusting baskets, tees are mostly gravel or dirt, signage is just adequate. White arrows hanging on baskets to indicate the next hole. Scattered benches courtesy of the Boy Scouts. Two loops ending at the parking lot.




RECOMMENDED COMBINATIONS:
The DGCR rating average of 3.5 is quite high when compared to my experience. I think it's the case of older ratings when the course was new. It's not a bad course - it's "decent" - but it hasn't aged particularly well. OK for a bagging stop, but if time is a concern, head farther South to Henlopen or Trap Pond for better disc golf



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7 0
Stryker
Experience: 7 played 7 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Be Accurate or Perish 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 22, 2020 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Signs at each hole are generally good.
Very few holes have obvious obstacles in the middle of the fairway to get in your way.
Multiple tees for different lengths.
Area seems to generally be well-kept.

Cons:

The biggest issue, and the reason for the title, is the insane demand for accuracy on these holes. Most of the holes are lined with incredibly thick brush on both sides. If you go more than a yard off the fairway, there's a decent chance you'll lose your disc. And if you find your disc, good luck trying for any sort of decent recovery.
The tee pads are very rough. They consist of fine gravel, which is easy to slip on. Some are even in low spots which mean they become wet easily.
The back 9 is INCREDIBLY tight. Tight enough that multiple holes effectively share fairways with each other. I once was playing, walking to recover a disc, and almost got hit by another party because the fairways were directly alongside each other with no trees for division. This problem continues because the baskets are NOT easily marked. From distance, they look the same. So, if you're in the middle of the wooded area without signs or UDisc to assist, you might lose track of which basket you are supposed to be approaching.

Other Thoughts:

This course is sort of lucky that it is the only field within relative ease of drive. There is a fee for entry unless you have a state pass. If you have a state pass, it's a fine course to try, but I wouldn't spend the money to play there. And honestly, even with a pass, I only ever play here if it's convenient for travel.
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2 2
squire51
Experience: 17 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Late April 2019 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 30, 2019 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Challenging, fun, best course in southern Delmarva.

Cons:

Tee pads need attention, lots of tight fairways

Other Thoughts:

The course is always well maintained, but the addition of concrete tee pads would make it safer. The current pads are cinders/tiny gravel and have eroded or have holes in them. This course weaves through a pine Forest and the needles keep the fairways free of mud.
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4 1
jpinsky
Experience: 9.2 years 30 played 3 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Scenic and Challenging 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 16, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Beautiful Course with memorable holes.
-Multiple tee pads from short and easy to long, tight, and difficult.
-Challenges your control and has many different types of shots and angles.
-Hole signs are all present and fairly accurate.
-Arrows under basket help direct you through the course
-Holes are pretty close to each other, so there's not too much extra hiking.

Cons:

-Tee pads could use some repairs (Back tees seem like they never get played, and look ancient)
-Some holes get pretty windy, even on a calm day. (Could be a pro if you like a lot of wind)
-On a few holes, the rough is just disgustingly thick and thorns
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9 0
Zunz
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 11 years 85 played 21 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Pinetastic 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 20, 2016 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Great tee signs (except 13, it's missing)
3 tee positions per hole (2 gravel boxes and pavers marking the short tees)
Next Tee arrows on all of the baskets
Very beginner friendly from the short tees. My girlfriend played her first full round here and she had a good time. There were a couple of times I was on my third shot throwing from where she was teeing off.
Really well designed course. The variety of wooded fairway shapes and sizes takes full advantage of the available property. 15, 16 and 17, for example. 15 and 16 play through crazy straight rows of huge pine trees with a wide open understory, each basically giving you two clear, 6' wide hallway options for your 300' throw. Hole 17 then opens up quite a bit wider with no ceiling but isn't really all that wide and is bordered on both sides by shorter, disc eating pines. Oh, and is about 150' longer than the previous two. The course forced me to throw every shot I know how to, thumbers, hammers, rollers, forehands and backhands, even a scoobie or two. Killens made me realize that I really need to work on my rollers.

Cons:

It seemed like too many straight throws through the woods. After looking at the curvy lines on the tee signs I found myself struggling to pinpoint several of the baskets, almost every time that happened, the basket ended up being dead straight off the tee. Might just be how they had the course set up for the winter or snow melt conditions, there were other pin positions that seemed like they would be shapelier shots.
Some of the flow is a little wonky. There are a couple of places where there are parallel fairways and you'll find yourself basically walking back up the fairway you just played (or the one you're about to play) to get to the next tee and then you're throwing back close to the previous basket.
A couple of the holes are really short, like 9, at 121' it seems out of place on a course like this. 18, which is a fun throw (hyzer bomb ace run), but short (it seemed a lot shorter than 239'!). From the white tees almost half the course is under 250'., next time maybe I'll try the blue tees.

Other Thoughts:

The park has a campground and there are cabins and boats for rent on the lake and there's a even a water park. There are bathrooms by the course parking lot. The first hole has scorecards with a map.
Big arm players probably aren't going to like it here. Nor are people who aren't interested in throwing tightly wooded fairways. But if threading the needle is your game, Killens Pond might end up being one of your most favorite courses. Most of the holes have a fairly high ceiling for a course this heavily wooded. Not much chance for disc loss here other than getting one stuck up in a tree, unless you throw brown pine needle colored discs, in which case every throw could end up being an adventure.
They have discs for sale in the park office but they are wicked expensive and they only had about 8 when I was there, just regular ones, no souvenir stamps.

Overall I had a lot of fun playing this course. Played a couple of rounds the weekend I stayed at the park and I wouldn't mind coming back for more. I think this would make a great home course if I was a local based on the variety of shots it forces you to make or work on. I'd be willing to bet that people who play here a lot are roller artists.
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3 0
t55dude
Experience: 10.6 years 18 played 8 reviews
4.00 star(s)

great course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 19, 2014 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Very clean park. Course is completely separate from all other park activities.the course allows you lots of different shots. From big haters and anhydrous, to long and strait. You have mid range with trees in just the right spot that require precise aim. Even a couple short holes that an errant first shot could turn a 121 foot hole into a tough three. Multiple pin positions with 3 tee pads to choose from for skills of all level. Billboard at first hole always has score sheets with a map on back to help navigate. Very good signage at all the white pads.

Cons:

While the front nine is very easy to navigate, the back nine can get a little tough. Nine to ten, and fourteen to fifteen are the two that comes to mind. The white pads are a little worn down, and the blue are not used a lot and have some weeds on them.

Other Thoughts:

The course plays completely through the woods. There is brush however it is kept well maintained. I have seen very little poison ivy, and there is little risk of losing discs except on holes 10 and 18. The fairways are tight and pine trees add some difficulty in just the right spots.
Overall, this is my favorite course to play so far. I am glad to have it just 20 minutes from my house and highly recommend it to players of all levels.
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1 4
Ufcfan
Experience: 5 played 4 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Fun Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 1, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

Different landscape. some cool holes. Easy to find next holes.

Cons:

Lost two discs from high grass but if I would of threw it a little better guess that wouldn't of been an issue

Other Thoughts:

This course is an hour and a half from me and I will be back for sure. Reminds me of Lums Pond a little
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1 4
Jblevins
Experience: 8 played 8 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Fun pine wooded course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 21, 2013 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Good wooded course among a pine tree forest. Pin positions vary from right and left fade positions. Require a variety of shots and varying length.

Cons:

Some holes are repetitive, and two holes have extremely tight "fairways".
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4 0
Radarx
Experience: 14.7 years 82 played 12 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Hey this course was Fun! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 20, 2012 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

A little tight but very fair, mostly wooded course with a variety of shots. The course forces you to work on your control here more than just pure distance which results in a course that just has a fun factor to it. What impressed me most were the up shots, they were challenging and required accurate shots to get to the tree guarded baskets. Good signage, defines fairways, baskets in good shape, really nice park setting

Cons:

Tee pads need some work (Blue-White). Many of the blue tees had trip weeds in them. Pro tees little short, some of them only 10-15 feet back from white. I would remove the back board on the tees, they are a little cramped. Needs just a couple next hole signs at certain places where you traverse back for the next hole.

Other Thoughts:

I have to agree with a previous review in that all that open land around the course and not one hole. One of the holes is like 121 ft (white) and that is kind of useless hole when the field could have been utilized. Overall I really enjoyed my time here and the course was worth the out of state drive.
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4 1
jchoate7
Experience: 12.4 years 64 played 10 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Killens Pond DG 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Nov 11, 2012 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Course is heavily wooded which makes you have to use every shot in your inventory from you forehand to your backhand and your hyzers to your anhyzers. Three course layouts with three tee positions on most holes, two tee postions on some of the shorter holes. There are also two pin locations for almost every hole, one for the shorter holes. Because the course weeves its way through the woods it makes for even the most windy days to not have an effect on your discs. Course is always maintained very well. Great place to learn how to play disc golf.

Cons:

During the summer the growth from the trees can prove to be tough. OB arrows on holes 3 and 12 are broken. The course could use a couple helping arrows to the next tee pads. Poison ivy in some parts of the rough and ticks can also be a problem (wear bugspray!). Park fee to get into the park is $3 in-state plates and $6 out-of-state plates.

Other Thoughts:

Great local course. You do have to pay the state park fee to get into the park but if you planning on going a lot it is a good idea to invest in a Delaware park pass for the year which will also get you into other Delaware disc golf courses. The park also offers more than just disc golf. Some of the other activities the park has to offer are; picnic areas, walking trails, bike trails, boat/canoe/kayak rentals, fishing, nature center, water park, camping, and more!
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6 0
sidewinder22
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 18.3 years 331 played 198 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Killen it! 2+ years

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

Pros:

18 baskets with dual pin positions and 3 sets of tees providing a good mix of difficulty for each hole. The longer 2 tees are boxed gravel and the short is natural, with a tee sign and basket position indication on the middle tees. Excellent use of the available land. Good variety of shots required and unique holes through mostly woods. Well defined fairways and protected greens place a premium on accuracy here. Course flows well and navigation is ok. Two nine hole loops back to the parking lot and bathrooms.

Cons:

Nothing major here. Some poison ivy in the rough, not too terrible. The boxed gravel tees are a little small, but you really shouldn't need much runup here. Next tee markers would help in a few places. I think it was hole 12's tee sign was washed out, and another hole was missing the basket indicator hose clamp. $6 out-of-state fee to enter park.

Other Thoughts:

I enjoyed my play at Killens Pond even though I never saw a pond. The course is mostly wooded and pretty flat and compact but the available elevation and space are used well. The course seemed to favor LHBH or RHFH when I played. Hole 3 was a complete u-turn to the right with a narrow fairway, which was the most memorable hole. From the long tees the key to the course is accuracy so stay in the fairway and let any birdies comes as they may. The rough will often punish you, but it plays fair. It seems to rain every time I visit any of the delmarva courses, and I've noticed that these courses also seem to handle rain really well with the pine needles on the ground. If you are in the area it's worth a play.
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2 3
beaverdisc
Experience: 54.7 years 11 played 11 reviews
4.00 star(s)

another decent fun time 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 13, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This is a course that I try to get to. even if I am not playing any other course in Delaware. I love the landscape and hole challenges. You have to use several skill shots from your bag of tricks.

Cons:

I do not get there often enough.
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2 4
JediEthan1
Experience: 4 played 4 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 11, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nice Wooded holes require a variety of shot selection, fairly clear, flowing course design, creative teepad amd pin placement on many holes. It isn't out of the way too much, easy to get to for passerby.

Cons:

Sometimes can be overgrown, two holes teepads are somewhat vague, but neither is enough to keep this course down!
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7 0
jimimc
Experience: 27.6 years 35 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Home Sweet Home 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 7, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The course has three sets of tees and 2 pin placements on every hole. You will need every shot in your bag to play well here. Accuracy is rewarded here while arrent shots are punished. Two plus stroke swings can happen on almost evey hole. The park has many other things to do from boating to a Water Park. Bathrooms right off the parking lot.

Cons:

In the middle of the summer poison ivy can be bad. The tees are stone dust and have to be maintained to be at there best.

Other Thoughts:

This is the course I learned how to play disc golf on. Most players that play here regularly come away with a well rounded game. From tunnel shots to high hyzer shots to high anhyzer shots to rollers, you'll need them all here. The only real draw back of the course is the restriction of the land the course is on. It is flat and on about 15 acres of land, but it's definetly worth the trip.
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11 0
swatso
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 16.3 years 776 played 417 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Pine Carpet 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 28, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Two pin/three tee positions per hole. Signs at middle (white) tees listing the distances for all the tee-basket combinations, also an indication of the current basket location and other tee locations. Two nine-hole loops. Thick layer of pine needles to keep much of the undergrowth at bay.

Cons:

Given the lack of variety of terrain (flat), you get a deja vu feeling on some holes. Need to back-track to some tee locations on the back nine.

Other Thoughts:

Plays in-to/out-from (about 1/3rd) or completely within (about 2/3rds) a section of mostly pine trees in a very large and well-maintained state park. A very nice, even distribution of required turns: right/left/S-shape, sharp/intermediate/gentle, early/mid/end-of-flight, long/middle/short duration. Good variety of length - after (mostly decent) initial drives, I found myself with approach shots of wildly-varying length. Throwing paths vary from fairly broad to on the tight side, but nothing too extreme. Low ceiling here, clumps of bushes to throw over there, "hallway" of trees to throw through, long branches to skirt - makes the most of the resources available!

Costs $6 to enter a Delaware state park, but that fee will permit you to enter any other Delaware state park that day. Also, it appears there is no entry fee December through February inclusive.
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8 0
optidiscic
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.4 years 156 played 149 reviews
3.00 star(s)

SKillens Pond 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 15, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Triple tees and alternating basket positions that seem to be utilized as the undergrowth for both locations was non-existant. 18 holes of some of the most technical holes you can fathom. Everything from the open placement drive into the woods, out of the woods drive drive to the open, s-turns, doglegs, straight hallways, up and overhand off the tee, elevated basket, windows, and downright tight gaps to teasingly more open but not so open fairways. #17 messes your mind up as you exit those tight woods you see a seemingly wide open fairway...but is it really? A long evergreen lined fairway that will gobble up your reckless drive everytime. Check your ego at the gate and play within yourself and you will do well here...try to conquer this course and she will put a KILLEN on you! Plenty of length for a woods course. these holes can all enable birdies but can equally disable with bogeys. Try the long tees for an often tighter and demanding and not just longer look. As it is primarily pines the underbrush is pretty tame here. bathrooms, info kiosk and big lot in primarily disc golf territory.

Cons:

Elevation is minimal here and barely noticeable outside of a couple 5 foot rises or descents. No water despite the "Pond" title. Often the long tees are so tight off the tees it almost seems unfair and silly....even to a technical fan like myself. As you drive in theres a huge open field that sadly does not come into play at all.....would have been a nice counter to all that tight wooded madness. Tees were gravel and at times smallish or poorly maintained.

Other Thoughts:

Of the 3 tees per hole, the beginners were often just a slab to mark. I ended up playing a lot of the Int tees as the pro tees seemed almost impossible on some holes to me and I had to concede I'm no Pro....Basically theres a huge discrepancy in skill sets to play here and the challenge here is not about power it's more about increasingly more difficult technicality as the tees progress from red to white to blue. Unique to play a course where the pro tees are just maddeningly more technical as opposed to just an increase of distance. Explains my title for this review..you need to be Skilling to master Killens!
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9 0
craigg
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 43.2 years 186 played 37 reviews
3.00 star(s)

one of my favorites in DE 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 18, 2006 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

I really like the layout of this course. There are several unique obstacles on this course, you just don't see very often. There are these groves of sumac trees (They aren't poison sumac - and don't get more than about an inch in diameter) that grow in groves that have been used as "up and over" type obstacles that force you to throw a tight controlled spike, or an upside down shot.
There are several low ceiling early, and low ceiling late type shots that are combined with big open areas, that force you to exhibit both power and control. And then there are the pure woods holes, that combine the tight control type shot you might expect - with some sort of sharp turn (sometimes early, sometimes late). All in all - a nice set and nice mix of skill challenges.

Cons:

Being near the shore - it's flat - no elevation at all. Teepads aren't the greatest (some are a little small - or a little cramped), but overall they are ok because they are at grade.
The course is a little remote / out of the way - not a whole lot around it commercially, so stop for your supplies on the way in.

Other Thoughts:

The course (like some others in DE) is a bit blind, but flows well, and is fairly intuitive. So even without next tee signs - its pretty easy to follow.
Within about 45 minutes of the ocean, Killens often plays with a constant breeze - which can sometimes add a nice dimension to the course challenge.
The park staff in this State Park is like night and day with those at Lums or Brandywine, and seem to appreciate the volunteer efforts of the local DG community. Perhaps that led to the newer Trap Pond course (which I haven't played as of this writing) - that I have heard nothing but good things about.
Killens is one of my favorites in Delaware.
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9 0
Tolbert
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 19.4 years 349 played 32 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Into the Pines 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Dec 3, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Fun to play wooded course, with a few open holes. The wooded fairways for the most part aren't too tight, allowing for decent drives. I enjoyed that the course demanded every throw in my bag. Hole length varied nicely and each hole had 3 tees for players of different skill level. Most holes had 2 pin placements. Pine trees are abundant on the course and providing foliage year round.

Cons:

Course could definitely use some signs to help with navigation for newcomers. First time there I was wandering around on a few holes and checking the numbers on baskets. Occasionally a running path comes through the course.

Other Thoughts:

Wish I lived a bit closer, I really liked the challenge here.
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6 0
apimarty
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Very well groomed 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 11, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

This course has a nice mix of tight wooded holes and not so tight wooded holes. The signage is excellent and all holes have Pro, Am and Jr. tees. Although there are only 18 baskets, the local pro uses the alternate pin placements to change the course on a regular basis (twice a month?) The last time I played, I noticed the fairways had been mowed and the rough had been trimmed.

Cons:

There is no practice basket, so players tend to use #18. There are two holes (8 & 9) where you have to drive over bushes that are 8'+. This is not a throw that most people have. For the Pro player, the course will be a little short.

Other Thoughts:

I play Killens once or twice a year. This last time, I was very impressed with how the course had changed with grooming and new pin placements. A note for you Out of Staters. The park fee is per car, not per person, so bring a friend or two and cut that cost down. If you play more than 10 rounds a year in DE, get a yearly pass good for ALL parks in DE (there are courses in every one). This is truely worth the $$ as there are great courses throughout the state.
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